1985: Michigan 20 Notre Dame 12

Game played on September 14, 1985 in Ann Arbor.
1985 Michigan Wolverines Starting Lineups...
OFFENSE:
Split End - Paul Jokisch
Left Tackle - John Elliot
Left Tackle - Jerry Quaerna
Left Guard - John Vitale
Left Guard - Mark Hammerstein
Center - Bob Tabachino
Right Guard - Mike Husar
Right Guard - Mike Krauss
Right Guard - Clay Miller
Right Tackle - Clay Miller
Right Tackle - Jerry Quaerna
Tight End - Eric Kattus
Flanker - John Kolesar
Flanker - Gilvanni Johnson
Flanker - Eric Campbell
Quarterback - Jim Harbaugh
Tailback - Jamie Morris
Tailback - Thomas Wilcher
Fullback - Gerald White
DEFENSE:
Defensive Tackle - Mark Messner
Middle Guard - Billy Harris
Defensive Tackle - Mike Hammerstein
Outside Linebacker - Jeff Akers
Outside Linebacker - Dieter Heren
Outside Linebacker - Jim Scarcelli
Outside Linebacker - Steve Thibert
Inside Linebacker - Mike Mallory
Inside Linebacker - Todd Schulte
Inside Linebacker - Andy Moeller
SS Cornerback - Garland Rivers
WS Cornerback - Bradley Cochran
Strong Safety - Ivan Hicks
Free Safety - Tony Gant

[@carolrutherford803]

I have been a Michigan Fan for over 50 years. This 1985 Michigan vs Notre Dame game was the first one I shared with my son who was two months old at the time. I never pushed him towards Michigan, but after he graduated from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, 5 universities were courting him for graduate school. By far Michigan offered him the very best scholastically and financially. He earned his Masters and PhD in Computer Science Engineering from Michigan on a full ride. He was immediately recruited by Microsoft. Thank goodness there is a very large Alumni Association out in the Seattle area and they have huge watch parties for the games. So, raising him on Michigan sports paid off beautifully. Go Blue!!!

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

It’s strange to see a Notre Dame/Michigan game at the Big House on CBS instead of ABC

[@edwarddegalan107]

Thank you Wolverine Historian

[@daypray1]

I went to this game just before my freshman season of college. Drove up from Atlanta with my Dad, my brother and best friend. Friday, stopped at the stadium and went in. Was standing there just looking around. We see this guy in the stands at about the 50, then another guy comes up to us and says, "you see that guy over there? That's Bo, he wants you out of the stadium we're about to practice." Love it, kicked out of Michigan Stadium by Bo. Go Blue!

[@carolrutherford803]

Awesome!!! Now we have #4 Harbaugh back in the Big House as the Wolverines Head Coach; who really gets Michigan football since he played for Bo 4 years. Go Blue!!'

[@beedub93]

This crew really hit its stride two weeks later when they shut out Maryland at home. Maryland was considered a national title contender heading into '85. One of my all-time favorite teams.

[@Jackwraith]

@antihero6212 This was the first game of the season. No one knew Michigan's defense was "highly rated" because there were no stats on it yet. Furthermore, it was an upset because ND was ranked (around #20, IIRC.) Michigan started out of the polls for the first time since 1969 because we finished 6-6 in 1984 after Harbaugh broke his arm.

[@debbiehenson1096]

What in the world was Notre Dame thinking hiring a HIGH SCHOOL coach !?

[@Jackwraith]

@WolverineHistorian That's right. Everyone assumed that this was the start of Michigan's "down period" under Bo, since they'd been near the top for 15 years. Had to wait for 2008... They also didn't take into account the fact that the team was quite young in 1984 and, with Harbaugh, had defeated the defending champion Miami Hurricanes at the start of the season. It's an open question as to whether it's one or two FGs away, since we had that screwy tie with Illinois, as well.

[@nathaniellathy6559]

Notre Dame Faust years.Perfect way to make Notre Dame less of a College Football power.Lou Holtz tipped the program back almost to what it once was.Got bad again after he left.2010 to present Notre Dame tries to get back to Holtz era success.And tries. And tries.

[@WolverineHistorian]

@Jackwraith Despite the tie with Illinois, we finished the season #2 in the final rankings. Oklahoma won the national title despite a 14 point loss to Miami. So that final FG by Iowa is pretty damn haunting.

[@WolverineHistorian]

@Jackwraith That's basically it. Much like the 97 defense, nobody knew how dominant they would end up being until they started playing. Simple as that. From what I've read, because of Harbaugh's broken arm the season before leading to a 6-6 season, the media said was Bo was washed up, his best coaching days were behind him. He gets his QB back and in one season, is a field goal away from playing for the national title.

[@timblasius585]

Wolverine historian, the one victory I've looked for highlights of for a long time is Michigan Notre Dame 1986. How come you've never posted those?

[@timblasius585]

WolverineHistorian Do you have highlights of the 1986 game between michigan and notre dame? That appears to be the only one missing.

[@patrickfurlong9169]

RIP Wally Klein ND #96.

[@a8avexp]

ND couldn't do squat. They had become too predictable. Even Bo said he expected much more out of ND. Alonzo Jefferson tore up his knee on the second half kickoff.

[@lstephens4321]

Mich had the #1 defense this year. Coordinated by GaryMoeller. After the season new ND coach Lou Holtz tried to hire DB coach Lloyd Carr as his DC. Bo wouldnt let him leave promoting him to DC moving Moeller to OC and demoting Jerry Hanlon. Hanlon was a father figure to OL coach Les Miles and blamed Carr. The beginning of their fued.

[@CNRSports]

I've heard the story about Holtz trying to hire Carr but I never knew Lloyd was OC after 85

[@ItsTimeToRain]

Mike krauss is my math teacher fricken awesome and i know this because he said he played for Michigan i live in Michigan and his whole room is full of U of M pictures yeah go blue!

[@papereater32]

Do my eyes deceive me? Or was there an attempted punch by #52 at around 19:20 or so?

[@WB8BRA]

Ok, I was at that game and in October I got married to my wife when Michigan played Wis and everyone was at my wedding while Wis was defended against Michigan big time. Also a Michigan fan, but my lovely wife came first....