Notre Dame football: Top 10 quarterbacks in program history
By Jacob Wilson
9. Terry Hanratty (1966-68)
Terry Hanratty started his college career off with a bang, completing 53 percent of his passes for 1,247 yards, eight touchdowns, and ten interceptions while delivering the Irish to a controversial championship tie against Michigan State. In the closing minutes of the game, Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian opted to run out the clock instead of going for the win, due in part to Hanratty’s injury.
Hanratty would put up a mediocre junior year, tossing for 1,439 yards with only nine touchdowns to 15 interceptions. However, Hanratty would rebound the following year, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 1,466 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Hanratty added four rushing scores to a statline that would lead him to All-American honors for the second time in three years.
The 1968 season had more in store for Hanratty, however, as the senior would finish third in both completion percentage and Heisman voting. Hanratty would go on to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 30th overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft.