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Sugar Bowl 1973
Notre Dame 24 Alabama 23
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The names of standout Notre Dame quarterbacks roll off the tongue in rapid-fire succession, Lujack, Lattner, Guglielmi, Hanratty, Huarte- and now you can add Tom Clements to the list.
Clements, a 6-fooot, 189-pound junior, who just might be the most underrated quarterback in the nation, was the man who spoiled another New Year for Alabama's Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, and he did it with a boldness characteristic of past Irish quarterbacks.
Notre Dame had many heroes in conquering the previously unbeaten Crimson Tide. There was freshman Al Hunter, who ran a kickoff back a record 93 yards for a second quarter touchdown (video), kicker Bob Thomas, whose 19-yard field goal with 4:26 remaining was the game winner, and a hard-nosed defense that held the Crimson Tide well under its season average of 481 yards in total offense.
But, in the final analysis it was Clements who was the difference. He not only gained 74 yards rushing and an additional 169 passing, but he continually came up with the big play when it appeared Alabama was going to take command of the game.
Example No. 1- In Notre Dame s first touchdown drive in the first quarter, Clements exploits Alabama Over the middle with three passes to split end Pete Demmerle covering 59 yards of a 64-yard drive.
Example No. 2—Alabama has gone ahead 23-21 early in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard razzle-dazzle pass play from running back Mike Stock to quarterback Richard Todd and appears to have taken charge. But, Notre Dame, beginning on its own 19, moves behind the running and passing of Clements to the Alabama two in only 10 plays and Thomas culminates the drive with his climactic field goal. In that drive Clements personally accounts for 47 yards with 17 yards rushing and a 30-yard pass to tight end Dave Casper.
Example No. 3- Example No. 3—Time is running out and Alabama has Notre Dame backed up to its own two-yard line in a third-and-eight situation. If Notre Dame is forced to punt, the Tide would have excellent field position and might move in for a game winning field goal. Clements backs into his own end zone and throws a 35-yard pass to Robin Weber (video).
First down, Notre Dame. Bye, bye, Bama.
“I think Clements and their big tight end tight end (Casper) beat us.” sighed Bryant, whose club lost a bowl game for the third straight season. "They showed us that big tight end and took the ball away from us while we stood around. But Clements won the game. The long pass at the end beat us. If we get the ball back we're going to win the game. At least on a field goal. When we had them backed up to the two-yard line, if I'd been a betting man I'd have bet you anything we were going to win."
For Notre Dame the victory was extremely sweet. It enabled the Irish to complete their first perfect season in 25 years. Notre Dame finished the season 11-0 while Alabama was 11-1.
"This was a great college football game," said a delighted Notre Dame Coach Ara Parseghian. "I'm extremely proud of this club. We fell behind but we mixed things up well enough to come back. We beat the leading scoring team in the nation and the team that was leading in offensive yardage. We beat a great football team and they lost to a great football team.'"
Bryant said he would gladly welcome another shot at Notre Dame. "I don't really feel like we lost, just that time ran out on us," Bryant said. "I think Notre Dame is a great team, but I wouldn't mind playing them again tomorrow. In fact, I'd like it."
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Bullock scores from 2 yards out. |
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Al Hunter on 93 yard kickoff return. |
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Art Best tries the Alabama Line. |
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Clements unleashes his historic game saving pass. |
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Attendance- 85,161 Individual Statistics
Rushing Passing Receiving
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NEW
ORLEANS (UPI) - Notre Dame reached into its' glorious past for a famous
ingredient to engineer a thrilling 24-23 upset of Alabama Monday night.
It
was probably the most exciting game ever played in the Sugar Bowl and a
record crowd of 85,161 at Tulane Stadium got their money's worth as the
lead changed hands six times (
