The 1990 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth year under head coach Lou Holtz, the Irish compiled a 9–3 record, outscored opponents by a total of 350 to 249, and were ranked No. 6 in the final AP and UPI polls. Ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP poll, the Irish dropped to No. 8 after losing to unranked Stanford, but regained the No. 1 spot after defeating No. 1 Miami (FL). They then lost two of the last three games, including a loss to No. 1 Colorado in the Orange Bowl.

Senior nose tackle Chris Zorich won the Lombardi Award and was selected as the team's most valuable player. Wide receiver and return specialist Rocket Ismail finished second in the Heisman trophy voting. Zorich, Ismail, linebacker Michael Stonebreaker, and defensive back Todd Lyght were consensus first-team picks on the 1990 All-America college football team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Rick Mirer (1,824 passing yards), running back Rodney Culver (710 rushing yards), Ismail (1,723 all-purpose yards), and Stonebreaker (95 tackles).1990 Football Review, p. 51.

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

Schedule

Game summaries Michigan

Michigan State

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The Immaculate Deflection - Rick Mirer's 24-yard completion to Adrian Jarrell, which bounced off hands of MSU LB Todd Murray up and into Jarrell's arms at MSU 2. Three plays later, Culver scored. "There's definitely somebody looking out for us. There's somebody on our side," said Mirer. Notre Dame's 60th victory as No. 1 ranked team & 5-0-1 vs. MSU when ranked #1

Purdue

Stanford

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Air Force

Miami (FL)

Gainesville Sun. 1990 Sep 21. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.

Pittsburgh

Navy

Gainesville Sun. 1990 Nov 4. Retrieved 2018-Dec-15.

Tennessee

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The Irish traveled to Knoxville and pulled off a thrilling 34–29 victory over the 9th-ranked Tennessee Vols. The Irish built a 4th quarter lead and held off a furious late comeback by Tennessee.

Penn State

USC

Colorado (Orange Bowl)

Notre Dame lost a heartbreaker to top-ranked Colorado in the Orange Bowl, 10–9. The Irish were undone by three third-quarter turnovers and a controversial penalty flag that negated a late punt return touchdown by Ismail. Colorado would go on to win a share of the national championship.

Roster

Awards and honors Junior flanker Rocket Ismail received numerous awards and honors: Finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy. Received the Walter Camp Award Named The Sporting News Player of the Year Voted by teammates at Notre Dame's most valuable player Consensus first-team All-America, with first-team honors from Associated Press (AP), Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football News (FN) 1990 Football Review, pp. 52-53.

Senior defensive tackle Chris Zorich also received numerous awards and honors: Won the Lombardi Award Consensus first-team All-Americam with first-team honors from AP, WCFF, FWAA, AFCA, and FN Athlon defensive player of the year Outland Trophy semifinalist Named Notre Dame Lineman of the Year Orange Bowl MVP Invited to play in Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl

Senior inside linebacker Michael Stonebreaker was a consensus first-team All-American with first-team honors from AP, WCFF, FWAA, and AFCA. He was also a finalist (finished third) for the Butkus Award and was invited to play in the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl.

Senior cornerback Todd Lyght received first-team All-America honors from the WCFF and AFCA. He was also a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and was invited to play in the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl.

Senior center Mike Heldt received first-team All-America honors from FN and was invited to play in the Hula Bowl.

Sophomore kicker/punter Craig Hentrich received Chevrolet MVP designations for the Miami and USC games. He set a Notre Dame single-game record with five field goals in six attempts versus Miami.

1991 NFL draft Despite being drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders, the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League signed Raghib Ismail to a four-year contract worth 18 million dollars in April 1991. The Ismail signing included four million dollars upfront.

References