Irish Escape Hurricane with Commanding Win
Happy Thursday! Typically, I do a Throwback Thursday post that aligns with the team we are playing on Saturday. However, I’ve already covered Notre Dame’s meetings with Virginia in 1989 here and in 2015 here. So, instead, I’m going to throw back to a cold game between Notre Dame and Miami on December 31, 2010, where the kickoff temperature in El Paso, Texas, was a chilly 33°F.
In a matchup filled with grit and freezing temperatures, Notre Dame’s Sun Bowl showdown against Miami in 2010 was one for the books. Facing the Hurricanes in the icy El Paso weather, the Irish were determined to close out their season on a high note. Freshman quarterback Tommy Rees took charge on offense, connecting with Michael Floyd for two touchdowns, while the defense, led by senior safety Harrison Smith, shut down Miami’s attack early. This game marked an important milestone for head coach Brian Kelly, securing his first bowl victory with Notre Dame. Here’s a look back at this commanding win that showcased the Irish’s resilience and determination.
The following excerpt is from the 2010 Notre Dame Football review in the February 10th, 2011, issue of the Scholastic Magazine.
Irish Escape Hurricane with Commanding Win
by Matt Formica
Notre Dame concluded its 2010 football season with a convincing 33-17 Sun Bowl victory over the Miami Hurricanes in El Paso, Texas. With the win, head coach Brian Kelly made history as the first Notre Dame coach to earn a bowl game victory during his debut season.
“Clearly, we are gaining a lot of confidence,” Kelly said. “We’ve beaten some good football teams late in the year as we’ve come together and found our identity. It’s going to taste a whole lot better in the offseason talking about a win.”
Freshman quarterback Tommy Rees passed for 201 yards and two touchdowns to junior wide receiver Michael Floyd. Rees, to whom Kelly awarded the game ball, improved his record to a perfect 4-0 as a starter.
Floyd finished with six catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Though a sore hamstring limited him in the second half, Floyd was named the game’s MVP.
The victory improved Notre Dame’s record to 8-5 and extended its winning streak to four games. “There were some obstacles along the way, but I think what showed with four wins to close the season was the progress we made,” senior kicker David Ruffer said.
“We got a late jump with coach Kelly coming in, but this last month or two months, we’ve made tremendous gains.”
Senior safety Harrison Smith anchored the defense with three interceptions, tying a Sun Bowl record. “It was a total defensive effort,” Smith said. “When you knock the receivers off and mess up the timing with the quarterback, it really makes it easier for the safeties.”
Ruffer booted three field goals for the Irish (40, 50, and 19 yards) but also missed for the first time in his career. Even so, Ruffer earned the bowl’s Special Teams MVP honor. Notre Dame’s first-half performance was dominant in all phases, as the Irish scored the contest’s first 27 points.
Notre Dame received the ball to start the game and faced a daunting third-and-15 on its first possession, but Rees kept the drive alive with a 35-yard pass to Floyd that brought the Irish down to Miami’s 24. A few plays later, Rees connected with Floyd again, this time for a 2-yard touchdown that gave Notre Dame an early 7-0 lead.
The Irish got the ball back after their defense forced a Miami three-and-out, and Rees quickly replicated the first drive with another touchdown strike to Floyd. The 34-yard touchdown grab gave Notre Dame a 14-0 first-quarter lead.
Smith’s first interception set up the Irish for another score, as sophomore running back Cierre Wood immediately took a handoff and ran 34 yards to give Notre Dame a commanding 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. Wood finished with 81 yards on just 12 carries for an impressive 6.8 yards-per-carry average.
Ruffer added two field goals to push the lead to 27-0. The Hurricanes got on the board with a field goal as time expired in the first half, bringing the score to 27-3. The Hurricanes managed to make a few plays in the fourth quarter, but by that point, the game was already out of reach. Trailing 30-3, freshman quarterback Stephen Morris hit Hankerson for a 6-yard touchdown, Miami’s first of the game. The Hurricanes cut the deficit to 30-17 a few minutes later when Morris tossed a 42-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Tommy Streeter.
But the Irish would add one more field goal, making the score 33-17, and the defense held on to secure the win.
The 2010 Sun Bowl victory over Miami was a defining moment in Notre Dame’s season, capping off a four-game winning streak and setting a strong foundation for Coach Brian Kelly’s tenure. With standout performances from Tommy Rees, Michael Floyd, and Harrison Smith, the Irish showcased their growth and resilience after overcoming a challenging start to the season. This game secured Notre Dame’s first bowl win under Kelly and renewed the team’s confidence and momentum heading into the offseason. It was a game that reminded fans of the heart and perseverance that Notre Dame football is known for—qualities that will continue to drive the Irish forward.
Cheers & GO IRISH!