2008-2009
College Football Season
Hawai'i Bowl
Post-Game

Notre Dame Ends Bowl Losing Streak

by Mike Mitchell
December 24, 2008

Notre Dame jumped on Hawaii early and routed the homestanding Warriors 49-21 in the Hawaii Bowl to end a bowl game losing streak that extended back to the 1993 season.

In winning its first bowl game after nine failed attempts, the Irish averted their first consecutive losing seasons since 1985-1986. Those seasons bridged Gerry Faust's last campaign and Lou Holtz' first.

Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen 22-of-26 for 406 yards and 5 TD's. He had 300 yards and 3 TD passes by halftime as head coach Charlie Weis called the offensive plays from the booth.

The Irish jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Robert Hughes and a 14-yard pass to David Grimes. After Hawaii got to within 14-7, Notre Dame scored 28 unanswered points and found the end zone on its next five possessions. Clausen teamed up with Golden Tate on touchdown throws of 69, 18 and 40 yards as Tate finished the night with 177 yards on just 6 receptions. Clausen added an 18-yard TD pass to Armando Allen, and Allen scored later on a 96-yard kickoff return to make it 49-14 after three quarters.

Hawaii finished the season 7-7 under first-year head coach Greg McMackin, the defensive coordinator under June Jones. McMackin was promoted when Jones left for SMU after guiding Hawaii to a 12-0 regular season and a loss to Georgia in last year's Sugar Bowl.