Notre Dame's Greatest Backfield and the 1953 Undefeated Season

by Donald J. Hubbard and Mark O. Hubbard

Foreword by Joe Doyle

The 1949 Fighting Irish were National Champions. A year later, they struggled to break even at 4-4-1. It was time to rebuild- and quickly. Forgotten Four is the story of the recruiting, training ans growth of one of the finest teams in Notre Dame history, the 1953 Irish, led by Ralph Guglielmi, Johnny Lattner, Joe Heap and Neil Worden, arguably the best backfield in the school's storied history.

This book goes behind the headlines and beyond Cartier Field to provide a vivid picture of student life at Notre Dame in the early 'fifties’ from the strict rules, enforced by Fr. Charles “Black Mac” McCarragher, to the chapel attendance checks, lights out at 11 p.m. and zero tolerance for tardiness. But it was also a time for change: the first African-American athletes suited up in football and basketball, with the famous Milk Riot of 1952 signalling a bit of student independence, and the new regime of Fathers Hesburgh and Joyce spearheading the march to excellence.

Coming off identical 7-2-1 records in 1951 and 1952, the 1953 Irish conquered one of the toughest schedules in collegiate football history. Now mandated to play single platoon football, ND outscored their opponents 317-139: only a tie with Iowa prevented their unanimous selection as National Champions. It turned out to be the legendary Frank Leahy's final season as head coach. He said of the 1953 Irish, “In my opinion, this is the greatest football team Notre Dame has ever had...It is not often a team faces a terrific schedule like ours and escapes defeat.”

These were the Fighting Irish of Guglielmi, Lattner, Heap and Worden and of Don Penza, Art Hunter, Minnie Mavraides, Sam Palumbo Jim Schrader, Dick Szymanski, Frank Varrichione, Ray Lemek, Dan Shannon, Pat Bisceglia, Jack Lee and many more.

This is their story.

$22.95