1989 NCAA Tournament
The 1989 Tournament was based on the final AP rankings. Last year's champion Florida State made it to the semi finals before falling to eventual champion Notre Dame. The only first round upset was #10 Illinois over #7 Michigan.
National Semi Final #1 (Colorado Buffaloes v USC Trojans)
December 30, 1989 @ The Cotton Bowl, Temp 39, Cloudy, Wind 12 mph
The Colorado Buffaloes scored 21 points in the second quarter to pull away from the USC Trojans and cruised to a 41 - 14 Cotton Bowl victory.
Colorado led 14-7 after the first quarter thanks to two J.J. Flannigan touchdown runs. In the second quarter, Eric Bienemy scored on an 8yd run to make it 21-7. After forcing a USC three and out, Flannigan scored his third touchdown of the game to make it 28-7. With less than two minutes left in the half, USC quarterback Todd Marinovich was sacked Alfred Williams. Williams recovered at the USC 7yd line. Three plays later Colorado quarterback Darian Hagan ran in for a score and it was 35-7 at the half. From that point on Colorado was in control allowing just a Ricky Ervins touchdown to USC in the second half. MVP: J.J. Flannigan (Colorado) 136yds rushing, 3 TD's For Colorado: Darian Hagan 3/5, 35, 121yds rushing, TD...J.J. Flanningan 136yds rushing, 3 TD...Eric Bienemy 43yds rushing, TD For USC: Todd Marinovich 13/28, 144, TD, INT...Leroy Holt 98yds rushing...Ricky Ervins 51yds rushing, TD...John Jackson 5 rec 80yds |
National Semi Final #2 (Florida St Seminoles v Notre Dame Fighting Irish)
December 30, 1989 @ The Orange Bowl, Temp 53, Partly Cloudy, Wind 14 mph
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in tournament history, rallying from 17 points down in the 4th quarter to stun the Florida State Seminoles 31-24.
Florida State built their lead with 17 points in the second quarter that broke a 7-7 tie. Two touchdown passes from Peter Tom Willis to Ron Lewis and a 38 yard Bill Mason field goal made it a 24-7 game at the half. Neither team scored in the third quarter, setting the stage for the Irish comeback. Billy Hackett kicked a 25 yard field goal for the Irish to make it 24-10 with 12:02 to play. On the ensuing kick off Dexter Carter fumbled the kick return and Todd Lyght recovered for Notre Dame at the FSU 23 yard line. Four plays later Ricky Watters ran in and it was suddenly a 24-17 game. FSU got the ball back and on third down Lawrence Dawsey fumbled and Ned Bolcar recovered for Notre Dame at the FSU 16 yard line. Tony Rice ran in on the very next play to tie the game at 24-24. The Irish tied the game with 17 points in less than five minuets. FSU went three and out on their next drive and after picking up one first down Watters scored on a 31yd run to put the Irish on top 31-24. FSU managed to reach the Notre Dame 31 yard before turning the ball over on downs. MVP: Peter Tom Willis (Florida St): 262 yds passing, 3 TD, 161 rating For Florida St: Peter Tom Willis 23/34, 262, 3 TD...Dexter Carter 61yds rushing...Lawrence Dawsey 70yds receiving, TD... Ron Lewis 72yds receiving, TD For Notre Dame: Tony Rice 5/14, 73, INT, 94yd rushing, TD...Ricky Watters 87yds rushing, 3 TD |
National Championship (Colorado Buffaloes v Notre Dame Fighting Irish)
January 6, 1990 @ The Rose Bowl, Temp 56, Clear, Wind 5 mph
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish blew open a close game with 21 second quarter points to pull away from the Colorado Buffaloes and win their second championship 38-13.
Notre Dame led after one quarter 7-3 on a three yard run by Ricky Watters. Ken Culbertson kicked a 34 yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter to make it 7-6. Colorado would never get closer. On the next possession Tony Rice ran in from one yard to make it 14-6. Colorado went three and out and on the ensuing punt Rocket Ismail returned it for an 86 yard touchdown. After a Colorado punt, the Irish scored again on a one yard run by Anthony Johnson. At the half Notre Dame had a 28-6 lead. The only scoring in the third quarter was another one yard run by Johnson making it 35-6. Craig Hentrich kicked a 28 yard field goal early in the 4th to make it 38-6. Darian Hagan scored a late touchdown for Colorado but the game was well decided by that point. MVP: Rocket Ismail (Notre Dame) 38 yds rushing, 54 yds receiving, 179 return yards, TD For Colorado: Darian Hagan 3/9, 55, 56 yds rushing...J.J. Flannigan 63 yds rushing...M.J. Nelson 48yds receiving...Alfred Williams 9 Tackles For Notre Dame: Tony Rice 5/8, 113, 90yds rushing...Anthony Johnson 38yds rushing, 2 TD...Dorsey Levens 56yds rushing... |