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1946 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season

Field	Value
year	1946
team	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
sport	football
conference	Independent
APRank	1
record	8–0–1
head_coach	Frank Leahy
hc_year	4th
off_scheme	T formation
captain	Game captains
stadium	Notre Dame Stadium
champion	AP Poll national champion

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. 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). 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).

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

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

Schedule

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Rankings

Post-season

Award winners

George Connor – Outland Trophy

Notre Dame Fighting Irish	border=0	color=white}};font-size:88%"	† denotes unanimous selection
‡denotes consensus selection

Name	Position	Year Inducted
George Connor	Tackle	1963
Zygmont "Ziggy" Czarobski	Tackle	1977
Bill Fischer	Tackle/Guard	1983
Leon Hart	End	1973
Frank Leahy	Coach	1970
Johnny Lujack	Quarterback	1960
Jim Martin	End/Tackle	1995
Emil "Red" Sitko	Halfback/Fullback	1984

Notre Dame leads all universities in players inducted.

1947 NFL draft

Main article: 1947 NFL draft

The 1947 NFL Draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Fighting Irish were selected.

27	250	Bob Palladino	Back	Green Bay Packers

References

"2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: History and Records (pages 131–175)". und.cstv.com.
(1947). "The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947". A.S. Barnes and Company.
"1946 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats". Sports Reference LLC.
(2016). "Football Award Winners". National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
(2005). "ESPN College Football Encyclopedia". ESPN Books.
(1999-06-03). "SI's Top 20 Dynasties of the 20th Century". sportsillustrated.cnn.com.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". sportsillustrated.cnn.com.
Bert Bertine. (September 29, 1946). "Notre Dame Halts Young, Overpowers Illinois, 26–6: Record 75,119 Watches Irish Dominate Battle". Decatur Sunday Herald and Review.
Jim Costin. (October 6, 1946). "N.D. Is Unimpressive in Trampling Pitt 33–0: Running Game Is Throttled by Young Rivals; Irish Forced to Take to Air to Win in Home Opener". The South Bend Tribune.
Harold Harrison. (October 13, 1946). "Notre Dame Raps Purdue: Irish Use 4 Elevens For 49–6 Verdict; Lacing Worst Of 18-Game Series Between Schools". The Indianapolis Star.
Bert McGrane. (October 27, 1946). "Notre Dame Punishes Iowa, 41–6: Lujack Fires Irish Blasts With Passes; Fumbles Foil Few Hawk Chances". The Des Moines Register.
Craig E. Taylor. (November 3, 1946). "Notre Dame Eleven Tops Navy by 28–0: 65,000 See Irish Team's Strength Overwhelm Middies in Stadium". The Baltimore Sun.
Gene Ward. (November 10, 1946). "Army, Irish Battle To Scoreless Tie". New York Daily News.
Wilfrid Smith. (November 17, 1946). "Notre Dame Whips N. U., 27 to 0: Irish Power Drives Crush Wildcat Hopes; 58,000 Defy Rain at South Bend". Chicago Tribune.
(November 24, 1946). "Fighting Irish overwhelms Green Wave, 41–0, before 70,000". Evansville Press.
Jim Costin. (December 1, 1946). "Notre Dame Eleven Wins National Title: Defeats USC, 26–6, To Remain Unbeaten". The South Bend Tribune.
"ALL-TIME OUTLAND TROPHY WINNERS". Football Writers Association of America.
"Hall of Fame: Select group by school". Football Foundation.
"1947 NFL Draft Listing".

Info: Wikipedia Source

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