1980 Miami Hurricane Football Review: The storied rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami of 1980.

The 1980 meeting between Notre Dame and Miami is one of the most memorable games in the annals of college football history. Their rivalry is well-known. The Fighting Irish’s schedule before that season resembled an Oreo cookie, with tough opponents at both ends and what appeared to be easy games in between. Miami, a club eager to establish themselves, was one of these “easier” matchups.

The Hurricanes, who were ranked No. 13 in the nation, came to Notre Dame Stadium with a perfect 4-0 record and a strong defense. Despite their strong stats, Notre Dame performed fearlessly, shocking their opponents with a dominant display. The Irish dominated the whole game because to halfback Jim Stone’s amazing 224 yards of rushing and a dominating defense that stopped Miami’s offense. This game was a pivotal point in Notre Dame’s 1980 season and demonstrated the team’s depth and resiliency.

Before the 1980 campaign, Irish football fans could easily compare Notre Dame’s schedule to an Oreo cookie, with two very challenging opponents on either end and a creamy mix of less challenging opponents in between.

Big-name schools like Army, Arizona, Michigan State, or Miami just cannot be compared to schools like Purdue and Michigan on the one end and Alabama and Southern Cal on the other.

With an undefeated 4-0 record, a No. 13 national ranking, the greatest defense in the nation against the rush, and the third-best overall, Miami was eager to take a large bite out of that hypothesis as the Hurricanes blasted into Notre Dame Stadium.

However, the Irish paid little attention to that stellar reputation. Four more Harry Oliver field goals, 224 yards on the run by halfback Jim Stone, and a suffocating Irish defense that did not allow a first down during nine consecutive Miami possessions in the second or third quarter decisively defeated the upset-minded Hurricanes.

However, Notre Dame’s complete dominance of the line of scrimmage was not adequately reflected in the final score of 32–14.

Jim Burt, a noseguard for Miami and an All-America contender, remarked, “Notre Dame’s got a great team.” “That’s definitely the best team we’ve faced this year,” he continued emphatically, placing the Irish ahead of Florida State, who went on to win the Orange Bowl for the second straight week.

Burt praised the whole offensive line of Notre Dame, highlighting the play of Irish center John Scully, his opponent in the head-to-head match, who showed he was willing to put his name in the hat for All-America honors with a strong showing against a similarly skilled opponent. Burt complained, “Scully’s an excellent center.” “He is far more adept at maintaining his blocks than any center I have ever faced.” The offensive line as a whole actually held their blocks better than any other squad I’ve seen. That was the secret to everything.

The offensive output of Notre Dame was undoubtedly a different medication than the Hurricanes were used to. Miami had only given up 15.5 yards per game on the ground in four prior games. Five minutes into the game, the Irish rushing backs had already eclipsed that mark; throughout the afternoon, they finished with an incredible 302 yards.

However, Stone’s performance that day may have summed up Notre Dame’s 1980 campaign—a starting player suffering an injury and an equally capable backup ready to step in. In the last seconds of the team’s triumph over Michigan State the week before, sophomore Phil Carter took a serious thigh bruise that would keep him out of action for several weeks. However, Jim Stone was a gifted senior who had been patiently waiting for his chance.

After the game, Irish coach Dan Devine was quick to emphasize, “It was a team victory.” “I really can’t focus on one aspect in particular.”

But Devine couldn’t resist giving Stone a slap on the back after the halfback had only amassed 224 yards on 3 8 touches, including a 27-yard scoring burst on the game’s second-to-last play.

He exclaimed, “The players are really proud of Jim Stone.” Jim seemed to be the tailback position’s heir while playing in Vagas Ferguson’s shadow. He has never pouted throughout his career. He was there, as we knew.

Sure enough, he was there, exactly when he was needed. He’d spent the week visiting his roommate and close buddy Carter in the hospital, where they’d said encouraging words to each other. The main memory Stone had was of Phil’s speech that he had to give last night at the pep rally. Despite the fact that he wasn’t playing, he was quite excited. He assured the audience that Jim Stone would handle the situation regardless of the musician.

With a great deal of physical and spiritual support from his friends, Stone completed the task. Recalling his first-ever start at Notre Dame, he remarked, “The offensive linemen told me to follow the blocks and everything would be all right before the game.” It was quite meaningful to me. It indicated to me that they valued me nearly as much as I did.

His teammates were cheering him on all the way to the finish line. Stone had 197 yards to his credit with fewer than 20 seconds left in the game, so Devine substituted freshman John Mosley for Stone. However, the players objected to the coach, demanding that Stone receive his 200 yards.

“On the last play, I’ve never let a player go like that before. Devine clarified, “You don’t want to injure him because you’ve got the game won. However, everyone, especially the athletes, wanted him to get those 200 yards. I had to give Mosley a call back. I had no idea he would go all the way.

Blair Kiel, a rookie quarterback, opened at quarterback, becoming the first player to do so since 1951’s Ralph Guglielmi. With a defense that gave Miami just 42 ground yards, he had all the assistance he required. With 11 minutes remaining in the game, free safety Tom Gibbons gave the opposition another shot in the arm with a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Hurricanes were not blown away by the Dolphins thanks to two touchdown throws from quarterback Jim Kelly in the fourth quarter. However, the Irish defense did not surrender another touchdown for a very long time after those.

Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger stated, “Without any turnover help, you’re not going to beat a team like that.” During the afternoon, the Irish made zero. “It was just not our day.”

The Fighting Irish’s tenacity and camaraderie are still evident in their 1980 triumph over Miami. Jim Stone’s spectacular effort, which came in for the injured Phil Carter, summed up the “next man up” philosophy that motivated Notre Dame all season long. Coach Dan Devine’s focus on a team win brought attention to the teamwork that outclassed Miami’s renowned defense. The offensive line’s steadfast faith in Stone’s ability and support for him highlighted the team’s cohesion and resolve. With a commanding 32-14 victory to end the game, it was evident that Notre Dame was a team to be reckoned with for more than just talent. Howard Schnellenberger, the coach of Miami, praised the Irish for their skillful play, which allowed for no space for error. Not only is the result of this game remembered, but also the heart and effort Notre Dame gave it, which paved the way for their subsequent triumph in the 1980 campaign.