Kevin McDougal hailed from Pompano Beach, Florida and all he ever wanted when he got to Notre Dame in 1989 was a chance. A chance to play quarterback at Notre Dame. In contrast to today’s college football world, where quarterbacks transfer early and often, McDougal stayed loyal to the Irish and patiently waited his chance.
For three years he backed up last week’s All-Time Irish Hero, Rick Mirer, but had thought that Mirer would go to the NFL after his Junior season providing himself a shot at being a two year starter, but Mirer surprised everybody and came back for his senior year. So in 1992, t it was back to carrying the clipboard for McDougal.
Finally Mirer graduated and the job looked to be McDougal’s, but even that got sidetracked. Freshman Ron Powlus, wowed Lou Holtz in fall camp and won the job as starter. Then in the last scrimmage before week one, Powlus broke his collarbone. The starting quarterback job at Notre Dame, finally belonged to McDougal.
And the rest is history. McDougal took advantage of his one shot and led the Irish to 10 straight wins including a victory over number #1 ranked Florida State and to within an eyelash of the national championship. the Irish finished 11-1 after dismantling Texas A & M in the Cotton Bowl. Only a heartbreaking narrow loss to Boston College marred an otherwise great year. McDougal threw for 1,541 yards and 7 TDs on the season and left Notre Dame ranking high in the school record books in completion percentage, pass efficiency and yards per pass attempt.
After briefly being the property of the L.A. Rams, McDougal went on to piece together a nine-year pro career in the World League, Canadian Football League, XFL, and the Arena League. Today he is the successful owner of a transportation company and is a real estate investor in South Florida.
Kevin McDougal, another Fighting Irish Preview, All-time Irish Hero.