The 1985 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Gerry Faust, the Irish compiled a 5–6 record, were outscored by a total of 234 to 230, and were unranked for the fifth consecutive year in the final AP and UPI polls.

Guard Tim Scannell received first-team honors from Scripps-Howard on the 1985 All-America college football team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Steve Beuerlein (1,335 passing yards), running back Allen Pinkett (1,100 rushing yards, 66 points scored), Tim Brown (25 receptions, 397 receiving yards), and linebacker Tony Furjanic (147 tackles).Irish Eye, p. 64.

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

Schedule

Irish Eye, p. 64 (attendance figures).

Game summaries

at Michigan

Michigan State

At Purdue

at No. 17 Air Force

Army

"Irish upset No. 19 Army to answer critics." Gainesville Sun. 1985 Oct 20.

USC Notre Dame played the first half in navy blue jerseys and changed into green jerseys for the second half.

Source:

Navy

Ole Miss Notre Dame finally had the opportunity to exact revenge on the Rebels for a 20–13 loss at Jackson eight years earlier.

Gainesville Sun. 1985 Nov 10.

at No. 1 Penn State

No. 17 LSU Ironically, Gerry Faust's last game in Notre Dame Stadium was against the same school he faced in his first game as Irish coach four years earlier.

at No. 4 Miami (FL)

Roster

Awards and honors Allen Pinkett finished 8th in voting for the Heisman Trophy. Guard Tim Scannell received first-team honors from Scripps Howard News Service on the 1985 All-America college football team. Former Fighting Irish players Paul Hornung and Jim Martin were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

1986 NFL draft

The following Notre Dame players were selected in the 1986 NFL draft: Eric DorseyDefensive end119NY GiantsAllen PinkettRunning back361Houston OilersTony FurjanicLinebacker8202Buffalo BillsMike PerrinoTackle8209San Diego Chargers

References