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.

Center John Scully and linebacker Bob Crable were consensus first-team picks on the 1980 All-America college football team. 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).

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

Schedule

Game summaries Purdue

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

Palm Beach Post. 1980 Sept 7.

Michigan

Harry Oliver kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. "Last-Play, 51-Yard Kick Gets Irish Past Michigan." Palm Beach Post. 1980 Sept 21.

At Michigan State

Blair Kiel started the second half at quarterback

Miami (FL)

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

Gadsden Times. 1980 Oct 19. Retrieved 2018-Oct-19.

At Arizona

Dan Devine's 50th win at Notre Dame

Vs. Navy

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

At Georgia Tech

At Alabama

Air Force

Eugene Register-Guard. 1980 Nov 23.

At USC

Sugar Bowl (vs. Georgia)

Roster

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 (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