Shamrock Series Pre-Game Show @ 6:15 PM ET

Notre Dame football fans -- if you're looking for something to do to countdown the last two hours before kick-off -- here's a suggestion.  The gang at UND.COM will begin their SHAMROCK SERIES pre-game show live from FedEx Field at 6:15 PM ET.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PRE-GAME SHOW

First Look at FedEx Field: End Zone Painted

Here's a photo taken of the end zone at FedEx Field -- home of the Washington Redskins.  Kick-off of the SHAMROCK SERIES 150 minutes away!

The Making of the Notre Dame Football Helmet

Notre Dame fans will enjoy watching this video of how Troy Lee Designs (CA) created the distinctive football helmet the Fighting Irish will wear tonight versus Maryland.  It's quite a process -- a MUST SEE VIDEO before tonight's Shamrock Series game at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins:

LINK:  THE ICONIC FOOTBALL HELMET IN AMERICA

Always Wondered When ND Would Market This!

The University of Notre Dame and Adidas put together The Notre Dame Pack -- you'll see more information about this package in a story posted yesterday --  to celebrate tomorrow's game between the Irish and the Maryland Terrapins.  In the package was an OUNCE OF GOLD LEAF from the University of Notre Dame's Main Building (AKA -- THE GOLDEN DOME).

It's the very first time I've ever seen Notre Dame attempt to market the gold from the Dome -- the picture above is how they've packaged the gold dust taken from the Dome...

ND Football Gloves for Shamrock Series Game!

Paul Lukas at the Uni-Watch Blog received a present yesterday -- that has me quite envious!!!  Lukas (that's him in the picture showing off the gloves Notre Dame players will wear Saturday night against Maryland) wrote a story about his big surprise.  You'll enjoy this!


LINK:  A PRESENT FROM ND AND ADIDAS

Notre Dame's Shamrock Series Game Look!

Notre Dame football fans, here's what the Irish players will be wearing Saturday night "under the lights" at FedEx Field in their game with Maryland.  I can see why the Notre Dame players are excited about this uniform, helmet combination.   

After seeing this illustration -- I'm on board with the Notre Dame helmet facemask being a darker green color than the shamrock on the helmet.  The facemask matches the uniform jersey color...

Aaron Taylor Admits to Sexual Abuse as a Kid

Former Notre Dame All-America Aaron Taylor admitted today that he was a victim of sexual abuse as a five year-old kid by an older family member -- as the Jerry Sandusky / Penn State situation has the nation's attention.  Today, Aaron Taylor spoke out about his experience.  Here's a link to the radio broadcast.

LINK:  THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO KIDS!

Shamrock Series Week: Kelly With Media Today

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today -- the last practice on campus before the Irish travel to Washington D.C. for a "home" game against Maryland Saturday night.  Here's a link to the media session:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Photo of the Day -- The Notre Dame Pack!

 

I was sent these photos today by our oldest son Jimmy -- who just happened to turn 26 today!  Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Adidas has created a limited edition of what they're calling The Notre Dame Pack -- I think they could have come up with something better than that for a name, but it's really cool!!!  There are only eleven of these in the world.  Here's a link to all of the details of what is inside the box!

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME PACK

Domer Mike Lee -- Back in the Ring -- Dec. 3!

University of Notre Dame alum Mike Lee '09 takes his undefeated professional record to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, December 3, 2011.  Irish fans can see Mike fight in person or on HBO's Pay Per View broadcast of the Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito Junior Middleweight Championship.

Lee, the three time ND Bengal Bouts Champ is now 7 - 0 as a pro, having won his last bout which was held in front of a huge crowd at Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion -- the night before the Irish game against Michigan State.  Mike's currently training in Houston with Ronnie Shields. 

Here's a link to a video of Mike's last fight -- with some guy named "Regis" introducing a fellow Domer!

LINK:  MIKE'S FIGHT AT NOTRE DAME

Muffet Reloads -- The #3 Ranked Class in USA!

Muffet McGraw's Irish, coming off their runner-up finish at the 2011 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship -- just inked the #3 ranked recruiting class in the country!  In my mind, it's the greatest recruiting haul in Notre Dame Women's Basketball history!  Here are the three stars who will join the Fighting Irish next fall (that's Jewell Loyd in the photo).

• Jewell Loyd:  Guard -- ranked the #3 player in the country!
• Michaela Mabrey:  Guard -- ranked the #20 player in the country!
• Hannah Huffman:  Guard -- ranked the #27 player in the country!

LINK:  MUFFET'S CLASS RANKED #3

Mike Brey Got Himself a Recruiting Class!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame basketball program signed one of their best recruiting classes since the good ol' days of Digger Phelps...

• Cameron Biedscheid:  6' - 6" Forward -- ranked the #30 player in the country!
• Zach Auguste: 6' - 9" Forward -- ranked the #93 player in the country
• Austin Burgett:  6' - 8" Forward -- ranked the #33 Power Forward in the country

Congratulations Mike Brey for delivering TALENT to our basketball program.  Here's a link to the UND.COM feature on the 16th ranked recruiting class in Men's Basketball.  Photo above is of Cameron Biedscheid.

LINK:  IRISH RECRUITING CLASS

Shamrock Series Week: Kelly After Practice

Coach Kelly met with the assembled media today after practice as the Irish prepare to travel to our nation's capital to take on the University of Maryland Saturday night.  Here's a link to Coach Kelly's media session:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Shamrock Series Week: Kelly Talks Terps

The Fighting Irish will "host" the Maryland "Fighting" Terrapins this weekend in a suburb outside of our nation's capital at the home of the Washington Redskins.  Now called the SHAMROCK SERIES -- the game will match the ugliest helmet in Notre Dame history against the most unique uniform/helmet combination in college football this season.  Here's a link to Coach Kelly's comments:

LINK:  COACH KELLY MEDIA CONFERENCE

Shamrock Series: A New Adidas / ND Creation

Adidas and the University of Notre Dame athletic department announced today the creation of the SHAMROCK SERIES -- a game each football season when the Irish will deviate from the norm when it comes to their helmet, jersey, pants and shoes the team wears.

The photo above is of the helmet that's been designed by a California company -- that the Irish will wear this Saturday against Maryland.  It was also announced that ND will be wearing green jerseys, gold pants and white shoes...  Here's a link to the story at UND.COM:

Here's a second link to Jack Swarbrick's announcement about the SHAMROCK SERIES and what it entails:

LINK:  THE SHAMROCK SERIES

LINK:  JACK SWARBRICK -- ON THE SHAMROCK SERIES

Hydro Graphics -- Creator of the New Helmet

The gang in Portland, OR who took on the assignment of restoring the GOLD to the University of Notre Dame football helmet -- Hydo Graphics, Inc -- have posted a video on their website showing off the new helmet to Irish fans.  Here's a link to the video:

LINK:  THE ICONIC HELMET IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

LINK:  HYDRO GRAPHICS FACEBOOK PAGE

Will the Broncos Turn to Brady Quinn Soon?

ESPN's Adam Schefter (a Michigan alum) is reporting that the Denver Broncos are almost done with the TEBOW EXPERIMENT and don't be surprised if Brady Quinn is the NEXT MAN IN.  The Broncos "activated" Quinn today for the game against Oakland -- if, excuse me, WHEN Tebow struggles -- it could be QUINN TIME in Denver.  Sure hope so for Brady's sake...  Here's some stories I just found about Quinn's situation in Denver:

LINK:  ADAM SCHEFTER REPORTING

LINK:  DENVER POST

LINK:  DENVER POST -- JEFF LEGWOLD

The Mornin' After the Irish Beat Wake Forest

Took my weekly Sunday morning lap around the world wide web to see what the media has to say about Notre Dame's 24 - 17 win over Wake Forest.  Here you go:

LINK:  WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL #1

LINK:  WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL #2

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  NBC SPORTS -- NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  NEWS & OBSERVER

LINK:  FOX SPORTS CAROLINAS

ND Team Celebrates Win Over Wake Forest

The boys at UND.COM were working late into the night capturing Coach Kelly's post game press conference, player interviews and locker room celebration (a pretty cool moment for the Golic family!).  A good win for the "beat up" Irish.  If you watch the entire post game media session -- you'll catch Coach Kelly take on a member of the media for a question asked about the Irish passing game...

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME PRESSER

LINK:  IRISH PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  IRISH CELEBRATE VICTORY

ND Survives Wake Forest -- Injuries Pile Up!

Folks, the Irish are a "beat up" football team.  In this game, starting center Braxston Cave, starting linebacker Manti Teo, starting wide receiver TJ Jones -- all went out with injuries.  Aaron Lynch was hobbled -- the training staff is going to earn its pay this week!

Yet, Notre Dame played well enough to overcome a lackluster performance in the first half -- to win a game they trailed at halftime -- for the first time in Brian Kelly's tenure at Notre Dame.  Here's a quick look at what the media has to say just an hour after the game:

LINK:  CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE