The Michigan Daily - Monday, September 17, 1990 - Page 13 FOOTBALL Continued from page 9 yards on six receptions), read the oily statistic that counts. The top-ranked Fighting Irish ru- ed Gary Moeller's debut, 28-24, by sgoring two fourth quarter touch- downs, including the game winner with only 1:40 remaining. After trailing, 14-3, Moeller's n-huddle offense left the Irish dazed aid wheezing, allowing the Wolver- ijes to come back and eventually lead, 24-14. Then, the bottom fell our. A missed field goal, an intercep- *on, and Irish luck sent the Wolver- ines to their fourth straight loss in a#-opening game, equaling the streak sit for opening game losses from 1934-37. ,In the end,, it was Moeller who wias dazed. All year long, Moeller k6oked to the opener with Notre Dame. All year long, he preached to his troops, that yes, they could beat otre Dame. And all year long, he earched for the perfect ingredient, the best strategy, that would send the Irish to their first home loss in 18 games. It almost worked. But instead of celebrating a masterful gameplan, Moeller sat before the press, and ilaced both hands over his face and rijbbed hard. He did it again. The ayes were moist. And he began to lame himself for a few calls that old have been second guessed. After twice succeeding on fourth down, Moeller elected to have J.D. Carlson attempt a field goal on fourth-and-inches at the Notre Dame 19 and the Irish trailing by 10. Carl- soh missed. Notre Dame scored on its next possession. After driving 45 yards on runs by .'aughn, Allen Jefferson and Jarrod Bunch, Moeller called, for Grbac to pass with a first down on the Notre Dame 11. Interception. Soon, Notre Dame scored again, as quarterback Rick Mirer engineered the winning drive, which covered 76 yards in 2:53. He completed five of six passes - the last of which was an 18 yard rollout right touchdown crass that was caught by Adrian Jar- \'ell at the goal line. "We felt we could beat them, even though they're a great football team," Moeller said. "Some of the calls by me turned out not to be very good calls. We were going to go for it on some 4th downg, and we did it and we were going to try to do ev- markLargest) 'Service that brings you to your feet" Sandals, clogs, & shoes for all-weather comfort Repair Service 663-1644 209 N.4th Ave By Kerrytown) Mon-Sat 106 University of Wisconsin Platteville '0a, . a erything offensively to try and keep them off the field. I (called for Elvis to) throw the pass. I made that call on my own and we didn't execute the play. So I've got to take that part." But Lou Holtz summed up the game in another fashion. "I don't know yet how we won the game," Holtz said. "I attribute it to competitiveness, the luck of the Irish and the Lady on the Dome." The luck of the Irish helped con- tribute greatly. With Notre Dame pinned in at their own 15 yard line and facing a 3rd and 15 situation, the Touchdown Jesus mosaic winked again on the Irish. Mirer fired a bomb to Raghib Ismail downfield at the Notre Dame 48. The ball bounced off his hands, over two Wolverine defenders, and into the hands of Lake Dawson, who rambled down to the Michigan 40 before Tripp Welborne brought him down from behind. The Wolverines scored the only two touchdowns of the third quarter on consecutive possessions. First, Allen Jefferson ran the ball in from the one yard line. After Notre Dame fumbled on the first play of its pos- session, Grbac found Howard wide open for a 25-yard touchdown strike. But then the Irish comeback began. And Moeller left with moist eyes. Mirer turns questions into exclamation mark by David Hyman Daily Football Writer SOUTH BEND - Rick Mirer called the play. Rick Mirer took the snap. Rick Mirer rolled right. Rick Mirer waltzed into the end zone untouched. Rick Mirer ran the option to perfection. The sophomore quarterback's touchdown only 3:32 into Saturday's game provided the Irish with an early 7-0 lead. More importantly, the score provided Michigan coach Gary Moeller and his defense with prob- lems; they were up against more than the drop-back passer they thought Mirer was. "The option game always gives you an advantage," Moeller said. "It's hard to defend against especially when you have (Ricky) Watters and (Raghib) Ismail in the backfield." Though Mirer only ran for 12 yards, Notre Dame's ability to run the option caused Michigan's defense to spread thin. The Wolverines not only had to stop the run; they also had to contain Mirer from scrambling. "(Mirer) did a lot of good things out there. I think he's going to be a very good quarterback," Moeller said. The Fighting Irish were expected to pass more this year than they did when Tony Rice ran the team last season. And Notre Dame did pass more. Mirer threw 30 passes - 28 more than Rice threw in last year's game. Mirer completed 14 of 23 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown. He connected on his last five passes during the Irish's winning touchdown drive that consumed 2:53 in only nine plays. Notre Dame received the ball on its own 24 and had 4:33 to overcome Michigan's 24-21 advantage. Mirer marched his team downfield and capped the drive when he hit receiver Adrian Jarrell for an 18-yard scoring strike to give Notre Dame a 28-24 lead. "I had no desire to be the hero," Mirer said. "I just wanted to come out with a victory. I think a lot of questions about me and the team have been answered." Rick Mirer entered the game as the Irish's biggest question mark. JOSE JUAREZ/Daily. Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer prepares to pass during the second nuarter Saturday night. 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