Young Norwegian immigrant Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien) enrolls at Notre Dame University and becomes the first star of its hitherto undistinguished football team, inventing the forward pass among other innovations. Coaching the team after his playing days are through, Rockne turns the school into a football powerhouse thanks in part to freshman halfback George Gipp (Ronald Reagan), whose sudden illness provides the team with its motivation to fight against a bigger, stronger opponent.