1978 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

The 1978 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fourth year under head coach Dan Devine, the Irish compiled a 9–3 record, outscored opponents by a total of 258 to 163, and were ranked No. 7 in the final AP poll and No. 6 in the final UPI poll. Returning multiple starters from the 1977 national championship team, the Irish were ranked No. 5 in the preseason AP poll, but dropped out of the poll after losing the first two games to unranked Missouri and No. 5 Michigan. The Irish then won eight straight games and closed the season with a two-point loss to No. 3 USC and a victory over No. 9 Houston in the Cotton Bowl. In the Cotton Bowl, quarterback Joe Montana rallied the team from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Center Dave Huffman and linebacker Bob Golic were consensus first-team picks on the 1978 All-America college football team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Joe Montana (2,010 passing yards), running backs Vagas Ferguson (1,192 rushing yards, 48 points scored) and Jerome Heavens (728 rushing yards), and wide receiver Kris Haines (32 receptions for 699 yards).

The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Schedule

Game summaries Michigan

The Reunion Game - first meeting between the two schools in 35 years Notre Dame wore green jerseys for the game

Pittsburgh

Notre Dame handed #9 Pittsburgh its first loss of the season. Jerome Heavens, who had never seen Knute Rockne, All American, surpassed George Gipp on the school's all-time rushing list. Heavens passed Gipp on his 24th carry but lost yardage on his 25th before moving past him for good on his 26th attempt. "I think the Gipper tackled me on that," Heavens said."Irish stir the echoes with 26-7 win over Pitt." Eugene Register-Guard. p. 18. 1978 Oct 15.

Cotton Bowl

The Cotton Bowl win over Houston on New Year's Day was Notre Dame's 600th victory.

Roster

References