American college football season
The 1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season .[ 1] 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 Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 6 3:20 p.m. No. 9 Purdue No. 11 ABC W 31–1059,075 [ 2] September 20 2:30 p.m. No. 14 Michigan No. 8 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry ) W 29–2759,075 [ 3] October 4 1:00 p.m. at Michigan State No. 7 W 26–2176,821 [ 4] October 11 2:30 p.m. No. 13 Miami (FL) No. 7 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry ) W 32–1459,075 [ 5] October 18 2:30 p.m. Army No. 5 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry ) W 30–359,075 [ 6] October 25 10:35 p.m. at Arizona No. 4 W 20–356,211 [ 7] November 1 1:30 p.m. vs. Navy No. 3 W 33–076,891 [ 8] November 8 1:30 p.m. at Georgia Tech No. 1 T 3–341,266 [ 9] November 15 3:50 p.m. at No. 5 Alabama No. 6 ABC W 7–078,873 [ 10] November 22 1:30 p.m. Air Force No. 2 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry ) W 24–1059,075 [ 11] December 6 3:50 p.m. at No. 17 USC No. 2 ABC L 3–2082,663 [ 12] January 1, 1981 2:00 p.m. vs. No. 1 Georgia No. 7 ABC L 10–1777,895 [ 13]
[ 14]
Game summaries
Purdue
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
ABC Player of Game - Mike Courey (151 yards passing, TD, 59 yards rushing, TD)
[ 15]
Michigan
Game information
First quarter
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 Top receivers
Harry Oliver kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.
[ 16]
At Michigan State
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 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
Blair Kiel started the second half at quarterback
Game information
First quarter
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 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
Army
Game information
First quarter
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
[ 17]
At Arizona
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
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
Dan Devine 's 50th win at Notre Dame
Vs. Navy
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
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
Scott Zettek - AP Midwest Lineman of the Week (8 tackles, 3 sacks)
At Georgia Tech
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GT – Johnny Smith 39-yard field goal, 6:11. Georgia Tech 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:25. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ND – Harry Oliver 47-yard field goal, 4:44. Tie 3–3. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:04.
Top passers 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
At Alabama
Game information
First quarter 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 Fourth quarter
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
Air Force
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
[ 18]
At USC
Game information
First quarter 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 Top receivers
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
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers ND – Pete Holohan – 4 receptions, 44 yards
UGA – Amp Arnold – 1 reception, 7 yards
Personnel
1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
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 Coordinators/assistant coaches Brian Boulac
Bill Meyers
Ron Toman (QB)
Joe Yonto (DL)Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible
Awards and honors
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
^ "Notre Dame Yearly Results (1985-1989)" . College Football Data Warehouse . David DeLassus. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2015 .^ "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.
Venues Bowls and rivalries Culture and lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold
