1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Independent |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 10 |
| AP | No. 9 |
| Record | 9–2–1 |
| Head coach |
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| Defensive coordinator | Joe Yonto |
| MVP | Bob Crable |
| Captains |
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| Home stadium | Notre Dame Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2 Pittsburgh | – | – | 11 | – | 1 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee State | – | – | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 Florida State | – | – | 10 | – | 2 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8 Penn State | – | – | 10 | – | 2 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 9 Notre Dame | – | – | 9 | – | 2 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18 Miami (FL) | – | – | 9 | – | 3 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Miss | – | – | 9 | – | 3 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Navy | – | – | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | – | – | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia Tech | – | – | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | – | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northeast Louisiana | – | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rutgers | – | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UNLV | – | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulane | – | – | 7 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colgate | – | – | 5 | – | 4 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Texas State | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Villanova | – | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Virginia | – | – | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisville | – | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Richmond | – | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syracuse | – | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East Carolina | – | – | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois State | – | – | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Temple | – | – | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | – | – | 3 | – | 7 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Holy Cross | – | – | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati | – | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memphis State | – | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William & Mary | – | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | – | – | 1 | – | 9 | – | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rankings from AP Poll | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their sixth and final year under head coach Dan Devine, the Irish compiled a 9–2–1 record, outscored opponents by a total of 238 to 111, and were ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll and No. 10 in the final UPI poll. They were undefeated in their first ten games, but lost their final two games to No. 17 USC and to No. 1 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.[1]
Center John Scully and linebacker Bob Crable were consensus first-team picks on the 1980 All-America college football team.[2] Defensive end Scott Zettek also received first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Blair Kiel (531 passing yards), running backs Jim Stone (908 rushing yards) and Phil Carter (822 rushing yards), tight end Tony Hunter (23 receptions for 303 yards), and kicker Harry Oliver (73 points scored).[3]
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 6 | 3:20 p.m. | No. 9 Purdue | No. 11 | ABC | W 31–10 | 59,075 | [4] | |
| September 20 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 14 Michigan | No. 8 |
| W 29–27 | 59,075 | [5] | |
| October 4 | 1:00 p.m. | at Michigan State | No. 7 | W 26–21 | 76,821 | [6] | ||
| October 11 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 13 Miami (FL) | No. 7 |
| W 32–14 | 59,075 | [7] | |
| October 18 | 2:30 p.m. | Army | No. 5 |
| W 30–3 | 59,075 | [8] | |
| October 25 | 10:35 p.m. | at Arizona | No. 4 | W 20–3 | 56,211 | [9] | ||
| November 1 | 1:30 p.m. | vs. Navy | No. 3 | W 33–0 | 76,891 | [10] | ||
| November 8 | 1:30 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | No. 1 | T 3–3 | 41,266 | [11] | ||
| November 15 | 3:50 p.m. | at No. 5 Alabama | No. 6 | ABC | W 7–0 | 78,873 | [12] | |
| November 22 | 1:30 p.m. | Air Force | No. 2 |
| W 24–10 | 59,075 | [13] | |
| December 6 | 3:50 p.m. | at No. 17 USC | No. 2 | ABC | L 3–20 | 82,663 | [14] | |
| January 1, 1981 | 2:00 p.m. | vs. No. 1 Georgia | No. 7 | ABC | L 10–17 | 77,895 | [15] | |
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Game summaries
Purdue
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Notre Dame | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
- Date: September 6
- Game attendance: 59,075
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
ABC Player of Game - Mike Courey (151 yards passing, TD, 59 yards rushing, TD)
Michigan
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 0 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
| Notre Dame | 0 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 29 |
at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
- Date: September 20
- Game attendance: 59,075
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Harry Oliver kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. [18]
At Michigan State
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 26 |
| Michigan State | 9 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 21 |
at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
- Date: October 4
- Game attendance: 76,821
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Blair Kiel started the second half at quarterback
Miami (FL)
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (FL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Notre Dame | 0 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 32 |
at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
- Date: October 11
- Game attendance: 59,075
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
- Blair Kiel - first freshman QB to start at Notre Dame since 1951 (Ralph Guglielmi)
- Jim Stone - starting in place of injured Phil Carter gains over 200 yards
Army
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Notre Dame | 0 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 30 |
at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
- Date: October 18
- Game attendance: 59,075
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
At Arizona
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 7 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Arizona | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
- Date: October 25
- Game attendance: 56,211
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Dan Devine's 50th win at Notre Dame
Vs. Navy
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 12 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 33 |
| Navy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: November 1
- Game weather: Overcast
- Game attendance: 76,891
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
- Scott Zettek - AP Midwest Lineman of the Week (8 tackles, 3 sacks)
At Georgia Tech
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Grant Field, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 8
- Game time: 1:30 p.m.
- Game attendance: 41,266
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
At Alabama
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Alabama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
- Date: November 15
- Game time: 2:50 p.m. CST
- Game attendance: 78,873
- Referee: Jimmy Harper
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Air Force
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Notre Dame | 0 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 24 |
at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
- Date: November 22
- Game attendance: 59,075
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
At USC
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| USC | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
- Date: December 6
- Game attendance: 82,663
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Sugar Bowl (vs. Georgia)
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Georgia | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: January 1, 1981
- Game weather: Indoors (dome)
- Game attendance: 77,895
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles
- Recap/Box
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
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Roster
| 1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Awards and honors
- Former Fighting Irish coach Ara Parseghian was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
- Center John Scully was named an All-American (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_All-America_college_football_team)
Team players drafted into the NFL
- Blair Kiel: 1984 / Round: 11 / Pick: 281 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dave Duerson: 1983 / Round: 3 / Pick: 64 Chicago Bears
- John Scully: 1981 / Round: 4 / Pick: 109th pick Atlanta Falcons
References
- ↑ "1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Football Award Winners" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2016. p. 10. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ↑ "1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ "N.D. steams by Purdue, 31–10". Detroit Free Press. September 7, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "51-yard field goal on last play beats UM". The Flint Journal. September 21, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Irish escape MSU ambush". Wisconsin State Journal. October 5, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Irish rip Miami". News-Press. October 12, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "No. 5 Irish smother Army, 30–3". The Des Moines Register. October 19, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Fake punt helps Notre Dame run to victory over Arizona". Chicago Tribune. October 26, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Notre Dame glad Stone stayed ready". Daily Record. November 2, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Notre Dame ties Tech, 3–3". The Indianapolis Star. November 9, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Hot Irish defense stops Alabama cold". Chicago Tribune. November 16, 1980. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Mooshil, Joe (November 23, 1980). "ND whips Air Force, 24-10 after 'making a few adjustments'". The Kokomo Tribune. Associated Press. p. 25. Retrieved January 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Trojans spoil Irish hopes for shot at national crown". The Galveston Daily News. December 7, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Opportunistic Georgia fulfills national-title dream". Chicago Tribune. January 2, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ↑ Palm Beach Post. 1980 Sept 7.
- ↑ "Last-Play, 51-Yard Kick Gets Irish Past Michigan." Palm Beach Post. 1980 Sept 21.
- ↑ Gadsden Times. 1980 Oct 19. Retrieved 2018-Oct-19.
- ↑ Eugene Register-Guard. 1980 Nov 23.