The 2014 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their fifth year under head coach Brian Kelly, the Irish compiled an 8–5 record and outscored opponents 427 to 379. They began the season 6–0 and were ranked as high as No. 5 in the AP and Coaches Polls, but went 1–5 in the second half of the regular season. Notre Dame's defense suffered significant injuries and yielded more than 41 points per game in those six games. For the first time in school history, the Irish gave up 30 or more points in seven consecutive contests.
The Irish finished on a high note, upsetting No. 22 LSU in the Music City Bowl, 31–28, as Kyle Brindza kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired. This was Notre Dame's first win over a ranked opponent in a bowl game since 1993.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Everett Golson (3,445 passing yards), running back Tarean Folston (889 rushing yards), wide receiver William Fuller (76 receptions for 1,094 yards), linebacker Jaylon Smith (112 total tackles), and kicker Kyle Brindza (93 points scored). Middle linebacker Joe Schmidt was selected as the team's most valuable player.
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Schedule
Before the season From the 2013 team that won nine games, the Irish lost offensive tackle Zack Martin || Offensive tackle, defensiv end Stephon Tuitt, tight end Troy Niklas, defensive tackle Louis Nix, offensive guard Chris Watt, and linebacker Prince Shembo in the first four rounds of the 2014 NFL draft.
Florida defensive back Cody Riggs transferred to Notre Dame for his final season of eligibility.
There were also several changes to the coaching staff. Assistant coach Chuck Martin left to become the head coach of the Miami RedHawks.Miami hires Notre Dame OC Chuck Martin Bob Diaco departed to become the head coach of the Connecticut Huskies.Bob Diaco agrees to take UCONN Huskies job Brian VanGorder, formerly the linebackers coach of the NFL's New York Jets, was hired to be the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.Irish officially hire Jets' VanGorder Matt LaFleur, formerly the quarterbacks coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins, was hired to be the new quarterbacks coach.LaFleur To Notre Dame Mike Denbrock was promoted to offensive coordinator, filling the void left by Martin.
Rankings
Game summaries Rice
Michigan
In what looks to be the final meeting between Notre Dame and Michigan, Notre Dame defeated Michigan, 31–0, giving the Irish their most lopsided win against the Wolverines. The game ended Michigan's NCAA record of consecutive games without being shut out. (The Wolverines were last shut out in 1984 versus Iowa). Michigan turned the ball over four times, while Notre Dame had no turnovers. Michigan never reached the red zone in this game. Everett Golson went 23 for 34, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns for the Irish. Notre Dame went to 2–0 on the year.
Purdue
Syracuse
Stanford
With 1:09 left in the game and Notre Dame facing a 4th and 11 from Stanford's 23 yard line, Everett Golson finds a wide open Ben Koyack in the corner of the endzone to lift Notre Dame over Stanford 17–14. Stanford, the country's number one defense, had been giving up just 198 total yards of offense a game, but Notre Dame piled up 370 yards. Despite the Irish offense moving the ball, multiple mistakes including botched field goal snaps and turnovers in the red zone kept the game close throughout. Notre Dame's defense was dominant, giving up just 204 total yards and had two interceptions. Further, the Irish defense held Stanford to 47 yards rushing – Stanford's fewest rush yards in a game since 2007. With the win, Notre Dame moves to 5–0.
North Carolina
The 6th ranked Irish held off the North Carolina Tar Heels to win in a shootout 50–43. After trailing 14–0 in the 1st, the Irish found some rhythm to score 21 points in a row to take a 21–14 lead. The win marked the first time the Irish put up 50 points against a non-academy team since beating Stanford 57–7 in 2003.
Florida State
The Irish, who were double digit underdogs, looked to score the game-winning touchdown with :13 left after Everett Golson found a wide open Corey Robinson in the endzone. But the Irish were flagged for a pass interference penalty which took the touchdown away and pushed Notre Dame back 10 yards. Irish turned the ball over on the next play. The penalty was considered controversial by someControversial Pass Interference Penalty cost ND Game in a game many consider the game of the year between two top 5 teams. Everett Golson showed why many consider him a Heisman candidate by completing 31 of 52 passes for 313 yards and throwing for 3 touchdowns.
Navy
Arizona State
1st quarter scoring: ND – Kyle Brindza 46-yard field goal; ASU – Zane Gonzalez, 47-yard field goal; ASU – Jaelen Strong 13-yard pass from Taylor Kelly (Gonzalez kick); ASU – Demario Richard 1-yard run (Gonzalez kick)
2nd quarter scoring: ASU – Damarious Randall 59-yard interception (Gonzalez kick); ASU – Cameron Smith 43-yard pass from Kelly (Gonzalez kick); ASU – Gonzalez, 28-yard field goal; ND – Will Fuller 9-yard pass from Everett Golden (Brindza kick)
3rd quarter scoring:
Northwestern
Louisville
For the first time in the history of Notre Dame football, the Irish gave up 30 or more points in six straight games. And for the second week in a row, a missed field goal by kicker Kyle Brindza late in the game doomed the Irish. Notre Dame was 1–4 in the last 5 games after starting the season 6–0.
USC
LSU (Music City Bowl)
Personnel
Players The roster is current as of October 8, 2014. 2014 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Roster - und.comQuarterbacks 6 Charlie Fiessinger – Senior 5 Everett Golson – Senior 14 DeShone Kizer – Freshman 19 Montgomery Van Gorder – Freshman 8 Malik Zaire – Sophomore
Running backs 46 Josh Anderson – Junior 1 Greg Bryant – Sophomore 25 Tarean Folston – Sophomore 33 Cam McDaniel – Senior
Wide receivers 11 Justin Brent – Freshman 2 Chris Brown – Junior 35 Cam Bryan – Junior 3 Amir Carlisle – Senior 87 Keenan Centlivre – Freshman 10 DaVaris Daniels – Senior 7 Will Fuller – Sophomore 39 Luke Hamel – Freshman 15 Corey Holmes – Freshman 81 Omar Hunter – Sophomore 16 Torii Hunter Jr. – Sophomore 37 Eric Lee – Senior 20 C. J. Prosise – Junior 88 Corey Robinson – Sophomore 86 Buster Sheridan – Sophomore 83 Austin Webster – Freshman
Tight ends 9 Mike Heuerman – Sophomore 18 Ben Koyack – Senior 13 Tyler Luatua – Freshman 80 Durham Smythe – Sophomore 84 Ben Suttman – Sophomore 82 Nic Weishar – Freshman Offensive Lineman 71 Alex Bars – Freshman 70 Hunter Bivin – Sophomore 63 Sam Bush – Freshman 67 Jimmy Byrne – Freshman 79 Steve Elmer – Sophomore 65 Conor Hanratty – Senior 75 Mark Harrell – Junior 74 Christian Lombard – Graduate Student 68 Mike McGlinchey – Sophomore 62 Colin McGovern – Sophomore 60 John Montelus – Sophomore 53 Sam Mustipher – Freshman 56 Quenton Nelson – Freshman 78 Ronnie Stanley – Junior
Centers 77 Matt Hegarty – Senior 72 Nick Martin – Senior
Defensive Lineman 92 Grant Blankenship – Freshman 55 Jonathan Bonner – Freshman 75 Daniel Cage – Freshman 91 Sheldon Day – Junior 95 Marquis Dickerson – Sophomore 93 Jay Hayes – Freshman 50 Chase Hounshell – Senior 94 Jarron Jones – Junior 64 Ryan Kilander – Freshman 73 Scott Kingsley – Sophomore 89 Jacob Matuska – Sophomore 97 Patrick Mazza – Sophomore 96 Peter Mokwuah – Freshman 45 Romeo Okwara – Junior 56 Anthony Rabasa – Senior 90 Isaac Rochell – Sophomore 98 Andrew Trumbetti – Freshman 53 Justin Utupo – Graduate Student 11 Ishaq Williams – Senior 33 Jhonny Williams – Freshman Linebackers 30 Ben Councell – Senior 42 Michael Deeb – Sophomore 59 Jarrett Grace – Senior 43 Kolin Hill – Freshman 52 Austin Larkin – Sophomore 48 Greer Martini – Freshman 8 Kendall Moore – Graduate Student 5 Nyles Morgan – Freshman 17 James Onwualu – Sophomore 44 Doug Randolph – Sophomore 38 Joe Schmidt – Senior 9 Jaylon Smith – Sophomore 31 John Turner – Junior
Cornerbacks 43 Josh Atkinson – Senior 34 Jesse Bongiovi – Sophomore 21 Jalen Brown – Senior 12 Devin Butler – Sophomore 40 Connor Cavalaris – Senior 41 Matthias Farley – Senior 35 Grant Hammann – Freshman 36 Cole Luke – Sophomore 2 Cody Riggs – Graduate Student 6 KeiVarae Russell – Junior 19 Nick Watkins – Freshman
Safeties 29 Nicky Baratti – Junior 28 Austin Collinsworth – Graduate Student 4 Eilar Hardy – Senior 46 Eamon McOsker – Junior 36 Tyler Price – Sophomore 39 Drew Recker – Sophomore 10 Max Redfield – Sophomore 22 Elijah Shumate – Junior 42 Ernie Soto – Senior 23 Drue Tranquill – Freshman Kickers/Punters 27 Kyle Brindza – Senior 43 John Chereson – Sophomore 85 Tyler Newsome – Freshman
Long snappers 61 Scott Daly – Junior 99 Hunter Smith – Junior
Coaching staff Name Position Year at Notre Dame Alma mater (Year)Brian KellyHead coach5thAssumption (1982)Mike DenbrockOffensive coordinator/wide receivers5thGrand Valley State (1987)Brian VanGorderDefensive coordinator/inside linebackers1stWayne State (1980)Harry HiestandOffensive line/run game coordinator3rdEast Stroudsburg (1983)Scott BookerTight ends/special teams coordinator3rdKent State (2003)Tony AlfordRunning backs/recruiting coordinator6thColorado State (1992)Kerry CooksDefensive backs5thIowa (2000)Mike ElstonDefensive line5thMichigan (1998)Bob ElliottOutside linebackers3rdIowa (1976)Matt LaFleurQuarterbacks1stSaginaw Valley State (2002)Paul LongoDirector of football strength and conditioning5thWayne State (1981)Ryan MahaffeyGraduate assistant1stNorthern Iowa (2011)
Recruiting class Brian Kelly received 23 commitments in his fourth full recruiting class including two five-stars: linebacker Nyles Morgan and offensive tackle Quenton Nelson. The class included student-athletes from 14 states.
Statistics Passing Everett Golson - 256 of 427 (60.0%) for 3,445 yards, 29 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a 143.6 passer rating. Malik Zaire - 21 of 35 (60.0%) for 266 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 133.3 passer rating
Rushing Tarean Folston - 889 yards on 175 carries, 5.1-yard average, 6 touchdowns Greg Bryant, 289 yards on 54 carries, 5.4-yard average, 3 touchdowns Everett Golson - 289 yards, 2.4-yard average, 8 touchdowns Cam McDaniel - 278 yards on 77 carries, 3.6-yard average, 4 touchdowns Malik Zaire - 187 yards on 33 carries, 5.7-yard average, 2 touchdowns C.J. Prosise - 126 yards on 10 carries, 12.6-yard average, 1 touchdown
Receiving William Fuller - 76 receptions for 1,094 yards, 14.4 yards per catch, 15 touchdowns Chris Brown - 39 receptions for 548 yards, 14.1 yards per catch, 1 touchdown Corey Robinson - 40 receptions for 539 yards, 13.5 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns C.J. Prosise - 29 receptions for 516 yards, 17.8 yards per catch, 2 touchdowns Ben Koyack - 30 receptions for 317 yards, 10.6 yards per catch, 2 touchdowns Amir Carlisle - 23 receptions for 309 yards, 13.4 yards per catch, 3 touchdowns Tarean Folston - 18 receptions for 190 yards, 10.6 yards per catch, 1 touchdown
Scoring Kyle Brindza (K) - 93 points, 51 of 52 PAT, 14 of 24 field goals William Fuller (WR) - 90 points, 15 touchdowns Everett Golson (QB) - 50 points, 8 touchdowns, 1 two-point conversion Tarean Folston (RB) - 42 points, 7 touchdowns Corey Robinson (WR) - 30 points, 5 touchdowns Cam McDaniel - 24 points, 4 touchdowns
Awards and honors No Notre Dame players received first-team honors on the 2014 All-America college football team. Linebacker Jaylon Smith received second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press.
Middle linebacker Joe Schmidt, a former walk-on player, was selected as the team's most valuable player.
References