The schedule was curtailed from its usual 9 games to 6 due to the outbreak of the worldwide influenza epidemic. Therefore, no games were played during the month of October.[4]
"On Oct. 11, Dr. Emil G. Freyermuth, the South Bend city health officer, issued an order forbidding all public gatherings until further notice. All schools, theaters, clubs, churches and other religious institutions were closed. Public funerals, meetings, dances and other events were canceled. The University of Notre Dame football team — led by coach Knute Rockne and including star player George Gipp — canceled several football games that month."