Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1409378
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 18, 2021 53 Tony Furjanic, 1982-85 • 6-1, 228 • Mt. Carmel H.S. The tough-as-nails Furjanic became nothing short of a tackling machine from his linebacker spot. He led the Irish in stops as a sophomore in 1983 (142) and in 1985 (147), when he served as co-captain. He's remembered for breaking up Doug Flutie's two-point conversion pass in the 1983 Liberty Bowl, preserving Notre Dame's 19-18 victory over Boston College. Backup: Darius Fleming, 2008-11 • 6-2, 255 • St. Rita H.S. DEFENSIVE BACKS Nick Rassas, 1963-65 • 6-0, 185 • Winnetka, Loyola Academy Rassas was a big fan favorites as DB and kick returner due to his penchant for making big plays, whether it was sepa- rating a receiver from the ball or taking a kick to the house. He was a walk-on un- der coach Joe Kuharich, then emerged as a star in his final two years under Ara Parseghian. He returned three punts for touchdowns in 1965, setting a school record. Backup: Elmer Angsman, 1943-45 • 6-0, 185 • Mt. Carmel H.S. Tony Carey, 1964-65 • 6-0, 190 • Mt. Carmel H.S. Like Rassas, Carey was one of the Irish players who blossomed with the arrival of Ara Parseghian in 1964. In that magical season, Carey intercepted eight passes for 121 return yards, helping Notre Dame go undefeated through its first nine games and nearly taking an- other national title. Carey has used les- sons from football to become a success- ful Chicago lawyer and businessman. Backup: Bill Gay, 1947-50 • 5-11, 170 • Tilden Tech Tom Zbikowski, 2003-07 • 5-11, 200 • Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove H.S. As electrifying a player as there has been in the past several decades at Notre Dame Stadium, Zbikowski was a threat to score — returning a punt or an intercep- tion — at seemingly any moment. In his breakout season of 2005, he had two of each, along with 71 tackles and five in- terceptions overall to garner All-America mention as the Irish reached the Fiesta Bowl. He continued his strong play the following two years, with 79 and 80 tack- les, along with another punt return TD and a returned fumble for another score. Backup: Tim Rudnick, 1971-73 • 5-10, 187 • Niles, Notre Dame H.S. Julian Love, 2016-18 • 5-11, 195 • Westchester, Nazareth Academy In March of 2015, Love committed to his "dream school" in accepting a Notre Dame offer. He went on to live the dream, as a lock-down corner leading the Irish. In his junior year of 2018, he led a defen- sive effort that resulted in a 12-0 regular season and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He garnered All-America honors, made himself eligible for the NFL draft and was chosen by the New York Giants. Backup: Stan Smagala, 1986-89 • 5-10, 184 • Burbank,St. Laurence H.S. ✦ The Knute Rockne Memorial Society Invites you to a end the 2021 Knute Rockne Spirit of Sports Awards Celebra on Friday, Sept. 24 Chicago Sports Museum 7 th level, Water Tower Place 835 N. Michigan Avenue IMPORTANT UPDATE: Can't join us in Chicago? You can s ll enjoy the 2021 Rockne Awards via na onwide Livestream. For a $25 dona on to the Knute Rockne Memorial Society, you will receive the Livestream link and be able to watch Award honorees Bob Thomas, Darius Fleming, Molly Seidel, Aaron Taylor, Barry Alvarez and others. Reserve your spot by visi ng www.RockneSociety.org Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jlefebvre@blueandgold.com