1975 Notre Dame at North Carolina

This is the 10/11/1975 Notre Dame at North Carolina game. It is a black and white film with radio audio. It's considered Joe Montana's first big comeback. Joe was recruited by Ara Parseghian for the 1974 season but freshmen couldn't play at ND. Dan Devine took over his sophomore season in 1975 and although he had all of the skills you could want in a great QB, he was of sleight build and Devine decided not to expose him to full time play. If a loss was looming Montana was occationally summoned for a rescue. I claim no rights.

[@8avexp]

Freshmen became eligible in '72. Tight end Ken MacAfee played as a freshman in '74, and placekicker Dave Reeve was also a freshman that year (he wore number 3 in '74, then switched to 13 in '75). The legend of Joe Montana was born in this game. I remember listening to it and when he completed that pass to Burgmeier that resulted in an 80-yard TD run, I was stunned. I was like, what just happened?!? A new rule was passed in '75 that limited traveling squads to 48 players. This game was played on a brutally hot day and ND found itself running out of fresh players. You can see Burgmeier gasping for breath as he stood in the end zone after that 80-yard TD pass play. ND had shut out the Tar Heels in their three previous meetings, all under Ara (17-0 in 1965, 32-0 in '66 and 16-0 in '71).

[@franksantore2810]

Again, Don Criqui on the play by play!

[@nathaniellathy6559]

North Carolina football has had trouble getting over the hump

[@Kenjayfan55]

Dan Devine was an excellent defensive coach and featured a physical running game on offense. But his instincts for quarterbacks were woeful. At ND and in Green Bay. Not just Joe Montana but derailing a potential NC run in 1980 by inserting Blair Kiel over Mike Coury with flimsy justification and creating dissent among the upperclassmen.

[@nathaniellathy6559]

He was better than Gerry Faust