2022 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team


The 2022 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Fighting Irish played their home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, and competed as an independent. The program was led by first-year head coach Marcus Freeman.
The Irish started the season 0–2, including a surprising loss to the Marshall Thundering Herd despite being heavy favorites. However, Notre Dame won nine of their next eleven games to finish the season. This included a memorable 35–14 win over the #4 Clemson Tigers. Their season ended with the Irish defeating [2022 2022 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina] 45–38 in the 2022 Taxslayer Gator Bowl. This was only the 3rd time in the last 28 seasons that the Irish defeated another ranked team in a bowl game.

Offseason

Coaching changes

On December 2, 2021, following the departure of Brian Kelly to LSU, defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was promoted to head coach.
The following coaches left the football program:
New coaches announced in a press conference on February 17, 2022

Transfers in

Departures

NFL
Transfers out
Other
  • DL Kahanu Kia
  • OL John Dirksen

Schedule

Notre Dame announced and finalized the 2022 football schedule on December 7, 2021.

Personnel

Depth chart

  • Depth chart is a projection and is subject to change.

Game summaries

at No. 2 Ohio State

StatisticsNDOSU
First downs1222
Total yards253395
Rushes/yards30–7635–172
Passing yards177223
Passing: Comp–Att–Int10–18–024–34–0
Time of possession27:0132:59

vs Marshall

StatisticsMRSHND
First downs2122
Total yards364351
Rushes/yards50–21937–130
Passing yards145221
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–21–021–38–3
Time of possession30:4729:13

vs California

StatisticsCALND
First downs1817
Total yards296297
Rushes/yards31–11241–147
Passing yards184150
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–37–017–23–0
Time of possession26:5833:02

at North Carolina

StatisticsNDUNC
First downs3518
Total yards576367
Rushes/yards51–28728–66
Passing yards289301
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–34–017–32–0
Time of possession38:1321:47

vs No. 16 BYU

StatisticsBYUND
First downs1324
Total yards280496
Rushes/yards29–16045–234
Passing yards120262
Passing: Comp–Att–Int9–17–122–28–1
Time of possession19:0540:55

vs Stanford

StatisticsSTANND
First downs2116
Total yards385301
Rushes/yards42–9734–150
Passing yards288151
Passing: Comp–Att–Int26–39–013–27–0
Time of possession36:0723:53

vs UNLV

StatisticsUNLVND
First downs1123
Total yards299428
Rushes/yards28–14647–223
Passing yards153205
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17–33–014–28–1
Time of possession26:0233:58

at No. 16 Syracuse

StatisticsNDCUSE
First downs2215
Total yards362286
Rushes/yards56–24625–61
Passing yards116225
Passing: Comp–Att–Int9–19–116–36–2
Time of possession37:4022:20

vs No. 4 Clemson

StatisticsCLEMND
First downs2124
Total yards281348
Rushes/yards25–9047–263
Passing yards19185
Passing: Comp–Att–Int27–40–09–17–0
Time of possession27:0033:00

vs Navy

StatisticsNDNAVY
First downs1519
Total yards335363
Rushes/yards34–6646–255
Passing yards269108
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17–21–16–13–1
Time of possession29:2130:39

vs Boston College

StatisticsBCND
First downs1022
Total yards173437
Rushes/yards36–5638–281
Passing yards117156
Passing: Comp–Att–Int9–22–313–25–0
Time of possession29:0031:00

at No. 6 USC

StatisticsNDUSC
First downs2223
Total yards52–40861–436
Rushes/yards90204
Passing yards318232
Passing: Comp–Att–Int23–26–118–22–0
Time of possession24:3735:23

vs No. 19 South Carolina (Gator Bowl">2022 Gator Bowl">Gator Bowl)

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Notre DamePassingTyler Buchner18/33, 274 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Notre DameRushingAudric Estimé14 carries, 95 yards
Notre DameReceivingBraden Lenzy4 receptions, 89 yards, TD
South CarolinaPassingSpencer Rattler29/46, 246 yards, 2 TD, INT
South CarolinaRushingJuju McDowell6 carries, 28 yards
South CarolinaReceivingXavier Legette7 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TD