1988 national champion in the Associated Press's final poll. The 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third year head under coach Lou Holtz, the Irish compiled a perfect 12–0 record, outscored opponents by a total of 359 to 135, and were ranked No. 1 in the final AP and UPI polls. En route to the national championship, the Irish defeated teams that finished the season ranked No. 2 (Miami (FL)), No. 4 (Michigan), No. 5 (West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl), and No. 7 (USC) in the final AP poll. The 1988 Fighting Irish have been rated as one of the best teams in the history of college football. The team's victory over Miami, colloquially referred to as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" game, ended the Hurricanes' 36-game regular season winning streak, and is considered one of the most memorable games in all of college football history. Linebacker Michael Stonebreaker and defensive end Frank Stams were consensus first-team picks on the 1988 All-America college football team. Offensive tackle Andy Heck also received first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and United Press International. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Tony Rice (1,176 passing yards, 700 rushing yards) and Rocket Ismail (321 receiving yards, 431 kickoff return yards). The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Wiki link