Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Just Passed the 200,000 Unique Visitor Mark!

At 10:01 PM this evening a Notre Dame fan from Baton Rouge, LA became unique visitor #200,000 to the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- THANK YOU!

This blog was launched 19 months ago as a project to prove whether I could create content that would attract an audience.  Well, the site's growing faster than I would have ever dreamed.  Just goes to prove the power of the Notre Dame brand -- no other school could generate such demand on the web for a blog created by one fan.

The ND GO IRISH BLOG is now ranked among the top 9% of all blogs on the worldwide web...

Notre Dame fans, this post will be the 1,882nd story I've written on this site -- it's been great fun!  Thanks for making the ND GO IRISH BLOG part of your daily Notre Dame 'fix' on the web!

Can we say 300,000!!!!

Michigan Week: Wednesday Report on ND


The University of Notre Dame is one day closer to erasing the memory of the GREAT GIVEAWAY GAME against USF -- and playing in the first night game at Michigan Stadium.  Here's what's happening around the Irish football program:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA AFTER PRACTICE

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

2011 NCAA Offensive Rankings After Game #1

It's time for our FIRST look at where Notre Dame Football ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- FOR THE 2011 SEASON.  In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's Offense & Special Teams currently stand; on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2010 and 2009.


OFFENSIVE TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs:  2011 after game #1:  27 first downs -- ranked #10 in the country.  2010 Rank #57 with 19.83 first downs per game -- in 2009 we averaged 24.4 first downs per game for the season, ranking us #13.

Third Down Conversions:  2011 after game #1:  28.6% -- ranked #82 in the country.  2010 Rank #76 with a 37.5% conversion rate -- in 2009 we had a 39.1% conversion rate for the season, ranking us #48.

Passing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #1:  8.0 yards per passing attempt -- ranked #43 in the country.  2010 Rank #75 with 6.8 yards passing per attempt -- in 2009 we averaged 8.7 yards passing per attempt, ranking us #7 in the country.
  
Passing Yardage:  2011 after game #1:  391 yards per game -- ranked #5 in the country.  2010 Rank #29 with 257 yards per game  (3,089 yards for the season)  -- in 2009 we passed for 323 yards per game (3,882 yards for the season), ranking us #7.

Rushing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #1:  4.0 yards per game -- ranked #64 in the country.  2010 Rank #83 with 3.9 yards rushing per attempt -- in 2009 we averaged 3.8 yards rushing per attempt, ranking us #76 in the country.  

Rushing Yardage:  2011 after game #1:  117 rushing yards -- ranked #83 in the country.  2010 Rank #97 with 121 yards rushing per game (1,450 yards for the season) -- in 2009 we rushed for 127 yards per game  (1,539 yards for the season), ranking us #88.

Most QB Sacks Given Up:  2011 after game #1:  2 sacks given up -- ranked #32 in the country.  2010 Rank #66 giving up 19 QB sacks -- in 2009 we gave up 25 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #66. 

Fewest Pass Interceptions Thrown: 2011 after game #1:  3 interceptions thrown -- ranked #112.  2010 Rank #105 having thrown 16 pass interceptions -- in 2009 we threw 5 interceptions for the season, raking us #4.

Fewest Fumbles Lost:  2011 after game #1:  2 fumbles -- ranked #89 in the country.  2010 Rank #31 having lost 8 fumbles -- in 2009 we lost 9 fumbles for the season ranking us #39.

Fewest  Turnovers Lost:  2011 after game #1:  5 turnovers lost -- ranked #108 (last) in the country.  2010 Rank #84 with 24 turnovers lost -- in 2009 we had 14 turnovers for the season, ranking us #7.

Total Offense:  2011 after game #1:  508 yards per game -- ranked #15 in the country.  2010 Rank #63 with 378 yards per game of offense -- in 2009 we had 451 yards per game of offense, ranking us #8.

Points Per Game:  2011 after game #1:  20 points per game -- ranked #84 in the country.  2010 Rank #73 with 25.75 points per game -- in 2009 we averaged 30.1 points per game for the season, ranking us #32.
.
TEAM STATISTICS

Fewest Penalties:  2011 after game #1:  8 penalties -- ranked #85 in the country.  2010 Rank #10 with 55 penalties -- in 2009 we had 75 penalties for the season, ranking us #50.

Fewest Penalty Yards:  2011 after game #1:  73 yards in penalties -- ranked #95 in the country.  2010 Rank #25 with 511 yards in penalties -- in 2009 we had 666 yards in penalties, ranking us #60.

Net Punting Yards:  2011 after game #1:  34.6 yards per game -- ranked #73 in the country.  2010 Rank #72 with an average net of 36.9 yards per punt -- in 2009 we averaged 32.1 yards per punt, ranking us #112.

Field Goals:  2011 after game #1:  0 field goals made -- ranked #75 in the country.  2010 Rank #32 with 15 field goals made.  In 2009 we made 19 field goals, ranking us #22 -- while going 19 for 22 in the process.     

CNNSI Interview of Coach Kelly

Here's a link to a CNNSI.com interview of Notre Dame head football coach the day after the loss to the University of South Florida -- also known as the "GREAT GIVEAWAY GAME."  Here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY CNNSI.COM INTERVIEW

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tommy Rees Named Notre Dame's Starting QB


To no surprise to most Notre Dame football fans -- Tommy Rees was named today as the starting QB for the Irish.  Rees is a calm, cool customer -- who apparently doesn't get too rattled.  And, he's accurate and he's productive -- a must for his head coach.  Here's what Coach Kelly had to say about the decision at today's press conference -- and here's a look at how the NEW GUY behind center has to think.  I also threw in a few "talking heads" in Bristol, CT just for kicks:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  TOMMY REES PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  ESPN #2

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

Where's the Home Field Advantage?


The University of Notre Dame football team has won 13 of their last 28 games inside Notre Dame Stadium.  Think about that...

Monday, September 5, 2011

Michigan Coach Press Conference -- ND Week


University of Michigan's Brady Hoke met with the media today.  Here's what he had to say about their win over Western Michigan on Saturday and their game this week against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. 

LINK:  BRADY HOKE PRESS CONFERENCE

Brian Kelly's Sunday Press Conference


Notre Dame head football coach took calls over the phone from the media on Sunday about the 23 - 20 loss to the University of South Florida.  Here's the link to the podcast:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Sunday, September 4, 2011

T Boone Pickens -- Takes A Shot @ Notre Dame


The same man who gave his alma mater $165 million in cash and then required that Oklahoma State let him manage it for them - and lost most of it -- ripped the University of Notre Dame yesterday calling them "damaged goods."

Really?

LINK:  T BOONE PICKENS -- HAS HE LOST IT?

ND Players Who Have A Job in the NFL Today


The NFL required its teams to get down to their 53 man roster yesterday -- as they get ready to open up the 2011 season this week.  As you'll see in the updated report, we have a few of our former Irish football stars looking for jobs today.  Here's a list of many of the ex-Notre Dame players who were battling for a job in the NFL -- and where they stand this morning:






















THIS WAS WAY TOO CLOSE!


The Notre Dame fans standing outside of Gate D last night, during the first rain delay, witnessed a pretty scary moment that NBC caught on TV (my wife and I were standing just inside Gate D's concourse).  Thankfully, no one was struck!

LINK:  SHAKE DOWN THE THUNDER AT NOTRE DAME

Which Team LOST This Game? -- THE TEST


Just to prove that STATS ARE FOR LOSERS, Notre Dame football fans can give this test to a SKUNKBEAR fan this week (those are the Walmart Wolverines we've grown to love here in Michigan) to see if they're smart enough to figure out who won this college football game:

FIRST DOWNS:
  • Team #1:  20 First Downs
  • Team #2:  27 First Downs

TOTAL YARDS OF OFFENSE:
  • Team #1:  254 Yards
  • Team #2:  508 Yards

LEADING RUSHER FOR EACH TEAM:
  • Team #1:  14 carries for 40 yards -- 2.9 yard average
  • Team #2:  21 carries for 104 yards -- 4.9 yard average

LEADING RECEIVER FOR EACH TEAM:
  • Team #1:  8 catches for 75 yards -- 9.4 yard average
  • Team #2:  12 catches for 154 yards -- 12.8 yard average

THIRD DOWN CONVERSION:
  • Team #1:  2 for 14
  • Team #2:  5 for 14

LONGEST RUNNING PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE:
  • Team #1:  12 yards
  • Team #2:  18 yards

LONGEST PASSING PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE:
  • Team #1:  18 yards
  • Team #2:  37 yards

OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS:
  • Team #1:  1
  • Team #2:  3

FIELD GOALS:
  • Team #1:  3 for 4
  • Team #2:  0 for 1

TOTAL PENALTIES:
  • Team #1:  9 penalties
  • Team #2:  8 penalties

TOTAL TURNOVERS:
  • Team #1:  0 turnovers
  • Team #2:  5 turnovers


NBC Replay -- Notre Dame vs. USF

If you dare -- you can watch NBC's replay of the "great giveaway" today at Notre Dame Stadium as the Irish turn the ball over five times in a 23 - 20 loss to the University of South Florida:

LINK:  NBC REPLAY 

What the Media is Sayin: USF 23 - ND 20


Just got back to Motown after the marathon AKA the "GREAT GIVEAWAY" at the University of Notre Dame this afternoon and evening.  I don't believe ND fans will enjoy reliving this experience -- but, here's what the media is saying about our IRISH hours after this difficult defeat to the University of South Florida:

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- ERIC HANSEN

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  ST. PETERSBURG TIMES

LINK:  TAMPA BAY ONLINE

LINK:  ST. PETERSBURG TIMES #2

LINK:  WNDU-TV

LINK:  WNDU-TV -- SKIP HOLTZ PRESSER

LINK:  CNNSI

LINK:  FOX SPORTS




Stats Are For Losers...


I made a promise last January when I launched this blog that I'd never go NEGATIVE on the University of Notre Dame.  Thus, I've got nothin' to say after spending 2 1/2 hours sitting on cement in the ND Stadium concourse this evening -- waiting for the storms to pass -- watching the Irish just give a game away to the University of South Florida.  BRUTAL.

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY POST GAME

LINK:  PLAYERS' POST GAME 

LINK:  GAME LOWLIGHTS


Friday, September 2, 2011

ND to Host a Number of Big Time Recruits!

The South Bend Tribune did a nice job today outlining ND's recruiting plans for this weekend -- here's a link to a couple of stories:

LINK:  OFFICIAL & UNOFFICIAL VISITORS -- THIS WEEKEND!

LINK:  TOP RECRUIT IN COUNTRY

I've Always Wanted ND to Have One of These!

The University of Notre Dame football program received a "present today' -- and it's well over due!  I've always wanted the Fighting Irish to paint up a truck to promote ND Football -- and they finally did!  I suspect we'll see a model of the truck for sale in the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore -- before too long!  Here's a link to the UND.COM feature on the truck:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME EQUIPMENT TRUCK


Football Weekend @ Notre Dame!


Just got back from spending this evening on the University of Notre Dame campus.  Took a group from work down to "America's Holy Land" to take in the Band of the Fighting Irish, the Irish Green, South Dining Hall for dinner and the Pep Rally.

Having been to a number of Pep Rally's in my day -- I must admit not feeling the LOVE at this rally.  Sure hope there's more excitement tomorrow in Notre Dame Stadium!  Here's links to a number of the gatherings on campus today:

LINK:  DILLON HALL PEP RALLY 

LINK:  FRIDAY'S QB LUNCHEON 

LINK:  COACH WARRINER -- QB LUNCHEON

LINK:  BRAXSTON CAVE & TREVOR ROBINSON

LINK:  KEITH ARNOLD -- USF GAME PREVIEW


Thursday, September 1, 2011

An Enhanced Experience @ Rock's House!


The University of Notre Dame has teamed up with CENTERPLATE, the hospitality partner of choice to many of the largest athletic and entertainment venues in the country -- to enhance the gameday experience for Irish football fans.  Well, more than 80,000 of us will be the judge of that this weekend!  Here's a link to a release that speaks to what's planned:

LINK:  SOMETHING NEW AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM

Coach Kelly's Last Presser Before USF Game

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media for the last time today before Saturday's 3:30 PM kick-off with the University of South Florida.  Today was "PERFECT PRACTICE THURSDAY" for the Irish football program.  Here's the link:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESSER