Beyond the Call: The Day “The Rocket” Ignited Notre Dame’s Victory

In the annals of college football history, few moments shine as brightly as the electrifying performance of Raghib Ismail during the 1989 season opener between Notre Dame and Michigan. As the defending national champions, the Fighting Irish journeyed to a rain-soaked Ann Arbor to face the second-ranked Wolverines, the reigning Big Ten and Rose Bowl champions. With over 100,000 fans packed into the Big House, anticipation hung thick in the air.

Notre Dame had triumphed over Virginia the previous week, but the matchup against Michigan presented a formidable challenge. Head coach Lou Holtz opted for a conservative approach to avoid turnovers amid the steady downpour, leading the Irish to execute an astounding 27 consecutive rushing plays to kick off the game. This strategy paid off to an extent, as Notre Dame controlled the clock and kept the Wolverines' potent offense off the field. However, the Michigan defense held strong, limiting the Irish to a single touchdown—a six-yard pass from quarterback Tony Rice to wide receiver Anthony Johnson.

Just before halftime, Michigan narrowed the gap with a touchdown, leaving the score at 7-6 and stirring the crowd's belief that momentum had shifted in favor of the Maize and Blue.

But as the second half began, Raghib Ismail was ready to change the narrative. Nicknamed “The Rocket” for his incredible 4.28-second speed in the 40-yard dash, Ismail had already made a name for himself, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns against Rice the previous season. With the Irish seemingly on the ropes, Ismail took flight.

On the opening kickoff of the second half, Ismail caught the ball at the 12-yard line, darted up the middle, and then made a swift cut to the right. With astonishing speed, he outran the Wolverines for an electrifying 88-yard touchdown, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 14-6. The Irish would later add a field goal, pushing the lead to 17-6.

However, the Wolverines were not ready to concede. Quarterback Elvis Grbac connected with Greg McMurtry on a long pass, keeping Michigan’s hopes alive and leading to a touchdown pass to Derrick Walker. Suddenly, the score was just 17-12, and the Wolverines’ offense was gaining momentum. The echo of “Hail to the Victors” rang through the stadium, as the crowd reached a deafening crescendo.

Yet, Ismail was poised to shatter the growing optimism among Michigan fans once again. Fielding a kick at the 8-yard line, he ran straight ahead before cutting left, expertly weaving through defenders with the help of his blockers. Ismail took off on a spectacular 92-yard touchdown return, a moment immortalized by commentator Keith Jackson, who remarked, “When he carries the ball, you hold your breath.” For Wolverine fans, the moment was a collective sigh of despair.

Ismail’s two kickoff returns for touchdowns proved to be the decisive difference in Notre Dame’s thrilling 24-19 victory. While the Irish did not repeat as national champions that year, Ismail’s incredible performance kept their winning streak alive for another nine weeks, culminating in a second-place finish in the nation.

35 years later, this game remains a defining highlight of Ismail’s Hall of Fame career—a true testament to his ability to go "Beyond the Call" when it mattered most.

Want to see the action unfold?

Don’t miss the featured episode of Beyond the Call where we dive deeper into this legendary game and Ismail’s unforgettable performance. Watch the episode here!