Arizona Wildcats Top 5 Wins Over College Football Royalty
By Brad Malone
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 1982
Arizona 16 (No. 9) Notre Dame 13
Love them or hate them, Notre Dame is one of the most iconic names in the history of the gridiron. Their eleven National Titles and seven Heisman Trophy winners place them in the upper echelon of pristine college football schools.
When Arizona went to South Bend in 1982 the Cats came out cold in the first half.
The Irish led 10-0 at halftime.
It’s unclear what Larry Smith told the Cats in the locker room at halftime but I would like to think he told them the story of everybody’s favorite underdog and Notre Dame’s very own Rudy Ruettiger.
Whatever he said must have worked because the Cats came out ready in the second half, especially it’s freshman kicker, Max Zendejas.
In the second half Zendejas connected on field goals from 32 and 38 yards.
The Cats also put points on the board when Phil Freeman scored a touchdown from one-yard out.
Late in the fourth quarter the game was tied 13-13. The Cats had the ball with six seconds left. Zendejas was set up to be the hot shot of the day.
His 48-yard field goal sailed through the uprights with no time remaining.
Rudy Ruettiger would have been proud of the underdog Cats, if he wasn’t already in the Notre Dame family.
Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
Next: No. 1 : USC