2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

Last updated

2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo.svg
Sun Bowl champion
Sun Bowl, W 33–17 vs. Miami (FL)
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–5
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Charley Molnar (1st season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco (1st season)
Base defense 3–4
CaptainBy Game
Home stadium Notre Dame Stadium
Seasons
←  2009
2011  →
2010 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Navy   –   9 –4  
Notre Dame   –   8 –5  
Army   –   7 –6  
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Brian Kelly and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. This was Kelly's first season as Notre Dame's head coach, after leading the Cincinnati Bearcats to a 12–0 regular season and BCS bowl berth. In 2010, Notre Dame's regular season schedule was ranked the most difficult schedule in the nation with a Team Opposition Record Percentage of .6529 (the poll published by the NCAA only includes wins against Division 1 teams). They finished the season 8–5 and were invited to the Sun Bowl where they defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 33–17.

Contents

Preseason

Coaching changes

Following the 2009 season, Notre Dame fired head coach Charlie Weis after the Irish finished 6-6, well below expectations of competing for a BCS bowl berth. [1] Brian Kelly was named as his replacement on Dec 10, 2009. [2] Running Backs coach Tony Alford was the lone assistant retained from Weis's staff. [3] Before Rob Ianello could be considered, he took the head job at the University of Akron [4] Ron Powlus followed Ianello to Akron.

Player departures

Irish stars Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate chose to forgo their final years of eligibility and declare for the 2010 NFL draft. [5] [6] The Irish also lost a number of seniors to graduation, including linemen Eric Olsen, Paul Duncan and four-year starter Sam Young. Other notable losses included running back James Aldridge, wideout Robby Parris, and George West on offense. On defense, ND lost senior captains Kyle McCarthy and Scott Smith, Raeshon McNeil, Sergio Brown, John Ryan and Ray Herring to graduation. Standout special teams player Mike Anello also finished his final year of eligibility. Sophomore defensive back E.J Banks left the team in August 2010, but will still be enrolled at the school. On August 31, within days of the September 4 season opener against Purdue, sophomore wide receiver Shaquelle Evans was granted his release from the team, and decided to enroll at UCLA. [7] Freshman Derek Roback also left the program in early September, as his desire to play quarterback led to his transfer to Ohio [8]

Player additions

With his first recruiting class, Brian Kelly received 23 signed commitments from high school players across the United States. Among them was five early-enrollees: Quarterback Tommy Rees, Wide Receiver Tai-ler Jones, Cornerback Lo Wood, Cornerback Spencer Boyd and Safety Chris Badger. Spencer Boyd transferred to USF in early July, [9] and Chris Badger left on a two-year Mormon mission to Ecuador in August. [10] On April 2, 2010, Notre Dame recruit Matt James, who committed to Notre Dame on National Signing Day, died when he fell from a three-story hotel balcony in Panama City, Florida. [11]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 43:30 p.m. Purdue
NBC W 23–1280,795
September 113:30 p.m. Michigan
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCL 24–2880,795
September 188:00 p.m.at Michigan State
ABC, ESPN2 L 31–34 OT78,411
September 253:30 p.m.No. 16 Stanford
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCL 14–3780,795
October 28:00 p.m.at Boston College
ABCW 31–1344,500
October 93:30 p.m. Pittsburgh
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCW 23–1780,795
October 162:30 p.m. Western Michigan
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN
NBCW 44–2080,795
October 2312:00 p.m.vs. Navy
CBS L 17–3575,614
October 302:30 p.m. Tulsa
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN
NBCL 27–2880,795
November 132:30 p.m.No. 15 Utah
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN
NBCW 28–380,795
November 207:00 p.m.vs. Army
NBCW 27–354,251
November 278:00 p.m.at USC
ABCW 20–1685,417
December 312:00 p.m.vs. Miami (FL)
CBSW 33–1754,021

Personnel

Coaching staff

NamePositionYear at Notre Dame Alma Mater (Year)
Brian Kelly Head coach1st Assumption (1982)
Bob Diaco Defensive coordinator/inside linebackers1st Iowa (1995)
Charley Molnar Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks1st Lock Haven (1984)
Mike Elston Defensive line/special teams coordinator1st Michigan (1998)
Chuck Martin Defensive backs/recruiting coordinator1st Millikin (1990)
Ed Warinner Offensive line1st Mount Union (1984)
Mike Denbrock Tight ends1st (second stint) Grand Valley State (1987)
Tony AlfordWide receivers1st Colorado State (1992)
Tim HintonRunning backs1st Wilmington (1982)
Kerry Cooks Outside linebackers1st Iowa (2000)
Paul LongoStrength and conditioning1st Wayne State University (1981)

Roster

2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

  • 28 Austin Collinsworth (FR)
  • 3 Michael Floyd (JR)
  • 42 Dan Franco (SR)
  • 21 Barry Gallup Jr. (SR)
  • 81 John Goodman (JR)
  • 38 Christopher Gurries (SR)
  • 86 Bennett Jackson (FR)
  • 7 T. J. Jones (FR)
  • 18 Duval Kamara (SR)
  • 6 Theo Riddick (S0)
  • 87 Daniel Smith (FR)
  • 19 Robby Toma (SO)
  • 1 Deion Walker (JR)
Tight ends

Center

Offensive guard

Offensive tackle

  • 72 Alex Bullard (SO)
  • 73 Lane Clelland (JR)
  • 75 Taylor Dever (SR)
  • 74 Christian Lombard (FR)
  • 71 Dennis Mahoney (JR)
  • 70 Zack Martin (SO)
  • 64 Tate Nichols (FR)
  • 77 Matt Romine (SR)

Game summaries

Purdue

Shillelagh Trophy: Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0–0)
Period1234Total
Purdue030912
Notre Dame767323

at Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, Indiana

  • Date: September 4
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Partly sunny • 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind NW 16 miles per hour (26 km/h; 14 kn)
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Referee: Dave Witovet
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Mike Mayock
  • Box Score
Game information

Brian Kelly's debut with Notre Dame

Michigan

1234Total
Wolverines1470728
Fighting Irish7010724

Michigan State

Megaphone Trophy: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1–1) at Michigan State Spartans (2–0)
Period1234OTTotal
Notre Dame70147331
Michigan State07147634

at Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan

Game information

Stanford

1234Total
#16 Cardinal10631837
Fighting Irish330814

Boston College

1234Total
Fighting Irish2137031
Eagles760013

Pittsburgh

1234Total
Panthers307717
Fighting Irish7103323

Western Michigan

1234Total
Broncos7100320
Fighting Irish72014344
1234Total
Fighting Irish370717
Midshipmen71414035

Tulsa

1234Total
Golden Hurricane1267328
Fighting Irish1377027

Utah

1234Total
#15 Utes30003
Fighting Irish7714028

Army

Shamrock Series: Army Black Knights (6–4) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5–5)
Period1234Total
Army30003
Notre Dame01710027

at Yankee Stadium • Bronx, New York

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy • 48 °F (9 °C) • Wind N/NW 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn)
  • Game attendance: 54,251
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Mike Mayock
  • Automated ScoreBook
Game information

Notre Dame wore green jerseys

USC

1234Total
•Notre Dame0130720
USC3010316
Scoring summary
14:09USCJoe Houston 45-yard field goalUSC 3-0
22:39ND Michael Floyd 1-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 7-3
20:07NDDuval Kamara 1-yard pass from Tommy Rees (kick failed)ND 13-3
311:02USCJoe Houston 23-yard field goalND 13-6
35:40USC Mitch Mustain 1-yard run (Joe Houston kick)Tied 13-13
46:25USCJoe Houston 37-yard field goalUSC 16-13
42:23ND Robert Hughes 5-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 20-16

On a rainy Southern California night, the Trojans' Joe Houston kicked a 45-yard field goal to give USC a first quarter lead. The second quarter, however, belonged to the Irish, as QB Tommy Rees completed a pair of 1-yard pass touchdowns to Michael Floyd and Duval Kamara, with Kamara's coming just before the half. David Ruffer missed the extra point on the second touchdown. In the third quarter, the Trojans kicked a field goal and Mitch Mustain ran in for a 1-yard touchtown, which was aided by a Notre Dame fumble. Joe Houston's 37-yard field goal gave the Trojans a fourth quarter lead. But Notre Dame came back with a 5-yard rush touchdown by Robert Hughes to give the Irish the lead back and the game. Notre Dame finally ended USC's streak of consecutive victories, which dated back to 2001. USC's attempt to come back was stopped by a Notre Dame interception at the one-yard line.

Miami (FL)

Tommy Rees calls an audible at the 2010 Sun Bowl. Tommy Rees Sun Bowl.jpg
Tommy Rees calls an audible at the 2010 Sun Bowl.
1234Total
•Notre Dame14133333
Miami (FL)0301417
Scoring summary
111:02ND Michael Floyd 3-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 7-0
14:35ND Michael Floyd 34-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 14-0
213:21ND Cierre Wood 34-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 21-0
24:50NDDavid Ruffer 40-yard field goalND 24-0
20:27NDDavid Ruffer 50-yard field goalND 27-0
20:00MIA Matt Bosher 47-yard field goalND 27-3
37:12NDDavid Ruffer 19-yard field goalND 30-3
410:36MIA Leonard Hankerson 6-yard pass from Stephen Morris (Matt Bosher kick)ND 30-10
44:01MIA Tommy Streeter 42-yard pass from Stephen Morris (Matt Bosher kick)ND 30-17
41:21NDNick Tausch 34-yard field goalND 33-17

Tommy Rees passed for 201 yards and two touchdowns to Michael Floyd as Notre Dame beat Miami 33–17. After a 20-year hiatus in the series, it was all Irish in the latest installment of a storied rivalry that became known during the 1980s as "Catholics versus Convicts." The Irish reached the end zone on three of its first four possessions. Rees tossed TD passes of 3 and 34 yards to Floyd and Cierre Wood broke free on a 34-yard scoring run. David Ruffer added field goals from 40, 50 and 19 yards. The Irish defense picked off Miami starting quarterback Jacory Harris 3 times and logged 4 total interceptions in the first half to help the team jump out to a 27–0 lead in the first half. The Hurricanes tried to rally in the 4th quarter behind backup quarterback Stephen Morris, who threw a 6-yard touchdown to Leonard Hankerson and a 42-yard scoring play to Tommy Streeter, but it was too late by then. Rees was able to make some key first downs to effectively run out the clock late in the 4th quarter. [12] The game sold out in 21 hours, the fastest in the Sun Bowl's 77-year history, and the crowd of 54,021 set a bowl attendance record. Floyd's two touchdowns pushed him past Jeff Samardzija and Golden Tate to claim 28 career touchdowns, the most in Irish history. Senior safety Harrison Smith logged three interceptions in the first half, tying the Sun Bowl record. The Irish victory also made Brian Kelly the first Fighting Irish coach to win a bowl game in his first season (Notre Dame did not play in bowl-games from the 1925 through 1968 seasons due to a self-imposed ban on post-season play). [12]

Postseason

Awards

National awards

David Ruffer (finalist) [13]

All-Americans

Name AP AFCA FWAA SN WCFF CBS CFN ESPN PFW Rivals Scout SI
Michael Floyd, WRHon. Mention
Manti Te'o, LBHon. Mention2
David Ruffer, K32
†denotes consensus selection. NCAA recognizes AP, AFCA, FWAA, SN and WCFF 1st teams for consensus selections      Source:

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References

  1. ↑ "Charlie Weis Will Not Be Retained As Notre Dame Football Coach". und.cstv.com. November 30, 2009. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Brian Kelly Named 29th Head Football Coach At Notre Dame". und.com. December 10, 2009. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Tony Alford To Remain On Notre Dame Football Coaching Staff". und.com. December 18, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Akron Names Rob Ianello Head Football Coach". und.cstv.com. December 10, 2009. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  5. ↑ Friend, Tom (December 7, 2009). "Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen decides to enter draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  6. ↑ "ND's Clausen, Tate turning pro". SI.com. December 7, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Source: Former Irish WR Evans enrolls at UCLA". September 14, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Derek Roback Transfers To Ohio". Archived from the original on September 12, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Notre Dame transfer Boyd chooses USF". Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Badger leaving Notre Dame to serve mission | Deseret News". www.mormontimes.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Dr. Saturday".
  12. 1 2 "Tommy Rees, Michael Floyd help Notre Dame dominate Miami". ESPN . December 31, 2010. Archived from the original on January 2, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Irish's David Ruffer a Groza finalist". ESPNChicago.com. November 24, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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