On November 16, 1957, the Oklahoma Sooners were on a mission to capture a third consecutive college football national title. The Sooners were on a 47-game winning streak, so when they were about to host the un-ranked Fighting Irish eleven in Norman, many felt it would be more of the same: total domination by the defending champs. Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma team also had other motivations to beat up on the Irish. They were angry that they had recently slipped to second in the AP polls as Texas A&M claimed the top billing. Also, they were a bit miffed that Notre Dame QB Paul Hornung won the Heisman Trophy the year before for a losing team (2-8) while, of course, the Sooners went undefeated and felt their running back in 1956, Tommy McDonald, should have won it. After all, when the two teams met in South Bend in 1956, the visiting Sooners had won easily 40-0. Notre Dame and their Coach Terry Brennan rolled into town like celebrities, with a local Catholic high school greeting the Irish as they exited their plane with a pep rally. The Sooner's last loss before the winning streak was at the hands of the Golden Domers in the 1953 Sweason opener by a tight 28-21 score. All the motivation was there for the Sooners to dismantle the Fighting Irish in this game. What occurred after the opening kick-off was unexpected: a defensive battle, as neither offense could put points on the board. That was until the fourth quarter, when the Irish put on an extended drive of 20 plays to travel 80 yards for the game's only touchdown. The Irish scored on fourth down and goal play from the Oklahoma 3-yard-line. With both sides packed in tight and Oklahoma expecting yet another inside run, Quarterback Bob Williams faked a handoff inside to bruising fullback Nick Pietrosante before pitching to Dick Lynch, who scampered around the end for the score. Oklahoma's 47-game unbeaten streak would end as Notre Dame won 7-0. ESPN in 2019 ranked it as the 15th Greatest College Game ever.
