The storied rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami is etched in the annals of college football history, but one game that stands out in particular is their clash in 1980. Prior to that season, the Fighting Irish faced a schedule that resembled an Oreo cookie, with formidable opponents at both ends and seemingly easier matchups in between. Among these “easier” games was Miami, a team determined to prove their worth. The Hurricanes arrived at Notre Dame Stadium with a perfect 4-0 record and a formidable defense, ranked No. 13 nationally. Despite their impressive stats, Notre Dame showed no fear, delivering a dominant performance that stunned their opponents. Led by halfback Jim Stone, who rushed for an incredible 224 yards, and a stifling defense that shut down Miami’s offense, the Irish controlled the game from start to finish. This game not only showcased the depth and resilience of Notre Dame’s team but also marked a significant moment in their 1980 season.
Hurricane Winds Subside
Prior to the 1980 season, it was easy for Irish football faithful to look at the Notre Dame schedule much like an Oreo cookie-two tough-to-beat opponents on each end and a creamy crop of somewhat-less-difficult foes in between.
After all, big names like Purdue and Michigan at one end and Alabama and Southern Cal at the other just can’t compare to the likes of Army, Arizona, Michigan State or Miami.
Miami was determined to take a big bite out of that theory as the Hurricanes blew into Notre Dame Stadium with an unblemished 4-0 record and a No. 13 national ranking, not to mention the best defense in the country against the rush and the third best overall.
But the Irish showed little respect for that glowing reputation. The upset-minded Hurricanes found themselves soundly beaten by four more Harry Oliver field goals, 224 yards on the ground by halfback Jim Stone and a stifling Irish defense which did not yield a first down in the second or third quarter over nine consecutive Miami possessions.
Yet the 32-14 final margin didn’t accurately reflect Notre Dame’s utter dominance of the line of scrimmage.
“Notre Dame’s got a great team,” said Miami’s All-America candidate, noseguard Jim Burt. “That’s definitely the best team we’ve faced this year,” be added with emphasis, putting the Irish ahead of the previous week’s victim, Florida State, who later made its second-straight Orange Bowl appearance.
Burt sang the praises of Notre Dame’s entire offensive line, especially the performance of his head-to-head counterpart, Irish center John Scully, who clearly threw his name in the hat for All-America consideration with a solid performance against an equally talented foe. “Scully’s an excellent center,” Burt lamented. “He stays with his blocks really well-better than any center I’ve ever played against. In fact, the whole offensive line stayed with its blocks better than any other team I’ve seen. That was the key to the whole thing.”
Notre Dame’s offensive output was certainly a different dose of medicine than the Hurricanes had been accustomed to taking. In four previous contests, Miami had surrendered just 15.5 yards a game on the ground. The Irish running backs surpassed that total just five minutes into the game, and finished with a whopping 302 yards for the afternoon.
Yet Stone’s performance that day perhaps typified the 1980 season for Notre Dame-a starting player going down with an injury, and an equally effective reserve ready to fill in. Sophomore Phil Carter suffered a severe thigh bruise during the waning moments of the victory at Michigan State the previous week and would not see action again for several weeks. Yet there was Jim Stone, a talented senior who had been waiting patiently for his opportunity.
“It was a team victory,” Irish coach Dan Devine was quick to point out after the game. “I can’t really single out any particular facet.”
But with a halfback who had just rang up 224 yards on 3 8 carries, including a 27-yard scoring burst on the second-to-last play of the game, Devine couldn’t go without patting Stone on the back.
“The players are really proud of Jim Stone,” he said with enthusiasm. “Jim played in the shadows of Vagas Ferguson and appeared to be the heir to the tailback position. Throughout his career he has never pouted. We knew he was there.”
He was there, all right, and just when he was needed most. Throughout the week, he had visited his good friend and roommate Carter in the infirmary where they exchanged encouraging words. “The big thing that stuck out in my mind,” Stone remembered, “was last night at the pep rally when Phil had to speak. He was really excited even though he wasn’t playing. He told the crowd that it didn’t matter who was playing, that Jim Stone would do the job.”
Stone did the job with a lot of help from his friends, both physical and moral support. “Before the game, the offensive linemen told me to follow the blocks and everything would be all right,” he said recalling his first-ever start at Notre Dame. “That meant a lot to me. It told me that they believed in me, almost more than I believed in myself.”
His teammates were pulling for him right down to the wire. With less than 20 seconds remaining, the game well in hand and 197 yards to Stone’s credit, Devine sent in freshman John Mosley for Stone. But the players wanted Stone to get his 200 yards, and protested to the coach.
“I’ve never before let a guy go like that on the last play. You’ve got the game won, and you don’t want to get him hurt,” explained Devine. “But everyone wanted him to get that 200 yards, especially the players. So I had to call Mosley back. I didn’t know he was going to go all the way.”
Freshman quarterback Blair Kiel got the starting call, making him the first freshman to open at that spot since Ralph Guglielmi in 1951. He had all the help he needed from a defense that allowed Miami only 42 ground yards. Free safety Tom Gibbons delivered an extra shot in the arm with a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown with 11 minutes left in the game.
A pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Miami quarterback Jim Kelly prevented a blowout of the Hurricanes. But those touchdowns would· be the last the Irish defense would give up for a long time.
“You’re not going to beat a team like that without any turnover help,” said Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger. The Irish made none all afternoon. “This just wasn’t our day.”
The 1980 victory over Miami remains a testament to the Fighting Irish’s grit and teamwork. Jim Stone’s breakout performance, replacing the injured Phil Carter, epitomized the “next man up” mentality that drove Notre Dame throughout the season. Coach Dan Devine’s emphasis on a team victory highlighted the collective effort that overwhelmed Miami’s celebrated defense. The offensive line’s unwavering support and belief in Stone’s abilities underscored the unity and determination within the squad. As the game concluded with a decisive 32-14 win, it became clear that Notre Dame was a force to be reckoned with, not just by their skill but by their spirit. Miami’s coach, Howard Schnellenberger, acknowledged the excellence of the Irish, whose flawless execution left no room for errors. This game is remembered not just for the score, but for the heart and dedication displayed by Notre Dame, setting the stage for their continued success in the 1980 season.
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