1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

The 1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Dan Devine and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

The 1980 season would be Dan Devine's final year as Notre Dame head coach. In August, he had announced that the upcoming season would be his last. The offense had 248 points for, while the defense gave up 128 points.

Purdue
ABC Player of Game - Mike Courey (151 yards passing, TD, 59 yards rushing, TD)

Michigan
Harry Oliver kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.

At Michigan State
Blair Kiel started the second half at quarterback

Miami (FL)

 * Blair Kiel - first freshman QB to start at Notre Dame since 1951 (Ralph Guglielmi)
 * Jim Stone - starting in place of injured Phil Carter gains over 200 yards

At Arizona
Dan Devine's 50th win at Notre Dame

Vs. Navy

 * Scott Zettek - AP Midwest Lineman of the Week (8 tackles, 3 sacks)

Team players drafted into the NFL

 * Blair Kiel – 1984 / Round: 11 / Pick: 281 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * Dave Duerson – 1983 / Round: 3 / Pick: 64 Chicago Bears
 * John Scully - 1981 / Round: 4 / Pick: 109th pick Atlanta Falcons

Awards and honors

 * Former Fighting Irish coach Ara Parseghian was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.