During his tenure the Irish began playing only intercollegiate games and posted a record of 34 wins, five losses, and one tie.

In an effort to gain respect for a regionally successful but small-time Midwestern football program, Harper scheduled games in his first season with national powerhouses Texas, Penn State, and Army.

[7] Notre Dame burst into the national consciousness and helped to transform the collegiate game in a single contest.

On November 1, the Notre Dame squad stunned Army, 35–13, on The Plain at West Point.

[3][4] Led by quarterback Gus Dorais and future head coach Knute Rockne at end, Notre Dame attacked the Cadets with an offense that featured both the expected powerful running game but also long and accurate downfield forward passes from Dorais to Rockne.