2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

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2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo.svg
ConferenceIndependent
2016 record4–8
Head coach
  • Brian Kelly (7th season)
Offensive coordinatorMike Sanford Jr. (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBrian VanGorder (3rd season: 1–4, fired)
Greg Hudson (1st season: 5–12)
Base defense4–3 multiple
Captains
Home stadiumNotre Dame Stadium
(Capacity: 80,795)
Seasons
← 2015
2017 →
2016 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
BYU           9 4  
Army           8 5  
Notre Dame           4 8  
UMass           2 10  
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2016 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. They competed as an independent. They finished the season 4–8, Notre Dame's worst record since 2007. Despite the disappointing season, athletic director Jack Swarbrick found the 2016 Irish to be a remarkable bunch, citing the team's "enthusiasm" and "willingness to practice".[1]

Before the season[]

Previous season[]

The 2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team finished the regular season with a 10–2 record. They lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes 44–28 in the Fiesta Bowl.

2016 NFL draft[]

The following former Notre Dame players were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft:

Round Selection Player Position Team
1 6 Ronnie Stanley Offensive Tackle Baltimore Ravens
1 21 Will Fuller Wide Receiver Houston Texans
2 34 Jaylon Smith Linebacker Dallas Cowboys
2 50 Nick Martin Center Houston Texans
3 74 KeiVarae Russell Cornerback Kansas City Chiefs
3 90 C. J. Prosise Running back Seattle Seahawks
4 103 Sheldon Day Defensive tackle Jacksonville Jaguars

Transfers out / departures[]

Notre Dame lost FS Max Redfield and CB Devin Butler in the offseason for violating team policies.

Coaching changes[]

Brian VanGorder was relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator. Defensive Analyst Greg Hudson took over as the Irish's Defensive Coordinator. Kelly said, "I have the utmost respect for Brian as both a person and football coach, but our defense simply isn't where it should be and I believe this change is necessary for the best interest of our program and our student-athletes.[2]

Recruiting class[]

Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame coaching staff accepted 23 commitments for the 2016 recruiting cycle, including two 5-stars: Daelin Hayes and Tommy Kraemer. The class included student-athletes from 11 different states, and one Canadian province.[3]

Personnel[]

Coaching staff[]

Name Position Year at Notre Dame Alma mater (Year)
Brian Kelly Head coach 7th Assumption (1982)
Mike Denbrock Associate head coach/wide receivers 7th Grand Valley State (1987)
Mike Elston Linebackers/recruiting coordinator 7th Michigan (1998)
Harry Hiestand Offensive line/run game coordinator 5th East Stroudsburg (1983)
Scott Booker Tight ends/special teams coordinator 5th Kent State (2003)
Brian VanGorder Defensive coordinator 3rd Wayne State (1980)
Greg Hudson Interim defensive coordinator 1st Notre Dame (1988)
Mike Sanford Jr. Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 2nd Boise State (2005)
Autry Denson Running backs 2nd Notre Dame (1999)
Keith Gilmore Defensive line 2nd Wayne State (1981)
Todd Lyght Defensive backs coach 2nd Notre Dame (1991)
Paul Longo Director of football strength and conditioning 7th Wayne State (1981)

Roster[]

2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster

Quarterbacks

  •  4 Montgomery VanGorder – Junior (6'5, 215)
  •  7 Brandon WimbushSophomore (6'1, 216)
  •  9 Malik ZaireSenior (6'0, 225)
  • 12 Ian BookFreshman
  • 14 DeShone KizerJunior (6'4, 230)
  • 17 Nolan Henry – Sophomore (6'1, 195)

Running Backs

  •  2 Dexter WilliamsSophomore (5'11, 210)
  • 11 Justin Brent – Junior (6'1, 220)
  • 25 Tarean FolstonSenior (5'9, 214)
  • 28 Austin Ross – Senior (5'10, 206)
  • 33 Josh AdamsSophomore (6'1, 219)
  • 34 Tony Jones Jr.Freshman
  • 38 Deon McIntosh – Freshman
  • 46 Josh Anderson – Graduate Student (5'9, 205)
  • 49 Bailey Ross – Senior (5'10, 202)

Wide Receivers

  •  3 C. J. SandersSophomore (5'8, 185)
  •  6 Equanimeous St. BrownSophomore (6'4, 205)
  • 15 Corey Holmes – Junior (6'0, 190)
  • 16 Torii Hunter Jr. – Senior (6'0, 195)
  • 26 Austin Webster – Junior (5'11, 195)
  • 27 Chris Finke – Sophomore (5'9, 175)
  • 29 Kevin Stepherson – Freshman (6'0, 181)
  • 35 Grant Hammann – Junior (6'0, 192)
  • 37 Omar Hunter – Senior (5'9, 195)
  • 81 Miles BoykinSophomore (6'3, 225)
  • 83 Chase ClaypoolFreshman
  • 86 Javon McKinley – Freshman
  • 87 Keenan Centlivre – Junior (6'5, 225)
  • 89 Buster Sheridan – Senior (6'3, 200)

Tight Ends

  • 10 Alize JonesSophomore (6'4, 240)
  • 80 Durham SmytheSenior (6'4, 245)
  • 82 Nic Weishar – Junior (6'4, 245)
  • 84 Ben Suttman – Senior (6'2, 240)
  • 89 Jacob Matuska – Senior (6'4, 275)

Punters

  • 80 Tyler Newsome – Junior (6'2, 210) (+K)
 

Offensive Lineman

  • 50 Parker Boudreaux – Freshman
  • 53 Sam MustipherJunior (6'2, 305)
  • 56 Quenton NelsonJunior (6'5, 325)
  • 57 Trevor Ruhland – Sophomore (6'3, 300)
  • 62 Colin McGovern – Senior (6'4, 315)
  • 63 Sam Bush – Junior (6'3, 305)
  • 66 Tristen HogeSophomore (6'4, 300)
  • 67 Jimmy Byrne – Junior (6'4, 300)
  • 68 Mike McGlincheySenior (6'7, 310)
  • 69 Logan Plantz – Sophomore (6'2, 310)
  • 70 Hunter Bivin – Senior (6'5, 308)
  • 71 Alex BarsJunior (6'6, 320)
  • 74 Liam EichenbergFreshman
  • 75 Mark Harrell – Graduate Student (6'4, 306)
  • 78 Tommy KraemerFreshman

Defensive Lineman

  •  9 Daelin HayesFreshman (6'3, 257) Redshirt
  • 42 Julian OkwaraFreshman
  • 53 Khalid KareemFreshman (6'3, 270)
  • 54 Lincoln Feist – Sophomore (6'2, 315)
  • 55 Jonathan Bonner – Junior (6'3, 286)
  • 58 Elijah Taylor – Sophomore (6'3, 285)
  • 60 John Montelus – Senior (6'4, 310)
  • 64 Ryan Kilander – Junior (6'0, 310)
  • 75 Daniel Cage – Junior (6'1, 315)
  • 77 Brandon Tiassum – Sophomore (6'3, 302)
  • 90 Isaac RochellSenior (6'3, 290)
  • 92 Grant Blankenship – Junior (6'5, 278)
  • 93 Jay Hayes – Junior (6'3, 285)
  • 94 Jarron Jones – Graduate Student (6'5, 315)
  • 95 Marquis Dickerson – Senior (6'1, 285)
  • 96 Peter Mokwuah – Junior (6'3, 317)
  • 97 Micah Dew-Treadway – Sophomore (6'4, 300)
  • 98 Andrew Trumbetti – Junior (6'3, 260)
  • 99 Jerry TillerySophomore (6'6, 310)
  • 91 Adetokunbo OgundejiFreshman

Kickers

  • 19 Justin YoonSophomore (5'9, 190)
  • 29 Sam Kohler – Junior (6'0, 175)
  • 42 Jeff Riney – Sophomore (5'10, 175) (+P)
  • 43 John Chereson – Senior (5'9, 178)
 

Linebackers

  •  4 Te'von ConeySophomore (6'1, 235)
  •  5 Nyles Morgan – Junior (6'1, 245)
  • 17 James OnwualuSenior (6'1, 232)
  • 22 Asmar BilalSophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 30 Josh Barajas – Sophomore (6'1, 240)
  • 40 Kier Murphy – Sophomore (6'0, 230)
  • 42 Jimmy Thompson – Sophomore (6'0, 215)
  • 44 Jamir JonesFreshman
  • 45 Jonathan Jones – Freshman
  • 48 Greer Martini – Junior (6'2, 245)
  • 49 Brandon Hutson – Sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 51 Devyn Spruell – Sophomore (6'1, 240)

Cornerbacks

  •  7 Nick Watkins – Junior (6'0, 200)
  • 12 Devin Butler – Senior (6'0, 200)
  • 25 Brian Ball – Sophomore (5'11, 185)
  • 26 Ashton White – Sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 34 Jesse Bongiovi – Senior (5'9, 194)
  • 36 Cole LukeSenior (5'11, 193)

Safeties

  •  4 Avery Sebastian – Graduate Student (5'10, 200)
  • 13 Devin Studstill – Freshman (6'0, 190) Redshirt
  • 23 Drue TranquillJunior (6'1, 225)
  • 31 Spencer Perry – Freshman (6'2, 204)
  • 38 Robert Regan – Sophomore (6'2, 200)
  • 39 Drew Recker – Senior (5'11, 205)

Defensive Backs

  • 18 Troy PrideFreshman
  • 20 Shaun Crawford – Sophomore (5'8, 189)
  • 24 Nick Coleman – Sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 21 Jalen ElliottFreshman
  • 27 Julian LoveFreshman Redshirt
  • 32 D.J. Morgan – Freshman
  • 35 Donte Vaughn – Freshman

Long Snappers

Season[]

Schedule[]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 47:30 p.m.at TexasNo. 10ABCL 47–50 2OT102,315
September 103:30 p.m.NevadaNo. 18
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN
NBCW 39–1080,795
September 177:30 p.m.No. 12 Michigan StateNo. 18
NBCL 28–3680,795
September 243:30 p.m.Duke
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN
NBCL 35–3880,795
October 112:00 p.m.vs. Syracuse
  • MetLife Stadium
  • East Rutherford, NJ
ESPNW 50–3362,794
October 812:00 p.m.at NC StateABCL 3–1058,200
October 157:30 p.m.Stanford[4]
NBCL 10–1780,795
October 293:30 p.m.Miami (FL)
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN (Catholics vs Convicts)
NBCW 30–2780,795
November 511:30 a.m.vs. Navy
CBSL 27–2850,867
November 123:30 p.m.vs. Army
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX (rivalry / Shamrock Series)
NBCW 44–645,762
November 193:30 p.m.Virginia Tech
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN
NBCL 31–3480,795
November 263:30 p.mat No. 12 USC
ABCL 27–4572,402
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries[]

Texas[]

Notre Dame at Texas
1 234OT2OTTotal
No. 10 Fighting Irish 7 714973 47
Longhorns 7 1410676 50
  • Date: September 4, 2016
  • Location: Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
    Austin, TX
  • Game start: 7:42 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 4 hours
  • Game attendance: 102,315
  • Game weather: Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: SE 8 MPH
  • Referee: Gary Patterson
  • TV announcers (ABC): Joe Tessitore, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe (sideline)

Nevada[]

Nevada at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Wolf Pack 0 037 10
No. 18 Fighting Irish 0 25140 39
  • Date: September 10, 2016
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:42 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 25 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: W 12 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Maconaghy
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Doug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Michigan State[]

Michigan State at Notre Dame
(Megaphone Trophy)
1 234Total
No. 12 Spartans 0 15210 36
No. 18 Fighting Irish 7 0714 28
  • Date: September 17, 2016
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 7:44 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 31 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: W 6 MPH
  • Referee: Dan Capron
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Doug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Duke[]

Duke at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Blue Devils 14 14010 38
Fighting Irish 14 777 35
  • Date: September 24, 2016
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:40 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 14 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: ENE 9 MPH
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Doug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Syracuse[]

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Syracuse Orange
1 2 34Total
Notre Dame 23 10 14350
Syracuse 13 14 0633

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 1, 2016
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,794
  • Referee: Stuart Mullins
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, and Allison Williams
  • Box Score

North Carolina State[]

Notre Dame at North Carolina State
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 0 030 3
Wolfpack 3 007 10
  • Date: October 8, 2016
  • Location: Carter–Finley Stadium
    Raleigh, NC
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 4 hours
  • Game attendance: 58,200
  • Game weather: Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Hurricane Matthew • Wind: NE 18 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
  • TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, and Tom Luginbill (sideline)

The Notre Dame vs NC State game was played during Hurricane Matthew[5] where the two teams combined for only 311 total yards. The only touchdown of the game was scored by NC State on a blocked punt leading NC State to win it 10–3.[6]

Stanford[]

Stanford at Notre Dame
(Legends Trophy)
1 234Total
Cardinal 0 098 17
Fighting Irish 7 300 10
  • Date: October 15, 2016
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 7:40 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 17 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: S 9 MPH
  • Referee: Michael Batlan
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks, Doug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Miami (Florida)[]

Miami (Florida) at Notre Dame
(Catholics vs Convicts)
1 234Total
Hurricanes 0 71010 27
Fighting Irish 17 3010 30
  • Date: October 29, 2016
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:40 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 38 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Overcast • Wind: WSW 9 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Flanagan
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks, Doug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Navy[]

Notre Dame vs Navy
(Rip Miller Trophy)
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 10 773 27
Midshipmen 7 777 28
  • Date: November 5, 2016
  • Location: EverBank Field
    Jacksonville, FL
  • Game start: 11:40 a.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 5 minutes
  • Game attendance: 50,867
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: ENE 13 MPH
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (CBS): Carter Blackburn, Adam Archuleta and Jenny Dell (sideline)

Army[]

Notre Dame vs Army
(rivalry / Shamrock Series)
1 234Total
Black Knights 0 600 6
Fighting Irish 21 1760 44
  • Date: November 12, 2016
  • Location: Alamodome
    San Antonio, TX
  • Game start: 3:39 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 2 hours and 55 minutes
  • Game attendance: 45,762
  • Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Indoors • Wind: N/A
  • Referee: Stuart Mullins
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks, Doug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Virginia Tech[]

Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Hokies 0 14713 34
Fighting Irish 10 1470 31
  • Date: November 19, 2016
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:40 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 36 °F (2 °C) • Weather: Cloudy and Snow Flurries • Wind: WNW 20 MPH
  • Referee: Duane Heydt
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks, Doug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

USC[]

Notre Dame at USC
(Jeweled Shillelagh)
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 7 0146 27
No. 12 Trojans 10 14147 45
  • Date: November 26, 2016
  • Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Game start: 3:42 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 39 minutes
  • Game attendance: 72,402
  • Game weather: Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy and Rain • Wind: E 5 MPH
  • Referee: Ron Cherry
  • TV announcers (ABC): Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Todd McShay (sideline)

Rankings[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Jack Swarbrick Talks Future of Brian Kelly at Notre Dame". Irish Sports Daily. December 2, 2016.
  2. ^ "VanGorder Relieved of Duties; Hudson Assumes Responsibilities". Archived from the original on 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2016-09-25.
  3. ^ "Notre Dame Announces 2016 Signing Class". Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  4. ^ "Stanford-Notre Dame Series Extended Through 2019". gostandford.com. Stanford University. May 19, 2011. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  5. ^ Neuharth-Keusch, A. J. "Hurricane Matthew turns N.C. State-Notre Dame game into 100-yard slip-and-slide". USA TODAY.
  6. ^ Greenstein, Teddy. "Notre Dame reeling after rain-soaked, 10–3 blooper-reel loss". chicagotribune.com.


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