ESPN College Football

The unexpected firing of coach Tyrone Willingham served as the most jolting air pocket in a turbulent 2004 flight for Notre Dame. Willingham's dismissal capped a season of surprises in South Bend. The Irish struggled against beatable foes (BYU, Boston College, Pitt) but pulled upsets (Michigan and Tennessee) when their backs were to the wall.

Willingham's offense started to take shape under sophomore QB Brady Quinn, who broadened the passing attack (2,372 yards) and cut down his mistakes. But a senior-led defense crippled the Irish down the stretch: They allowed more than 1,100 passing yards in crushing losses to Boston College, Pitt and Southern Cal. After winning five of six games to set up a Gator Bowl run, Notre Dame won only once after Oct. 16.

Notre Dame improved its record from 2003 and avoided consecutive bowl-less seasons for the first time since 1986-87. But as evidenced by the school's impulsive firing of Willingham, limited success isn't good enough at Notre Dame.

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