SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In what is becoming a more and more improbable season, the moment had arrived when Notre Dame was to be tested, when the opponent was just as physical, smart and determined — and a first loss was staring at the Fighting Irish from across the field.
Actually, the moment arrived twice — in overtime.
With the Irish defense, crouched on the goal line of a soggy field, being urged by 80,000-plus fans to do the improbable and stop a pulverizing Stanford running game from gaining one more yard, Notre Dame made the play of the day — twice.
“Classic goal line stand,’’ said Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly after his No. 7 Irish improved to 6-0 with a 20-13 victory.
It was classic, twice over.
On third-and-goal, after the Irish had scored on a 7-yard pass to TJ Taylor, Stanford rammed running back Stepfan Taylor into a line of blue and gold bricks. The wall held.
Then, Stanford bulled Taylor in to the line again. Taylor hit the wall, spun completely around and to his right, and lunged for the end zone. Again, the wall held.
“Those are the moments you dream of,’’ Irish linebacker Manti Te’o said. “That’s where legends are made and I think our defense will be remembered as one of the most gritty, get-after-it defenses that ever came through here.’’
The result was delayed as the final play was reviewed. Notre Dame players had raced off their sideline and students had spilled onto the field. After what seemed like an eternity, referee Shawn Hochuli uttered the following words and mayhem erupted: “There is no excessive celebration penalty because the teams thought the game was over. The ruling on the field stands.’’
The heavens opened up, a driving deluge of rain pelting thousands of fans embraced their heroes as the Notre Dame anthem was sung in a soaked celebration. Stanford’s players, heads down, filed numbly off the field.
“It’s probably one of the hardest losses I’ve had,’’ said Cardinal linebacker Chase Thomas.
Stanford coach David Shaw refused to comment on the officiating, but pointed out a whistle from the stands caused his team to suffer a 7-yard loss on a third-and-2 at the Notre Dame 3 midway through the fourth quarter. The No. 17 Cardinal (4-2) settled for a field goal and a 13-10 lead to cap a 16-play, 68-yard drive that seemed destined for the end zone.
The Irish responded with a drive of their own, one that cost them starting quarterback Everett Golson. He suffered a blow to the head and Tommy Rees, who was expected to be the starter this season until an offseason arrest for underage drinking cost him the job, came off the bench wearing a hero’s cape.
He drove the Irish to the 2, from where Kyle Brindza kicked a 22-yard field goal with 20 seconds left to tie the score at 13-13.
Notre Dame’s undefeated season seemed doomed when Rees was sacked on the first play of OT. But he stood tall against an all-out blitz on third-and-8 on the 23 and lofted a 16-yard pass on which Theo Riddick made a magical catch. Then Rees fired the 7-yard slant to Jones for the winning touchdown.
Stanford got the ball needing a touchdown to force double overtime and become the first team ever to beat both Notre Dame and USC four straight seasons. The Cardinal came up one yard shy — twice.
“[Stopping them is] what championship teams do,’’ Te’o said.
Some have to do it twice.