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June 27, 2009
By The Numbers: 34-35
by
LOU SOMOGYI
Senior Editor
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#34
First Team: Lawrence “Buck” Shaw (1919-21)
A three-year starter for Knute Rockne, first at left tackle and then right tackle his last two seasons, Shaw was on Notre Dame teams that finished 28-1 during his career and earned second-team All-America notice as a senior. He also converted 38 of his 39 PAT attempts (.974), a Notre Dame record until 1976.
Shaw received even greater fame as a head coach and was known as “The Silver Fox.” In college he was 62-29-8 and led Santa Clara to consecutive Sugar Bowl victories over LSU in 1937 and 1938. In 1962, Santa Clara named its new stadium after him, and the school’s soccer teams still play there. Later, Shaw became the first varsity head coach of the Air Force Academy.
In the NFL, Shaw was the first head coach of the San Francisco 49ers before leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their last NFL Championship in 1960, his final season as a coach. The Eagles were bottom feeders in the league when he took over in 1958, but three seasons later he led them to the title with a 17-13 victory over Green Bay — the only time in six tries Vince Lombardi lost a championship game.
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Pritchett (right) combined with Stonebreaker (center) and Stams (left) to help lead the Irish to a national championship in 1988.
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Second Team: Wes Pritchett (1984-88)
If an “All-Underrated” Notre Dame team were ever assembled, Pritchett would be a first-team linebacker.
One of the “Three Amigos” with 1988 first-team All-Americans Frank Stams and Michael Stonebreaker, it was middle linebacker Pritchett who actually led the national champs in tackles with 112, even though his job description sometimes had him running interference for the other linebackers.
Irish defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Barry Alvarez told Notre Dame’s sports information department that Pritchett failing to receive even honorable mention All-America notice was unjust.
A true physical presence at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, Pritchett had an appetite for destruction on the gridiron, yet off the field could recite a Shakespearian soliloquy. He also provided levity with his antics, including asking to borrow a cigar during one practice from former Blue & Gold Illustrated editor Tim Prister and taking it with him into the huddle,
Third Team: Vontez Duff (2000-03)
The first and still lone Notre Dame player to score touchdowns in the same season (2002) on interception, punt and kickoff returns. The third-team AP All-America pick and a three-year starter, he combined with consensus first-team All-America Shane Walton to give Notre Dame one of its best pair of cornerbacks. The secondary was the heart of the 8-0 start in 2002 under first-year head coach Tyrone Willingham.
Honorable Mention & Notes: Although slowed by an injury as a senior, fullback Ray Zellars (1991-94) enjoyed a fine career with 1,135 yards rushing, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He was a second-round NFL pick.
Paul Limont started for the 1943 national champs at left end but was fourth team on the 1946 champs after coming back from World War II. That tells you the type of talent Notre Dame had in the 1940s.
Bob Saggau (1938-40) led the 8-1 team of 1938 in rushing with 353 yards on 60 carries, or nearly six yards per pop.
#35
First Team: Frank Leahy (1928-30)
Probably not the best athlete to wear this number at Notre Dame…but there never will be anyone more famous.
He was a regular in most games at tackle for the 1929 national champs despite a severe arm injury. When Knute Rockne asked Leahy how his arm was feeling, the youngster would show him it was fine by moving it without any problem — only Rockne wasn’t aware that it was the healthy arm Leahy was moving.
Scheduled to start for the 1930 national champs, Leahy tore his knee cartilage prior to the season. He tried to suit up later, but when Rockne asked him to do a sprint, Leahy crumpled in agony after a few yards.
“You’ve got more guts than brains,” Rockne told him.
While recuperating at the Mayo Clinic with Rockne during his senior year, Leahy developed the itch for coaching.
A chip off the ol’ Rock, indeed.
Second Team: Bill Wolski (1963-65)
The leading rusher during Ara Parseghian’s miracle season in 1964, Wolski totaled 657 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. He added 452 yards and eight more scores the ensuing season, with five of the tallies coming in a 69-13 demolition of Pitt.
Nicknamed “Jeep” because of his compact, stout build, he was a template of the Parseghian/Tom Pagna back — not the biggest, not the fastest, but will, guile and heart that could not be beaten.
Third Team: Ryan Mihalko (1988-91)
Although a backup for fullbacks such as Anthony Johnson, Rodney Culver and Jerome Bettis throughout his career, Mihalko was a special teams mainstay. He was so respected by teammates, they honored him by selecting him for the prestigious Nick Pietrosante Award for his teamwork, commitment, loyalty and spirit.
Honorable Mention & Notes: John Cieszkowski (1969-71) was a regular at fullback his last two seasons and the leading rusher in the 24-11 upset of No. 1 Texas in the 1971 Cotton Bowl.
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