Notre Dame Football: Top 10 Wins Of The Brian Kelly Era
By Chase Eyrich
No. 3: Stanford, 2012
It might not have been the biggest win, but it was one of the most nerve-racking games in Kelly’s era.
Notre Dame came in at No. 7 in the country at the halfway point of the season. A date with No. 17 Stanford almost altered one of the best seasons in recent Notre Dame history.
It was a dogfight between two stout defenses, but the offenses came out to play as well.
Notre Dame looked to keep their undefeated record alive, but things looked dark. It was the Irish who got on the board first with a Kyle Brindza field goal. But that small lead was stripped when Everett Golson was sacked and fumbled the ball — a play that resulted in a fumble recovery by Chase Thomas in the end zone.
Golson got his chance at redemption in the fourth quarter and he took full advantage of it. A 24-yard pass to Tyler Eifert set up the game-tying extra point.
In a game dominated by defense, it was time for one of the offenses to step up. First, it was Stanford’s opportunity. The Cardinals took their time. A 16-play, eight-plus minute drive resulted in Stanford taking the lead with a field goal.
On the final drive, Golson marched out to just past midfield. A four-yard rush from the quarterback ended with helmet-to-helmet contact. Just like that Golson’s night was over with 3:20 remaining.
In came Tommy Rees, who finished the drive and set Brindza up for the 22-yard game-tying field goal.
As overtime came, it was Rees stepping up once again. This time it was TJ Jones who stretched out to make a catch and grab the lead in the first possession of OT.
The season had relied on Notre Dame’s defense and just how far Manti Te’o, Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix would take them. This time it was about how much they trusted each other. It took not one, but two goal-line stands for Notre Dame to secure the win and the 6-0 start to the season. Irish win 20-13.