Image Source: Lisa Kelly
Key Takeaways:
- The 1987 season opener between Notre Dame and Michigan State was a statement win for the Irish, showcasing their special teams brilliance, relentless defense, and the electrifying performance of Tim Brown.
- Tim Brown’s two punt returns for touchdowns, including a 66-yard return, earned him the nickname "Touchdown Timmy" and set the tone for the game.
- The Irish defense held Michigan State’s Heisman candidate Lorenzo White to just 51 yards on 19 carries and sacked quarterback Bobby McAllister eight times.
- The game marked a turning point in Notre Dame’s 100th season of football, announcing the program’s intentions and setting the tone for a successful season.
- The performance of Tim Brown and the Irish defense has become an iconic moment in Notre Dame football history, with Brown’s punt returns still remembered and celebrated nearly four decades later.
Introduction to the Game
The 1987 season opener between Notre Dame and Michigan State was a game that would go down in history as one of the most memorable moments in Notre Dame football history. As noted by Kathleen McKernan in her article "Two for the Money," the game was a statement win for the Irish, showcasing their special teams brilliance, relentless defense, and the electrifying performance of Tim Brown. The game was played on a day meant to celebrate 100 years of Notre Dame football, and the Irish reminded everyone that the future was just as bright as the past. As Coach Lou Holtz said after the game, "This football team has an awful lot of things going for it."
The Game-Changing Performance of Tim Brown
Tim Brown’s performance in the game was nothing short of spectacular. His two punt returns for touchdowns, including a 66-yard return, earned him the nickname "Touchdown Timmy" and set the tone for the game. As Brown explained, the first return was nearly planned, with the Irish anticipating that Michigan State punter Greg Montgomery would overkick the coverage. Brown broke two tackles, followed his blockers, and then faced Spartan safety Todd Krumm, who motioned for him to "come on, come on, come on." Brown obliged, and the rest is history. The second return, however, was not part of the plan, and Brown admitted that he was supposed to call for a fair catch. Instead, he found himself with only Montgomery between him and the end zone and thought to himself, "I’m not going to let myself be tackled by a punter."
The Dominant Performance of the Irish Defense
The Irish defense was equally impressive, holding Michigan State’s Heisman candidate Lorenzo White to just 51 yards on 19 carries and sacking quarterback Bobby McAllister eight times. As Michigan State head coach George Perles noted, "If I had to do it over, maybe I wouldn’t have emphasized our punt coverage so much… They were all in one line with no second wave. And Brown is a great, great football player." The Irish defense also forced four turnovers, with interceptions by Ned Bolcar and Todd Lyght and fumble recoveries by Bolcar and Tom Gorman. As Coach Holtz marveled, "What a move Timmy put on that punter. I don’t know where a dance is being held tonight. That’s the only place you might see another move like that."
The Impact of the Game
The game marked a turning point in Notre Dame’s 100th season of football, announcing the program’s intentions and setting the tone for a successful season. As Brown deflected the praise, saying "The defense played better than I did," the numbers backed him up. The Irish had already taken a 2-0 lead before a second ticked off the clock when Michigan State returner Blake Ezor mistakenly carried the opening kickoff into the end zone for a safety. After a Ted Gradel field goal made it 5-0, Brown’s heroics blew the game wide open. As Perles praised Andrysiak, who threw for 109 yards and rushed for 22, "The way he played tonight was the way I figured he would play when I tried to recruit him. I’m glad we didn’t have to face him the last two years."
Legacy of the Game
Looking back nearly four decades later, it’s easy to see why this game still resonates. It wasn’t just about two unforgettable punt returns or a lopsided score – it was about a program announcing its intentions, a defense setting a tone, and a player delivering one of the most electrifying performances Notre Dame Stadium has ever seen. As Holtz said, "Great teams are classified on Jan. 2." The performance of Tim Brown and the Irish defense has become an iconic moment in Notre Dame football history, with Brown’s punt returns still remembered and celebrated nearly four decades later. As the article notes, "Two punt returns in 2:01? Those live forever." The game will always be remembered as a statement win for the Irish, a testament to the power of special teams, defense, and the electrifying performance of Tim Brown.
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