FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

“GAME OF THE CENTURY” VS. FLORIDA STATE & “BUSH PUSH” VS. USC HIGHLIGHT TRIO OF CLASSIC NOTRE DAME GAMES TONIGHT AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Charlie Ward, Brady Quinn, Shawn Wooden, and Jarious Jackson Among Players Featured in Tonight’s Games

NBC Sports Host & Notre Dame Alum Jac Collinsworth Anchors Tonight’s Coverage

Leinart, Wooden and Jackson Highlight Players Taking Part in Tonight’s Special Commentary

50+ Hours of Classic Sports Moments from Notre Dame Football, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, NHL Classics, French Open & PGA TOUR Throughout the Week

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 29, 2020NBC Sports From the Vault continues tonight at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN with a trio of classic Notre Dame Football games highlighted by the “Game of the Century” and the “Bush Push.” Fighting Irish legends and some of the biggest names in college football will be on display, including Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Charlie Ward, Brady Quinn, Shawn Wooden, and Jarious Jackson.

Leinart, who won the Heisman Trophy with USC in 2004, will offer new commentary throughout the “Bush Push” game, while former Notre Dame safety Wooden will provide analysis during the “Game of the Century.” Former Fighting Irish quarterback Jackson will offer commentary during the Notre Dame-Oklahoma game.

NBC Sports host and Notre Dame alum Jac Collinsworth anchors tonight’s coverage. In addition, Collinsworth and NBC Sports’ and former Notre Dame wide receiver Corey Robinson will provide social commentary on Instagram Live.

Game presentations will include a specialized ticker featuring live tweets. Fans can tweet #NBCSNVault for the chance to see their tweets live on air. Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 – NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

The night kicks off with one of the most anticipated games in college football history as No. 2 Notre Dame hosts No. 1 Florida State in a November 1993 matchup regarded as the “Game of the Century.” Then at 10 p.m. ET, USC travels to Notre Dame Stadium in a 2005 clash that was punctuated by the infamous ‘Bush Push’ with three seconds remaining. The nightcap features the thrilling comeback win by the Fighting Irish over the Oklahoma Sooners in 1999.

EVENT TIME (ET) NETWORK
No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 2 Notre Dame (Nov. 13, 1993) 7 p.m. NBCSN
No. 1 USC vs. No. 9 Notre Dame (Oct. 15, 2005) 10 p.m. NBCSN
No. 23 Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame (Oct. 2, 1999) 1 a.m. NBCSN

 

7 P.M. ET: NO. 1 FLORIDA STATE VS. NO. 2 NOTRE DAME (NOV. 13, 1993)
“THE GAME OF THE CENTURY”

No. 2 Notre Dame hosted No. 1 Florida State in a November 1993 meeting between two undefeated teams which came to be regarded as the “Game of the Century.” The teams were coached by a pair of college football legends in Notre Dame’s Lou Holtz and Florida State’s Bobby Bowden.

After trailing 31-17 with 2:31 remaining in the game, Florida State rallied with a touchdown, defensive stop, and a potential game-tying last-minute drive which reached the Notre Dame 14-yard line with three seconds remaining. Eventual Heisman Trophy winner and Seminoles quarterback Charlie Ward scrambled out of the pocket, but his pass was broken up by Irish defensive back Shawn Wooden, giving Notre Dame a 31-24 victory over the Seminoles as fans stormed the field.

The game produced a 16.0 rating and averaged more than 22 million viewers, ranking as the highest-rated regular-season college football game on record.

The game was called on NBC by play-by-play announcer Charlie Jones, analyst Todd Christensen, and sideline reporter John Dockery. Bob Costas hosted coverage on-site at Notre Dame Stadium.

10 P.M. ET: NO. 1 USC VS. NO. 9 NOTRE DAME (OCT. 15, 2005)
“BUSH PUSH”

In front of over 80,000 fans at Notre Dame Stadium, the Notre Dame-USC clash between Top 10 teams in 2005 was punctuated by the ‘Bush Push,’ when USC running back Reggie Bush pushed quarterback Matt Leinart over the goal line for the game-winning touchdown on a QB sneak from Notre Dame’s one-yard line, giving No. 1 USC a 34-31 victory over No. 9 Notre Dame.

The Trojans were led by head coach Pete Carroll, while Charlie Weis was in his first season at the helm for the Fighting Irish. The game included some of college football’s biggest names and future NFL players, including USC’s Bush, Leinart, running back LenDale White, and wide receiver Steve Smith, and Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, wide receiver Jeff Samardzija and tight end Anthony Fasano.

The matchup drew a 6.8 rating and averaged more than 10 million viewers, which ranked as the highest-rated and most watched regular-season game of the 2005 college football season, and NBC’s third most watched Notre Dame game on record.

The game was called on NBC by play-by-play announcer Tom Hammond, analyst Pat Haden, and sideline reporter Lewis Johnson.

1 A.M. ET: No. 23 OKLAHOMA VS. NOTRE DAME (OCT. 2, 1999)

The nightcap features a thrilling come-from-behind win as Notre Dame quarterback Jarious Jackson led the Fighting Irish to 20 unanswered second-half points to overcome a 16-point deficit and earn a 34-30 victory over previously-undefeated No. 23 Oklahoma in 1999.

Jackson led Notre Dame with three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), while the Fighting Irish amassed 566 total yards against a strong Oklahoma defense. The Sooners entered the game as the No. 1-ranked offense in the nation, averaging 536 yards per game, but Notre Dame held Oklahoma to just 237 yards.

The matchup featured Bob Stoops in his first season as Oklahoma’s head coach, while Bob Davie led the Fighting Irish. The 1999 Sooners staff also included offensive coordinator Mike Leach (current Mississippi State head coach) and co-defensive coordinators Mike Stoops (current Alabama assistant coach) and Brent Venables (current Clemson defensive coordinator).

The game was called on NBC by play-by-play announcer Dick Enberg and analyst Pat Haden.

Below is each night’s highlighted content throughout the week:

    • Wednesday, April 29: Notre Dame Football
    • Thursday, April 30: Orange Bowl
    • Friday, May 1: Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl
    • Saturday, May 2: Rose Bowl
    • Sunday, May 3: PGA TOUR (THE PLAYERS Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational)

 

–NBC SPORTS–