After Knute Rockney passed away, Notre Dame tapped Heartley “Hunk” Anderson who came from a coaching stint in Saint Louis with a record of 16 wins, nine losses, and two ties. He was also once a Notre Dame player under the guidance of Rockne, and an assistant coach.
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| Image source: chicagotribune.com |
Under Anderson, the Fighting Irish took home six wins, two losses, and a draw in 1931. Their first win came against Indiana with a lopsided 25-0 result. They tied with Northwestern in their second game. Notre Dame’s third game showcased their power as they steamrolled over a helpless Drake squad, 63-0. They defeated Pittsburgh next and kept Carnegie, Mellon, Pennsylvania, and Navy scoreless. Their second loss that year though was a tough one against USC, with a score of 16-14. And they ended the season on a low note losing to Army, 12-0.
The following year, Anderson’s Fighting Irish destroyed their first three opponents with an average margin of over 50 points. They lost to Pittsburgh, 12-0, but won their next four games. What followed was as rough a time as any, with Notre Dame losing four games in a row, without scoring a single point. They closed out the season winning three in a row, including a revenge win against bitter rivals, Army.
Heartley Anderson resigned after the 1933 season and accepted a head coach post at NC State.
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| Image source: Wikipedia.com |
Hello, I’mTom Colton, and I’m studying at the University of Notre Dame. I follow the Fighting Irish whenever I can. For more on my favorite football team, follow me on Twitter.

