1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season

1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football

Sugar Bowl, L 10–17 vs. Georgia

Conference| Independent
Ranking
Coaches| No. 10
AP| No. 9
Record| 9–2–1
Head coach|

* Dan Devine (6th season)

Defensive coordinator| Joe Yonto
Captains|

* Bob Crable
* Tom Gibbons
* John Scully

Home stadium| Notre Dame Stadium

Seasons

← 1979

1981 →

1980 NCAA Division I-A independents football records

* v
* t
* e

| 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 represented the University of Notre Dame in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season.[1] The team was coached by Dan Devine and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

The 1980 season would be Dan Devine's final year as Notre Dame head coach. In August, he had announced that the upcoming season would be his last. The offense had 248 points for, while the defense gave up 128 points.

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Time| Opponent| Rank| Site| TV| Result| Attendance| Source

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September 6| 3:20 p.m.| No. 9 Purdue| No. 11|

* Notre Dame Stadium
* Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)

| ABC| W 31–10| 59,075| [2]
September 20| 2:30 p.m.| No. 14 Michigan| No. 8|

* Notre Dame Stadium
* Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)

| | W 29–27| 59,075| [3]
October 4| 1:00 p.m.| at Michigan State| No. 7|

* Spartan Stadium
* East Lansing, MI (rivalry)

| | W 26–21| 76,821| [4]
October 11| 2:30 p.m.| No. 13 Miami (FL)| No. 7|

* Notre Dame Stadium
* Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)

| | W 32–14| 59,075| [5]
October 18| 2:30 p.m.| Army| No. 5|

* Notre Dame Stadium
* Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)

| | W 30–3| 59,075| [6]
October 25| 10:35 p.m.| at Arizona| No. 4|

* Arizona Stadium
* Tucson, AZ

| | W 20–3| 56,211| [7]
November 1| 1:30 p.m.| vs. Navy| No. 3|

* Giants Stadium
* East Rutherford, NJ (rivalry)

| | W 33–0| 76,891| [8]
November 8| 1:30 p.m.| at Georgia Tech| No. 1|

* Grant Field
* Atlanta, GA (rivalry)

| | T 3–3| 41,266| [9]
November 15| 3:50 p.m.| at No. 5 Alabama| No. 6|

* Legion Field
* Birmingham, AL

| ABC| W 7–0| 78,873| [10]
November 22| 1:30 p.m.| Air Force| No. 2|

* Notre Dame Stadium
* Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)

| | W 24–10| 59,075| [11]
December 6| 3:50 p.m.| at No. 17 USC| No. 2|

* Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
* Los Angeles, CA (rivalry)

| ABC| L 3–20| 82,663| [12]
January 1, 1981| 2:00 p.m.| vs. No. 1 Georgia| No. 7|

* Louisiana Superdome
* New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl)

| ABC| L 10–17| 77,895| [13]

* Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
* All times are in Eastern time

[14]

## Game summaries

[edit]

### Purdue

[edit]

#9 Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) at #11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0–0)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 36-yard field goal, 7:19. Notre Dame 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:50.
* ND – Rob McGarry 2-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 0:42. Notre Dame 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:48.

Second quarter

* ND – Phil Carter 1-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 11:40. Notre Dame 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:16.
* PUR – Rick Anderson 26-yard field goal, 4:19. Notre Dame 17–3. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 7:21.
* PUR – Wally Jones 4-yard run (Rick Anderson kick), 0:34. Notre Dame 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:04.

Third quarter

* ND – Tony Hunter 9-yard pass from Mike Courey (Harry Oliver kick), 11:36. Notre Dame 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:24.

Fourth quarter

* ND – Mike Courey 14-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 4:01. Notre Dame 31–10. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:50.

Top passers

* PUR – Scott Campbell – 17/26, 178 yards
* ND – Mike Courey – 10/13, 151 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

* PUR – John Macon – 9 rushes, 32 yards
* ND – Phil Carter – 29 rushes, 142 yards, TD

Top receivers

* PUR – Dave Young – 6 receptions, 71 yards
* ND – Tony Hunter – 3 receptions, 75 yards, TD

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ABC Player of Game - Mike Courey (151 yards passing, TD, 59 yards rushing, TD)

[15]

### Michigan

[edit]

#14 Michigan Wolverines (1–0) at #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1–0)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* No scoring

Second quarter

* ND – Phil Carter 6-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 13:05. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 16 plays, 70 yards, 7:49.
* ND – Pete Holohan 10-yard pass from Mike Courey (Harry Oliver kick), 5:00. Notre Dame 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 5:56.
* MICH – Lawrence Ricks 8-yard pass from John Wangler (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 1:50. Notre Dame 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:10.
* MICH – Norm Betts 9-yard pass from John Wangler (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 0:31. Tie 14–14. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 0:59.

Third quarter

* MICH – Stan Edwards 2-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 11:57. Michigan 21–14. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 3:03.
* ND – John Krimm 49-yard interception return (kick failed), 1:03. Michigan 21–20.

Fourth quarter

* ND – Phil Carter 4-yard run (pass failed), 3:03. Notre Dame 26–21. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 4:30.
* MICH – Craig Dunaway 1-yard pass from John Wangler (pass failed), 0:41. Michigan 27–26. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 2:12.
* ND – Harry Oliver 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Notre Dame 29–27. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 0:41.

Top passers

* MICH – John Wangler – 11/19, 98 yards, 3 TD, INT
* ND – Mike Courey – 6/13, 62 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

* MICH – Lawrence Ricks – 14 rushes, 83 yards
* ND – Phil Carter – 30 rushes, 103 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

* MICH – Anthony Carter – 2 receptions, 30 yards
* ND – Pete Holohan – 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD

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Harry Oliver kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. [16]

### At Michigan State

[edit]

#7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2–0) at Michigan State Spartans (1–2)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* MSU – Morten Andersen 29-yard field goal, 10:30. Michigan State 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 22 yards, 1:16.
* MSU – Steve Smith 1-yard run (pass failed), 3:26. Michigan State 9–0. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:09.

Second quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 44-yard field goal, 14:48. Michigan State 9–3. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 3:38.
* ND – Harry Oliver 28-yard field goal, 0:02. Michigan State 9–6. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 0:42.

Third quarter

* ND – Phil Carter 12-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 5:33. Notre Dame 13–9. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 3:27.

Fourth quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 27-yard field goal, 10:09. Notre Dame 16–9. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:55.
* MSU – Anthony Ellis 13-yard run (pass failed), 8:48. Notre Dame 16–15. Drive: 4 plays, 69 yards, 1:21.
* ND – Jim Stone 1-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 7:49. Notre Dame 23–15. Drive: 3 plays, 59 yards, 0:59.
* MSU – Steve Smith 42-yard pass from John Leister (pass failed), 6:35. Notre Dame 23–21. Drive: 4 plays, 83 yards, 1:14.
* ND – Harry Oliver 32-yard field goal, 0:46. Notre Dame 26–21. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 5:49.

Top passers

* ND – Blair Kiel – 5/10, 56 yards
* MSU – John Leister – 11/32, 204 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

* ND – Phil Carter – 40 rushes, 254 yards, TD
* MSU – Steve Smith – 9 rushes, 44 yards, TD

Top receivers

* ND – Tony Hunter – 3 receptions, 46 yards
* MSU – Steve Smith – 2 receptions, 57 yards, TD

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Blair Kiel started the second half at quarterback

### Miami (FL)

[edit]

#13 Miami (FL) Hurricanes (4–0) at #7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3–0)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* No scoring

Second quarter

* ND – Blair Kiel 4-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 0:56. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 0:41.
* ND – Harry Oliver 19-yard field goal, 0:14. Notre Dame 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 0:39.

Third quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 28-yard field goal, 4:53. Notre Dame 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 3:13.
* ND – Harry Oliver 38-yard field goal, 2:17. Notre Dame 16–0. Drive: 4 plays, -4 yards, 2:20.

Fourth quarter

* MIA – Pat Walker 13-yard pass from Jim Kelly (pass failed), 13:52. Notre Dame 16–6. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 1:37.
* ND – Tom Gibbons 53-yard interception return (kick failed), 11:08. Notre Dame 22–6.
* MIA – Mark Cooper 37-yard pass from Jim Kelly (pass good), 8:43. Notre Dame 22–14. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 2:25.
* ND – Harry Oliver 37-yard field goal, 2:06. Notre Dame 25–14. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 6:37.
* ND – Jim Stone 27-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 0:09. Notre Dame 32–14. Drive: 3 plays, 30 yards, 1:07.

Top passers

* MIA – Jim Kelly – 13/31, 220 yards, 2 TD, INT
* ND – Blair Kiel – 4/17, 35 yards

Top rushers

* MIA – Chris Hobbs – 5 rushes, 13 yards
* ND – Jim Stone – 38 rushes, 224 yards, TD

Top receivers

* MIA – Jim Joiner – 3 receptions, 97 yards
* ND – Tony Hunter – 2 receptions, 19 yards

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* 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

[edit]

Army Cadets (2–2–1) at #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4–0)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* No scoring

Second quarter

* ND – Jim Stone 4-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 8:22. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:08.
* ND – Harry Oliver 49-yard field goal, 1:30. Notre Dame 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 3:08.
* ND – Mark Zavagnin recovery of blocked punt in end zone (Harry Oliver kick), 0:29. Notre Dame 17–0.

Third quarter

* ARMY – Dave Aucoin 41-yard field goal, 11:03. Notre Dame 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:32.
* ND – Blair Kiel 1-yard run (kick failed), 0:40. Notre Dame 23–3. Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 4:29.

Fourth quarter

* ND – Ty Barber 1-yard run (Mike Johnston kick), 14:14. Notre Dame 30–3. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 0:46.

Top passers

* ARMY – T.D. Decker – 4/15, 46 yards, INT
* ND – Blair Kiel – 7/19, 74 yards

Top rushers

* ARMY – Dino Harris – 10 rushes, 43 yards
* ND – Jim Stone – 25 rushes, 122 yards

Top receivers

* ARMY – Warren Waldorff – 2 receptions, 23 yards
* ND – Nick Vehr – 3 receptions, 44 yards

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[17]

### At Arizona

[edit]

#4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5–0) at Arizona Wildcats (2–3)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* ND – Jim Stone 1-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 6:54. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 8:06.

Second quarter

* UA – Brett Weber 21-yard field goal, 3:16. Notre Dame 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 3:21.
* ND – Blair Kiel 80-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 2:08. Notre Dame 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 85 yards, 1:03.
* ND – Harry Oliver 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Notre Dame 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 1:06.

Third quarter

* No scoring

Fourth quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 38-yard field goal, 3:26. Notre Dame 20–3. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:44.

Top passers

* ND – Blair Kiel – 11/20, 152 yards, INT
* UA – Tom Tunnicliffe – 15/26, 95 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

* ND – Jim Stone – 29 rushes, 105 yards, TD
* UA – Hubert Oliver – 8 rushes, 41 yards

Top receivers

* ND – Tony Hunter – 7 receptions, 75 yards
* UA – Tim Holmes – 2 receptions, 43 yards

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Dan Devine's 50th win at Notre Dame

### Vs. Navy

[edit]

Navy Midshipmen (5–2) vs. #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6–0)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* ND – Ty Barber 9-yard run (kick blocked), 5:37. Notre Dame 6–0. Drive: 5 plays, 92 yards, 2:09.
* ND – Pete Buchanan 3-yard run (pass failed), 2:45. Notre Dame 12–0. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:31.

Second quarter

* ND – Jim Stone 13-yard run (pass good), 12:40. Notre Dame 20–0. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 3:00.
* ND – Harry Oliver 41-yard field goal, 10:34. Notre Dame 23–0. Drive: 3 plays, -9 yards, 1:58.
* ND – Harry Oliver 50-yard field goal, 1:26. Notre Dame 26–0. Drive: 3 plays, 2 yards, 1:23.

Third quarter

* No scoring

Fourth quarter

* ND – Greg Bell 27-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 9:47. Notre Dame 33–0. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:37.

Top passers

* ND – Blair Kiel – 3/8, 32 yards, INT
* NAVY – Tom Tarquinio – 7/11, 56 yards

Top rushers

* ND – Jim Stone – 33 rushes, 211 yards, TD
* NAVY – Eddie Meyers – 15 rushes, 53 yards

Top receivers

* ND – Tim Tripp – 1 reception, 17 yards
* NAVY – Tim Jackson – 2 receptions, 17 yards

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* Scott Zettek - AP Midwest Lineman of the Week (8 tackles, 3 sacks)

### At Georgia Tech

[edit]

#1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7–0) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1–7)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* No scoring

Second quarter

* GT – Johnny Smith 39-yard field goal, 6:11. Georgia Tech 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:25.

Third quarter

* No scoring

Fourth quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 47-yard field goal, 4:44. Tie 3–3. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:04.

Top passers

* ND – Blair Kiel – 5/12, 58 yards, 2 INT
* GT – Ken Whisenhunt – 3/5, 29 yards

Top rushers

* ND – Jim Stone – 21 rushes, 85 yards
* GT – Matt Bryant – 10 rushes, 42 yards

Top receivers

* ND – Pete Holohan – 5 receptions, 63 yards
* GT – Leon Chadwick – 2 receptions, 20 yards

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### At Alabama

[edit]

#6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7–0–1) at #5 Alabama Crimson Tide (8–1)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* No scoring

Second quarter

* ND – Phil Carter 2-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 6:02. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 4 yards, 0:34.

Third quarter

* No scoring

Fourth quarter

* No scoring

Top passers

* ND – Blair Kiel – 5/9, 43 yards
* ALA – Walter Lewis – 5/11, 53 yards

Top rushers

* ND – Phil Carter – 31 rushes, 84 yards, TD
* ALA – Walter Lewis – 12 rushes, 58 yards

Top receivers

* ND – Phil Carter – 2 receptions, 19 yards
* ALA – Bart Krout – 3 receptions, 25 yards

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### Air Force

[edit]

Air Force Falcons (2–7–1) at #2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8–0–1)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* AFA – Sean Pavlich 35-yard field goal, 1:06. Air Force 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:35.

Second quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 31-yard field goal, 14:09. Tie 3–3. Drive: 3 plays, 7 yards, 0:52.

Third quarter

* ND – Phil Carter 2-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 5:17. Notre Dame 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 6:40.
* ND – Jim Stone 7-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 0:48. Notre Dame 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 3:00.

Fourth quarter

* AFA – Charlie Heath 1-yard run (Sean Pavlich kick), 7:04. Notre Dame 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 1:28.
* ND – Jim Stone 2-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 1:51. Notre Dame 24–10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:13.

Top passers

* AFA – Scott Schafer – 3/15, 43 yards
* ND – Blair Kiel – 6/20, 67 yards, INT

Top rushers

* AFA – Ted Sundquist – 10 rushes, 41 yards
* ND – Phil Carter – 29 rushes, 181 yards, TD

Top receivers

* AFA – Charlie Heath – 2 receptions, 19 yards
* ND – Tony Hunter – 1 reception, 25 yards

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[18]

### At USC

[edit]

#2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9–0–1) at #17 USC Trojans (7–2–1)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* No scoring

Second quarter

* USC – Michael Harper 6-yard run (Eric Hipp kick), 8:23. USC 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 1:42.
* USC – Eric Hipp 22-yard field goal, 1:31. USC 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 5:28.

Third quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 30-yard field goal, 0:50. USC 10–3. Drive: 3 plays, -12 yards, 2:08.

Fourth quarter

* USC – Eric Hipp 17-yard field goal, 11:42. USC 13–3. Drive: 3 plays, 0 yards, 2:17.
* USC – Michael Harper 10-yard run (Eric Hipp kick), 1:09. USC 20–3. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:25.

Top passers

* ND – Mike Courey – 3/8, 25 yards, 2 INT
* USC – Scott Tinsley – 4/5, 24 yards

Top rushers

* ND – Phil Carter – 20 rushes, 42 yards
* USC – Michael Harper – 20 rushes, 87 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

* ND – Pete Holohan – 2 receptions, 19 yards
* USC – Jeff Simmons – 1 reception, 15 yards

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### Sugar Bowl (vs. Georgia)

[edit]

#17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9–1–1) vs. #1 Georgia Bulldogs (11–0)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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

First quarter

* ND – Harry Oliver 50-yard field goal, 10:41. Notre Dame 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:19.
* UGA – Rex Robinson 46-yard field goal, 1:45. Tie 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 20 yards, 3:38.
* UGA – Herschel Walker 1-yard run (Rex Robinson kick), 1:04. Georgia 10–3. Drive: 2 plays, 1 yard, 0:41.

Second quarter

* UGA – Herschel Walker 3-yard run (Rex Robinson kick), 13:49. Georgia 17–3. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 0:17.

Third quarter

* ND – Phil Carter 1-yard run (Harry Oliver kick), 0:54. Georgia 17–10. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 4:25.

Fourth quarter

* No scoring

Top passers

* ND – Blair Kiel – 14/27, 138 yards, 2 INT
* UGA – Buck Belue – 1/12, 7 yards

Top rushers

* ND – Phil Carter – 27 rushes, 109 yards, TD
* UGA – Herschel Walker – 36 rushes, 150 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

* ND – Pete Holohan – 4 receptions, 44 yards
* UGA – Amp Arnold – 1 reception, 7 yards

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## Roster

[edit]

1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster

Players  | Coaches
Offense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

RB | `` | Bernie Adell
RB | `` | Ty Barber
RB | `28` | Greg Bell | Fr
RB | `` | Mike Boushka
FB | `35` | Pete Buchanan | So
G | `65` | Bob Burger | Sr
RB | `22` | Phil Carter | So
WR | `80` | Dave Condeni | Jr
QB | `2` | Mike Courey | Sr
TE | `81` | Marty Detmer | Sr
WR | `1` | Ty Dickerson | Sr
OL | `` | Randy Ellis
OL | `` | Robb Gagnon
QB | `` | Scott Grooms | Fr
WR | `31` | Pete Holohan | Sr
G | `78` | Tim Huffman | Sr
WR | `` | Tony Hunter | So
QB, P | `5` | Blair Kiel | Fr
QB | `13` | Greg Knafelc | Sr
QB | `` | Tim Koegel | Sr
TE | `86` | Dean Masztak | Jr
FB | `` | Rob McGarry | So
RB | `` | Larry Moriarty | So
RB | `` | Rodney Morris
RB | `` | John Mosley | Fr
OT | `71` | Phil Pozderac | Jr
C | `57` | John Scully (C) | Sr
OT | `74` | Mike Shiner | So
RB | `` | Jim Stone | Sr
RB | `` | John Sweeney
OL | `64` | Tom Thayer | So
WR | `` | Tim Tripp
TE | `95` | Nick Vehr | Sr
Defense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

DT | `94` | Tom Bock | Jr
CB | `9` | Chris Brown | Fr
DB | `` | Steve Cichy
ILB | `43` | Bob Crable (C) | Jr
S | `22` | Dave Duerson | So
S | `20` | Angelo Fasano | Sr
S | `27` | Tom Gibbons (C) | Sr
DE | `92` | Joe Gramke | Jr
DE | `` | John Hankred | Sr
DL | `` | Don Kidd
DL | `` | Pat Kramer
CB | `19` | John Krimm | Jr
DL | `` | Tim Marshall | Fr
LB | `` | Brendan Moynihan
DT | `72` | Ken Muncy | So
LB | `45` | John Rice | Jr
LB | `51` | Joe Rudzinski
DB | `` | Stacey Toran
LB | `46` | Mark Zavagnin | So
DE | `70` | Scott Zettek | Sr
Special teams | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

K | `` | Mike Johnston
K | `3` | Harry Oliver | Jr
LS | `` | Bill Siewe

Head coach

* Dan Devine

Coordinators/assistant coaches

* Brian Boulac
* Bill Meyers
* Ron Toman (QB)
* Joe Yonto (DL)

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (S) Suspended
* (I) Ineligible

* Injured
* Redshirt

## Awards and honors

[edit]

* Former Fighting Irish coach Ara Parseghian was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

## Team players drafted into the NFL

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

1. ^ "Notre Dame Yearly Results (1985-1989)". College Football Data Warehouse. David DeLassus. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
2. ^ "N.D. steams by Purdue, 31–10". Detroit Free Press. September 7, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
3. ^ "51-yard field goal on last play beats UM". The Flint Journal. September 21, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
4. ^ "Irish escape MSU ambush". Wisconsin State Journal. October 5, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. ^ "Irish rip Miami". News-Press. October 12, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
6. ^ "No. 5 Irish smother Army, 30–3". The Des Moines Register. October 19, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
7. ^ "Fake punt helps Notre Dame run to victory over Arizona". Chicago Tribune. October 26, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ "Notre Dame glad Stone stayed ready". Daily Record. November 2, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ "Notre Dame ties Tech, 3–3". The Indianapolis Star. November 9, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ "Hot Irish defense stops Alabama cold". Chicago Tribune. November 16, 1980. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
11. ^ 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.
12. ^ "Trojans spoil Irish hopes for shot at national crown". The Galveston Daily News. December 7, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ "Opportunistic Georgia fulfills national-title dream". Chicago Tribune. January 2, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
14. ^ "1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
15. ^ Palm Beach Post. 1980 Sept 7.
16. ^ "Last-Play, 51-Yard Kick Gets Irish Past Michigan." Palm Beach Post. 1980 Sept 21.
17. ^ Gadsden Times. 1980 Oct 19. Retrieved 2018-Oct-19.
18. ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1980 Nov 23.

* v
* t
* e

Notre Dame Fighting Irish football

Venues|

* Brownson Hall field (1892?–1899)
* Cartier Field (1899–1928)
* Soldier Field (1929)
* Notre Dame Stadium (1930–present)

Bowls and rivalries|

* Bowl games
* Emerald Isle Classic
* Army
* Boston College
* Michigan
* Michigan State
* Navy
* Northwestern
* Pittsburgh
* Purdue
* Stanford
* USC

Culture and lore|

* History
* Band of the Fighting Irish
* Irish Guard
* Notre Dame Box
* Notre Dame Leprechaun
* "Notre Dame, Our Mother"
* "Notre Dame Victory March"
* Play Like a Champion Today
* Subway Alumni
* T formation
* Tall Grass Game
* 1946 "Game of the Century"
* 1966 "Game of the Century"
* Catholics vs. Convicts
* 30 for 30 film
* 1993 "Game of the Century"
* Bush Push
* Navy ends the drought
* Death of Lizzy Seeberg
* 2020 ACC Championship Game
* The Spirit of Notre Dame
* Knute Rockne, All American
* Notre Dame Football on NBC
* Rudy

People|

* Head coaches
* Starting quarterbacks
* Four Horsemen
* NFL draftees
* Statistical leaders
* Team captains

Seasons|

* 1887
* 1888
* 1889
* 1890
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* 1892
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National championship seasons in bold
*[v]: View this template
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*[Conf.]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T]: Ties
*[No.]: Number