With the echoes of a crushing defeat still fresh in their minds, the Irish found both their footing—and their fire—on a muddy September Saturday against Michigan.
In sports, there’s nothing quite like a rematch. Especially when it follows a blowout loss, under the watchful eyes of your fans, alumni, and critics. On September 13, 2008, the Notre Dame football team had a chance to rewrite the story after a humbling 38–0 shutout at the hands of Michigan the year before. Armed with a renewed sense of purpose, a locker room full of underclassmen, and a few words of inspiration from former head coach Lou Holtz, the Irish took the field at Notre Dame Stadium not just to play—but to prove something.
From the opening whistle, Notre Dame made their intentions clear. They capitalized on early Michigan turnovers, put up points fast, and leaned on young talent like Jimmy Clausen, Robert Hughes, and Golden Tate to build a commanding lead. But it wasn’t just a test of execution—it became a test of endurance, as heavy rains turned the field into a slick battleground. While both teams struggled with ball control, the Irish stayed grounded, quite literally, and sealed the win with a gritty fourth-quarter fumble return for a touchdown. By the final whistle, the scoreboard read 35–17, and the echoes of last season’s embarrassment had been washed away in the rain.
The following article, “Flooded With a Victory” by Claire Kenney, appeared in Volume 150, Number 7 of Scholastic Magazine, published on January 29, 2009 as part of the official 2008 Notre Dame Football Review. It captures the emotion, the energy, and the statement made that day in South Bend:
Flooded With a Victory
by Claire Kenney
Sometimes all one needs for motivation is a little inspiration. This was the sentiment shared by many Irish players regarding ex-coach Lou Holtz’s motivational speech during the Sept. 12 pep rally prior to the game against Michigan. The following day, the Irish had the opportunity to prove themselves to both the Wolverines and to their critics.
Notre Dame’s quest for redemption from the disappointing 38-0 defeat at the hands of the Wolverines the previous season was apparent in the first few minutes of the game, as the Irish recovered a Michigan fumble, the first of six in the game for the Wolverines, on the opening drive. Sophomore running back Robert Hughes finished off the Irish’s brief 3- play, 11-yard drive with a 2-yard run to stake the Irish to a 7-0 lead.
Following another Michigan fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff, sophomore wide receiver Duval Kamara hauled in a 10-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen to increase the lead to 14-0 for the Irish.
Clausen launched a 48-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Golden Tate near the end of the first quarter, increasing the lead to 21-0. With about two minutes left in the quarter, however, Michigan sophomore quarterback Steven Threet threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to freshman running back Sam McGuffie to cut into the Irish lead.
In the second quarter, following a Michigan field goal, Hughes added yet another touchdown, this time with a 1-yard scamper. Michigan managed a second touchdown midway through the quarter, pushing the lead to 28-17, where it remained at halftime.
During the third quarter, the pelting rain that began seemed to influence play. Numerous turnovers and fumbles, perhaps due to the slick weather, marked the sloppy third quarter play by both teams.
In the fourth quarter, however, the Irish used the weather to their advantage. Sophomore linebacker Brian Smith’s 35-yard fumble recovery with seconds into the quarter extended the Irish lead to 35-17, and the Irish held on for the victory. “It was very fun, knowing that we were up. It’s fun going out in those conditions,” Hughes said after the game. “When it’s rainy and muddy like this you’ve got to protect the ball and we did.”
Charlie Weis and his team certainly had reason to celebrate in their redemptive victory over Michigan and its 2-0 record. He didn’t attribute the win to Holtz’ speech nor to any motivational tactics, but to ND’s hunger for respect. “Today it was not Lou, it was not the ‘88 team, it was those guys in that locker room stepping up and earn[ing] the respect that [senior linebacker] Mo Crum was talking about last night at the pep rally,” Weis said following the victory. “We had a bunch of guys that stepped up and said we want to make a statement that Notre Dame’s not just some garbage school out there.”
It wasn’t just a win. It was a turning point. For the team, it was proof that youth, hunger, and resilience could overcome both weather and reputation. For the fans, it was a reminder that Notre Dame football still had pride, purpose, and potential. And for anyone watching that day—soaked, muddy, and cheering—it was a victory worth remembering.
Cheers & GO IRISH!