1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
American college football season
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The 1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. The Irish, coached by Dan Devine, ended the season with 11 wins and one loss, winning the national championship. The Fighting Irish won the title by defeating the previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic by a score of a 38–10.[2] The 1977 squad became the tenth Irish team to win the national title and were led by All-Americans Ken MacAfee, Ross Browner, Luther Bradley, and Bob Golic. Junior Joe Montana, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, was the team's starting quarterback.
ConferenceIndependent
CoachesNo. 1
APNo. 1
Record11–1
| 1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football | |
|---|---|
Consensus national champion Cotton Bowl Classic champion | |
| Conference | Independent |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 1 |
| AP | No. 1 |
| Record | 11–1 |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Merv Johnson (3rd season) |
| Offensive scheme | Pro set |
| Defensive coordinator | Joe Yonto |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Captains |
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| Home stadium | Notre Dame Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 Notre Dame | – | – | 11 | – | 1 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 Penn State | – | – | 11 | – | 1 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colgate | – | – | 10 | – | 1 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Texas State * | – | – | 10 | – | 1 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 16 San Diego State | – | – | 10 | – | 1 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee State | – | – | 8 | – | 1 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 14 Florida State | – | – | 10 | – | 2 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8 Pittsburgh | – | – | 9 | – | 2 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East Carolina | – | – | 8 | – | 3 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rutgers | – | – | 8 | – | 3 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | – | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisville | – | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati | – | – | 5 | – | 4 | – | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memphis State | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern State | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syracuse | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William & Mary | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Miss | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Temple | – | – | 5 | – | 5 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | – | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Navy | – | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Virginia | – | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | – | – | 5 | – | 7 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utah State | – | – | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Villanova | – | – | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois State | – | – | 3 | – | 7 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia Tech | – | – | 3 | – | 7 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miami (FL) | – | – | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Richmond | – | – | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulane | – | – | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Air Force | – | – | 2 | – | 8 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Holy Cross | – | – | 2 | – | 8 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northeast Louisiana | – | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dan Devine entered his third year as head coach, coming off of a 9–3 season in 1976 that culminated in a Gator Bowl win over Penn State.[3] Devine returned a highly touted defense, featuring 1976 Outland Trophy winner Ross Browner, defensive end Willie Fry, and All-American linebacker Bob Golic.[3] On offense, quarterback Joe Montana earned the starting job and led an offense that included running backs Jerome Heavens and Vagas Ferguson and All-American tight end Ken MacAfee.[3] Montana, earned a reputation as "the comeback kid", had two come from behind victories in the fourth quarter, against Purdue and Clemson, down 17 and 10 respectively.[3] After a surprising loss to unranked Ole Miss, patience among the fans was running thin, who considered Devine's previous 8–3 and 9–3 seasons as lackluster compared to the team success under Devine's predecessor, Ara Parseghian.[4] The Irish rebounded to win their remaining games, including a 49–19 rout of USC in the now famous "Green Jersey Game."[4] The Irish earned a berth in the Cotton Bowl Classic, where they defeated No. 1 and unbeaten Texas by a score of 38–10 to capture Notre Dame's tenth national title.[3] The Irish leaped four spots in the polls after the Cotton Bowl Classic victory to claim the consensus title.[3]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 10 | 3:50 p.m. | at No. 7 Pittsburgh | No. 3 | ABC | W 19–9 | 56,500 | [5] | |
| September 17 | 2:30 p.m. | vs. Ole Miss | No. 3 | L 13–20 | 48,200 | [6] | ||
| September 24 | 2:30 p.m. | at Purdue | No. 11 | W 31–24 | 68,966 | [7] | ||
| October 1 | 2:30 p.m. | Michigan State | No. 14 | W 16–6 | 59,075 | [8] | ||
| October 15 | 1:30 p.m. | vs. Army | No. 11 | W 24–0 | 72,594 | [9] | ||
| October 22 | 1:50 p.m. | No. 5 USC | No. 11 |
| ABC | W 49–19 | 59,075 | [10] |
| October 29 | 2:30 p.m. | Navy | No. 5 |
| W 43–10 | 59,075 | [11] | |
| November 5 | 1:30 p.m. | Georgia Tech | No. 5 |
| W 69–14 | 59,075 | [12] | |
| November 12 | 1:30 p.m. | at No. 15 Clemson | No. 5 | W 21–17 | 53,467–54,189 | [13][14] | ||
| November 19 | 1:30 p.m. | Air Force | No. 6 |
| W 49–0 | 59,075 | [15] | |
| December 3 | 8:00 p.m. | at Miami (FL) | No. 5 | W 48–10 | 35,789 | [16] | ||
| January 2, 1978 | 2:00 p.m. | vs. No. 1 Texas | No. 5 | CBS | W 38–10 | 76,701 | [17] | |
| ||||||||
Game summaries
Pittsburgh
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0–0) at Pittsburgh Panthers (0–0)
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 0 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 19 |
| Pittsburgh | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Date: September 10, 1977
- Game attendance: 56,500
- Referee: Paul Bertha
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Ara Parseghian
- Recap
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Ole Miss
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1–0) at Ole Miss Rebels
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Ole Miss | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Mississippi
- Date: September 17, 1977
- Game weather: Sunny, 90 °F (32 °C)
- Game attendance: 48,200
- Recap
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Ole Miss gave the eventual national champion Notre Dame its only loss of the season.
Purdue
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Notre Dame | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 | 31 |
| Purdue | 10 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
- Date: September 24
- Location: Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
- Game attendance: 68,966
| 1 | PUR | Scott Sovereen 25-yard field goal | PUR 3-0 | |
| 1 | PUR | Reggie Arnold 8-yard pass from Mark Herrmann (Scott Sovereen kick) | PUR 10-0 | |
| 2 | ND | Terry Eurick 6-yard pass from Rusty Lisch (Dave Reeve kick) | PUR 10-7 | |
| 2 | ND | Terry Eurick 18-yard pass from Rusty Lisch (Dave Reeve kick) | ND 14-10 | |
| 2 | PUR | Raymond Smith 37-yard pass from Mark Herrmann (Scott Sovereen kick) | PUR 17-14 | |
| 2 | PUR | Russell Pope 43-yard pass from Mark Herrmann (Scott Sovereen kick) | PUR 24-14 | |
| 4 | ND | Dave Reeve 24-yard field goal | PUR 24-17 | |
| 4 | ND | Ken MacAfee 13-yard pass from Joe Montana (Dave Reeve kick) | Tied 24-24 | |
| 4 | 1:39 | ND | Dave Mitchell 4-yard run (Dave Reeve kick) | ND 31-24 |
Michigan State
Michigan St at #14 Notre Dame
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan St | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| • Notre Dame | 0 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
- Date: October 1
- Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
| 1 | MSU | Nielsen 38-yard field goal | MSU 3-0 | |
| 2 | ND | Reeve 42-yard field goal | Tied 3-3 | |
| 2 | ND | Mitchell 9-yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 10-3 | |
| 3 | ND | Reeve 40-yard field goal | ND 13-3 | |
| 3 | ND | Reeve 51-yard field goal | ND 16-3 | |
| 4 | MSU | Nielsen 37-yard field goal | ND 16-6 | |
Army
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Notre Dame | 0 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
- Date: October 15
- Location: Giants Stadium
- Game attendance: 72,594
| Q2 | ND | Heavens 3 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 7–0 | |
| Q2 | ND | Reeve 29 yard field goal | ND 10–0 | |
| Q3 | ND | Eurick 2 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 17–0 | |
| Q4 | ND | Eurick 3 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 24–0 | |
- ND: Jerome Heavens 34 Rush, 200 Yds (single game school record - Sitko 1948 vs. Michigan St)[19]
USC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 19 |
| • Notre Dame | 7 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 49 |
- Date: October 22
- Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
- Game attendance: 59,075
- Referee: Glenn Fortin (Big Ten)
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles
| 1 | ND | Dave Mitchell 4-yard run (Dave Reeve kick) | ND 7-0 | |
| 2 | USC | Mario Celotto 5-yard fumble return (Frank Jordan kick) | Tied 7-7 | |
| 2 | ND | Joe Montana 1-yard run (Ted Burgmeier to Tom Domin pass) | ND 15-7 | |
| 2 | ND | Ken MacAfee 13-yard pass from Joe Montana (Dave Reeve kick) | ND 22-7 | |
| 3 | ND | Jay Case 30-yard blocked punt return (Dave Reeve kick) | ND 29-7 | |
| 3 | ND | Ken MacAfee 1-yard pass from Joe Montana (kick failed) | ND 35-7 | |
| 4 | ND | Joe Montana 1-yard run (Dave Reeve kick) | ND 42-7 | |
| 4 | USC | Calvin Sweeney 14-yard pass from Rob Hertel (Frank Jordan kick) | ND 42-14 | |
| 4 | ND | Kevin Hart 4-yard pass from Rusty Lisch (Dave Reeve kick) | ND 49-14 | |
Notre Dame wore green jerseys for the first time since their 1963 game against Syracuse.
Navy
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| • Notre Dame | 7 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 43 |
- Date: October 29
- Location: Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, Indiana
- Game attendance: 59,075
| 1 | ND | Heavens 49-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 7-0 | |
| 2 | ND | Reeve 34-yard field goal | Notre Dame 10-0 | |
| 2 | ND | Reeve 24-yard field goal | Notre Dame 13-0 | |
| 2 | ND | Reeve 32-yard field goal | Notre Dame 16-0 | |
| 3 | ND | Montana 1-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 23-0 | |
| 3 | NAVY | Tata 46-yard field goal | Notre Dame 23-3 | |
| 3 | ND | Mitchell 7-yard pass from Montana (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 30-3 | |
| 4 | ND | Stone 58-yard run (kick failed) | Notre Dame 36-3 | |
| 4 | NAVY | McConkey 7-yard pass from Powers (Tata kick) | Notre Dame 36-10 | |
| 4 | ND | Leopold 50-yard pass interception return (Unis kick) | Notre Dame 43-10 | |
Notre Dame wore green jerseys for the second straight week.
Georgia Tech
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| • Notre Dame | 0 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 69 |
- Date: November 5
- Location: Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, Indiana
- Game start: 1:30 pm EST
- Game attendance: 59,075
| 2 | ND | Montana 1-yard run (kick failed) | Notre Dame 6-0 | |
| 2 | GT | Ivery 97-yard kickoff return (Smith kick) | Ga. Tech 7-6 | |
| 2 | ND | Eurick 8-yard pass from Montana (Montana run) | Notre Dame 14-7 | |
| 2 | ND | Haines 18-yard pass from Montana (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 21-7 | |
| 3 | ND | Waymer 68-yard pass from Montana (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 28-7 | |
| 3 | ND | Heavens 2-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 35-7 | |
| 3 | ND | Ferguson 1-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 42-7 | |
| 4 | ND | Ferguson 56-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 49-7 | |
| 4 | ND | Stone 14-yard pass from Lisch (kick failed) | Notre Dame 55-7 | |
| 4 | ND | Stone 21-yard run (Unis kick) | Notre Dame 62-7 | |
| 4 | ND | S. Hart 31-yard pass from Koegel (Unis kick) | Notre Dame 69-7 | |
| 4 | GT | D. Hill 18-yard pass from Hardie (Smith kick) | Notre Dame 69-14 | |
Notre Dame wore green jerseys for the third straight week, and for every home game through the end of the 1980 season. The 69 points were the second most ever scored at Notre Dame Stadium.
Clemson
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Notre Dame | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| Clemson | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
- Date: November 12
- Location: Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
- Game start: 1:30 pm EST
- Game attendance: 54,189
| 1 | ND | Heavens 5-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 7-0 | |
| 2 | Clem | Ariri 30-yard field goal | Notre Dame 7-3 | |
| 2 | Clem | Fuller 10-yard run (Ariri kick) | Clemson 10-7 | |
| 3 | Clem | Brown 1-yard run (Ariri kick) | Clemson 17-7 | |
| 4 | ND | Montana 2-yard run (Reeve kick) | Clemson 17-14 | |
| 4 | ND | Montana 1-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 21-17 | |
This was the first-ever meeting between Notre Dame and Clemson.
Air Force
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Notre Dame | 21 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
- Date: November 19
- Location: Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, Indiana
- Game start: 1:30 pm EST
- Game attendance: 59,075
- Game weather: cloudy, 40 degrees
| 1 | ND | Ferguson 56-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 7-0 | |
| 1 | ND | Ferguson 9-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 14-0 | |
| 1 | ND | Heavens 1-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 21-0 | |
| 2 | ND | Ferguson 2-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 28-0 | |
| 2 | ND | Haines 33-yard pass from Montana (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 35-0 | |
| 3 | ND | Eurick 2-yard run (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 42-0 | |
| 4 | ND | Schmitz 11-yard pass from Lisch (Reeve kick) | Notre Dame 49-0 | |
This was the final game for Air Force head coach Ben Martin after 20 seasons. It also remains the most lopsided game in the 30-game series between Notre Dame and Air Force (the Fighting Irish lead 24–6).
Miami (FL)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Notre Dame | 14 | 6 | 21 | 7 | 48 |
| Miami (FL) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
- Date: December 3
- Location: Miami Orange Bowl
- Game attendance: 35,789
| Q1 | ND | Ferguson 11 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 7–0 | |
| Q1 | ND | Leopold 17 yard interception return (Reeve kick) | ND 14–0 | |
| Q2 | MIA | Dennis 38 yard field goal | ND 14–3 | |
| Q2 | MIA | Alvers 35 yard pass from McMillian (Dennis kick) | ND 14–10 | |
| Q2 | ND | Ferguson 23 yard pass from Montana (kick failed) | ND 20–10 | |
| Q3 | ND | MacAfee 4 yard pass from Montana (Reeve kick) | ND 27–10 | |
| Q3 | ND | Mitchell 3 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 34–10 | |
| Q3 | ND | MacAfee 5 yard pass from Montana (Reeve kick) | ND 41–10 | |
| Q4 | ND | Lisch 1 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 48–10 | |
Texas (Cotton Bowl)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Notre Dame | 3 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Texas | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
- Location: Cotton Bowl
- Game attendance: 76,701
- Game weather: Sunny; 35 °F (2 °C)
| Q1 | 11:35 | ND | Reeve 47 yard field goal | ND 3–0 |
| Q1 | 6:07 | TEX | Erxleben 42 yard field goal | Tie 3–3 |
| Q2 | 14:56 | ND | Eurick 6 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 10–3 |
| Q2 | 11:37 | ND | Eurick 10 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 17–3 |
| Q2 | 7:28 | ND | Ferguson 17 yard pass from Montana (Reeve kick) | ND 24–3 |
| Q2 | 0:00 | TEX | Lockett 13 yard pass from McEachern (Erxeleben kick) | ND 24–10 |
| Q3 | 6:49 | ND | Ferguson 3 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 31–10 |
| Q4 | 9:41 | ND | Ferguson 26 yard run (Reeve kick) | ND 38–10 |
Roster
| 1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Award winners
Heisman Trophy voting
- Ken MacAfee, 3rd[27]
- Ross Browner, 5th[27]
| Name | AP | UPI | NEA | FC | SN | FW | FN | WCF | CW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| † Ross Browner, DE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| † Ken MacAfee, TE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ‡ Luther Bradley, DB | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Ernie Hughes, G | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| Bob Golic, MG (MLB) | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Willie Fry, DE | 2 | ||||||||
| Ted Burgmeier, DB | 2 | ||||||||
| †denotes unanimous selection ‡denotes consensus selection | |||||||||
Source:[2]
| Name | Position | Year Inducted |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Browner | Defensive end | 1999 |
| Dan Devine | Coach | 1985 |
| Ken MacAfee | Tight end | 1997 |
1978 NFL draft
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken MacAfee | Tight end | 1(7) | 7 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Ross Browner | Defensive end | 1(8) | 8 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Luther Bradley | Defensive back | 1(11) | 11 | Detroit Lions |
| Willie Fry | Defensive end | 2(23) | 49 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Ernie Hughes | Guard | 3(23) | 79 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Ted Burgmeier | Defensive back | 5(1) | 111 | Miami Dolphins |
| Steve McDaniels | Tackle | 9(27) | 249 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Doug Becker | Linebacker | 10(18) | 268 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
Source:[29]