The History and Success of Notre Dame’s Green Jerseys
By Chase Eyrich
Notre Dame has a long and storied history of breaking out the green jerseys.
History and Success of the Green Jerseys
We all love them, we get hyped whenever we see them, and we all secretly wish to see the Irish running out in their “Green Machine” jerseys whenever a big game comes up. The last time we saw them was during the last annual Shamrock Series Game against Boston College, which was played at Fenway Park.
These jersey’s didn’t look like the “Green Machine” jerseys but never the less fit the criteria. Not too many were fans of the all green uniforms but it isn’t hard to upset traditionalist when it comes to new jerseys.
Most people recognize the iconic green jerseys from the 1977 match up against USC in South Bend. Digger Phelps, during the pep rally the night before, was able to get the whole crowd chanting “We are the Green Machine” after convincing everyone to wear green.
Who knows what the crowed expected that Saturday afternoon, but the Irish came out to warm up in their traditional blue and gold. During that time head coach Dan Devine had green jerseys put into the lockers for every player.
The emotions in the locker room were indescribable. Of course no one in the stands or watching at home knew of this so it came to a surprise to everyone. That game is known for how the Irish dominated Southern Cal 49-19.
Most fans consider that the first time the Irish rocked the green jerseys, but that’s not true. In fact the green jerseys use to be way more common. The jerseys first appeared in the Rockne era when freshman wore green to show that they were ineligible.
It is believed that the first time Notre Dame wore the green jerseys in a game was 1921 in Iowa City against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes went undefeated that season giving the Irish their only loss of the season.
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The green jerseys were used off and on from that point, some for a game each season, some for a few seasons in a row. Devine used the jerseys from 1977 and 1980 for 42 straight games.
After 13-seasons without using the jerseys, Devine brought them back and was the most successful with them going 32-9-1. Since then the jerseys have been used for only special occasions to help motivate players and the fan base.
Without including Shamrock Series jerseys, the Irish have gone just 3-5 in the Green Machine jerseys.
1983
Defeated USC 27-6
1985
Defeated USC 37-3
1995
Lost to Colorado (Fiesta Bowl) 41-24
1999
Lost to Georgia Tech (Gator Bowl) 35-28
2002
Lost to Boston College 14-7
2005
Lost to USC 34-31 (BUSH PUSH)
2006
Defeated Army 41-9
2007
Lost to USC 38-0
2010
Defeated Army 27-3
2011
Defeated Maryland 45-21
2015
Defeated Boston College 19-16