My recollection was that Best was injured most of 1974

My recollection was that Best was injured most of 1974
by 1978Irish (2019-08-19 00:57:59)

In reply to: off the front page (link) posted by olson

Pennick was also injured and with Al Hunter suspended, ND was very weak at halfback. Fullback Wayne Bullock became the lead ball carrier for a run driven offense.

I have to believe that if he was healthy, Best would have played a lot in 1974, although there was the story that he was injured jumping out of a window in a SMC dorm.

Best played 7 games after fracturing his jaw in the opener

Best played against GT in the opener- and fractured his jaw on his 3rd carry of the season....IIRC Best did not start the game due to foot blisters he had developed in the pre-season.

He missed the next two games and came back with a oddly shaped face mask-with an overhang extended downward(to protect his jaw) in Game 4 vs Michigan ST

Best finished with 241 yds rushing in 7 games - 4th on the team(Bullock, Samuel and Clements finished 1 through 3)

Best missed the NW & Purdue games with the jaw injury...and later DNP vs Pitt & USC

Best's top rushing performance in '74 was vs Air Force = 8 carries 69 yds

Best rushing by game in 1974

G 1 GT 3 carries for 2 yds
G 4 MSU 6 for 30 yds
G 5 Rice 6 for 9 yds
G 6 Army 10 for 66 yds
G 7 Mia 9 for 37 yds
G 8 Navy 9 for 28 yds
G10 AF 8 for 69 yds

Best played 111 minutes 42 sec in '74...the year before he was credited with 221.21 in minutes played