Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH ECHOES JIM LEFEBVRE 74 PRESEASON 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED N otre Dame's visit to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sept. 6 will be the first Fighting Irish game in the Badger State in 62 years. It was on Sept. 26, 1964 — the first game of the Ara Parseghian era — that the Irish downed Wisconsin, 31-7, before 64,398 fans at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Throughout the decades, the state of Wisconsin has provided Notre Dame with plenty of talent. Here's a look at what we consider to be the "all-time" Notre Dame team from Wisconsin. QUARTERBACK Charles "Gus" Dorais, Chippewa Falls, 1910-13 The diminutive (5-7, 145) signal-caller held the reigns for all four seasons, in which Notre Dame went 24-1-3 and gained national attention for beating Army. He captained the 1912 Irish and teamed with Knute Rockne in 1913 to revolutionize the use of the forward pass. Backup: Chuck Jaskwhich, Kenosha, 1930-32. Served as backup to All-American Fran Carideo for the 1930 national champs. Also led the '32 Irish with 23 punt returns for 254 yards. HALFBACK Jim Crowley, Green Bay, 1922-24 The fleet, versatile Crowley gained starter status in his sophomore year of 1922 and went on to earn All-America honors as one of The Four Horsemen backfield for the 1924 national champs. He led the '24 team with 74 points, and finished second in rushing, passing and receiving yards. Backups: Tom "Red" Hearden, Green Bay, 1924- 26. A ferocious blocking back, he captained the 9-1 1926 Irish; Rocky Bleier, Appleton, 1965-67. Totaled 784 rushing and 422 receiving yards, with 14 touchdowns in his career. HALFBACK Terry Brennan, Milwaukee, 1945-48 Brennan, out of Marquette University High, rushed for 1,269 yards in his four seasons at Notre Dame while adding 477 receiving yards. He twice led the team in receptions and yardage. The Irish were unbeaten in his final three seasons, going 26-0-2 and winning national titles in '46 and '47. Backups: Jim Brennan, Milwaukee, 1944-47. Brother of Terry rushed for 250 yards; Willie "Red" Maher, Madison, 1921-23. Set record for most single- game all-purpose yards, 361 vs. Kalamazoo in 1923 (107 rushing, 174 kickoff returns, 80 punt returns). FULLBACK Neil Worden, Milwaukee, 1951-53 Worden led the Irish in rushing in 1951 and 1953. For his career, he totaled 2,039 yards on 476 car- ries with 29 touchdowns, adding 199 receiving yards on 29 catches. The Irish had a three-year record of 23-4-3 with Worden at fullback, just missing the national title in '53 with a 9-0-1 mark. Backups: Earl "Curly" Lambeau, Green Bay, 1918. Started as a freshman in his only year with the Irish and scored the first touchdown of the Rockne era; Dick Hanousek, Antigo, 1924-25. One of the "Shock Troops" who started games for 1924 champs at guard, then a fullback in '25. END Dave Casper, Chilton, 1971-73 "Ghost" started his Notre Dame career as a tackle before being moved to tight end. He was named the offensive MVP of the 1973 national champions. He made 21 receptions for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns in his career. He is a member of both the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame. Backup: Paul Host, LaCrosse, 1930-32. Host led the Irish in receiving in 1931 with six catches for 48 yards and 2 touchdowns. END Don Penza, Kenosha, 1951-53 A starter in 1952-53 and captain of the 1953 Irish, who finished 9-0-1 and ranked No. 2 in the country, Penza was a fierce two-way competitor who made 19 receptions during his Notre Dame career. Backup: Frank Kosikowski, Cudahy, 1946-47. Played for the Fleet City Navy service champions in World War II, then as a capable reserve behind Heisman Trophy winner Leon Hart. TACKLE Joe Kurth, Madison, 1930-32 Kurth was a three-year starter, including for the 1930 national champions, after transferring from Wisconsin. He earned consensus All-America hon- ors in 1931 and was a unanimous All-American in 1932. Backup: Ralph "Zipper " Lathrop, Fennimore, 1911-14. Played on the Irish line with Rockne as starting right tackle in 1913. TACKLE Fred Miller, Milwaukee, 1926-28 Captain of the 1928 Fighting Irish, Miller received All-America recognition as a senior in 1928. Backup: Steve Neece, Janesville, 1973-74. Start- ing left tackle for 1973 national champs. GUARD Tom Regner, Kenosha, 1964-66 Regner first gained fame as a defensive line- man. In 1964, he led Irish linemen with 68 tackles. Paving the way for powerful Irish running game in 1966, Regner earned consensus All-America honors. Backup: Torgus "Turk" Oaas, Merrill, 1910-11. Played on the Notre Dame line with Knute Rockne. GUARD Richard "Red" Smith, Combined Locks, 1925-26 The versatile Smith played both right guard and fullback for the 1926 Fighting Irish. He also cap- tained the Notre Dame baseball team. Backup: Neil Flinn, Superior, 1922. Better known as a top Notre Dame hockey player. CENTER John Pick, West Bend, 1900-01 Pick was the backup in 1900 and the starter in 1901, when Notre Dame went 8-1-1 and was de- clared Indiana state champion. Backup: Mike Kafka, Antigo, 1974. A reserve on Ara Parseghian's final Notre Dame team. DEFENSIVE END Brian Beidatsch, Milwaukee, 2002-05 A reliable backup at both defensive end and tackle. DEFENSIVE END Jeff Lueken, Racine, 1979-81 Lueken brought size and strength to his reserve role on the Irish line. DEFENSIVE TACKLE Jim Flanigan, Sturgeon Bay, 1990-93 Flanigan led Southern Door High School to a state championship in 1989. At Notre Dame, he teamed with Bryant Young on a stout defensive line that helped the Irish go 21-2-1 in 1992 and 1993. Backup: Greg Pauly, Waukesha, 2001-04, Devel- oped to become a starter in 2004. Notre Dame's All-Time Wisconsin Team Despite only measuring 5-7 and 145 pounds, quarterback Gus Dorais led Notre Dame to a 24-1-3 record from 1910-13. PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ARCHIVES