Notre Dame football: Naming the top-5 Shamrock Series games

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Chris Tyree #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish returns a kickoff for a touchdown chased by Dean Engram #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers as Leo Albano #26 celebrates at Soldier Field on September 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Notre Dame defeated Wisconsin 41-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Chris Tyree #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish returns a kickoff for a touchdown chased by Dean Engram #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers as Leo Albano #26 celebrates at Soldier Field on September 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Notre Dame defeated Wisconsin 41-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame Football
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 05: Dan Fox #48 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Jaylon Smith #9 celebrate a fumble recovery against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Cowboys Stadium on October 5, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Naming the top-5 Shamrock Series games

4. 2013 — Notre Dame 37, #22 Arizona State 34

As this 2013 matchup with the Sun Devils nears its 10-year anniversary, it is important to remember just how crazy this game was. The Irish entered the game 3-2 and were struggling to find an identity with new starter Tommy Reese at the helm. ND traveled to AT&T Stadium with that in mind, preparing to face a up and coming Arizona State squad who was ranked in the top 25.

Under the bright lights of a primetime game on national TV, Tommy Rees led the way for the Irish with 279 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Dan Fox sealed the deal after a back and forth second half by intercepting Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly and returning the INT for a TD to make the score 37-27 with just over a minute remaining in the contest.

The Irish went on to upset the No.22 Sun Devils 37-34 in what was the most entertaining game of the Shamrock Series, by pure wow-factor. A top 25 win in a game featuring some incredible uniforms was a great look for the Notre Dame program in 2013. The fourth quarter of this game saw 34 total points, so it earns the 4th spot on my list.