The 1975 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. In their first year under head coach Dan Devine, the Irish compiled an 8–3 record, outscored opponents by a total of 244 to 144, and were ranked No. 17 in the final UPI poll. In their only game against a ranked opponent, they lost to No. 3 USC. The team's victory over Georgia Tech is featured in the 1993 film Rudy.
Defensive tackle Steve Niehaus was a unanimous first-team pick on the 1975 All-America college football team. Tight end Ken McAfee also received first-team All-America honors from the United Press International. The team's statistical leaders included quarterbacks Rick Slager (686 passing yards) and Joe Montana (507 passing yards), running backs Jerome Heavens (756 rushing yards) and Al Hunter (558 rushing yards), McAfee (26 receptions for 333 yards), placekicker Dave Reeve (57 points on 24 of 26 PAT and 11 of 16 field goals), and Niehaus (113 tackles).
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
Game summaries Boston College
"Notre Dame Stops Boston College in Opener." Palm Beach Post. 1975 Sept 16.
Purdue
"Interception Return Lifts Irish." Palm Beach Post. 1975 Sept 21.
North Carolina
"Irish Turn Back Tar Heels, 21-14." Eugene Register-Guard. 1975 Oct 12.
Georgia Tech
This was the famous game in which Rudy Ruettiger, a 5'6", 165-lb, walk-on, was inserted late in the game and recorded a quarterback sack. His story was the inspiration for the movie Rudy.
Personnel Coaching staff Head coach: Dan Devine Assistants: Greg Blache (JV), Brian Boulac (OL), Ed Chlebek (ST), Merv Johnson (OC), George Kelly (LB), Hank Kuhlmann (OB/ST), Johnny Roland (Receivers), Paul Shoults (DB), Ross Stephenson (Scouting/Volunteer Ast), Joe Yonto (DL)
2011 Notre Dame football media supplement.
Roster
References