Looking back at Notre Dame’s big win over Oklahoma in 1952

In the annals of college football history, few victories resonate with as much significance and symbolism as Notre Dame’s triumph over Oklahoma in 1952. This landmark game not only marked a stunning upset for the Fighting Irish but also served as the bookend to Oklahoma’s remarkable 47-game win streak, a streak that would come to define an era in collegiate football. As Notre Dame emerged victorious on that fateful day, it not only halted the Sooners’ unprecedented dominance but also set the stage for a storied rivalry that would culminate in another pivotal moment five years later when Notre Dame once again shattered Oklahoma’s hopes of continued supremacy in 1957. This clash transcended mere competition; it became a saga of tradition, resilience, and the ever-unpredictable nature of the gridiron.

The following snippet is from the December 5, 1952 issue of the Scholastic Magazine, containing the 1952 Football review, and was written by Tom Foote.

Irish Spirit Triumphs Over Oklahoma

written by Tom Foote

Notre Dame, Ind., Nov. 8—An inspired, courageous band of Fighting Irishmen came from behind three times on this hazy autumn afternoon to upset the splendid and highly-favored Oklahoma Sooners 27-21 in a titanic struggle that will go down as a classic in Notre Dame football lore.

The undefeated Oklahomans, rated No. 4 in the nation, came to South Bend expecting to add to their national championship hopes with a crushing win over the Irish in the first encounter between the two teams. But it was only the great running of the Sooners magnificent Billy Vessels that kept them in the game at all.

Vessels racked up all three Sooner touchdowns and accumulated 195 yards in 17 carries, but his individual efforts were more than nullified by a galaxy of Irish stars that luminated the gridiron before a capacity throng of 57,000 and a national TV audience of an estimated 30,000,000.

From the very start there was little doubt that the Irish were keyed to turn the Game of the Year into the Upset of the Year. Directed by Tom Carey, they stormed down to the Sooner 2-yard line the second time they got the ball. A penalty set the Irish back at this point, and Bob Arrix’s eventual field goal attempt from the 8-yard line failed.

The Wilkinson-coached Sooners drew first blood late in the first quarter after a poor ND punt gave them possession on the Irish 28. T-magician Eddie Crowder flipped a short pass to Vessels, who scampered the remaining 20 yards untouched, and Buddy Leake converted the first of his three successful attempts.

Then late in the second period the Irish put together a scoring drive of 3.9 yards to tie the game at 7-7. Ralph Guglielmi threw a 16-yard pass to Joe Heap for the touchdown and Arrix converted to deadlock the count. Just two minutes later, Vessels shot through the right side of the Irish line, cut over to the east sideline, and rocketed 62 yards to give the Sooners a 14-7 halftime advantage. It looked then as if the heralded Sooner offense might eventually run away with the game in the second half.

But Irish hopes surged again when the Leahymen marched in 15 plays from their own 20 to the Sooner 6 after receiving the kickoff. At this point, Keller of Oklahoma recovered an Irish bobble, but a few plays later, Lattner intercepted a Crowder aerial and blasted his way 20 yards to the Sooner 7. Worden smashed over in three plays, and Arrix made it 14-14.

Yet, the third play after the kickoff found Billy Vessels again wandering loose in the Irish secondary, and the brilliant All-American threaded and sped his way 47 yards for the third Oklahoma touchdown.

This turn of events, which would have demoralized many a lesser team, only served to spark the Irish to greater heights. After receiving the kickoff, they marched 79 yards in 12 plays to tie up the game again. A 36-yard pass play from Heap to Lattner had put the Irish on the Sooner 27, and Carey then called on Worden for the next seven plays. “The Bull” responded by powering into the end zone for the final yard, just after the fourth quarter opened. Arrix, under great pressure for the third time, converted to make it 21-21.

One minute later and Notre Dame was in front to stay, after one of the most devastating tackles ever witnessed in the Irish Stadium. Larry Grigg grabbed Mavraides’ kickoff on the 6 and dashed to the 24 where he was met by one Dan Shannon in a collision that rocked the Stadium and sent reverberations all the way back to the Sooner state, where the echoes will continue to haunt the Oklahomans for some time to come.

The ball was knocked loose from Grigg (or better said, Grigg was knocked loose from the ball) and Al Kohanowich recovered for the Irish.

Lattner then stormed 17 yards to the 7 and Carey quickly pulled the Sooners offside by shifting from the T into the box formation. This placed the ball on the 2, and after Worden barreled to the 1-footline, Carey sneaked over as Irish fans went wild. Arrix’s try for extra point was blocked, but as things turned out, it was not needed.

Thirteen minutes remained in the game and with it plenty of scoring chances for the potent Sooners. But the superb defensive play of the Irish, an important factor throughout the game, rose to the occasion to stymie the Big Seven champs, as the Sooners failed to advance beyond the Irish 30 in the closing minutes.

And when Reynolds emphatically batted down Vessel’s last desperation pass and the final gun sounded, students, alumni, and rooters in general rushed onto the field, hoisted Irish stars to their shoulders and marched them off the field in an impressive victory celebration.

Next week, I will continue my offseason blog series, which will take a look at some of the memorable Notre Dame matchups. Next week, I am going to feature the 1976 matchup between Notre Dame and the University of Alabama, exploring the thrilling moments and enduring legacies that emerged from this iconic encounter.

Do you have any suggestions for games I should feature? Please send them my way!

Cheers & GO IRISH!