1973 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1973 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Independent 4 1 11–0 Ara Parseghian 10th Wing T Joe Yonto 4–3 Dave Casper Frank Pomarico Mike Townsend Notre Dame Stadium AP Poll national championFWAA national championNFF national championSugar Bowl champion Sugar Bowl W Won 24–23 vs. Alabama 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 1973 Sugar Bowl by a score of a 24–23.http://und.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07fbguidehistory 2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: History and Records (pages 131-175) und.cstv.com 2008-12-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20080610005741/http://und.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07fbguidehistory 2008-06-10 dead 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 despite being the last undefeated team at the end of the season, since Alabama was awarded the Coaches Poll title before the bowl season. 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 Penick and Best clocking in under 10 seconds in the 100-yard dash. http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Football-Supplement-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011020246/http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Football-Supplement-07 dead October 11, 2007 2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: 2007 Supplement (page 163) und.cstv.com 2008-12-31 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. 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. Moreover, Parseghian had not outright beaten USC since 1966. 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 their remaining games. 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,https://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html Past Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I FBS) National Champions (formerly called Division I-A) ncaa.org 2008-12-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20080509084329/http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html May 9, 2008 dead 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. Al Hunter then scored on a 93-yard kickoff return, and Clements completed a two-point conversion pass to Pete Demmerle to give the Irish a 14–7 (which would turn out to be the widest margin in the game). Alabama scored a field goal to close the halftime deficit to 14–10, and then went on a 93-yard touchdown march in the third quarter to regain the lead. Notre Dame answered with a 12-yard touchdown run by Eric Penick to go back in front, 21–17. 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 a field goal to give the Irish a slim 24–23 victory and the AP national title. http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Football-Supplement-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011020246/http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Football-Supplement-07 dead October 11, 2007 2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: 2007 Supplement (page 129) und.cstv.com 2008-12-31 Schedule 1973 AP Eastern September 22 2:30 p.m. w 8 Northwestern Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 44–0 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-8th-rated-irish-w/181650986/ The Sioux City Journal 8th-rated Irish waltz past Wildcats, 44–0 September 23, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com September 29 1:50 p.m. w y 7 Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry ABC 20–7 69,391 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-methodical-notre-dame/181651088/ The Kokomo Tribune Methodical Notre Dame 'best' Purdue's Boilers, 20–7 September 30, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com October 6 2:30 p.m. w 8 Michigan State Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 14–10 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-irish-hold-off-m/181651162/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Irish hold off MSU, 14–10 October 7, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com October 13 8:05 p.m. w y 9 Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX 28–0 50,321 https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-no-9-fighting-irish/169058649/ Albuquerque Journal No. 9 Fighting Irish zap Rice Owls, 28–0 October 14, 1973 March 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 20 2:00 p.m. w y 8 Army Michie Stadium West Point, NY rivalry 62–3 42,503 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-irish-beat-army-6/181584836/ The Los Angeles Times Irish beat Army, 62–3; Biggest win in series October 21, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com October 27 1:50 p.m. w 8 USC 6 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry ABC 23–14 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-ara-steals-recipe/181651261/ The Indianapolis Star Ara steals recipe for 23 as Irish stew cooks USC October 28, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 1:30 p.m. w 5 Navy Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 44–7 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune-middies-humbled/181588684/ The Duluth News Tribune Middies humbled by Irish November 4, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com November 10 1:30 p.m. w y 5 Pittsburgh 20 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA rivalry 31–10 56,593 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-dorsett-sets-ant/181640828/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Dorsett sets anti-Irish mark November 11, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com November 22, 1973 1:30 p.m. w 5 Air Force Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry ABC 48–15 57,236 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-irish-feast-on-fal/181642429/ The News and Observer Irish feast on Falcons November 23, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com December 1 7:33 p.m. w y 5 Miami (FL) Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry 44–0 42,968 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-irish-blast-canes-440/181639960/ Florida Today Irish blast 'Canes, 44–0 December 2, 1973 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com December 31, 1973 8:00 p.m. w y 3 Alabama 1 Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 24–23 85,161 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-notre-dame-wins-suga/181651367/ The Greenville News Notre Dame wins Sugar, beating Alabama, 24–23 January 1, 1974 September 23, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1973 Notre Dame) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/363951 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 23, 2025 Game summaries Northwestern Northwestern 0 0 0 0 Notre Dame 16 21 0 7 September 22 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 1:30 pm EST 59,075 Sunny, 76 degrees Purdue Notre Dame 3 7 7 3 Purdue 0 7 0 0 September 29 Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana 12:50 pm EST 69,391 Sunny, humid, 79 degrees Chris Schenkel, Bud Wilkinson, Duffy Daugherty ABC yes 1 ND Thomas 22-yard field goal Notre Dame 3-0 2 PUR Burton 53-yard pass from Bobrowski (Conner kick) Purdue 7-3 2 ND Best 9-yard run (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 10-7 3 ND Bullock 1-yard run (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 17-7 4 ND Thomas 42-yard field goal Notre Dame 20-7 yes "Notre Dame Bests Purdue." Palm Beach Post. 1973 Sept 30. Michigan State Michigan St. 0 0 3 7 Notre Dame 0 14 0 0 October 6 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 1:30 pm EST 59,075 Upper 60s Rice Notre Dame 7 7 7 7 Rice 0 0 0 0 October 13 Rice Stadium, Houston, TX 7:30 p.m. CDT Hot, humid, drizzle Army Notre Dame 0 28 20 14 Army 3 0 0 0 October 20 Michie Stadium, West Point, New York 2:00 pm Eastern Partly cloudy, 60 degrees yes 1 ARMY Barclay 22-yard field goal Army 3–0 2 ND Penick 1-yard run (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 7–3 2 ND Casper 34-yard pass from Clements (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 14–3 2 ND Best 5-yard run (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 21–3 2 ND Casper 3-yard pass from Brown (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 28–3 3 ND Penick 6-yard run (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 35–3 3 ND Hunter 22-yard run (kick failed) Notre Dame 41–3 3 ND Hunter 1-yard run (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 48–3 4 ND Allocco 9-yard run (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 55–3 4 ND Simon 74-yard punt return (Thomas kick) Notre Dame 62–3 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1973 Oct 21. USC USC 7 0 7 0 Notre Dame 3 10 10 0 October 27 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 12:50 pm EST 59,075 Upper 50s, cloudy, rain Jerry Markbreit (Big Ten) Chris Schenkel, Bud Wilkinson, and Duffy Daugherty ABC yes 1 7:08 ND Thomas 32-yard field goal ND 3-0 1 USC Davis 1-yard run (Limahelu kick) USC 7-3 2 9:34 ND Thomas 33-yard field goal USC 7-6 2 0:30 ND Clements 1-yard run (Thomas kick) ND 13-7 3 ND Penick 85-yard run (Thomas kick) ND 20-7 3 USC Swann 27-yard pass from Haden (Limahelu kick) ND 20-14 3 ND Thomas 32-yard field goal ND 23-14 yes Palm Beach Post. 28 Oct 1973. NO BOX SCORE."Irish end years of frustration." Eugene Register-Guard. 1973 Oct 28. Navy text-align:center collapsed Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Fighting Irish November 3 1:30 pm EST Navy 0 0 0 7 Notre Dame 7 7 14 16 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 59,075 Partly cloudy, 50 degrees "Irish Whips Navy." Ocala Star-Banner. 1973 Nov 04. Retrieved 2018-Dec-24. Navy Notre Dame Tom Clements 4/8, 68 Yds8 Rush, 66 Yds, TD NAVY ND collapsed 1 Notre Dame RushTD Penick 20 good Thomas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 2 Notre Dame RushTD Hunter 3 good Thomas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 14 3 Notre Dame RushTD Clements 1 good Thomas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 21 3 Notre Dame RushTD Samuel 7 good Thomas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 28 4 Notre Dame Other Safety, Glenny tackled in end zone 0 30 4 Navy RecTD Van Loan Glenny 25 good Dykes run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 30 4 Notre Dame RecTD W. Townsend Brown 9 good Thomas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 37 4 Notre Dame RushTD Parise 3 good Thomas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 44 7 44 Pittsburgh Notre Dame 7 3 7 14 Pittsburgh 0 3 0 7 November 10 Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA 1:30 p.m. EST 56,593 Mid-30s, snow flurries Bob Van Lengen Air Force This is the only Thanksgiving Day game ever played at Notre Dame Stadium, and with students away on a week-long break, it also was the only official non-sellout for a Fighting Irish home football game between October 24, 1964, and November 16, 2019. Air Force 0 6 3 6 Notre Dame 28 6 0 14 November 22 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 1:20 pm EST 57,236 Sunny, low 60s ABC Miami (FL) Notre Dame 7 17 14 6 Miami 0 0 0 0 December 1 Miami Orange Bowl 7:33 p.m. EST 41,047–42,968 70 degrees, humid Morris Harrison Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama 1973 Sugar Bowl Notre Dame 6 8 7 3 Alabama 0 10 7 6 December 31 Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA 7:00 p.m. CST 85,161 Light rain, low 50s Gene Calhoun Chris Schenkel, Bud Wilkinson, and Howard Cosell ABC yes 1 11:41 ND Bullock 1-yard run (kick failed) ND 6-0 2 ALA Billingsley 6-yard run (Davis kick) ALA 7-6 2 ND Hunter 93-yard kickoff return (Clements to Demmerle pass) ND 14-7 2 ALA Davis 39-yard field goal ND 14-10 3 ALA Jackson 5-yard run (Davis kick) ALA 17-14 3 ND Penick 12-yard run (Thomas kick) ND 21-17 4 9:39 ALA Todd 25-yard pass from Stock (kick failed) ALA 23-21 4 4:26 ND Thomas 19-yard field goal ND 24-23 yes "Notre Dame Preserves 24-23 Victory." Palm Beach Post. 1974 Jan 1. Roster 1973 Notre Dame Fighting Irish f 12 Jr Frank Allocco QB 52 Jr Joe Alvarado C 23 So Art Best RB y 62 Sr Tom Bolger OG 59 Mark Brenneman C 8 Sr Cliff Brown Cliff Brown (American football) QB y 30 Jr Wayne Bullock FB 86 Sr Dave Casper TE y 2 Jr Tom Clements QB y 85 Jr Peter Demmerle WR y 28 Sr Gary Diminick RB 72 Jr Gerry DiNardo OG y 93 Tom Fine TE 21 Ron Goodman RB 25 Fr Al Hunter Al Hunter (American football) RB y 52 Vince Klees C 15 Russ Kornman FB 58 Tom Laney OT 84 Sr Dennis Lozzi OT 57 Elton Moore OG 66 Dan Morrin OG 64 Jr Steve Neece OT 36 Tom Parise FB 44 Eric Penick RB 56 Frank Pomarico OG 77 Steve Quehl OT 24 So Al Samuel RB 28 Tim Simon WR 71 Jr Steve Sylvester Steve Sylvester (American football) OT y 80 Sr Willie Townsend WR 91 Robin Weber TE 66 So Al Wujciak OG 79 So Jay Achterhoff DT 14 Jr Reggie Barnett CB 20 Fr Luther Bradley S y 89 Fr Ross Browner DE y 50 Jr Greg Collins Greg Collins (American football) LB y 41 Tom Creevey DE 88 Jr Mike Fanning Mike Fanning (American football) DT y 94 Fr Willie Fry DE y 95 George Hayduk DT Jr Mike Kemp DB y Mike Kemp (American football) 26 So Tom Lopienski CB 45 So Drew Mahalic LB y 25 Mike Naughton CB 70 So Steve Niehaus DT y 60 Jr Kevin Nosbusch DT 96 So John Galanis DT 38 Tony Novakov LB 33 Mike Parker S 40 Gary Potempa LB 7 Sr Tim Rudnick CB y 29 So Pat Sarb CB 55 Sherm Smith LB 48 So Jim Stock DE 42 Sr Tim Sullivan LB 27 Sr Mike Townsend S y 61 Mike Webb LB 34 So Bob Zanot S 4 Tony Brantley P 9 Sr Brian Doherty P 98 Sr Bob Thomas Robert R. Thomas K y *Ara Parseghian Greg Blache (JV) Brian Boulac (OL) Bill Hickey (OL) George Kelly (LB) Wally Moore (OL) John Murph (Scouting/Def. Asst) Tom Pagna (RB) Paul Shoults (DB) Mike Stock (WR) Joe Yonto (DC) Award winners + All-AmericansNotre Dame Fighting Irish #003 Name #003 AP #003 UPI #003 NEA #003 FC #003 SN #003 FW #003 T #003 FN #003 WCF Dave Casper, TE 2 1 1 1 1 1 † Mike Townsend, DB 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 †denotes consensus selectionSource: 1974 NFL draft 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 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:http://www.uhnd.com/history/notre-dame-nfl-draft-history/ Notre Dame NFL Draft History uhnd.com 2008-12-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20090106064031/http://uhnd.com/history/notre-dame-nfl-draft-history/ 6 January 2009 live References Notre Dame Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Sugar Bowl champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Notre Dame Fighting Irish football