Why the Notre Dame-Miami Rivalry Defined College Football – And Why It Suddenly Ended

Pat Walsh set up his stand outside the Orange Bowl, hopeful for a successful day. A year earlier, he had made quite a profit selling “Catholics vs. Convicts” T-shirts at Notre Dame. That year, Notre Dame surprised everyone, beating the top-ranked Miami team after four painful losses. It felt like a victory of epic proportions.

His new T-shirts retained the same basic design: white with green and orange lettering. They read, “#1 Catholics vs. #7 Convicts” on the front. The back had “War On The Shore.” But instead of selling, Walsh experienced hostility.

“People were throwing beer cans at us,” he recalled, shaking his head. “We had to leave after just 45 minutes. The fans were really angry.”

This Sunday, when Notre Dame faces Miami again, the atmosphere feels different. There will be no T-shirts and no iconic Orange Bowl. The rivalry, once a highlight of college football, has changed. It’s a history marked by passion and aggression that transcended the sport itself.

The passion for these games should have kept the rivalry alive. From 1971 to 1990, they faced off 20 times, with thrilling matchups showcasing future national champions. Yet, it wasn’t just the games that stopped the series; it was the escalating rivalry.

After the 1990 game, Notre Dame Athletic Director Dick Rosenthal spoke about the “unhealthy hatred” between fans. He suggested a break, believing it could ease tensions. “Maybe cooling off for a period of time isn’t such a bad idea,” he said, acknowledging how intense the rivalry had become.

Kelvin Harris, who played during the rivalry’s peak, felt its significance. “It was sad for college football that it ended,” he said. The intensity was unlike any other; it rivaled even the fierce Duke-North Carolina rivalry in basketball.

Dave Scott, who worked at Miami from 1981 to 2009, remembers a different time. Back then, Notre Dame often dominated the matchups. “They would come to Miami for a week, enjoying the beach before games,” he said. This changed after Miami’s memorable 58-7 victory in 1985, a humiliating defeat for Notre Dame that left a lasting impression.

The rivalry reached a boiling point in 1988, with a pre-game fight between players. This aggression wasn’t forgotten. It influenced how both teams handled each other moving forward.

Interestingly, the series isn’t dead. Scheduled matchups are planned through 2037, and Miami’s Athletic Director Dan Radakovich hopes for more frequent games. As college football evolves, the structure of schedules might change, potentially opening doors for renewed rivalries.

Yet the past lingers. Tyler Hildenbrandt, who attended that infamous game as a child, reminisced about the tension he felt. “I remember feeling scared but excited,” he said. “The fans were crazy, throwing beer at us.”

Despite the tumultuous history, the lore of “Catholics vs. Convicts” continues to resonate. As the two teams gear up once more, it’s not just a game; it’s a reflection of a shared history that echoes through generations.

This rivalry shaped how fans and players see each other, turning moments into lifelong memories. As Hildenbrandt put it, “The lifeblood of this sport is passion.”



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Miami Hurricanes, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, College Football, Sports Business