Flashback Friday: Notre Dame football’s biggest road win under Brian Kelly
By Ben Belden
Marquee road games have been a thorn in the side of the Notre Dame football team, but that was not the case when the Irish stormed Norman, Oklahoma in 2012.
Notre Dame football fans have become all too familiar with heartbreak and defeat over the years. Many of the most agonizing defeats have come on the road in marquee matchups such as the one I detailed yesterday.
Fortunately, though, today is Friday and it’s time to flash back to Notre Dame’s biggest regular season win under Brian Kelly.
In this instance, the Irish headed to Norman, Oklahoma to play the Sooners. At the time, the Irish were a surprising 7-0 and ranked 5th in the country. The Sooners were ranked 8th and were 5-1 entering the game.
Despite Notre Dame’s surprising start to the season, the Irish weren’t getting a lot of respect. Many expected the Irish to stub their toe in this one. The Irish, however, had other ideas.
The Irish and the Sooners had a substantial feeling-out period in this game, as both teams relied on their defense through the better part of the game. The Irish capitalized on Cierre Wood’s 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, which was the difference in the game until the 4th quarter.
With a little over 9 minutes in the fourth quarter, the Sooners finally got in the endzone, tying the game at 13. From there, however, it was all Irish.
Notre Dame responded with a tremendous drive that was led by Everett Golson. Eventually, the Irish quarterback would score on a 1-yard run, putting the Irish up 20-13 with 5:05 left. The run capped a 7-play, 73-yard drive.
What happened next might have been the signature play of the 2012 season.
Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones dropped back and delivered a short pass to his left. Linebacker Dan Fox played the ball perfectly from behind the Oklahoma receiver, causing the ball to deflect into the air. From there, Notre Dame’s Heisman candidate, Manti Te’o, made a miraculous diving interception.
The Irish capitalized on the field position with a field goal to put the Irish ahead 23-13.
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Theo Riddick put the icing on the cake with a touchdown run to cap the scoring and the Irish would win 30-13, causing Brent Musburger to say this: “Folks, let me say this loud and clear: Notre Dame is relevant again.”