Originally Posted by Mule
5-2 in his sophomore year, 10-0 in his senior year. In 2006, Sports Illustrated rated him the number one clutch quarterback of all-time. What planet do you live on?
On December 15, 1974, Parseghian resigned due to health problems.[8] The university hired Dan Devine to replace Parseghian. Despite his limited playing time the previous year, Montana performed well during the 1975 spring practice. Devine was so impressed that he later told his wife: "I'm gonna start Joe Montana in the final spring game." When she replied, "Who's Joe Montana?", Devine said: "He's the guy who's going to feed our family for the next few years."[8]
Devine did not feel Montana was ready to be the full-time starter in 1975;[8] however, Montana played a key role in Notre Dame's victory over the University of North Carolina.[8] During the game, which was played in Chapel Hill, Montana came in with 5:11 left to play. At the time, North Carolina led by a score of 14 to six. Montana spent one minute and two seconds of game time on the field. In that time, he had 129 passing yards and Notre Dame won the game 21-14.[8]
Against Air Force, Notre Dame's next opponent, Montana again entered the game in the fourth quarter. Although Air Force led 30-10, Notre Dame won the game 31-30.[8] After the win against North Carolina, Devine said that Moose Krause, the Notre Dame Athletic Director, said that the game was the "greatest comeback I've ever seen."[8] After the game against Air Force, Krause was quoted as saying: "This one's better than last week."[8] In those two games, Montana had demonstrated his ability to perform well in high pressure circumstances. That characteristic would prove valuable, and Montana relied on it throughout his football career.[8]
Before the start of the 1976 season, Montana separated his shoulder.[8] Since he was unable to play, Montana redshirted the season; it is a practice commonly used in NCAA sports that allows the player to maintain four full years of eligibility.
When the 1977 season began, Montana was the third quarterback listed on the team's depth chart, behind Rusty Lisch and Gary Forystek.[1] Notre Dame won their season opener and then lost to the University of Mississippi by a score of 20-13. Montana did not appear in either of those games.[10] In their third game of the season, Notre Dame played Purdue University. Lisch started and was then replaced by Forystek. In one play, Forystek sufffered a broken vertebra, a broken clavicle, and a severe concussion; it was the last play of Forystek's sports career.[8] Devine inserted Lisch back into the game before Montana finally had the opportunity to play. Montana entered with approximately 11 minutes remaining and Purdue leading 24-14; he threw for 154 yards and one touchdown, and Notre Dame won the game 31-24.[8]
After the game, Devine made Montana the first quarterback on the depth chart[1] and the team won their remaining nine games. In their final game of the season, Notre Dame defeated the number one ranked University of Texas by a score of 38-10 in the 1978 Cotton Bowl.[11] Notre Dame's record of eleven wins and one loss earned them the NCAA national title; the only title the school won while Devine was coach.
The following year, Montana helped Notre Dame to a come from behind win against the University of Pittsburgh. He almost pulled off a second one against the University of Southern California, Notre Dame's primary rival. Trailing 24-6 in the second half, Montana ignited a furious fourth-quarter rally to put Notre Dame ahead, 25-24 with 45 seconds remaining, only to see the Trojans win, 27-25, on a last-second field goal.
1979 Cotton Bowl
Main article: Chicken Soup Game
On January 1, 1979, Notre Dame played the University of Houston in that year's Cotton Bowl. Montana's performance in the game was one of his most noted performances in his entire football career;[8] and, the circumstances of the game have led to it being referred to as the "Chicken Soup Game".
Montana fell ill during the game, but returned during the fourth quarter. Notre Dame ran their last offensive play with two seconds remaining on the game clock. They scored a touchdown and won the game 35 to 34. As a result of the game, Notre Dame went on to produce a promotional film called Seven and a Half Minutes to Destiny. Coach Devine later referred to the piece as a "Joe Montana film."
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