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Orange Bowl 1991
Colorado 10 Notre Dame 9
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The top-ranked Buffaloes, led by substitute quarterback Charles Johnson and an opportunistic defense, controlled the second half Tuesday night as they edged No. 5 Notre Dame 10-9 in the Orange Bowl.
The Buffaloes had lost in seven consecutive bowls, including last year's Orange Bowl game against Notre Dame when they were ranked No. 1. The championship, which becomes official with today's release of the final Associated Press poll, would be the school's first in any sport other than skiing.
"I'm looking forward to celebrating this victory with the people of Colorado," coach Bill McCartney said. His team started the season 1-1-1 and won its final 10 games. Colorado, which went into the game ranked No. 1, nearly let the title slip away when Raghib "Rocket" Ismail returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown with 35 seconds left. But teammate Greg Davis was flagged for clipping at the Notre Dame 36-yard line, negating the score.(video)
"The return by Rocket was one of the greatest individual efforts I've seen," Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz said. "It was incredible. I don't know if the clip had anything to do with the run. I sure hope it did."
Johnson entered the game at the start of the second half for Darien Hagan, who suffered a ruptured tendon in his left knee when he was tackled just before halftime. After Notre Dame's Ricky Walters lost a fumble at the Irish 40-yard line, Johnson directed an eight-play touchdown drive that gave Colorado the lead for good with 4:26 left in the third quarter.
Johnson, who completed five of six passes for 80 yards, had been best known for scoring the winning touchdown in Colorado's infamous fifth down victory over Missouri.
"I think the fifth-down situation is a belabored issue," the junior said. "I hope this puts it to rest."
Colorado benefited from breaks against the Fighting Irish, who threw three interceptions, lost two fumbles, missed two field goals and had an extra point blocked.
"It wasn't pretty, it was ugly," said Eric Bieniemy, who scored Colorado's touchdown on a 1-yard run. "But like Al Davis says, 'Just win, baby,' and we did."
Notre Dame had the ball in Colorado territory on each of its first five possessions, but scored just once. In the third quarter, the Irish committed three turnovers in four plays.
"A disaster," Holtz said. "There's no way you can win a football game like that." "Every time we got our rhythm going and had them against the ropes, we couldn't apply the knockout blow," Walters said. "I felt like we were outplaying them throughout the game."
The Irish, who finished 9-3, knew before the game that they were out of the national championship race because of lopsided bowl victories by No. 2 Georgia Tech and No. 4 Miami.
But, the penalty brought the ball back to the Irish 21. Tim James, the victim of Davis' clip, said he would've tackled Ismail if not for the infraction.
"I had him, he was in my grasp, and (Davis) clipped me," James said. "Fortunately the referee saw it."
Ismail refused to admit to disappointment about the turn of events.
"There'll be other times," he said.
Both teams entered the game with high-powered offenses, and both were held to season-low point totals. Notre Dame had a season low rushing total of 123 yards, while Hagan completed just four of 12 passes for 29 yards against the weak Irish secondary.
Notre Dame dominated the first half but led only 6-3. Chris Hentrich's 24-yard field goal increased the margin lo 9-3 early in the third quarter, but the Irish did not snap the ball in Colorado territory the rest of the game.
"We want no doubt in anybody's mind that we're No. 1," Buffaloes receiver Mike Pritchard said. "We came back and beat Noire Dame, so there shouldn't be."
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Alfred Williams gets a fist full of Rick Mirer |
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Darian Hagan |
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Charles Johnson |
The Rocket on historic non-return. |
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The block in the back on Ismail's return. |
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Attendance- 77,062 |
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Most
of the players on both teams thought Noire Dame had pulled the game out
with Ismail's dazzling return. The All-American's right hand touched the
ground twice and he shook off several tacklers before breaking into the
clear.
