This Time, Irish Got Best of USC’s McKay

When USC Coach John McKay took his football team to Notre Dame in the fall of 1973, he was 4-0-2 against the Irish in the previous six games.

And this time, he had a 23-game unbeaten streak--against everyone.

But it all came to an end, 26 years ago today on a rainy afternoon in South Bend, Ind., where the Irish won, 23-14. Notre Dame used a dominating defense, a ball-control offense--and one big play.

Notre Dame’s Eric Penick burst off tackle in the third quarter and slogged through the puddles for 85 yards and a touchdown that gave the Irish a 20-7 lead. On a day when USC’s offense wasn’t working in the rain, it was too much.

USC’s running game netted only 68 yards, Notre Dame’s 316.

Also contributing to the streak stopper were fumbles by Anthony Davis and J.K. McKay, and an interception thrown by Pat Haden.

The crusher was Davis’ fumble on the Notre Dame 20-yard line with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Trojans trailed only 23-14 at the time.

The 59,075 Irish partisans on hand, of course, had no sympathy for Davis.

The season before, he had scored six touchdowns against Notre Dame at the Coliseum. Davis this time gained 55 yards in 19 carries. One sign in the stands had Davis’ picture with the caption: “Wanted--Dead.”

Also on this date: In 1923, Red Grange scored on runs of 90, 35 and 15 yards and totaled 251 yards as Illinois beat Northwestern, 29-0. . . . In 1954, a Texas law prohibiting boxing matches between whites and blacks was ruled unconstitutional. . . . In 1993, the NFL awarded its 29th franchise to Charlotte, N.C.