It was on this day in 1989 that Notre Dame defeated West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl to earn the 1988 NCAA National Championship title.

The Fighting Irish and the Mountaineers both entered the game with perfect 11-0 records, which meant that for the second time in three years, the Fiesta Bowl would also act as the National Championship Game.  Notre Dame dominated from start to finish, as they took a 23-6 lead into halftime, before eventually winning the game by a score of 34-21.  Irish quarterback To

ny Rice and linebacker Frank Stams would earn co-MVP honors, while Irish coach Lou Holtz would go on to earn the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award as the national coach of the year.

That 1988 season is the last time Notre Dame earned a National Championship, but they'll be looking to change that when they take on Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game on January 7th.

Here are some highlights from the 1989 Fiesta Bowl.

Notable Birthdays

Kirk Hinrich, NBA – Born on January 2, 1981 (age 33) in Sioux City, Iowa

Russ Courtnall, NHL - Born on January 2, 1965 (age 48) in Duncan, British Columbia

David Cone, MLB - Born on January 2, 1963 (age 50) in Kansas City, Missouri