Part of the problem with playinig the toughest schedule but no respite. The injuries mount up particularly starting out with 85 scholarship players and a traveling squad of 60.
Back around '01 ND played Tennessee. Something like 8 or 10 ND and UTN starters missed the next game and if I recall correctly both teams lost.
Back in '66 when ND played MSU in the Game of The Century. All-American Nick Eddy, a starting HB, that's a halfback, was out before the game reinjuring a shoulder. ND's center, Goeddeke, and QB, Hanratty, were lost for the game in the 1st Q. Coley O'Brien the backup QB had recently been diagnosed with Diabetes. This was in the primitive days that Doctor McCoy (the original Startrek - ask your grandparents) referred to with, "I'm a Doctor Jim, not a witch doctor!" Well there were no epipens, no instant glucose meters. To try and balance Coley's dizziness from suger imbalance they fed him candy bars during the game.
Of course back then, concussion? Give him and aspirin and get 'em back in there.
There were also no scholarship limits back then. The Top 10 teams had third sting players better than most teams first teams. The next week missing 3 All-Americans ND beat #10 Southern Cal 51-0 to run away with the National Title.
