The passing of Lou Holtz at age 89 in Orlando this week wouldn’t be complete without reflecting on the deep respect he shared with Florida State’s legendary coach Bobby Bowden. Their battles on the field were fierce and unforgettable, but their friendship never wavered. It was a bond built on faith, integrity, and a genuine admiration for each other that endured long after the final whistle.
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I knew Bobby Bowden for over a decade and Lou Holtz for four years, speaking with both men often in production meetings and in their offices after practice. I knew them well enough to understand that neither ever let the noise change who they were.
The Game of the Century
Florida State arrived ranked number one. Notre Dame sat at number two. Both teams entered undefeated. The media built it into a spectacle. Every network truck lined the stadium. Every camera pointed at Charlie Ward, the Heisman frontrunner. Every storyline framed the game as a national championship semifinal.
FSU drew first blood
Florida State struck first. Ward hit Kevin Knox for a 12‑yard touchdown. Notre Dame answered when Adrian Jarrell broke free for a 32‑yard score. The Irish took control in the second quarter. Lee Becton ripped off a 26‑yard touchdown run. Jeff Burris followed with a six‑yard score. The stadium shook with every play.
Notre Dame added a 47‑yard field goal from Kevin Pendergast in the third quarter. Florida State answered when Ward found Warrick Dunn for a six‑yard touchdown. Scott Bentley added a field goal early in the fourth. Burris struck again with an 11‑yard touchdown run. Florida State refused to quit. Ward hit Kez McCorvey for a 20‑yard score with just over two minutes left.
The final play still sits in my memory. Ward rolled right. He fired toward the end zone. Shawn Wooden knocked it down. Notre Dame won 31–24. The stadium erupted. I watched from the WGN remote truck as Holtz and Bowden met at midfield. Two friends. Two giants. One unforgettable afternoon.
The era that defined a generation
Those years gave us a level of football we may never see again. Miami played with unmatched speed and swagger. Florida State rose under Bowden and built a dynasty. Notre Dame stood tall under Holtz and delivered some of the most iconic wins in the sport’s history. I directed games involving all three programs, and I saw how their coaches shaped every moment. Johnson pushed Miami to the edge. Bowden lifted Florida State with grace. Holtz guided Notre Dame with precision and belief.
Those games still echo today. They defined a golden era, and I feel grateful that I had a front row seat to see it unfold.
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