On March 8, 2013, after only one year with the program, reserve quarterbackGunner Kiel announced he would transfer from the university. Sophomore wide receiver Davonte Neal left the team in late March, citing a desire to be closer to home. The day after Davonte Neal decided to transfer from Notre Dame, fellow wide receiver sophomore Justin Ferguson announced he was transferring as well and confirmed by coach Brian Kelly at a news conference. On May 28, 2013, it was announced that starting quarterback Everett Golson is no longer enrolled at the university, and was suspended from the school for the fall semester due to an academic violation. Chris Badger departs back home to Provo, Utah and will transfer to BYU due to family illness and will appeal for waiver to play this season.
Transfers in
Alex Wulfeck, a specialist at Wake Forest, announced he would transfer to Notre Dame in May after he received his degree in May 2013. He would be enrolled in a graduate studies program while exhausting his final season of eligibility.
Coaching changes
There were no staff changes following the 2012 season. The only "change" is that Brian Kelly turned play calling duties over to Chuck Martin.
Recruiting class
received 24 commitments in his third full recruiting class including four five-star recruits: outside linebackerJaylon Smith, defensive tackleEddie Vanderdoes, running back Greg Bryant, and defensive back Max Redfield. Vanderdoes would later decommit to play at UCLA, citing family health issues required that he be closer to home.
Personnel
Coaching staff
Roster
Season
Schedule
‡Former NCAA Attendance Record
Game summaries
Temple
Michigan (rivalry">Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry">rivalry)
16–23–1
2012
ND, 13–6
Following its game against Temple, Notre Dame played the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Notre Dame won the previous meeting 13–6. Billed as "Under the Lights II", this was the second night game in Michigan Stadium's history; the previous game also featured Notre Dame. Tom Harmon was honored as a Michigan Football Legends, and his #98 jersey was unretired and given to quarterback Devin Gardner. Michigan won the game, 41–30. The game attendance of 115,109 was the largest crowd ever to watch a college football game. Quarterback Devin Gardner completed 21 of 33 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns while throwing one interception. Gardner has also rushed for 134 yards and three rushing touchdowns in the first two games of the season. Gardner contributed 376 yards of total offense against Notre Dame ranks as the tenth best performance in Michigan history, as reflected in the following list. The only two Michigan players to contribute more total yards in a single game are Denard Robinson and John Navarre. Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon caught eight passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 14 yards. Gallon's 184 receiving yards against Notre Dame is tied for the sixth highest single-game performance in Michigan history. On defense, cornerback Blake Countess had two interceptions for Michigan. References to chickens were a widely reported side story to the game. After Notre Dame announced one year earlier that it would terminate the rivalry after the 2014 season, Michigan head coach Brady Hoke said Notre Dame was "chickening out". When ESPN commentator Lee Corso made his pick for the game during the College GameDay show, he brought out a live chicken, and fans in the background carried signs with poultry references, including "Cluck of the Irish." At the end Michigan's 41–30 victory, in what Chantel Jennings of ESPN.com called the "Dig of the Day", the speakers at Michigan Stadium loudly played the "Chicken Dance" as Michigan fans "danced in the stands." The win made Michigan favorites in the Big Ten Conference.
Navy (rivalry">Navy–Notre Dame football rivalry">rivalry)
73–12–1
2012
ND, 50–10
Pittsburgh (rivalry">Notre Dame Fighting Irish football rivalries">rivalry)
47–20–1
2012
ND, 29–26OT
Although Notre Dame's sports teams have joined the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Panthers will be the only ACC team on Notre Dame's football schedule this year, as the agreement to play five ACC teams each year does not begin until 2014.
Brigham Young
5–2
2012
ND, 17–14
Stanford (Legends Trophy">Notre Dame–Stanford football rivalry">Legends Trophy)
In 2018, an investigation was launched that found Notre Dame had used ineligible players during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. As a result, Notre Dame was forced to vacate all wins from the 2012 and 2013 seasons as a punishment from the NCAA, which includes their Pinstripe Bowl win over Rutgers.
