The 1971 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. In their eighth year under head coach Ara Parseghian, the Irish compiled an 8–2 record, outscored opponents by a total of 225 to 86, and were ranked No. 13 in the final AP poll and No. 15 in the final UPI poll. Prior to their concluding game at LSU, Notre Dame announced that they would not play in a bowl game.
Defensive end Walt Patulski and defensive back Clarence Ellis were consensus first-team picks on the 1971 All-America college football team. End Tom Gatewood and defensive tackle Mike Kadish also received first-team All-America honors from at least one selector. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Cliff Brown (669 passing yards), Bob Minnix (337 rushing yards), and Gatewood (417 receiving yards). Minnix and Ed Gulyas led the team in scoring with 30 points each.
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
Game summaries Northwestern
Purdue
"Notre Dame Edges Past Purdue." Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 September 26.
"The Genuflect Play"
Michigan State
Miami (Florida)
North Carolina
USC
Navy
"Notre Dame Rips Middies, 21-0." Palm Beach Post. 1971 October 31.
Pittsburgh
Tulane
LSU
Roster
1972 NFL draft Walt Patulski Defensive end 1 1 Buffalo Bills Clarence Ellis Defensive back 1 15 Atlanta Falcons Mike Kadish Defensive tackle 1 25 Miami Dolphins Fred Swendson Defensive end 3 53 Buffalo Bills Eric Patton Linebacker 4 86 Green Bay Packers Tom Gatewood Running back 5 107 New York Giants Ralph Stepaniak Defensive back 7 157 Buffalo Bills Mike Zikas Defensive tackle 7 177 New York Giants
References