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2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

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2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–5
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorCharley Molnar (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBob Diaco (2nd season)
Base defense3–4
CaptainHarrison Smith
Home stadiumNotre Dame Stadium
Seasons
← 2010
2012 →
2011 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
BYU     –       10 – 3  
Notre Dame     –       8 – 5  
Navy     –       5 – 7  
Army     –       3 – 9  
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2011 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 compete as an independent. They finished the season 8–5. They were invited to the Champs Sports Bowl where they were defeated by Florida State 18–14.

Preseason

[edit]

Coaching changes

[edit]

Kerry Cooks took over the cornerback position after coaching the outside linebackers the previous season. Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, who also coaches the inside linebackers, will coach the entire linebacking corps moving forward. Chuck Martin will focus solely on the safeties, while presumably assuming his role as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

Player changes

[edit]

Departing players

[edit]

Star tight end Kyle Rudolph chose to forgo his final year of eligibility, and enter the 2011 NFL draft. The Irish also lost a number of important seniors, including four-year starter defensive lineman Ian Williams, linebackers Kerry Neal and Brian Smith, cornerback Darrin Walls, running backs Robert Hughes and Armando Allen, Wide Receiver Duval Kamara, and offensive lineman Matt Romine and Chris Stewart, all to graduation. Redshirt junior quarterback Nate Montana left the program in early February 2011, and transferred to the University of Montana.[1] Junior guard Alex Bullard transferred to his hometown state of Tennessee and will play for the University of Tennessee, citing the desire to be closer to home following the loss of a family member.[2]

Recruiting

[edit]

With his first full recruiting class, Brian Kelly added 23 prospects to the football team, including the addition of five early-enrollees: defensive end Aaron Lynch, outside linebacker Ishaq Williams, offensive lineman Brad Carrico, quarterback Everett Golson, and kicker Kyle Brindza.

US college sports recruiting information for 2011 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
George Atkinson III
WR/RB 		Livermore, CA Granada HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 4.5 Sep 12, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Josh Atkinson
DB 		Livermore, CA Granada HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.4 Sep 12, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Kyle Brindza
K 		Canton, OH Plymouth Canton HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) – Apr 15, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Jalen Brown
DB 		Irving, TX Irving MacArthur HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 4.4 Jul 31, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Brad Carrico
DE 		Dublin, OH Dublin Coffman HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 270 lb (120 kg) 4.8 Mar 20, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Ben Councell
LB 		Asheville, NC A.C. Reynolds HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 4.4 Jun 27, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
DaVaris Daniels
WR 		Vernon Hills, IL Vernon Hills HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.5 Sep 28, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 81
Matthias Farley
ATH/CB 		Charlotte, NC Charlotte Christian HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 4.5 Apr 21, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Everett Golson
QB/ATH 		Myrtle Beach, SC Myrtle Beach HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) – Dec 2, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Jarrett Grace
LB 		Cincinnati, OH Colerain HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.6 Apr 24, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Conor Hanratty
OL 		New Canaan, CT New Canaan HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 305 lb (138 kg) 5.8 Apr 24, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Eilar Hardy
DB 		Pickerington, OH Central HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.5 Jun 25, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Matthew Hegarty
OL 		Aztec, NM Aztec HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 5.0 Apr 28, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 82
Chase Hounshell
OL 		Kirtland, OH Lake Catholic HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 4.8 Jan 17, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Ben Koyack
TE 		Oil City, PA Oil City Senior HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.6 Apr 27, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 81
Aaron Lynch
DE 		Cape Coral, FL Island Coast HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 4.7 Jan 18, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 84
Nick Martin
OL 		Indianapolis, IN Bishop Chatard HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 260 lb (120 kg) – Jan 11, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Cam McDaniel
RB 		Coppell, TX Coppell HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 4.5 Nov 29, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Troy Niklas
OL 		Anaheim, CA Servite HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 4.7 Feb 2, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Anthony Rabasa
DE 		Miami, FL Columbus HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) – Jul 30, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Tony Springmann
DE 		Fort Wayne, IN Bishop Dwenger HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 257 lb (117 kg) 4.8 Apr 24, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Stephon Tuitt
DE 		Monroe, GA Monroe Area HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 260 lb (120 kg) – Jan 19, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 81
Ishaq Williams
DE 		Brooklyn, NY Abraham Lincoln HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.7 Jan 14, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 82
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 11   Rivals: 10  ESPN: 9
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Notre Dame Commit List 2011". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: Notre Dame". Scout.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  • "2011 Player Commitments – Notre Dame". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011.

Outlook

[edit]
See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings § Preseason polls

Award candidates

[edit]

The following players were announced to award watch lists prior to the start of the 2011 season:

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 33:30 p.m.South FloridaNo. 16
NBCL 20–2380,795
September 108:00 p.m.at Michigan
ESPNL 31–35114,804
September 173:30 p.m.No. 15 Michigan State
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCW 31–1380,795
September 2412:00 p.m.at Pittsburgh
ABCW 15–1265,050
October 18:00 p.m.at Purdue
ESPNW 38–1061,555
October 83:30 p.m.Air Force
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCW 59–3380,795
October 227:30 p.m.USC
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN (rivalry)
NBCL 17–3180,795
October 293:30 p.m.Navy
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
NBCW 56–1480,795
November 58:00 p.m.at Wake Forest
ABCW 24–1736,307
November 127:30 p.m.vs. Maryland
NBCW 45–2170,251
November 194:00 p.m.Boston CollegeNo. 24
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (Holy War)
NBCW 16–1480,795
November 268:00 p.m.at No. 4 StanfordNo. 22
ABCL 14–2850,360[7]
December 295:30 p.m.vs. No. 25 Florida State
ESPN, ESPN 3DL 14–1868,305

[8]

Personnel

[edit]

Coaching staff

[edit]
Name Position Year at Notre Dame Alma mater (Year)
Brian Kelly Head coach 2nd Assumption (1982)
Bob Diaco Defensive coordinator/linebackers 2nd Iowa (1995)
Charley Molnar Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 2nd Lock Haven (1984)
Chuck Martin Safeties /recruiting coordinator 2nd Millikin (1990)
Mike Elston Defensive line / special teams coordinator 2nd Michigan (1998)
Ed Warinner Offensive line 2nd Mount Union (1984)
Mike Denbrock Tight ends 2nd (second stint) Grand Valley State (1987)
Tony Alford Wide receivers 3rd Colorado State (1992)
Tim Hinton Running backs 2nd Wilmington (1982)
Kerry Cooks Cornerbacks 2nd Iowa (2000)
Paul Longo Strength and conditioning 2nd Wayne State University (1981)

Roster

[edit]
2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish roster from the University of Notre Dame Athletic Site

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

  • 14 Luke Massa – sophomore
  • 16 DaVaris Daniels – freshman
  • 41 Matthias Farley – freshman
  • 38 Nick Fitzpatrick – junior
  • 3 Michael Floyd – senior
  • 81 John Goodman – senior
  • 7 T. J. Jones – sophomore
  • 37 Eric Lee – freshman
  • 39 Ryan Liebscher – sophomore
  • 6 Theo Riddick – junior
  • 85 Ryan Sharpley – senior
  • 87 Daniel Smith – sophomore
  • 9 Robby Toma – junior
  • 1 Deion Walker – senior
  

Tight ends

  • 80 Tyler Eifert – junior
  • 88 Jake Golic – junior
  • 18 Ben Koyack – freshman
  • 86 Arturo Martinez – sophomore
  • 83 Mike Ragone – 5th Year Senior
  • 82 Alex Welch – sophomore

Offensive line

  • 56 Brad Carrico – freshman
  • 51 Bruce Heggie – sophomore
  • 72 Nick Martin – freshman
  • 62 Matt Tansey – junior

Offensive tackles

  • 73 Lane Clelland – senior
  • 75 Taylor Dever – 5th Year Senior
  • 77 Matt Hegarty – freshman
  • 74 Christian Lombard – sophomore
  • 71 Dennis Mahoney – senior
  • 70 Zack Martin – junior
  • 64 Tate Nichols – sophomore
  • 79 Jordan Prestwood – freshman #

Offensive guards

Centers

Defensive ends

 

Defensive tackles

  • 98 Sean Cwynar – junior

Nose guards

Linebackers

  • 93 Connor Little – freshman

Inside Linebackers

  • 44 Carlo Calabrese – junior
  • 48 Dan Fox – junior
  • 59 Jarrett Grace – freshman
  • 54 Anthony McDonald – senior
  • 8 Kendall Moore – sophomore
  • 50 Sean Oxley – senior
  • 36 David Posluszny – senior
  • 56 Anthony Rabasa – freshman
  • 38 Joe Schmidt – freshman
  • 55 Prince Shembo – sophomore
  • 5 Manti Te'o – junior
  • 53 Justin Utupo – sophomore

Outside Linebackers

  • 30 Ben Councell – freshman
  • 46 Steve Filer – senior
  • 45 Darius Fleming – senior
  • 47 Jonathan Frantz – senior
  • 58 Troy Niklas – freshman
  • 13 Danny Spond – sophomore
  • 1 Ishaq Williams – freshman

Defensive backs

  • 35 Joe Romano – sophomore

Cornerbacks

  • 43 Josh Atkinson – freshman
  • 12 Robert Blanton – senior
  • 21 Jalen Brown – freshman
  • 4 Gary Gray – 5th Year Senior
  • 2 Bennett Jackson – sophomore
  • 42 Nick Lezynski – 5th Year Senior
  • 32 Andrew Plaska – senior
  • 39 Ryan Sheehan – senior
  • 23 Lo Wood – sophomore
  

Safeties

  • 49 Blake Breslau – junior
  • 40 Connor Cavalaris – freshman
  • 28 Austin Collinsworth – sophomore
  • 34 Eilar Hardy – freshman
  • 15 Dan McCarthy – senior
  • 17 Zeke Motta – junior
  • 24 Chris Salvi – senior
  • 26 Jamoris Slaughter – senior
  • 22 Harrison Smith – 5th Year Senior

Kickers/Punters

  • 27 Kyle Brindza – freshman
  • 37 Mike Greico – senior
  • 97 David Ruffer – 5th Year Senior
  • 40 Nick Tausch – junior
  • 35 Ben Turk – junior

Long snappers

  • 60 Jordan Cowart – junior
  • 50 Ryan Kavanagh – senior

# Incoming Transfer, Must sit out a year

Game summaries

[edit]

South Florida

[edit]
See also: 2011 South Florida Bulls football team

[9]

South Florida at Notre Dame
1 234Total
• Bulls 13 307 23
Fighting Irish 0 0713 20
  • Date: September 3
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:30 EST
  • Elapsed time: 5:59
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: 93 degrees, W 6 MPH, 2 Severe Weather Delays
  • Referee: Dennis Hennigan Big East
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks, Mike Mayock & Alex Flanagan
Scoring summary
111:00USFKayvon Webster 96-yard fumble return (Maikon Bonani kick)USF 7–0
14:45USFMaikon Bonani 49-yard field goalUSF 10–0
11:08USFMaikon Bonani 17-yard field goalUSF 13–0
24:04USFMaikon Bonani 16-yard field goalUSF 16–0
37:12NDMichael Floyd 24-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)USF 16–7
411:05USFEvan Landi 2-yard pass from B. J. Daniels (Maikon Bonani kick)USF 23–7
47:35NDCierre Wood 1-yard run (pass failed)USF 23–13
40:21NDMichael Floyd 8-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)USF 23–20

Michigan

[edit]
See also: 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team
  • Game Captain: Zach Martin
Notre Dame at Michigan "Under The Lights"
(Michigan – Notre Dame rivalry game)
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 14 377 31
• Wolverines 0 7028 35
  • Date: September 10
  • Location: Michigan Stadium
    Ann Arbor, MI
  • Game start: 8:00 PM EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:30
  • Game attendance: 114,804
  • Game weather: High 60s, ESE 4 MPH
  • Referee: Tom Tomczyk Big East
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Erin Andrews

Michigan State

[edit]
See also: 2011 Michigan State Spartans football team
  • Game Captain: Ethan Johnson
Michigan State at Notre Dame
(Megaphone Trophy)
1 234Total
Spartans 3 703 13
• Fighting Irish 14 773 31
  • Date: September 17
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:30 PM EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:19
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: 68 Degrees, SE 8 MPH
  • Referee: John O'Neill Big 10
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond, Mike Mayock & Alex Flanagan
Scoring summary
110:41NDCierre Wood 22-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 7–0
11:32MSUDan Conroy 40-yard field goalND 7–3
11:20NDGeorge Atkinson III 89-yard kickoff return (David Ruffer kick)ND 14–3
211:57MSUDion Sims 6-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick)ND 14–10
23:36NDCierre Wood 6-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 21–10
39:30NDTJ Jones 26-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 28–10
410:56MSUDan Conroy 35-yard field goalND 28–13
43:11NDDavid Ruffer 33-yard field goalND 31–13

Pittsburgh

[edit]
See also: 2011 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
  • Game Captain: Taylor Dever
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
• Fighting Irish 0 708 15
Panthers 3 360 12

Purdue

[edit]
See also: 2011 Purdue Boilermakers football team and Shillelagh Trophy (Notre Dame–Purdue)
Notre Dame at Purdue
1 234Total
• Notre Dame 14 7143 38
Purdue 0 307 10
  • Date: October 1
  • Location: Ross-Ade Stadium
    West Lafayette, IN
  • Game start: 8:00 PM EST EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:21
  • Game attendance: 61,555
  • Game weather: 50 Degrees, NNW 4 MPH
  • Referee: Jerry McGinn Big East
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe
Scoring summary
114:36NDMichael Floyd 35-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 7–0
10:03NDJonas Gray 3-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 14–0
29:06NDCierre Wood 55-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 21–0
23:39PURCarson Wiggs 27-yard field goalND 21–3
312:00NDTyler Eifert 6-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 28–3
32:07NDTJ Jones 11-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 35–3
48:06NDDavid Ruffer 21-yard field goalND 38–3
40:21PURAntavian Edison 13-yard pass from Caleb TerBush (Carson Wiggs kick)ND 38–10

[10]

Air Force

[edit]
See also: 2011 Air Force Falcons football team
Air Force at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Falcons 3 13017 33
• Fighting Irish 21 21710 59
  • Date: October 8
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:30 EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:23
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: 81 degrees, S 9 MPH
  • Referee: Greg Burks Mountain West Conference
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond, Mike Mayock & Alex Flanagan
Scoring summary
112:13NDMichael Floyd 34-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 7–0
18:21NDTyler Eifert 5-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 14–0
15:48AFParker Herrington 34-yard field goalND 14–3
14:07NDRobby Toma 10-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 21–3
213:41AFTim Jefferson 3-yard run (kick blocked)ND 21–9
211:39NDJonas Gray 5-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 28–9
26:10NDCierre Wood 8-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 35–9
21:41AFTy MacArthur 6-yard pass from Tim Jefferson (Parker Herrington kick)ND 35–16
20:32NDTheo Riddick 24-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 42–16
36:49NDJonas Gray 6-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 49–16
414:56AFParker Herrington 32-yard field goalND 49–19
410:12NDDavid Ruffer 39-yard field goalND 52–19
46:22NDGeorge Atkinson III 1-yard run (Mike Grieco kick)ND 59–19
44:32AFDrew Coleman 36-yard pass from Connor Dietz (Anthony Lacoste run)ND 59–27
40:33AFJonathan Lee 8-yard run (run failed)ND 59–33

USC

[edit]
See also: 2011 USC Trojans football team
USC at Notre Dame
1 234Total
• Trojans 14 377 31
Fighting Irish 0 1007 17
  • Date: October 22
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 7:30 EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:10
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: 36 degrees
  • Referee: Land Clark Pac-12
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond, Mike Mayock & Alex Flanagan
[edit]
See also: 2011 Navy Midshipmen football team

Game Captain: Chris Salvi

Navy at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Midshipmen 0 707 14
• Fighting Irish 14 21714 56
  • Date: October 29
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:30 EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:06
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: 54 Degrees
  • Referee: Ron Cherry
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond, Mike Mayock & Alex Flanagan
Scoring summary
14:52NDJonas Gray 1-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 7–0
10:31NDCierre Wood 1-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 14–0
211:06NAVYGee Gee Greene 9-yard pass from Trey Miller (Jon Teague kick)Notre Dame 14–7
210:51NDMichael Floyd 56-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 21–7
29:07NDJonas Gray 2-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 28–7
23:37NDCierre Wood 1-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 35–7
32:59NDMichael Floyd 10-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 42–7
413:38NDJonas Gray 5-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 49–7
49:25NAVYJarvis Cummings 12-yard run (Jon Teague kick)Notre Dame 49–14
43:49NDGeorge Atkinson III 1-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Notre Dame 56–14

Wake Forest

[edit]
See also: 2011 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

Game Captain: Robert Blanton

Notre Dame at Wake Forest
1 234Total
• Fighting Irish 10 0140 24
Demon Deacons 10 700 17
  • Date: November 5
  • Location: BB&T Field
    Winston-Salem, NC
  • Game start: 8:00 PM EST
  • Game attendance: 36,307
  • Referee: Dennis Hennigan Big East
  • Television network: ABC/ESPN2
Scoring summary
110:52WAKEBrandon Pendergrass 20-yard pass from Tanner Price (Jimmy Newman kick)WAKE 7–0
16:15NDDavid Ruffer 44-yard field goalWAKE 7–3
14:07WAKEJimmy Newman 46-yard field goalWAKE 10–3
13:38NDTyler Eifert 38-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)Tied 10–10
20:28WAKEJosh Harris 2-yard run (Jimmy Newman kick)WAKE 17–10
312:54NDJonas Gray 1-yard run (David Ruffer kick)Tied 17–17
39:04NDMichael Floyd 16-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 24–17

Maryland

[edit]
See also: 2011 Maryland Terrapins football team

Game Captain: Darius Fleming

Notre Dame vs Maryland
(Shamrock Series)
1 234Total
Terrapins 0 7014 21
• Fighting Irish 10 14147 45
  • Date: November 12
  • Location: Fed Ex Field
    Landover, MD
  • Game start: 7:30 PM EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:03
  • Game attendance: 70,251
  • Game weather: 51 Degrees
  • Referee: Tom Tomczyk Big East
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond, Mike Mayock & Alex Flanagan
Scoring summary
111:25NDJonas Gray 1-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 7–0
12:47NDDavid Ruffer 52-yard field goalND 10–0
28:29NDMichael Floyd 19-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 17–0
25:18MDQuintin McCree 13-yard pass from Danny O'Brien (Nick Ferrara kick)ND 17–7
20:29NDJonas Gray 1-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 24–7
38:48NDCierre Wood 3-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 31–7
37:18NDLo Wood 57-yard interception return (David Ruffer kick)ND 38–7
414:02MDC. J. Brown 2-yard run (Nick Ferrara kick)ND 38–14
45:31NDTyler Eifert 34-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 45–14
40:37MDD.J. Adams 2-yard run (Nick Ferrara kick)ND 45–21

Despite the game being played only 12 miles from the Maryland campus, both end zones read "Notre Dame" and the majority of the fans in attendance were supporting the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame wore their green jerseys along with large green shamrocks on their side of their gold helmets.[11]

Boston College

[edit]
See also: 2011 Boston College Eagles football team
Notre Dame vs Boston College
1 234Total
Eagles 0 707 14
• Fighting Irish 10 303 16
  • Date: November 19
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 4:00 PM EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:22
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: 51
  • Referee: Brad Allen ACC
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond, Mike Mayock & Alex Flanagan
Scoring summary
112:38NDJonas Gray 26-yard run (David Ruffer kick)ND 7–0
18:15NDDavid Ruffer 40-yard field goalND 10–0
23:04BCJosh Bordner 2-yard run (Nate Freese kick)ND 10–7
21:19NDDavid Ruffer 41-yard field goalND 13–7
48:08NDDavid Ruffer 27-yard field goalND 16–7
41:57BCBobby Swigert 7-yard pass from Chase Rettig (Nate Freese kick)ND 16–14

Stanford

[edit]
See also: 2011 Stanford Cardinal football team

Game Captain: Taylor Dever

Notre Dame vs Stanford
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 0 077 14
• Cardinal 7 1407 28
  • Date: November 26
  • Location: Stanford Stadium
    Stanford, CA
  • Game start: 8:00 PM EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:23
  • Game attendance: 50,360
  • Game weather: 58 Degrees
  • Referee: John Mcdaid Big East
  • TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit
Scoring summary
19:16STANLevine Toilolo 3-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick)STAN 7–0
24:45STANCoby Fleener 28-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick)STAN 14–0
20:10STANTy Montgomery 11-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick)STAN 21–0
36:21NDMichael Floyd 6-yard pass from Andrew Hendrix (David Ruffer kick)STAN 21–7
45:40STANCoby Fleener 55-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick)STAN 28–7
40:23NDAndrew Hendrix 2-yard run (David Ruffer kick)STAN 28–14

Florida State

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Main article: 2011 Champs Sports Bowl
See also: 2011 Florida State Seminoles football team

Game Captain: Michael Floyd

Notre Dame vs Florida State
1 234Total
• Seminoles 0 0315 18
Fighting Irish 7 070 14
  • Date: December 29
  • Location: Citrus Bowl
    Orlando, FL
  • Game start: 5:30 EST
  • Referee: Reggie Smith Big 12 Conference
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (Play-by-Play)
    Rod Gilmore (Color Analyst)
    Holly Rowe (Sideline)
Scoring summary
111:25NDZeke Motta 29-yard fumble return (David Ruffer kick)ND 7–0
39:04NDMichael Floyd 5-yard pass from Tommy Rees (David Ruffer kick)ND 14–0
311:24FSUDustin Hopkins 42-yard field goalND 14–3
414:54FSUBert Reed 18-yard pass from EJ Manuel (Two-point conversion failed)ND 14–9
413:18FSURashad Greene 15-yard pass from E.J. Manuel (Two-point conversion failed)FSU 15–14
48:05FSUDustin Hopkins 29-yard field goalFSU 18–14

Rankings

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See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP16——RVRVRVRVRVRV—RVRV2422RV
Coaches18——RV—RVRVRVRVRVRVRV2524RV
HarrisNot releasedRVRVRV—RVRVRV23RVNot released
BCSNot released——————22—Not released

Awards

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National awards

Michael Floyd (semifinalist)[12]
Tyler Eifert (finalist)[13]

All-Americans

Name AP AFCA FWAA SN WCFF Athlon[14] CBS CFN ESPN PFW Rivals Scout SI Yahoo
George Atkinson III, KR Hon. Mention
Tyler Eifert, TE 2 2 Hon. Mention 3 1 Hon. Mention 3
Michael Floyd, WR Hon. Mention Hon. Mention
Manti Te'o, LB 2 2 2 2 2 2
†denotes consensus selection. NCAA recognizes AP, AFCA, FWAA, SN and WCFF 1st teams for consensus selections      Source:

References

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  1. ^ "Nate Montana to transfer from Notre Dame to Montana". usatoday.com. February 15, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  2. ^ "Notre Dame lineman Alex Bullard transferring to Tennessee after death of father". govolsextra.com. January 7, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "More Notre Dame Football Players Selected To Preseason Watch Lists". UND.cstv.com. July 15, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  4. ^ a b c "Trio Of Irish Players Make Maxwell, Bednarik Watch Lists". UND.cstv.com. July 5, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  5. ^ "Tyler Eifert Named To John Mackey Award Watch List". UND.cstv.com. July 6, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Notre Dame Players Littered On Preseason Watch Lists". UND.cstv.com. July 8, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  7. ^ "Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN.com. November 26, 2011.
  8. ^ "Notre Dame Football Official Schedule :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics". Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  9. ^ "No. 16 Irish Drop Season Opener To USF, 23–20." UND.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  10. ^ "Notre Dame vs. Purdue - Game Recap - October 1, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on October 5, 2011.
  11. ^ "Maryland vs. Notre Dame - Game Recap - November 12, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on November 14, 2011.
  12. ^ "Floyd named Biletnikoff semifinalist". ESPN.com. November 15, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  13. ^ "Tyler Eifert Named Finalist For John Mackey Award". und.com. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  14. ^ "Athlon's 2011 College Football All-America Team". athlonsports.com. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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