Florida came into the game arrogant because they thought they still had a shot at the National Title even though it was clear that Miami and Washington were going to be the ones to share the title. Notre Dame wanted to finish off the season strong because it was a disappointing season by their standards.
I miss the old New Years bowl games. You would get in order ,the cotton, the sugar, the rose and then the orange bowl. Where have all the good times gone?
@@timlevis3630 Blame that on Money and everybody crying about not being “Number One” and that “We don’t see the best team win” Hell we still ain’t seeing the best teams win in Today’s World🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿
Lou had fired his OC and DC and came up with an amazing 3-8 scheme to run against Florida on defense. This was definitely Lou's best bowl game imo at Notre Dame. I was super happy my folks let me stay up to watch this game with them
That's pretty cool knowledge. I was in fifth grade at the time of this game and hadn't really gotten into football yet but I grew up 20 minutes away from Notre Dame's campus. I'm a lifelong wolverine's fan and I remember Lou on the sidelines and it just always was something special about getting that w against the Lou holtz coached Notre Dame. That turned it into a long winded statement anyways thank you for that knowledge it was cool to learn that. I have nothing but respect for the Fighting Irish and coach Holtz. Wish we could get the annual Michigan-Notre Dame games back.
I bet the Florida excuses were classic after this stomping by the Irish, e.g "well, you know it was kinda difficult to get up for this game with them being only ranked #18 you know..." lol Give Lou Holtz two weeks to prepare and he would beat just about anybody!
NDs offensive line and HOFer Jerome Bettis absolutely pulverized the SEC's best team. Holtz had the team RUN the ball for an entire drive the length of the field in the 4thQ I think eating up about 8 min of clock.
Spurrier never liked working too hard to beat an opponent, despite his arrogance. He'd rather have been playing golf than staying late in the office watching film.
It all goes in spurts your teams down this couple years. The next couple years after your team will be back up it’s just a wave. No one stays on top forever. That’s what’s so great about college football.
@@ryanlogrande9810 so true. Funny story about Coach Lou Holtz… I was a die hard ND fan growing up, but they didn’t recruit me. We played ND at home in 1994, at the coliseum. This was my chance to meet the legend. The game ended in a tie, 14-14. This was the last year where ties were allowed, the overtime system was implemented the next year. The game ended and both teams were jogging off the field. I HAD to meet Coach Holtz. I run up to him and say good game coach. He said, “good game ? A tie is like kissin’ your sister, it just don’t count.” That was 30 years ago this year, and I will never ever forget that. Much love and respect for The Fighting Irish ☘️
Gifford,and Dierdorf USC and Michigan guys were totally prepared for ND to get blown out early in the game with plenty of snied comments. But lou had a great game plan and he stuck to it. Could see Spurrier getting more and more frustrated as the game went on. Then ND just ran all over them in the second half. ND team was very talented lost a few games they shouldn't have to psu and a few others, but they proved it in the sugar bowl.
I remember being shocked at Notre Dame winning this game. I thought Florida was going to win easily. Notre Dame barely beat Hawaii to end the regular season, while Florida had beaten Florida State and were the SEC champions.
That Florida team was a mystery. They blew out Alabama 35-0, which was Bama's only loss, and then knocked FSU out of any shot at the National Championship, winning 14-9. But their only two losses were indoors, at Syracuse and Notre Dame in New Orleans, and both teams ran a strong, power option offense out of multiple formations. Both games were by similar scores, 38-21 and 39-28.
@@benjaminmaracek535 He was actually given the nickname of "The Bus" at the ND pep rally in New Orleans. I was there. I don't remember who the speaker was, but I remember what he said. Here's my best effort at recalling the speech: "Here in New Orleans, they have trolley cars. But the fans from Gainesville call them "busses". So when Jerome Bettis is running the ball all over Florida, I want you to chant 'Nobody stops The Bus!'... 'Nobody stops The Bus!'... 'Nobody stops The Bus!'" He then said that Notre Dame represents everything that's good about college sports. Then he said, "Michigan beats Washington... Nebraska beats Miami. Florida is dreaming of a national championship. And down by 5 points with no time left, Rick Mirer drops back and finds [I don't remember who]... and it's a touchdown!" True story. I was 10 years old. My dad and I went to the game; it's one of the best memories that I have with my father. He'd probably remember who was giving the speech, but he's since passed away.
@@lynnerose7891 Yeah I know, but I was referring to the 3 ND backs. Bettis was the FB of the 3. I should have said who knew we would be watching "a" Hall of Famer instead of "the". But I guess someone knew.
what NO COMMERCIALS!? No Corinthian leather Ricardo Montalban? No Aqua velva man? no miller light? No, 'this week on 20/20..'? HAPPY NEW YEAR FLORIDA FANS!
There are more offensive formations in this game alone than in the last 20 yrs. Hey guys lets go go shotgun on every play, even if its 3rd and 1. What a bore sport this has become.
WHAT NO COMMERCIALS!? No Corinthian leather? No Aqua Velva Man? nO miller light? No 'this week on 20/20 ol` barbara wa wa, ..HAPPY NEW YEAR FLORIDA FANS! CAN U SPELL BUS sure sure ya can
Florida lost despite outgaining Notre Dame 511-433, and committing only two turnovers to Notre Dame's four. ND won on the scorebord but not on the field. This was a very odd coaching job by Steve Spurrier. This was mentioned often by the TV commentators during the late 3rd qtr and and thru the early 4th. UF lead 22-17 with 12 min to go. Florida had one of the best RB's and Running games in the Country, with Eric Rhett and Willie McClendon in the backfield. And a very good O Line, which dominated ND's D Line thru out the game. However. with 5 pt lead with 12 to go, and ND dropping 8 into pass coverage every play, Spurrier continued to Air it Out. Ignoring the fact he had the lead, Great Running game, and a ND Defene that was putting up 5 in the Box and dropping 6-8 every down. UF still has the lead, ND is playing strictly pass defense, every down, and Spurrier just keeps having Mathews put it in the air rather than handing off to Rhett and taking the yardage ND was just handing to him. It was very odd...If you have the lead, and a great RB, against a Nickel Defense every down...Why not run off some clock, be somewhat conservative, run the ball. Rather than calling middle and deep passing plays every down vs a D that is playing the Middle and Deep ball ever down.?
Was the joke? What the difference between cherrios and Notre Dame? Cherrios beling in a bowl. That was the point i disliked Spurrier and gator fans. Bears had Wilber Marshall and Neil Anderson. Holtz knew he could guard them until ted zone. They forced fg. Irish running game started to wear out gators and they fell for full house backfield by crowding the line. Just a couple of quick dives by bettis and his quik feet made the difference. 2 years before Bettis was the 5th back. Rickey Watters, rocket, culver, Brooks. Finished 2 in 89. 90 beat Colorado. Lost 91 to Colorado when rocket's punt return was called back by phantom block. Beat noles only to lose next week to bc. But noles got title. Miami beat irish soundly and it was fair but cause it was end of year means irish lose title to team they beat. 89 90 91 teams had 15 16 pros with guys who played but not starters. Like him or not he could recruit and never blamed anyone but himself.
Yeah, if they had scored more points than they actually did, they actually would have won, so long as Notre Dame hadn't scored more than they did as well.
