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.
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 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🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿
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.
@@RogerLenny098 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 ☘️
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!
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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 Ricardo Montalban? No Aqua velva man? no miller light? No, 'this week on 20/20..'? HAPPY NEW YEAR FLORIDA FANS!
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.?
They absolutely DID NOT dominate the ND DL. ND rushed 3 most of the game and the only reason FLA outshined ND was bc they passed. Maybe they passed too much but the idea they’d have beaten ND by running the ball is hilarious. ND’s pass defense was VERY BAD. Not their run defense. They still were passing for wins until after 1996 when NEB ALSO just ran the ball.
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.
Just a classic . I cherish the memory of watching this game with my pops . Phenomenal coaching job by the GOAT LOU HOLTZ.
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.
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.
The Irish completely RUINED Florida's New Year and made them cry.
I was at the game.
Best bowl game was the 1989 Fiesta Bowl.
This was possibly #5 on the best bowl win of that era.
It was a 4-2-5 defense.
I miss those days of heavy runs between the tackles, watching the soul leave the defense usually about halfway through the third.
You got that right because ND just ran right over Florida.
When bowl games meant something..no opt outs!..good times
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🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿
Former Trojan football player here, I can attest to the dominance of Notre Dame. I feel it every morning
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.
@@RogerLenny098 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 ☘️
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!
I saw an interview with Spurrier about this game. He accepted the invitation to play ND because he was sure Florida would win the game.
And then the ole Ball Coach was reduced to his familiar bitter beer face.
Like they had an invite to another bowl?
The SEC CHAMPIONS were contracted to play in the Sugar Bowl.
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.
Back when Noter Dame had a offensive line coach that dominated in the trenches and ran the ball down other football teams throats.
Last season's team had three offensive linemen drafted and Patterson will likely be the first Center picked in next year's draft.
In today's game they would have described ND's O-line as an SEC type O-line and Jerome Bettis as an SEC caliber RB.
@@davidsolomon7966 easily!!! Good observation.
I remember watching this game. For some reason Gifford was salty about ND.
Frankie is a Southern Cal Alum😂😂😂😂
Bigoted, to be precise. He wasn't alone: DD joined in.
Who knew at the time, of those 3 backs, Bettis would be the HOFer?
Detroit Thunder- before he was The Bus
@@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.
Everyone tbh. Nobody thought the Gators had the better backs.
@@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.
Everyone who watched ND play.
Wow, a text book example of a defense getting run over!!! Beautiful!
RIP Rodney culver
RIP Demetrius Debose
To Notre Dame legends, taken too soon .
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.
Penn State was a damn good team that dominated ND.
Love the ABC College Football theme song!!!
I'm still mad i didn't get to see the end of this game live. I had to go to bed because we had school the next day.
Would have been more of a blowout if ND secondary wouldn’t have dropped so many int’s
They dropped like 5 balls.
This is Florida Gators' First of 22 straight bowl Appearances until 2012.
Pretty sure that Al, Frank and Dan had been at the Superdome the previous Saturday for the Falcons-Saints wild card game. Anyone?
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.
ND simply ran over them when it counted.
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.
Back in that era ND used to handle those SEC teams.
@@azul93gt38sure did! Like Tennessee in 91.
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.
Facts
True; great post
I remember the commercials for this game. Never actually watched it
I remember betting n.d in this game & decided that Bettis was going to be the jewel in the NFL . Bought up all his rookie cards
Cheerios Bowl game
Saw this live.
Great second half.
Go Irish!!
Damn, Florida was soft against the run. That's not SEC football.
Even better is watching the almighty sec in the 96 fiesta bowl against Nebraska
It took a few years for Florida to toughen up. After the huskers blew them out they changed
Nebraska ran it down all the SEC teams throats back then. Florida and Tennessee got power launched.
It was back then.
SEC football is homer voting and repeating hype mantras
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!
Frank Gifford R.I.P
Irish had better players and coach period
ND simply wore down the Gators and stuffed them in the fourth quarter.
I remember when Rick Meier was going to win 6 heismans
Your thinkig of Ron Powlus 2 heisman and 2 national titles.
@@wcs494 Fuckin' Beano Cook lol.
GO IRISH
not a great START for this Notre dame classic, and notre dame has nfl hall of famer on that defenive front!!!
Violet
The terrible turf takes some away from this game. Do not miss Astroturf in the least. Good riddance.
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
The USF&G sugar bowl 😂😂
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.?
ND won on the field. Bettis had 90 yds and 3 td's in the 4th quarter.
They absolutely DID NOT dominate the ND DL.
ND rushed 3 most of the game and the only reason FLA outshined ND was bc they passed.
Maybe they passed too much but the idea they’d have beaten ND by running the ball is hilarious. ND’s pass defense was VERY BAD. Not their run defense.
They still were passing for wins until after 1996 when NEB ALSO just ran the ball.
Florida always gets much lower ranked teams in bowls
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.
Too many FG's for Florida. If they'd punched it into the end zone a couple more times it's a very different game.
and you're delusional, those jive punks got their asses kicked!!!!
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.
BIG IF!!!
@@robertrodes1546 🤣🤣🤣
Gators became Gator Meat in the 4th quarter.