Notre Dame Bowl Game History And Results

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The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame have a rich history in bowl games, with their first appearance dating back to 1925. Over the years, the team has participated in numerous bowl games, showcasing their skills against top-notch opponents. In this article, we will delve into Notre Dame's bowl game history and results, highlighting their most notable performances and achievements.

Early Years (1925-1949)

Notre Dame's first bowl game appearance was in the 1925 Rose Bowl, where they faced off against Stanford. The Irish lost that game 27-10 but continued to participate in bowl games throughout the 1920s and 1930s. One of their earliest bowl game victories came in the 1930 Shibe Park Bowl, where they defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 10-6.

Notable Games of the Early Years

• 1925 Rose Bowl: Lost to Stanford 27-10
• 1930 Shibe Park Bowl: Defeated Penn State 10-6
• 1936 Sugar Bowl: Lost to TCU 3-2

The Ara Parseghian Era (1964-1974)

Ara Parseghian's tenure as Notre Dame's head coach marked a significant turning point in the team's bowl game history. During his 11-year stint, the Irish appeared in six bowl games, winning four and losing two. One of their most notable victories came in the 1966 Sugar Bowl, where they defeated Alabama 24-23.

Notable Games of the Ara Parseghian Era

• 1966 Sugar Bowl: Defeated Alabama 24-23
• 1967 Cotton Bowl: Lost to Texas 20-17
• 1970 Cotton Bowl: Defeated Texas 21-17

The Dan Devine Era (1975-1980)

Dan Devine took over as Notre Dame's head coach in 1975 and led the team to four bowl game appearances during his six-year tenure. The Irish won two of those games, including a 27-10 victory over Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl.

Notable Games of the Dan Devine Era

• 1979 Cotton Bowl: Defeated Houston 27-10
• 1980 Sugar Bowl: Lost to Georgia 17-10

The Lou Holtz Era (1986-1996)

Lou Holtz's 11-year tenure as Notre Dame's head coach saw the team participate in nine bowl games, winning five and losing four. One of their most notable victories came in the 1988 Fiesta Bowl, where they defeated West Virginia 34-21.

Notable Games of the Lou Holtz Era

• 1988 Fiesta Bowl: Defeated West Virginia 34-21
• 1993 Cotton Bowl: Lost to Texas A&M 28-3
• 1995 Orange Bowl: Defeated Florida State 31-24

Modern Era (1997-Present)

In the modern era, Notre Dame has continued to appear in numerous bowl games, including the BCS National Championship Game in 2013. The Irish have won six bowl games since 1997, including a 33-30 victory over LSU in the 2018 Citrus Bowl.

Notable Games of the Modern Era

• 2006 Sugar Bowl: Lost to LSU 41-14
• 2010 Sun Bowl: Defeated Miami 33-17
• 2018 Citrus Bowl: Defeated LSU 33-30

Bowl Game Records and Statistics

As of the 2022 season, Notre Dame has appeared in 39 bowl games, winning 19 and losing 20. The Irish have also participated in four national championship games, winning one and losing three.

Bowl Game Records and Statistics

• Appearances: 39
• Wins: 19
• Losses: 20
• Winning Percentage:.487
• National Championship Games: 4
• National Championships: 1

Conclusion

Notre Dame's bowl game history and results are a testament to the team's rich tradition and excellence in college football. From their early years to the modern era, the Irish have consistently demonstrated their ability to compete against top-notch opponents and emerge victorious. As the team continues to participate in bowl games, fans can expect more exciting matchups and memorable performances.

Now that you've read through Notre Dame's bowl game history and results, what's your favorite Fighting Irish bowl game moment? Share your thoughts and comments below!