Looking back at Notre Dame’s 2002 win over Michigan

This week’s Throwback Thursday takes us back to a thrilling moment in Notre Dame football history, captured in Gerard Meskill’s 2002 review for Scholastic Magazine. The clash between Notre Dame and Michigan was a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by both sloppy play and breathtaking highlights. This game stood out as Notre Dame’s first victory over a top-10 opponent in four years, making it a landmark achievement for head coach Tyrone Willingham. Despite the chaotic gameplay, with six fumbles and two interceptions, the Irish emerged victorious by a narrow two-point margin. The win propelled Notre Dame to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1996 and broke a four-year drought against their arch-rivals.

Quarterback Carlyle Holiday, who was new to the rivalry, led the team with determination, highlighting the significance of the win for the program and its fans. The game was a mix of missteps and triumphs, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement that college football fans cherish. Notably, the Irish overcame early-season doubts about their offense, scoring their first offensive touchdown in this game. The victory ignited a wave of enthusiasm and hope, setting the stage for the rest of the season.

The following excerpt is from the 2002 Notre Dame Football Review in the Scholastic Magazine, written by Gerard Meskill.

What a Rush!

It was so ugly and, yet, so beautiful. Notre Dame’s first win against a top-10 foe in four years – against rival Michigan no less – saw the two teams lose a combined six fumbles and two interceptions. In the end, the scoreboard showed that the Irish were two-point victors over the Wolverines, and that was all that mattered to head coach Tyrone Willingham.

“We did not win pretty today, but we did win, and I can be happy with that,” he said after the game.

So, too, can the Irish faithful. The victory made the No. 20 Irish 3- 0 for the first time since 1996. It also was the first time Notre Dame defeated Michigan since the Wolverines entered South Bend as the defending National Champions in 1998. In fact, it only was the second time that the two traditional rivals met since that game, as the long-time series took a two-year hiatus following the 1999 season.

“Nobody [on this team] has really played Michigan before,” said Irish quarterback Carlyle- Holiday. “To beat a team like Michigan, ranked No. 6 in the country, was a big win for us, the whole football program and the community around here. We just got to build on it. There will be so much more enthusiasm and energy running through the players for the next couple of weeks.”

Notre Dame entered the contest with many doubts, not the least of which revolved around its offense. In the team’s opening wins against Maryland and Purdue, the offense had failed to score a single offensive touchdown.

The team put those doubts to rest early in the contest. The Irish opened the game with the football at their own 20-yard line. After overthrowing receiver Arnaz Battle, Holiday found wide receiver Maurice Stovall wide open at midfield, and the true freshman ran for another 11 yards to the Michigan 39. Three plays later, on third and two, Holiday scrambled for a 10-yard gain, and the Wolverines committed a holding penalty, which added 10 more yards to the Irish drive. Five plays later, halfback Ryan Grant trotted into the end zone for Notre Dame’s first offensive touchdown of the season.

“It is critical to score on the first drive. We went down and executed when we needed to and put it in the end zone,” Willingham said. “I believe that it was a tremendous boost to our offense’s confidence.”

Despite the offense’s newfound confidence, it would not be long before it sputtered once more. Burning the next three possessions, the Wolverines lost a fumble and blocked an Irish field-goal attempt. Notre Dame then regained the ball at its own 25. A holding call on first down moved the Irish 10 yards farther back. On second and 20, the Irish made their first major mistake in this comedy of errors, as Holiday delivered a strike to Wolverines cornerback Marlin Jackson, who returned the gift untouched for a 15-yard score.

Three possessions later, in the second quarter, Michigan again found itself in position to score, as it stormed to a fourth and nine at the Irish 14. However, Irish nose guard Cedric Hilliard broke through to block Troy Neinberg’s attempt, avenging the Wolverines’ block on kicker Nick Setta in the first quarter.

The Irish gained only 15 yards on the ensuing possession before they were forced to punt the ball back to the Wolverines. Michigan strong safety Julius Curry returned the punt 9 yards to the Michigan 25, but an illegal block at the start of the return pushed the Wolverines back to their own six-yard line, where they were whistled for illegal procedure on first down. Three plays later, facing third and seven, Wolverines quarterback John Navarre dropped back into his own end zone and motioned to throw the ball downfield when Irish right end Justin Tuck broke through the Michigan line to tip the pass. However, Courtney Morgan was caught holding Tuck in the end zone, resulting in a safety on the Wolverines and a two-point Irish lead.

Notre Dame did little with its safety-induced possession, but it recovered the ball at Michigan’s 27-yard line after receiver Tyrece Butler fumbled on the first play following the Irish punt. Four plays later, Holiday completed the scoring drive with his feet, as he took it himself for the 3-yard score, giving Notre Dame a 16-7 halftime advantage. It appeared as though Holiday fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line, but officials nonetheless ruled the play a touchdown.

“Holiday adds a very, very different dimension to offenses most people are going to see because of his ability to run,” said Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr. “That loosens, somewhat, your inside defense.”

The frenetic pace of the football game slowed considerably in the third quarter, with both teams taking turns punting until Michigan gained possession at its own 26 with six minutes left in the quarter. Navarre, who had been largely inconsistent throughout the first half, found some rhythm as he pushed the offense to the Irish 2-yard line on the strength of three consecutive long completions. However, the Irish defense held the goal line, forcing the Wolverines to settle for a 19-yard field goal, cutting their deficit to 16-10.

Battle then fumbled Philip Brabbs’ kickoff at the Irish 32-yard line; it was recovered by Brabbs himself. Halfback Chris Perry led the scoring charge this time for Michigan, carrying five times, including a 2-yard run into the end zone with four seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Wolverines a one-point advantage.

The Irish, trailing for the first time in the season, answered right back to start the fourth quarter. Holiday completed two long passes to wide receiver Omar Jenkins, including a backbreaking 47-yard bomb from the Michigan 49-yard line that set up first and goal at the 2.

“We fought back in the third quarter, and I thought the most disappointing play of the game was the long pass to start the fourth quarter,” said Carr. “We had just taken the lead, 17-16, begun to run the football relatively well, and felt good at that stage, but Notre Dame did a good job.”

Grant finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run after fullback Tom Lopienski ran for a loss on the previous play. Holiday was sacked on Notre Dame’s two-point attempt, keeping the Irish lead at 22-17.

Michigan’s Perry fumbled on the next possession, and safety Glenn Earl recovered the loose ball at the Wolverines’ 43. Grant rushed three times for 17 yards before Holiday was sacked for a loss of 3 yards, setting up third and five at Michigan’s 26. However, the Irish were whistled for holding on the play. Carr opted to decline the call, which would have set Setta’s field-goal attempt as far back as 56 yards. Instead, he hit the 46-yard attempt, giving the Irish an eight-point advantage at 25-17.

“I thought about that penalty, and yet Setta’s going to make that kick,” said Carr. “I saw him before the game. I don’t think 10 yards would have made a difference.”

The Wolverines and Irish exchanged possessions before Michigan began its final scoring drive with 7:03 to play. Five consecutive completions by Navarre and a quarterback scramble pushed Michigan to Notre Dame’s 3-yard line. After a false start and two incomplete passes, the Wolverines faced third and goal at the 8. Irish cornerback Vontez Duff was shaken up on the previous play and removed himself from the field. However, the Irish coaching staff did not see him leave, and they lined up with only 10 men. Navarre found tight end Bennie Joppru wide open in the end zone, connecting with him for an 8-yard touchdown with 2:53 remaining.

“We made a mistake,” acknowledged Willingham.

Predictably, the Wolverines lined up to attempt the two-point conversion after the touchdown. The Irish still only had 10 men on the field, but cornerback Shane Walton recognized the error and wisely called timeout. With the Irish back at full strength, Navarre rolled out of the pocket and fired a pass to the corner, but a sprawling Walton batted the ball down, preventing a certain game-tying completion.

“[Willingham] pointed to me and said somebody needed to make a play,” said Walton. “That’s what I was trying to do.”

The Irish got the ball back with less than three minutes to play, but they were unable to run out the clock. Joey Hildbold punted out-of-bounds for 42 yards to the Wolverines’ 30. With 1:28 left to play, Navarre again took the field to try to rally Michigan once more. He managed to complete one pass and run for a first down before Walton intercepted his third-and-15 desperation hurl. The pick fittingly concluded a game mired by turnovers, as the Irish harmlessly knelt out the clock for a 25-23 victory.

“It’s indescribable to say what it means [to beat Michigan],” said Jenkins. “I think it may have been the biggest game of the season. I felt it had to be the biggest game this weekend in college football.”

Despite the fact that ESPN College Game Day’s crew did not agree with Jenkins (it chose the Ohio State–Washington State contest in Columbus as the weekend’s marquee game), the absence of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso did not detract from the team’s experience.

“To date, I’ve never been a part of anything like this, so I am very excited after this win,” said Hilliard. “Hopefully we can go out and get another win against Michigan State next week.”

The 2002 Notre Dame versus Michigan game remains a memorable chapter in college football lore, exemplifying the drama and unpredictability that define the sport. Notre Dame’s narrow 25-23 victory was a testament to resilience and determination, as they managed to overcome a series of blunders and turnovers. Shane Walton’s crucial defensive play during Michigan’s two-point conversion attempt epitomized the grit and awareness that secured the win for the Irish. This game also underscored the importance of strategic coaching decisions, as illustrated by Lloyd Carr’s choice to decline a holding penalty that led to a pivotal field goal. The game’s conclusion, marked by Walton’s interception, fittingly mirrored the turnover-laden contest and sealed a hard-fought victory.

Players like Ryan Grant and Carlyle Holiday left an indelible mark with their performances, contributing to a landmark win for the program. The excitement of the game reverberated beyond the field, energizing the Notre Dame community and setting high expectations for the rest of the season. Reflecting on this iconic matchup, it’s clear that the 2002 Notre Dame-Michigan game was more than just a contest; it was a defining moment that encapsulated the spirit and tradition of college football. This throwback serves as a reminder of the thrilling highs and nerve-wracking lows that make the sport so beloved.

Cheers & GO IRISH!