SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Notre Dame football season is officially over.
Athletic director Jack Swarbrick announced Friday that the school has decided against going to a bowl game with a 6-6 record, citing “unique circumstances.”
He didn’t elaborate, but Swarbrick fired coach Charlie Weis after five seasons this week and the search for a replacement is underway.
Swarbrick said he reached the decision after meetings with assistant coaches and team leaders.
“The unique circumstances surrounding our program at the current time prevent us from making the commitment required to compete in a bowl game,” Swarbrick said.
Weis was the team’s offensive coordinator, so the team wouldn’t have an experienced play-caller for a bowl game. The school also likely would have lost money because their only option would have been a minor bowl. The Irish went to the Hawaii Bowl last season with a 6-6 record and beat Hawaii 49-21.
“If the landscape had been different, we would have been thrilled to take part, and we certainly look forward to being part of the bowl system in the years to come,” Swarbrick said.
LeFevour sets scoring record
DETROIT — Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour set a major college football record for combined touchdowns passing, rushing and receiving with his 147th — and soon added his 148th.
LeFevour broke the record with a 14-yard TD pass to Cody Wilson in the first quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship game against Ohio. LeFevour broke the mark set by Hawaii’s Colt Brennan in 2007 and matched by Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell in 2008.
Buffs put Stevens on scholarship
BOULDER — Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said center Keenan Stevens has been placed on scholarship.
“Keenan embodies everything that we’re about,” Hawkins said. “He’s a great kid, he’s an extremely hard worker and he is most deserving of this.”
Stevens was a walk-on in 2006 as a true freshman but redshirted. He played in one game in 2007 and did not play as a sophomore. This season as a junior, he played in 11 games, nine of which he started.
Hawkins also announced four walk-ons would not return. They are junior place-kicker Ryan Aweida, sophomore defensive end Kevin Cooney, freshman tailback Trevor LaBarge and freshman quarterback Jerry Slota.
Denver Post wire services
Top dogs
Meetings between the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in The Associated Press’ college football poll (the No. 1 team is 24-16-2 in the matchups):
Today — No. 1 Florida vs. No. 2 Alabama, SEC championship
Jan. 8, 2009 — No. 1 Florida 24, No. 2 Oklahoma 14, BCS national championship
Dec. 6, 2008 — No. 2 Florida 31, No. 1 Alabama 20, SEC championship
Jan. 7, 2008 — No. 2 LSU 38, No. 1 Ohio State 24, BCS national championship
Jan. 8, 2007 — No. 2 Florida 41, No. 1 Ohio State 14, BCS national championship
Nov. 18, 2006 — No. 1 Ohio State 42, No. 2 Michigan 39
Sept. 9, 2006 — No. 1 Ohio State 24, No. 2 Texas 7
Jan. 4, 2006 — No. 2 Texas 41, No. 1 Southern Cal 38, Rose Bowl
Jan. 4, 2005— No. 1 Southern Cal 55, No. 2 Oklahoma 19, Orange Bowl
Jan. 3, 2003 — No. 2 Ohio State 31, No. 1 Miami 24, 2OT, Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 4, 2000 — No. 1 Florida St. 46, No. 2 Va. Tech 29, Sugar Bowl
Jan. 4, 1999 — No. 1 Tennessee 23, No. 2 Florida St. 16, Fiesta Bowl
Nov. 30, 1996 — No. 2 Florida State 24, No. 1 Florida 21
Jan. 2, 1996 — No. 1 Nebraska 62, No. 2 Florida 24, Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 1, 1994— No. 1 Florida State 18, No. 2 Nebraska 16, Orange Bowl
Nov. 13, 1993— No. 2 Notre Dame 31, No. 1 Fla. St. 24
Jan. 1, 1993— No. 2 Alabama 34, No. 1 Miami 13, Sugar Bowl
Nov. 16, 1991— No. 2 Miami 17, No. 1 Florida State 16
Sept. 16, 1989 — No. 1 Notre Dame 24, No. 2 Mich. 19
Nov. 26, 1988 — No. 1 Notre Dame 27, No. 2 So. Cal 10
Jan. 1, 1988 — No. 2 Miami 20, No. 1 Oklahoma 14, Orange Bowl
Nov. 21, 1987 — No. 2 Oklahoma 17, No. 1 Nebraska 7
Jan. 2, 1987 — No. 2 Penn State 14, No. 1 Miami 10, Fiesta Bowl
Sept. 27, 1986 — No. 2 Miami 28, No. 1 Oklahoma 16
Oct. 19, 1985 — No. 1 Iowa 12, No. 2 Michigan 10
Jan. 1, 1983— No. 2 Penn State 27, No. 1 Georgia 23, Sugar Bowl
Sept. 26, 1981— No. 1 So. Cal 28, No. 2 Oklahoma 24
Jan. 1, 1979 — No. 2 Alabama 14, No. 1 Penn State 7, Sugar Bowl
Jan. 1, 1972 — No. 1 Nebraska 38, No. 2 Alabama 6, Orange Bowl
Nov. 25, 1971— No. 1 Nebraska 35, No. 2 Oklahoma 31
Dec. 6, 1969 — No. 1 Texas 15, No. 2 Arkansas 14
Jan. 1, 1969 — No. 1 Ohio St. 27, No. 2 Southern Cal 16, Rose Bowl
Sept. 28, 1968 — No. 1 Purdue 37, No. 2 Notre Dame 22
Nov. 19, 1966 — No. 1 Notre Dame 10, No. 2 Michigan State 10, tie
Jan. 1, 1964 — No. 1 Texas 28, No. 2 Navy 6, Cotton Bowl
Oct. 12, 1963 — No. 2 Texas 28, No. 1 Oklahoma 7
Jan. 1, 1963 — No. 1 So. Cal 42, No. 2 Wisconsin 37, Rose Bowl
Nov. 9, 1946 — No. 1 Army 0, No. 2 Notre Dame 0, tie
Dec. 1, 1945 — No. 1 Army 32, No. 2 Navy 13
Nov. 10, 1945 — No. 1 Army 48, No. 2 Notre Dame 0
Dec. 2, 1944 — No. 1 Army 23, No. 2 Navy 7
Nov. 20, 1943 — No. 1 Notre Dame 14, No. 2 Iowa
Pre-Flight 13
Oct. 9, 1943 — No. 1 Notre Dame 35, No. 2 Michigan 12
