Davie Is a Winner in His Debut

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Bob Davie promised to raise the energy level at Notre Dame. Well, the pulse rate of Davie--and Fighting Irish fans everywhere--was certainly raised Saturday.

Autry Denson scored from a yard out with 2:37 left as the 11th-ranked Irish made Davie sweat out his coaching debut before defeating Georgia Tech, 17-13.

“We didn’t play as well as we could have and we didn’t play as well as we should have,” the relieved Davie said just outside the new locker room at renovated Notre Dame Stadium. “And we’re going to have to play a lot better in the future.

“But it certainly is fun to build on a win.”

It was supposed to be a perfect day for the Irish, playing before a crowd of 80,225--about 21,000 more than the old stadium held. But just like the past few years under Lou Holtz, the Irish showed they are slow starters.

Last season, Ron Powlus rallied the Irish to a 14-7 season-opening victory over Vanderbilt. Two years ago, Notre Dame lost its opener, at home, to Northwestern, 17-15.

Again, this time with Denson picking up most of the yardage, Powlus led the Irish on the winning drive.

Denson accounted for 44 yards on the 70-yard drive that erased a 13-10 Georgia Tech lead and had the fans cheering for the rest of the game.

Georgia Tech nearly pulled off the upset, but Dave Frakes missed two field goals in the fourth quarter after Georgia Tech intercepted Powlus passes.

“I never thought we wouldn’t win this game, even if they would have made the field goals,” said Powlus, who completed 18 of 29 passes for 217 yards. “After the first two drives, we knew we had to suck it up.”

Down by three points with 7:42 left, Notre Dame took over on its 30. Denson, who finished with 85 yards rushing and 58 receiving, carried four consecutive times for 26 yards to the Georgia Tech 44. He fumbled on the fourth carry but tight end Tim Ridder recovered. Powlus then ran for 10 yards and Denson caught an 11-yard pass at the Georgia Tech 23.

Three plays later, Powlus passed to Bobby Brown, who was credited with a five-yard reception although replays appeared to show he did not have possession. Even Brown was surprised the pass was ruled complete.

“I thought it was a fumble, but the ref ruled I was down,” said Brown, who had seven catches for 64 yards. “The ball was thrown behind me. I had already hit the ground.”

Two plays later, Denson scored from the one, and the crowd rejoiced.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Powlus said.

The Yellow Jackets had a final chance, but were forced to punt, and the Irish ran out the clock.

Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton completed 10 of 21 passes for 118 yards and had two interceptions.