2005 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

2005 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2005
Team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish



ImageSize=150 px
Conference=NCAA Division I-A Independent Schools|Independent
Division=
ShortConference=Independent
CoachRank= 11
APRank= 9
Record=9-3
ConfRecord=
HeadCoach=Charlie Weis
OffCoach=Michael Haywood
DefCoach=Corwin Brown
OScheme=Pro-style
DScheme=4-3 Multiple
StadiumArena=Notre Dame Stadium (c. 80,795, grass)
Champion=
BowlTourney=Loss in Fiesta Bowl
BowlTourneyResult=vs. OSU 34-20

The 2005 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was a college football team who represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Charlie Weis in his first year as head coach, and played their home games at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish completed the season with a record of 9 wins and 3 losses, culminating in a post-season appearance in the Fiesta Bowl and a number 9 ranking in the nation.

Pre-season

Coaching changes

After finishing the 2004 season with a record of 6-6, Notre Dame officials, in a controversial move [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1935138|title=Fall From Grace|accessdate=2007-06-22] [cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23549-2004Nov30.html|title=Notre Dame's True Colors|accessdate=2007-06-22] , fired head coach Tyrone Willingham. The Irish initially hoped to hire Utah head coach Urban Meyer, who had led the Utes to an undefeated season, as Meyer previously was an assistant coach for the Irish for 5 years and had a clause in his contract stating he could leave Utah without penalty if Notre Dame offered him a job. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1936781|title=Notre Dame officials meet with Meyer in Utah|accessdate=2007-06-22] When Meyer instead took the head coaching job at Florida, Notre Dame hired Charlie Weis, the New England Patriots offensive coordinator, making him the first Notre Dame alumnus to coach the team since 1963. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1943710|title=Weis to be introduced as Irish coach Monday|accessdate=2007-06-22]

Roster changes

The Irish lost a number of players on defense including four former starting defensive backs, three players on the defensive line, including defensive end Justin Tuck, and two former starting linebackers, including honorable mention All-American Derek Curry, to graduation. On the offensive side of the ball the only key losses for the Irish were running back Ryan Grant and former quarterback and wide receiver Carlyle Holiday. The Irish returned ten starters on offense and four on defense. [cite web|url=http://www.nationalchamps.net/2005/sub/previews/notredame.htm|title=#41 Notre Dame|accessdate=2007-06-22]

Recruits

With poor recruiting being one of the issues that led to the firing of Willingham [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113004aac.html|title=Kevin White Teleconference Transcript|accessdate=2007-06-22] , Weis was challenged to coach the Patriots' offense during the day and work on recruiting players for the Irish at night. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2004-12-16-forbes_x.htm|title=Challenge for Weis: Guide Pats, build Irish|accessdate=2007-06-22] He took a proactive role in recruiting, including sending seven of his assistant coaches to a recruit who had de-committed after Willingham was fired [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2005-01-19-roundup_x.htm|title=Seven Notre Dame coaches visit Ohio recruit|accessdate=2007-06-22] (the recruit, however, signed with the Ohio State Buckeyes). Weis, with some of Willingham's recruits signing also, built a class of 15 recruits, including five four star recruits.

College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = David Bruton
position = DB
hometown = Miamisburg, OH
highschool = Miamisburg HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 180
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 6/29/2004
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Paul Duncan
position = OL
hometown = Dallas, GA
highschool = Eas Paulding HS
feet = 6
inches = 6
weight = 282
40 = 5.43
commitdate = 1/11/2005
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = David Grimes
position = WR
hometown = Detroit, MI
highschool = Detroit City HS
feet = 5
inches = 9
weight = 157
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 7/18/2004
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Derrell Hand
position = DT
hometown = Philadelphia, PA
highschool = West Philadelphia Catholic HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 298
40 = 5.62
commitdate = 1/19/2005
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Ray Herring
position = S
hometown = Melbourne, FL
highschool = Holy Trinity Episcopal School
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 187
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 1/19/2005
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Joey Hiben
position = TE
hometown = Waconia, MN
highschool = Waconia Sr.
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 235
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 11/8/2004
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = D.J. Hord
position = WR
hometown = Kansas City, MO
highschool = Rockhurst HS
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 195
40 = 4.4
commitdate = 1/15/2005
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Patrick Kuntz
position = DE
hometown = Indianapolis, IN
highschool = Roncalli HS
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 255
40 = 4.8
commitdate = 1/15/2005
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kyle McCarthy
position = CB
hometown = Youngstown, OH
highschool = Cardinal Mooney HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 172
40 = 4.47
commitdate = 1/23/2005
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Steve Quinn
position = LB
hometown = Philadelphia, PA
highschool = St. Joseph's Prep School
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 208
40 = 4.62
commitdate = 2/2/2005
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Asaph Schwapp
position = RB
hometown = Hartford, CT
highschool = Weaver HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 247
40 = 4.64
commitdate = 7/15/2004
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Evan Sharpley
position = QB
hometown = Marshall, MI
highschool = Marshall HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 200
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 7/18/2004
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Scott Smith
position = LB
hometown = Highland Park, IL
highschool = Highland Park, HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 222
40 = 4.75
commitdate = 7/16/2004
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Michael Turkovich
position = OL
hometown = Wayne, PA
highschool = Valley Forge Military Academy
feet = 6
inches = 7
weight = 280
40 = 5
commitdate = 1/8/2005
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kevin Washington
position = LB
hometown = Sugarland, TX
highschool = Steven F. Austin HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 213
40 = 4.59
commitdate = 7/18/2004
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
College Athlete Recruit End
40 = yes
year = 2005
rivals ref title = Notre Dame Commit List 2005
scout ref title = Scout.com Football Recruiting: Notre Dame
rivals school = 55
scout s = 109
scout overall = #27
rivals overall = #40
accessdate = 2007-06-22
collapse = yes

Award candidates

Four players were named to the national awards watch lists in the pre-season:
*Anthony Fasano - John Mackey Award [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080305aaa.html|title=Anthony Fasano Named To Mackey Award Watch List|accessdate=2007-06-22]
*D.J. Fitzpatrick - Lou Groza Award [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081305aab.html|title=Fitzpatrick Among 30 Named To Groza Award Watch List|accessdate=2007-06-22]
*Brandon Hoyte - Dick Butkus Award [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082505aaa.html|title=Brandon Hoyte Named To Butkus Award Watch List|accessdate=2007-06-22]
*Brady Quinn - Maxwell Award [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062905aaa.html|title=Brady Quinn Named To Maxwell Award Watch List|accessdate=2007-06-22]

Roster

Coaching staff

When Willingham was fired all of his assistant coaches left, leaving Weis to rebuild a coaching staff. He sought to find experienced coaches that would be able to make the team competitive. When the new assistants were announced in January they were billed as having 25 seasons of collegiate head coaching, 50 seasons as coordinators, 12 seasons as NFL assistant coaches, and 42 bowl victories. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010405aae.html|title=Football Coaching Staff Announced|accessdate=2007-06-23] Before the season, however, assistant offensive head and quarterbacks coach David Cutcliffe after undergoing heart surgery and being on medical leave, decided to resign, saying he felt his absence unfair to the players and coaches. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/060105aac.html|title=David Cutcliffe Resigns From The Football Staff|accessdate=2007-06-23] In early June, Peter Vaas was named as Cutcliffe's replacement. Vaas was a former six year NFL Europa head coach, an eight year collegiate head coach, and had 17 years of assistant coaching experience, including two years at Notre Dame under Lou Holtz. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/060305aab.html|title=Peter Vaas Named Football Quarterbacks Coach|accessdate=2007-06-23]

On October 29, only half-way through the season, Weis, who originally signed a six year contract with the Irish, was offered an extension on his contract. The new 10-year deal was worth $30 to $40 million, and made him the highest paid coach in college football. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2207478|title=Notre Dame extends Weis through 2015|accessdate=2007-06-23] The extension was seen as controversial, [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2005-11-03-whiteside_x.htm|title=Irish extension|accessdate=2007-06-23] [cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/phil_taylor/11/02/hotbuton1102/index.html|title=His Biggest Victory|accessdate=2007-06-23] as Weis' record was 5-2 at the time while Willingham started his first season with an 8-0 record.

chedule

CFB Schedule Entry
date= September 3, 2005
time = 8:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Pittsburgh
opprank = 25
site_stadium = Heinz Field
site_cityst = Pittsburgh, PA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 42-21
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 10. 2005
time = 12:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 23
opponent = Michigan
opprank = 3
site_stadium = Michigan Stadium
site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 17-10
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 17, 2005
time = 3:30 p.m.
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 12
opponent = Michigan State
opprank =
site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium
site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN
gamename =
tv = NBC
score = 44-41
overtime = OT
CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 24, 2005
time = 3:30 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 18
opponent = Washington
opprank =
site_stadium = Husky Stadium
site_cityst = Seattle WA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 36-17
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 1, 2005
time = 7:45 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 14
opponent = Purdue
opprank = 20
site_stadium = Ross Ade Stadium
site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN
gamename =
tv = ESPN
score = 49-28
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 15, 2005
time = 3:30 p.m.
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 9
opponent = USC
opprank = 1
site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium
site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN
gamename =
tv = NBC
score = 34-31
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 22, 2005
time = 2:30 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 12
opponent = BYU
opprank =
site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium
site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN
gamename =
tv = NBC
score = 49-23
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 5, 2005
time = 2:30 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 9
opponent = Tennessee
opprank =
site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium
site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN
gamename =
tv = NBC
score = 41-21
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 12, 2005
time = 1:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 7
opponent = Navy
opprank =
site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium
site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN
gamename =
tv = NBC
score = 42-21
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 19, 2005
time = 2:30 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 7
opponent = Syracuse
opprank =
site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium
site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN
gamename =
tv = NBC
score = 34-10
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 26, 2005
time = 8:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 6
opponent = Stanford
opprank =
site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
site_cityst = Palo Alto, CA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 38-31
overtime =
CFB Schedule Entry
date = January 2, 2006
time = 4:30 p.m.
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral = yes
rank = 6
opponent = Ohio State
opprank = 4
site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium
site_cityst = Tempe, AZ
gamename = Fiesta Bowl
tv = ABC
score = 34-20
overtime =

Game notes

University of Pittsburgh

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Irish
R1=7
R2=28
R3=7
R4=0
RT=42
Home=#25 Panthers
H1=10
H2=3
H3=0
H4=8
HT=21

The Irish's first game of the season came on the road against the #23 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. The Panthers were led by their first-year head coach Dave Wannstedt and junior quarterback and two-year starter, Tyler Palko. At Notre Dame, the previous season, Palko became the first quarterback to throw five touchdown passes against the Irish in the Panthers 41-38 win. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2004-11-14-player-of-week_x.htm|title=Pittsburgh's Palko takes home Player of Week honor|accessdate=2007-06-23] Palko started the scoring this year with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lee, however Brady Quinn and the Irish answered with a 51-yard touchdown pass to Darius Walker. The Panthers completed the first quarter scoring with a 49-yard field goal by Josh Cummings to take a 10-7 lead into the second quarter. In the second quarter, the Irish took control. The quarter began with a 2-yard touchdown run by Walker. Later, Rashon Powers-Neal scored on his own 2-yard run, and, after a fumble on the kickoff return, less than a minute later Quinn threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Samardzija, the first touchdown catch of his career, to give the Irish a 28-10 lead. Cummings hit a 23-yard field goal to cut the Irish lead to 15, but late in the half Powers-Neal ran for a 9-yard touchdown, giving the Irish a 35-13 lead at halftime.

The second half saw much less scoring. In the third quarter, Powers-Neal ran for a 4-yard touchdown, the only score in the quarter, to give the Irish their final score. In the fourth quarter, Palko ran for his own 4-yard touchdown, and the two-point conversion was the final score of the game. The Irish won the game 42-21, [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=252460221|title=Weis outduels Wannstedt in matchup of new coaches|accessdate=2007-06-23] and jumped to 23rd in the national rankings.

University of Michigan

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#23 Irish
R1=7
R2=7
R3=0
R4=3
RT=17
Home=#3 Wolverines
H1=0
H2=3
H3=0
H4=7
HT=10

The second game of the season came on the road against long-time rivals the Michigan Wolverines, led by coach Lloyd Carr and second year starting quarterback, Chad Henne. Michigan had moved up to 3rd in the nation from a pre-season ranking of 4th after a 16-point win against Northern Illinois. Coming into the season, Michigan had not lost a home game since 2002 with a streak of 16 games and hadn't lost a non-conference home game since 1998. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?confId=&gameId=252530130|title=Wolverines' defense to be tested against Irish|accessdate=2007-06-24] Also, despite beating the Wolverines twice in the last three years including a 28-20 win over the then 7th ranked Wolverines in 2004 [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242550087|title=Freshman rusher leads Irish to surprise upset|accessdate=2007-06-24] , the Irish hadn't won at Michigan since 1993.

The Irish began the game with the ball, and marched down the field with a 76-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard Brady Quinn touchdown pass to Rhema McKnight. Late in the quarter, key Wolverine running back Mike Hart was injured during a run, keeping him out for the rest of the game. In the second quarter, on Michigan's first drive past the 50-yard line, Garrett Rivas was able to hit a 38-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 in favor of the Irish. Later in the quarter, the Irish lost McKnight to what would later be revealed as a season-ending knee injury. Quinn and Walker, however, led the Irish on another long drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Samardzija to give the Irish a 14-3 lead at halftime.

The second half was filled with missed opportunities for the Wolverines. At the start of the third quarter, Henne and running back Kevin Grady led the Wolverines on a 69-yard drive, that was finally stopped on a Henne interception by safety Tom Zbikowski on the Irish 1-yard line. Most of the rest of the quarter consisted of short drives that were stopped early forcing each team to punt. In the Wolverines' final drive of the quarter, the Irish defense held them to their own 9-yard line, and forced a punt that was returned by Zbikowski to the Michigan 33-yard line. Although the Irish only advanced the ball 7-yards, at the beginning of the fourth quarter D.J. Fitzpatrick kicked a 43-yard field goal to give the Irish a 17-3 lead. On their next possession, a Walker fumble was recovered by the Wolverines on the Irish 18-yard line. After driving to the 5-yard line, the Wolverines couldn't convert a fourth down and turned the ball over to the Irish. On the Wolverines next possession, on another fourth down attempt near midfield, Henne completed a 54-yard pass to Jason Avant who was tackled at the Irish 1-yard line. On the next play, however, Henne fumbled the ball into the endzone and it was recovered by Chinedum Ndukwe for the Irish. On the Wolverines next possession, Henne threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham to bring the score to 17-10. Michigan had one final possession with two minutes remaining, but failed, once again, to convert a fourth down, sealing the win for the Irish. With the win, Weis became the first Notre Dame coach since Knute Rockne to win his first two games on the road, [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=252530130|title=Weis joins Rockne in record books with victory|accessdate=2007-06-24] and the Irish moved up to 12th in the nation.

Michigan State University

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Spartans
R1=14
R2=10
R3=14
R4=0
R5=6
RT=44
Home=#12 Irish
H1=7
H2=10
H3=7
H4=14
H5=3
HT=41
The Irish next had their home opener against the Michigan State Spartans, a rivalry game with the Megaphone Trophy given to the winner. The Spartans, this year's team led by coach John L. Smith and second year starting quarterback Drew Stanton, hoped to become only the second team to beat the Irish at Notre Dame for five consecutive games. Despite a win in 2004, the Irish had lost six of their last eight games against the Spartans. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?confId=&gameId=252600087|title=Notre Dame hopes to avoid letdown vs. Michigan State|accessdate=2007-06-24]

The Spartans led for much of the game, at one point, late in the third quarter after Stanton threw a 65-yard pass for his third touchdown of the game, they had a 38-17 lead. The Irish, however, came back later in the quarter and tied the game at 38 during the fourth quarter, with three touchdown passes by Brady Quinn to give him a total of five for the game. During the overtime period, the Irish, with the ball first, missed three attempted passes by Quinn into the endzone, and settled for a field goal to give them a 41-38 lead. On the Spartans second play in overtime, Stanton, while running the option, pitched the ball to Jason Teague for a 19-yard touchdown to win the game. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=252600087|title=Spartans win fifth straight at Notre Dame|accessdate=2007-06-24] The Irish dropped to 18th and the Spartans entered the national rankings at 23rd after the week. After the game, apparently upset at not having the Megaphone Trophy to raise after the win, [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2168358|title=Spartans regret South Bend flag-raising|accessdate=2007-06-24] a small group of Spartans planted the Michigan State flag on the field. After the incident, a number of other occurrences of flag planting happened, leading to a banning of the practice by the Big Ten. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2005-10-12-flag-planting-ban_x.htm|title=Big Ten burying postgame flag plantings|accessdate=2007-06-24]

University of Washington

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#18 Irish
R1=3
R2=9
R3=7
R4=17
RT=36
Home=Huskies
H1=0
H2=3
H3=0
H4=14
HT=17

The Irish next went on the road to face the Washington Huskies, in a game dubbed the "Ty Bowl," [cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9467825/|title=Notre Dame pours it on late to win 'Ty Bowl'|accessdate=2007-06-24] [cite web|url=http://media.www.dailynorthwestern.com/media/storage/paper853/news/2005/09/23/Gameday/Irish.Travel.To.Seattle.For.ty.Bowl-1919144.shtml|title=Irish travel to Seattle for "Ty Bowl"|accessdate=2007-06-24] because the Huskies were led by former Irish coach Ty Willingham. The Huskies came into the game never having beaten the Irish in five meetings including a 38-3 loss at Notre Dame in 2004. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?confId=&gameId=252670264|title=Washington, Willingham aim for revenge vs. Notre Dame|accessdate=2007-06-24]

On the first drive of the game, the Huskies easily moved forward on the Irish defense, however, were held without scoring when quarterback, Isaiah Stanback's pass to Craig Chambers was fumbled on the goal line and recovered by the Irish. The Irish didn't score on their first drive when the hold for a field goal attempt was botched. However, on their next drive the D.J. Fitzpatrick kicked a 25-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Evan Knudson tied the game on a 27-yard field goal. On the next drive, Darius Walker ran for a 17-yard touchdown, giving the Irish a 9-3 lead after a missed extra point. Fitzpatrick kicked another field goal of 39-yards to end scoring in the first half with the Irish leading 12-3.

After two Irish failed fourth down attempts, and a Huskies fumble, Rashon Powers-Neal ran for a 2-yard touchdown to give the Irish a 19-3 lead at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Fitzpatrick kicked another field goal of 23-yards to extend the Irish lead to 19. Later in the quarter, Brady Quinn threw his only touchdown of the game with a 52-yard pass to Jeff Samardzija. Stanback led the Huskies for their first touchdown, culminating in a 1-yard run by Mark Palaita, however the Irish answered with an 11-yard touchdown by Travis Thomas for their final score of the game. With three minutes left in the game, Stanback was replaced with backup quarterback Johnny Durocher, who threw a 41-yard touchdown to Chambers, to give the final score of 36-17. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=252670264|title=Willingham loses first game against former team|accessdate=2007-06-24] With the win, the Irish moved up in the rankings to 14th in the nation.

Purdue University

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#14 Irish
R1=7
R2=21
R3=7
R4=14
RT=49
Home=#20 Boilermakers
H1=0
H2=0
H3=14
H4=14
HT=28

The Irish next went on the road, for the fourth time in the season, to face the 20th ranked Purdue Boilermakers, led by 9th year head coach Joe Tiller, for the Shillelagh Trophy. Although the Irish led the all-time series against Purdue 49-25-2, the Boilermakers had won the two previous meetings and were hoping to come back after a double-overtime loss the previous week. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?confId=&gameId=252742509|title=Purdue looks to bounce back vs. Notre Dame|accessdate=2007-06-25]

Although neither team was able to score on their opening drives, the Irish quickly got going on their second, and were led by Brady Quinn's passing and Darius Walker's rushes on a 90-yard drive that ended with a Rashon Powers-Neal 1-yard touchdown to give the Irish the lead. The Boilermakers, led by Brandon Kirsch to the Irish 2-yard line, failed to answer after a goal line fumble was recovered by the Irish. Quinn then led the Irish on a 98-yard drive, that lasted into the second quarter, and ended with another 1-yard touchdown run by Powers-Neal. The ensuing kickoff was returned by Dorien Bryant 66 yards to give the Boilermakers the ball on the Notre Dame 30-yard line, however, they were unable to advance it and didn't score due to a missed 43-yard field goal. Quinn took advantage and led the Irish on a 73-yard drive ending with his touchdown pass to Jeff Samardzija. With another 10-yard touchdown run by Walker later in the quarter, the Irish took a 28-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Boilermakers finally scored after Kirsch passed for a total of 73 yards on an 85-yard drive that ended with his touchdown 18-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. The Irish answered on Quinn's second touchdown pass to Samardzija of 55 yards, however Kirsch cut the Irish lead once again to 21 after a 3-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. Although Quinn and Kirsch threw back-to-back interceptions, neither team scored again in the third, leaving the score 35-14. The Irish started the fourth quarter scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Quinn to John Carlson, for Quinn's final series in the game, he would be replaced by back-ups David Wolke and Marty Mooney for the final three drives. Kirsch led the Boilermakers to a 5-yard touchdown rush by Kory Sheets for his final drive of the game, he would be replaced by Curtis Painter for their final two drives. The Irish, helped by Wolke's only completion of the game for 29 yards, scored again with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Travis Thomas, for the final Irish score of the game. After both teams had turnovers, Painter and the Boilermakers capitalized with Sheets second rushing touchdown of 8 yards, giving the final score with the Irish winning 49-28. With Quinn's touchdown passes, he tied a Notre Dame record held by John Huarte of 10 straight games with touchdown passes, and also became the only Irish quarterback to pass for 300 yards in 3 straight games. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=252742509|title=Quinn throws for 440 yards, 3 TDs as Irish roll|accessdate=2007-06-25] After the game, the Irish moved up to 12th in the nation and would move up again to 9th before their next game, while the Boilermakers dropped from the rankings.

University of Southern California

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#1 Trojans
R1=14
R2=0
R3=7
R4=13
RT=34
Home=#9 Irish
H1=7
H2=14
H3=0
H4=10
HT=31
In a game that looked to be overshadowed by pre-game hype and assertions of being the newest "Game of the Century" [cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/15/AR2005101501589.html|title=Southern Cal shows its true colors|accessdate=2007-06-25] the meeting between perennial rivals, Notre Dame and USC, called by some the second greatest rivalry in college football, [cite web|url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/591649.html|title=The Ten Greatest College Football Rivalries|accessdate=2007-06-25] would be the 77th meeting between the schools, who play for the Jeweled Shillelagh. The Trojans, led by coach Pete Carroll and Heisman-winning senior quarterback Matt Leinart, were ranked first in the country, were on a 27 game winning streak, and had won three straight meetings with the Irish, each by 31 points. Expectations, however, were high that this game would be closer. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?confId=&gameId=252880087|title=Quinn, Notre Dame hope to end USC's 27-game winning streak|accessdate=2007-06-25] In a surprise move, after Weis insisted it wouldn't happen, [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100605aae.html|title=Charlie Weis Press Conference Transcript (Oct. 6)|accessdate=2007-06-25] the Irish wore green jerseys for the game. The score was back and forth for much of the game, with the Irish leading 21-14 at halftime after a pair of touchdowns by running backs Reggie Bush and LenDale White for the Trojans, and a rushing touchdown by Travis Thomas, a passing touchdown by Brady Quinn, and a punt return for a touchdown by Tom Zbikowski for the Irish. The Trojans took a 28-24 lead with five minutes left in the game when Reggie Bush ran for his third touchdown of the game, however, Quinn answered with four complete passes and his own 5-yard touchdown run to give the Irish a 31-28 lead with less than two minutes remaining. On the Trojans last series, however, Leinart, after being sacked and facing a fourth down on the Irish 26-yard line, completed a 61-yard fade to Dwayne Jarrett to give the Trojans a last chance near the Irish goal line. After a series of plays including Leinart fumbling the ball out of bounds, the stadium clock incorrectly running out of time, and part of the Notre Dame student section rushing the field, the Trojans had the ball on the Irish 1-yard line with seven seconds remaining. Instead of opting for the field goal and going to overtime, Leinart tried to sneak into the end zone. When he was stopped, in a play that would be called the "Bush Push", Bush pushed him over the goal line for the winning score of 34-31. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=252880087|title=USC win streak intact after wild fourth-quarter finish|accessdate=2007-06-25]

In the aftermath of the game, the Irish dropped to a 4-2 record for the season, had lost four straight games at Notre Dame Stadium, and dropped three places in the national rankings to 12th. However, Quinn set a new record for the Irish, with eleven straight games with a touchdown pass. The Trojans moved to 6-0 on the season, escaped with a 28-game winning streak, and remained first in the rankings for the rest of the regular season.

Brigham Young University

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Cougars
R1=10
R2=0
R3=13
R4=0
RT=23
Home=#12 Irish
H1=7
H2=14
H3=21
H4=7
HT=49

After the disappointment from the loss to USC, the Irish looked to rebound against the BYU Cougars, a team that gave the Irish a season opening loss in 2004. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242480252|title=37-yard completion on third down seals win|accessdate=2007-06-25] The Cougars were led by junior quarterback John Beck and first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall. The Cougars had a 3-3 record, but had won their previous two games.

The Cougars started the scoring with a 45-yard field goal, but Brady Quinn, completing six of seven passes on his first drive, threw a 10-yard touchdown to Maurice Stovall to take the lead. Beck led the Cougars on a drive that included an interception by Mike Richardson, that was fumbled and recovered by the Cougars and finished with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jonny Harline. The Cougars led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, but a pair of 15-yard Quinn touchdown passes to Jeff Samardzija and Stovall gave the Irish a 21-10 lead at halftime. In the third, Quinn completed three long touchdown passes, two to Stovall and one to Samardzija, while Beck ran for a touchdown and threw another to Todd Watkins to end the third quarter with the Irish leading 42-23. The final score of the game came in the fourth when a Beck pass was intercepted by Tom Zbikowski and returned 88 yards, giving the final score of the game with the Irish winning 49-23. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=252950087|title=Irish snap home skid behind Quinn's six TDs|accessdate=2007-06-25] The Irish won their first home game of the season and moved to 9th nationally.

University of Tennessee

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Volunteers
R1=3
R2=7
R3=11
R4=0
RT=21
Home=#9 Irish
H1=14
H2=7
H3=0
H4=20
HT=41
The Irish next played the struggling Tennessee Volunteers. The teams last met at Tennessee in 2004, when the Irish surprised the top-15 ranked Volunteers with a 17-13 win. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=243112633|title=Ainge separates shoulder, joins Schaeffer on sidelines|accessdate=2007-06-25] The Volunteers were led by coach Phillip Fulmer and quarterback Erik Ainge.

When the Volunteers didn't score on the first drive of the game, the Irish took advantage, with Brady Quinn leading an Irish drive that ended with his 43-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Fasano. The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by the Volunteers, and Quinn threw his second touchdown to Maurice Stovall three plays later. Volunteers' kicker, James Wilhout kicked a 26-yard field goal for their only score of the quarter. In the second quarter, on a Volunteer punt, Tom Zbikowski returned the ball 43-yards to give the Irish a 21-3 lead. After a Quinn fumble that was recovered by the Volunteers, Ainge led a 40-yard drive and threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Bret Smith to give the halftime score of 21-10. In the second half, after a failed fourth down conversion by the Irish, Wilhout kicked a 30-yard field goal to put the Volunteers down by 8. When the Irish didn't answer, Ainge and running back Arian Foster led the Volunteers to Foster's 3-yard touchdown. With Ainge's pass to Smith completed for a two-point conversion, the game was tied at 21 at the end of the third. In the fourth quarter, however, the Irish scored 20, including two D.J. Fitzpatrick field goals, a Quinn touchdown pass to Jeff Samardzija, and a Zbikowski interception return for a touchdown. With no answers by the Volunteers, the Irish won the game 41-21. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=253090087|title=Quinn tosses three TDs as Irish top reeling Vols|accessdate=2007-06-25] With the win, Quinn continued his Irish record touchdown passing streak to 13 games, Samardzija's touchdown catch, his 12th broke an Irish record of touchdown catches in a season, and the Irish moved up in ranking to 7th nationally.

United States Naval Academy

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Navy
R1=7
R2=0
R3=7
R4=7
RT=21
Home=#7 Irish
H1=7
H2=21
H3=7
H4=7
HT=42

The Irish next played the Navy Midshipmen, a team the Irish had played annually since 1927, and had beaten in 41 straight games, a record NCAA winning streak. Navy was led by option quarterback Lamar Owens and coach Paul Johnson. The game began with a 73-yard Irish drive that ended with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Brady Quinn to Maurice Stovall. Navy answered, after a 69-yard drive that took half of the quarter, when Adam Ballard ran for an 8-yard touchdown. After both teams failed to convert on fourth downs in the second quarter, Quinn led the Irish to a Travis Thomas 12-yard touchdown run. On the next Navy possession, a fumble by Owens was recovered by the Irish. Quinn completed two passes on the drive and Darius Walker ran for a 12-yard touchdown. After a Navy punt, a Quinn pass to Anthony Fasano for an 8-yard touchdown, gave the Irish a 28-7 lead at halftime. A six minute drive by Navy to start the second half ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Owens to bring Navy to within two touchdowns, but Quinn answered on the next drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Stovall. After both teams threw interceptions, Quinn threw his fourth touchdown of the game, a 10-yard pass to Stovall. With a Brian Hampton 17-yard touchdown to Tyree Barnes, Navy finished the scoring in the game. The Irish won 42-21, [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=253160087|title=Quinn-Stovall connection helps upend Midshipmen|accessdate=2007-06-25] with Quinn increasing his Notre Dame record touchdown passing streak to 14 games and the team extending its record winning streak over Navy to 42 games.

yracuse University

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Orange
R1=3
R2=0
R3=0
R4=7
RT=10
Home=#7 Irish
H1=0
H2=14
H3=10
H4=10
HT=34

Notre Dame's next game, and final home game of the season, came against the 1-8 Syracuse Orange. Syracuse, led by first-year coach Greg Robinson and quarterback Perry Patterson, had spoiled the Irish chance of not having a losing season in 2003 when they routed the Irish in the Carrier Dome by 26. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?confId=&gameId=253230087|title=Notre Dame looks to keep rolling vs. Syracuse|accessdate=2007-06-26] This year, however, it seemed like the Orange, ranked last in total yards, were over-matched. The Orange, however, kept up with the Irish in the first quarter, and after a failed field goal attempt by D.J. Fitzpatrick, and a 51-yard run by Damien Rhodes on the ensuing drive, the Orange scored the first points of the game with a 31-yard field goal by John Barker. On the next Irish drive, Fitzpatrick's field goal attempt was blocked, and the Orange kept the lead. However, four minutes later, a 25-yard Brady Quinn pass to Maurice Stovall ended with a touchdown, giving the Irish the lead. A 30-yard pass to Jeff Samardzija, on the second play of the next Irish drive, gave the Irish a 14-3 lead that they would have at halftime. On the first play of the third quarter, Patterson was intercepted by Leo Ferrine, who returned it 17-yards for a touchdown to give the Irish a 21-3 lead. After a failed fourth down attempt at the Orange goal line, and a pair of punts by the Orange, Fitzpatrick gave the Irish a 24-3 lead with his 44-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Fitzpatrick kicked a 29-yard field goal, Darius Walker ran for a 3-yard touchdown, and Patterson threw an 18-yard touchdown to Josephy Kowaleski for the only Orange touchdown of the day, to give the final score of 34-10 in favor of the Irish. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=253230087|title=Fighting Irish struggle early, pull out win over Syracuse|accessdate=2007-06-25] With the game, Quinn continued his Notre Dame record touchdown streak and the Irish moved to 6th nationally. They were also one win away from being eligible for a BCS bowl.

tanford University

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#6 Irish
R1=14
R2=0
R3=6
R4=18
RT=38
Home=Cardinal
H1=7
H2=7
H3=0
H4=17
HT=31

The final Irish test of the regular season came on the road against the 5-5 Stanford Cardinal, in the last game in Stanford Stadium before it would be renovated. Stanford, coached by first-year coach Walt Harris and quarterback Trent Edwards, and Notre Dame played annually since 1997 and have a minor rivalry for the Legends Trophy. The Irish had won the three previous seasons when coached by former Cardinal head coach Ty Willingham, and the Cardinal didn't look to have much chance in this game after losing in the Big Game to rival California, with the Bears outrushing the Cardinal by 210 yards. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?confId=&gameId=253300024|title=Notre Dame aims for BCS bowl berth at Stanford|accessdate=2007-06-26]

The Irish took an early lead on the second play of the game when Brady Quinn threw an 80-yard touchdown to Jeff Samardzija, however, after a Quinn interception, Edwards tied the game with a 27-yard touchdown to Mark Bradford. The Irish scored the last points of the quarter with another Quinn touchdown to Samardzija, this time for 7 yards to bring the game to 14-7 in favor of the Irish. In the second quarter, after both teams failed to convert fourth downs, a 38-yard Edwards pass to Justin McCullum, tied the game once again. Although Quinn threw his second interception of the game later in the quarter, neither team scored again in the half. In the third quarter, Quinn threw his third touchdown to Maurice Stovall for 10-yards, however, D.J. Fitzpatrick missed the extra point, and left the Irish only winning by 6. With a missed 42-yard field goal by Fitzpatrick, and the Cardinal not scoring in the quarter, the Irish took a 20-14 lead to the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Carl Gioia replaced Fitzpatrick and kicked a 29-yard field goal to put the Irish up two scores, however, on his kickoff, T.J. Rushing returned the ball 87-yards to bring the Cardinal to within two points. Quinn then brought the Irish on an 80-yard drive that ended with a Travis Thomas 8-yard touchdown run. The Cardinal were only able to answer with a 31-yard field goal that made the score 30-24 in favor of the Irish. Fitzpatrick was brought in during the next Irish drive, but missed a 29-yard field goal that would have put the Irish up by two scores. The Cardinal, who had brought in backup quarterback T.C. Ostrander when Edwards didn't move the ball in the third quarter, capitalized on the miss and took the lead on a 4-yard pass to Matt Traverso, with less than two minutes left in the game. Quinn then completed three long passes and Darius Walker ran the last 6-yards for the go-ahead touchdown. A direct snap to Walker on the two-point conversion put the Irish up by a touchdown with less than a minute remaining. Ostrander was able to bring the Cardinal to their 38-yard line on a 14-yard pass, but was sacked on a fourth down to seal the win for the Irish, 38-31. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=253300024|title=Irish hold off Stanford upset bid, become BCS eligible|accessdate=2007-06-26] With the win the Irish were eligible for a BCS bowl, and although falling to 7th in the rankings, were ranked 6th by the BCS and invited to the Fiesta Bowl.

Fiesta Bowl

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#6 Irish
R1=7
R2=0
R3=6
R4=7
RT=20
Home=#4 Buckeyes
H1=7
H2=14
H3=3
H4=10
HT=34

With 9 wins and a ranking of 6th in the BCS polls, the Irish were invited to the Fiesta Bowl, held in Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe Arizona, to face the number 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The BCS appearance was only the second for the Irish and the first since a 2000 loss to the Oregon State Beavers in the Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes, led by coach Jim Tressel and junior quarterback Troy Smith, had a 9-2 record, with losses to BCS contender Penn State and eventual national champion Texas. Although both teams had long football histories, they had only met four times previous to this game, the latest in 1996. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120705aad.html|title=Irish To Face Buckeyes In Tostitos Fiesta Bowl|accessdate=2007-06-26]

The Irish took an early lead on a 20-yard run by Darius Walker, but Smith answered for the Buckeyes three minutes later with a 56-yard pass to Ted Ginn Jr. to tie the game. After Smith fumbled the ball on the Buckeye 15-yard line, the Irish had another chance to take the lead. However, after not gaining a first down after three plays, they attempted a fourth down conversion, during which Quinn was sacked. Without scoring, the quarter ended with the game tied at 7. On the third play of the second quarter, Smith once again scored a touchdown on a 68-yard pass to Ginn to give the Buckeyes a lead they would never relinquish. On the Buckeyes next drive, Smith brought them to the Irish 15-yard line, before his fumble was recovered by the Irish. The Irish, however, couldn't take advantage, and on the Buckeyes next drive Smith threw an 85-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes to give the Buckeyes a 21-7 lead. With a blocked field goal attempt by the Buckeyes, the score stayed the same at the half. In the third quarter, the Irish blocked a second field goal attempt, and finally took advantage with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Walker. With a missed extra point, and a 40-yard field goal by Josh Huston on the Buckeyes next possession, the Buckeyes took a 24-13 lead into the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Huston added another field goal, and Walker ran for a third touchdown, before Antonio Pittman ran for his own 60-yard touchdown for the final score of the game. The Buckeyes won 34-20, [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=260020194|title=Smith, Ginn lift speedy Ohio State to another Fiesta title|accessdate=2007-06-26] giving the Irish their NCAA record-tying 8th straight bowl game loss. [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/preview?gid=200701030076|title=(11) Notre Dame vs. (4) LSU|accessdate=2007-06-26]

Post-season

Notre Dame records

By the end of the season, the 2005 team set 47 Notre Dame team and individual records. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011006aab.html|title=Football's Record-Setting 2005 Season|accessdate=2007-06-27] The team set 11 season records, including most points (440) and most offensive yards (5728). Four players set individual season records, including Jeff Samardzija's touchdown receptions (15), Brady Quinn's touchdown passes (32), Darius Walker's receptions by a running back (43), and D.J. Fitzpatrick's PATs (52). Seven individual game records were set, including Quinn's touchdown passes (6) and Maurice Stovall's receptions (14). Samardzija set a record with 8 consecutive touchdown catches, Walker another record with four consecutive 100-yard rushing games, and Quinn's record of 16 consecutive games with a touchdown pass that began in 2004 and ended in the Fiesta Bowl. With his records this season, Quinn holds 30 Notre Dame individual records, including games with 300-yards passing (5) becoming the only Irish player to throw for 400-yards in a game more than once.

Awards

A number of Irish players and coaches were named post-season award finalists and winners. Head coach Charlie Weis was named by the Football Writers Association of America as the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010106aaa.html|title=Charlie Weis Earns FWAA's Eddie Robinson Coach Of The Year Award.|accessdate=2007-06-27] Offensive coordinator, Michael Haywood, was named by the American Football Coaches Association as the Assistant Coach of the Year. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120105aab.html|title=Michael Haywood Earns AFCA Assistant Coach Of The Year Award|accessdate=2007-06-27] Offensive lineman John Sullivan was named by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as the Connecticut Player of the Year, [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012706aaa.html|title=John Sullivan Named 2005 Walter Camp|accessdate=2007-06-27] wide receiver Jeff Samardzija was named as a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112305aac.html|title=Samardzjia In The Final Running For Biletnikoff Award|accessdate=2007-06-27] and tight end Anthony Fasano, named to the preseason Mckey Award watchlist, was also named a finalist for the award. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112305aab.html|title=Anthony Fasano Named Mackey Award Finalist|accessdate=2007-06-27] Quarterback Brady Quinn, after finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting, [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121105aae.html|title=Brady Quinn Finishes Fourth In Heisman Trophy Balloting|accessdate=2007-06-27] was nominated for two Player of the Year awards, [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120105aad.html|title=Brady Quinn A Nominee For Cingular/ABC Sports All-America Player Of The Year|accessdate=2007-06-27] [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113005aac.html|title=Quinn One Of Five Finalists For Walter Camp Player Of The Year Award|accessdate=2007-06-27] two quarterback trophies, [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120805aaf.html|title=Quinn Named A Manning Award Finalist|accessdate=2007-06-27] [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112205aah.html|title=Brady Quinn Named One Of Three O'Brien Award Finalists|accessdate=2007-06-27] and won the Sammy Baugh Trophy. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120705aaa.html|title=Brady Quinn Wins Sammy Baugh Award|accessdate=2007-06-27]

In addition to the awards, three Irish players were named on All American teams. Quinn, Samardzija, and safety Tom Zbikowski were all named the AP All-America team, Samardzija to the second team and Quinn and Zbiokowski to the third. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121305aad.html|title=Quinn, Samardzija and Zbikowski Earn Mention On AP All-America Teams|accessdate=2007-06-27] In addition to the AP team, Samardzija was named to seven other All-America teams, six on the first teams. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122005aaa.html|title=Samardzija Earns Eighth All-America Honor|accessdate=2007-06-27] Samardzija was also named as Notre Dame's NCAA record 79th Consensus All American. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010906aaa.html|title=Jeff Samardzija Named Consensus All-American|accessdate=2007-06-27]

NFL Draft

In the 2006 NFL Draft, three Irish players were drafted by NFL teams. Fasano was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the draft, Maurice Stovall was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round, [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042906aaa.html|title=Fasano and Stovall Taken On Day One Of 2006 NFL Draft|accessdate=2007-06-27] and Dan Stevenson was taken in the sixth round by the New England Patriots. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/043006aaa.html|title=Stevenson Becomes Third Notre Dame Football Player Taken In 2006 NFL Draft|accessdate=2007-06-27] In addition to the three players taken in the draft, six signed free agent contracts with NFL teams. [cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050106aab.html|title=6 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL STARS SIGN FREE AGENT PACTS WITH NFL TEAMS|accessdate=2007-06-27]

References

External links

* [http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html Notre Dame Official Athletic Site]
* [http://www.nd.edu University of Notre Dame Official Website]


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