#4 ND beats #3 BC with 1.01 Seconds Left!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and Boston College played the greatest game in the history of Compton Family Ice Arenas last night! (the building is only a few weeks old)  Tied 2 - 2 after regulation -- the Fighting Irish scored the winning goal with ONE SECOND LEFT in overtime!  Here's a link to the game highlights:

LINK:  THE IRISH BEAT BC!

LINK:  COACH JACKSON REACTION

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

Regis Philbin -- His Last Show...

Our favorite Notre Dame alum, Regis Philbin '53 left his show yesterday after 28 1/2 years and more than 50 years on television.  You'll enjoy the tribute -- and you better have some tissue!

LINK:  REGIS -- HIS LAST SHOW

The Media Picks Winner of ND vs. BC Game

Took a trip around the web this evening to see what the media experts have to say about tomorrow's 4 PM ET kick-off for the Notre Dame vs. Boston College football game.  Some interesting predictions -- to say the least!

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  BC INTERRUPTION BLOG

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE #2

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

Regis Philbin - The Ultimate Domer's - Last Day!

Folks, a TV icon and Notre Dame Man, Regis Philbin -- will call it quits tomorrow as he exits his own daily show after nearly 30 years on the air.  Philbin, a 1953 graduate of the University of Notre Dame has unabashedly shared his passion for his alma mater on his TV show for years...

I've got to believe there will be some talk of ND during tomorrow's show -- so be sure to tune in Friday morning!  I do know he will be "home" in South Bend on Saturday signing copies of his book "How I Got This Way" at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore. 

THANK YOU REGIS!  YOU'RE MY FAVORITE NOTRE DAME ALUM (besides my son) OF ALL TIME!

Here's a link to the LIVE! with Regis & Kelly official website:

LINK:  REGIS'S LAST SHOW

The Brian Kelly Radio Show -- Live @ 7 PM ET

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly will be hosting his final LIVE RADIO SHOW of the season tonight (Thursday) at 7 PM ET on UND.COM.  Here's a link to where you can watch the show live on the web:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW -- WATCH IT LIVE!

He Never Got "IT" @ ND -- Maybe New Mexico?

ESPN college football analyst Bob Davie has accepted the head coaching position at the University of New Mexico.  Davie, who took over for Lou Holtz at Notre Dame -- hasn't been on the sidelines since he's departure from South Bend in 2001. 

Here's why I'm sure he took the job at New Mexico:

• No expectations to win
• The NCAA won't be watching him as closely in Albuquerque
• He takes them to a bowl and he'll have his own statue

It's going to be fun to see if Lou Holtz ever comments on Bob Davie's coaching acumen...

Here's some of the media coverage:

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN

LINK:  KRQE -- CHANNEL 13

Isabela Nanni -- the Daughter of Domers!

Isabela Nanni skipped past American Idol, X-Factor, The Voice and all of the other talent competitions on the planet -- to secure a "touring" gig with the band Chicago -- at the age of 14!!!

Isabela -- the oldest daughter of Lou and Carmen Nanni (both Domers) -- WOWED 10,000 people in attendance at halftime of a February Notre Dame women's basketball game when she played a song she wrote about breast cancer survivors called "Beautiful."  See the link below to that performance.

Life changed that moment for Ms. Nanni.

Since that day eight months ago -- ol' Isabela has hooked up with the band Chicago and has performed with them at a number of concert venues.  Over the next two months, Isabela will be touring again with Chicago -- traveling to NYC, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Louisville.  This Sunday, she'll perform with Chicago at a made for TV figure skating show that NBC is producing with Brian Boitano at Notre Dame's brand new Compton Family Ice Arena.  NBC will air this show over the holidays.

The Notre Dame family needs to keep an eye on this up and coming talent!!!

Here's a link to Isabela's official website --along with a link to videos of a number of her performances. 


LINK:  ISABELA NANNI -- OFFICIAL WEBSITE

LINK:  ISABELA NANNI -- PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

LINK:  BEAUTIFUL -- WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY ISABELA NANNI

The Holy War -- Coach Kelly on Boston College

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media this afternoon for his weekly (in-season) press conference.  Up this Saturday are the Eagles of Boston College.  Here's what Coach Kelly had to say about the gang from Chestnut Hill:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

Notre Dame Basketball on ESPNU -- Tonight!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be playing the University of Detroit tonight at 9 PM ET on ESPNU.  Be sure to tune in!

The Holy War -- Boston College Week for ND

The folks at the Boston Herald ran this first article I've seen this week on Saturday's game at Notre Dame Stadium between the Fighting Irish and the Boston College Eagles.  The Irish are 24 1/2 point favorites.  Here's a link to the story.

LINK:  HOLY WAR

Inside Notre Dame Football TV Show

The University of Notre Dame's "Inside Notre Dame Football" aired this Sunday -- here's a link to the show.

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME TV

Notre Dame Back in the Top 25 -- @ #24 in AP

The Associated Press Poll has the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish back in their Top 25 -- where they haven't been since the opening weekend of the 2011 college football season.  The Irish are ranked #24 in the AP Poll and #25 in the Coaches Poll -- here's a link to the rankings:

LINK:  COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 25

Photo of the Day: Domer Catches Big Fish!

Now, Bill Laimbeer might not be your favorite Notre Dame athlete of all time -- and from what I've seen he hasn't been one to embrace the Irish -- but, he did catch a 75 1/2 lb. Cobia earlier this month off the coast of Marco Island, FL.  Fish doesn't look that big next to a 6' - 11" Laimbeer.  The world-record Cobia was caught in 2010 and weighed 121 lbs  Here's a link to the quick story:

LINK:  BILL LAIMBEER A FISHERMAN?

The Mornin' After the Irish Dominate Maryland

Took a lap around the web this morning to see what our friends in the media had to say about the Irish and their 45 - 21 win over the Terrapins of Maryland.  The game, the first ever in the Shamrock Series, drew more than 70,000 to FedEx Field (12,000 fans short of a sell-out) in the suburbs of Washington D.C.  Here's the media's take on the game:

LINK:  BALTIMORE SUN

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST #2

LINK:  TERRAPIN STATION BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES BLOG

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  WASHINGTON TIMES BLOG

LINK:  WASHINGTON EXAMINER

LINK:  CARROLL COUNTY TIMES

LINK:  HERALD MAIL

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NBC 

ND Post Game Coverage -- Win Over Maryland

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame dominated the Maryland Terrapins 45 - 21, in the first game of the newly minted Shamrock Series.  Brian Kelly's offense rolled up over 500 yards in total offense for the fifth time this season.  Here's the UND.COM post game coverage:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME MEDIA SESSION

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

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

First Photo Tweeted From Wake Forest Stadium

Here's a photo just "tweeted" from Notre Dame fan @Irishroundtable -- of the view from the parking lot of Wake Forest's football stadium.

Irish Player @ Home in Carolina -- Tweets Photo

University of Notre Dame sophomore linebacker Kendall Moore #8 -- just "tweeted" this photo of his family taken in the lobby of the team hotel in Winston-Salem.

Photo of the Day -- ND Hockey In Pink

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan tonight (Marquette) to play Northern Michigan University in a CCHA game.  @ND_Hockey "tweeted" this photo from the Irish locker room just five minutes ago...

This is ESPN's Preview of Today's Game

The folks at ESPN will be televising tonight's game between Notre Dame and Wake Forest at 8 PM ET on ESPN2.  Here's a look at the statistical match-up:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. WAKE FOREST

OT -- This Could Get Real Ugly for Penn State

Shocking news out of Penn State territory this morning -- former long-time Nittany Lion defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse (that's Sandusky on the left in photo).  This is a sick man.

In addition, Penn State's Director of Athletics, Timothy Mark Curley was charged with perjury and is looking at the potential for SEVEN YEARS in JAIL!

UPDATE:  Curley was forced to resign last night (November 6th) by Penn State University's Board of Trustees.  Will Paterno be next?  I'm not holding by breath...

LINK:  PATERNO NOT CHARGED

LINK:  ABC NEWS COVERAGE

LINK:  GRAND JURY REPORT

Game Day! -- ND vs. Wake Forest Predictions

Opinions are free -- so there's plenty that have been expressed about tonight's PRIME TIME match-up between the Fighting Irish and the Deamon Deacons.

You can watch the game LIVE on ESPN2 tonight at 8 PM ET.  Here's a link to what all of the pundits have to say about tonight's contest:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME STUDENT NEWSPAPER

LINK:  WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL

LINK:  CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  FAYETTVILLE OBSERVER

LINK:  NEWS & OBSERVER

LINK:  DAILY PRESS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  HAMPTON ROADS PILOT

Now How's This for a Work Assignment!

The Taj Mahal -- one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" turned to a University of Notre Dame associate professor and students four years ago to do some research.  The work will continue next year as they will return to do a 3-D scan of the mausoleum in January.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOB

Leave it to the Wall Street Journal...

All of the focus this weekend is on the matchup between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama -- and on the field -- that is the game. 

Now, in the game called LIFE -- it might be argued that the real game of the weekend is taking place in Winston-Salem, NC -- where the Fighting Irish will take on the Deamon Deacons.  In an article published today, the WSJ ranks the academic prowess of the student-athletes involved in these respective games and these respective universities.  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular, Ken Devine -- for alerting me to this story!

LINK:  THE OTHER "TOP MATCHUP" IN AMERICA 

48 Hours Til' the Smallest Crowd...

...to see the GOLD HELMETS in person, in more than 400 games!

Took a lap around the web tonight to see what's being said about our IRISH and their game this Saturday night against Wake Forest.  For those of you still wondering where you'll find the game on TV here's the answer:  ND vs. Wake Forest, Saturday @ 8 PM ET on ESPN2.

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

LINK:  WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  OBSERVER

LINK:  NEWS SENTINEL

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

"Count On Me" -- Notre Dame Football Mantra

Apparently, Coach Kelly introduced a new rallying cry for his Fighting Irish this past week.  Here's a link to the Chicago Tribune story:

LINK:  COUNT ON ME

Coach Kelly Meets With Media After Practice

I'm quite sure there is not a college football coach in America who meets more frequently with the media than Coach Kelly.  Frankly, I love it -- but, I'm not sure it's the right thing for Coach.  Here's Coach Kelly talking about Saturday's game:

LINK:  KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

Wake Forest Week -- Players Meet With Media

Notre Dame football players met with the media today to talk about the football season, Coach Kelly's comments -- and about Saturday's game with Wake Forest.  Here are the links:

LINK:  MANTI TEO & HARRISON SMITH

LINK:  MIKE FLOYD

ESPN's Maisel & Wojo Talk Brian Kelly & ND

ESPN's College Football Podcast featured Ivan Maisel and Gene Wojciechowski talking Notre Dame's Brian Kelly.  Just click on the link below -- advance the podcast to 21:14 to find their discussion:

LINK:  COLLEGE FOOTBALL PODCAST

Wake Forest Week: Presser Coach Kelly

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly spent more than 30 minutes today with the media to discuss Saturday night's prime-time matchup on ESPN2 with Wake Forest.  Here's a link to the press conference:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE