Jan. 2, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame football standouts Kris Haines and Joe Montana are two of five individuals who helped shape the tradition of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic and college football history and who will be inducted into the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame during enshrinement ceremonies at 11:00 a.m. April 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
AT&T and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association have announced the Hall of Fame “Class of 2010.” The honorees in the eighth Hall of Fame Class include the CBAA’s first Executive Director Wilbur Evans, Notre Dame receiver Haines, Texas wingback Phil Harris, Notre Dame quarterback Montana, and Texas A&M/Mississippi State head coach Jackie Sherrill.
“The AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame honors the many extraordinary individuals who have played a role in developing the tradition, pageantry and prestige of one of college football’s most historic post-season bowl games,” said Kathy Saunders, Chairman, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “We believe that the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame provides future generations with a greater appreciation for the rich tradition of college football on New Year’s Day here in Texas.”
A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a list of 52 nominees that included players, coaches, bowl administrators and others who have made special contributions to the Classic.
Selection criteria for the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame include the following: Voting is based solely upon an individual’s performance in, or contribution to, the Classic rather than on the person’s overall college or professional career. An individual is eligible five years after their final Classic appearance.
Previous Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame inductees from Notre Dame include quarterback Joe Theismann (2003) and head coach Ara Parseghian (2007).
Here are details on the Cotton Bowl performances of Notre Dame’s two 2010 inductees:
KRIS HAINES, RECEIVER, NOTRE DAME
1978 Classic: Notre Dame 38, Texas 10
1979 Classic: Notre Dame 35, Houston 34
1978 Receiving: 2 receptions, 29 yards, 0 TDs
1979 Receiving: 4 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD, 1 Two-Point Conversion
The name Kris Haines warms the hearts of Notre Dame fans all over the world thanks to his miracle catch against Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl Classic. Haines and his Irish teammates braved the ice and the cold to rally Notre Dame from a 22-point deficit in the game’s final eight minutes. Down the stretch, Haines grabbed a two-point conversion that brought the Irish within six points of the Cougars with 4:15 left to play. Minutes later, Haines stepped forward again to become Notre Dame’s man of the hour. Irish quarterback Joe Montana connected with his standout receiver on an eight-yard touchdown pass just as time expired. Haines made a diving catch in the corner of the end zone to tie the score at 34-34. The ensuing PAT added an exclamation point to an amazing come-from-behind Irish victory.
JOE MONTANA, NOTRE DAME, QUARTERBACK
1978 Classic: Notre Dame 38, Texas 10
1979 Classic: Notre Dame 35, Houston 34
1978 Rushing: 1 attempt, 3 yards
1978 Passing: 10-25-1, 111 yards, 1 TD
1979 Rushing: 7 attempts, 26 yards, 2 TDs
1979 Passing: 13-34-4, 163 yards, 1 TD
1979 Two-Point Conversions: 2-of-3 pass attempts
Notre Dame’s “Comeback Kid” proved he had the stuff legends are made of with two incredible Cotton Bowl performances. In the 1978 Classic, Joe Montana led the Irish to a stunning 38-10 upset of top-ranked Texas, a win that vaulted Notre Dame to the national championship. A year later, facing miserable weather conditions and needing a dose of chicken noodle soup to erase a below-normal body temperature, Montana guided the Irish to another amazing finish. He chipped away at Houston’s 22-point lead in the fourth quarter to pull out a shocking 35-34 victory on the game’s final play.
— ND —