Friday, October 28, 2011

A Notre Dame Man -- Jeff Faine


When he played for the Irish, he absolutely dominated the men across from him...

Nine years later, Jeff Faine is still playing the game, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but, it's what he's doing away from the gridiron that will make ND fans most proud.  Jeff Faine is a hero -- to many.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story about Jeff's return home during the Bucs bye week.


LINK:  JEFF FAINE -- GIVING BACK

Think Coach Kelly Would Like a "Do Over?"


I commented to a friend the other day that it would be nice if Coach Kelly stopped using the phrase "I've been a head coach for 21 years..."  It's getting old.

Coach, we all know this isn't your first rodeo.  The best advice right now comes from legendary Raider Al Davis -- "JUST WIN BABY!"

Well, last night Coach Kelly might have said something FOR THE FIRST TIME, to the media, that he is now regretting (see Chicago Tribune article below).  In essence, Coach Kelly took a shot at the players who were recruited by the previous regime -- never a good thing to do from my perspective.  Especially, when they dominate your starting line-up...

It's going to be an interesting 24 hours in the Notre Dame football program.

LINK:  COACH KELLY COMMENTS

LINK:  VIDEO OF COACH KELLY'S MEDIA SESSION

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Will We See Field Turf @ Notre Dame?


Coach Kelly has been campaigning for a new field turf at Notre Dame Stadium.  Well, here's a solution to consider.  It's called Desso GrassMaster and this surface combines "tradition with technology." Meaning, real grass mixed in with artificial grass.

Green Bay Packer fans, Philadelphia Eagle fans, Denver Bronco fans -- have all been watching their teams play on this surface for the past few years.

In fact, the Denver Broncos field was named the "BEST PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FIELD IN AMERICA."  Folks that's real grass in the picture that grows and has to be cut!

Here's a couple of links to the technology behind this playing surface.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME STADIUM'S NEXT PLAYING SURFACE?

LINK:  TECHNOLOGY BEHIND REINFORCED GRASS

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Notre Dame's Morris Inn To Expand!

The University of Notre Dame announced a $32 million expansion of the Morris Inn -- the university's on-campus hotel.  The expansion, which will begin next year -- calls for the tear down of the south wing, a 300 seat banquet facility and a move from 92 rooms to 140 rooms, etc.  Here's a link to the Chicago Tribune story:

LINK:  MORRIS INN TO GET A NEW LOOK

Joe Montana's Not Happy With Notre Dame


I'm going to write this off as a Dad who wanted success for his son at Notre Dame -- and does not want to accept that his kid wasn't ready for prime time in the GOLD HELMET.  Here's hoping he comes back to the FAMILY. 

LINK:  MONTANA TAKES SHOT AT HIS ALMA MATER

Are the Irish Really Headed to the ACC?

Former Notre Dame Athletic Director, former ACC Commissioner and father to Irish Lacrosse Head Coach Kevin Corrigan -- Gene Corrigan -- tells the media today that the Irish are considering a move to the Atlantic Coast Conference for EVERY SPORT!  Here's the link to the story:

LINK:  IRISH HEADING TO ACC?

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Story the Sports Media Won't Tell...

The University of Notre Dame was named NATIONAL CHAMPIONS for STUDENT ATHLETES -- with 18 of their 22 varsity sports teams earning PERFECT GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE SCORES of 100!  This marks the sixth time in the last seven years that Notre Dame's student-athletes were America's best.

I'm still waiting for the "SPORTS LEADER" to tell this story...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME IS NUMBER ONE!

SI's Peter King Takes ND to Task for Helmets


Earth to Peter King -- Notre Dame has had "specs" of gold in their helmets for years!  In an effort to "pile on ND" -- which seems to be the easy thing to do for the mainstream media these past 48 hours...  Here's a link to Peter King calling out the Irish for their helmets:

LINK:  EARTH TO PETER KING

Monday, October 24, 2011

Colin Cowherd Defends Brian Kelly Today

ESPN "talkin' head" called out a Notre Dame faculty member by the name of "MATT" today who had sent him an email earlier this morning blaming Coach Kelly for the loss to USC.  Here's a link to video of Cowherd defending Kelly:

LINK:  COWHERD A KELLY FAN

Lou Holtz & Jerome Bettis on Golf Channel!


ND fans are going to want to tune in to the Golf Channel tomorrow night (Tuesday, October 25th) at 8 PM ET to catch former Notre Dame greats Lou Holtz and Jerome Bettis getting some golf tips from the pros.  Here's a sneak peek at what you're going to see!

LINK:  JEROME GETTING A GOLF LESSON

Irish Olympic Sports -- Weekend Update

There was a few other things going on this past weekend at the University of Notre Dame other than what took place under the lights on NBC.  Here's the UND.COM feature...

LINK:  IRISH UPDATE

Coach Kelly After the Game & Day After...


Here's what head coach Brian Kelly ("he's been doing it 21 years") had to say about the disappointing loss Saturday night to USC.  He met with the media right after the game and then he met with Jack Nolan Sunday morning.  Here are the links:

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON SUNDAY

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME PRESSER -- USC

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Morning After the GOLDEN Nightmare...


Don't be surprised if you see Notre Dame football go into an offensive formation on the opponent's one-yard line where a "safety" is stationed fifteen yards behind the line of scrimmage.  This safety is there to ensure that the opponent doesn't take our fumble 99 yards for a score...

Twice in one season -- the Irish fumble on the doorstep (ONE YARD LINE) and the opponent takes it the length of the field for a score -- UNBELIEVABLE...

This morning, Irish fans are crying -- while the rest of the world is laughing.

I'm so disappointed for our football team -- the night was set up for greatness --  and we laid a GOLDEN EGG...

Here's the media's take on the GOLDEN NIGHTMARE:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  ESPN CHICAGO

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Turnover Jesus -- Notre Dame Football

18 turnovers in seven games -- ranking Notre Dame #117 out of 120 teams in America for most turnovers.

In our three losses this season -- we've turned it over 13 times -- while gaining only 3 turnovers.  A MINUS TEN IN TURNOVERS!

Simply stated, the Irish are the sloppiest, talented team in college football.

BRUTAL...

A BLACK JERSEY Rumor Going Around ND!!!


There's plenty of talk going around the internet at this hour that the FIGHTING IRISH will become the BLACK IRISH tonight against USC!  The rumor is Notre Dame will don black jerseys with green numbers - which I assume will be outlined in gold -- for tonight's game against the Trojans. 

It's only six hours away from kick-off -- I suspect the Irish will not wear their intended game jersey until it's time to run out of the TUNNEL!  Stay tuned!!!

Notre Dame Football Weekend: ND vs. USC


Here's video of Friday's festivities on the University of Notre Dame campus -- as the Irish lead up to the prime-time kick-off against USC on NBC.  Game time is set for 7:30 PM ET -- please note if you have the VERSUS channel you can catch a 30 minute pre-game show beginning at 7 PM ET.  The photo above is of a "wooden" Trojan Horse that the ND student body built -- bringing back memories to 1977...

LINK:  KICK-OFF LUNCHEON -- FRIDAY AFTERNOON

LINK:  PEP RALLY -- USC

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- PHOTO GALLERY

Live Webcam From Notre Dame Stadium


Notre Dame football fans can check in all afternoon -- leading up to kick-off for tonight's game against USC -- to a live webcam located inside Notre Dame Stadium.  Here's the link:

LINK:  LIVE WEBCAM FROM NOTRE DAME STADIUM

It's Less than 8 Hours to Kick-Off: USC vs. ND

I can't wait to see those GOLD HELMETS -- and whatever color jersey we wear today -- come running out of that tunnel tonight on NBC!  Thought I'd take one last lap around the world this afternoon to see what the experts are saying about tonight's game.  GO IRISH!!!

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #2

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER -- STORY #1

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

America's Top HS QB @ Notre Dame Today!


The last name Kiel is part of Notre Dame football lore...  Will it be again?

In a surprising move, Gunner Kiel -- got to love that first name -- will be visiting Notre Dame today for the USC game.  Kiel had committed to Indiana over the summer and most thought he was going to be a Hoosier.  Well, as a "talking head" at ESPN might say "Not So Fast My Friend..."  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  GUNNER IN TOWN

The "COMPTON" Opens With Irish Victory!

5,022 people had the distinct honor of witnessing the first Notre Dame Hockey game and VICTORY last night!  Anders Lee scored the first goal, the last goal and one in between -- netting the first HAT TRICK in Compton history.  Here's the South Bend Tribune's coverage of ND's 5 - 2 win over Renssalaer:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY