The 1917 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1917 college football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Jesse Harper, the Irish compiled a 6–1–1 record, shut out six of eight opponents opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 141 to 9. The team played a scoreless tie with Wisconsin in its second game and lost a close road game against Nebraska the following week, giving up the only touchdown of the season to the Cornhuskers. Notre Dame ended its season on a five-game winning streak, including a road win over Army and a shut outs against Michigan Agricultural (now Michigan State) and Washington & Jefferson.
With the United States entry into World War I, several Notre Dame players from 1916 were unavailable due to military service. Key players on the 1917 team included team captain and quarterback James Phelan, who left the team after three games for military service, and freshman end George Gipp.
Knute Rockne was assistant coach for the fourth year. In February 1918, Harper resigned as Notre Dame's head coach and athletic director. At Harper's recommendation, Rockne succeeded him in both positions.
The team played its home games at Cartier Field in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
Personnel Players William Allison Andrews Leonard Bahan Joseph Brandy Walter DeGree George Gipp David Hayes Tom King Slip Madigan - guard Robert McGuire Walter Miller Dudley Pearson James Phelan - captain, played first three games before being inducted into military service Philbin James "Big Red" Ryan Frank Rydzewski Maurice Smith Thomas Spaulding Basil Stanley Raleigh "Red" Stine Clyde Zoia
Coaches Head coach - Jesse Harper Assistant coach - Knute Rockne
References