Notre Dame Fighting Irish football (1980–1989)

Contents: 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989

1980

1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Sugar Bowl, L, 10-17 vs. Georgia
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
Ranking
Coaches #10
AP #9
1980 record 9-2-1 ( Independent)
Head coach Dan Devine
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1979 1981 »

The 1980 season would be Dan Devine's final year as Notre Dame head coach. The offense had 248 points for, while the defense gave up 128 points.

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 6 3:45 p.m. #9 Purdue* #11 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ABC W 31–10   59,075
September 20 2:30 p.m. #14 Michigan* #8 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 29–27   59,075
October 4 1:00 p.m. at Michigan State* #7 Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI W 26–21   76,821
October 11 2:30 p.m. #13 Miami* #7 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 32–14   59,075
October 18 2:30 p.m. Army* #5 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 30–3   59,075
October 25 10:00 p.m. at Arizona* #4 Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ W 20–3   56,211
November 1 12:00 p.m. vs. Navy* #3 Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ W 33–0   76,891
November 8 12:00 p.m. at Georgia Tech* #1 Grant Field • Atlanta, GA T 3–3   41,266
November 15 3:45 p.m. at #5 Alabama* #6 Legion Field • Birmingham, AL ABC W 7–0   78,873
November 22 1:30 p.m. Air Force* #2 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 24–10   59,075
December 6 3:45 p.m. at #17 USC* #2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, CA ABC L 3–20   82,663
January 1 1:00 p.m. vs. #1 Georgia* #7 Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl) ABC L 10–17   77,895
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[1]

Team players drafted into the NFL

Awards and honors

1981

1981 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
1981 record 5-6 ( Independent)
Head coach Gerry Faust
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1980 1982 »

Gerry Faust would become the new Notre Dame head coach. The offence scored 232 points, while the defence allowed 160 points.

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 12 2:30 p.m. LSU* #4 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 27–9   59,075
September 19 1:50 p.m. at #11 Michigan* #1 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ABC L 7–25   105,888
September 26 12:00 p.m. at Purdue* #13 Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN L 14–15   70,007
October 3 2:30 p.m. Michigan State* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 20–7   59,075
October 10 2:30 p.m. #20 Florida State* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 13–19   59,075
October 24 2:30 p.m. #5 USC* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 7–14   59,075
October 31 1:30 p.m. Navy* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 38–0   59,075
November 7 1:30 p.m. Georgia Tech* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 35–3   59,075
November 14 3:30 p.m. at Air Force* Falcon Stadium • Colorado Springs, CO W 35–7   36,700
November 21 12:00 p.m. at #13 Penn State* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA L 21–24   84,175
November 27 2:45 p.m. at #9 Miami* Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, FL ABC L 15–37   50,681
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[2]

Team players drafted into the NFL

Awards and honors

1982

1982 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
1982 record 6-4-1 ( Independent)
Head coach Gerry Faust
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1981 1983 »

Notre Dame played their first night game ver at home as they faced Michigan. although the Irish gained 419 yards of total offense. The game belonged to Michigan's Mike Johnston who kicked 3 field goals, and Anthony Carter's 72-yard touchdown punt record were the difference in the 23-17 Michigan win.

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 18 9:00 p.m. #10 Michigan* #20 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ABC W 23–17   59,075
September 25 2:30 p.m. Purdue* #10 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 28–14   59,075
October 2 1:00 p.m. at Michigan State* #11 Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI W 11–3   77,119
October 9 2:30 p.m. #17 Miami* #10 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 16–14   59,075
October 16 2:30 p.m. Arizona* #9 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 13–16   59,075
October 23 3:30 p.m. at Oregon* #15 Autzen Stadium • Eugene, OR T 13–13   40,381
October 30 3:30 p.m. vs. Navy* Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ W 27–10   72,201
November 6 12:00 p.m. at #1 Pittsburgh* Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA W 31–16   60,162
November 13 3:45 p.m. #5 Penn State* #13 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ABC L 14–24   59,075
November 20 3:30 p.m. at Air Force* #18 Falcon Stadium • Colorado Springs, CO L 17–30   46,712
November 27 3:45 p.m. at #17 USC* Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, CA CBS L 13–17   76,459
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[3]

Team players drafted into the NFL

Awards and honors

1983

Notre Dame made it to the Liberty Bowl where they faced Boston College and their prized quarterback Doug Flutie. Boston College scored first on a 13-yard touchdown pass but missed the extra point. Notre Dame came back as Allen Pinkett and Chris Smith each rushed for 100 plus yards, while pickett scored 2 touchdowns as Notre Dame beat Boston College 19-18 to win their first bowl game since the 1979 Cotton Bowl.

1983 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Liberty Bowl champions
Liberty Bowl, W, 19-18, Boston College Eagles
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
1983 record 7-5 ( Independent)
Head coach Gerry Faust
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1982 1984 »

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 10 2:30 p.m. at Purdue* #5 Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN W 52–6   69,782
September 17 1:30 p.m. Michigan State* #4 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 23–28   59,075
September 24 9:00 p.m. at Miami* #13 Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, FL CBS L 0–20   52,480
October 1 2:30 p.m. at Colorado* Folsom Field • Boulder, CO W 27–6   52,692
October 8 7:00 p.m. at #7 South Carolina* Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC W 30–6   74,500
October 15 1:30 p.m. at Army* Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ W 42–0   75,131
October 22 2:30 p.m. USC* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 27–6   59,075
October 29 12:00 p.m. Navy* #19 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 28–12   59,075
November 5 3:45 p.m. Pittsburgh* #18 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN CBS L 16–21   59,075
November 12 12:00 p.m. at Penn State* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA L 30–34   85,899
November 19 1:30 p.m. Air Force* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 22–23   59,075
December 29 8:00 p.m. vs. #13 Boston College* Memphis Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN (Liberty Bowl) Raycom W 19–18   47,071
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[4]

Team players drafted into the NFL

Awards and honors

1984

1984 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Aloha Bowl, L, 20-27, Southern Methodist Mustangs
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
1984 record 7-5 ( Independent)
Head coach Gerry Faust
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1983 1985 »

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 8 12:00 p.m. vs. Purdue* #8 Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, IN L 21–23   60,672
September 15 1:00 p.m. at Michigan State* Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI W 20–17   76,919
September 22 12:00 p.m. Colorado* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 55–14   59,075
September 29 3:30 p.m. at Missouri* #19 Memorial Stadium • Columbia, MO ABC W 16–13   70,915
October 6 7:30 p.m. #14 Miami* #17 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ESPN L 13–31   59,075
October 13 12:00 p.m. Air Force* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ESPN L 7–21   59,075
October 20 12:00 p.m. #11 South Carolina* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ESPN L 32–36   59,075
October 27 3:30 p.m. at #6 LSU* Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA ABC W 30–22   78,033
November 3 12:00 p.m. at Navy* Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ ESPN W 18–17   61,795
November 17 12:00 p.m. Penn State* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ESPN W 44–7   59,075
November 24 3:30 p.m. at #14 USC* Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, CA CBS W 19–7   66,342
December 29 8:00 p.m. vs. #10 SMU* #17 Aloha Stadium • Honolulu, HI (Aloha Bowl) ESPN L 20–27   41,777
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[6]

Team players drafted into the NFL

Awards and honors

1985

1985 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
1985 record 5-6 ( Independent)
Head coach Gerry Faust
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1984 1986 »

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 14 2:30 p.m. at Michigan* #13 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI CBS L 12–20   105,523
September 21 7:30 p.m. Michigan State* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ESPN W 27–10   59,075
September 28 12:00 p.m. at Purdue* Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN L 17–35   69,338
October 5 3:30 p.m. at #17 Air Force* Falcon Stadium • Colorado Springs, CO ABC L 15–20   52,123
October 19 12:00 p.m. #19 Army* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN USA, WGN W 24–10   59,075
October 26 2:00 p.m. USC* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 37–3   59,075
November 2 3:30 p.m. Navy* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ABC W 41–17   59,075
November 9 12:00 p.m. Mississippi* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN USA, WGN W 37–14   59,075
November 16 3:30 p.m. at #1 Penn State* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ABC L 6–36   84,000
November 23 12:00 p.m. #17 LSU* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN USA, WGN L 7–10   59,075
November 30 3:30 p.m. at #4 Miami* Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, FL CBS L 7–58   49,236
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[7]

Team players drafted into the NFL

Awards and honors

1986

1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
1986 record 5-6 ( Independent)
Head coach Lou Holtz
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1985 1987 »

Lou Holtz would become Notre Dame head coach. The offence scored 299 points, while the defence allowed 219 points.

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 13 3:30 p.m. #3 Michigan* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ABC L 23–24   59,075
September 20 2:30 p.m. at #20 Michigan State* Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI CBS L 15–20   79,895
September 27 3:30 p.m. Purdue* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ABC W 41–9   59,075
October 4 3:30 p.m. at #2 Alabama* Legion Field • Birmingham, AL ABC L 10–28   75,808
October 11 12:00 pm Pittsburgh* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 9–10   59,075
October 18 12:00 pm Air Force* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 31–3   59,075
November 1 7:30 p.m. at Navy* Memorial Stadium • Baltimore, MD TBS W 33–14   61,335
November 8 1:00 p.m. SMU* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 61–29   59,075
November 15 3:30 p.m. #3 Penn State* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ABC L 19–24   59,075
November 22 7:45 p.m. at #8 LSU* Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA ESPN L 19–21   78,197
November 29 3:30 p.m. at #17 USC* Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, CA CBS W 38–37   70,614
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[8]

Team players drafted into the NFL

The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.

Player Position Round Pick Franchise
Wally Kleine Tackle 2 48 Washington Redskins
Steve Beuerlein Quarterback 4 110 Los Angeles Raiders
Robert Banks Defensive End 7 176 Houston Oilers
Joel D. Williams Tight End 8 210 Miami Dolphins

[9]

1987

1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Cotton Bowl Classic, L, 10-35, Texas A&M
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
1987 record 8-4 ( Independent)
Head coach Lou Holtz
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1986 1988 »

The offence scored 339 points, while the defence allowed 218 points. Tony Rice became the starting quarterback for Notre Dame following an injury to Terry Andrysiak. The Irish would finish the season 8-4 and earn a berth to the Cotton Bowl Classic,

Rivalries

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 12 3:30 p.m. at #9 Michigan* #16 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ABC W 26–7   106,098
September 19 7:45 p.m. #17 Michigan State* #9 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ESPN W 31–8   59,075
September 26 12:00 pm at Purdue* #8 Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN W 44–20   68,528
October 10 7:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh* #4 Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA ESPN L 22–30   56,400
October 17 3:30 pm at Air Force* #11 Falcon Stadium • Colorado Springs, CO W 35–14   51,112
October 24 2:30 p.m. Southern California* #10 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN CBS W 26–15   59,075
October 31 12:00 pm Navy* #9 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 56–13   59,075
November 7 12:00 pm Boston College* #9 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 32–25   59,075
November 14 2:30 p.m. #10 Alabama* #7 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN CBS W 37–6   59,075
November 21 12:00 pm at Penn State* #7 Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA CBS L 20–21   84,000
November 28 3:30 p.m. at #2 Miami* #10 Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, FL CBS L 0–24   76,640
January 1 1:30 p.m. vs. Texas A&M* #12 Cotton Bowl • Dallas, TX (Cotton Bowl Classic) CBS L 10–35   73,006
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[10]

Team players drafted into the NFL

The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.

Player Position Round Pick Franchise
Tim Brown Wide Receiver 1 6 Los Angeles Raiders
Tom Redehr Tackle 3 69 New England Patriots
Chuck Lanza Center 3 70 Pittsburgh Steelers
Cedric Figaro Linebacker 6 152 San Diego Chargers
Brandy Wells Defensive Back 9 226 Cincinnati Bengals

[11]

Awards and honors

1988

1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
National Champions
1989 Fiesta Bowl, W 34-21 vs. West Virginia
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
Ranking
Coaches #1
AP #1
1988 record 12-0 ( Independent)
Head coach Lou Holtz
Offensive coordinator Jim Strong
Offensive scheme Option
Defensive coordinator Barry Alvarez
Base defense 3-4
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1987 1989 »

Rivalries

Schedule

Please see: 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team for schedule and scores

Awards and honors

Team players drafted into the NFL

1989

1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Orange Bowl champions
Orange Bowl, W, 21-6, Colorado Buffaloes
Conference NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools
Ranking
Coaches #3
AP #2
1989 record 12-1 ( Independent)
Head coach Lou Holtz
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium (c. 59,075, grass)
Seasons
« 1988 1990 »

Rivalries

Notre Dame beat USC to claim the Jeweled Shillelagh. In the Michigan – Notre Dame rivalry, Notre Dame beat Michigan 24-19.

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
August 31 8:00 p.m. vs. Virginia* #2 Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ (Kickoff Classic) Raycom W 36–13   77,323
September 16 3:30 p.m. at #2 Michigan* #1 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ABC W 24–19   105,912
September 23 2:30 p.m. Michigan State* #1 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN CBS W 21–13   59,075
September 30 12:00 p.m. at Purdue* #1 Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN ABC W 40–7   67,861
October 7 4:00 p.m. at Stanford* #1 Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA W 27–17   86,019
October 14 7:45 p.m. at #17 Air Force* #1 Falcon Stadium • Colorado Springs, CO ESPN W 41–27   53,533
October 21 3:30 p.m. #9 Southern California* #1 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN CBS W 28–24   59,075
October 28 5:00 p.m. Pittsburgh* #1 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN ESPN W 45–7   59,075
November 4 12:00 p.m. Navy* #1 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 41–0   59,075
November 11 12:00 p.m. Southern Methodist* #1 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN W 59–6   59,075
November 18 3:30 p.m. at #17 Penn State* #1 Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA CBS W 34–23   86,025
November 25 6:30 p.m. at #7 Miami* #1 Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, FL CBS L 10–27   81,634
January 1 8:00 p.m. vs. #1 Colorado* #4 Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, FL (Orange Bowl) NBC W 21–6   81,191
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[16]

Team players drafted into the NFL

The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.

Player Position Round Pick Franchise
Anthony Johnson Running Back 2 36 Indianapolis Colts
Tim Grunhard Tackle 2 40 Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff Alm Defensive Tackle 2 41 Houston Oilers
Pat Terrell Defensive Back 2 49 Los Angeles Rams
Mike Brennan Tackle 4 91 Cincinnati Bengals
Stan Smagala Defensive Back 5 123 Dallas Cowboys
Ned Bolcar Linebacker 6 146 Seattle Seahawks
D’Juan Francisco Defensive Back 10 262 Washington Redskins
Dean Brown Guard 12 316 Indianapolis Colts

[17]

Awards and honors

References

  1. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1980
  2. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1981
  3. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1982
  4. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1983
  5. ^ a b c d http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-footbl-archive.html/
  6. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1984
  7. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1985
  8. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1986
  9. ^ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm
  10. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1987
  11. ^ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1988.htm
  12. ^ http://www.heisman.com/winners/hsmn-winners.html
  13. ^ "Walter Camp Football Foundation Awards (Page 3)". The Walter Camp Foundation. http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/P200/. Retrieved 2008-01-02. 
  14. ^ "Paul "Bear" Bryant College Football Coaching Awards" (PDF). The American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/11950567165420708%20BB%20Previous%20Winners.pdf. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
  15. ^ "Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award". Football Writers Association of America. http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/robinson/index.html. Retrieved 2008-01-02. 
  16. ^ http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=143&season=1989
  17. ^ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1990.htm
  18. ^ http://www.goldenarmfoundation.com/past-winners.html
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