Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State is nine days away
To preview one of the most anticipated games for Notre Dame this century and the official start of the Marcus Freeman era, BlueandGold.com is counting down the days to the matchup against Ohio State on Sept. 3.
This daily series of 99 stories celebrates by the numbers some of the most notable names, dates, moments and memories related to the past and present of Notre Dame football.
With nine days remaining until kickoff, here’s a look back at the college career of quarterback Tony Rice, who wore No. 9 from 1987-89.
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He remains the last quarterback to lead Notre Dame to a national title. His program rushing records for quarterbacks still stand.
The Irish had more dominant and decorated players on that 1988 title team, but Rice’s fit in coach Lou Holtz’s option offense made him an indispensable piece. At least, that was the conclusion after the championship-clinching game, when the fan base could unite in seeing him as a reason Notre Dame won instead of worrying about his shaky passing skills.
Those passing numbers were often the subject of fans’ ire, and on paper, they’re not pretty. Rice finished his career with a 48.5 percent completion rate, 11 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. In 1987, his first season as a starter, he completed 42.7 percent of his 82 pass attempts with just one touchdown. He tossed four interceptions. Notre Dame scored 10 points in its final two games of the year, losses to No. 2 Miami and No. 13 Texas A&M.
Holtz, though, stuck with Rice as the starter heading into 1988. Those passing numbers could work in his option-based offense. Rice’s sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash speed and rushing skills made him a fit – if he could become passable as a passer.
Rice did in 1988, completing 50.7 percent of his passes for 1,176 yards, 8.5 yards per attempt, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He went 5-of-21 for 90 yards and two interceptions in wins over Michigan State and Michigan to begin the season, but pulled the wheel around from there.
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Even if the numbers weren’t great in a game, he often came through in key moments. He completed a 57-yard pass on third down in a win over then-No. 1 Miami. His 55-yard pass to Rocket Ismail and 65-yard touchdown run sparked a win over No. 2 USC to end the regular season. The Irish went 11-0 with him as the starter, earning a spot in the Fiesta Bowl and a matchup against West Virginia.
Rice saved his best game as a passer for the biggest moment. He went 7-of-11 for 213 yards and two touchdowns, earning Fiesta Bowl MVP honors. Notre Dame won 34-21 to clinch the national championship.
“I went out there and played my ball game,” Rice recalled in 2013.
Still, there had to be some gratification for making a weakness a strength in a crucial moment.
“All summer, I heard people say we could never be a great team with Tony Rice as our quarterback because he can’t throw,” Holtz said afterward.
Rice returned as the starter in 1989, rushing for 884 yards, 5.1 yards per carry and seven touchdowns in 12 games. His passing numbers dipped, though. He completed 49.6 percent of his throws and had just two touchdowns against nine interceptions. Notre Dame still went 12-1 and finished second in the AP Top 25. Rice even finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was an All-American.
Rice’s 1,921 career rushing yards and 23 touchdowns are the most by a Notre Dame quarterback.
