NBC’s First Big College Football Broadcast: A National Debut for IU and Notre Dame
September 28, 1991, was an important day in college football, but for a variety of reasons, it was perhaps even more crucial for the TV network trying to capture a piece of the college sports pie — NBC. The game marked the first-ever broadcast of a regular-season college football game on the network, forever changing the landscape of televised college sports. It was no small coincidence that NBC’s grand debut involved two iconic programs: Indiana University and Notre Dame. In retrospect, it was a questionable choice considering the status of both teams, but it was a gamble NBC hoped would pay off.
Notre Dame was a national powerhouse, and Indiana, though a struggling program, was coming off a somewhat promising season under head coach Bill Mallory. The Fighting Irish were coming into the season ranked No. 9 in the nation, while the Hoosiers were riding a streak of underachievement but with a glimmer of hope under Mallory’s leadership.
NBC’s choice to showcase this game would soon prove to be a bigger story than anticipated. Not only was the broadcast itself historical, but the game would deliver a storyline that would fuel media coverage for years to come.
Pro QBs and NFL Futures: Notre Dame’s Star and Indiana’s Overlooked Talent
At the heart of the game’s intrigue was the clash of quarterbacks: Notre Dame’s future NFL star, Rick Mirer, and Indiana’s under-the-radar talent, Dave Schnell. Mirer, a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 1993, was on the brink of greatness, known for his rocket arm and leadership skills. Meanwhile, Schnell, while talented, didn’t garner nearly the same attention. Indiana had long been considered a football afterthought, so Schnell’s performance was never expected to stand out compared to Mirer’s.
The battle between these quarterbacks, however, revealed an interesting dynamic. While Mirer had the NFL pedigree, Schnell was the more composed and surprisingly effective leader, keeping the Hoosiers competitive throughout. Schnell didn’t receive the national recognition his performance deserved, but he did set the stage for a deeper storyline: the role of Indiana football in shaping the careers of pro quarterbacks, even if the program never reached national prominence.
Bad Blood: The Rivalry Between Indiana and Notre Dame
Though they were geographically close, Indiana and Notre Dame had a strange and often contentious relationship that had its roots in the way football was treated at each school. Notre Dame, a perennial powerhouse with a rich history, was viewed as the elite program in the state, while Indiana struggled to maintain relevance. The rivalry wasn’t as celebrated as the storied Notre Dame vs. USC or Notre Dame vs. Michigan matchups, but the tension between the two schools was palpable.
It wasn’t just about football, though; the rivalry was also fueled by institutional pride. The Hoosiers were seen as the underdogs in their own backyard, constantly battling for respect. Notre Dame’s dominance in college football was a source of resentment for some, but for others, it was a symbol of excellence that Indiana could never quite reach.
When the two teams faced off in 1991, the game felt more like a statement than just a regular-season contest. For Indiana, it was a chance to prove that they belonged in the same conversation as their more celebrated counterpart, while for Notre Dame, it was a chance to flex their muscles and remind everyone why they were an elite program. The game’s intensity reflected the undercurrents of this rivalry, even though it hadn’t yet reached the boiling point it would eventually achieve.
The Bus: Jerome Bettis Makes His Mark
As much as the quarterbacks and the media spotlight were important to the narrative of the game, it was Notre Dame’s running back, Jerome Bettis, who made the most lasting impact. Bettis, later to be known as “The Bus” during his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was a force to be reckoned with on that September afternoon. The future Hall of Famer was a powerful presence, running over defenders with ease. Bettis ended the game with a dominant performance, rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns. His physicality left an indelible mark on the Hoosiers’ defense, and it was a reminder of the disparity in talent between the two programs.
At the time, Bettis was still working his way up to becoming the NFL’s premier running back. Few realized just how important that game would be in his development. However, for those who witnessed his 1991 performance, it was clear that Bettis would soon be a household name.
A Controversial Finish: The Aftermath of the Game
Indiana put up a valiant fight, but ultimately, Notre Dame triumphed 48-26 in a contest that wasn’t as close as the score suggested. The Hoosiers had their moments, but the Irish’s depth and superior talent won out. However, what made the aftermath controversial was the perceived lack of respect shown by Notre Dame after the game. It wasn’t the way the Irish had won, but the way they celebrated their victory. The dominant performance seemed to rub salt in the wound for Indiana fans, who already resented their school’s underdog status.
Notre Dame’s players, including Bettis, were seen mocking the Hoosiers’ efforts on the field, an act that was viewed as disrespectful by many onlookers. It seemed like more than just a win for the Irish; it was a message. For Indiana, the loss stung in ways beyond the scoreboard.
The Legacy of the Game: A Defining Moment in IU-Notre Dame History
The 1991 clash between Indiana and Notre Dame would go down as one of those games that shaped the trajectory of both programs in subtle ways. For Notre Dame, it was another affirmation of their dominance on the national stage, while for Indiana, it was a reminder of just how far they still had to go to compete with the elite. However, the game did more than that. It set the stage for a rivalry that would eventually become more bitter, and it would haunt both schools in the years to come.
Notre Dame’s dominance in the game only fueled the Hoosiers’ resentment. But as the years passed, IU would go on to produce pro talent of its own and build a team that would continue to fight against the notion that they were merely a stepping stone for their more famous counterparts.
The 1991 meeting, with its NBC debut, contentious undercurrents, pro-level players, and the unforgettable image of Jerome Bettis running over defenders, became a seminal moment in the history of Indiana and Notre Dame football — a reminder that even the smallest programs can create massive moments in the sport’s lore.