Monday, February 29, 2016

Got to Love the Green ND Hockey Jersey!


I love this color green -- FIGHTING IRISH GREEN!

#4 Notre Dame Dominates California 21 - 2


NFL Combine: Notre Dame's Top Performers


Here you go -- now that the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine has finished in Indianapolis, I've taken a look at Notre Dame's top performers / performances -- Will Fuller, Elijah Shumate (photo above) and C.J. Prosise made the most noise:

WILL FULLER:

LINK:  FULLER -- 40 YD DASH -- 2ND FASTEST / OVERALL

LINK:  FULLER -- 60 YD SHUTTLE -- 8TH FASTEST / WR

LINK:  FULLER -- BROAD JUMP -- 9TH FARTHEST / WR

LINK:  FULLER -- 3 CONE DRILL -- 12TH FASTEST / WR


ELIJAH SHUMATE:

LINK:  SHUMATE -- BENCH PRESS -- 5TH MOST / SAFETY

LINK:  SHUMATE -- 40 YD DASH -- 6TH FASTEST / SAFETY

LINK:  SHUMATE -- VERTICAL JUMP -- 10TH HIGHEST / SAFETY 

LINK:  SHUMATE -- BROAD JUMP -- 12TH FARTHEST / SAFETY 

LINK:  SHUMATE -- 20 YD SHUTTLE -- 12TH FASTEST / SAFETY


C.J. PROSISE:

LINK:  PROSISE -- 40 YD DASH -- 8TH FASTEST / RB

LINK:  PROSISE -- VERTICAL JUMP -- 8TH HIGHEST / RB

LINK:  PROSISE -- BROAD JUMP -- 10TH FARTHEST / RB


ROMEO OKWARA:

LINK:  OKWARA -- BROAD JUMP -- 5TH FARTHEST / DL


NICK MARTIN:

LINK:  MARTIN -- 3 CONE DRILL -- 10TH FASTEST / OL


Sunday, February 28, 2016

Fuller .09 Seconds Away from $1 Million Bonus!

https://youtu.be/jcaqypkvLZk

Notre Dame student-athlete Will Fuller was nine hundredths of a second away from a $1 million bonus -- yesterday morning in Indianapolis.

Fuller's time of 4.32 seconds for the FORTY YARD DASH fell short of Chris Johnson's 4.24 forty time -- the time he needed to beat to earn a $1 million bonus from Adidas.

I still think this time is going to earn him at least a million dollar bonus -- as he's now being discussed as a FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK.

Did Will Fuller Do Enough to Go in First Round?

https://youtu.be/jcaqypkvLZk

That seems to be the consensus after the Notre Dame student-athlete turned heads with his 4.32 40 yard dash, 33.5" vertical jump, 10'-7" broad jump and catching everything thrown his way in Indianapolis...

LINK:  WINNERS

LINK:  FASTEST WIDE RECEIVER

LINK:  FULLER'S COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS 

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Another Look at Will Fuller's 40 Yard Dash


Will Fuller's 40 vs. Cooper, Brown & Cooks


Here is Will Fuller's 40 yard dash against Amari Cooper, Antonio Brown and Brandin Cooks.

Will Fuller's 4.32 Forty Yd. Dash in Slow Motion


Will Fuller's official time of 4.32 is the fastest --- by far -- of all of the wide receivers this morning at the NFL Combine.  It's the second fastest time of all athletes timed in INDY this week.

Will Fuller Runs a 4.32 Today at NFL Combine


Fuller's official time of 4.32 is the fastest WR time so far -- and the 2nd fastest to date amongst all athletes!

#20 Notre Dame vs. FSU Today on ESPN2


The 20th ranked Fighting Irish travel to Tallahassee today to take on the Florida State Seminoles.  The game will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 4 PM ET.

This is a HUGE game for Notre Dame -- the last road game of the season -- with ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament seeding implications.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Sporting News: ND a Spring Game to Watch!


Notre Dame's annual Blue Gold Game will be played in the Stadium on Saturday, April 16th.  The folks at the Sporting News call it one of the "hottest" Spring games in the country...

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

#1 Notre Dame vs. #1 Michigan in Water Polo


Brian Coughlin's top ranked Notre Dame Women's Water Polo Club team will host Michigan today in the Irish Invitational -- in a battle between two of the top three teams in the country!  They square off at the Rolfs Aquatic Center at NOON ET.

UPDATE:  NOTRE DAME BEAT MICHIGAN 9 - 7 !!!

In the latest Women's Collegiate Water Polo Association national rankings -- Notre Dame, Michigan and California are all tied for #1.  See link to rankings below.

Notre Dame lost to the California Bears last year in the National Championship game.

Notre Dame beat #17 Michigan State last night.  They will also play #14 Ohio State, Indiana, Penn State and Illinois this weekend.

LINK:  WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE WATER POLO RANKINGS


Friday, February 26, 2016

Domer Jaylon Smith Meets NFL Media Today



Notre Dame All-American Jaylon Smith -- now seven weeks post operation on his knee -- met with the media today in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine.  Smith spent yesterday meeting with team doctors...

A note of caution when it comes to news coming from teams as it relates to players at the NFL Scouting Combine -- they will float stories to create concern on players, in hopes teams will drop them on their Draft Boards.

LINK:  NFL.COM STORY ON JAYLON

LINK:  FOX SPORTS ON JAYLON

LINK:  NBC CHICAGO ON JAYLON

Ronnie Stanley -- NFL Combine Results


Here's how things went for Notre Dame student-athlete Ronnie Stanley who has been in Indianapolis the last three days meeting with and working out for NFL teams.

Here is how Ronnie stacked up amongst the group of offensive lineman in attendance:
  • 40 Yard Dash: 5.20
  • 3 Cone Drill: 8.03
  • 20 Yd. Shuttle Drill: 4.90

LINK:  NFL NETWORK INTERVIEW

LINK:  RONNIE STANLEY'S 40 YARD DASH 

LINK:  RONNIE STANLEY'S NFL COMBINE PROFILE

Nick Martin -- NFL Scouting Combine Results


Here's how things went for Notre Dame student-athlete Nick Martin who has been in Indianapolis the last three days meeting with and working out for NFL teams.

Here is how Nick stacked up amongst the group of offensive lineman in attendance:
  • 40 Yard Dash:  5.22 
  • Bench Press:  28
  • Broad Jump:  8'-1" 
  • 3 Cone Drill:  7.57
  •  20 Yd. Shuttle Drill:  4.72

LINK:  NICK MARTIN'S 40 YARD DASH 

LINK:  NICK MARTIN'S BENCH PRESS

C.J. Prosise -- NFL Scouting Combine Results


Here's how things went for Notre Dame student-athlete C.J. Prosise who has been in Indianapolis the last three days meeting with and working out for NFL teams.

Here is how C.J. stacked up amongst the group of running backs in attendance:
  • 40 Yard Dash:  4.48 --- 8TH FASTEST
  • Vertical Jump:  35.5" -- 7TH HIGHEST
  • Broad Jump:  10'-1" -- 8TH FARTHEST

LINK:  C.J.'S 40 YARD DASH 

LINK:  C.J. PROSISE -- NFL COMBINE PROFILE

Fr. Ted Hesburgh's Enduring Legacy



This day -- one year ago -- the University of Notre Dame's "Fr. Ted" left for Heaven.


The film footage of Fr. Ted Hesburgh, C.S.C. and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- the day this iconic photo was taken -- has never been seen before.

NFL Combine: C.J. Prosise's Media Session


NFL Combine: Ronnie Stanley's Media Session


Here is Notre Dame All-American Ronnie Stanley's media session in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine...

LINK:  RONNIE STANLEY

Will Fuller: NFL Combine Media Session



Will Fuller was interviewed today at the NFL Scouting Combine -- click on the link below:

LINK:  WILL FULLER IN THE CONFESSIONAL

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Jaylon Smith Will "Walk Into" NFL Draft Rooms




This is good to see -- walking six days after being restricted for six weeks from putting any weight on his injured knee....

The Notre Dame All-American will be in Indianapolis this weekend meeting with NFL teams interested in drafting him.

4 Domers on Top 50 NFL Draft Prospects List!


You won't be surprised with who they are...

LINK:  TOP 50 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS

Monday, February 22, 2016

Muffet's #2 Irish to Get Tested Tonight / ESPN2


ESPN's BIG MONDAY will feature the #2 ranked Fighting Irish in their game tonight at #9 Florida State.  The game will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 7 PM ET.

Florida State (21 - 5) is led by Shakayla Thomas a 5'-11" forward who averages 17.1 points per game. 

Florida State's projected starting line-up vs. Notre Dame:

LINK:  GAME NOTES


Sunday, February 21, 2016

NFL Combine: Notre Dame Players' Schedules


The NFL's annual "beauty pageant" -- AKA the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine -- begins this Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Here's the schedule for the ten (10) former Notre Dame football stars as they begin their NFL journey.  WISH THEM WELL!

GROUP ONE ARRIVALS : Ronnie Stanley / Nick Martin / C.J. Prosise

TUESDAY:
  • Hospital Pre-Exam and X-Rays
  • Orientation 
  • Team interviews
WEDNESDAY:
  • Measurements / Medical Examinations
  • Media interviews
  • Team interviews
THURSDAY:
  • NFLPA Meeting
  • Psychological Testing 
  • Bench Press Testing
FRIDAY:
  • On Field Testing
  • Combine is completed!

GROUP TWO ARRIVALS:  Will Fuller / Chris Brown

WEDNESDAY:
  • Hospital Pre-Exam and X-Rays
  • Orientation 
  • Team interviews
THURSDAY:
  • Measurements / Medical Examinations
  • Media interviews
  • Team interviews
FRIDAY:
  • NFLPA Meeting
  • Psychological Testing 
  • Bench Press Testing
SATURDAY:
  • On Field Testing
  • Combine is completed!

GROUP THREE ARRIVALS:  Jaylon Smith / Sheldon Day / Romeo Okwara

THURSDAY:
  • Hospital Pre-Exam and X-Rays
  • Orientation 
  • Team interviews
FRIDAY:
  • Measurements / Medical Examinations
  • Media interviews
  • Team interviews
SATURDAY:
  • NFLPA Meeting
  • Psychological Testing 
  • Bench Press Testing
SUNDAY:
  • On Field Testing
  • Combine is completed!

GROUP FOUR ARRIVALS:  Keivarae Russell / Elijah Shumate

FRIDAY:
  • Hospital Pre-Exam and X-Rays
  • Orientation 
  • Team interviews
SATURDAY:
  • Measurements / Medical Examinations
  • Media interviews
  • Team interviews
SUNDAY:
  • NFLPA Meeting
  • Psychological Testing 
  • Bench Press Testing
MONDAY:
  • On Field Testing
  • Combine is completed!

LINK:  NFL NETWORK'S TV COVERAGE OF COMBINE

Tuesday at NFL Combine: Measurements


The NFL measures "everything."  Here's a story about the 12 prospects under the microscope for Tuesday's session.  Notre Dame's Will Fuller is on the list...

LINK:  ARE FULLER'S HANDS BIG ENOUGH?

"Fastest Five" at NFL Combine -- Fuller on List


The NFL Scouting Combine begins this Tuesday in Indianapolis -- and all eyes will be on the 40-yard dash...

Notre Dame's Will Fuller is figured to be one of the fastest in Indy -- see story below:

LINK:  SPEED

Irish Lose to Georgia Tech on Last Second Shot


#1 ND Beat #13 Georgetown in Season Opener


Saturday, February 20, 2016

Notre Dame vs. GA TECH Tonight on ESPN2


Mike Brey's Fighting Irish are in Atlanta tonight to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in an important ACC road contest.  The game will be televised LIVE on ESPN2 beginning at 8 PM ET.

Notre Dame is in 4th place -- just a game in the loss column behind first place Miami and North Carolina.

LINK:  GAME NOTES

LINK:  GEORGIA TECH'S NEW STRATEGY FOR ND

Mike Brey's Radio Show: Guest Steve Vasturia


Domer T.J. Jones -- Whale Trainer?


Friday, February 19, 2016

Harper Lee's Honorary Degree -- Notre Dame



Pulitzer Price winning novelist Harper Lee -- passed away in her sleep this morning at the age of 89.  Her book "To Kill a Mocking Bird" has now sold more than 40 million copies...

The University of Notre Dame recognized Lee, in 2002, with an honorary degree -- video above.

LINK:  A LIFE SHAPED BY TOWERING TEXT

Domer Monty Williams Gives Emotional Eulogy



Notre Dame alum Monty Williams gave this emotional eulogy at his wife Ingrid's memorial service yesterday in Oklahoma City.

They met as students at Our Lady's University -- twenty-six years ago...

LINK:  ESPN REPORT

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Domer A.J. Pollock Signs Contract Extension


Domer Great's Grandson Sets Scoring Record



The grandson of Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner -- Luke Lattner -- scored 55 points in a basketball game Tuesday night. 

Luke's legendary grandfather left for heaven just four days earlier...

Coincidence?

Michigan State's Trip to Notre Dame in 2016


Athlon Sports is calling it one of the most "intriguing" games of the 2016 football season...

LINK:  MSU vs. ND

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

WSBT-TV: Notre Dame Athletics' Technology

Everett Golson '15 Not Invited to NFL Combine



The University of Notre Dame is sending 10 student-athletes to Indianapolis next week to participate in the NFL Combine -- more than every college in America except for a school in Columbus...

Everett Golson -- who made the decision to transfer to Florida State for his last year of college eligibility -- did not receive an invitation.

Skylar Making Her Presence Felt in Dallas



The former Notre Dame All-American is now playing for the Dallas Wings -- as her Tulsa WNBA team relocated here after last season...

Domer Achonwa -- ESPNW Follows For a Day


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Natalie Achonwa '14 -- returned home to Canada for last weekend's NBA All-Star Game festivities. 

The folks at ESPNW -- followed Natalie around for a day -- you'll enjoy this!

LINK:  A DAY WITH NATALIE

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Notre Dame Football Back At It Today!!!


Notre Dame Fans Should Applaud Steve Elmer


Notre Dame student Steve Elmer '16 -- a two-year starter on the Fighting Irish offensive line -- announced today he was retiring from the game to pursue a job in the Washington D.C. area.

Elmer had another year of eligibility -- yet, as you'll see in his letter to the Notre Dame family (linked below), he has other priorities in life.

Steve -- I applaud you!

LINK:  ELMER'S STORY

Hunter "The Punter" Smith -- MUST SEE!




Here is Hunter Smith's "Notre Dame" motorcyle...

LINK:  FULL STORY

Monday, February 15, 2016

Notre Dame Has the #1 RPI in Women's Hoops



We played the undisputed #1 team in the country -- tougher than anyone else. We have the #1 RPI ranking, ahead of the #1 team.  Yet, Notre Dame remained #3 in today's ranking in the eyes of NCAA's selection committee. 

I don't get it.
  • Notre Dame has the top RPI in college basketball -- see it right here:  RPI
  • Notre Dame lost at UCONN by 10 without Brianna Turner.
  • South Carolina lost AT HOME to UCONN by 12.

Here's why it is important to finish #2:  THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING #2

National Rankings of ND Teams in Season!


Just took a lap around the worldwide web's rankings of the various Notre Dame Athletics teams in season -- thought you'd find this interesting!

NOTRE DAME TEAMS:

#1:  MEN'S LACROSSE
#2:  WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
#2:  WOMEN'S FENCING
#2:  MEN'S FENCING 
#7:  MEN'S HOCKEY
#9:  WOMEN'S LACROSSE
#15:  WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD 
#18:  MEN'S BASKETBALL
#24:  WOMEN'S SOFTBALL
#30:  MEN'S SWIMMING

Muffet's IRISH Now Ranked #2 in the Country!


Notre Dame is #2 in the latest AP Poll -- behind the unanimous #1 UCONN.

The Fighting Irish played at UCONN back in December without Brianna Turner -- in a game won by the Huskies 91 - 81.  Here's some of the key take-aways from the game:
  • UCONN only led 45 - 43 at the half
  • UCONN outscored the IRISH by 14 in the 3rd Quarter
  • ND outscored UCONN by 6 in the 4th Quarter
  • 81 points is the most given up by UCONN all season -- UCONN is the #1 defensive team in the country giving up 49.2 points per game
  • ND shot 49.2% from the field against UCONN
  • ND shot 65% from the 3 point line against UCONN
  • ND shot 60% from the free throw line against UCONN
  • UCONN made 13 more free throws than ND -- the key stat of the game
  • Even without Turner -- UCONN only out rebounded ND by 4 rebounds

Let's hope they meet each other again in Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 5th for the National Championship!

LINK:  LATEST RANKINGS

An Inside Look at ND's Win Over Louisville!


Mike Brey's Fighting Irish Jump Up to #18 / #19


Three big wins in a row over North Carolina, Clemson and Louisville apparently caught the attention of the college coaching community as Notre Dame jumps from being "un-ranked' to 18th in the latest USA Today / Coaches Poll and #19 in the latest AP Poll.

LINK:  RANKINGS

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Top Four Teams in ACC: Remaining Schedules


Here's what the balance of the ACC regular season looks like for the TOP FOUR teams.  In all honesty -- the Fighting Irish have the easiest path to the ACC Regular Season Championship. 

Here's how many games each team has left against teams expected to be selected to play in the NCAA Tournament:

NOTRE DAME:  1 game
North Carolina:  5 games
Miami:  4 games
Virginia:  2 games, plus Louisville

REMAINING SCHEDULE:

1:  North Carolina (10 - 2)
  • Duke  (19 - 6)
  • #12 Miami  (20 - 4)
  • @ North Carolina State  (13 - 12)
  • @ #7 Virginia  (20 - 5)
  • Syracuse  (18 - 8)
  • @ Duke  (19 - 6)

2:  Miami  (9 - 3)
  • Virginia Tech  (13 - 12)
  • @ #9 North Carolina  (21 - 4)
  • #7 Virginia  (20 - 5)
  • #13 Louisville  (19 - 6)
  • @ Notre Dame  (18 - 7)
  • @ Virginia Tech  (13 - 12)

3:  Virginia  (9 - 4)
  • North Carolina State  (13 - 12)
  • @ #12 Miami  (20 - 4)
  • North Carolina  (21 - 4)
  • @ Clemson  (15 - 10)
  • #13 Louisville  (19 - 6)

4:  Notre Dame (9 - 4)
  • @ Georgia Tech  (13 - 12)
  • @ Wake Forest  (10 - 15)
  • @ Florida State  (16 - 9)
  • #12 Miami  (20 - 4)
  • North Carolina State  (13 - 12)