Notre Dame Football: 10 best players in program history

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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 07: A member of Notre Dame Fighting Irish holds up his helmet on the opening kickoff during the game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 7, 2006 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Johnny Lujack Career Statistics, 1942-43 & 1946-47

Games Played: 28
Completions: 144
Pass Attempts: 280
Passing Yards: 2,094
Passing Yards per Game: 74.7
Passing Touchdowns: 18
Carries: 81
Rushing Yards: 438
Notables: 1943, 1946 & 1947 National Champion, 1947 Heisman Trophy, 1947 AP Male Athlete of the Year, 1946 & 1947 Unanimous First Team All-American.

Johnny Lujack’s career was different to say the least. He arrived at Notre Dame in 1942 and became starting quarterback in 1943 for his sophomore season. However, following the conclusion of his sophomore season, he was called into action in World War II and returned in time for the 1946 season and would light up the statbooks his final two years.

As a sophomore Lujack threw for 525 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another 191 yards. When he returned for his junior season in 1946, his numbers jumped to 778 yards and five touchdowns and 108 yards rushing. His senior season was by far his best, throwing for 791 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 139 yards, which won him the Heisman Trophy.

Along with the Heisman, Lujack was named AP Male Athlete of the Year and was two-time Unanimous All-American and a three-time national champion in his career. Lujack would play for the Chicago Bears for three years before retiring in 1952.

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