Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546068
BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM PRESEASON 2026 75 DEFENSIVE TACKLE Kevin Nosbusch, Milwaukee, 1972-74 A vital cog on the defensive line for the 1973 national champs, Nosbusch had 139 career tackles, 16 for loss. LINEBACKER Bob Olson, Superior, 1967-69 A two-time captain in 1968-69, Olson was a tack- ling machine with 369 career stops. The team MVP as a senior, Olson led the Irish in tackles all three seasons, while becoming a second-team All-American. LINEBACKER Pete Johnson, Fond du Lac, 1974-78 Johnson was a capable backup behind Irish stars Doug Becker and Bob Golic, and a member of the 1977 national champions. LINEBACKER Phil Johnson, Fond du Lac, 1977-78 He followed brother Pete as an all-state player in Wisconsin, then on to the Fighting Irish as a steady reserve. DEFENSIVE BACK Charles "Gus" Dorais A fearless defender, the pint-size Dorais had an eagle eye for opponents headed his way. DEFENSIVE BACK Jim Crowley "Sleepy Jim" gave the impression of being disin- terested — until it was time to stop the play. DEFENSIVE BACK Terry Brennan In addition to his offensive exploits, in 1946 Brennan made a key interception when the sec- ond-ranked Irish played to a 0-0 tie against No. 1 Army at a packed Yankee Stadium in a matchup dubbed "The Game of the Century." DEFENSIVE BACK Ross Christensen, Racine, 1974-77 Backed up Jim Browner at strong safety for the 1977 national champions and contributed 10 tackles. PUNTER Vince Phelan, Racine, 1986-87. Averaged 40.7 yards on 51 punts. KICKER Jim Crowley Made 20 conversions for the 1924 national champions. HOLDER Greg Knaflec, Green Bay, 1977-79 A backup quarterback to Joe Montana, Knaflec became a reliable special teams player. Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jim@ndfootballhistory.com jo i n us green bay in Rockne-Lambeau Football Festival The Knute Rockne Memorial Society is pleased to present this multi-day, multi- event celebration of the deep football connections between the University of Notre Dame and Green Bay, Wisconsin. To keep informed on all that is planned, please drop a line to Jim@NDFootballHistory.com or call 612-242-3581. Go Irish! Sept. 3-6, 2026 – Green Bay, WI Jim Crowley earned All-America honors as one of the members of the famous Four Horsemen backfield for the 1924 national champs. PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ARCHIVES