Notre Dame football: Naming the top-5 Shamrock Series games
By Ryan Shanko
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ae5dd9e0130b8d12b8ca2bb94549b9e4a37a80ffd5bd50c6524d5cfeeec3268f.jpg)
Notre Dame football: Naming the top-5 Shamrock Series games
5. 2011 — Notre Dame 45, Maryland 21
2011 was at the end of a not-so-great era of Notre Dame football, so blowout wins were still few and far between for the Irish at this point. That’s what makes this 2011 Shamrock Series domination of Maryland make the list.
The Irish put together a complete dominant performance, leading 38-7 after the 3rd quarter and 45-14 with 5 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. Jonas Gray ran for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns and Tommy Rees threw for just south of 300 yards with 2 TDs and no interceptions.
While there is nothing particularly incredible about the game itself, there is one thing that makes this win one of the rarer ones in program history. Irish diehards know the risks of playing with a shamrock on the helmet, and especially the risk of the green jerseys (The Bush Push Game, The first night game in the Big House against Michigan).
Combining these two aspects into one uniform was a bold decision but turned out to be a good one as the Irish won handily. I just wouldn’t do it again. Overall, this was a very solid performance by the Irish on both sides of the ball, so it takes the 5th and final spot on my list.