The corporate synergy continues on the NBC Sports-run Versus. On March 17, also known as St. Patrick’s Day, Versus will air three classic Notre Dame games that had first aired on NBC. Give credit to NBC as one game is also a loss for the Fighting Irish, but was a truly classic game. Two games are from the early 1990’s when NBC first signed its agreement to air Notre Dame home games.
And a month later, Versus will present Notre Dame’s annual spring football game, the Blue-Gold contest on Saturday, April 16. This makes me wonder if Versus will air a pregame show for Notre Dame football games on NBC. This only makes sense after this latest development. And perhaps you’ll see Notre Dame football re-airs on Versus this fall.
Just a couple of thoughts based on my own speculation, nothing announced from NBC on further Notre Dame programming on Versus.
Here’s the press release.
VERSUS GOES IRISH ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH RE-AIRS OF THREE CLASSIC NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES
Six Hours of Irish Football Coverage on March 17 Begins at 5 p.m. ET
VERSUS Will Also Air the 82nd Annual Blue-Gold Spring Football Game on April 16NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 7, 2011)— This St. Patrick’s Day, VERSUS will “Celebrate the Irish” by televising three of the most legendary Notre Dame football games to ever air on NBC Sports: the 1992 Penn State game, since dubbed “The Snow Bowl”; the “Bush Push” game vs. USC in 2005; and the No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup against Florida State in 1993. The games, chosen by a “Green-Ribbon” panel of experts, will be shown during the network’s six hours of non-stop coverage beginning Thursday, March 17, at 5 p.m. ET.
Throughout the three-game celebration, hosted by Liam McHugh, the network will conduct in-depth interviews with current Head Coach Brian Kelly as well as Notre Dame legends, such as ex-NFL superstar Jerome Bettis. Beginning today, fans can visit NBCSports.com (http://irish.nbcsports.com/2011/03/07/vote-for-your-favorite-10-memorable-moments-on-nbc/) to watch clips and vote for the 10 “Greatest Notre Dame on NBC Moments.” The results will be unveiled during VERSUS’ six hours of “Celebrate the Irish” coverage on St. Patrick’s Day.
Additionally, VERSUS will air the 82nd Annual Blue-Gold spring football game on April 16 at 2 p.m. ET, marking the first time that Notre Dame’s traditional spring scrimmage game will be televised nationally. This year’s game possesses extra interest and excitement as Notre Dame returns 17 starters that ended 2010 on a four-game winning streak, including All-America candidates wide receiver Michael Floyd, safety Harrison Smith and linebacker Manti Te’o.
NOTRE DAME ON VERSUS SCHEDULE:
Thursday, March 17
5 pm ET 1992 “Snow Bowl” vs. Penn State
7 pm ET 2005 “Bush Push” vs. USC
9 pm ET 1993 No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 2 Notre DameSaturday, April 16
2 pm ET 82nd Annual Blue-Gold Spring Football GameND/Penn State – Nov. 14, 1992: Arguably one of the most exciting games in college football history, Notre Dame’s final home contest of the ’92 season became an instant classic. The players took to the field during a winter storm making it forever known in South Bend as “The Snow Bowl.” The Nittany Lions took the lead late in the fourth quarter, but then the Irish stormed back when Jerome Bettis caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Rick Mirer, putting the Irish within one point of Penn State (16-15). Coach Lou Holtz went for the two-point conversion and Mirer threw a complete pass to Reggie Brooks to put the Irish on top for the victory over Penn State.
ND/USC – Oct. 15, 2005: Despite losing to rival USC, this game was an essential addition to all-time lists as the Trojans were riding a 27-game winning streak and were the defending National Champions. Notre Dame, also undefeated at 4-0 on the season, lead 31-28 with just over two minutes remaining in the much-hyped game. Then, USC drove the length of the field to Notre Dame’s two-yard line, completing a fourth-and nine from their own 26-yard line in the process, and then scored the winning touchdown on a controversial play with what would later become known as the “Bush-push.” After USC’s quarterback Matt Leinart was initially stopped by the Irish defense on the goal line, USC’s Reggie Bush pushed Leinart into the end zone with seven seconds remaining on the clock, giving the Trojans a 34-31 victory.
ND/Florida State – Nov. 13, 1993: Listed among many as one of the “Games of the Century,” the No. 1 Florida State Seminoles and the No. 2 Fighting Irish were both undefeated heading into this game. The winner of this highly-anticipated contest was certain to move on to the Orange Bowl and play for the National Championship. Despite being the underdogs, the Irish were leading the game 31-17 with just over a minute left to play when Florida State quarterback, and subsequent Heisman Trophy winner, Charlie Ward, threw a miraculous touchdown pass to Kez McCorvey to pull the Seminoles within seven points of Notre Dame. After recovering the onside kick, Notre Dame punted the ball back to the Seminoles after going three downs without picking up a first down. Florida State had one final chance to tie the game, but Ward missed his receiver and Notre Dame secured the upset victory, 31-24.
That will conclude this post.
