Brown made six starts in 1971 and completed 56 of 111 passes for 669 yards with four touchdowns and
nine interceptions, while also rushing for 253 yards and two scores.
photo courtesy notre dame media relations
Blue-Gold Game. One year later in his
career, he was a kickoff specialist. He
started the season as a kicker in 1971,
splitting time with future NFL veteran
Bob Thomas before Thomas took over
the duties.
Becoming The Starter
Notre Dame was Sports Illustrated's
preseason pick in 1971 to win the na-
tional title, but the one question mark
was who would replace Theismann.
Pat Steeenberge began the year there
with Bill Etter, but both veterans suffered injuries, with Etter tearing up his
knee at Miami early in the fourth game.
The "peoples' choice" was Jim Bulger,
whose son Marc would be a future NFL
quarterback, but Brown was inserted in
place of Etter and directed a 17-0 victory
