Streets are shut down, entire hotels are shut down, and local banners are replaced with Notre Dame logos, all in the name of the Shamrock Series. Functioning as a home game away from home, the Shamrock Series has brought Fighting Irish football all across the country, ranging from Dublin to San Antonio.
The Fighting Irish finished the 2016 football season with four wins and eight losses, one of the worst Irish performances in fifty-some years, and only the second losing season in Head Coach Brian Kelly’s 23 year career.
The fire-Kelly firestorm is premature and illogical. Admittedly, the 2016 season was one of the worst in ND history. But it was also Kelly’s only losing season in seven years at the helm in South Bend. He’s an NFL-caliber coach, adept recruiter and proven winner — he has more career wins than any active Division-1 coach.
After a grueling 34-31 loss to Virginia Tech, senior Trevor Green returned to his dorm and simply “got on with his day,” sources close to Green report.
Most Notre Dame students know Malik Zaire as the senior quarterback who wears the number eight, a dynamic athlete with strong running skills and a passion for his sport. Throughout his career with the Irish, he has played in 17 games and represented Notre Dame on a national level both on and off the field.
Oct. 29 saw the addition of another thrilling chapter to one of the most storied rivalries in college football. The 25th meeting between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Miami Hurricanes was filled with many twists and turns, though it ultimately finished with one of the best — if only — Irish victories from the season with a 30-27 victory in South Bend.
Between the time that sophomore Brandon Wimbush started studying for his final exams last semester and sitting down in his first class in the new semester, he had moved up two spots on the depth chart — presumably occupying the role of starting quarterback for the Irish once spring practice arrives in roughly two months.
The 2016 Fighting Irish football team kicked off their season with a thrilling yet ultimately heartbreaking primetime battle against the University of Texas.
Following a disappointing loss to Duke and the firing of Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder, Notre Dame headed to East Rutherford, New Jersey to take on the Syracuse Orange in MetLife Stadium.
The Irish fell to 1-3 Saturday, losing 38-35 to a Duke squad they were favored to beat by 21-points heading into the contest. It was a shocking loss for Notre Dame, but maybe it shouldn’t have been so surprising, as the game followed a familiar narrative.
It looked like a Michigan State blowout early, but the game turned into a thriller after a furious rally by the Irish on Saturday, Sept. 17. Notre Dame came into the game as 7.5-point favorites, but ultimately lost by eight points, with a final score of 36-28.
In a season of disappointments for the Notre Dame football program, the game against Nevada early in the season on Sept. 10 stands as a stark reminder of what could have been.
When describing the formidable environment of the Notre Dame-NC State game on Saturday Oct. 8, “harsh conditions” is an understatement. The Irish (2-4) took on the Wolfpack (4-1) hoping to make a statement and revive their season. Unfortunately for them, Mother Nature had other plans.
With the way Notre Dame’s defense had been playing before its game against Stanford — allowing nearly 30 points per game through its first six contests — holding the Cardinal to 17 might have been good enough for a win.
After a thrilling finish at home against Miami, Notre Dame hit the road to take on perennial rival Navy at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday Nov. 8. The Irish looked to continue their five-game win streak against the Midshipmen and get their season back on track after a shaky start.
The second-to-last home game of the 2016 season, the final contest at home for Notre Dame’s seniors, felt eerily similar to most of the team’s previous 10.
Alegendary rivalry and a torrential downpour culminated in a tough final game for the Irish as they faced the University of Southern California Trojans in the imposing Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Although Notre Dame players don’t wear their names on the backs of their jerseys, devoted fans memorize the numbers of their favorites. Key players are discussed on ESPN. Big stars rack up thousands of social media followers and sign autographs for young, adoring fans. But what about the players standing on the sidelines?
Awards chosen by the Scholastic staff for the most outstanding players this season.
Of those who follow Notre Dame football, few would argue 2016 was the team’s finest year. Maybe it is the poor football season, or perhaps frustration with Head Football Coach Brian Kelly has reached an all-time high, but alumni are expressing their disappointment through media.