PHOTO OF THE DAY -- Saint Andre Bessette

This photo is of the tapestry of Saint Andre Bessette, of the Holy Cross Congregation -- the founders of the University of Notre Dame -- which was displayed on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica during the Canonization Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's square at the Vatican on Sunday.  The University of Notre Dame's delegation, led by Fr. Jenkins, arrived in Rome Sunday morning in time for the celebration.  An estimated crowd of 50,000 was in attendance.  Saint Andre Bessette is the first member of the Holy Cross Congregation to be so honored.

Notre Dame's Defense -- National Ranking

It's Tuesday -- which means it's time for our weekly look at where Notre Dame Football ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- AFTER SEVEN GAMES OF THE 2010 SEASON.  In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's Defense currently stands on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2009 -- and how this week's opponent: NAVY's offense compares in the same categories.

DEFENSE -- TEAM STATISTICS

Quarterback Sacks:  2010 Rank - #10 with 19 QB sacks -- in 2009 we had 19 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #92 -- Florida State leads the country with 30 QB sacks.  Navy has only given up 4 QB sacks this season, ranking them at #26 for fewest QB sacks given up.

Tackles for Loss:  2010 Rank - #50 with an average of 6.29 tackles for loss per game -- in 2009 we averaged 6.0 tackles for loss per game, ranking us #48 in the country.  Miami (FL) leads the country with an average of 9.5 tackles for loss per game.  Navy's offense has only allowed 4.67 tackles for loss per game this season, ranking them #23 for fewest given up.

Interceptions:  2010 Rank - #13 with 10 interceptions -- in 2009 we had 12 interceptions for the season, ranking us #50 -- Florida and Alabama leads the country with 13 interceptions.  Navy has thrown 4 interceptions for the season, ranking them #19 for fewest interceptions thrown.

Passes Deflected:  2010 Rank - #28 with 23 pass deflections -- in 2009 we had 28 pass deflections for the season, ranking us #99 -- Oregon leads the country with 37 pass deflections.

Third Down Conversion Rate:  2010 Rank - #13 allowing only 31.58% conversion rate on third down -- in 2009 we allowed a 39.5% conversion rate, ranking us #67 -- TCU leads the country allowing only a 22.47%  conversion rate.  Navy's offense has converted 43.5% of its third downs, ranking it #23 in the country.

Turnovers Gained:  2010 Rank - #22 with 14 turnovers gained -- in 2009 we gained 19 turnovers for the season, ranking us #80 -- Oregon leads the country with 22 turnovers gained this season.  Navy's offense has only turned the ball over 6 times this season, ranking them #6 in the country for fewest turnovers.

Rushing Yards:  2010 Rank - #41 giving up an average of 130 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 170 yards rushing per game, ranking us #89 -- Boise State leads the country giving up an average of 58 yards rushing per game.  Navy's offense averages 259 yards rushing per game, ranking them #9 in the country.

Passing Yards:  2010 Rank - #102 giving up an average of 256 yards passing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 227 yards passing per game, ranking us #76 in the country.  Nebraska leads the country giving up an average of 117 yards passing per game.  Navy's offense averages 109 yards passing per game, ranking them #117 in the country.

Total Yards:  2010 Rank - #82 giving up 386 yards per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 397 yards per game, ranking us #86 -- Boise State leads the country giving up 210 yards per game.  Navy's offense has gained an average of 368 yards per game, ranking them #68 in the country.

Points Allowed Per Game:  2010 Rank - #53 giving up 23 points per game -- in 2009 we gave up 25.3 points per game, ranking us #63 -- TCU leads the country giving up 9.3 points per game.  Navy's offense has averaged 21 points per game, ranking them #96 in the country.

DEFENSE -- INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Tackles Per Game:

• Manti Teo -- averaging 11.29 tackles per game -- ranked #10 in the country

Sacks Per Game:

• Darius Fleming -- averages .50 sacks per game -- ranked #84 in the country
• Ethan Johnson -- averages .50 sacks per game -- ranked #84 in the country

Passes Deflected Per Game:

• Harrison Smith -- averages .86 pass deflections per game -- ranked #72 in the country

TOMORROW AN ANALYSIS OF THE NOTRE DAME OFFENSE

Should Jimmy Clausen Have Stayed Home?

Former Notre Dame QB, Jimmy Clausen -- who was the starter for the last three games for the NFL Carolina Panthers -- spent the NFL Bye weekend visiting friends and former teammates at Notre Dame.  Unfortunately, Jimmy returned home to Charlotte to learn that he's no longer the starting QB for the Panthers.  Matt Moore was named, this afternoon, by John Fox (Carolina's Head Coach) as their starter for this Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49'ers.  The Panthers are winless on the season 0-5.  Clausen's completed 47.3% of his passes for 454 yards and 1 TD against 3 interceptions. Maybe Jimmy should have stayed in Charlotte and looked at film this weekend?  Ironically, Clausen is ranked 33rd amongst NFL QB's and his replacment (Matt Moore) is currently ranked 35th.  Maybe it's not the QB?  Here's a link to the story -- along with a link to the current NFL Passing statistics:

LINK:  CLAUSEN DEMOTED

LINK:  NFL PASSING STATISTICS

Brian & Paqui Kelly -- NBC Interview

Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly -- has a 5'-4" hero in his household, his wife Paqui.  Mrs. Kelly is a two-time cancer survivor and the driving force behind the Kelly Cares Foundation.  NBC ran an interview this past Saturday, with the Kelly's, during halftime of their telecast of the Notre Dame vs. Western Michigan game.  You'll enjoy this story -- which was quite appropriate -- since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Here's a link:

LINK:  BRIAN & PAQUI KELLY -- NBC INTERVIEW

PHOTOS OF THE DAY -- ND GAME DAY!

I ran into these Notre Dame fans Saturday -- outside of Notre Dame Stadium -- offering further proof that we have the greatest fans in the world!

Notre Dame Post Game Celebration

The gang at UND.COM have been granted unprecedented access this season to Notre Dame football -- and it continued after the Irish's 44-20 win over Western Michigan on Saturday.  Here's a link to a video that captures the coaches meeting at midfield at game's end -- right through to the singing of the Victory March in the locker room.  Enjoy!



LINK:  POST GAME CELEBRATION -- NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

NBC Replay: Notre Dame vs. Western Michigan

Here's a link to NBC's replay of Notre Dame's 44-20 win over Western Michigan on Saturday.  Warning -- they have commercials (that you can't avoid) when watching the replay.

LINK:   NBC REPLAY

NFL Commissioner Visits Notre Dame Saturday

The Commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell, made the trip to the University of Notre Dame for the first time this Saturday -- visiting a niece who's a freshman student and taking in his first Notre Dame football game from the Irish sideline.  During the game, NBC sideline reporter, Alex Flanagan caught up with Commissioner Goodell (seen here in the photo with Flanagan sporting a ND hat and jacket) and asked him about his trip to ND and a number of issues facing the NFL.  Here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  ROGER GOODELL VISITS NOTRE DAME

ND Women's Soccer: 75 Game Unbeaten Streak!

The University of Notre Dame extended their unbeaten streak against Big East Conference foes to a NCAA Division I record of 75 games -- with their 3-1 win over Providence yesterday.  The win also clinched the Irish's sixth consecutive BIG EAST National Division title and its 13th conference regular-season crown (division or overall) since joining the BIG EAST in 1995-96.  The #4 ranked Irish are now 14-1-1 for the season and will close out the regular season this weekend at Villanova & Georgetown before competing in the Big East Championship.  Congratulations Irish!!!

Notre Dame's Ethical Stem Cell Research

We first reported on Notre Dame Professor David Hyde's ground-breaking work with Zebrafish on May 22nd of this year.  This weekend, Notre Dame re-released a TV spot promoting Hyde's work with restoring site to Zebrafish -- in his research to find a cure for human blindness.  It's part of Notre Dame's award winning "What Are You Fighting For" series.  Here's a link to the video:

LINK:  RESTORING VISION

Wolfard '02 and Haney -- Survive Another Week!

CBS's The Amazing Race -- Season 17, moved this week from the heat of Africa to the cold and snow of the Arctic Cirle.  This globe trotting adventure race stars a Notre Dame alum, Thomas Wolfard '02, and his girlfriend Jill Haney (pictured) competing against other two person teams to win the The Amazing Race.  So far -- so good, as last night Thomas and Jill finished fifth -- though they did have to use their Express Pass in doing so.  Their fifth place finish ensures that they'll be moving on to the next episode -- as the top eight finishing teams moved on to the next race.  CBS's The Amazing Race airs each Sunday evening -- don't miss it!  Here's a few links to keep up with Thomas and Jill's great adventure:

LINK:  THOMAS & JILL -- WHY THEY GAVE UP THE EXPRESS PASS

LINK:  REPLAY:  THE AMAZING RACE -- SEASON 17 -- EPISODE 4

LINK:  THOMAS & JILL'S FACEBOOK PAGE

The Sunday Conversation -- Coach Kelly

University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly -- sat down with UND.COM's Jack Nolan for their weekly Sunday conversation.  They talked about Saturday's win over Western Michigan University -- the third straight for the Irish.  Here's the link:

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S SUNDAY CONVERSATION

Enjoy: The Band of the Fighting Irish

Here's a video taken this Football Weekend @ Notre Dame -- of The Band of the Fighting Irish -- and a number of their performances.  You'll see; Trumpets in the Dome, March Out, Concert on the Steps, Pre-Game, etc.  Here's the link:

LINK:  THE BAND OF THE FIGHTING IRISH

The "Money's" Saying This -- ND vs. Western

As I've shared on a number of occasions -- I don't bet.  Yet, I do enjoy reviewing the manner in which the oddsmakers in Vegas analyze and place the "line" on the game.  Last week, Notre Dame was a "six point" favorite over Pitt -- NOTRE DAME wins by six.  How do they do that?  So, here's what a number of the betting sites have to say about Notre Dame vs. Western Michigan University:

LINK:  CAPPERSPICKS BLOG

LINK:  TONY'S PICKS

LINK:  BANG THE BOOK

LINK:  ACCUSCORE

It's Game Day @ Notre Dame!

I'm writing this post this morning from the Best Western in Goshen, IN --  it's Game Day at Notre Dame!  I had the great pleasure yesterday, of spending the entire day on the Notre Dame campus with my good friend Bob Scheuer and his daughter Jackie -- as we walked every inch of "America's Holy Land" -- at least twice! The photo is of Bob & Jackie with Paul Hornung's Heisman -- one of the seven Heisman Trophies on display in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.  We leave for campus at 7:30 AM to meet the "Marino gang" at South Dining Hall for breakfast -- can't wait!  For those not going to the game today - here's what you can do ALL DAY to get ready for kick-off:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GAME DAY RADIO SHOW --  starts at 9 AM EST

LINK:  UND.COM LIVE STADIUM CAM -- watch Notre Dame Stadium fill up, starts at 11 AM EST

LINK:  UND.COM PRE GAME BLOG -- starts at 1:30 PM EST

KICK OFF:  2:40 PM EST

LINK:  UND.COM LIVE POST GAME SHOW -- starts immediately after game's end

Leaving for Notre Dame Before Sunrise!

Just wanted to give you a heads up that I'm leaving well before the "cock crows" -- for Notre Dame in the morning.  Going to be hanging out with 14 of my friends -- enjoying a Football Weekend in America's Holy Land.  So, if you're looking for any "NEW NEWS" on the site -- you're going to have to wait until Saturday morning!  Go Irish!  PS -- That's not me in the photo -- PROMISE!

An $800,000 Pay Day for the WMU Broncos!

That's what Western Michigan University is rumored to be receiving for agreeing to play the Irish on Saturday.  Add to that the opportunity to play on national TV for three to four hours -- and a lifetime of stories to tell your family and friends that "I played in Notre Dame Stadium."

Western Michigan's Trip to Notre Dame

Western Michigan Head Football Coach, Bill Cubit (pictured) talked about his plans for the Broncos first ever trip to Notre Dame Stadium and the first time a Western Michigan team has played on the Notre Dame campus, since 1920.  In that game, Knute Rockne's team won 42-0 behind a two touchdown performance by George Gipp.  This week the Broncos practiced to the beat of a familiar song to Irish fans -- to get ready for Saturday.  Here's a couple of stories you'll enjoy:

LINK:  THE BRONCOS TRIP TO NOTRE DAME

LINK:  PRACTICING TO THE ND VICTORY MARCH

Notre Dame Football Update -- Thursday

The UND.COM gang was back at it yesterday -- catching up with Coach Kelly after Wednesday's practice.  Topics of discussion; Kyle Rudolph's surgery, Armando Allen's status for Saturday, the music they're playing at practice, the new Notre Dame Adidas TECHFIT football jerseys, etc.  Click on the link:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Notre Dame's Effort To Bring Religions Together

The University of Notre Dame, in partnership with scholars and educators from around the world, is inaugurating a major cross-cultural research project: “Contending Modernities: Catholic, Muslim, Secular.”  The project kicks off with two public launch events in New York City on November 18th and 19th.  Designed to unfold over several years, “Contending Modernities” will generate new knowledge and understanding of the ways in which religious and secular people and institutions interact, for good and ill, says Scott Appleby, professor of history, director of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and director of “Contending Modernities”.  “The problem of religious violence and tensions among religions and between the religious and secular forces are more sharply defined than ever,” Appleby says. “Our vision with this research project is to harness the power of ideas to chart a way forward across religious and secular divides to address the greatest challenges of the 21st century.  Dozens of Catholic, Muslim and secular scholars and public intellectuals will be involved in the project, which in the future will expand to engage all major world religions.  I believe it to be a wonderful thing that the University of Notre Dame is taking on this mission.