The 1976 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In their second year under head coach Dan Devine, the Irish compiled a 9–3 record, outscored opponents by a total of 274 to 149, and were ranked No. 12 in the final AP and UPI polls. In five games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 9 Pittsburgh and No. 3 USC, and defeated No. 19 South Carolina, No. 10 Alabama, and No. 20 Penn State, the latter in the Gator Bowl.
Defensive end Ross Browner won the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in college football. Browner and tight end Ken McAfee were consensus first-team picks on the 1976 All-America college football team. Defensive back Luther Bradley also received first-team All-America honors from the Football News and Walter Camp Football Foundation. Quarterback Joe Montana separated his shoulder before the season began and did not play. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Rick Slager (1,281 passing yards), running back Al Hunter (1,058 rushing yards), and Dan Kelleher (24 receptions for 522 yards).
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
Game summaries Pittsburgh
Purdue
Eugene Register-Guard. 1976 Sept 19. Pg. 14B. Retrieved 2021-Jan-11.
At Northwestern
At Michigan State
Oregon
At South Carolina
Vs. Navy
Eugene Register-Guard. 1976 Oct 31.
At Georgia Tech
Alabama
Miami (FL)
At USC
Rick Slager started the game but was replaced by Rusty Lisch after Slagler injured his shoulder.Notre Dame Football Review - USC. Retrieved 2021-Jan-07.
Penn State—Gator Bowl
Roster
References