2000 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 2000 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo.svg 150 Independent 16 15 9–3 Bob Davie 4th Kevin Rogers 2nd Option Greg Mattison 4th 4–3 Anthony Denman Jabari Holloway Grant Irons Dan O'Leary Notre Dame Stadium Fiesta Bowl L Lost 9–41 vs. Oregon State The 2000 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fourth year under head coach Bob Davie, the Irish compiled a 9–3 record, outscored opponents by a total of 344 to 226, and were ranked No. 15 in the final AP poll and No. 16 in the UPI poll. In games against ranked opponents, they defeated No. 25 Texas A&M and No. 13 Purdue but lost to No. 1 Nebraska, No. 23 Michigan State, and No. 5 Oregon State, the latter in the Fiesta Bowl.2000 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 4, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2000-schedule.html Julius Jones received first-team honors as a kick returner from CNNSI on the 2000 All-America college football team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Matt LoVecchio (980 passing yards), Julius Jones (657 rushing yards), wide receiver David Givens (25 receptions for 310 yards), and kicker Nicholas Setta (74 points scored, 44 of 45 PAT, 8 of 14 field goals).2000 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 5, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2000.html The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Schedule 2000 AP Eastern September 2 1:00 p.m. w Texas A&M 25 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN NBC 24–10 80,232 September 9 2:30 p.m. l 23 Nebraska 1 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 24–27 OT 80,232 September 16 1:00 p.m. w 21 Purdue 13 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 23–21 80,232 September 23 3:30 p.m. l y 16 Michigan State 23 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry ABC 21–27 74,714 October 7 2:30 p.m. w 25 Stanford Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 20–14 80,232 October 14 12:00 p.m. w y 20 Navy Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL rivalry CBS 45–14 47,291 October 21 12:00 p.m. w y 20 West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV CBS 42–28 64,424 October 28 2:30 p.m. w 19 Air Force Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 34–31 OT 80,232 November 11 2:30 p.m. w 11 Boston College Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN Holy War NBC 28–16 80,232 November 18 3:30 p.m. w y 11 Rutgers Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ CBS 45–17 40,011 November 25 3:30 p.m. w y 11 USC Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry ABC 38–21 81,342 January 1, 2001, 2001 8:00 p.m. l y 10 Oregon State 5 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ Fiesta Bowl ABC 9–41 75,428 Rankings 2000 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 NR NR 23 21 16 NR 25 20 20 19 15 11 11 11 11 10 15 Coaches Poll 0 16 NR NR 22 23 18 NR NR NR 22 19 16 12 11 10 10 10 16 BCS 9 15 NR 14 12 11 11 11 11 Season summary After losing ten players to the NFL, the Irish began the 2000 season signing 17 recruitshttp://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020200aab.html Signing Day 2000 UND.cstv.com February 2, 2000 September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617153939/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020200aab.html dead Having to replace two-year starter, Jarious Jackson, Davie chose Arnaz Battle,Casey, Tim http://www.nd.edu/~observer/09012000/Sports/0.html Battle steps out from Jackson's shadow The Observer UK September 1, 2000 September 10, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070228013446/http://www.nd.edu/~observer/09012000/Sports/0.html 2007-02-28 dead who looked to have a rough road ahead with the Irish playing four ranked teams in a row to begin the season, including a game against the favorite to win the national championship, Nebraska. Battle, however, did have some help with three veterans named to pre-season award watchlists.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082200aaa.html Football's Tony Fisher Named 2000 Doak Walker Award Candidate UND.cstv.com August 22, 2000 September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617132002/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082200aaa.html deadhttp://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082400aaa.html Football's Tony Driver Named to 2000 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List UND.cstv.com August 24, 2000 September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617154124/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082400aaa.html deadhttp://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082800aaa.html Football's Anthony Denman Named 2000 Butkus Award Candidate UND.cstv.com August 28, 2000 September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617110957/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082800aaa.html dead The Irish started the season playing the 25th ranked Texas A&M Aggies. With Battle throwing two touchdowns and the defense holding the Aggies to only a field goal in the second half, the Irish won by two touchdowns.Rosenblatt, Richard http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090200aaa.html https://archive.today/20120716100923/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090200aaa.html dead July 16, 2012 Irish Football Upsets Texas A&M, 24–10 UND.cstv.com September 2, 2000 September 10, 2007 Moving into the rankings for the first time since early November 1999, the Irish would next face the top-ranked Cornhuskers. After coming back from being down by two touchdowns, the Irish eventually fell in overtime after they settled for a field goal and Nebraska quarterback, Eric Crouch, ran for the winning touchdown.Rosenblatt, Richard http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090900aaa.html https://archive.today/20120715155251/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090900aaa.html dead July 15, 2012 Irish Fall In Heartbreaker To No. 1 Nebraska UND.cstv.com September 9, 2000 September 10, 2007 Despite the loss, and losing Battle indefinitely to a wrist injury that he suffered on the first play of the game,http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091000aab.html Arnaz Battle Injures Wrist; Out Indefinitely UND.cstv.com September 10, 2000 September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617154154/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091000aab.html dead the Irish felt they proved something to the country,Coyne, Tom http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090900aab.html Irish Say They've Proved They're For Real UND.cstv.com September 9, 2000 September 10, 2007 September 13, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070913233603/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090900aab.html dead and moved up in the rankings to 21st. The Irish next faced the 13th ranked Purdue Boilermakers, led by Heisman Trophy-hopeful quarterback Drew Brees.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/heisman-hopeful-drew-brees-always-worked-on-accuracy-1.227810 Heisman hopeful Drew Brees always worked on accuracy CBC Sports December 6, 2000 September 10, 2007 The Irish defense held Brees to only 13 completed passes, while Irish backup quarterback Gary Godsey completed 14, and led the team to a last minute win with a Nick Setta field goal.Coyne, Tom http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091600aaa.html https://archive.today/20120718224545/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091600aaa.html dead July 18, 2012 No. 21 Notre Dame Upsets No. 13 Purdue 23–21 UND.cstv.com September 16, 2000 September 10, 2007 Moving into the top-20 the Irish next went to Michigan State to face the 23rd ranked Spartans. Though the Spartans were led by freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker, he led the team to a win with a 68-yard touchdown pass on a fourth down attempt with a minute remaining in the game. Losing the game, the Irish hadn't won an away game in eight attempts and hadn't beaten the Spartans since 1994.Lage, Larry http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092300aaa.html https://archive.today/20120715115112/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092300aaa.html dead July 15, 2012 No. 21 Irish Fall To No. 23 Spartans 27–21 UND.cstv.com September 23, 2000 September 10, 2007 Dropping almost out of the rankings again, the Irish started playing freshman quarterback Matt LoVecchio and began to roll with wins over Stanford and Navy.Coyne, Tom http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/100700aaa.html https://archive.today/20120715190003/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/100700aaa.html dead July 15, 2012 Irish Hold Off Stanford, 20–14 UND.cstv.com October 7, 2000 September 10, 2007Goodall, Fred http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/101400aaa.html https://archive.today/20120720234327/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/101400aaa.html dead July 20, 2012 Football Tops Navy For The 37th Straight Win Over The Midshipmen, 45–14 UND.cstv.com October 14, 2000 September 10, 2007 Going to Morgantown to face the West Virginia Mountaineers, LoVecchio led the Irish with two touchdown passes to Tony Fisher to give the Irish their first road win in two years.Raby, John http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102100aaa.html https://archive.today/20120717120956/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102100aaa.html dead July 17, 2012 Football Collects Key Road Victory UND.cstv.com October 21, 2000 September 10, 2007 With a win over Air Force the next week, their first ever in overtime, the Irish were once again bowl eligible.Coyne, Tom http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102800aaa.html https://archive.today/20120715233952/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102800aaa.html dead July 15, 2012 Football Knocks Off Air Force In Overtime, 34–31 UND.cstv.com October 28, 2000 September 10, 2007 Ranked 11th, the Irish continued with wins over Boston College,Coyne, Tom http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111100aaa.html https://archive.today/20120716141035/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111100aaa.html dead July 16, 2012 Football Knocks Off Boston College, 28–16 UND.cstv.com November 11, 2000 September 10, 2007 Rutgers,Canavan, Tom http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111800aaa.html https://archive.today/20120729232145/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111800aaa.html dead July 29, 2012 Football Wins Its Sixth Straight, Defeating Rutgers 45–17 UND.cstv.com November 18, 2000 September 10, 2007 and their first win at USC since 1992.Nadel, John http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/112500aaa.html https://archive.today/20120715022814/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/112500aaa.html dead July 15, 2012 Football Takes Down USC 38–21 UND.cstv.com November 25, 2000 September 10, 2007 With a 9–2 record, the Irish got a BCS Bowl bid for the first time ever, with an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl to play the Oregon State Beavers.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120100aac.html Notre Dame Enters The Bowl Season Having Won Its Final Seven Games Of The Regular Season UND.cstv.com September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617111204/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120100aac.html dead Getting blown out by the Beavers,Baum, Bob http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/010101aaa.html https://archive.today/20120715060308/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/010101aaa.html dead July 15, 2012 Tenth-Ranked Football Falls To No. 5 Oregon State In Fiesta Bowl UND.cstv.com January 1, 2001 September 10, 2007 the Irish ended the season ranked 15th with a 9–3 record. With the end of the season, Davie was named finalist in two coach of the year awards. In addition, four Irish players were named to All-America Teams, seven players were selected to play in post-season All-Star games,http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010401aaa.html Seven Irish Football Players Selected To Play In Postseason All-Star Games UND.cstv.com September 10, 2007 September 13, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070913234230/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010401aaa.html dead and six players were selected in the 2001 NFL draft,Porcelli, Adam http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042201aaa.html Six Irish Players Selected In NFL Draft UND.cstv.com April 22, 2001 September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617131819/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042201aaa.html dead while another three signed free agent contracts with NFL teams.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042401aaa.html Three More Irish Football Players Sign Free Agent Contracts UND.cstv.com April 24, 2001 September 11, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617171717/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042401aaa.html dead The season ended on a positive note for Davie who signed a five-year contract extension.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120500aab.html Head Coach Bob Davie Signs Five-Year Contract To Continue With Irish UND.cstv.com December 5, 2000 September 10, 2007 June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080617111209/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120500aab.html dead Game summaries Nebraska Nebraska (1–0) at Notre Dame (1–0) No. 1 Cornhuskers No. 23 Fighting Irish 7 7 7 0 6 0 7 7 7 3 September 9 Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana CDT 80,232 Craig Minervini (Play-by-play), Pat Haden (Color) & Bob Wischusen (Sideline) NBC 2000 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team College GameDay (football) Purdue 2000 Purdue Boilermakers football team Vs. Oregon State—Fiesta Bowl Notre Dame (9–2) vs. Oregon State(10–1) No. 10 Fighting Irish 0 3 0 6 No. 5 Beavers 3 9 29 0 January 1, 2001 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ 75,428 Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Leslie Gudel (Sideline) ABC Source: Box Score 2001 Fiesta Bowl 2000 Oregon State Beavers football team Roster 2000 Notre Dame Fighting Irish f 82 Jr Bernard Akatu WR 3 So Arnaz Battle QB y 63 So Brennan Curtin T y 52 So Jeff Faine C y 12 Jr Tony Fisher Tony Fisher (American football) RB y 69 Sr Mike Gandy G y 6 Jr David Givens WR y 87 Sr Jabari Holloway TE y 21 Jr Javin Hunter WR y 11 Sr Jay Johnson WR 55 Sr Jim Jones G 22 So Julius Jones Julius Jones (American football) RB y 66 Sr JW Jordan C 8 Fr Matt Krueger QB 10 Jr Ryan Krueger QB 39 So Tom Lopienski FB y 10 Fr Matt LoVecchio QB y 79 So Sean Mahan G y 2 Jr Dan Novakov QB 86 Sr Dan O'Leary Dan O'Leary (American football) TE y 35 Jr Tim O'Neill RB 84 Jr John Owens John Owens (American football) TE y 72 Jr Ryan Scarola G 75 Sr Kurt Vollers T y 30 Jr Rocky Boiman LB y 60 Fr Darrell Campbell DT y 39 Sr Anthony Denman LB y 25 Sr Tony Driver S y 19 Fr Glenn Earl DB y 41 Fr Mike Goolsby LB y 51 Jr Tyreo Harrison LB y 44 Sr Grant Irons DE y 5 Jr Ron Israel DB y 90 Sr Lance Legree DT y 38 Sr Eric Nelson LB 56 So Pat Ryan LB 20 So Gerome Sapp S y 99 Fr Jason Sapp LB 45 Jr Matt Sarb SS 93 Sr B. J. Scott DT 4 Sr Justin Smith FS 42 So Shane Walton CB y 98 Jr Anthony Weaver DE y 1 Sr Brock Williams CB y 94 Jr Andy Wisne DT 83 So Josh Gentine P 92 Sr Matt McNew K https://web.archive.org/web/20001110053200/http://und.fansonly.com:80/sports/m-footbl/mtt/nd-m-footbl-mtt-alph.html *Bob Davie 2000-11-10 References Notre Dame Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons Notre Dame Fighting Irish football