Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: 4 Best games against Boston College

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Notre Dame took on Doug Flutie in 1983 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Notre Dame took on Doug Flutie in 1983 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football: 4 Best games against Boston College

1983 Liberty Bowl: Notre Dame 19, Boston College 18

Just the second meeting in the Notre Dame-Boston College series came in the 1983 Liberty Bowl. The Irish were led by Gerry Faust. and in his third season, expectations were high, as Notre Dame started the season ranked fifth in the country, despite losing three straight to end 1982.

As always under Faust, Notre Dame proved to be inconsistent and ultimately an average team, going 6-5 in the regular season. Boston College, on the other hand, spent the season underrated, even beating Alabama to end the season.

They entered the Liberty Bowl 9-2, and their quarterback was future Heisman winner Doug Flutie.

Flutie took charge early, leading a touchdown drive to start the game for Boston College. Notably, however, the Eagles missed the extra point. Notre Dame responded, though. Alan Pinkett was the heart and soul of the Notre Dame teams in the early 1980s, and on his back, the Irish marched down the field and scored on a Pinkett run.

Mike Golic would block a punt, setting up the next Notre Dame touchdown. Critically, the extra point attempt by Notre Dame would be blocked. This kept the Irish lead at a round seven points, 13-6. Notre Dame immediately followed that score with another drive that ended in a Pinkett score.

Once again, the extra point was blocked.

The Irish held a 19-6 first half lead before Flutie started to turn it on again. Two long Flutie passes, for 42 and 28 yards, respectively, led to a quick Boston College score before the half. Again, they wouldn’t get the point after. This time, they went for two and failed. The score would be 19-12 at the half.

A one touchdown, with the extra point, deficit.

The second half had almost no offense to it, becoming a defensive struggle. That is, until halfway through the 4th quarter when Flutie threw his third touchdown pass on the day. This being an era without overtime, Boston College didn’t want to settle for a tie.

Once again, they didn’t get it. If they hadn’t chased points in the first half, they could have taken the kick here and taken the lead by a point. Instead, they trailed 19-18. The game would end with more defense, as Flutie couldn’t save Boston College when he got it back with a minute left.

Home/Notre Dame Football