2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

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]

2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
ConferenceIndependent
2016 record4–8
Head coachBrian 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)
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

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:

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionTeam
16 Ronnie StanleyOffensive TackleBaltimore Ravens
121 Will FullerWide ReceiverHouston Texans
234 Jaylon SmithLinebackerDallas Cowboys
250 Nick MartinCenterHouston Texans
374 Keivarae RussellCornerbackKansas City Chiefs
390 C. J. ProsiseRunning backSeattle Seahawks
4103 Sheldon DayDefensive tackleJacksonville 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

NamePositionYear at Notre DameAlma mater (Year)
Brian KellyHead coach7thAssumption (1982)
Mike DenbrockAssociate head coach/wide receivers7thGrand Valley State (1987)
Mike ElstonLinebackers/recruiting coordinator7thMichigan (1998)
Harry HiestandOffensive line/run game coordinator5thEast Stroudsburg (1983)
Scott BookerTight ends/special teams coordinator5thKent State (2003)
Brian VanGorderDefensive coordinator3rdWayne State (1980)
Greg Hudson Interim defensive coordinator 1st Notre Dame (1988)
Mike Sanford Jr.Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks2ndBoise State (2005)
Autry DensonRunning backs2ndNotre Dame (1999)
Keith GilmoreDefensive line2ndWayne State (1981)
Todd LyghtDefensive backs coach2ndNotre Dame (1991)
Paul LongoDirector of football strength and conditioning7thWayne State (1981)

Roster

2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster

Quarterbacks

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 Torri 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 Jones – Sophomore (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 Boundreaux – Freshman
  • 53 Sam Mustipher – Junior (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 Hoge – Sophomore (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 Eichenberg – Freshman
  • 75 Mark Harrell – Graduate Student (6'4, 306)
  • 78 Tommy Kraemer – Freshman

Defensive Lineman

  •  9 Daelin Hayes – Freshman (6'3, 257)
  • 42 Julian Okwara – Freshman
  • 53 Khalid Kareem – Freshman (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 Ogundeji – Freshman

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 Bilal – Sophomore (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 Jones – Freshman
  • 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)
  • 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 Pride Jr. – Freshman
  • 20 Shaun Crawford – Sophomore (5'8, 189)
  • 24 Nick Coleman – Sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 21 Jalen Elliott – Freshman
  • 27 Julian LoveFreshman
  • 32 D.J. Morgan – Freshman
  • 35 Donte Vaughn – Freshman

Long Snappers

  • 54 John Shannon – Freshman
  • 61 Scott DalyGraduate Student (6'1, 250)

Season

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 47:30 p.m.at TexasNo. 10
  • Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
  • Austin, TX
ABCL 47–50 2OT102,315
September 103:30 p.m.NevadaNo. 18NBCW 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. SyracuseESPNW 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)
NBCW 30–2780,795
November 511:30 a.m.vs. NavyCBSL 27–2850,867
November 123:30 p.m.vs. ArmyNBCW 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 USCABCL 27–4572,402

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)
Overall record Last meeting Result
9–2 2015 ND, 38–3

Nevada

Nevada at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Wolf Pack 0 037 10
No. 18 Fighting Irish 0 25140 39
Overall record Last meeting Result
1–0 2009 ND, 35–0

Michigan State

Michigan State at Notre Dame
(Megaphone Trophy)
1 234Total
No. 12 Spartans 0 15210 36
No. 18 Fighting Irish 7 0714 28
Overall record Last meeting Result
48–28–1 2013 ND, 17–13

Duke

Duke at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Blue Devils 14 14010 38
Fighting Irish 14 777 35
Overall record Last meeting Result
3–1 2007 ND, 28–7

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

North Carolina State

Notre Dame at North Carolina State
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 0 030 3
Wolfpack 3 007 10
Overall record Last meeting Result
0–1 2003 NCSU, 28–6

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
Overall record Last meeting Result
19–11 2015 STAN, 38–36

Miami (Florida)

Miami (Florida) at Notre Dame
(Catholics vs Convicts)
1 234Total
Hurricanes 0 71010 27
Fighting Irish 17 3010 30
Overall record Last meeting Result
17–7–1 2012 ND, 41–3
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)
Overall record Last meeting Result
76–12–1 2015 ND, 41–24

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)
Overall record Last meeting Result
38–8–4 2010 ND, 27–3

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Hokies 0 14713 34
Fighting Irish 10 1470 31
Overall record Last meeting Result
First meeting

USC

Notre Dame at USC
(Jeweled Shillelagh)
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 7 0146 27
No. 12 Trojans 10 14147 45
Overall record Last meeting Result
46–36–5 2015 ND, 41–31

Rankings

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References


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