Notre Dame Football: 10 best players in program history

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Joe Montana #16, back up Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers during the National Football Conference West Divisional Championship game against the Washington Redskins on 9 January 1993 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 20 – 13. (Photo by Otto Gruele Jr/Allsport/Getty Images) /

Joe Montana Career Statistics, 1974-1978

Games Played: 27
Completions: 268
Pass Attempts: 515
Passing Yards: 4,121
Passing Touchdowns: 25
Passing Yards per Game: 152.6
Carries: 129
Rushing Yards: 104
Rushing Touchdowns: 14
Notables: 1977 National Champion

The man known as “Joe Cool” first became to be known as that during his days as the quarterback of the Fighting Irish. Joe Montana was not setting the world ablaze when he played for Notre Dame, but he was definitely a legend in every sense of the word. He finished his career with 4,121 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.

Montana saw playing time as a sophomore, playing in seven games and was expected to be the starter for 1976, but a shoulder injury allowed the use of a redshirt and an extra year. He returned in 1977 and led the Irish to a national championship, throwing for 1,604 yards. In 1978, he had his best statistical season, throwing for 2,010 yards and ten touchdowns.

It was also in 1978 that introduced himself to the nation in the “Chicken Soup Game”, when a very ill Montana led the Irish from a 34-12 deficit to beat the Houston Cougars 35-34 in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Montana would play 15 years in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, winning four Super Bowls and is arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time.

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