January 10, 2010 saw the Patriots lose at home to the Baltimore Ravens, 33-14 after Baltimore jumped out to a 24-0 first quarter lead.
It also saw the Notre Dame hockey team fall at home to Ferris State, 4-2. The Irish would finish the year just 13-17-8 and miss the NCAA Tournament, something they had only qualified for four times previous to that 2009-10 season and something they’ve made now seven times since, starting in 2011.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Notre Dame had games at the Joyce Center the day previous and both walked out victorious.
The women’s squad was led by a freshman by the name of Skylar Diggins who put down a game-high 18 points in Notre Dame’s 81-46 win over Villanova that sent the Irish to 14-0 on the year. They would finish the year 30-6 overall, making it to the Sweet 16 where Oklahoma knocked them out. In the nine years since they have made the Final Four seven times, winning it all in 2018.
The men’s basketball team was in the middle of another NCAA Tournament worthy season as they had just beaten West Virginia 70-68. Luke Harangody would again be named a Second-Team All-American and helped lead the Irish that day with 24 points. Notre Dame would finish the year 23-12 overall, 10-8 in the Big East while falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Old Dominion.
Finally, Brian Kelly was in the middle of assembling his first-ever staff at Notre Dame. Kelly had been hired as head football coach a month earlier and spent the week of January 3-10, 2010 making the hirings of Charley Molnar (Offensive Coordinator) and Bob Diaco (Defensive Coordinator) official that Tuesday.
That’s what was going on in Notre Dame athletics the last time the New England Patriots were bounced this early. What was going on with you? Share with us in our forum!