1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Independent 5–6 Lou Holtz 1st Wishbone triple option Foge Fazio 1st 4–3 Tim Brown Mike Kovaleski Notre Dame Stadium The 1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first year under head coach Lou Holtz, the Irish compiled a 5–6 record, outscored opponents by a total of 299 to 219, and were unranked for the sixth consecutive year in the final AP and UPI polls.1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1986-schedule.html Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 25, 2026Irish Eye, vol. 7, No. 1 University of Notre Dame Sports Information Department April 26, 1987 https://archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1986.pdf Notre Dame Archives Wide receiver Tim Brown received first-team honors from, among others, the Associated Press and United Press International on the 1986 All-America college football team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Steve Beuerlein (2,211 passing yards), running back Mark Green (406 rushing yards, 66 points scored), Tim Brown (45 receptions, 910 receiving yards, 698 yards and two touchdowns on 25 kickoff returns), kicker John Carney (87 points scored, 24 of 26 PAT, 21 of 28 field goals), and linebacker Mike Kovaleski (88 tackles).1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1986.html Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 2026Irish Eye, p. 60.Irish Eye, p. 64. The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Schedule 1986 AP Eastern September 13 3:30 p.m. l Michigan 3 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry ABC 23–24 59,075 September 20 2:30 p.m. l y 20 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry CBS 15–20 79,895 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-irish-again-fall/170676321/ The Grand Rapids Press Irish again fall short September 21, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 3:30 p.m. w Purdue Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry ABC 41–9 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-irish-hand-holtz-a-w/170676530/ The Birmingham News Irish hand Holtz a win, look to Tide September 28, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 3:30 p.m. l y Alabama 2 Legion Field Birmingham, AL ABC 10–28 75,808 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561420/alabama-makes-quick-work-of-irish/ Chicago Tribune Alabama makes quick work of Irish October 5, 1986 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com October 11 12:30 p.m. l Pittsburgh Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry USA, WGN 9–10 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-pitt-slaps-notre/170676682/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Pitt slaps Notre Dame, 10–9 October 12, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com October 18 12:30 p.m. w Air Force Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry USA, WGN 31–3 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-brown-sparkles-as/170676790/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Brown sparkles as Irish romp October 19, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 7:00 p.m. w y Navy Memorial Stadium Baltimore, MD rivalry TBS 33–14 61,335 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-notre-dame-navy-are-sti/170673756/ Chicago Tribune Notre Dame, Navy are still oceans apart November 2, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 1:00 p.m. w SMU Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN 61–29 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-notre-dame-marches/170676923/ The Indianapolis Star Notre Dame marches by Southern Methodist November 9, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com November 15 3:30 p.m. l Penn State 3 rivalry Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN ABC 19–24 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-not-enough-luck-for-i/170677025/ Detroit Free Press Not enough luck for Irish November 16, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com November 22 7:30 p.m. l y LSU 8 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA ESPN 19–21 78,197 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-believe-it-louisiana-st/135001949/ Chicago Tribune Believe it: Louisiana State holds off Notre Dame November 23, 1986 November 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 29 3:30 p.m. w y USC 17 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry CBS 38–37 70,614 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-irish-edge-usc-3/170677168/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Irish edge USC 38–37 November 30, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Michigan Week 1: Michigan at Notre Dame Michigan 7 3 14 0 Notre Dame 7 7 6 3 September 13 South Bend, IN 3:30 p.m. 59,075 Keith Jackson, Tim Brant, Al Trautwig ABC yes 1 4:34 ND Tim Brown 3-yard run (John Carney kick) ND 7–0 1 0:33 MICH Jamie Morris 8-yard run (Pat Moons kick) TIE 7–7 2 8:08 ND Mark Green 1-yard run (Carney kick) ND 14–7 2 0:52 MICH Moons 23-yard field goal ND 14–10 3 8:57 MICH Morris 1-yard run (Moons kick) MICH 17–14 3 8:51 MICH Morris 27-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Moons kick) MICH 24–14 3 3:10 ND Joel Williams 2-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (kick failed) MICH 24–20 4 4:26 ND Carney 25-yard field goal MICH 24–23 yes On September 13, 1986, Notre Dame lost to No. 3 Michigan, 24–23, before a crowd of 59,075 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The game was the first for Lou Holtz as Notre Dame's head coach. On the game's opening possession, Michigan mounted a six-and-a-half-minute drive to the Notre Dame 25-yard line, but Pat Moons missed a 42-yard field goal. After Michigan's touchdown, Notre Dame drove 75 yards on 13 plays, capped by a three-yard touchdown run by flanker Tim Brown. On its second possession, Michigan followed with an 80-yard, eight-play drive, fueled by a 34-yard catch by John Kolesar, and capped by an eight-yard touchdown run by Jamie Morris. On Notre Dame's second possession, the Irish again drove downfield, but Reggie Ward fumbled at Michigan's six-yard line, and Michigan recovered the loose ball. Notre Dame's defense held, and Michigan was forced to punt from its own end zone. Monte Robbins' punt was good for only 23 yards, and Notre Dame took over at Michigan's 26-yard line. Eight plays later, Mark Green scored on a one-yard run. After Green's touchdown, Jim Harbaugh led the Wolverines on a seven-minute, 75-yard, 13-play drive, and Pat Moons kicked a 23-yard field goal. Notre Dame led, 14–10, at halftime. Michigan moved ahead in the third quarter. On the opening drive of the second half, Harbaugh led the Wolverines on a 78-yard, 12-play drive ending with a one-yard touchdown run by Morris. On the kickoff following the touchdown, the kick hit a Notre Dame player and bounced loose with free safety Doug Mallory recovering the ball at the Notre Dame 27-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Harbaugh threw a touchdown pass to Morris, and Michigan led 24–14. On its next possession, Steve Beuerlein led the Irish on a 66-yard, 12-play touchdown drive ending with a two-yard pass from Beuerlein to Joel Williams. John Carney's extra point kick failed, and Michigan led, 24–20, at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame drove 62 yards in 10 plays, and a 25-yard field goal by John Carney brought the Irish within one point with 4:26 remaining in the game. Then, with 1:33 remaining in the game, Michigan fullback Bob Perryman fumbled at the Notre Dame 26-yard line, and Notre Dame linebacker Wesley Pritchett recovered the loose ball. Beuerlein quickly led the Irish to Michigan's 28-yard line. With 13 seconds remaining, Carney's 45-yard field goal attempt went wide to the left. Notre Dame out-gained Michigan, 455 yards to 393 yards. For the Irish, Steve Beuerlein completed 21 of 33 passes for 263 yards, at touchdown, and an interception, and Tim Brown rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries. For the Wolverines, Harbaugh completed 15 of 23 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown, Kolesar caught four passes for 93 yards, and Morris rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Michigan forced four turnovers, including two fumble recoveries by Doug Mallory and a fourth-quarter interception by David Arnold in the end zone. Andy Moeller led the Michigan defense with seven solo tackles and six assists.U-M plucks Irish luck: ND misses FG at end; it's 24-23 Detroit Free Press Tommy George September 14, 1986 1D, 17D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43463741/um_plucks_irish_luck_nd_misses_fg_at/ Newspapers.comMichigan ruins Holtz debut, 24-23: ND commits four turnovers in loss The Michigan Daily Phil Nussel September 15, 1986 1, 11 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754787/159 Bentley Historical Library At Michigan State 1986 Michigan State Spartans football team Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry Purdue Purdue 0 0 6 3 Notre Dame 10 14 3 14 Saturday, September 27 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana 59,075 yes 1 Notre Dame Taylor 2-yard run (Carney kick) Notre Dame 7-0 1 Notre Dame Carney 42-yard field goal Notre Dame 10-0 2 Notre Dame Johnson 2-yard run (Carney kick) Notre Dame 17-0 2 Notre Dame Jackson 35-yard pass from Beuerlein (Carney kick) Notre Dame 24-0 3 Notre Dame Carney 49-yard field goal Notre Dame 27-0 3 Purdue Chaney 3-yard run (pass failed) Notre Dame 27-6 4 Purdue Briggs 22-yard field goal Notre Dame 27-9 4 Notre Dame Johnson 13-yard run (Carney kick) Notre Dame 34-9 4 Notre Dame Green 27-yard run (Carney kick ) Notre Dame 41-9 yes 1986 Purdue Boilermakers football team Notre Dame–Purdue football rivalry Gainesville Sun. 1986 Sept 28. At Alabama 1986 Alabama Crimson Tide football team Pittsburgh 1986 Pittsburgh Panthers football team Notre Dame–Pittsburgh football rivalry Air Force Navy 1986 Navy Midshipmen football team Navy–Notre Dame football rivalry Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2; text-align:center collapsed Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Navy Midshipmen 7:05 p.m. Notre Dame 7 21 3 2 Navy 0 0 7 7 Memorial Stadium • Baltimore, Maryland 61,335 TBS Notre Dame Football Archives Notre Dame Steve Beuerlein15/22, 248 Yds, 2 TD Anthony Johnson14 Rush, 50 Yds Tim Brown7 Rec, 184 Yds, TD Navy Bob Misch12/27, 130 Yds Tony Hollinger13 Rush, 17 Yds, TD Mike Ray7 Rec, 83 Yds, TD ND NAVY collapsed 1 2:36 Notre Dame 14 57 6:40 RecTD Joel Williams Steve Beuerlein 2 good John Carney run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 2 14:04 Notre Dame 5 94 1:57 RecTD Tim Brown Steve Beuerlein 77 good John Carney run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 2 7:40 Notre Dame 9 60 4:18 RushTD Pernell Taylor 11 good John Carney run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 0 2 2:35 Notre Dame 5 2 0:42 RushTD Pernell Taylor 1 good John Carney run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 0 3 12:25 Notre Dame 7 53 2:35 FG 19 John Carney 31 0 3 0:56 Navy 2 40 0:29 RushTD Tony Hollinger 1 good Ted Fundoukas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 31 7 4 12:33 Notre Dame SafetyOther Safety, intentional grounding penalty in end zone by Bob Misch 33 7 4 7:59 Navy 8 77 2:27 RecTD Mike Ray Bill Byrne 21 good Ted Fundoukas run/pass good/failed/incomplete 33 14 33 14 SMU Penn State At LSU 1986 LSU Tigers football team At USC Notre Dame 6 3 11 18 USC 3 17 10 7 November 29 Los Angeles, CA CBS Source: yes 1 USC Shafer 48-yard field goal USC 3-0 1 Notre Dame Heck 5-yard pass from Beuerlein (kick failed) Notre Dame 6-3 2 USC Brock 58-yard interception return (Shafer kick) USC 10-6 2 USC Holt 3-yard run (Shafer kick) USC 17-6 2 Notre Dame Carney 33-yard field goal USC 17-9 2 USC Shafer 60-yard field goal USC 20-9 3 USC Shafer 23-yard field goal USC 23-9 3 Notre Dame Carney 32-yard field goal USC 23-12 3 USC Steele 1-yard run (Shafer kick) USC 30-12 3 Notre Dame Banks 22-yard pass from Beuerlein (Beuerlein to Jackson pass) USC 30-20 4 USC Peete 1-yard run (Shafer kick) USC 37-20 4 Notre Dame Jackson 42-yard pass from Beuerlein (Carney kick) USC 37-27 4 Notre Dame Banks 5-yard pass from Beuerlein (Beuerlein to Heck pass) USC 37-35 4 :00 Notre Dame Carney 19-yard field goal Notre Dame 38-37 yes 1986 USC Trojans football team Notre Dame–USC football rivalry Roster 1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish f 2 Jr Terry Andrysiak QB y 7 Sr Steve Beuerlein QB y 81 Jr Tim Brown Tim Brown (American football) WR y 66 So Andy Heck OT y 3 Alonzo Jefferson   Fr Anthony Johnson   Pernell Taylor   83 Reggie Ward WR Joel Williams   48 Jr Cedric Figaro LB y 18 John Carney K y John Carney (American football) *Lou Holtz *Foge Fazio (DC) George Stewart (LB) 1987 NFL draft The following Notre Dame players were selected in the 1987 NFL draft: 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Player Position Round Pick Franchise Wally Kleine Tackle 2 48 Washington Redskins Steve Beuerlein Quarterback4 110 Los Angeles RaidersRobert Banks Defensive end 7 176 Houston Oilers Joel D. Williams Tight end 8 210 Miami Dolphins https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221193418/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm 2007-12-21 1987 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com References Notre Dame Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons Notre Dame Fighting Irish football