1946 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

1946 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
AP Poll national champion
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
APNo. 1
Record8–0–1
Head coach
Offensive schemeT formation
CaptainGame captains
Home stadiumNotre Dame Stadium
Seasons
← 1945
1947 →
1946 Midwestern major college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Notre Dame   –   8 – 0 – 1
Detroit   –   6 – 4 – 0
Michigan State   –   5 – 5 – 0
Marquette   –   4 – 5 – 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1946 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1946 college football season. In their fourth year under head coach Frank Leahy, the Irish compiled an 8–0–1 and were ranked No. 1 in the final AP Poll.[1] The season also produced the 1946 Army vs. Notre Dame football game, a scoreless tie between undefeated teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2.

The 1946 Notre Dame team dominated both on defense and offense, ranking first nationally in total offense (441.3 yards per game), rushing offense (340.1 yards per game), and total defense (allowing 141.7 yards per game).[2] Despite ranking as the nation's top rushing offense, no Notre Dame player ranked among the national rushing leaders, as multiple backs shared the rushing load, including Emil Sitko (54 carries, 346 yards), Terry Brennan (74 carries, 329 yards), Jim Mello (61 carries, 307 yards), Bill Gompers (51 carries, 279 yards), and John Panelli (58 carries, 265 yards).[3]

Two Notre Dame players, quarterback Johnny Lujack and tackle George Connor, were consensus first-team picks for the 1946 All-America college football team.[4] Center George Strohmeyer and guard John Mastrangelo also received first-team All-America honors from multiple selectors.[5]

From 1946 to 1949, Notre Dame compiled a 36-0-2 record and claims three national championships.[1] Sports Illustrated rated these Notre Dame teams as the second best sports dynasty (professional or collegiate) of the 20th century[6] and second greatest college football dynasty.[7]

  1. ^ a b "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: History and Records (pages 131-175)". und.cstv.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  2. ^ W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. pp. 73–74.
  3. ^ "1946 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  4. ^ "Football Award Winners" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2016. p. 8. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  5. ^ ESPN College Football Encyclopedia. ESPN Books. 2005. p. 1204. ISBN 1401337031.
  6. ^ "SI's Top 20 Dynasties of the 20th Century". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. June 3, 1999. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  7. ^ "College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2008.