2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo.svg 150px Independent 17 17 10–3 Tyrone Willingham 1st Bill Diedrick 1st Kent Baer 1st West Coast 4–3 Notre Dame Stadium Gator Bowl L Lost 6–28 vs. NC State The 2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first year under head coach Tyrone Willingham, the Irish compiled a 10–3 record, outscored opponents by a total of 290 to 217, and were ranked No. 17 in the final AP and Coaches Polls. They won the first eight games of the season and were at that point ranked No. 4 in the AP poll. The winning streak led to claims to a "Return to Glory",Barra, Allen http://www.salon.com/news/sports/col/barra/2002/09/27/notre/index.html Notre Dame's return to glory! (Part 23) Salon September 27, 2002 August 24, 2007 with the phrase appearing on t-shirts that created a "Sea of Green" in the stands,Krivickas, Justin http://www.nd.edu/~observer/10022002/News/0.html "The Shirt" makes a return to glory The Observer UK October 2, 2002 August 24, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110522042441/http://www.nd.edu/~observer/10022002/News/0.html May 22, 2011 and on the September 30 cover of Sports Illustrated.http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/2002/0930.html SI Covers Sports Illustrated August 24, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070612112241/http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/2002/0930.html June 12, 2007 However, the Irish lost three of their last five games, including a 44–13 loss to USC and a 28–6 loss to NC State in the Gator Bowl.2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 5, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2002-schedule.htmlFootball Review 2002 The Notre Dame Scholastic January 2003 https://archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-2002s.pdf The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Carlyle Holiday (1,788 passing yards), running back Ryan Grant (1,085 rushing yards), wide receiver Arnaz Battle (58 receptions for 786 yards), and kicker Nicholas Setta (74 points, 32 of 32 PAT, 14 of 25 field goals).2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 6, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2002.html Defensive back Shane Walton tallied seven interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and seven pass breakups,http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010303aaa.html Notre Dame Athletics the Fighting Irish and was a unanimous first-team pick on the 2002 All-America college football team. Center Jeff Faine and linebacker Courtney Watson also received first-team All-America honors from at least one selector. The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Schedule 2002 AP Eastern August 31 8:00 p.m. w y Maryland 21 Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ Kickoff Classic ABC 22–0 72,903 September 7 12:00 p.m. w 23 Purdue Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 24–17 80,795 September 14 1:30 p.m. w 20 Michigan 7 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 25–23 80,795 September 21 3:30 p.m. w y 12 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry ABC 21–17 75,182 October 5 1:30 p.m. w 9 Stanford Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 31–7 80,795 October 12 1:30 p.m. w 8 Pittsburgh Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 14–6 80,795 October 19 10:00 p.m. w y 7 Air Force 18 Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO College GameDay) (rivalry ESPN 21–14 56,409 October 26 12:00 p.m. w y 6 Florida State 11 rivalry Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL ABC 34–24 84,106 November 2 2:30 p.m. l 4 Boston College Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN Holy War NBC 7–14 80,935 November 9 12:00 p.m. w y 9 Navy Ravens Stadium Baltimore, MD rivalry CBS 30–23 70,260 November 23 1:00 p.m. w 8 Rutgers Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN NBC 42–0 80,795 November 30 8:00 p.m. l y 7 USC 6 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry ABC 13–44 91,432 January 1, 2003, 2003 12:30 p.m. l y 11 NC State 17 Alltel Stadium Jacksonville, FL Gator Bowl NBC 6–28 73,491 Roster 2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish f 3 Sr Arnaz Battle WR y 78 Sr Jordan Black Jordan Black (American football) T y 48 So Jerome Collins TE y 63 Sr Brennan Curtin T y 9 So Pat Dillingham QB y 52 Sr Jeff Faine C y 88 Fr Anthony Fasano TE y 14 Jr Gary Godsey TE 4 So Ryan Grant Ryan Grant (running back) RB y 7 So Carlyle Holiday QB y 80 Jr Omar Jenkins WR 48 Sr Jonathan Gentine WR 22 Jr Julius Jones RB y S Julius Jones (American football) 73 So Mark LeVoir G y 39 Sr Tom Lopienski FB y 79 Sr Sean Mahan G y 70 Jr Jim Molinaro T y 2 Sr Dan Novakov QB 35 Sr Tim O'Neill RB 23 Sr Chris Yura RB 9 Sr Jason Beckstrom CB 90 So Brian Beidatsch DE 27 So Lionel Bolen S 92 So Kyle Budinscak DE 29 So Quentin Burrell S 6 So Carlos Campbell CB 60 Jr Darrell Campbell DT y 31 Fr Jake Carney S 5 Jr Glenn Earl DB y 41 Jr Mike Goolsby LB y 95 Sr Ryan Roberts DE 56 Sr Pat Ryan LB 20 Sr Gerome Sapp S y 99 So Jason Sapp DE 57 Jr Justin Thomas LB 44 So Justin Tuck DE y 42 Sr Shane Walton CB y 33 Sr Courtney Watson LB y Courtney Watson (American football) 17 Sr Joey Hildbold P 13 Jr Nick Setta K y 53 Sr John Crowther LS https://web.archive.org/web/20020802134800/http://und.ocsn.com:80/sports/m-footbl/mtt/nd-m-footbl-mtt.html *Tyrone Willingham 2002-08-02 Rankings 2002 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 NR NR 23 20 12 10 9 8 7 6 4 (1) 9 9 8 7 11 11 17 Coaches 0 17 NR NR 24 21 12 10 9 8 7 6 6 (1) 10 9 8 7 13 12 17 BCS 9 16 3 3 7 7 6 7 10 9 Game summaries Maryland Purdue Michigan Michigan State During the Michigan State game, quarterback Carlyle Holiday was injured and replaced by backup Pat Dillingham. Dillingham led the Irish to a comeback win on a screen pass to Arnaz Battle. Stanford Pittsburgh Air Force Florida State 2002 Florida State Seminoles football team Holiday returned for the Florida State game. In that game, Holiday threw a 65-yard touchdown on his first play to Battle that helped the Irish win the game.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102602aab.html No. 6 Notre Dame Rolls Past No. 11 FSU, 34–24 UND.cstv.com October 26, 2002 August 24, 2007 February 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080216025549/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102602aab.html dead Boston College The first Irish loss of the season came against the Boston College Eagles, mirroring the 1993 season when Notre Dame narrowly lost a chance to participate in the national championship game due to a loss to Boston College. Willingham, wanting the team to be a part of the "Sea of Green" in the stands,http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110202aac.html Post Game Notes UND.cstv.com November 2, 2002 August 24, 2007 February 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080216025604/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110202aac.html dead decided that the team should wear green for the game. In 1985, the last time the Irish wore green at home, they came out after halftime against USC and won the game 37–3. The ploy, however, did not work this time, as the Irish committed 5 turnovers and Holiday was injured again and replaced by Dillingham, who threw 2 interception, one of which the Eagles returned for a touchdown that sealed the loss for the Irish.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110202aaa.html No. 4 Irish Fall To Boston College, 14–7 UND.cstv.com November 2, 2002 August 24, 2007 February 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080216025554/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110202aaa.html dead Navy The Fighting Irish won their 39th straight victory over Navy.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110902aaa.html No. 9 Irish Come From Behind To Beat Navy UND.cstv.com November 9, 2002 August 24, 2007 February 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080216025609/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110902aaa.html dead Rutgers Notre Dame won a 42–0 blowout victory over struggling Rutgers.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/112302aaa.html No. 8 Irish Rough Up Rutgers, 42–0 UND.cstv.com November 23, 2002 August 24, 2007 February 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080216025625/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/112302aaa.html dead at No. 6 USC No. 7 Fighting Irish 6 7 0 0 No. 6 Trojans 0 17 13 14 November 30 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 8:00 p.m. EST 3:26 91,432 Cloudy; 60 F; wind variable Chuck McFerrin ABC yes Q1 4:10 ND Setta 34-yard field goal ND 3–0 Q1 3:46 ND Setta 32-yard field goal ND 6–0 Q2 10:49 USC Williams 6-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) USC 7–6 Q2 3:34 USC Killeen 22-yard field goal USC 10–6 Q2 1:07 ND Pierre-Antoine recovered blocked punt in end zone (Setta kick) ND 13–10 Q2 :05 USC Williams 19-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) USC 17–13 Q3 12:01 USC MacKenzie 15-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) USC 24–13 Q3 6:36 USC Killeen 27-yard field goal USC 27–13 Q3 2:15 USC Killeen 29-yard field goal USC 30–13 Q4 11:58 USC McCullough 11-yard run (Killeen kick) USC 37–13 Q4 7:23 USC MacKenzie 10-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) USC 44–13 yes 2002 USC Trojans football team Notre Dame had a legitimate shot at a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) bowl game if they could win against perennial rival USC. The Irish were ranked higher than the Trojans, but USC quarterback Carson Palmer, who cited the game as the reason he went on to win the Heisman Trophy,http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/news/2002/1214/1477048.html Palmer wins every region except Midwest ESPN December 16, 2002 March 10, 2009 threw for 425 yards in the Trojans' 31 point win.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/113002aaa.html No. 7 Irish Fall To Trojans UND.cstv.com November 30, 2002 August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080220134600/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/113002aaa.html February 20, 2008 dead Vs. NC State (Gator Bowl) Gator Bowl Wolfpack 0 21 0 7 Fighting Irish 3 0 3 0 January 1, 2003 Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida 12:30 PM EST 3:46 73,491 Mike Breen (Play-by-play), Pat Hayden NBC Source: yes 1 5:09 ND Nick Setta 23-yard field goal ND 3-0 2 14:30 NCST T.A. McLendon 2-yard run (Adam Kiker kick) NCST 7-3 2 5:30 NCST T.A. McLendon 3-yard run (Adam Kiker kick) NCST 14-3 2 1:37 NCST Jerricho Cotchery 9-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Adam Kiker kick) NCST 21-3 3 2:50 ND Nick Setta 41-yard field goal NCST 21-6 4 10:50 NCST Sean Berton 7-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Adam Kiker kick) NCST 28-6 yes 2003 Gator Bowl 2002 NC State Wolfpack football team The Irish won 10 games but were not invited to a BCS bowl game, and they accepted a bid to play North Carolina State in the 2003 Gator Bowl Gator Bowl Gator Bowl instead. With both an offense and defense that outmatched the Irish, the Wolfpack won the game 28–6, giving the Irish their sixth consecutive bowl loss.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/010103aaa.html No. 11 Irish Fall To No. 17 NC State In Gator Bowl, 28–6 UND.cstv.com January 1, 2003 August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080216025349/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/010103aaa.html February 16, 2008 dead Despite the loss, the Irish ended the season ranked in both the Associated Press (AP) and Coaches Polls.https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings?seasonYear=2002 2002 NCAA Football Rankings – Postseason Week 3 (Jan. 5) ESPN January 5, 2003 February 18, 2008 Statistical leaders Passing Carlyle Holiday - 129 of 257 (50.2%) for 1,788 yards, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, 117.58 efficiency Pat Dillingham - 41 of 81 (50.6%) for 434 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 interceptions, 82.41 efficiency Rushing Ryan Grant - 1,085 yards on 261 attempts, 4.2 yards per carry, 9 touchdowns Rashon Powers-Neal - 333 yards on 77 carries, 4.3 yards per carry, 2 touchdowns Carlyle Holiday - 200 yards on 92 carries, 2.2 yards per carry, 3 touchdowns Marcus Wilson - 110 yards on 39 carries, 2.8 yards per carry, 0 touchdowns Receiving Arnaz Battle - 58 receptions for 786 yards, 13.6 yards per reception, 5 touchdowns Omar Jenkins - 37 receptions for 633 yards, 17.1 yards per reception, 3 touchdowns Maurice Stovall - 18 receptions for 312 yards, 17.3 yards per reception, 3 touchdowns Gary Godsey - 16 receptions for 155 yards, 9.7 yards per reception, 0 touchdowns Jared Clark - 7 receptions for 104 yards, 14.9 yards per reception, 0 touchdowns Tackles Courtney Watson - 90 total, 51 solo Glenn Earl - 81 total, 52 solo Mike Goolsby - 75 total, 51 solo Gerome Sapp - 71 total, 42 solo Shane Walton - 68 total, 46 solo Brandon Hoyt - 57 total, 42 solo Football Review 2002, p. 49. Punt returns Vontez Duff - 40 returns for 385 yards, 9.6-yard average, 1 touchdown Shane Walton - 9 returns for 85 yards, 9.4-yard average, 0 touchdowns Kick returns Vontez Duff - 19 returns for 526 yards, 27.7-yard average, 1 touchdown Arnaz Battle - 16 returns for 335 yards, 20.9-yard average, 0 touchdowns Interceptions Shane Walton - 7 interceptions for 84 yards, 2 touchdowns Courtney Watson - 4 interceptions for 123 yards, 1 touchdown Gerome Sapp - 4 interceptions for 17 yards, 0 touchdowns Awards and honors Head coach Tyrone Willingham received The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award and the George Munger Award.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120902aab.html Tyrone Willingham Named Home Depot National Coach Of The Year UND.cstv.com December 9, 2002 August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080721011510/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120902aab.html July 21, 2008 deadhttp://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121302aaa.html Tyrone Willingham Wins George Munger Award for College Coach of the Year UND.cstv.com December 13, 2002 August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080302221459/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121302aaa.html March 2, 2008 dead He was also named by Sporting News as "Sportsman of the Year",Bock, Hal http://www.centralohio.com/ohiostate/stories/20021211/football/553916.html Willingham named Sporting News Sportsman of the Year Centralohio.com December 11, 2002 August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190815/http://www.centralohio.com/ohiostate/stories/20021211/football/553916.html September 27, 2007 live and was the only coach listed by Sporting News as one of their "Most Powerful People in Sports".http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011303aaa.html Willingham Listed As One Of The Most Powerful People In Sports UND.cstv.com January 13, 2003 August 24, 2007 February 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080217071351/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011303aaa.html dead Cornerback Shane Watson was a unanimous first-team selection on the 2002 All-America college football team.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010303aaa.html Shane Walton Named Consensus All-American UND.cstv.com January 3, 2003 August 24, 2007 February 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080228183754/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010303aaa.html dead Offensive lineman Jeff Faine received first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly, and ESPN. Linebacker Courtney Watson received first-team All-America honors from ESPN. Wide receiver Arnaz Battle was named by the Independence Bowl Foundation as their sportsman of the year.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121802aaa.html Arnaz Battle Named Independence Bowl Foundation Sportsman of the Year UND.cstv.com December 18, 2002 August 24, 2007 February 22, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080222121913/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121802aaa.html dead 2003 NFL draft The following Notre Dame players were selected in the 2003 NFL draft. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Player Position Round Pick NFL club Jeff Faine Center 1 21 Cleveland Browns Jordan Black Tackle 5 153 Kansas City Chiefs Sean Mahan Center 5 168 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Shane Walton Safety 5 170 St. Louis Rams Gerome Sapp Safety 6 182 Baltimore Ravens Arnaz Battle Wide Receiver 6 197 San Francisco 49ers Brennan Curtin Tackle 6 212 Green Bay Packers References Notre Dame Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons Notre Dame Fighting Irish football