Hall of Fame
Led by some talented upperclassmen and guided by head coach Barry Mynter, the 1984 Norwich University football team recorded one of the best seasons in the history of the football program. The Cadets earned an invitation to host the ECAC North Championship Game at Sabine Field and although they lost a tough decision to Ithaca, they still finished with a school-record nine victories that fall and were ranked as high as 15th in the nation.
The 1984 team combined a balanced offensive attack and a strong defense that allowed the Cadets to outscore their opponents by an average of nearly four touchdowns per game. Quarterback Mike Gallagher was named the Offensive MVP after throwing a school-record 22 touchdown passes. Gallagher had plenty of support from an offensive line anchored by Craig Vittum, Scott Knight and future All-American Mike Norman. The line allowed running backs Bruce Johnson, Winnfield Brooks, and Jim Earl each to rush for more than 600 yards. Flanker Beau Almodobar enjoyed an All-American fall as Gallagher's favorite passing target.
Defensive co-captain Jerry O'Connor was named the MVP of a defense that allowed less than 10 points per game during the regular season. Bookend defensive linemen Mike Smith and Mike Bender led the pass rush while linebackers Mark O'Neil and defensive co-captain Tim Kelly were among the team's leading tacklers.
While there were many noteworthy individual performances, the success of the 1984 squad was attributable to an outstanding team effort and the drive and desire of every player.
NU bounced back from a season-opening 21-15 loss at Plymouth State to win nine games in a row. The Cadets did not trail in a game for five straight weeks following that loss. Norwich defeated Lowell (30-0), A.I.C. (44-22), Coast Guard (49-6), Fitchburg State (51-0) and St. Lawrence (28-0) in succession. The win over Lowell made Mynter the school's all-time winningest football coach.
Norwich was tested again in week seven when Albany visited Sabine Field and jumped out to a 17-0 lead just one minute into the second quarter. The NU defense forced four second-half turnovers and the offense took advantage as the Cadets rallied for a 27-17 win. Victories over Iona (62-13), New Haven (42-7), and Middlebury (30-17) followed to solidify NU's postseason invitation.
Norwich finished the 1984 season with a 9-2 record and the number six ranking in the final Lambert Trophy standings for best team in the East.
