In an ongoing series here at Fighting Irish Wire, we take a look back at some of the most painful losses we experienced during our Notre Dame fandom. We have all seen them and they are all terrible in their own way. Here is the first in a string of brutal Notre Dame losses:
The 2004 Notre Dame season was one of the strangest in history, and the first two weeks were a perfect example of this as the Irish were upset in their first week at BYU before hitting a top 10 squad from Michigan a week later defeated.
Tyrone Willingham’s final year at Notre Dame began with the Irish offense falling 13-0 down before arriving at the end of the first half with a field goal from DJ Fitzpatrick.
Notre Dame covered a measly 276 yards that night, only 11 of which hit the ground a week before Darius Walker made his Fighting Irish debut.
Austin Collie, who was about to begin a fine NFL career, offered BYU a 42-yard touchdown reception.
Brady Quinn, then sophomore, completed 26 of 47 tries for 265 yards and one score for Rhema McKnight.
Here are a few lasting photos from that unforgettable night in Provo:
MCKNIGHT HEANEY
** FILE ** Notre Dame wide receiver Rhema McKnight (5) hands over BYU cornerback Brandon Heaney as …
** FILE ** Notre Dame wide receiver Rhema McKnight (5) passes BYU cornerback Brandon Heaney as he takes a pass for a 54 yard touchdown during the third quarter Saturday Sept. 4, 2004 in Provo, Utah. Notre Dame wide receiver Rhema McKnight is excited to see how productive he can be on Charlie Weis’ offense. (AP Photo / Douglas C. Pizac)
POPPINGA QUINN
BYU defensive lineman Brady Poppinga (49) grabs Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn in the second quarter …
BYU defensive lineman Brady Poppinga (49) grabs Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn in the second quarter on Saturday September 4, 2004 in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo / Douglas C. Pizac)
WATKINS
BYU wide receiver Todd Watkins scores during the first 50-yard pass against Notre Dame …
BYU wide receiver Todd Watkins will pass a 50-yard pass to Notre Dame in the first quarter of Saturday, September 4, 2004 in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo / Douglas C. Pizac)
WHITE STOVALL
BYU defender Spencer White fails to beat Notre Dame wide receiver Maurice Stovall during …
BYU defender Spencer White fails to beat Notre Dame wide receiver Maurice Stovall in the first quarter on Saturday, September 4, 2004 in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo / Douglas C. Pizac)
ONE
BYU running back Naufahu Tahi (3) takes the ball for a touchdown against Notre Dame …
BYU running back Naufahu Tahi (3) takes the ball for a touchdown against Notre Dame in the first quarter Saturday Sept. 4, 2004, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo / Douglas C. Pizac)
WILLINGHAM
Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham leads his team onto the field for a game against BYU …
Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham leads his team onto the pitch for a game against BYU on Saturday, September 4, 2004, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo / Douglas C. Pizac)
BERRY
BYU quarterback Matt Berry (8) throws a 42-yard pass against the Notre Dame nose guard Derek …
BYU quarterback Matt Berry (8) throws a 42-yard pass against Notre Dame nose protector Derek Landri (66) approaching in the fourth quarter on Saturday, September 4, 2004, in Provo, Utah. BYU won 20-17. (AP Photo / Douglas C. Pizac)
Comments are closed.