Desmond Howard made a diving catch in the back of the endzone to help beat Notre Dame in 1991. That year, he won the Heisman Trophy and on Saturday he'll be recognized before the first night game in Michigan Stadium history, having been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The opponent. The event. Everything seems perfect for Howard.

He still won't say what Michigan has in store.

The Michigan Daily: Considering your history within the Notre Dame rivalry, how exciting is it to be honored during a Michigan-Notre Dame game?

Desmond Howard: Obviously Notre Dame, that team was a thorn in our side when we were here. I knew, in that (1991) game we played here, there was no way I was going to walk off that field in defeat. So it’s a rivalry that’s rich in tradition and respect. Even if you hate all of them during the game, you respect what they brought to the field. You knew you were about to play one of the top programs in the country.

TMD: You said on ESPN’s College GameDay show that you thought Michigan would win eight games this season. Can you explain your pick?

Howard As an alum and as a former player, I would hope it’s more than eight games. I would be pleasantly surprised if it is.

Brady Hoke, he’s the right fit. Some people don’t understand. Some people do and some people don’t. And I think when you look for coaches you look for the right fit. Dave Brandon, the athletic director, did a fantastic job searching high and low for the guy who would be the right fit.

I’m not only impressed with what Brady Hoke has done, but what his staff has done. Al Borges, I think he’s a brilliant offensive mind. And Greg Mattison, the former defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, was quoted as saying there was only one college job he would leave the NFL for, and it was this one — Michigan.

When you have coaches with that type of passion coaching your young men, I think you’ll get a good product on the field.

TMD: You mentioned ‘fit,’ what have you seen out of the coaches that you think makes them a good fit?

Howard: As far as what I saw in not even three complete quarters of football against Western Michigan? I mean, you haven’t even seen these guys play a complete game yet. But I did like what I saw. I enjoyed it. It seems like — even seeing Denard (Robinson) under center was pretty refreshing for me.

TMD: Did you ever think you’d see the day Michigan played a night game at the Big House?

Howard: To be honest with you, I’m probably like most people — didn’t really cross my mind. I’m glad that it crossed Dave’s mind.

One of my favorite games was actually in South Bend, a night game. It was the 1990 game. And we lost that game in South Bend, on some fluke plays. And I scored two touchdowns. One of the touchdowns I scored when I went the endzone, I promise if you when you look at the footage, when I went into the endzone I disappeared into a sea of people. I mean it was standing room only.

It was unbelievable. That atmosphere was like electric. And It was one of my favorite regular season games, even though we didn’t win, just because of the atmosphere.

TMD: What do you expect the atmohspere to be like Saturday night?

Howard: Even better than it was in 1990 in South Bend. Even better. Without a doubt.

TMD: You’ve said previously you have a good relationship with Denard Robinson. Do you two still stay in touch?

Howard: You come across all types of kids in my profession. And there’s some kids you root for. Some guys you just want to do well because they seem like such a great person. Denard is that guy. When I met Denard, that’s how I felt about him. Just wanted him to do well.

TMD: How much do you get approached about the Heisman pose you struck in 1991?

Howard: Oh wow, you can’t measure it. It’s the No. 1 thing people ask when they see me. ‘Oh, wow, do the Heisman pose.’

It just bothers me.

I don’t do it anymore because everywhere I go people ask me to do it. And if I do it, then it cheapens that moment. So I just refuse to do it now.