Notre Dame Football: Top 10 Wins Of The Brian Kelly Era
By Chase Eyrich
No. 1: Oklahoma, 2012
You already knew that the number one win in Brian Kelly’s era at Notre Dame was going to be from the 2012 season. Arguably, it was the biggest game of the season. Notre Dame came in at No. 5 looking to prove that they belonged in the National Championship conversation. A win over No. 8 Oklahoma would put them there.
The Irish did not receive much respect going into the game. Despite being ranked higher, Notre Dame came into the matchup as a 10.5-point underdog.
For the most part, it was the battle you would want from a top ten matchup — hard-nosed football. It was clear early on that Notre Dame deserved to be in a game like this one.
Cierre Wood put the Irish on top early with a 62-yard touchdown run. After that, the Irish would never trail again.
After trading a couple of field goals, Oklahoma’s Blake Bell pounded into the end zone to tie the game up at 13 with just over nine minutes remaining.
That’s when the Irish exploded.
Everett Golson made up half the distance of the field when Chris Brown pulled in the 50-yard bomb on the next drive. Sitting at 3rd and goal on the one-yard line, Golson ran the ball in for a one-touchdown cushion.
On the ensuing possession, Manti Te’o came up clutch like he did all season. By intercepting Landry Jones, Te’o set the Irish up for a field goal.
With another opportunity, Notre Dame continued to use Theo Riddick while trying to burn time. Instead, with 1:36 remaining Riddick busted out a 15-yard run for the touchdown.
What once was a close game now looked dominated by the Irish in just a five-minute span.
Next: A Look At Brian Kelly's Numbers
It wasn’t all about how the Irish won. It was about the level of program they beat while trying to prove themselves. From a 10.5 underdog going into Norman –a place where Bob Stoops was 79-4 — it was the win Notre Dame needed the most in Kelly’s era so far. Irish win, 30-13.