1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Orange Bowl, L 26–31 vs. Florida State
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
CoachesNo. 13
APNo. 11
Record9–3
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDave Roberts (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple I formation
Defensive coordinatorBob Davie (2nd season)
Base defense4–3
MVPDerrick Mayes
Captains
Home stadiumNotre Dame Stadium
1995 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 11 Notre Dame – 9–3–0
East Carolina – 9–3–0
Louisville – 7–4–0
Cincinnati – 6–5–0
Southern Miss – 6–5–0
Army – 5–5–1
Navy – 5–6–0
Tulsa – 4–7–0
Memphis – 3–8–0
Northeast Louisiana – 2–9–0
North Texas – 2–9–0
Tulane – 2–9–0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their tenth year under head coach Lou Holtz, the Irish compiled a 9–3 record, outscored opponents by a total of 366 to 216, and were ranked No. 11 in the final AP poll and No. 13 in the final UPI poll. They lost the season opener to unranked Northwestern and also lost to No. 7 Ohio State, but defeated No. 13 Texas, No. 15 Washington, and No. 5 USC. They concluded the season with a loss to No. 8 Florida State in the Orange Bowl.[1][2]

No Notre Dame players received first-team honors on the 1995 All-America college football team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Ron Powlus (1,853 passing yards), Randy Kinder (809 rushing yards), Derrick Mayes (48 receptions for 881 yards), and Marc Edwards (72 points scored).[3][4]

The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 22:30 p.m.NorthwesternNo. 9
NBCL 15–1759,075
September 93:30 p.m.at PurdueNo. 25
ABCW 35–2870,569
September 162:30 p.m.VanderbiltNo. 24
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN
NBCW 41–059,075[5]
September 2312:30 p.m.No. 13 TexasNo. 21
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN
NBCW 55–2759,075
September 303:30 p.m.at No. 7 Ohio StateNo. 15
ABCL 26–4595,537
October 73:30 p.m.at No. 15 WashingtonNo. 23
ABCW 29–2174,023
October 1412:00 p.m.at ArmyNo. 17
ABCW 28–2774,218
October 212:30 p.m.No. 5 USCNo. 17
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCW 38–1059,075
October 282:30 p.m.Boston CollegeNo. 12
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (Holy War)
NBCW 20–1059,075
November 41:30 p.m.NavyNo. 8
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCW 35–1759,075
November 187:45 p.m.at Air ForceNo. 8
ESPNW 44–1454,482
January 1, 19968:00 p.m.vs. No. 8 Florida StateNo. 6
CBSL 26–3172,198[6]

Game summaries

Northwestern

Northwestern Wildcats at #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Northwestern 7 3 7017
Notre Dame 0 9 0615

at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

Game information

Purdue

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purdue Boilermakers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Notre Dame 0 14 14735
Purdue 7 3 31528

at Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Date: September 9, 1995
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 70,569
  • Box Score
Game information

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Commodores at #24 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vanderbilt 0 0 000
Notre Dame 7 20 7741

at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

  • Date: September 16, 1995
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 50,975
  • TV: NBC
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • ND - Kinder 6 run (Kopka kick)

Second quarter

  • ND - FG Kopka 38
  • ND - A Denson 5 run (Kopka kick)
  • ND - Edison 8 fumble return (Kopka kick)
  • ND - FG Kopka 22

Third quarter

  • ND - Edwards 1 run (Kopka kick)

Fourth quarter

  • ND - Edwards 1 run (Kopka kick)

Texas

#13 Texas Longhorns at #21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Texas 7 6 7727
Notre Dame 10 8 82854

at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

  • Date: September 23, 1995
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 59,075
  • TV: NBC
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • ND - FG Kopka 27
  • ND - Mosley 64 punt return (Kopka kick)
  • TEX - Fitzgerald 1 pass from J Brown (Dawson kick)

Second quarter

  • ND - Mayes 11 pass from Powlus (Kopka kick)
  • TEX - Fitzgerald 15 pass from J Brown (kick failed)
  • ND - 2 point defensive conversion by A Rossum

Third quarter

  • TEX - S Bradley 1 pass from J Brown (Dawson kick)
  • ND - Kinder 3 run (Edwards run for two-point conversion)

Fourth quarter

  • ND - Edwards 3 run (Kopka kick)
  • ND - Edwards 12 pass from Powlus (Kopka kick)
  • TEX - Fitzgerald 19 pass from J Brown (Dawson kick)
  • ND - Edwards 27 run (Kopka kick)
  • ND - A Rossum 29 interception return (Kopka kick)

Ohio State

#15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #7 Ohio State Buckeyes
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Notre Dame 0 17 3626
Ohio State 0 14 141745

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Date: September 30, 1995
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Clear, 80 °F (27 °C), Wind 10-15 SSE
  • Game attendance: 95,537
  • Referee: John Nealon
  • TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson, Bob Griese, and Lynn Swann
  • Box Score
Game information

Washington

#23 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #15 Washington Huskies
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Notre Dame 7 0 02229
Washington 7 0 7721

at Husky Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Date: October 7, 1995
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 74,023
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • ND - Mayes 10 pass from Powlus (Kopka kick)
  • UW - Shehee 1 run (Wales kick)

Second quarter

  • No scoring

Third quarter

  • UW - Desaussure 13 pass from D. Huard (Wales kick)

Fourth quarter

  • ND - Mayes 30 pass from Powlus (Kopka kick)
  • UW - Shehee 22 run (Wales kick)
  • ND - A. Denson 7 run (Mayes reception for two-point conversion)
  • ND - A. Rossum 77 interception return (Kopka kick)

Army

#17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Army Cadets
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Notre Dame 14 7 7028
Army 7 0 71327

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 14, 1995
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 74,218
  • Box Score
Game information
Scoring summary
1Notre DameDenson 2 yard run (Kopka kick)Notre Dame 7-0
1ArmyLeshinski 1 yard pass from McAda (Parker kick)Tie 7-7
1Notre DameEdwards 2 yard run (Kopka kick)Notre Dame 14-7
2Notre DameDenson 2 yard run (Kopka kick)Notre Dame 21-7
3Notre DameEdwards 46 yard pass from Powlus (Kopka kick)Notre Dame 28-7
3ArmyConroy 5 yard run (Parker kick)Notre Dame 28-14
4ArmyConroy 3 yard run (Parker kick)Notre Dame 28-21
4ArmyGantt 7 yard pass from McAda (pass failed)Notre Dame 28-27

[11]

USC

#5 USC Trojans at #17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quarter 1 2 34Total
USC 0 7 3010
Notre Dame 6 15 01738

at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

  • Date: October 21, 1995
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 59,075
  • TV: NBC
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter

Second quarter

  • USC - K. Johnson 17-yard pass from Wachholtz (Renden kick)
  • ND - M. Edwards 2-yard run (R. Powlus reception for two-point conversion)
  • ND - A. Denson 4-yard run (Kopka kick)

Third quarter

  • USC - Renden 25-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

  • ND - Safety, K. Minor tackled K. Wachholtz in end zone
  • ND - P. Chryplewicz 2-yard pass from Powlus (Edwards run for two-point conversion)
  • ND - M. Edwards 1-yard run (Kopka kick)

Boston College

Boston College Eagles at #12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Boston College 0 7 3010
Notre Dame 7 3 7320

at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

  • Date: October 28, 1995
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 59,075
  • TV: NBC
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • ND - Edwards 17 pass from Powlus (Cengia kick)

Second quarter

  • BC - O. Walker 2 run (McGuire kick)
  • ND - FG Cengia 22

Third quarter

  • ND - Edwards 2 run (Cengia kick)
  • BC - FG McGuire 41

Fourth quarter

  • ND - FG Cengia 26
Navy Midshipmen at #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Navy 7 10 0017
Notre Dame 7 7 14735

at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

  • Date: November 4, 1995
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 59,075
  • Box Score
Game information
Scoring summary
1NavyScott 15 yard run (Covarubias kick)Navy 7-0
1Notre DameWallace 8 yard pass from Powlus (Cengia kick)Tied 7-7
2NavyFay 3 yard run (Covarubias kick)Navy 14-7
2Notre DamePowlus 1 yard run (Cengia kick)Tied 14-14
2NavyGraham 216 yard field goalNavy 17-14
3Notre DameMayes 42 yard pass from Krug (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 21-17
3Notre DameMayes 3 yard pass from Krug (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 28-17
4Notre DameDenson 24 yard run (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 35-17

Air Force

#8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Army Cadets
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Notre Dame 10 10 17744
Air Force 0 0 7714

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

  • Date: November 18, 1995
  • Game time: 7:45 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 54,482
  • Box Score
Game information
Scoring summary
1Notre DameKinder 17 yard run (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 7-0
1Notre DameCengia 30 yard kickNotre Dame 10-0
2Notre DameDenson 3 yard run (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 17-0
2Notre DameCengia 26 yard kickNotre Dame 20-0
3Notre DameCengia 30 yard kickNotre Dame 23-0
3Air ForceAddison 8 yard pass from Morgan (Thompson kick)Notre Dame 23-7
3Notre DameDenson 30 yard run (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 30-7
3Notre DameKinder 5 yard run (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 37-7
4Notre DameThorne 5 yard run (Cengia kick)Notre Dame 44-7
4Air ForceBrooks 11 yard pass from Morgan (Thompson kick)Notre Dame 44-14

1996 Orange Bowl

#8 Florida State Seminoles vs. #6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Florida State 7 7 01731
Notre Dame 10 0 7926

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Game information

Roster

1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 82 Bobby Brown Fr
TE 98 Pete Chryplewicz Sr
FB 44 Marc Edwards Jr
RB 31 Robert Farmer Jr
QB 7 Jarious Jackson Fr
WR 83 Malcolm Johnson So
RB 26 Randy Kinder Jr
QB 11 Thomas Krug Jr
WR 1 Derrick Mayes Sr
OT 54 Luke Petitgout Fr
QB 3 Ron Powlus Jr
G 79 Mike Rosenthal Fr
OT 71 Jerry Wisne Fr
C 77 Dusty Zeigler Sr
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
LB 13 Bertrand Berry Jr
LB 6 Lyron Cobbins Jr
CB 23 Autry Denson Fr
DT 93 Paul Grasmanis Sr
LB 27 Bobbie Howard Fr
LB 4 Kory Minor Fr
CB 15 Allen Rossum So
LB 2 Kinnon Tatum Jr
CB 22 Shawn Wooden Sr
DE 48 Renaldo Wynn Sr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 20 Kevin Kopka Fr
P 8 Hunter Smith Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Statistics

Passing

  1. Ron Powlus - 124 of 217 for 1,853 yards, 12 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
  2. Tom Krug - 13 of 21 for 186 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

[4]

Rushing

  1. Randy Kinder - 809 yards, 5.7-yard average, 9 touchdowns
  2. Marc Edwards - 717 yards, 5.1-yard average, 9 touchdowns
  3. Autry Denson - 695 yards, 5.1-yard average, 8 touchdowns
  4. Robert Farmer - 194 yards, 4.5-yard average, 1 touchdown

[4]

Receiving

  1. Derrick Mayes - 48 receptions for 881 yards, 6 touchdowns
  2. Marc Edwards - 25 receptions for 361 yards, 3 touchdowns
  3. Emmett Mosley - 17 receptions for 268 yards, 1 touchdown
  4. Pete Chryplewicz - 17 receptions for 204 yards, 1 touchdown

[4]

Scoring

  1. Marc Edwards - 76 points, 12 touchdowns, 2 two-point conversions
  2. Randy Kinder - 60 points, 10 touchdowns
  3. Autry Denson - 48 points, 8 touchdowns
  4. Kevin Kopka - 45 points, 27 of 28 PAT, 6 of 11 field goals
  5. Derrick Mayesl - 38 points, 6 touchdowns, 1 two-point conversion
  6. Scott Cengia - 27 points, 12 of 12 PAT, 5 of 5 field goals

[4]

Tackles

  1. Lyron Cobbins - 105
  2. Kinnon Tatum - 82
  3. Bert Berry - 76
  4. LaRon Moore - 70
  5. Brian Magee - 69
  6. Paul Grasmanis - 69
  7. Shawn Wooden - 63
  8. Renaldo Wynn - 57

[4]

Awards and honors

Split end Derrick Mayes received second-team honors from Football News and the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) on the 1995 All-America college football team. He was also a semifinalit for the Biletnikoff Award and was selected as the team's most valuable player.[13]

Offensive guard Ryan Leahy received third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press.

The team had five captains: Paul Grasmanis, Ryan Leahy, Derrick Mayes, Shawn Wooden, and Dusty Zeigler.[13]

Emil Sitko, who played for Notre Dame in the 1940s, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

References

  1. ↑ "1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  2. ↑ "1995 Football Review: The 55th Annual Post-Season Report" (PDF). The Notre Dame Scholastic. January 25, 1996. Retrieved August 3, 2026 – via Notre Dame Archives.
  3. ↑ "1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 1995 Football Review, p. 46.
  5. ↑ "Get-well card to Holtz: Irish blowout". Chicago Tribune. September 17, 1995. Retrieved February 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Florida St. figures out Irish puzzle". Chicago Tribune. January 2, 1996. Retrieved February 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 "Northwestern vs. Notre Dame". USA Today. September 2, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  8. ↑ "NORTHWESTERN DETERMINED TO BUCK THE ODDS". Chicago Tribune. August 23, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  9. ↑ "NOTRE DAME STUNNED BY NORTHWESTERN". The Washington Post. September 3, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Witnesses recall Northwestern's 1995 upset of Notre Dame". Chicago Tribune. November 13, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  11. ↑ Gainesville Sun. 1995 Oct 15.
  12. ↑ "Not So Golden: Florida State 31, Notre Dame 26". Chicago Tribune. January 2, 1996. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  13. 1 2 1995 Football Review, p. 47.
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