1973 Sugar Bowl Notre Dame vs, Alabama

[greymoose1000]

John McKay and USC saved Bear's job at UAT in 1970.

[pbrick6301]

Schenkel great because he used the same approach to bigtime college football as he did for Earl Anthony. 

[41057al]

Howard at his best---cutting Chris Schenkel off in midsentence to go on and on about nothing

[ccbgmo]

"At Notre Dame, football is a religion. At Alabama, it's a way of life. " So true.

[jdailey19811]

@greymoose1000 of course its natural to hate the 2 teams that own the University of Scumbag Criminals. Go recruit...enjoy another season with no post season

[jdailey19811]

As much as I love my Irish, and the 5-1 record over the Crimson Tide, I would still love to see these 2 teams play again! what a huge game it would be for both teams. The only team I respect in the SEC is Alabama. I love watching them beat on those Tennessee pumpkins!

[greymoose1000]

@jdailey19811 Two teams the MOOSE loves to hate: ND Murdering We Kill Our Own Student Domers and the UAT Crimson Turds. Tell the ND women to shave their facial hair before the MOOSE and the Men of Troy arrive in South Bend this fall to watch SC destroy the Murdering Domers. Fight ON BABY!!!

[bamadawgsc]

Two greatest programs in college football history.

[greymoose1000]

@bamadawgsc The MOOSE of USC recognizes once again that there obviously is one more delusional nut-job from UAT in the SEC.

[freeqwerqwer]

I remember that moment. I felt more sorry for Alabama than ecstasy for ND

[Irishfanism]

@reconscotty4 Hello,hey no problem.The Irish were 9-0-1 in 1966 and that was good enough from them to win the undisputed national title but I have alot of respect for Alabama... it's the other people on this blog who give Bama a bad name.I would love to see ND join a conference I think it would be for them in the long run,if they join the SEC I think it would be great it would be a super con ference! Take care my friend!

[Irishfanism]

@reconscotty4 I agree with you,ND was the TRUE champion in 1973!

[Irishfanism]

@reconscotty4 Notre Dame was the unanimous national champions in 1966,they were recogized as national champs by AP and UPI the FWAA and by the National Football Foundation,though they did have to share the Mcaurther Bowl with Michigan State

[Irishfanism]

This was

the greatest college I ever saw,a true classic in every since of the word! Ara get's his 2nd unamimous national championship and 3rd over all and ND gets another chapter in it's storied history!!!!

[kingslegion1]

i remember this as if it was yesterday.. prior to the clements pass.. ND had commited a penalty on UAs punt.. but Bear decided to take the play.. the clements pass of course won the game.. nobody thought they would pass.. but they did..

[ErikS1975FreeState]

This Sugar Bowl was played at the legendary Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

[bamanut007]

Ive been an Alabama fan for over 45 years ...I watched this game the night they played on tv ..and I HATE Notre Dame BUT I have to say this was the guttsest call Ive ever seen in college football ....you have to hand it to Clements and the coach ...it broke my heart !

ROLL TIDE

[gwzimm1]

Most beautiful pass play in the history of college football

[MrRondonmon]

this was the greatest game ever played . i was 10 i cried my mom was saying they will win it next year, kids wear thier fellings on there sleaves . roll tide

[matthew19905]

Ok isn't this still when Alabama was still a black hatin bitches?? Because I don't see one black person!

[matthew19905]

NO IN TEXAS FOOTBALL IS A RELIGION BACK IN THE 60s and still now.

[dozen2one]

This was when Notre Dame football was the real deal. I am sure you have hired the right coach for the return to prominence in Kelly. Would love to see ND and Bama play again someday soon. I think the excitement will be back in ND football again soon. Bottom line at any program the man in charge is crucial and there are only a few of the right ones out there at any given time.

[Tobious3000]

Alabama will win back to back National titles for the 4th time..  Notre dame!! let's get a home and home soon!!!

[triggert531]

When I was talking about the insignificance of 100 years ago....I was talking about 1925 and such which has no bearing on today's game.

[lcmoorejr]

I was there, as a 20 year old Bama fan, and it was one of the best football games I've ever attended, (and I was at the "Music City Miracle", Titans over the Bills, in the NFL, in Nashville nearly 30 years later, which my team, the Titans won). Even though my college team, Alabama, came up 1 point short, all those years ago, I still say....... Roll Tide!

[ccbgmo]

guys, who's tradition is stronger?

[DaCrimsonTide]

The only national championship in which both schools came out with a national championship lol! But honestly giving Bama the national champ before the bowl game was a fucking jinx.

[azbaldy5]

that kickoff return cost the TIDE DEARLY ! I REMEMBER THIS GAME LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY ! two top notch teams battling it out A GREAT GAME ! lousy ending !

[tolivr]

Yes, Alabama won the UPI National Championship in 1973 because UPI voted before the bowl games.

Not fair? Well, how about 1966?

In 1966 Alabama was the ONLY undefeated, untied team in the nation and utterly destroyed #6 Nebraska 34-7 in the Sugar Bowl. But 9-0-1 Notre Dame was awarded the National Championship even though they played for a tie in their last game with Mich. St. that same year.

Why? Because the national championship was voted before the bowl games, just like UPI did in 1973.

[Ariamaluum]

If you ask Bubba Smith, he would say the Catholic writers.

[Bear2214]

ND Drubbed USC 55-0 in their last game in '66. At USC none the less. That may have had something to do with it..

[tolivr]

George Wallace and segregation had FAR more to do with Alabama being denied the 1966 national championship. Notre Dame beating an unimpressive 7-4 USC did not.

Alabama was the defending national champion in 1966 and began the year at #1. Alabama was dropped to #3 before it even played a game. ND started the year at #8 and ended up #1 even though they purposefully played for a tie against Mich. State.

The press simply punished Alabama because it hated Wallace and segregation.

[mkag1988]

to honky scott nd played bama the next yr 1987 in south bend and beat bama 37 - 7

[triggert531]

And to think. Even though Alabama lost this game and Notre Dame wins the game and the National Championship....wait! Hang on to your hats fans! Alabama wins the Championsip as well. That's right! Even before this game was played, The UPI declares Alabama The National Champions. Wait, I know you are thinking I'm wrong. Just ask your local AL fan and he/she will tell you they have 12 championships. They count this one in 73 as 1 of those 12 wins. They lost the game and won the championship! CRAZY!

[bamafan73191]

@triggert531 From 1950 to1997, only the 2 major polls, AP and coaches (formerly known as UPI), were the legitimate deciders for the national championship. Most years there was a split title, as in '73. But for all you bama haters out there, you can know this, if UPI selected the champion after the bowl games, this wouldnt be one of our championships. But you know what? It didnt happen like that so get over it. We have 13 championships and counting.

[triggert531]

Where do you get that I am a Bama hater. I have congratulated you and your fans on multiple sites. So, I'll say it again. You had the best team in football this year. You deserved. You haven't been the best team in a long time. In fact, FL has won 2 out 4 national titles. FL has beaten bama since the inception of the sec champs game 4-3. If you beat next year we will be tied in that game. Bama looks great. Congratulations. That means way to go....good luck and all that. So stop with that I hate.

[triggert531]

For your sake don't get mixed up with a Princeton Fan because they will tell you in a Yankee Minute that they have 26 National Titles....and by your standards, it appears they are right. I went to FL....we have 3 and 3 Heisman winners. We have 8 SEC championships and that has all come about since 1991...accept Spurrier won the Heisman in 66. So, FL has been the Johnny come lately team. AL got most of their champs before the Bear Days....Hurrah for bama and the sec. I don't hate Alabama.

[bamafan73191]

I never said you were, I said 'For all you bama haters out there'. I wasnt calling you a hater, but it is so clear that the championships from 1961 on are legit. If the AP or coaches poll selects you as no.1, then you have a right to a national championship. Now before 1950, which was before the coaches poll started (AP started in '36), there can be some contreversy on what the rules are to claiming a national championship, but after 1950, it is pretty clear cut.

[triggert531]

And I agree with you, in fact, from my readings, it seems 1961 Bama may have been one of the greatest CFB teams of all team. Way to go Bama.

[bamafan73191]

I'm not taking about just 1961, I'm talking about all our championships from that one to the present day are unquestionable, which includes 1973, now I'm not saying we were the best teeam that year, but we were indeed national champs because thats the way the coaches voted.

[dcbandnerd]

There's something so wonderful about a crowd mobbing the field. Just a total, spontaneous expression of joy that your team went out there and did something special that day.

[hegotmagiclegs]

You know its funny because I think had Bama won this game, the 73 Tide could have gone down as one of the great teams in the history of college football. I mean in the regular season the Tide beat all the other teams by at least 2 touchdowns. But I swear to god, ESPN must hate Bama, and ND! I saw something about the 5 greatest bowl games of all time on ESPN and this one was not included. Total shame. But a great game none the less!

[whpw]

ND nd MSU did NOT play tougher schedules in 1966. Alabama defeated more top twenty teams that year than either of them.

[wearend44]

ND rules. Alabama still thinks they were National Champs that year. Dream on.

[RockSmith372]

we were national champs that year. During that time, the Coaches Poll declared their national champion before the bowl game. After that game they decided to pick their champion after the bowl game, but we still have a piece of the national title. It's just like how USC got the national title in 2003. If AP or Coaches Poll puts you as #1 even though you were not technically in the national championship game, you still share a piece of the national title

[wearend44]

It is nothing like the USC title in 2003, which was decided after all the games were played. It's lame that you would claim this on a "technicality". YOU LOST to the #1 team ... there no tie when you LOSE. But it was a great game!!

[RockSmith372]

ya it was a great game, and i admit that we shouldn't have a share of it, but you have to accept that we still got a piece of it. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, even the NCAA says that Alabama has part of the title. Notre Dame should have been the unanimous national champion

[radio187]

The coach Bryant had trouble with was Royal at Texas.

[bennymc1]

To see this video you'd think ND won 40-0. Why can't we see highlights of both teams in this great game? Just figures.

[tjnd88]

It wasn't intended to be a highlights reel of the whole game, only a clip of a key play at the end.

[roadkillsoftball]

@bennymc1 Kiss my ass.

[Tidefan986]

One thing I know about Bear Bryant is that he always had trouble against certain teams. Notre Dame always found a way to beat him and so did Nebreska I believe.

[Bamruff62]

Bear was pretty successful against Nebraska. He was 3-2 versus Neb. Bama won 65 and 66 Bowl games against Devaney's teams. Bear was 1-1 against Tom Osborne. Lost in 77 regular season game but won at home in 78.

[Bamruff62]

Alabama won the 1965 Orange bowl and 1967 Sugar bowl against Neb. ( Bob Devaney's Teams.) Bama got blown out in the 1971 season Orange bowl against Neb. Johnny Rodgers ran wild.

Bear was snake bit against Notre Dame and Texas, although he did beat Texas once while at Texas A&M.

[dcbandnerd]

Chris had an amazing voice. Thanks for the video.

[mspell350]

Ara always threw the ball out of traditional running formations. Also if you look at tapes he ran an early double wing look. He was way ahead of his time.

[Firebirdfrenzy79]

do you have any highlights from the '74 Orange Bowl (Ara's last game)?

[SFFOOL76]

check out the guy tjnd88 profile, it will send u a link to look at. he does happen to have highlights of the orange bowl of ara's last game.

[xrocinante1]

2 Heartbreakers for the Tide. Two 11-0 seasons for Alabama tarnished. Damnit...but the better team won on both occasions.

[HonkyScott]

the last time Bama played Notre Dame, cornellioius bennett broke thru the OL and sack ND's qb breaking his jaw knocking him out and of course out of hte game. that year ND renigged on siging a 10 year contract. at least PennSt had the balls to sign one and Bama led it 6-4. Bama owns USC, all time record is 5-2.

[edflhnd]

I was at the game. I sat on the far side of the field on the forty. One thing not mentioned was that old Tulane Stadium was going to be torn down the next year and they hadn't replaced the Astro Turf. It rained lightly for much of the game. The field was like glass. I still remember my heart sinking when I saw Clements drop into the end zone to make that pass. He slips on that field and we lose. But the rest was history. Tom Clements to Robin Weber-National Championship.

[jmoon219]

I had just been born when this game was played! We only beat Notre Dame once and that was in 1986. We were slated to hook up with them again in 2006 and 2007, but that got pushed back to sometime around 2012.

[USAGiant]

Chris Schenkel sounds alot like Jim Natz.

[SFFOOL76]

You mean Nantz sounds like Schenkel

[USAGiant]

yes sir thanks for clearing that.

[vitoduval]

Tom Clements also threw the winning touchdown for the Ottawa Rough Riders (no longer in existence) in the '76 CFL Grey cup game to Tony Gabriel

[56post]

This is the best if not one of the best national title games in Notre Dame history. It is a shame that they don't show this game on ESPN Classic.

[edflhnd]

Not Notre Dame history, all time history.

[Bamruff62]

It was a great game. I wished Bama had won. (Missed extra point of all things.) But it was a great game. The 2 periennial Powerhouses of the day sqauring off.

Classic!!

[francineanderson]

ND got the national championship in 1966 because of alabama's racism. You could call it east coast, or northeast bias, fairness, or the fact that NOTRE DAME KICKS ASS!!!!!!!!! seriously though, there was some book about that controversy that came out recently

[NDMike]

One of college football's all-time greats passed away May 24th, 2007. Pete Demmerle who played such a critical role in this game died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Pete Demmerle who is mentioned many times in this clip was everything you would want in a collegiate athlete. All American, Academic All American and a special human being. He had the best hands and ran the most precise routes of any ND football player I have seen. May God Bless Pete Demmerle and those he loved!

[IowaRocker1]

Greatest National Title game of the 70's bar none. Clements had a great career in Canada.

[SFFOOL76]

For what technology they had, the camera work is pretty damm good. I do follow college football, this game is seriously underated as on of the greats! good work my man good work!

[borch1260]

What a pass! I forget they had Dave Casper at TE(future NFL All Pro). And Clements hits reserve Robin Webber.

That's magic!

[Bamruff62]

Who was the QB for Bama? I thought Todd was the QB. Which Bama QB received the pass from Stokes and ran it all the way in for a TD? It was a hell of a beautiful razzle dazzle half back pass back to the qb play. It worked beautifully.

[xrocinante1]

I believe it was Richard Todd.

[NDMike]

In 44 years of watching college football this was the greatest National Championship Game I have ever seen. The game had every type of play you could imagine and two legendary coaches. An Absolutely Epic battle!

[Bamruff62]

Bama finished 10-1 in 64 and was #1 in both the AP and UPI polls. Bama Lost to Tex in the Orange. The AP didn't change their procedure until beginning of 68 season. The UPI changed in 74. Many #1 teams along with other top 10 teams didn't go to bowl games before 1970. Bowl games picked up more prestige in mid to late 60's. Bowls were seen as a post season reward. In 66' ND finished #1 even though they tied Mich St. and no bowl.

[xrocinante1]

Yeah, and the Tide finished 11-0, a 34-7 bowl rout of Nebraska, and not even a share in '66.

[Bamruff62]

I think this is one of the best games of the century. It rarely gets mentioned. This game was more exciting than Miami/Nebraska 1984 Orange Bowl. The lead changed 6 times in this game. It wasn't over until it was over. Bama still had a chance to win w/a minute left to go.

[bigbo60]

Yeah id also like to know how to get a copy of this game! But ive heard that one does not exist!!! Please contact me! thx

[clb7899us]

I still cant figure out how Bama split the NC with ND when ND beat them in this game. How does that happen?? ND-0 losses Bama-1 loss(to ND)unbelievable

[tjnd88]

The UPI coaches poll back then voted on their National Champion before the bowl games. That changed after this game.

[Joebread86]

How can I get a copy of this game?

[Bamruff62]

Yeh, I like to get a copy of this game. Love to watch it again. Definately the game of the decade if not the century.

[Bamruff62]

The AP and UPI used to vote the number 1 team before the bowl games. Through out the 30's, 40's, 50' and most of the 60's. the bowl games were seen and post season rewards. They were a type post season exhibition game. The AP changed beginning of the 68 season. The UPI changed beginning of the 74 season. Bama went 11- in 66 and finished #3. Irish went 9-0-1 and finished #1 in 66.

[DT4FBB]

1973 wasn't the last split NC for Alabama that they had no business splitting. They also got a split of the 1978 NC with USC despite the fact SC went down to Tucaloosa and beat the crap out of them that year. SC was 12-1 and Alabama was 11-1. Seems of Bryants 6 NCs at least 3-4 are very questionable (78', 73' 65' and 64').

[Bamruff62]

Well then have ND and the AP and the UPI give Bama the 66 and 77 NT's. Lots of teams got NT's thru the back door. Bama defeated the #1 team in 1978. You beat the #1 team you should get a share of the title. I would have loved to see Bama play USC for the 78 title. MSU lost in 65. They got a share of NT. You can't compare the pre-68 era with post-75 CFB era.

[TriangleChoke96]

Bama should have had NC's in 66 and 77 but were robbed dumbass.

[devinesp]

um your wrong, but good try, Michigan State and Notre Dame were clearly the better teams in 66, and Notre Dame was the best in 77

[TriangleChoke96]

WRONG! MSU and ND played to a tie... yet the only undefeated and untied team remained at #3. The Northern voters who determined the rankings were keeping Alabama from winning a 3rd consecutive national title due to segregation that persisted in the state (segregation was wrong of course but that was irrelevant to what was happening on the football field). ND was great in 77 but so was Bama... sucked that they didn't get to play (both crushed their bowl opponents in Texas & OSU respectively)

[devinesp]

Notre Dame and MSU played much tougher schedules in 66, Bama nearly played all but three of their games inside the state of Alabama and none outside the South.

[TriangleChoke96]

ND, arguably, had a tougher schedule (played #2 MSU, #7 Purdue, #18 So Cal team).

MSU's sched wasn't tougher. They played #1 ND, and #7 Purdue. Only other team they played with a winning record was 6-4 Michigan.

Bama played 3 top 20 teams (#12 Ole Miss, #14 Tenn, and #6 Nebraska). that all games were in the South is irrelevant.

'66 ND team was very strong (see margin of victory, even though they punked out in the MSU game), but Bama was still worthy of national championship consideration.

[devinesp]

I think ND was the best team that season 66' when you have two of your best players hurt and your at a great teams home field as that 66' MSU team was and to come away with a tie is pretty successful, remember you have to beat number 1 to knock them off and they didn't, the following week the Irish went to USC and beat them 55-0.

[Bamruff62]

I couldn't agree more. ND's sched. was not Monstriously more fiercer than Bama's. It was tougher, but so what? Many teams win NC's where they didn't necessarily play the tougher or toughest sched. Bama played Ole Miss and Tenn out of state. Those teams were good. They went to bowls.Bama beat 6 winning teams, ND beat 4 and MSU beat 3.

Granted, Bama didnot play anybody as good as MSU, but ND didnot beat MSU.

So. Miss and Auburn games were played in Al. but were not home games.

[sockalexis]

True, USC defeated Alabama on the road in 1978. But, then, USC turned around and lost to a pretty good--but not great--Arizona State team, 20-7. So who had the better loss? I'd say Alabama. Add to that the fact that Alabama beat an undefeated #1-ranked Penn State team in the Sugar Bowl while the Trojans needed a "phantom touchdown" to win the Rose Bowl, and I'd say the Crimson Tide was very deserving of its share of the NC in 1978.

[Bamruff62]

Exactly. I agree. Bama critics seem to think Bama got away with one in 78. Bama was ranked #2 going into the Sugar bowl and They defeated the undefeated #1 Penn St. Yes, Bama lost to USC in the beginning of the season,and yes a loss is a loss. But Bama played a sloppy game. Bama turned the ball over 8 or 9 times in that game. Bama fumbled 4 times inside USC 15 yard line. It seemed to me Bama had no problem moving the Ball on USC; they just couldn't hold on to it. Usc 24-14 over Bama.

[Shinnbone13]

In talking to my grandparents and parents about that game...they most certainly scored on a phantom touchdown... the ball was apparently on the 3 yard line and they were given a touchdown...but what can you say...when you go to the most bowl games, win the most conference championships and national championships...they gotta find a way to let somebody else win eventually...I'm still waiting for a tournament, which would no doubt produce an SEC NC every single solitary season...

[sockalexis]

You asked your parents and grandparents? That makes me feel old--I remember watching that game and seeing that fumble. The ballcarrier was Charles White and the ball came out way before he crossed the goal line. I'm a Nebraska/Big 12 fan, so I'll have to disagree with you about the SEC winning the NC every year. I guess we'll see this year, won't we? I was hoping for an Alabama-Oklahoma or Alabama-Texas title game. But it's great to see the Tide back where they belong--a football powerhouse.

[Shinnbone13]

the Big 12 definitely will put out some really good teams...lots of similarities with the SEC in terms of there being 4 huge powerhouse schools that can really run things year in and out...then several others that seem to be on the rise and in and out of the top 25...two completely different styles of play...but definitely good to see an SEC/Big 12 set up for the championship...I hate BAMA isn't playing Texas though...

[sixsixxsixxxx]

@sockalexis they split is so why argue?



[deltapunk21]

@clb7899us It was a one point loss on stupid shit and Bama was voted NC beofre the bowl game NC's were for the most part of the NCAA given BEFORE THE BOWL games as Bowl Games sued to be considered not the playoffs but an event and reward for a good season. The UPI voted before the bow game. College football is far different han the pros far different idiot. And ND needs to give their 2 bs NC's to Bama for 66 and 46 when Bama went udnefeated slaughtered their bowl opponets Nebraska and USC

[bamadawgsc]

@deltapunk21

1966 was pure theft!!!

[greymoose1000]

@deltapunk21 UAT should return their phantom national title for 1941 when they were actually ranked twentieth, yet they somehow claim this as one of their mythical titles. Go figure. I guess UAT people somehow think that Grant didn't defeat Lee in 1865. Fight ON USC!!!!

[sixsixxsixxxx]

@clb7899us southern anti-catholic bias, that's how

[scatman44]

"At Notre Dame, football is a religion. At Alabama, it's a way of life."

[TheLeppreKhan]

an overlooked but worthy Game of the Century...i wish Bama could have one, but it was a damn fine game nonetheless