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Newsstand: Notre Dame only involved in one of college football’s top 25 plays since 2000, per ESPN

IMG_9992by:Tyler Horka•06/12/25•

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Andy Altenburger/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images

ESPN ranked the top 25 plays in college football since 2000. Notre Dame was only involved in one of them, and it is not a fond memory for Fighting Irish fans.

It’s still absolutely an unforgettable one, though.

The worldwide leader ranked the “Bush Push” No. 14.

“On its own, the “Bush Push” of 2005 wasn’t something to marvel at,” ESPN’s Kyle Bonaguru wrote. “With top-ranked USC trailing Notre Dame 31-28 with seven seconds left in South Bend, Indiana, Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart — the reigning Heisman Trophy winner — appeared to have been stopped short on a surprising quarterback sneak attempt, only for Reggie Bush to shove him in the chest, propelling him across the goal line.

“The push violated the NCAA rulebook, but was not penalized, giving USC a key win as it continued its march to the BCS National Championship game.”

The Irish went 9-3 that season. They had already lost to Michigan State before facing USC, and they fell to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Notre Dame tweets of the day

Notre Dame is kicking off at 11 a.m. local time in Arkansas at the end of September. Get those orange juice supplies stocked and ready.

The Fighting Irish women’s basketball team has a new director of operations, Jas Smith — and she’s an alumna of the university, too.

Joley Mitchell, a former Fighting Irish softball player, overcame a lot to win the national championship with Texas this year.

Fighting Irish quote of the day

“I feel like Notre Dame stands out every time I go on a visit. It’s different from other schools, just because of how it’s independent. When you walk into the stadium, there are no advertisements. It’s like, Notre Dame is Notre Dame. They’re not going to change for anyone. They have that structure piece.”

— Elite tight end recruit Jack Brown on the Irish’s recruitment of him

Blue & Gold headlines of the day

• Irish Invasion resonated with top Notre Dame recruiting targets
• Sting level: Fighting Irish miss out on key recruiting targets
• Notre Dame women’s basketball to host No. 22 ranked player in class of 2026

• Five thoughts: Fighting Irish men’s basketball lands two top targets
• Joey O’Brien update: Father of elite recruit reveals insight into Irish ahead of official visit
• Lucky Charms: New prediction logged for Fighting Irish football recruiting
• Highly touted defensive back to visit Notre Dame later this month




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