FOOTBALL Game Day @ Notre Dame!

It's the best day of the week -- a Football Saturday on the campus of the University of Notre Dame!

To get us prepared for today's 3:37 PM ET kick-off with the Cougars of Brigham Young University -- I've taken the liberty of doing some homework on what the local and national media has to say about today's game.  It's going to be a battle!

LINK:  ESPN NOTRE DAME BLOG

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Notre Dame Pep Rally This Evening!

The University of Notre Dame held its traditional Pep Rally tonight -- before tomorrow afternoon's game with BYU.  Just click on the link below to watch the video:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PEP RALLY

Photo of the Day: Ted & Jan Eberle

ND GO IRISH BLOG regulars; Ted and Jan Eberle (KANSAS) were on campus today for the BYU football game this weekend.

They were meeting this afternoon with two of my colleagues, Aaron Fricke and Michelle Shakour.  Aaron came by my office to let me know that Ted and Jan were just down the hall -- so I had to run over and get a photo of these two IRISH super-fans!

Manti Te'o -- Notre Dame's Strong of Heart

Folks, you need to find time to watch this video about Manti Te'o -- sharing his life story.  You're going to fall in love with the Te'o family.

LINK:  STRONG OF HEART

BYU Media Looks at Game With Notre Dame

Took a lap around the media sites that follow the BYU Cougars to see what they're saying about Saturday's game with our Fighting Irish.  Notre Dame fans -- this will get you ready for tomorrow's game.  Click on the links below:

LINK:  DAILY HERALD -- COUGAR BLUE

LINK:  DESERET NEWS #1

LINK:  DESERET NEWS #2

LINK:  DESERET NEWS #3

LINK:  HERALD EXTRA

Protect This House Friday -- BYU WEEK

The good folks at Turning Point produced another Notre Dame Football video this morning -- you'll enjoy it!  THIS IS GREAT!!!

LINK:  PROTECT THIS HOUSE

Coach Kelly's Last Media Session Before BYU

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after practice -- as the Irish gear up to play BYU this Saturday.  Here's a link to the replay:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

Know Thy Opponent: BYU Coach Talks Irish

He's got one of the great first names in college football "BRONCO" Mendenhall -- and he's the coach of the BYU Cougars.  Earlier in the week, Coach Mendenhall met with the media after practice:

LINK:  BRONCO MENDENHALL TALKS IRISH

Jimmy Clausen Back @ Notre Dame Stadium

This past Saturday -- former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen was back "home" -- standing on the sidelines during the IRISH's OT victory over Stanford. 

During the game -- Jimmy "tweeted" this photo from Notre Dame Stadium with his girlfriend (former USC student-athlete) Jess Gysin.

Two Big Ten AD's Talk About Notre Dame Today

Michigan's Dave Brandon and Michigan State's Mark Hollis met with the media and their respective alums today at the Detroit Athletic Club to talk about Saturday's football game -- yet, Notre Dame was on the minds of both school's and their fan bases.

Here's a link to what these two Athletic Directors had to say about future scheduling plans with the IRISH:

LINK:  THEY TALK ABOUT THE IRISH

Coaches Hoops Poll -- Notre Dame Men #23

Mike Brey returns one of the deepest teams in recent memory -- and the Fighting Irish got a "little" respect today with a #23 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll.  Another school in Indiana is ranked #1 -- I didn't see that coming!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME AMONG THE TOP 25!

"One of the best interviews..." -- Jim Rome

Notre Dame's All-American linebacker Manti Teo was a guest today on Jim Rome's show -- and Rome called this "one of the best interviews in a long time..."

You decide for yourself!

LINK:  MANTI TEO ON JIM ROME

Ty Willingham is NOT Coaching Women's Golf...

A story broke, in the past day, that former Notre Dame football coach Tyrone Willingham was an assistant golf coach for Stanford's women's team.  Well, it's now being reported that he's "no longer" serving in an "un-official" capacity with this team.  Apparently Coach Willingham was working with the women's golf team -- until their head coach left in May.

LINK:  COACH WILLINGHAM

BYU Week: Coach Kelly Press Conference

University of Notre Dame's head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today to discuss his team's preparation for Saturday's game with BYU.  Here's a link to the press conference:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH MEDIA

Notre Dame Walk-On Pens Autobiography

His name is Charles Thomas, Jr -- a 2002 graduate of the University of Notre Dame -- who grew up on the streets of Flint, MI.  This past Saturday Charles (a former walk-on with the Irish basketball team) was back "home" signing his book.

Click on the link below if you'd like to buy a copy!

LINK:  BUY THE BOOK HERE!

Last Play Saturday Night -- Looks Like Elbow...

The last play of Overtime in Saturday's game between Stanford and Notre Dame is still being talked about today.

Here's a little video "above" of the Stanford ball carrier -- "appearing" -- to have his left elbow hit the ground before pushing the ball over the line.

Now, this video picks up after the PAC 12 referees HAD ALREADY RULED he had been stopped from "forward progress" -- seconds earlier in the backfield.

ND's Chief Investment Officer on CNBC Today!

The head of Notre Dame's top performing Investment Office was a guest on CNBC's Squawk Box this morning talking about the school's endowment -- and surprise, surprise, -- Notre Dame football.

LINK:  SCOTT MALPASS TALKIN' INVESTING

New York Times Story on ND's Manti Teo

Notre Dame fans will enjoy reading this story about their All-American linebacker!

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES STORY

BCS Rankings Just Released -- IRISH #5

The Bowl Championship Subdivision released its first rankings and the Fighting Irish are sitting at #5.

The computers have NOTRE DAME ranked #2 -- the humans do not...

BCS RANKINGS -- TOP TEN

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Oregon
4. Kansas State
5. NOTRE DAME
6. LSU
7. South Carolina
8. Oregon State
9. Oklahoma
10. USC

LINK:  BCS STANDINGS -- OFFICIAL SITE

"We'll Know Tuesday on Status" -- Coach Kelly

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today -- via teleconference -- to talk about yesterday's OT win over Stanford.  The first two questions were about the status of injured Irish QB Everett Golson for the BYU game -- and the process Notre Dame goes through treating players with concussions...


Click on the link below for the answer to these and many other questions:

LINK:  COACH KELLY MEDIA SESSION -- SUNDAY

Notre Dame Moves Up to #5 in Major Polls

The Associated Press and Coaches Poll were released this afternoon and our Notre Dame Fightin' Irish are ranked #5 in both.  If you look at the "strength of schedules" for the teams ranked ahead of Notre Dame -- you'll find the IRISH are the only team who has beaten three "ranked opponents" this season.

YEAH, AND WE'RE STILL RANKED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS GROUP...

Here are the teams ahead of Notre Dame in the polls and who they've beaten this season and their opponent's ranking at the time:

#1  Alabama

• #8 Michigan:  41 - 14
• Western Kentucky:  35 - 0
• Arkansas:  52 - 0
• Florida Atlantic:  40 - 7
• Ole' Miss:  33 - 14
• Missouri:  42 - 10

 #2  Oregon

• Arkansas State:  57 - 34
• Fresno State:  42 - 35
• Tennessee Tech:  63 - 14
• #22 Arizona:  49 - 0
• Washington State:  52 - 6
• #23 Washington:  52 - 21

#3  Kansas State

• Missouri State:  51 - 9
• Miami:  52 - 13
• North Texas:  35 - 21
• #6 Oklahoma:  24 - 19
• Kansas:  56 - 16
• Iowa State:  27 - 21

#4  Florida

• Bowling Green:  27 - 14
• Texas A&M:  20 - 17
• #23 Tennessee:  37 - 20
• Kentucky:  38 - 0
• #4 LSU:  14 - 6
• Vanderbilt:  31 - 17

#5 NOTRE DAME

• Navy:  50 - 10
• Purdue:  20 - 17
• #10 Michigan State:  20 - 3
• #18 Michigan:  13 - 6
• Miami, FL:  41 - 3
• #17 Stanford:  20 - 13

LINK:  TWO MAJOR POLLS

Louis Nix Interview After Notre Dame's OT Win!

The nose tackle, on the #5 ranked Notre Dame Fightin' Irish, met with the media after last night's OT win over Stanford.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

The Numbers: Stanford vs. Notre Dame & USC

Here are some interesting comparisons between Stanford's performance against Notre Dame and "that school in Los Angeles" -- remember, at the time USC played Stanford -- they had what most media experts thought was the most prolific offense in college football:

OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE:  NOTRE DAME & USC

FIRST DOWNS vs. STANFORD:

• Notre Dame:  19 first downs
• USC:  15 first downs

YARDS RUSHING vs. STANFORD:

• Notre Dame:  150 yards
• USC:  27 yards

TOTAL OFFENSE vs. STANFORD:

• Notre Dame:  334 yards
• USC:  280 yards  

DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE:  NOTRE DAME & USC 

TOTAL DEFENSE vs. STANFORD:

• Notre Dame:  272 yards of offense for Stanford
• USC:  417 yards of offense for Stanford

Inside the Numbers: Notre Dame vs. Stanford

Stanford came into last night's game as the #6 defense in the country against the run.  Here's how Notre Dame's rushing offense stacked up against Stanford -- as compared to their other opponents this season:

• San Jose State:  72 yards rushing
• Duke:  27 yards rushing
• USC:  26 yards rushing
• Washington:  136 yards rushing
• Arizona:  126 yards rushing
• NOTRE DAME:  150 yards rushing

BCS Rankings Released at 8:30 PM ET Today!

Notre Dame fans are going to want to turn their TV sets to ESPN this evening at 8:30 PM ET to watch the BCS release their first rankings of the top teams in the FBS.

I believe we may be surprised (in a good way) with our RANKING.  Stay tuned!

LINK:  BCS RANKINGS RELEASED

ESPN's Lee Corso -- Leprechaun Video

He broke tradition...

Lee Corso had never picked Notre Dame to beat an opponent -- when doing a College Gameday show from the University of Notre Dame campus.  That changed yesterday...

LINK:  CORSO GOES GREEN

NBC'S Notre Dame vs. Stanford Replay

If you'd like to watch Notre Dame beat Stanford 20 - 13 again in OT -- in its entirety -- just click on the link below.

The photo above is what I'm calling the CATCH OF THE YEAR -- folks, the touchdown catch T.J. Jones made on the pass from Tommy Rees in OT was incredible!  

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME vs. STANFORD REPLAY

The Mornin' After -- Notre Dame Goes 6 - 0 !!!

Notre Dame's 20 - 13 OT win is about thirteen hours old -- and my shoes still hold at least a GALLON OF WATER...

As has become tradition here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- we take a lap around the worldwide web to track the reaction to yesterday's football game.  Obviously, the "haters" are pointing the finger at the last call -- "was the Stanford runner down?"  Folks, if your offense can't move 18" in two plays -- with the game on the line -- MOVE ON.

Here's what's being said about Notre Dame's win over Stanford:

LINK:  ESPN'S "WOJO"

LINK:  SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S OBSERVER 

LINK:  NBC NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE #2

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #3

LINK:  ESPN'S NOTRE DAME BLOG 

LINK:  INDY SPORTS LEGENDS 

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES

PHOTO OF THE DAY: #HEISMANTI

HEISMANTI  !!!

Notre Dame vs. Stanford -- CELEBRATION!

You've got to watch this!  Coach Kelly and the IRISH in the locker room at halftime and after the game!!!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. STANFORD

Coach Kelly Post Game Media: Stanford Game

The gang at FIGHTING IRISH DIGITAL MEDIA just knocked out Coach Kelly's press conference after Notre Dame's 20 - 13 OT win over Stanford!

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

The College Football World Will Be Talkin...

Don't be shocked when you see where Notre Dame is ranked tomorrow in the first BCS standings -- when they are released!

NOTRE DAME could very well end up #2 in the BCS standings -- putting us in the "way too early" position to play for the National Championship...

The college football world will be learning three new words tomorrow:  STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE.

GO IRISH!!!

Are We Tough Enough!!! -- YES WE ARE!!!

Just got back to the condo here in South Bend, IN -- and I'm soaking wet -- but, I'm grinning from ear to ear!!!

THAT IS FOUR GAMES IN A ROW AGAINST; MICHIGAN STATE, MICHIGAN, MIAMI AND STANFORD -- WHEN OUR DEFENSE HAS NOT GIVEN UP A TOUCHDOWN!!!

The Fighting Irish held Stanford from scoring from the 18" line on BACK TO BACK PLAYS to win the game 20 - 13 in OT!!!

My two season tickets are in ROW 2 -- next to the TUNNEL -- just fifteen yards or so from that goal line where I sat with my cousin Kevin Sweeney.

What a game!  I'll start posting all of the post-game coverage -- right here -- so keep coming back all night!

LINK:  ESPN -- COACH KELLY PRESSER

LINK:  MATHIAS FARLEY INTERVIEW

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE 

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  MANTI TEO & COACH KELLY -- ON FIELD WITH ALEX FLANAGAN

LINK:  NBC EXPERTS TALK NOTRE DAME'S WIN OVER STANFORD 

LINK:  UND.COM HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHT OF NOTRE DAME'S OT WIN OVER STANFORD

Notre Dame's Pep Rally Tonight: Stanford Game

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media just posted the video from tonight's Notre Dame Pep Rally from Purcell Pavilion.  Manti Teo's family was recognized -- they're apparently in town for the next month.  You'll also see College Gameday's Chris Fowler speak to the crowd.

ENJOY!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PEP RALLY

Coach Kelly on Mike & MIKE This Morning!

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was on ESPN'S Mike & MIKE Show this morning talkin' about his 5 - 0 Fightin' Irish! 

Here's a link to the broadcast:

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON MIKE & MIKE

Protect This House Friday -- Must See Video!

The gang at Turning Point just released their Friday Pump-Up Video.  It's a good-one!

LINK:  PROTECT THIS HOUSE!

The Last 15 Regular Season Games Standings

Folks, this may come as a big surprise to you -- but these are the facts.  Over the last 15 regular season games -- our Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 13 - 2 !!

Only three teams have a better record over this fifteen game period!

Here's how this record stacks up against the other 120 teams in the FBS during the same time span:

#1:  Alabama:  14 - 1
#1:  LSU:  14 - 1
#1:  Oregon:  14 - 1
#4:  NOTRE DAME:  13 - 2
#4:  Stanford:  13 - 2
#4:  South Carolina:  13 - 2
#4:  Boise State:  13 - 2
#4:  TCU:  13 - 2
#4:  Kansas State:  13 - 2
#10:  USC:  12 - 3
#10:  West Virginia:  12 - 3

Notre Dame Basketball Media Day -- TODAY!

The University of Notre Dame's Men's & Women's basketball teams held their respective Media Day's -- today at Purcell Pavilion.

I have to tell you -- I haven't been this excited about Notre Dame basketball in a long time -- it's going to be fun this winter!

Here's a link to the coverage of today's festivities:

LINK:  COACH MUFFET McGRAW'S MEDIA CONFERENCE

LINK:  WOMEN'S TEAM -- PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  COACH BREY'S MEDIA CONFERENCE

LINK:  MEN'S TEAM -- PLAYER INTERVIEWS

College Gameday Setting Up in the Shadow...

...of Touchdown Jesus!

I'm quite sure the gang in Bristol, CT didn't have Notre Dame on their travel schedule just eight weeks ago for the College Gameday show -- but, here they were today -- erecting their stages in between Touchdown Jesus and Notre Dame Stadium.  (see photo above)

The set will get its first activity tomorrow morning when Mike & MIKE air their show from Notre Dame beginning at 6 AM ET Friday morning.  You can tune-in to ESPN2 to watch it LIVE.

Notre Dame #1 in Two BCS Computer Polls!

Two of the six computer rankings of the top teams in college football -- used by the BCS folks -- has NOTRE DAME RANKED #1 in the country!  Alabama is ranked #1 in one of the computer rankings as is Oregon in one and Florida in another.

The sixth computer ranking of top teams has not been released.

This Sunday, the BCS will release its first weekly standings -- which they will be using to pick the National Championship participants.

Going to be interesting!  It just goes to show you how important "strength of schedule" is with these computer rankings.

Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME #1 IN TWO OF THE BCS COMPUTER RANKINGS!

Notre Dame Student on the TODAY Show!

Lindsay Brown walked away from her full-ride soccer scholarship to the University of Notre Dame to pursue her passion...

You will love her story!

LINK:  LINDSAY BROWN

Domer Justin Tuck -- E:60 Interview Subject

Former Notre Dame All-American and two-time Super Bowl Champion Justin Tuck -- was interviewed this evening on ESPN's E:60.  Here's a link to the promotional trailer:

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK

"Halfway Heisman" -- Manti Needs Our Votes!

The folks at Sports Illustrated are at it again -- running their HALFWAY HEISMAN poll for their online readers. 

As of this moment, Notre Dame All-American linebacker Manti Teo is running in 2nd place behind West Virginia's QB Geno Smith.  To vote for Manti, click on the link below!

LINK:  VOTE FOR NOTRE DAME'S MANTI TEO

Brian Kelly's Live Press Conference @ NOON!

If you'd like to watch Coach Kelly's STANFORD WEEK Press Conference LIVE -- it begins shortly at 12:00 PM ET.

LINK:  WATCH THE REPLAY HERE!

Looks Like Brady Quinn Will Start for Chiefs!

It's been a long time coming...

Brady Quinn had not seen the field in his last 38 regular season NFL football games -- think about that.

This past Sunday, Quinn came in for the Chiefs injured starter Matt Cassell and completed all three of his passes for 32 yards.  Cassell, who was knocked out on a vicious hit -- is not expected to be able to play this Sunday, clearing a starting role for Quinn.  Stay tuned!

LINK:  QUINN, LIKELY TO START SUNDAY

FBS National Statistical Rankings: Notre Dame

National Rankings -- here's a quick look at where Notre Dame players, offensive, defensive and special team units stack up amongst the 120 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision after their 41 - 3 win over Miami Saturday:


OFFENSIVE PLAYERS:

Everett Golson

• 70th in completion rate:  60.4%
• 85th in QB rating:  126.5
• 92nd in yards passing:  827 yards
• 98th in Total Offense:  867 yards

George Atkinson III

• 96th in yards rushing per attempt:  9.3 yards 
• 147th in yards rushing:  269 yards

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS:

Stephon Tuitt

• 7th in total QB sacks:  1.2 sacks per game

Bennett Jackson

•  9th in interceptions:  3 interceptions

Manti Teo

• 6th in fumbles recovered per game:  0.4 per game
• 9th in interceptions:  3 interceptions
• 25th in tackles per game:  9.6 per game

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKINGS:

• 9th in turnovers lost:  4 this season 
• 15th in time of possession;  32.52 minutes per game
• 40th in rushing offense per game:  187.4 yards per game
• 43rd in 3rd down efficiency:  42.86%
• 51st in first downs:  22.0 first downs per game
• 61st in scoring offense:  29 points per game
• 83rd in passing offense per game:  211 yards per game

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKINGS:

• 2nd in scoring defense:  7.8 points per game 
• 5th in red zone defense:  Teams score only 58% of the time
• 13th in first downs allowed:  16.0 per game
• 13th in total offense allowed:  290 yards per game
• 16th in turnovers gained:  13 turnovers gained
• 16th in passes intercepted:  8 interceptions
• 17th in rushing defense:  106.8 yards per game
• 20th in QB sacks:  2.8 sacks per game
• 43rd in passing defense:  195 yards per game

TEAM RANKINGS:

• 7th in turnover margin:  +1.8 per game
• 23rd in fewest penalty yards per game:  39.17 yards
• 26th in net punting:  39.7 yards per punt
• 41st in fewest penalties per game:  5.4 penalties 
• 84th in kick off return yards:  19.83 per kick-off return
• 100th in kick off return defense:  24.11 yards per kick-off return
• 104th in punt return yards:  3.5 yards per punt return

Irish Move Up to #7 in the National Rankings

Notre Dame's 41 - 3 victory last night over Miami moved up the IRISH to #7 in the Associated Press rankings this week.

The link below shows all of the AP writers and who they voted for.


LINK:  AP POLL -- HOW THE WRITERS VOTED

College Gameday's Interview of Manti Teo

Folks, if this doesn't move you to tears...

LINK:  MANTI TEO INTERVIEW


FYI:  ESPN's College Gameday will be at Notre Dame next weekend -- first time in a long time.

Post Game Locker Room: ND Beats Miami!

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media outdid themselves this evening -- knocking out this video of Notre Dame's post game celebration after the 41 - 3 win over Miami.  You'll enjoy seeing Manti hugging Jack Swarbrick and Fr. John Jenkins...

Good stuff here!

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION -- NOTRE DAME LOCKER ROOM

Quick Reaction: Notre Dame Rolls Miami!

41 to 3...

Didn't see this coming.

• 12 Quarters of football against Michigan State, Michigan and Miami and NO TD's given up!
• Almost 400 yards of rushing - 376 to be exact -- the most in 12 seasons!
• 587 yards of total offense
• No punts in the second half
• DOMINATION!

Here's a quick look at what the media has to say about Notre Dame's convincing win over the Miami Hurricanes -- along with links to coverage of Coach Kelly and Coach Golden's post game press conferences:

LINK:  COACH KELLY:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  MIKE MAYOCK TALKS IRISH

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH ALEX FLANAGAN

LINK:  NBC SPORTS -- NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  ESPN -- ND BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  POST GAME WITH BRAXSTON CAVE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  SUN SENTINEL #1

LINK:  MIAMI COACH PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  MIAMI HERALD

LINK:  MIAMI HERALD #2

LINK:  ESPN BLOG