Fansided

Michigan vs Notre Dame: 5 best games in the history of the rivalry

By Luke Norris

September 11 2010: University of Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton (8) attempts to bring down Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist during the Wolverines 28-24 victory over the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Eric Bronson/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
September 11 2010: University of Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton (8) attempts to bring down Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist during the Wolverines 28-24 victory over the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Eric Bronson/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Former University of Michigan player and 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard is honored for his introduction into the College Football Hall of Fame prior to the start of the game on the field prior to the start of the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 10, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Notre Dame Irish 35-31. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Former University of Michigan player and 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard is honored for his introduction into the College Football Hall of Fame prior to the start of the game on the field prior to the start of the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 10, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Notre Dame Irish 35-31. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

4. 1991: Michigan 24, Notre Dame 14

While the Michigan vs. Notre Dame game often leads off the season for both teams, as it will on Saturday night, the 1991 matchup was the second game of the year for each. The Wolverines opened their ’91 campaign with a 35-13 victory at Boston College while the Irish put a 49-27 drubbing on in-state opponent Indiana. Seventh-ranked Notre Dame visited third-ranked Michigan, one of many times the two teams would meet while both were in the top 10, on Sept 14, 1991, and would once again take a close battle into the fourth quarter.

Coming into this game, Michigan had lost four consecutive meetings in this rivalry, their longest-ever drought to the Irish. They had a tough test against top-ranked Florida State the following week but knew not to look ahead. Things were competitive but Michigan was taking control and had a 17-7 lead at the half. However, Notre Dame regained their composure and cut the lead to three when quarterback Rick Mirer connected with Tony Smith for a 35-yard touchdown pass.

Into the fourth, the two teams went and it was there that came to the play that will be remembered as one of the best in the rivalry, particularly on the Michigan side. Senior quarterback Elvis Grbac was having a phenomenal game — he ended up connecting on 20-of-22 passes overall for the day — but in an extremely risky fourth-and-one situation, he didn’t quite feel comfortable with the play call from head coach Gary Moeller and called a timeout.

Moeller didn’t change his play call and with the Irish defense initially in single coverage, wide receiver Desmond Howard got a jump on his man and Grbac just threw the ball up and Howard raced to the back of the end zone to make a diving grab, sealing the win for the Wolverines.

That was just one of 21 touchdowns that Howard would score on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy.

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