Notre Dame Football: Top 10 Quarterbacks In Modern Fighting Irish History
#6 Kevin McDougal 1990-1993
When Kevin McDougal entered his senior season at Notre Dame, the signal caller from Pompano Beach, Florida had a mere 21 passing attempts in his career, and he just ot beat out for the starting job by incoming freshman Ron Powlus. Everything changed after Ron Powlus broke his collarbone in camp. McDougal was named the starter and would then go on to have the greatest single season at quarterback in school history.
Although McDougal was a mobile quarterback, he was not a “running” quarterback. After all, Lou Holtz would bring in Paul Failla in goaline situations to run the option. McDougal could distribute the ball like no other quarterback before him at Notre Dame. His 151 passer rating is still a season record.
What sets McDougal apart besides being the ultimate “next man in” story, is what Notre Dame did in the 1993 season. The Irish went on a 10 game winning streak that included wins over #2 Michigan and #1 Florida State in what was called the “Game of the Century” as well as the first game that ESPN went on the road to cover as the genesis to College Gameday. A loss to Boston College via a last second field goal knocked the Irish out of national title contention- despite winning their bowl game. The “champions” were Florida State, and innocence died as voters gave a title to Bowden because he had not yet won one yet.
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