1939 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1939 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Independent 13 7–2 Elmer Layden 6th Johnny Kelly Notre Dame Stadium The 1939 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1939 college football season. In their sixth and final year under head coach Elmer Layden, the Fighting Irish compiled a 7–2 record, outscored opponents by a total of 100 to 73, and were ranked No. 13 in the final AP poll. They won the first six games and were ranked as high as No. 2, but dropped in the rankings after losing two of the final three games to unranked Iowa and No. 4 USC.1939 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 15, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1939-schedule.html End Bud Kerr received first-team honors from the All-America Board, Associated Press, Newspaper Enterprise Association, and Life magazine, among others. Kerr and ullback Milt Piepul received second-team honors from the United Press. Johnny Kelly was the team captain. The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Schedule 1939 AP September 30 w Purdue Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 3–0 40,000 N.D. Kick Beats Purdue, 3-0: 40,000 Watch Game Won by 15-Yard Boot The South Bend Tribune Jack Ledden October 1, 1939 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122265330/nd-kick-beats-purdue-3-0-40000/ Newspapers.com October 7 w Georgia Tech Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 17–14 17,322 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-notre-dame-beats-georgia/132692294/ Chicago Tribune Notre Dame beats Georgia Tech, 17–14, on Stevenson's field goal October 8, 1939 September 30, 2023 Newspapers.com October 14 w SMU Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN 20–19 29,730 October 21 w y 2 Navy Municipal Stadium Cleveland, OH rivalry 14–7 78,257 October 28 w y 2 Carnegie Tech Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA 7–6 61,420 November 4 w y 4 Army Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY rivalry 14–0 75,632 ND Victors, 14-0, On Army Fumbles New York Daily News Jack Mahon November 5, 1939 90 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122170858/nd-victors-14-0-on-army-fumbles/ Newspapers.com November 11 l y 3 Iowa Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 6–7 46,000 Iowa 7, Irish 6: Kinnick Slashes 3 Yards to Score, Boots Decisive Point Des Moines Register Bert McGrane November 12, 1939 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122298122/iowa-7-irish-6/ Newspapers.comIowa Whips Notre Dame, 7-6: Kinnick's Kick Spells First Irish Disaster The South Bend Tribune Jack Ledden November 12, 1939 1, Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122297950/iowa-whips-notre-dame-7-6-kinnicks/ Newspapers.com November 18 w 9 Northwestern Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 7–0 49,204 November 25 l 7 USC 4 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 12–20 54,799 Trojans Humble Irish, 20-12: 55,000 Thrill To Long Runs in Fast Game The South Bend Tribune Jack Ledden November 26, 1939 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99137772/trojans-humble-irish-20-12-55000/ Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1939-schedule.html 1939 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results | College Football at Sports-Reference.com sports-reference.com 2015-10-08 Rankings 1939 college football rankings AP 1 9 2 (16) 2 (12) 4 (12) 3 (11) 9 7 11 11 13 References Notre Dame Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons Notre Dame Fighting Irish football