How did Notre Dame’s 1913 victory over Army demonstrate the potential of the forward pass?

Although the forward pass was legalized in 1906 to reduce the brutality of mass play, it was not immediately adopted as a primary offensive strategy because early rules made passing riskier than fumbling.1

The 1913 game between the University of Notre Dame and Army served as a turning point for the sport. During this contest, Notre Dame players Charles (“Gus”) Dorais and Knute Rockne utilized the forward pass to secure an upset victory. This performance demonstrated the remarkable possibilities of the passing game, effectively highlighting its potential as a viable offensive weapon. While it would take several more decades of rule adjustments—such as reducing the size of the ball—to fully realize the modern passing game, the 1913 victory is widely credited with popularizing the tactic and encouraging its wider adoption across college football.21