Last Spring Practice for Notre Dame Football

Today was the 14th and last practice of the 2012 Spring Football season as the IRISH get ready for Saturday's 83rd annual BLUE GOLD GAME.  Coach Kelly announced that Saturday's game will be an Offense vs. Defense scrimmage with the following scoring system:

• Defense will score 7 points if it "turns over" the Offense on the "defensive" side of the 50
• Defense will score 3 points if it "turns over" the Offense on the "offensive" side of the 50
• Defense will score 4 points if it "stops" the Offense on the "defensive" side of the 50
• Defense will score 2 points if it "stops" the Offense on the "offensive" side of the 50
• Defense will score 1 point if it "holds" the Offense to a field goal
• Offense will score like they usually do in a regular game

Here's a link to the UND.COM coverage from today:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

LINK:  LOUIS NIX INTERVIEW

LINK:  DAVARIS DANIELS & GEORGE ATKINSON INTERVIEW

Intercollegiate Robotics Football This Friday!

Notre Dame fans -- if you're coming to campus this weekend for the BLUE GOLD GAME -- here's something you can see that truly is a NOTRE DAME FIRST!

The University of Notre Dame Robotics Team will be taking on the Polar Bears from Ohio Northern in the first-ever Intercollegiate Mechatronic Blue Gold Football Game.  The kick-off is scheduled for 7 PM ET at the Stepan Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Here's Coach Kelly talkin' about Friday's big game!

LINK:  FIRST INTERCOLLEGIATE ROBOTIC FOOTBALL GAME!

Men's Basketball -- Celebrates a Great Season!

I received an email from ND GO IRISH BLOG newcomer Kelly Hoferth telling me that I wasn't paying enough attention to the Men's Basketball Team.  She went on to ask why I didn't post the link to AN EVENING WITH THE IRISH.  So, to keep Kelly happy -- here's that link!

LINK:  AN EVENING WITH THE IRISH

9 AM ET Kickoff for FIGHTING IRISH in Ireland

It was announced today that the 125th Anniversary season of Notre Dame Football will kick-off at 2 PM in Dublin, Ireland -- that's 9 AM ET in South Bend and 6 AM PT in California -- on Saturday, September 1st.  

AN IRISH WAKE-UP CALL for the Notre Dame Family!

The Notre Dame vs. Navy game will be televised by CBS with Vern Lundquist and Gary Danielson calling the action. 

IRISH fans who make the trek to Ireland for the game might like the fact that there are 69 bars inside Dublin's Aviva Stadium that can "pour a pint in less than 4 seconds..."

Here's a couple of videos of the stadium:

LINK:  TOUR OF AVIVA STADIUM

LINK:  AERIAL VIDEO OF AVIVA STADIUM

Notre Dame to Award Eleven Honorary Degrees!

 

The list includes a television exec, mathematician, an archbishop, lawyer, soft-drink CEO, oilman, a provincial superior, university president, former ND dean, a humanitarian and a former Irish athlete. 

Here's the official release from the University of Notre Dame of the individuals to receive an Honorary Degree at the 2012 Commencement:

LINK:  HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS -- UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

ND's Bill Scholl '79 Hired as Ball State AD!

Ball State University announced today the hiring of Bill Scholl '79 as their new Athletic Director.  Scholl, the former Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Notre Dame, leaves the IRISH after serving 23 years in its athletic department.  Congratulations Bill!

LINK:  BALL STATE HIRES ND ALUM

LINK:  THE STAR PRESS

Notre Dame QB Update...

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media interviewed the Notre Dame football coaching staff about the QB position at ND -- and the players themselves...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME QUARTERBACK POSITION

Natalive Novosel Selected Eighth Overall!

The University of Notre Dame's Natalie Novosel -- who looks quite sharp in her new hair style -- was selected eighth overall today in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics.  Natalie is just the third player EVER in ND Women's basketball history to be drafted in the top ten!  Congratulations Natalie!

LINK:  WNBA DRAFT COVERAGE

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST STORY 

LINK:  ESPNW STORY 

LINK:  WNDU STORY

Devereaux Peters Goes Third Overall in Draft!

The WNBA held their 2012 Draft today and University of Notre Dame senior Devereaux Peters went third overall to the Minnesota Lynx.  The highest ever draft position for a ND women's basketball player!  Congratulations Devereaux!  Here's a link to the coverage:

LINK:  VIDEO OF DRAFT SELECTION

LINK:  WNBA DRAFT COVERAGE

LINK:  PIONEER PRESS COVERAGE 

LINK:  WNBA Q&A WITH DEVEREAUX 

LINK:  WNDU STORY

Final Week of Spring Practice @ Notre Dame!

The 83rd Annual Blue Gold Game is just five days away and I've got my fingers crossed that the weather man will cooperate!  Here's a link to a couple of video segments coming from today's practice and Saturdays -- thought you would enjoy.

LINK:  MONDAY'S PRACTICE VIDEO

LINK  SATURDAY'S PRACTICE VIDEO

ND Alum Kuczora '05 Ordained a Priest!

It was a special afternoon yesterday at the University of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart -- when Matt Kuczora (ND Class of 2005) was ordained a Holy Cross Priest. 

The two hour Liturgy of Ordination to the Presbyterate was a special experience for all who attended.  I caught a little video outside of the Basilica as "Fr. Matt" blessed his brothers in the priesthood -- see link below.

Father Kuczora will celebrate his first Mass, a Mass of Thanksgiving, today at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 11:45 AM ET.  If you'd like to watch the mass online -- LIVE -- click on the link below.

Nothing like stepping up into the "big leagues" on your second day on the job! 


LINK:  ORDINATION TO THE PRESBYTERATE 

LINK:  WATCH FR. KUCZORA'S FIRST MASS -- LIVE RIGHT HERE!

Celebrating a Championship Season & Class

Muffet's Fightin' Irish held their season ending celebration this past week -- and the Big East Champions and National Championship Finalists went out in style.  Notre Dame's four graduating seniors each took a turn at the podium, you'll enjoy what they had to say.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos linked below -- it's MUST SEE -- the parents' video will make you cry!

LINK:  SEASON HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  SENIOR PARENTS' VIDEO -- TISSUE ALERT!

LINK:  NATALIE NOVOSEL VIDEO

LINK:  FRADERCIA MILLER VIDEO

LINK:  DEVEREAUX PETERS VIDEO

LINK:  BRITTANY MALLORY VIDEO

ND Women's Softball -- Striking Out Cancer!

It's a special weekend in South Bend -- the Notre Dame women's softball program is honoring their coach's six-year old daughter Tatum Gumpf, who was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago.  All proceeds from their STRIKE OUT CANCER series with Syracuse this weekend -- will go to the Memorial Children's Hospital Pediatric Oncology Clinic.

The great news -- Tatum (pictured) is on her way to a full recovery.  GO TATUM & GO IRISH!

LINK:  STRIKE OUT CANCER

Two of the Top Football Games in 2012...

Yahoo! Sports ranked the top 12 non-conference college football games for the upcoming 2012 season and two of their top four matchups -- involve the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame.  Any thoughts on what two games their most looking forward to?  You might be surprised...

LINK:  TOP NON-CONFERENCE GAMES IN 2012

ND Fans, We Need to Vote for Kevin Randall!

University of Notre Dame senior Kevin Randall -- a captain on the Fighting Irish Men's Lacrosse Team is up for the Lowe's Senior Class Award.  He needs our VOTE -- so please click on the link below!

LINK:  VOTE FOR KEVIN RANDALL!

Notre Dame Back @ Football Practice Today!

It was practice #10 and the Fighting Irish were back on the field after a long Easter break for the team.  The folks at UND.COM featured the outside receivers in this report -- you'll enjoy!

LINK:  SPRING PRACTICE #10 AT NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame Magazine's Fashion Issue...

Kerry Temple & company broke from "tradition" this month to publish a FASHION issue (for the first time) of Notre Dame magazine -- THANK YOU! Great stories, great photography -- a FUN issue!

If you're a fan of Notre Dame and not a subscriber -- you're missing out.  It's the finest college magazine in the world.  Here's a link to their site:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME MAGAZINE

The Fourth Toughest Schedule in College FB!

Notre Dame's 2012 football schedule has been ranked as one of the toughest in all of college football by college football guru Phil Steele.  Here's a link to his rankings.  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular and my uncle R.J. Doyle -- for bringing this to my attention!

LINK:  PHIL STEELE RANKINGS

A Star in the Making! ND's Scott Booker...

RecruIting guru Tom Lemming was interviewed this week by the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen -- and he was asked about the recruiting prowess of Notre Dame football assistant coach Scott Booker.  Irish fans will enjoy what he had to say:

LINK:  A STAR IN THE MAKING

Can You Win a National Championship Clean?

 

With the breaking story today that Baylor's women's basketball team (men as well) is under investigation for recruiting violations and you look back at most of the recent National Championship teams or runners-up; USC, Auburn, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, UCONN, Kentucky, etc., (football and basketball) -- it seems like the constant is this -- they ALL break the rules...

Kind of sad isn't it -- especially if you're a program that makes an effort to do the right thing.

Case in point -- I witnessed something I found kind of odd a couple of weeks ago on the University of Notre Dame campus.

A football assistant coach stopped his car on the edge of campus and out hopped a four-star recruit with his parents and I watch them hug and say good-bye.  And, then the parents and recruit "walk across the street (Angela / Edison) to their hotel (Fairfield Inn & Suites) -- apparently there must be a rule that says you can't transport recruits off campus during an unofficial visit.  

Would it have been a big-deal for that coach to drive another 75 feet across the road to the hotel and drop them off?  Probably not if you're at an institution that doesn't follow the rules -- or makes its own.  Obviously, this coach was doing the right thing -- per the NCAA and Notre Dame.


Remember, they say "character" is best defined as what you do when no one is watching you.

LINK:  BAYLOR UNDER INVESTIGATION

Former Notre Dame QB Blair Kiel -- RIP

Blair Kiel, who started at QB for the IRISH in 1980 as a freshman -- passed away today at the age of 50.  Kiel, one of the very few to ever be a four-year starter at QB for Notre Dame -- went on to play seven season in the NFL for Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and Green Bay.

Blair's nephew Gunner Kiel, is a member of the ND football program.  A sad day for the Kiel family.  A life lost way too soon.

LINK:  BLAIR KIEL RIP

Jeff Samardzija Pitches Cubs to First Win!

The former two-star IRISH standout started his first game in seventeen months today at Wrigley and Cub fans everywhere are probably wondering WHY!

Samardzija pitched 8 2/3 innings allowing three runs on four hits (with eight strikeouts) -- as the Cubs win their first game of the 2012 season 4 - 3 over the Washington Nationals.

LINK:  FORMER IRISH STAR LEADS CUBS TO FIRST WIN!

Easter Mass -- Live From Notre Dame!

Easter Mass from the University of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart can be seen live this morning at 10:00 AM ET and again at 11:45 AM ET.  Photo courtesy of Matt Cashore and ND Photoshelter.

LINK:  WATCH EASTER MASS -- LIVE AT 10 AM ET

LINK:  WATCH EASTER MASS -- LIVE AT 11:45 AM ET

The Shark Gets His First Start Today for Cubs!

Former Notre Dame All-American football player Jeff Samardzija makes his first start for the Cubs since September 2010 today at Wrigley Field against the Washington Nationals.

The Cubs are 0 - 2 after two games -- one of four teams in the National League who haven't won a game yet this season.

Jeff is coming off a very positive spring earning a spot in the Cubbies starting rotation.  Good luck SHARK!

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

ESPN Sport Science Tests Michael Floyd

 

Irish football fans -- you'll enjoy this!  The good folks at Sport Science did some "testing" of former Notre Dame football star Michael Floyd.  Here you go!  Special thanks to "converted" ND fan, Travis Mather for alerting me to this story:

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD ON SPORT SCIENCE

Today We're All Bulldogs! BEAT BC!

 

It's truly a "David vs. Goliath" battle tonight in Tampa, FL when #1 seed Boston College will take on Ferris State University in the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey National Championship game.  The game starts at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.

Now, I know it's not too difficult for Notre Dame fans to root against that school in Chestnut Hill.  Then for good measure, you add in the fact that my wife Susan and I and many of our family members are Ferris alums -- and, it becomes quite obvious who the Small / Doyle / Sweeney clan will be rooting for this evening.

To get the Ferris State faithful ready -- here's a sneak preview of head coach Bob Daniels' pre-game pep talk to the Bulldogs: 

LINK:  GREATEST PRE-GAME PEP TALK OF ALL TIME!

LINK:  ESPN GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  ESPN #2

GO BULLDOGS!

Notre Dame's Atkinson Brothers: ESPN Story

 

George and Josh Atkinson were the focus of an ESPN story yesterday.  Thought IRISH fans would enjoy reading about these two young men.

LINK:  THE BROTHERS ATKINSON

Irish Fans, Root for the Ferris Bulldogs Today!

This is OFF TOPIC I know -- but, the "Harvard of the North" (AKA) Ferris State University is playing today in the NCAA Frozen Four Semi-Finals against Union College.

Ferris, which is best known for its Pharmacy and Optometry schools -- also happens to be my alma mater.  So, at 4:30 PM ET today on ESPN -- you can be sure to know that I'll be rooting for the BULLDOGS -- and I'm asking the entire Notre Dame family to do the same!

Today we're all BULLDOGS!

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS STORY

ESPN Does Muffet Wrong...

It's a shame that ESPN decided to take a Muffet McGraw comment last night about the great play of Brittney Griner -- OUT OF CONTEXT -- and make a story out of it.

Muffet McGraw is CLASS personified on and off the court.  ESPN did her wrong -- big time.

LINK:  MUFFET ISSUES STATEMENT

The Mornin' After a GREAT SEASON!

 

It is what it is...

We did not play our best game last night and Baylor was better.  However, that does not diminish the two-year run our women's basketball program has had.  INCREDIBLE!

Be sure the watch the ENTIRE highlights video below -- specifically Fraderica Miller's locker room interview.  Kind of puts into perspective the honor and privilege to wear the Notre Dame uniform.

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

The FINAL Story: What Could Go Wrong...

 

Folks, it wasn't the end we all had hoped for Muffet's gang...

The Baylor Bears proved to be too much to handle -- and our IRISH didn't do itself many favors.  Final score; 80 - 61.

Here's what went wrong for the good girls:

• Devereaux's foul trouble -- on the bench for 25 of the 40 minutes
• Natalie's tough night -- 0 for 11 from the field
• Foul disparity:  Irish had five players with 3 fouls or more -- Baylor, just two players with 3 or more
• Poor shooting -- Irish shot 35% from the field as a team
• And, Baylor's dominance on the boards and their MANY second chance points 

Our seniors; Fraderica Miller, Brittany Mallory, Natalie Novosel and Devereaux Peters graduate with 117 career wins -- most for any class in Notre Dame history.  

We're very proud of the BACK TO BACK National Runner-Up finishes for our women's basketball program.  CONGRATULATIONS!

Here's three links to videos taken from Purcell Pavillion -- where more than 1,000 Notre Dame fans (photo above) turned out tonight to cheer on the IRISH!

LINK:  NATIONAL ANTHEM -- NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

LINK:  PLAYER INTRODUCTIONS -- NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 

LINK:  ESPN GAME INTRO -- NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 

Notre Dame's NFL Pro Day: 27 NFL Teams

Nine "former" Notre Dame football players were on display today in front of scouts and general managers from 27 NFL teams -- as well as former Irish QB Jimmy Clausen who threw to his former teammates.  Rumor has it that Robert Blanton, Darius Fleming and Trevor Robinson turned some heads today with their performances.


Blanton and Fleming both ran 4.5 forty's and Robinson lifted 225 lbs. thirty-one (31) times!

I did a search on YouTube and found a number of videos from today's ND -- NFL PRO DAY, linked below:

LINK:  VIDEO OF WORKOUT

LINK:  NBC'S MIKE MAYOCK

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD

LINK:  JONAS GRAY

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING

LINK:  TAYLOR DEVER

LINK:  JIMMY CLAUSEN

Skylars' Last Blog Entry Before the BIG GAME!

The folks at ESPNW worked out an agreement with the University of Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins to post a blog during this NCAA Tournament run for the IRISH.  Last night -- Skylar posted a piece for the blog from her hotel room.  ENJOY!

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGIN'S BLOG

A Notre Dame STUDENT-Athlete is Special!

 

A story broke today that one of the top defensive backs in the upcoming NFL Draft scored a "4" on the Wonderlic Test.  The annual test given to top college football players to assess their intelligence.   

If you've never taken the Wonderlic before -- you should!  See the link below.

When I hear stories about players moving into the NFL who can't read, write or who score very poorly on the Wonderlic -- I think EXPLOITATION.

Universities should TEACH ALL of their students.

The photo above is of Chris Stewart '11, who was enrolled in Law School at Notre Dame -- and a starting offensive guard -- during his last season with the Fighting Irish.

LINK:  A SCORE OF 4 ON THE WONDERLIC TEST

LINK:  TAKE THE WONDERLIC TEST

FINAL FOUR: And Then There Were Two...

 

The road ends tonight in Denver.  There are 119 teams in Division I basketball and the two left standing are going to tip it off at 8:30 PM ET in front of a national TV audience on ESPN.

It's THE TEAM vs. THE INDIVIDUAL -- as the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on 6'-8" Brittney Griner and her 7'-4" wingspan...

It's the best TEAM (NOTRE DAME) in women's college basketball versus the best INDIVIDUAL (Griner) in women's college basketball.  I'll take a TEAM over an INDIVIDUAL every time...

We're less than TEN HOURS away from game time.  GO IRISH!

Here's a few links to the latest talk about tonight's National Championship game:

LINK:  DENVER POST #1

LINK:  DENVER POST #2

LINK:  DENVER POST #3

LINK:  DALLAS MORNING NEWS

LINK:  ESPN #1

LINK:  ESPN #2

LINK:  ESPN #3

LINK:  ESPN #4

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

FACT: Baylor Had Trouble Guarding the Irish

Folks, the story that hasn't been told is this -- Notre Dame went into Baylor's gym back in November and scored 81 points -- without Natalie Achonwa even scoring a point -- she only played 12 minutes, she wasn't in the main rotation back then.   

Unfortunately, the Irish gave up 94 that day...

Fact:  The IRISH scored the most points against Baylor this season -- no other team scored more than 68.   And, Notre Dame shot only 38% from the floor (only 3 - 18 from 3pt.) that night.

Fact:  The IRISH were within one point in the second half 56 -55 with 13 minutes to play -- only to see the Bears go on a 14 - 3 run to extend their lead by 12 points with 9 minutes to go.  A four-minute lapse by the IRISH cost them this game...

Fact:  The IRISH have played 24 games in 2012 and they have not given up more than 70 points in regulation time to any opponent.  The IRISH defense has vastly improved since November!

The "experts" have not been telling this story -- this is going to be a great game.  It's the most dominant offensive TEAM in women's basketball against the most dominant defensive INDIVIDUAL in women's basketball.

THE TEAM vs. THE INDIVIDUAL

Don't count out the IRISH!

HAVE FAITH!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S MONDAY PRESS CONFERENCE 

LINK:  MUFFET'S MONDAY PRESS CONFERENCE 

LINK:  NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Notre Dame Super Fan Wins Volvo!

Her name is Lisa Kelly '93 and she's a die-hard Notre Dame fan and now the proud owner of a Volvo S60 -- courtesy of VOLVO after being named the BIGGEST FAN of the BIG EAST!  Here's a link to the video and Lisa' blog:

LINK:  BIG EAST'S BIGGEST FAN!

LINK:  LISA KELLY'S BLOG

ESPN Experts Give ND NO CHANCE Tomorrow!

If Notre Dame wasn't already in Denver -- the NCAA might have just given the National Championship last night to Baylor...

So says seven of the "experts" at ESPN who selected Baylor today to defeat the IRISH tomorrow night.

Ironically, this is the FOURTH time many of these experts have picked against Notre Dame this tournament.  First they thought California would beat the Irish, then it was Maryland, then it was UCONN and surprise, surprise now it is Baylor's turn to beat Muffet's girls.

Note to experts - BAYLOR has yet to meet the WILL of the IRISH.  They "will" tomorrow night.  It's going to be fun!

LINK:  ESPN EXPERTS PICK THE NATIONAL CHAMP

LINK:  ESPN PREVIEWS THE MATCHUP

Nineteen Days to the Blue Gold Game!

Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish held their first "April Practice" of the 2012 Spring Football season this morning (April 2) at the LaBar Practice Complex.  And, our friends at Fighting Irish Digital Media were in attendance -- here's their report:

LINK:  FOOTBALL PRACTICE REPORT

The Rebound & Put-Back That Saved a Season!

 

This photo sequence will undoubtedly be framed in the Novosel household for the rest of time...

In the top photo -- Notre Dame senior Natalie "Nasty" Novosel -- is in position to grab an offensive rebound.  In the middle photo, Natalie is grabbing the rebound.  And, in the bottom photo, Natalie has already let loose of the shot off the backboard -- awaiting it to fall in.

Natalie made the put-back with 4.6 seconds left on the clock to put the game into OT!

The rebound and put-back that saved Notre Dame's season!

The Mornin' After Irish Win Over UCONN

Notre Dame fans all over the world had to wake up this morning with a smile on their face -- the guy in this photo, probably did not...

THE IRISH ADVANCE IN THE FINAL FOUR TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!

Muffet's Fightin' Irish decided it was so much fun beating Auriemma's gang last night -- that they thought "why not five more minutes of this!"

Here's the UND.COM coverage of the celebration "after the game" and a look around the worldwide web this morning, with what the media has to say about ND's big win:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME POST GAME CELEBRATION

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN #1

LINK:  ESPN #2

LINK:  ESPN #3

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #1

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #2

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT BLOG

LINK:  DENVER POST

LINK:  THE DAILY CAMPUS -- UCONN STUDENT NEWSPAPER

LINK:  THE OBSERVER -- NOTRE DAME STUDENT NEWSPAPER

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #3

LINK:  WNDU-TV

PHOTO OF THE DAY: IRISH ADVANCE!

This picture of Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins and Devereaux Peters -- says it all.

Brittany Mallory -- She's ALL IRISH!!!

She takes the toughest defensive assignment every night and she doesn't earn the national acclaim of her teammates -- yet, over a four minute span tonight -- Brittany Mallory was the greatest female basketball player on the planet!

I am so happy for Brittany and her family!

Notre Dame in National Championship Game!

It took 45 minutes -- but the IRISH are in the National Championship game for the second straight year!!!!

Notre Dame beat UCONN 83 - 75 behind Brittany Mallory and Skylar Diggin's heroics in OT!

It's the first time a Geno Auriemma UCONN team has ever lost three games to one team in the same season.  And, for the second straight year -- Muffet's Irish take out UCONN in the National Semi-Final.

That is FOUR WINS OVER UCONN IN THE LAST FIVE GAMES -- but who's counting!

(Photo above is of Natalie Novosel's rebound before her HUGE put-back bucket with 4 seconds left to take the game into overtime)

GREAT JOB IRISH!!!

LINK:  ESPN POST GAME COVERAGE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE  

LINK:  NCAA POST GAME COVERAGE

Jimmy Clausen Returns Home for NFL Pro Day

Nine former Notre Dame football players will perform this Tuesday on campus -- in front of scouts from every team in the NFL -- at the NOTRE DAME NFL PRO DAY.

Word on the street is Jimmy Clausen has returned to campus to throw passes to his former teammates in front of the scouts.  Clausen just might be doing this for his own good as well -- hoping to get out of Carolina...

Here's the story:

LINK:  NFL PRO DAY @ NOTRE DAME

Third Photo "Tweeted" from Final Four!

 

The Irish will be in their home WHITE jerseys tonight signifying that the NCAA Tournament Committee had ranked Notre Dame as the #2 overall team.  Photo "tweeted" by @ndwbb

Video of Irish Departing Hotel for Game!

Here's some video just "tweeted" of the IRISH leaving their hotel for their FINAL FOUR game against that school from Storrs, CT. 

AWESOME!

LINK:  IRISH LEAVE FOR ARENA