11/10/2021 football Edit

Notre Dame trivia: Nov. 10, 2021

Steve Downey • InsideNDSports

Editor

The last time Notre Dame played Virginia at Scott Stadium in 2015 it had to rally late to escape with a 34-27 victory. Sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer connected with junior wide receiver Will Fuller on a 39-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds remaining to cap an eight-play, 80-yard drive to erase a 27-26 deficit.

How many times have the Fighting Irish won a game with a touchdown with fewer than 30 seconds remaining in regulation time?

A. Four

B. Five

C. Six

D. Seven

Notre Dame Fighting Irish football wide receiver Will Fuller’s game-winning touchdown at the Virginia Cavaliers in 2015 — Junior wide receiver Will Fuller hauled in a a game-winning 39-yard touchdown reception with just 12 seconds remaining in Notre Dame’s 34-27 win at Virginia in 2015. (Bill Panzica)

Answer: C. Notre Dame has achieved that feat six times in the 134-year history of the program:

Cotton Bowl vs. Houston on Jan. 1, 1979

Senior wide receiver Kris Haines caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana as time expired, followed by the extra point, for a 35-34 win over the Cougars.

Vs. Penn State on Nov. 14, 1992

Quarterback Rick Mirer connected with running back Jerome Bettis for a three-yard touchdown with 20 seconds remaining and then found running back Reggie Brooks for the two-point conversion and a 17-16 triumph.

Vs. UCLA on Oct. 21, 2006

Quarterback Brady Quinn tossed a 45-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Jeff Samardzija with 27 seconds to go in the game for a 20-17 comeback victory versus the Bruins.

At Purdue on Sept. 26, 2009

Tight end Kyle Rudolph reeled in a two-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jimmy Clausen with 24 seconds remaining to secure a 24-21 win over the Boilermakers.