The 1964 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1964 NCAA University Division football season. In their first year under head coach Ara Parseghian, the Fighting Irish compiled a 9–1 record, outscored opponents by a total of 287 to 77, and were ranked No. 3 in the final AP and UPI polls. They won their first nine games and were ranked No. 1 in both polls before losing to unranked USC in the final game of the season.
Though Alabama was declared the national champion in both the final AP and UPI polls, and Arkansas received the honor from the Football Writers Association of America, Notre Dame was recognized as national champion by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and therefore received the MacArthur Bowl; the title, however, is not claimed by the university.
Notre Dame quarterback John Huarte tallied 2,062 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and a 155.1 passer rating. He won the Heisman Trophy for 1964, finishing ahead of Jerry Rhome and Dick Butkus in the voting. Huarte and his favorite receiver, Jack Snow, were consensus first-team picks on the 1964 All-America college football team. Snow finished second nationally with 60 receptions for 1,114 yards. Bill Wolski led the team with 657 rushing yards and 66 points scored.
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
Game summaries Wisconsin
In Ara Parseghian's coaching debut for Notre Dame, the players carried Parseghian off the field while the Irish fans in attendance chanted "We're number one" following the victory.
Purdue
Air Force
UCLA
Palm Beach Post. 1964 Oct 17.
Stanford
Navy
Pittsburgh
Michigan State
Iowa
USC
Personnel
Awards and honors John Huarte, Heisman Trophy
References