Notre Dame Football: Ten Best Quarterbacks in School History | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Joe Montana may not have received the accolades that other Notre Dame quarterbacks did during their careers, but "Joe Cool" was one smooth sailor.

In his first season with the team, Montana played in only freshmen team games (as was policy for first year players), but in his sophomore year, Montana pulled off comeback victories in the fourth quarter against North Carolina and Air Force (he didn't start either game).

Although Montana proved his wherewithal, he was injured before the season in 1976 and was forced to redshirt.

In 1977, after falling on the depth chart and not playing in the team's first two games, Montana was put in against Purdue and had another impressive comeback victory (because both quarterbacks ahead of him got injured).

Montana went on to lead the team to a National Championship that year after beating Texas in the Cotton Bowl. 

Although Montana played well, the team finished 9-3 in 1978 but won in the Cotton Bowl again versus Houston. 

He had 4,121 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in less than two full years as a starter, and was known for his comeback or near comeback victories.