[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMcbnIFoxjM&w=560&h=315]
10. Jerome Bettis – ’91 Sugar Bowl vs. Florida
Nailed it. Listen, Bettis’ numbers may not have been huge because that offense wasn’t predicated on one ballcarrier, but he was always trucking someone in clutch moments.
9. Jonas Gray ’11 vs. Pitt
A hidden gem. Honestly forgot about that one. Gray was a really, good player who left just before the BCS Championship appearance. It appears they are trending toward REALLY long runs.
8. C.J. Prosise ’15 vs. Georgia Tech
I remember being really worried about this game and then very quickly after it started I wasn’t. Prosise was so good. Wish we had more of him.
7. Joe Heap ’54 vs. SMU
There’s the piece of grainy footage from yesteryear I was looking for. I’d be lying if I said I’d heard of Joe Heap before.
6. Rocket Ismail ’90 at Pitt
HERE FOR THE ROCKET STRAIGHT HAND-OFF! I’m 3 for 5 so far!
5. Reggie Brooks ’92 at USC
Brooks torching USC is always fun. Brooks had the most fun RB season by a ND player during my almost 30 years of religously watching.
4. Josh Adams ’17 vs. USC
Ah the run that forced my brother and I to high-five at the head table during my other brother’s wedding reception. An Adams long-strider can be crossed off the list and I’m sort of 5 for 7 so far.
3. Tony Rice ’88 at USC
More USC destruction and another in that 1988-1990 era. The importance of this one is that in came in a game that propelled Notre Dame to a title tilt. Truly appreciate the list-makers stepping on USC.
2. Eric Penick ’73 vs USC
Just trolling USC at this point and I love it. A little before Ferguson/Pinkett, but Penick’s 85-yard run was huge in a National Championship season led by Ara Parseghian, his second.
1. Dexter Williams ’18 at Virginia Tech
Six out of ten ain’t bad. Williams’ 97-yard touchdown run came at the start of the second half in a 17-16 game where the Irish looked sluggish. Tommy Kraemer and Miles Boykin lent key blocks that made sure all Dexter really had to do was run fast.
Those were the Top 10 Longest Runs from Notre Dame Football’s view. What were yours?