Photo of the Day: ND-1 Heads to Florida!!!

The University of Notre Dame's football equipment truck (ND-1) left campus today for the drive to Orlando, FL and the Champs Sports Bowl.  The Irish will arrive in Orlando on Saturday to begin final preparation for next Thursday's bowl game.  ND fans between Indiana and Florida should keep an eye out for the truck! 

The Irish Football Team Having Some Fun!

The University of Notre Dame football team celebrated their last night in South Bend -- before heading home and then on to Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl -- at Strikes & Spares.  Bowling, Go Karts, Putt-Putt and some shenanigans -- all in a good night of fun for the Irish!  Here's a link to the highlights:

LINK:  HAVING SOME FUN

Sports Illustrated's High School All-Americans

The editorial staff at Sports Illustrated announced their High School All-American team today and if you follow Notre Dame football recruiting you'll find a couple of familiar names on the list.  Here's a link to the team:

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICANS

Troy Murphy Signs Contract With LA Lakers

Former Notre Dame basketball star Troy Murphy signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers today for $1.4 million.  Modest by NBA standards, Murphy is coming off a season where he had a serious back injury and didn't play much at all.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  TROY MURPHY SIGNS WITH LAKERS

ESPN Blog Interview -- Manti Teo Stayin' @ ND

The folks at ESPN caught up with University of Notre Dame All-American Manti Teo to talk about his decision to return for his senior year with the Fighting Irish.  It's a story that's been told a few times, but -- I don't mind reading it over and over...  Here's the link:

LINK:  ESPN'S INTERVIEW OF MANTI

Irish Give Kentucky Their First Loss of Season

Muffet McGraw's 3rd ranked Fighting Irish beat the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats 92 - 83 today in front of a SOLD-OUT Purcell Pavillion!  Here's a link to some of the post game coverage:

LINK:  POST GAME PRESSER

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN

Notre Dame on TV -- Sunday, December 18

If your NFL team isn't playing as well as you would like and you're looking for something else to watch -- ND fans have OPTIONS today!  At 1:00 PM ET, Muffet's 3rd ranked Fighting Irish will take on the #7 ranked Kentucky Wildcats on ESPNU.  Then at 4:00 PM ET -- the University of Notre Dame's Compton Family Ice Arena will play host to the Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular on NBC.  This two-hour TV special includes the band Chicago, The Band of the Fighting Irish, South Bend's 14 year-old Isabela Nanni and other surprises!  Here's a sneak peak at their rehearsal:

LINK:  CHICAGO AND BOITANO

The Mornin' After Going Without A Field Goal...

Notre Dame fans watched our Irish go almost 16 minutes (end of first half and start of second half) without a field goal -- nearly half of the game -- in a 69 - 58 loss to Indiana yesterday in the Close The Gap Crossroads Classic.  Add in eleven misses at the free throw line and you had a game that was tough to watch.  Here's what the media has to say about our Irish basketball team along with Coach Brey's post game press conference:

LINK:  COACH BREY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NEWS SENTINEL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Swarbrick Talks Independence With SBT

University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick answered some questions from the folks at the South Bend Tribune on a variety of subjects;  football independence, NBC, Big East, paying student-athletes and more.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  SWARBRICK INTERVIEW

Irish vs. Indiana on ESPN2 Today at 4:30 PM ET

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish travel to Indianapolis today to play in the Close The Gap Crossroad Classic against the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers.  ND fans can catch the game on ESPN2 at 4:30 PM ET.  Here's some game notes:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TO PLAY INDIANA

Rudy Settles Today with SEC -- $382,866

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger -- wrote a check today to the Securities Exchange Commission for $382,866 to settle charges that he deceived investors who bought stock in his sports drink company.  Here's a link to the Chicago Sun Times story:

LINK:  RUDY WRITES BIG CHECK TO SEC

Photo of the Day -- Notre Dame Christmas Tree

The University of Notre Dame's Main Building (AKA Golden Dome) -- has this Christmas Tree on display.

Nowhere Else But Notre Dame -- The Video

ND GO IRISH BLOG Oakland Country correspondent, Rick Rachner -- passed on this link tonight to this video tribute to Notre Dame Women's Basketball program.  It's really good.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOWHERE ELSE BUT NOTRE DAME!

Irish Get HUGE OT Commit Today in Las Vegas!

They say "what happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas..."

Well, at 5 PM ET -- what happened in Vegas was 6'-6" 285 lb. offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley chose the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!  Stanley, out of Bishop Gorman HS had offers from USC, Oregon, etc., -- he's a huge get for the Irish!

Here's a link to his announcement video and Las Vegas Sun story:

LINK:  HE'S NOT STAYING IN VEGAS!

LINK:  LAS VEGAS SUN STORY

ND's Brian Boitano Skating Special -- Sunday!

It didn't take long for the University of Notre Dame's brand "spanking" new ice arena to host a world-class event!  Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic Champion -- along with the band Chicago, the Band of the Fighting Irish and South Bend's 14 year-old Isabela Nanni put on quite a show in front of the NBC cameras in the Compton Family Ice Arena.

ND fans can watch the broadcast on NBC this Sunday from 4 PM to 6PM ET

Here's a link to show's promotion:  BRIAN BOITANO SKATING SPECATULAR

ND Football Awards Show -- Back Stage...

The folks at UND.COM have their act together...

This week's Irish Connection gives us ND fans a behind the scenes look at Notre Dame Football's Award Show.  You'll enjoy this!


LINK:  ND FOOTBALL AWARDS SHOW -- BACK STAGE!

Charlie Weis Tells All -- Chicago Tribune Story

Former University of Notre Dame head football coach, Charlie Weis '78 -- sat down with the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton.  Weis was quite candid in his assessment of the five years in South Bend.  You'll find this a story worth reading.

LINK:  CHARLIE WEIS & NOTRE DAME

A Tale of Two Florida Bowls -- Take the Test!

Over the course of seven days in central Florida -- four college football teams will play bowl games in a stadium in Orlando and a stadium in Tampa.  Here's a quick analysis of the two bowl games:
 

• The game in Orlando pays out $2.25 million per team
• The game in Tampa pays out $3.5 million per team

• The game in Orlando features two teams who have lost a total of eight games this season
• The game in Tampa features two teams who played in their respective Conference Championship game

• The game in Orlando features two teams not ranked in the final Top 25 BCS Poll
• The game in Tampa features two teams who are ranked #16 and #17 in the final BCS Poll

• The game in Orlando had never been sold out in its previous 21 bowl games
• The game in Tampa has sold out multiple times in its previous 25 bowl games

• The game in Orlando is played in a stadium that has 72,000 seats
• The game in Tampa is played in a stadium that has 65,000 seats

TIME TO TAKE THE TEST!

Question:  Which bowl game is sold out?

Answer:  The Champs Sports Bowl game played in Orlando matching the Seminoles of Florida State vs. the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  This is Notre Dame's first appearance in the Champs Sports Bowl -- the GAME SOLD OUT -- FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER -- IN THREE DAYS!

Notes:  The Outback Bowl game in Tampa pits the SEC's Georgia Bulldogs vs. the Big Ten's Michigan State Spartans.  MSU has sold less than half of its tickets -- and it doesn't look good for them selling many more!  See the story:


LINK:  BIG TEN RUNNER-UP CAN'T SELL BOWL TICKETS

Senior Parents' Video -- Notre Dame Football

If you're prone to crying easily -- you may just want to grab the Kleenex right now!  This video, produced by the folks at the NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL VIDEO DEPARTMENT, is a wonderful testament to what it means to wear the GOLD HELMET from the parents' perspective.  This is very well done and a MUST SEE VIDEO!

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL PARENTS' VIDEO

The Smack Talk Begins -- Champs Sports Bowl

Florida State University players have already begun "talkin" about how they're going to blowout the Irish on December 29th in Orlando.  Here's video proof!

LINK:  FSU -- TALKIN' SMACK

The Brian Kelly Radio Show Tonight @ 7 PM ET

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly will be hosting his final radio show of the season TONIGHT at Legends.  Rumor has it he'll have a SPECIAL GUEST!  The fun begins at 7 PM ET -- and you can watch it here LIVE:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW -- WATCH IT LIVE

ND Mongoram Club -- Jacket Presentation

This is a special moment that many Notre Dame fans know very little about -- it's the awarding of a Notre Dame Letter Jacket.  Here's a video produced by UND.COM of the ceremony.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  FALL LETTER JACKET CEREMONY

ND Football Awards Show -- Highlight Video

The folks at UND.COM produced a highlight video for the 2011 ND Football Awards Show -- which was held this past Friday night at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on the University of Notre Dame campus.  It's good!

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL AWARDS SHOW

Irish to Play in China? -- New York Times Article

The New York Times' Pete Thamel is reporting that the University of Notre Dame and Stanford University are in talks to play their 2013 football game in CHINA!  If true, this would represent the first time American football will be played in China.  BIG NEWS!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL IN CHINA

Manti Teo Gives IRISH Fans an Early Present!

University of Notre Dame star linebacker, Manti Teo -- announced last night at the Lott Impact Trophy awards banquet, in Los Angeles, that he would be RETURNING for his senior season!  Many had speculated that Manti was headed to "NFL Millions" with a pick in the mid first round-- not so fast my friends!!!!  Here are links to the South Bend Tribune and Chicago Tribune stories -- along with an interview of Manti and Coach Kelly about the GREAT NEWS!  Irish fans will enjoy the Chicago Tribune and South Bend Tribune interview of Manti's Dad -- good stuff here!:

LINK:  MANTI TEO TO RETURN TO ND!

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY 

LINK:  ERIC HANSEN STORY -- SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  MANTI & COACH KELLY INTERVIEW

My Favorite ND Commit From This Next Class!

His name is Tee Shepard and he's a defensive back from Fresno, CA.   The folks at FOXSPORTS recently caught up with Tee to tell his story.  All I will tell you is this -- Notre Dame fans are going to fall in love with Mr. Shepard, who committed to ND back in March.  Here's a direct link to the story.  THIS IS A MUST WATCH VIDEO!

LINK:  TEE SHEPARD

Mike Lee Wins Fight -- Now 8 - 0 as a Pro!

Notre Dame alum, Mike Lee '09 is now 8 - 0 as a professional boxer after his fourth round knockout of Allen Medina in his light heavyweight bout in front of 22,000 at Madison Square Garden Friday night.  Here's a link to some of the coverage:

LINK:  MIKE LEE INTERVIEW

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

Notre Dame Football & the Heisman Trophy

Last night -- Robert Griffin III, from Baylor University, became the 77th recipient of the Heisman Trophy.  If you regularly follow the ND GO IRISH BLOG you'll know that a week ago, we cast our Heisman vote for Griffin.  Congratulations!

Now, some fun and "not so fun" facts as they relate to the Heisman Trophy and the University of Notre Dame:

• Notre Dame's seven Heisman Trophy winners; Bertelli, Lujack, Hart, Lattner, Hornung, Huarte & Brown (pictured) -- still the most from one university!
• 22 of the 70 other Heisman Trophy winners played against the University of Notre Dame during their Heisman trophy season (including bowl games).  23 if you count the Heisman Trophy winner formerly known as Reggie Bush.
• The University of Notre Dame is (5 - 15 - 2) all-time in games played against teams with a player that won a Heisman Trophy that season (including bowl games).
• The past six winners of the Heisman Trophy did not play that season (including bowl game) against the University of Notre Dame -- the longest streak in the 77 year history of the Heisman Trophy without a ND player winning or an opponent's player winning the Heisman in a season.
  
• The worst team in history to have a Heisman Trophy winner was the 1956 Fighting Irish who won just 2 games during Paul Hornung's Heisman campaign.
• The last Heisman Trophy winner the Irish defeated was the 1993 game against Charlie Ward and the Florida State Seminoles.  ND fans will remember the Irish dropped the game the next week to Boston College, yet won their bowl game - only to see Florida State claim the National Championship with the same record as the Irish (even though ND beat them "head to head.").  I still haven't gotten over this!
• Notre Dame has now gone 24 seasons without a member of the Fighting Irish football team winning a Heisman Trophy -- which is now the longest consecutive season streak without a Heisman winner in a ND uniform, surpassing the 23 seasons between Huarte's and Brown's Heisman trophies. 

Here's a look at every Heisman Trophy winner who played against Notre Dame or played for Notre Dame.  You'll also see the score from that game - or, if it was an Irish player, the team record that year:

1939:  Nile Kinnick, Iowa -- Iowa 7 - ND 6
1943:  ANGELO BERTELLI, NOTRE DAME -- (9 - 1)
1945:  Doc Blanchard, Army -- Army 48 - ND 0
1946:  Glenn Davis, Army -- Army 0 - ND 0
1947:  JOHN LUJACK, NOTRE DAME -- (9 - 0)
1949:  LEON HART, NOTRE DAME -- (10 - 0)
1952:  Billy Vessels, Oklahoma -- ND 21 - Oklahoma 21
1953:  JOHN LATTNER, NOTRE DAME -- (9 - 0 - 1)
1956:  PAUL HORNUNG, NOTRE DAME -- (2 - 8)
1958:  Pete Dawkins, Army -- Army 14 - ND 2
1960:  Joe Bellino, Navy -- Navy 14 - ND 7
1961:  Ernie Davis, Syracuse  -- ND 17 - Syracuse 15
1963:  Roger Staubach, Navy -- Navy 35 - ND 14
1964:  JOHN HUARTE, NOTRE DAME -- (9 - 1)
1965:  Mike Garrett, USC -- ND 28 - USC 7
1968:  O.J. Simpson, USC -- ND 21 - USC 21
1972:  Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska -- Nebraska 40 - ND 6
1976:  Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh -- Pittsburgh 31 - ND 10
1977:  Earl Campbell, Texas -- ND 38 - Texas 10
1979:  Charles White, USC -- USC 42 - ND 23
1981:  Marcus Allen, USC -- USC 14 - ND 7
1987:  TIM BROWN, NOTRE DAME -- (8 - 4)
1991:  Desmond Howard, Michigan -- Michigan 24 - ND 14
1993:  Charlie Ward, Florida State -- ND 31 -- FSU 24
1994:  Rashaan Salaam, Colorado -- Colorado 41 - ND 24
1997:  Charles Woodson, Michigan -- Michigan 23 - ND 7
2001:  Eric Crouch, Nebraska -- Nebraska 27 - ND 10
2002:  Carson Palmer, USC -- USC 44 - ND 13
2004:  Matt Leinart, USC -- USC 41 - ND 10

Tate Coming in to His Own in Seattle

Here's a nice story about former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate.  Tate, has finally earned a starting spot for the Seahawaks and he's delivering!  Link to the story:

LINK:  TURNING GOLDEN AGAIN

NFL FILMS -- Feature on ND's David Ruffer!

University of Notre Dame kicker, David Ruffer is the subject of a NFL FILMS feature called "Rudy 2.0" -- this is really cool!!!

Notre Dame fans need to watch this!

LINK:  RUFFER -- NFL FILMS

Weis Introduced as Kansas Coach

Charlie Weis '79 was introduced today as the head football coach at the University of Kansas.  Here's a link to the announcement -- along with a Kasas City Star story:

LINK:  WATCH CHARLIE'S INTRODUCTION 

LINK:  KANSAS CITY STAR 

Irish OC Molnar Named Head Coach @ UMASS

The University of Massachusetts announced today that Charley Molnar has become the 29th head coach of their football program.  Molnar, an assistant coach for our Fighting Irish these past two season -- becomes a head coach for the first time.  Congratulations Coach Molnar!  Here's a link to the UMASS press conference this afternoon:

LINK:  UMASS NAMES MOLNAR ITS HEAD COACH

Notre Dame Alum Hired as Kansas Head Coach

Charlie Weis '79, has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Kansas -- according to multiple reports.  Weis, leaves the Florida Gators program where he was their offensive coordinator this past season.  Congratulations Charlie!  FYI:  Expect the media to label him as "former Notre Dame coach, or former Irish coach" -- you won't hear much about Florida...

LINK:  WEIS TAKES KANSAS GIG

Boise State Prez Compares His School to ND...

You can file this in the "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" folder...

Boise State University president, Dr. Bob Kustra met with the media yesterday about his school's entry into the Big East Conference.  During the session he made this statement:  "...we can have the same degree as success..."  -- while comparing his school in Boise to the University of Notre Dame.

All I can say is WOW...

Hey, Dr. Kustra -- you might want to first set your sights on graduating your student-athletes -- before taking on the University of Notre Dame.

LINK:  BOISE STATE COMPARING ITSELF TO NOTRE DAME

Check out ND's Football Pants in This Photo!

Adam Myers, Assistant Equipment Manager (@adam_nd_myers) for Notre Dame Football in the University of Notre Dame's Athletic Department "tweeted" this photo of the Fighting Irish's football uniform combinations from this season.  Note the football pants the Irish wore in the Shamrock Series game (green jersey) -- versus the pants they wore the majority of the season.  I'd like to believe Notre Dame will start using these pants all of the time!

Champs Sports Bowl Sells Out for First Time!

The power of the University of Notre Dame...

For the first time in the 22-year history of the Champs Sports Bowl, they are SOLD OUT!  This also happens to be ND's first visit to this bowl game -- coincidence?  I think not...

Coach Kelly took a trip to Orlando today to participate in the Champs Sports Bowl press conference -- along with FSU's Coach Fisher.  Here's a link to the Orlando Sentinel story and UND.COM's coverage of the press conference:

LINK:  CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  COACH KELLY CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL PRESS CONFERENCE 

Coach Kelly and Fighting Irish Back @ Practice

The folks at UND.COM caught up with Coach Kelly after Notre Dame's first of 15 practices they're allowed prior to the game December 29 against Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl.  Here's a link to his media session:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

African American Grad Rates: Bowl Teams

On the heels of the report I published yesterday concerning the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of every team playing in a bowl game this off season, I learned of a report commissioned by The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sport.

This report highlighted the GSR among African American student-athletes on teams playing in bowl games. Here are the highlights:


BOWL TEAM RANKINGS -- GSR OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT-ATHLETES

#1:  University of Notre Dame:  100 GSR
#2:  Northwestern University:  92 GSR
#3:  University of North Carolina:  91 GSR
#4:  Rutgers University:  88 GSR
#5:  Penn State University:  87 GSR


BOWL TEAMS GRADUATING LESS THAN HALF OF THEIR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT-ATHLETES

Florida International (33 GSR),  Iowa State (40 GSR), Western Michigan (43 GSR), Arkansas (44 GSR), Florida State (44 GSR), Oklahoma (44 GSR), South Carolina (45 GSR), Texas A&M (45 GSR), California (46 GSR), Houston (46 GSR), UCLA (46 GSR), North Carolina State (46 GSR), Texas (47 GSR), BYU (47 GSR), Temple (47 GSR), Wyoming (47 GSR), Louisiana-Lafayette (48 GSR) and Tulsa (49 GSR).
 

Here's a link to their entire report:  AFRICAN AMERICAN GSR OF BOWL TEAMS

Graduation Rates: 2011-2012 Bowl Games

Here's a look at the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of each of the 70 teams playing in BOWL GAMES this postseason.  Here's a link to the GSR for African American student-athletes -- on the same teams.

It's a sad commentary when a great number of the teams playing in the Bowl Games graduate less than 6 of every 10 of their players over a six-year period.  Until the NCAA truly does something about this -- they should suspend the term "student-athlete" when talking about many of these schools' athletes. 

Here's a quick overview of a few of the highlights and lowlights -- followed by a look at every one of the 35 Bowl Games and the respective GSR rates of the the opponents:

TOP FIVE TEAMS PLAYING IN BOWL GAMES:
#1:  Notre Dame:  97
#2:  Northwestern:  94
#3:  Rutgers:  89
#3:  Vanderbilt:  89
#5:  Stanford:  87
#5:  Penn State:  87

Sad Fact #1:  Only 9 Teams out of the 70 Teams in Bowl Games graduate at least 8 out of every ten of their players in a six-year period.

BOTTOM FIVE TEAMS PLAYING IN BOWL GAMES:
#70:  Florida International:  43
#69:  Oklahoma:  48
#68:  California:  54
#67:  Georgia Tech:  55
#67:  South Carolina:  55


Sad Fact #2:  16 of the 70 teams in Bowl Games graduate less than 6 out of every 10 of their players in a six-year period.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS / LOWLIGHTS:

• The largest disparity of graduation rates between opponents in a Bowl Game is the Champs Sports Bowl:  Notre Dame (97) vs. Florida State (56)
• The lowest graduation rates between opponents in a Bowl Game is IRONICALLY the Bridgepoint Education Bowl:  California (54) vs. Texas (57)
• The highest graduation rates between opponents in a Bowl Game is the AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati (79) vs. Vanderbilt (89)

GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL -- Dec. 17

• Temple: 60 GSR
• Wyoming:  64 GSR

FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL -- Dec. 17

• Ohio:  71 GSR
• Utah State:  77 GSR

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL -- Dec. 20

• San Diego State:  56 GSR
• Louisiana-Lafayette:  56 GSR

BEEF 'O' BRADY'S ST. PETERSBURG BOWL -- Dec. 20

• Florida International:  43 GSR
• Marshall:  77 GSR

S.D. COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL -- Dec. 21

• TCU:  78 GSR
• Louisiana Tech:  75 GSR

MAACO LAS VEGAS -- Dec. 22

• Arizona State:  64 GSR
• Boise State:  74 GSR

SHEARTON HAWAII BOWL -- Dec. 24

• Nevada:  70 GSR
• Southern Miss:  78 GSR

ADVOCARE V100 INDEPENDENCE BOWL --  Dec. 26

• Missouri:  66 GSR
• North Carolina:  75 GSR

LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL -- Dec. 27

• Western Michigan:  61 GSR
• Purdue:  59 GSR

BELK BOWL -- Dec. 27

• Louisville:  66 GSR
• North Carolina State:  56 GSR

MILITARY BOWL -- Dec. 28

• Toledo:  64 GSR
• Air Force Academy:  84 GSR

BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION HOLIDAY BOWL -- Dec. 28

• California:  54 GSR
• Texas:  57 GSR

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL -- Dec. 29

• Florida State:  56 GSR
• Notre Dame:  97 GSR

VALERO ALAMO BOWL -- Dec. 29

• Washington:  76 GSR
• Baylor:  62 GSR

BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL -- Dec. 30

• BYU:  57 GSR
• Tulsa:  63 GSR

NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL -- Dec. 30

• Rutgers:  89 GSR
• Iowa State:  63 GSR

FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY -- Dec. 30

• Mississippi State:  62 GSR
• Wake Forest:  81 GSR

INSIGHT BOWL -- Dec. 30

• Iowa:  83 GSR
• Oklahoma:  48 GSR

MEINEKE CAR CARE OF TEXAS BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Texas A&M:  59 GSR
• Northwestern:  94 GSR

HYUNDAI SUN BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Georgia Tech:  55 GSR
• Utah:  62 GSR

AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Cincinnati:  79 GSR
• Vanderbilt:  86 GSR

KRAFT FIGHT HUNGER BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Illinois:  76 GSR
• UCLA:  59 GSR

 CHICK-FIL-A BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Virginia:  68 GSR
• Auburn:  63 GSR

TICKETCITY BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Houston:  57 GSR
• Penn State:  87 GSR

OUTBACK BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Michigan State:  62 GSR
• Georgia:  65 GSR

CAPITAL ONE BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Nebraska:  67 GSR
• South Carolina:  55 GSR

TAXSLAYER.COM GATOR BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Ohio State:  67 GSR
• Florida:  76 GSR

ROSE BOWL GAME -- Jan. 2

• Wisconsin:  66 GSR
• Oregon:  63 GSR

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Stanford:  87 GSR
• Oklahoma Sate:  65 GSR

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL -- Jan. 3

• Michigan:  71 GSR
• Virginia Tech:  79 GSR

DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL -- Jan. 4

• West Virginia:  75 GSR
• Clemson:  62 GSR

AT&T COTTON BOWL -- Jan. 6

• Kansas State:  62 GSR
• Arkansas:  56 GSR

BBVA COMPASS BOWL -- Jan. 7

• SMU:  72 GSR
• Pittsburgh:  65 GSR

GODADDY.COM BOWL -- Jan. 8

• Arkansas State:  73 GSR
• Northern Illinois:  73 GSR

ALLSTATE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME -- Jan. 9

• LSU:  77 GSR
• Alabama:  69 GSR

ND Promotional Video Message - Champs Bowl

Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt appeared in a YouTube video last night after the Irish learned they would be playing Florida State University in the Champs Bowl.  Do you think Louis Nix just might have a career in TV someday?

LINK:  IRISH CHAMPS BOWL MESSAGE 

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH & MICHAEL FLOYD -- PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  IRISH -- CHAMPS BOWL CENTRAL

ND vs. FSU -- Champs Sports Bowl -- TICKETS!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be taking on the Seminoles of Florida State University on Thursday, December 29, in Orlando, at the Champs Sports Bowl.  If you're interested in tickets -- here's where you can find them!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME -- CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

Irish Played Four Teams in AP Final Top 15

Next time someone says "Notre Dame doesn't play anyone..." -- just roll out this little diddy for them:

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME -- PLAYED FOUR TEAMS IN THE TOP 15!

Here's a link to the AP' final rankings.


LINK:  FINAL RANKINGS -- 2011 SEASON

Kyle Rudolph -- TD Catch Against Broncos!

Notre Dame fans will not be surprised when they see this GREAT CATCH by Kyle Rudolph -- just minutes ago.  The TD catch put the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the Tim Tebow Broncos 12 - 7.  You can expect this to make SPORTS CENTER'S TOP TEN!

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH

Notre Dame Grants Dayne Crist His Release...

This news should arrive as no surprise to most Notre Dame football fans -- Dayne Crist will be wearing a different football helmet next fall.  Crist, who will graduate this month from the University of Notre Dame, has one more year of eligibility left and he's going to take advantage of that at a different school.  This became official Friday afternoon,  when Dayne was granted his release after meeting with Coach Kelly.

Dayne Crist is a Notre Dame Man -- just not a Notre Dame QB, in a Brian Kelly system.  This young man is all that is right about the world.  His parents, family and friends should take great pride in Dayne Crist the human being.  He's a world-class representative of the University of Notre Dame.  I'll be rooting for his success!

You'll want to click on the South Bend Tribune story below to see what schools are rumored to be most interested in Dayne's services:

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST

My Heisman Vote -- Baylor's Robert Griffin III

I made the decision, over night, to give my Heisman vote this season to Robert Lee Griffin III (QB), Baylor University.  Unfortunately -- I'm still waiting for my ballot in the mail!  However, that won't stop me from sharing with you why this young man is AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER and the prototypical STUDENT-ATHLETE-QB Notre Dame should be recruiting for Brian Kelly's offense.

First, let's talk about "RG3's" Heisman worthy season:

• Passer rating of 192.3 -- rank #1 in the country
• Yards Per Attempt:  10.83 yards -- rank #1 in the country
• Yards Per Completion:  14.97 yards -- rank #1 in the country
• Points Responsible For:  22.67 points per game -- rank #1 in the country
• Total Offense:  386.83 yards per game -- rank #2 in the country
• TD passes:  36 -- rank #4 in the country
• Pass Completion %:  72.4% -- rank #5 in the country
• Passing yards:  3,998 yards -- rank #6 in the country

On top of all of this:

• He's taken a football program and led it to their best regular season in 25 years!  
• He's the model student-athlete haven already earned his undergraduate degree (Dec 2010) in political science in three years!  Now enrolled in grad school.  Next up law school.
• Dean's List -- Big 12 Academic Honor Roll (six times)
• Graduated #7 in his high school class
• NCAA All-American in the 400 Meter hurdles -- as a freshman -- world class hurdler
• And, he's probably the best interview in college football -- A CLASS ACT!

Can you imagine this young man in a GOLD HELMET -- running Brian Kelly's offense and representing the University of Notre Dame?   IT WOULD BE OFF THE CHARTS!

Here's a link to a highlight video:  GRIFFIN III FOR HEISMAN!

ESPN calls him the: MOST INTERESTING MAN IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Mark Bavaro -- NY Giants' "RING OF HONOR"

Former University of Notre Dame All American tight end Mark Bavaro, will be enshrined in the New York Giants' "Ring of Honor" during Sunday's game against the Packers.

This week, Bavaro was a guest on the Nick & Artie Show (just click on the link and scroll down to the interview).  Congratulations Mark!

LINK:  MARK BAVARO RADIO INTERVIEW

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  GIANTS VIDEO TRIBUTE TO BAVARO

Taylor Dever -- Life Long Notre Dame Fan...

The University of Notre Dame's starting right tackle, Taylor Dever -- granted an interview to a paper from his hometown in Northern California.  After reading this story -- ND fans will be rooting for #75!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FAN -- NOW NOTRE DAME MAN

NOTRE DAME OFFENSE: Last Three Seasons

Here's how the Fighting Irish rank amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- FOR THE 2011 SEASON -- and how this season compares to ND's final rankings for 2010 and 2009.  You'll also find the 2011 NCAA leader in each category.

OFFENSIVE TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs:  2011 Season:  23.92 first downs -- ranked #19 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Baylor with an average of 29.09 first downs per game. 

Third Down Conversions:  2011 Season:  46.54% -- ranked #23 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Wisconsin with a 55.24% third down conversion rate. 

Passing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 Season:  7.1 yards per passing attempt -- ranked #62 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Georgia Tech averaging 11.3 yards per pass attempt. 

  

Passing Yardage:  2011 Season:  258.08 yards per game -- ranked #34 in the country.  2010 Rank #29 with 257 yards per game -- in 2009 we passed for 323 yards per game, ranking us #7.  2011 NCAA Leader:  University of Houston averaging 449.67 passing yards per game.  

Rushing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 Season:  5.0 yards per attempt -- ranked #22 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Oregon averaging 6.5 yards per rushing attempt. 

Rushing Yardage:  2011 Season:  166 rushing yards per game -- ranked #51 in the country.  2010 Rank #97 with 121 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we rushed for 127 yards per game, ranking us #88.  2011 NCAA Leader:  U.S. Military Academy averaging 350.91 rushing yards per game. 

Most QB Sacks Given Up:  2011 Season:  13 sacks given up -- ranked #19 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Oklahoma giving up 6 sacks this season. 

Fewest Pass Interceptions Thrown: 2011 Season:  14 interceptions thrown -- ranked #98.  2010 Rank #105 having thrown 16 pass interceptions -- in 2009 we threw 5 interceptions for the season, raking us #4.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Six schools have thrown only 4 interceptions this season; Army, Houston, LSU, Northern Illinois, Temple & Wisconsin. 

Fewest Fumbles Lost:  2011 Season:  12 fumbles lost -- ranked #83 in the country.  2010 Rank #31 having lost 8 fumbles -- in 2009 we lost 9 fumbles for the season ranking us #39.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Four schools lost only 4 fumbles for the season; Alabama, Wisconsin, LSU and Wake Forest.

Fewest  Turnovers Lost:  2011 Season:  26 turnovers lost -- ranked #103 in the country.  2010 Rank #84 with 24 turnovers lost -- in 2009 we had 14 turnovers for the season, ranking us #7.  2011 NCAA Leaders:  LSU and Wisconsin -- each with 8 turnovers lost.

Total Offense:  2011 Season:  424.08 yards per game -- ranked #33 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  University of Houston with 613.25 yards per game in total offense. 

Points Per Game:  2011 Season:  30.5 points per game -- ranked #41 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  University of Houston averaging 52.67 points per game. 

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TEAM STATISTICS

Fewest Penalty Yards:  2011 Season:  729 penalty yards -- ranked #93 in the country.  2010 Rank #25 with 511 yards in penalties -- in 2009 we had 666 yards in penalties, ranking us #60.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Naval Academy with only 230 penalty yards.

Net Punting Yards:  2011 Season:  34.04 net yards per game -- ranked #104 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Florida State averaging 42.04 net yards per punt.

Field Goals Made:  2011 Season:  10 field goals made -- ranked #78 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.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Texas A&M with 25 field goals made this season.

Golden Tate -- We've Seen This Before!

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate -- made a great TD catch last night in the Seahawks' win over the "dream team" in Philadelphia.  Here's a link...

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE'S GREAT CATCH

A New Light Shines on ND's Touchdown Jesus!

The folks at the University of Notre Dame's Office of Sustainability were kind enough to send me this "before & after" shot of the world famous campus landmark.

The Word Of Life mural -- AKA "Touchdown Jesus" -- looks a little brighter these days thanks to their efforts.  As a bonus, Notre Dame uses less power and saves money...

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  BRINGING LIGHT TO ND!