Football '00:
vs Notre Dame, September 9, 2000

(1) NEBRASKA 27, (23) NOTRE DAME 24 (OT)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Eric Crouch is well versed in Notre Dame football lore, especially the part about No. 1 teams coming to town and leaving with a loss.

After his third touchdown run of the game -- a 7-yarder in overtime -- gave the top-ranked Cornhuskers a nerve-racking 27-24 victory over the 23rd-ranked Fighting Irish on Saturday, the quarterback knew his team was lucky to escape.

"It was something that I'll never forget, especially at a place like Notre Dame," Crouch said. "Just the aura that this place has. ... It's real hard for any team rated No. 1 to come in here and beat these guys."

Nebraska (2-0) found out how difficult as Notre Dame (1-1) nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in its storied history. In 1993, the Irish beat No. 1 Florida State 31-24; and in '88 the Irish defeated No. 1 Miami 31-30.

Notre Dame rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to tie the score 21-all on a 100-yard kickoff return by Julius Jones and an 83-yard punt return by Joey Getherall.

"We knew it was not going to be easy coming in, in this stadium and getting out with a win," Nebraska coach Frank Solich said. "It was a great ball game. I think it lived up to all the expectations the fans had."

Not for the Notre Dame players.

"I'm not big on that moral victory stuff. We're Notre Dame," linebacker Rocky Boiman said. "We played hard. We poured put our hearts and souls into this game, and my guts are torn up inside."

The Irish took their first lead at 24-21 when Nick Setta kicked a 29-yard field goal on the opening OT possession. The Huskers' Jeremy Slechta sacked Arnaz Battle for a 6-yard loss on a third-and-goal from the 4 before the kick.

Then it was the Huskers' turn. They faced third-and-9 from the 24, but Crouch hit tight end Tracey Wistrom with a 9-yard pass to keep the drive alive. Dan Alexander burst up the middle for 8 yards, and then Crouch took the next snap, rolled left and ran into the end zone untouched for the winning score. Nebraska players rn onto the field to celebrate.

"You know Eric's got some wheels," Wistrom said. "Anytime he can get to the corner, he's going to stick it in that zone. And that's exactly what he did."

Added Crouch: "That play is our bread and butter. We use it on the goal line and use it for big plays. There's no other option on that play but for me to run."

Crouch scored on runs of 62, 1 and 7 yards, and finished with 16 carries for 80 yards. He hit on 7-of-15 passes for 103 yards and an interception. Alexander carried 24 times for 112 yards and a TD. For Notre Dame, Battle had an erratic day, rushing for 107 yards on 14 carries but hitting just 3-of-15 passes for 40 yards.

"To have the opportunity to beat the No. 1 team in the nation in your stadium it's disappointing not to come out with a win," Davie said. "We had our opportunities to win, particularly because of the kickoff and punt returns."

(1) Nebraska 27, NOTRE DAME 24 (OT)

1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT FINAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
Nebraska 7 7 7 0 6 27
Notre Dame 0 7 7 7 3 24


First Quarter
Neb-Crouch 62 run (Brown kick), 1:10
Second Quarter
ND-Fisher 2 run (Setta kick), 10:44
Neb-Crouch 1 run (Brown kick), 2:24
Third Quarter
Neb-Alexander 28 run (Brown kick), 8:47
ND-Jones 100 kickoff return (Setta kick), 8:30
Fourth Quarter
ND-Getherall 83 punt return (Setta kick), 12:48
Overtime
ND-FG Setta 29
Neb-Crouch 7 run


Neb ND
--- ---
First downs 20 11
Rushes-yards 59-274 40-184
Passing 103 40
Comp-Att-Int 7-15-1 3-15-1
Return Yards 21 113
Punts-Avg. 7-42 7-39
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 6-44 7-65
Time of Possession 36:06 23:54


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Nebraska, Alexander 24-112, Crouch 16-80, Buckhalter
9-43, Miller 6-17, Davies 2-15, Newcombe 2-7. Notre Dame, Battle
14-107, J. Jones 15-52, Fisher 6-11, Howard 2-6, Lopienski 2-4,
Getherall 1-4.

PASSING-Nebraska, Crouch 7-15-1-103. Notre Dame, Battle
3-15-1-40.

RECEIVING-Nebraska, Davison 2-29, Wistrom 2-26, Newcombe 1-36,
Buckhalter 1-9, Alexander 1-3. Notre Dame, Holloway 1-25, Givens
1-9, Howard 1-6.

A-80,232.