By Darin 
On November 27, 1943, football looked different. Amid the shadow of World War II, powerhouse service teams often dominated the collegiate landscape, setting the stage for one of the most stunning upsets in Notre Dame history. The undefeated and undisputed No. 1 Fighting Irish, led by future Heisman winner Johnny Lujack, traveled to Ross Field in Chicago to face the formidable Great Lakes Navy Training “Bluejackets.” The stakes were monumental: a victory would secure a perfect season and an undisputed National Championship for the Irish.
What transpired in Chicago was pure, heart-stopping drama.
The Great Lakes squad, consisting of top talent pulled from programs across the nation, proved to be Notre Dame’s toughest challenge all year. The game was a fierce, defensive battle, but the final minutes turned into an unforgettable offensive explosion. With time winding down and the Irish needing a score, they mounted a desperate drive. Running back Creighton Miller punched the ball in from the 1-yard line with just 1 minute and 6 seconds left on the clock, giving Notre Dame a dramatic 14-13 lead. The sideline erupted; victory seemed sealed.
But the Bluejackets were not done. Showing the resilience and discipline of a military unit, Great Lakes answered almost immediately. With only 38 seconds remaining, the Bluejackets unleashed a 46-yard touchdown pass that instantly silenced the Irish faithful and pushed the Navy team ahead, 19-14. Despite the efforts of Lujack and the Fighting Irish attack, time ran out, handing Notre Dame its first and only loss of the season.
The 19-14 defeat was a stunning blow. While Notre Dame still secured the consensus National Championship from several polls, the loss prevented them from claiming an undisputed title, forever leaving an asterisk next to their 1943 campaign. The Great Lakes Navy team cemented their place in history, proving that even the most dominant programs can be vulnerable, and delivering a powerful, late-game reminder of the intensity and unpredictability that defined wartime football.
Article from Nov 28, 1943 Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa)