The 1952 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1952 college football season. In their tenth year under head coach Frank Leahy, the Fighting Irish compiled a 7–2–1 record, outscored opponents by a total of 183 to 108, and were ranked No. 3 in the final AP and UP polls. They played six games against ranked opponents, defeating No. 5 Texas, No. 9 Purdue, No. 4 Oklahoma, and No. 2 USC, tying with No. 12 Penn, and losing to No. 1 Michigan State.
Halfback Johnny Lattner was a unanimous first-team pick on the 1952 All-America college football team. Tackle Sam Palumbo received third-team honors from the Central Press.
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
Personnel Players Jack Alessandrini, captain and guard/linebacker, senior, Charleston, WV Bob Arrix, reserve fullback, kicker Virgil Bardash, guard/tackle Ed Buczkiewicz, reserve quarterback Joe Bush, tackle Walt Cabral, offensive and defensive end Tom Carey, quarterback Gene Carrabine, safety Dave Flood, linebacker Dick Frasor, center and linebacker Armando "Army" Galardo, defensive halfback Ralph Guglielmi, quarterback Joe Heap, left halfback and punt returner Art Hunter, end Bob Joseph, halfback Johnny Lattner, halfback (defensive and offensive) Jack Lee, middle guard Fred Mangialardi, defensive end Bob Martin, reserve quarterback Menil "Minnie" Mavraides, offensive guards, defensive tackle, placekicker Tom McHugh, fullback Rockne Morrissey, defensive halfback Tom Murphy, tackle Art Nowack, center/linebacker Bob O'Neil, defensive end Sam Palumbo, left defensive tackle Tony Pasquesi, defensive right tackle Fran Paterra, halfback Don Penza, defensive end Fred Poehler, offensive tackle Bob Ready, defensive tackle Paul Reynolds, safety Paul Robst, guard Jim Schrader, center Tom Seaman, offensive guard Dan Shannon, linebacker Dick Szymanski, linebacker Bob Taylor, defensive tackle/guard Frank Varrichione, offensive tackle Jim Weithman, middle guard Jack Whelan, defensive halfback
Coaching staff Head coach: Frank Leahy Athletic director: Ed "Moose" Krause Assistant coaches: Bob McBride (tackles), John Druze (ends), Wally Ziembra (centers), Joe McArdle (guards), Bill Early (backfield), Johnny Lujack (backfield), Red Miller (volunteer coach) Head trainer: Eugene Paszkiet Student managers: Robert Millenbach, Emory Dakoske, and John Stoeller Equipment superintendent: Jack McAllister
References