1952 season
55th season of men's interhall football, 6th season of the Napolitanic Era
Season Summary
League Director: Dominic Napolitano
Duration of season: October 6 - November 9
Total teams: 8
Games scheduled: 15
Interhall champion: Breen-Phillips (4-0-1)
Season Schedule
Interhall Championship
Breen-Phillips Edges Off-Campus Eleven, 7-6, For 1952 Interhall Football Championship
The battling freshmen of Breen-Phillips came from behind last Sunday to defeat a fine Off-Campus squad 7-6 before a small crowd at Cartier Field. The eastern division titlists rallied with less than three minutes left in the game as quarterback Dick Rust plunged over from the one. On the crucial extra point attempt Rust pitched out to halfback Tom Caplet who circled his own right end for the deciding marker.
Off-Campus had taken a six-point lead early in the second quarter when Jim Pudlowski passed to Don Yarr from 13 yards out. The touchdown was set up by a bad pass from center to Rust, who fumbled while attempting to punt. At this point the rough B-P line stiffened as they tried to preserve their unscored upon defensive record. After three successive rushing plays Pudlowski fired a perfect pass to Yarr, who raced untouched into the end zone.
Taking the ensuing kickoff, Breen Phillips picked up a first down only to be halted again by the Off-Campus line. This time Rust got his punt away and it rolled dead on the Off-Campus eight yard line. With Red Updike and Pudlowski alternating at tailback the O-C gridders drove all the way to the B-P 30. At this point John Raub and Walt Peeney, freshmen tacklers, broke through to spill the O-C passers for two consecutive losses as the half ended.
The third quarter featured a pair of pass interceptions by Tom Denk and Danny Yarr, but neither team could get rolling. As the quarter ended and the minutes began ticking away it looked as if Marty Vieth's O-C team was going to take the championship. However the freshmen were not to be denied. The entire right side of the B-P line broke through to block Ed Hogan's punt on his own 20 yard line. From there "Rink" Castorine and Tom Caplet battled down to the one from where Rust smashed over for the score. Caplet's deciding point followed and Breen-Phillips became the 1952 Interhall football champs.
Tom Welly, Notre Dame Scholastic Issue No. 8, 14 November 1952Talking points
Regular season
No forfeits during the season, although a game between St. Edward's and the Off-Campus team had to be replayed after it was determined that Off-Campus used ineligible players in the first game.
Multiple teams played against Indiana State Prison, including Morrissey, Dillon, and possibly Zahm.
Postseason
A poll was conducted by the eight interhall coaches and assistants to determine the "Hall Coach of the Year". Ralph Weiss of Breen-Phillips won with nine of sixteen votes, followed by Mark Vieth of Off-Campus.
Breen-Phillips and Cavanaugh played in a post-season playoff after compiling identical 2–0–1 records, the tie being between themselves. Breen-Phillips won in the rematch.
Breen-Phillips wore blue jerseys and was the "visitor" for the championship game while Off-Campus played host and wore green. The green-blue championship tradition had reportedly existed for a decade. First mention of any interhall team "hosting" a game.
Off-Campus reached the championship despite not winning a single game since 1935. Their last win before the 1951 season was a 32–0 thumping of Dillon, which also became the first team they defeated to break the streak.