1973 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

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Ranking
Coaches	No. 4
AP	No. 1

The 1973 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. The Irish, coached by Ara Parseghian, ended the season undefeated with 11 wins and no losses, winning the national championship. The Fighting Irish won the title by defeating the previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl by a score of a 24–23.^[1] The 1973 squad became the ninth Irish team to win the national title and the second under Parseghian. Although Notre Dame finished No. 1 in the AP Poll to claim the AP national title, they were not awarded the Coaches title, since Alabama was awarded the Coaches Poll title before the bowl season.

Season

Ara Parseghian's second national title team was led by its relentless rushing attack. Fullback Wayne Bullock (750 yards), halfback Art Best (700 yards), halfback Eric Penick (586 yards) and quarterback Tom Clements (360 yards) comprised one of the fastest Irish backfields, with Peneck and Best clocking in under 10 seconds in the 100-yard dash.^[2] The Irish started the season strong, amassing large margins of victory over Northwestern, Rice and Army to set up a highly anticipated contest with No. 6 and unbeaten USC.^[2] USC came into the contest riding a 23 game unbeaten streak, and USC's star tailback Anthony Davis ran over the Irish the previous year for 6 touchdowns in a 45-23 Trojan victory.^[2] Moreover, Parseghian had not outright beaten USC since 1966.^[1] The Irish defense responded to the challenge, limiting Davis to 55 yards on 19 carries. The star tailback of the day was Notre Dame's Penick, who ran for 118 yards, 50 more than the entire Trojan team. The Irish won the contest 23-14 and won its remaining games.^[2] After Notre Dame accepted the Sugar Bowl bid, the stage was set to determine the national championship. Alabama was awarded the UPI title before the bowl season,^[3] but it was Notre Dame that won it on the field, winning 24-23 in a thriller that had six lead changes. Notre Dame jumped to a 6-0 lead, but Alabama answered with a Randy Billingsley 6-yard touchdown run. After Al Hunter scored on a 93-yard kick off return, Alabama scored 10 straight points. In the fourth quarter, three turnovers occurred in 90 seconds, with Alabama coming out on top and capitalizing on a halfback pass from Mike Stock to quarterback Richard Todd for a 25-yard touchdown to take a slim 23-21 lead, but the Tide missed the crucial extra point. Notre Dame responded, with Tom Clements driving the Irish 79 yards in 11 plays and setting up a potential field goal on a clutch 15-yard pass to tight end Dave Casper. Irish kicker Bob Thomas kicked the extra point to give the Irish a slim 24-23 victory and the AP national title.^[4]

Schedule

09/22/19732:30pmNorthwesternNo. 8

W 44–0 59,075 09/29/19731:50pmat PurdueNo. 7

ABCW 20–7 69,391 10/06/19732:30pmMichigan StateNo. 8

Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame, IN (Megaphone Trophy)

W 14–10 59,075 10/13/19738:05pmat RiceNo. 9

W 28–0 50,321 10/20/19732:00pmat ArmyNo. 11

W 62–3 42,503 10/27/19731:50pmNo. 6 USCNo. 8

Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame, IN (Jeweled Shillelagh)

ABCW 23–14 59,075 11/03/19731:30pmNavyNo. 5

Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame, IN (Rivalry)

W 44–7 59,075 11/10/19731:30pmat No. 20 PittsburghNo. 5

W 31–10 56,593 11/22/19731:20pmAir ForceNo. 5

Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame, IN

ABCW 48–15 57,236 12/01/19737:30pmat Miami (FL)No. 5

Miami Orange Bowl (night)
Miami, FL

W 44–0 42,968 12/31/19738:00pmvs. No. 1 AlabamaNo. 3

ABCW 24–23 85,161

Template:CFB Schedule End

Roster

Quarterback

2 Tom Clements
8 Cliff Brown
12 Frank Allocco

Left Halfback

21 Ron Goodman
23 Art Best
28 Gary Diminick

Right Halfback

24 Al Samuel
25 Al Hunter
44 Eric Penick

Fullback

15 Russ Kornman
30 Wayne Bullock
36 Tom Parise

Split End

28 Tim Simon
80 Willie Townsend
85 Peter Demmerle

Tight End

86 Dave Casper
91 Robin Weber
93 Tom Fine

Center

52 Joe Alvarado
52 Vince Klees
59 Mark Brenneman

Offensive Guard

56 Frank Pomarico
57 Elton Moore
62 Tom Bolger
66 Dan Morrin
66 Al Wujciak
72 Gerry DiNardo

Offensive Tackle

58 Tom Laney
64 Steve Neece
71 Steve Sylvester
77 Steve Quehl
84 Dennis Lozzi

Defensive Tackle

60 Kevin Nosbusch
70 Steve Niehaus
79 Jay Achterhoff
88 Mike Fanning
95 George Hayduk

Defensive End

41 Tom Creevey
48 Jim Stock
89 Ross Browner
94 Willie Fry

Cornerback

7 Tim Rudnick
14 Reggie Barnett
25 Mike Naughton
26 Tom Lopienski
29 Pat Sarb

Strong Safety

20 Luther Bradley
33 Mike Parker

Free Safety

27 Mike Townsend
34 Bob Zanot

Linebacker

38 Tony Novakov
40 Gary Potempa
42 Tim Sullivan
45 Drew Mahalic
50 Greg Collins
55 Sherm Smith
61 Mike Webb

Punter

4 Tony Brantley
9 Brian Doherty

Place Kicker

98 Bob Thomas

*Bold denotes starter.

Reserves: Offense: T—Mike McBride, Pat Pohlen, Bob Sweeney, Max Wasilevich; G—Cal Balliett, Paul Sawicz; C – Pete Hartman, Andy Rohan HB – Dan Knott, Greg Hill, Jim Weiler; FB – John Gambone; E – Kevin Doherty, Bob Washington; Defense: E – Jeff Hein; T – Ivan Brown, Lew Miskowitz, Larry Susko, Greg Szatko; LB – John Harchar, Joe Pszeracki, Marv Russell, Ed Scales, Gene Smith; DB – Mike Banks, Kevin Kineally, Tony Zappala, Jim Zloch (DNP) – Mike McBride

Source:http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Football-Supplement-07

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Year at Notre Dame
Ara Parseghian	Head Coach	10th
Tom Pagna	Offensive Backs	10th
Brian Boulac	Offensive Line	4th
Bill Hickey	Offensive Line	4th
Wally Moore	Offensive Line	10th
Mike Stock	Receivers	5th
Joe Yonto	Defensive Coordinator Defensive Line	10th
George Kelly	Linebackers	5th
Paul Shoults	Defensive Backs	10th
Greg Blache	Junior Varsity	1st
John Murphy	Scouting Defensive Coach	15th

Game notes

Northwestern

Purdue

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Notre Dame	3	7	7	3	20
Purdue	0	7	0	0	7

Date: September 29
Location: Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana
Game attendance: 69,391

^[5]

Michigan State

Rice

Army

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Notre Dame	0	28	20	14	62
Army	3	0	0	0	3

Date: October 20
Location: Michie Stadium, West Point, New York

^[6]

USC

	1	2	3	4	Total
USC	7	0	7	0	14
• Notre Dame	3	10	10	0	23

Date: October 27
Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
Game attendance: 59,075

^[7]^[8]

Navy

Pittsburgh

Air Force

Miami (FL)

Sugar Bowl

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Notre Dame	6	8	7	3	24
Alabama	0	10	7	6	23

Date: December 31
Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA
Game start: Night
Game attendance: 85,161

^[9]

Post-season

Award winners

All-Americans

Name	AP	UPI	NEA	FC	SN	FW	T	FN	WCF
Dave Casper, TE	2	1	1	1		1			1
† Mike Townsend, DB	1	1	1		1	1	1	1	1
†denotes consensus selection Source:^[1]

College Football Hall of Fame inductees

Name	Position	Year Inducted
Ara Parseghian	Coach	1980

^[10] Notre Dame leads all universities in players inducted.

1974 NFL Draft

Player	Position	Round	Pick	Franchise
Dave Casper	Tight End	2(19)	45	Oakland Raiders
Mike Townsend	Defensive Back	4(8)	86	Minnesota Vikings
Brian Doherty	Punter	9(18)	226	Buffalo Bills
Tim Rudnick	Defensive Back	11(5)	265	Baltimore Colts
Frank Pomarico	Guard	14(15)	353	Kansas City Chiefs
Robert R. Thomas	Kicker	15(24)	388	Los Angeles Rams
Cliff Brown	Running Back	17(11)	427	Philadelphia Eagles
Willie Townsend	Wide Receiver	17(24)	440	Los Angeles Rams
Source:^[11]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: History and Records (pages 131-175)". und.cstv.com. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: 2007 Supplement (page 163)". und.cstv.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
^ "Past Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I FBS) National Champions (formerly called Division I-A)". ncaa.org. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: 2007 Supplement (page 129)". und.cstv.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
^ "Notre Dame Bests Purdue." Palm Beach Post. 1973 Sept 30.
^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1973 Oct 21.
^ Palm Beach Post. 28 Oct 1973. NO BOX SCORE.
^ "Irish end years of frustration." Eugene Register-Guard. 1973 Oct 28.
^ "Notre Dame Preserves 24-23 Victory." Palm Beach Post. 1974 Jan 1.
^ "College Football Hall of Famers". collegefootball.org. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Notre Dame NFL Draft History". uhnd.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[2007_ND_Guide_History-1] "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: History and Records (pages 131-175)". und.cstv.com. Retrieved 2008-12-29.

[2007_ND_Guide_Supplement-2] "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: 2007 Supplement (page 163)". und.cstv.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.

[FBS_Past_National_Champions-3] "Past Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I FBS) National Champions (formerly called Division I-A)". ncaa.org. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[2007_ND_Guide_Supplement_Bowls-4] "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: 2007 Supplement (page 129)". und.cstv.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.

[5] "Notre Dame Bests Purdue." Palm Beach Post. 1973 Sept 30.

[6] Eugene Register-Guard. 1973 Oct 21.

[7] Palm Beach Post. 28 Oct 1973. NO BOX SCORE.

[8] "Irish end years of frustration." Eugene Register-Guard. 1973 Oct 28.

[9] "Notre Dame Preserves 24-23 Victory." Palm Beach Post. 1974 Jan 1.

[CFOB-10] "College Football Hall of Famers". collegefootball.org. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[11] "Notre Dame NFL Draft History". uhnd.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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v t e Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Venues	Brownson Hall field (1892?–1899) Cartier Field (1899–1928) Soldier Field (1929) Notre Dame Stadium (1930–present)
Bowls and rivalries	Bowl games Emerald Isle Classic Army Boston College Michigan Michigan State Navy Northwestern Pittsburgh Purdue Stanford USC
Culture and lore	History Band of the Fighting Irish Irish Guard Notre Dame Box Notre Dame Leprechaun "Notre Dame, Our Mother" "Notre Dame Victory March" Play Like a Champion Today Subway Alumni T formation Tall Grass Game 1946 "Game of the Century" 1966 "Game of the Century" Catholics vs. Convicts 30 for 30 film 1993 "Game of the Century" Bush Push Navy ends the drought Death of Lizzy Seeberg 2020 ACC Championship Game The Spirit of Notre Dame Knute Rockne, All American Notre Dame Football on NBC Rudy
People	Head coaches Starting quarterbacks Four Horsemen NFL draftees Statistical leaders Team captains
Seasons	1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold

v t e College football national champions (poll era)
1936–1949	1936: Minnesota (AP) 1937: Pittsburgh 1938: TCU 1939: Texas A&M 1940: Minnesota 1941: Minnesota 1942: Ohio State 1943: Notre Dame 1944: Army 1945: Army (AP) / Oklahoma A&M (AFCA) 1946: Notre Dame 1947: Notre Dame 1948: Michigan 1949: Notre Dame
1950s	1950: Oklahoma (AP, Coaches) 1951: Tennessee 1952: Michigan State 1953: Maryland 1954: Ohio State (AP) / UCLA (FWAA, Coaches) 1955: Oklahoma 1956: Oklahoma 1957: Auburn (AP) / Ohio State (Coaches, FWAA) 1958: LSU (AP, Coaches) / Iowa (FWAA) 1959: Syracuse (AP, Coaches, FWAA, NFF)
1960s	1960: Minnesota (AP, Coaches, NFF) / Ole Miss (FWAA) 1961: Alabama (AP, Coaches, NFF) / Ohio State (FWAA) 1962: USC 1963: Texas 1964: Alabama (AP, Coaches) / Arkansas (FWAA) / Notre Dame (NFF) 1965: Alabama (AP, FWAA) / Michigan State (Coaches, FWAA, NFF) 1966: Notre Dame (AP, Coaches, FWAA, NFF) / Michigan State (NFF) 1967: USC 1968: Ohio State 1969: Texas
1970s	1970: Nebraska (AP, FWAA) / Texas (NFF, Coaches) / Ohio State (NFF) 1971: Nebraska 1972: USC 1973: Notre Dame (AP, FWAA, NFF) / Alabama (Coaches) 1974: Oklahoma (AP) / USC (FWAA, NFF, Coaches) 1975: Oklahoma 1976: Pittsburgh 1977: Notre Dame 1978: Alabama (AP, FWAA, NFF) / USC (Coaches) 1979: Alabama
1980–1991	1980: Georgia 1981: Clemson 1982: Penn State 1983: Miami (FL) 1984: BYU 1985: Oklahoma 1986: Penn State 1987: Miami (FL) 1988: Notre Dame 1989: Miami (FL) 1990: Colorado (AP, FWAA, NFF, USAT/CNN) / Georgia Tech (Coaches) 1991: Miami (FL) (AP) / Washington (Coaches, FWAA, UPI/NFF)