2004 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2004
Team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Conference=NCAA Division I-FBS independent schools
ShortConference=Independent
CoachRank=
APRank=
BCSRank=
Record=6–6
ConfRecord=
HeadCoach=Tyrone Willingham
OffCoach=Bill Diedrick
DefCoach=Kent Baer
OScheme=West Coast
DScheme=4–3
StadiumArena=Notre Dame Stadium (c. 80,795, grass)
Champion=
BowlTourney=Insight Bowl
BowlTourneyResult=L, 38–21 Oregon State

The 2004 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was the college football team that represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tyrone Willingham and Kent Baer, and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Season summary

he 2004 season began with doubts and criticism for the Irish. [cite news|author=Soukup, Andrew|url=http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2004/04/23/IrishInsider/The-Frustrations.Persist-670103.shtml|title=The frustrations persist|publisher=The Observer|date=April 23, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] With Julius Jones graduating as fourth-leading rusher in Notre Dame history, [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042404aaa.html|title=Two Former Notre Dame Players Selected On Day One Of NFL Draft|publisher="UND.cstv.com"|date=April 24, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] the Irish hoped to replace him with a talented recruiting class. However, Willingham struggled in his second full year of recruiting and the new class was ranked 30^th in the nation. [cite web|url=http://oklahoma.scout.com/a.z?s=146&p=9&c=14&yr=2004|title=Scout.com:Team Recruiting Rankings|work=Scout.com|accessdate=2007-08-25] Despite signing highly sought after recruit Darius Walker, [cite web|url=http://notredame.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=8&c=1&nid=620159|title=#7 Darius Walker|work=Scout.com|accessdate=2007-08-26] the 17 man class only included three four-star recruits. [cite web|url=http://notredame.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=9&c=8&yr=2004|title=Scout.com Football Recruiting: Notre Dame|work=Scout.com|accessdate=2007-08-26]

The season began poorly for the Irish with a loss at BYU. Despite Brady Quinn improving at the quarterback position, completing over 50 percent of his passes for 265 yards, the Irish only managed to gain 11 yards rushing. [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090504aaa.html|title=Irish Fall To BYU, 20-17|publisher="UND.cstv.com"|date=September 4, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] They next faced a highly ranked Michigan team at home and Willingham stated that an improved running game would be important if the Irish were to be able to beat the Wolverines. [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090704aab.html|title=Tyrone Willingham Press Conference Transcript|publisher="UND.cstv.com"|date=September 7, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] Darius Walker answered Willingham in his first collegiate game, gaining 115 yards and scoring two late touchdowns to lead the Irish in the upset. [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091104aab.html|title=Irish Knock Off No. 8 Michigan, 28-20|publisher="UND.cstv.com"|date=September 11, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] With the win the Irish were rejuvenated, [cite news|author=Mandel, Stewart|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/stewart_mandel/09/11/notredame.folo/|title=Hope springs eternal|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=September 12, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] and rallied to move to 3–1 on the season with wins over Michigan State and Washington. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242620127|title=ND's Walker rushes for 98 yards|publisher=ESPN|date=September 18, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242690087|title=Quinn ties school record|publisher=ESPN|date=September 25, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] Some in the media began comparing Willingham to some of Notre Dame's legendary coaches and said the team would win seven or eight games in the season, and be back in national championship contention by 2005. [cite news|author=Bradley, Michael|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/michael_bradley/09/23/irish/index.html|title=Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=September 23, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26]

With renewed expectations, the Irish hoped to continue their streak and beat 15^th ranked Purdue, who hadn't won at Notre Dame in 30 years. The Boilermakers' quarterback, Kyle Orton, torched the Irish defense handing them a 25 point loss to end the rally. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242760087|title=Boilermakers last won at Notre Dame in 1974|publisher=ESPN|date=October 2, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] The Irish got back on track and beat Stanford, making Notre Dame the second school to reach 800 wins, [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242830087|title=Notre Dame rallies with 20 second-half points|publisher=ESPN|date=October 9, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] and Navy for the 41^st straight time, [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242902426|title=Notre Dame's dominance the longest in NCAA history|publisher=ESPN|date=October 16, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] to move into the rankings for the first time since their 2004 loss to Michigan.

The Irish didn't stay ranked for long, as Boston College once again beat the Irish on a late score. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=242970087|title=Peterson's arm leads Eagles to second-half comeback|publisher=ESPN|date=October 23, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] The Irish had three games left, and needed one win to become bowl eligible, but looked as if that win wouldn't come in their next game as they faced the 9^th ranked Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville. The Irish defense, however, stepped up, and, after knocking out quarterback Eric Ainge on a sack, returned an interception for a touchdown to upset the Volunteers and become bowl eligible. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=243112633|title=Ainge separates shoulder, joins Schaeffer on sidelines|publisher=ESPN|date=November 6, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] Once again ranked, the Irish returned home for their final home game against Pittsburgh. Losing on a late score, the team allowed five passing touchdowns by an opponent for the first time ever at home. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=243180087|title=Palko becomes 1st QB to throw 5 TDs vs. Irish|publisher=ESPN|date=November 13, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] Visiting USC for the final regular season game, the Irish again lost to the Trojans by 31. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=243320030|title=Junior QB passes for career-high 400 yards|publisher=ESPN|date=November 27, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] The Irish accepted a bowl bid to play in the Insight Bowl, [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112804aab.html|title=Notre Dame Accepts Invitation To Play In Insight Bowl|publisher="UND.cstv.com"|date=November 28, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] however, in a highly criticized move, [cite news|author=Whiteside, Kelly|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/independent1a/2004-11-30-willingham-fired_x.htm|title=Notre Dame football shows something new|publisher=USA Today|date=December 1, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] [cite news|author=Celzic, Mike|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6621249/|title=Notre Dame has sullied its Golden Dome|publisher=MSNBC|date=December 13, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] [cite news|author=Maisel, Ivan|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1935138|title=Fall From Grace|publisher=ESPN|date=December 1, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] [cite news|author=Wilbon, Michael|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23549-2004Nov30.html|title=Notre Dame's True Colors|publisher=The Washington Post|date=December 1, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] [cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49593-2004Dec8.html|title=Notre Dame President Blasts Firing|publisher=The Washington Post|date=December 9, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] two days later fired Willingham. [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113004aab.html|title=Statement From Director Of Athletics Kevin White|publisher="UND.cstv.com"|date=November 30, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] Defensive coordinator, Kent Baer, led the Irish, hoping to "win one for Ty," however, the Oregon State Beavers, led by four touchdown passes from Derek Anderson, beat the Irish in their seventh consecutive bowl loss. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=243630087|title=Anderson hurls four TDs to finish career|publisher=ESPN|date=December 28, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] The Irish ended 2004 with a 6–6 record and in need of a coach.

2004 Insight Bowl

The second bowl on December 28, the Insight Bowl held at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was the second of the 2004-05 bowl season to pit two BCS member teams. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the only independent BCS member, took on the Oregon State Beavers from the Pac-10. The Beavers never trailed in the game, and easily defeated the Irish 38-21. Beavers quarterback Derek Anderson threw for 359 yards and four touchdown passes, with no interceptions.

Schedule

Game summaries

Aftermath of the Willingham firing

In firing Willingham, the Notre Dame athletic department cited a relatively poor record of 21–15, a weak recruiting class, and three losses, each by 31 points, to rival USC. [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113004aac.html|title=Kevin White Teleconference Transcript|publisher="UND.cstv.com"|date=November 30, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] However, the Irish also hoped to entice Urban Meyer, the head coach of Utah, to lead Notre Dame. Meyer had just led the Utes to an undefeated season and he had a clause in his contract that stated he could leave Utah without a penalty to coach for the Irish. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1936781|title=Meyer can leave for ND without buyout|publisher=ESPN|date=December 3, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] When Meyer instead took the head coaching position at Florida, [cite news|url=http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/7956954|title=Meyer signs seven-year, $14 million deal with Florida|publisher=CBS Sportline|date=December 3, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] the Irish were ridiculed in the media, saying that the Notre Dame coaching position is no longer as prestigious as it was in the past. [cite news|author=Dodd, Dennis|url=http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/7958364|title=In 2004, Notre Dame beneath top coach like Meyer|publisher=CBS Sportsline|date=December 3, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] [cite news|author=Saraceno, Jon|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2004-12-05-saraceno-notre-dame_x.htm|title=Irish's Urban renewal project never had chance|publisher=USA Today|date=December 5, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] After over a week without a coach, the Irish hired New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Charlie Weis as head coach. Weis was an alum of Notre Dame, and became the first alum to coach the team since 1963. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1943710|title=Weis to be introduced as Irish coach Monday|publisher=ESPN|date=December 13, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] At least one sports writer stated that Weis was a choice that made sense for the program. [cite news|author=Smith, Michael|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=1938244|title=Patriots' Weis is perfect for Irish|publisher=ESPN|date=December 10, 2004|accessdate=2007-08-26] Notwithstanding, three years after the fact, Willingham's firing remains highly controversial with many believing he was treated unfairly. [cite news|author=Mandel, Stewart|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/stewart_mandel/09/19/mailbag/1.html|title=College Football Mailbag|publisher=SI.com|date=September 19, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-26]

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]
* [http://www.blueandgold.com Blue and Gold Illustrated]