Blue and Gold Illustrated

Nov. 9, 2015 Issue

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/594735

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 115 of 118

McCoy (Erie, 1967‑69) at tackle Nobody in college football history had a more per- fect career than Hart. No other player anywhere 1) never lost a game in his four seasons while winning three national titles, 2) won the Heisman Trophy and 3) was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Duranko and Gmitter were on the impregnable 1966 fortress of a defense that allowed only 24 points all year. Both played offense first before star- ring on defense. Three-year starter McCoy finished sixth in the Heisman balloting as a tackle in 1969 and was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. Linebackers: Myron Pottios (Van Vorhiss, 1958‑60), John Pergine (Norristown, 1965‑67) and Donn Grimm (Scottdale, 1987‑90) Pottios was the 1960 captain who led the team in tackles while also starting on offense and then was the 19th pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl three times during his 13-year pro career. Pergine arrived as a quarterback but became an All-American linebacker for the aforementioned dominant 1966 unit before going on to a seven-year pro career. His nine career interceptions are still the Irish record among linebackers. Grimm was a mainstay on the 12-1 team in 1989 with 93 tackles (second most), and his four career interceptions were mainly in crucial situations. Defensive Backs: John Lujack (Muncie, 1973, 1975‑77), Angelo Dabiero (Danora, 1959‑61), Shawn Wooden (Willow Grove, 1991‑95) and Dar‑ rin Walls (Pittsburgh, 2006‑10) Although renowned as a quarterback, 1947 Heis- man winner Lujack first made his mark at Notre Dame as a marvelous defender, and the most fa- mous tackle in school history was his stop of Army's Heisman winner Felix "Doc" Blanchard in the open field to help Notre Dame to the 1946 national title. As a rookie with the NFL's Chicago Bears, Lujack intercepted eight passes. The diminutive Dabiero was Notre Dame's top rusher in 1960 and 1961 — but he was also produc- tive on defense, intercepting a team-high five passes as a senior. Wooden was an effective nickel in 1993, highlighted by breaking up No. 1 Florida State's final pass into the end zone to clinch a 31-24 win. He then made 122 tackles his last two seasons, serving as a captain in 1995 before playing 10 years in the NFL. Walls was a three-year starter at corner and is in his fifth season in the NFL. Our nickel back would be 1956-58 quarterback Bob Williams (Wilkes-Barre), who also intercepted seven passes during his career, including near the goal line on Oklahoma's final play to end its NCAA-record 47- game winning streak in 1957. Kicking Game: Joe Perkowski (Wilkes‑Barre, 1959‑61) "Joe The Toe" made the famous 41-yard field goal to defeat Syracuse in 1961. We like the idea of Ismail and Watters as the return men. ✦ Turtle Creek's Leon Hart enjoyed a Notre Dame career that included three national titles, zero losses and a Heisman Trophy. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Blue and Gold Illustrated - Nov. 9, 2015 Issue