Media Plays the "Notre Dame Card" -- Again

I caught the sad story today about Corwin Brown and his decision to claim "mental defects" caused by brain injuries he sustained from playing football in the NFL and College, as his defense -- in an ESPN Blog story...

Well, as you'll see -- it took only two words into the story to connect Corwin Brown and NOTRE DAME.

Now, Corwin could have been labeled:

• Former Michigan Co-Captain
• Former Michigan football player
• Former All Big Ten football player
• Former New England Patriot 
• Former New York Jet 
• Former Detroit Lion
• Former eight year NFL player
• Former NFL player and coach
• Former Virginia football coach
• Former New York Jet coach
• Former New England Patriot coach

Folks, here's the irony, Corwin Brown spent five years as a player and coach with the New England Patriots, five years as a player and coach with the New York Jets, spent four years at the University of Michigan as a player, co-captain and where he earned All Big Ten Honors -- and he spends just three years as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame.  On top of that -- his last job in football was with New England, not Notre Dame.

Yet, every time you'll see Corwin Brown's name on ESPN (over these next few months) -- he won't be labeled as from; Michigan, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, etc., -- he'll be from NOTRE DAME.

IRONIC?  I THINK NOT...

LINK:  CORWIN BROWN

Irish Sign Five Hockey Players in Early Period

The University of Notre Dame's Jeff Jackson announced today the signing of five -- VERY TALENTED -- hockey players who will join the Fighting Irish next fall.  Headlining the class is the most highly recruited hockey player ever to come to South Bend -- Mario Lucia (photo).  Lucia, a 6'-3" left wing was picked 60th overall in this year's NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild.  Here's a link to the UND.COM coverage:

LINK:  JACKSON ADDS TO THE TALENT BASE!

Stanford Assistant Coach Dies of Heart Attack

Former NFL Pro Bowl defensive tackle and Stanford defensive assistant coach, Chester McGlockton (42) died this morning from an apparent heart attack while at home with his family.  McGlockton was on the sideline this past Saturday when the Cardinal defeated our Fighting Irish.  Sad news.  Here's a link to the news story:

LINK:  STANFORD FOOTBALL ASSISTANT -- DEAD

What a Waste of Time -- SEC, Pac 12 & Big 10/12

If you're a fan of Michigan State University and your Spartans lose to Wisconsin this Saturday and it results in "that school in Ann Arbor" going to a BCS game and you do not.  How would you feel about your team "earning" the opportunity to play in the inaugural Big Ten/Twelve Championship game?

Let's say you're a fan of the Tigers of Louisiana State University and your Tigers beat Georgia this Saturday -- yet, in the process you lose a couple of starters to knee injuries.  How would you feel about your team "earning" the opportunity to play in the SEC Championship game, knowing right now that they don't have to play in this game (let alone win this game) to play in the National Championship game -- and, they're now going to have to play Alabama without two of their starters?

Let's say you're the Commissioner of the Pac 12 Conference and you're looking at a football stadium this Saturday that's HALF FULL with emotion and Oregon is leading UCLA 42 - 0 in the 2nd quarter.   How would you feel about your decision to create a Pac 12 Championship game -- especially when the media chatter will be about how lousy your conference must be if UCLA is in the championship game?

Folks, there is very little value this season to play in a conference championship game.  Here are the facts.

1. LSU doesn't have to win their Conference Championship game to play in the National Championship game -- think about that.
2. Alabama doesn't even have to play in their Conference Championship game to play in the  National Championship game -- think about that.
3. That school in Ann Arbor -- doesn't have to play in their Conference Championship game and they may end up in a better position for a BCS bowl than the team that loses Saturday's game -- think about that.
4. UCLA goes 6 - 6 and they earn the opportunity to play in their Conference Championship game -- think about that.

Why would Notre Dame ever want to join a conference -- when "earning the opportunity to play a 13th game truly means nothing!

A Little Better A Little Worse -- ND Defense 2011

Here's how ND's Defense has performed this season in comparison to the other teams who have faced the same opponents as the Irish.  A ranking of #1 means the Irish gave up the fewest yards or points to that opponent this season.  As you'll see the Irish ranked as one of the best overall defensive performances  --  #1 or #2 -- against a few of the teams they've played this season.  You'll also see how this year's IRISH defensive unit's compares to last season's:

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (5-6)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #2 giving up 254 yards
Points:  Irish rank #5 giving up 23 points

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (10-2)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #6 giving up 452 yards
Points:  Irish rank #7 giving up 35 points

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (10-2)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 358 yards
Points:  Irish rank #3 giving up 13 points

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH (5-6)
Total Offense: Irish rank #2 giving up 268 yards
Points:  Irish rank #2 giving up 12 points

PURDUE UNIVERSITY (6-5)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #1 giving up 276 yards
Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 10 points

AIR FORCE ACADEMY (6-5)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #9 giving up 565 yards
Points:  Irish rank #6 giving up 33 points

USC (10-2)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #7 giving up 443 yards
Points:  Irish rank #5 giving up 31 points

NAVAL ACADEMY (4-7)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #1 giving up 229 yards
Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 14 points

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY (6-6)
Total Offense: Irish rank #2 giving up 297 yards
Points:  Irish rank #2 giving up 17 points

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND (2-10)
Total Offense: Irish rank #6 giving up 364 yards
Points: Irish rank #7 giving up 21 points

BOSTON COLLEGE (4-8)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 250 yards
Points:  Irish rank #3 giving up 14 points

STANFORD UNIVERSITY (11-1)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 429 yards
Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 28 points

IRISH OVERALL DEFENSIVE RANKINGS - 2011 vs. 2010:

• #33 ranked defense in the FBS -- total yards given up per game (349.25 yards).  An improvement from their #50 ranking and 357.23 yards per game in 2010
• #30 ranked defense in the FBS -- total points given up per game  (20.92 pts).  The Irish were ranked #23 in scoring defense in 2010 giving up 20.23 points per game.

Former Irish Assistant Coach Takes New Job...

You might have heard his name before -- Urban Meyer.  He's named after the eight Popes with the Papal name Urban and his stated "dream job" is to become the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame.

I WONDER IF MEYER HAS AN "OUT" CLAUSE IN HIS CONTRACT, WITH THE SCHOOL IN COLUMBUS, TO TAKE THE NOTRE DAME JOB IF EVER OFFERED.

To prepare to coach the team with the GOLD HELMETS someday, he's taken head coaching gigs, these last few years, with helmets that represent; birds, tribes, reptiles and now NUTS.  Here's a few links to news coverage about this former Notre Dame football assistant coach and his new job.

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  GAINESVILLE SUN

LINK:  INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson -- A ND Fan!

Former Baltimore Oriole great and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, was a guest of the University of Notre Dame's Joe Gelchion (AVP for Development) at Saturday night's game at Stanford.  You'll see Frank and Joe chatting with Coach Kelly in the opening video of IRISH CONNECTION -- linked below:

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

Irish Beat Duke at Buzzer -- Win Tournament!

The Irish were down 16 at halftime to #7 Duke last night 36 - 20.  But, it's never over 'til Natalie Novosel says it's over!  The senior guard scores the game winner with less than one second -- giving the Irish a 57 - 56 win last night in Puerto Rico!  Here's a link to the story and a link to video of the game highlights and the defining final seconds:


LINK:  IRISH WIN TOURNEY!

LINK:  VIDEO REPLAY!

The Mornin' After Stanford Beats Irish 28 - 14

For the last time, on a Sunday morning, in the year 2011 -- I've taken a lap around the world wide web to check in how the media is treating our Fighting Irish after last night's showing in Palo Alto, CA.  Turnovers -- the theme for the 2011 Notre Dame Football season -- was a factor again last night.  If you're sill counting, the Irish turned the ball over 26 times this season -- only thirteen teams in college football have more than 26 turnovers.  And, I can tell you this -- none of those teams are playing in a BCS Bowl game.  Here's the media's reaction:

LINK:  SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES 

LINK:  SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- BOB WIENEKE

LINK:  AP NEWS STORY

Champs Bowl or Bust -- Expect Irish in Orlando

A 8 - 4 season that could have easily been a 10 - 2 season -- had we taken better care of the football -- will end in Orlando on December 29.  The Irish can expect to play the Seminoles...  If you're looking for tickets -- click on the link below.  You'll see they already list ND as one of the teams that could play in their bowl...

LINK:  CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

OT: I Think She May Cost Her Husband a Job...

Kristi Malzahn -- wife of Auburn's Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn appeared last month at a conference called THE SUMMIT.

Besides making fun of former Notre Dame & College Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz's speech impediment, she goes off on many other subjects...

If I'm an Athletic Director and I see this video -- I wouldn't hire Mr. Malzahn.  His wife is that much of a liability.  If you were ever to start a WIKIPEDIA entry for "LOOSE CANNON" -- you would have to use Kristi Malzahn as the poster child.  You be the judge. 

PLEASE NOTE:  THE VIDEO WAS TAKEN DOWN OFF OF YOUTUBE -- NOT SURPRISED -- HOWEVER, I DID FIND IT ON ANOTHER SITE.


LINK:  SHE'S OUT OF CONTROL

Less Than Four Hours to Kick-Off!

The final football game of the 2011 regular season is just hours away -- and to get you fired up, I thought I'd share a link to Stanford Football Weekly.  You'll see Coach Shaw, Andrew Luck (QB), Chase Thomas (LB) and Jonathan Martin (LT) -- talk about the IRISH.

LINK:  STANFORD FOOTBALL WEEKLY

Notre Dame's South Bend Location Slammed

An article in Business Insider that focused on Nike's relationship with the University of Oregon -- somehow had to take a swipe at the University of Notre Dame's location in northern Indiana.  I guess Notre Dame should take this as a compliment...

LINK:  PHIL KNIGHT'S INFLUENCE ON OREGON

How the IRISH WILL BEAT STANFORD Tonight!

I "channelled" NOSTRADAMUS this morning -- to assist me with a prediction for tonight's game between the #22 Fighting Irish and #4 Stanford Cardinal .  Here's my winning game plan for ND:

1. Zero turnovers for the IRISH
2. Three turnovers for Stanford
3. IRISH sack Luck two times
4. Rees never gets sacked
5. 120 yards rushing from Cierre Wood
6. An actual IRISH punt return -- that is not fair caught -- that goes for a TD! 
7. A blocked punt by the IRISH
8. Three TD's for Michael Floyd -- one is on a WR reverse pass from John Goodman
9. David Ruffer kicks game winning 42 yard field goal as time expires!

FINAL SCORE:  NOTRE DAME 31:  STANFORD 30

Horrible News Yesterday From Irish BBall Team

University of Notre Dame's Tim Abromaitits is out for the season -- after tearing his ACL during practice yesterday.  This is a crushing blow to Tim, his family -- and the ND men's basketball team.  WOW...

LINK:  ABROMAITIS LOST FOR SEASON

LINK:  ESPN STORY

36 Hours to ND Football's Final Exam

It's been a long time since we've had a NOTRE DAME MOMENT -- beating a highly ranked team when we were not expected...

Will tomorrow be that moment?

Here's a link to what's being said by the media about Saturday's game with Stanford.

LINK:  SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

LINK:  SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

ND Athletes Lending a Thanksgiving Hand

Sixteen Notre Dame football players made a trip to Hope Ministries in South Bend yesterday to assist them in their preparation for Thanksgiving.  Here's a link to that story:

LINK:  GIVING BACK

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have to admit this is my favorite holiday of the year.  It's four days full of family, food, fun and football!  We're heading to a Thanksgiving celebration with Grandma Joanie and our Doyle family this afternoon and then off to be with Grandpa Jim this evening.  A GREAT DAY!

It's the first Thanksgiving without Grandma Barb (photo with her great-grandson Jimmy) in our lifetime...  I'll always be thankful to Grandpa & Grandma Doyle for giving our family the "gift" of Notre Dame.

Enjoy the day -- GO LIONS! 

A Tour of the Notre Dame Football Complex

The folks at UND.COM teamed up with Mike Golic, Jr. and Brandon Newman to give Irish fans a tour of the GUG (pronounced GOOOOG) -- home of the Notre Dame football operation.  To say the place is impressive would be an understatement.  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular contributor Kip Sweeney for alerting me to the video tour.

LINK:  ND'S FOOTBALL COMPLEX

Irish Guard Feature on the Irish Connection

The University of Notre Dame's Irish Guard are featured in this week's edition of Irish Connection.  Here's a link:

LINK:  THE IRISH GUARD

Stanford to Debut New Helmet & Jersey on ABC

The Stanford Cardinal will be unveiling this new uniform, shoe and helmet combination for Saturday night's prime-time game on ABC with our Fighting Irish.  Now, I don't think the helmet cost $1,200...

The Most Expensive Football Helmet in History!

Folks, I learned this evening -- from a very reliable source -- that the "hand crafted" football helmets the Fighting Irish wore for the Shamrock Series game against the University of Maryland cost $1,200 each!!!  Now, I'm quite certain the University of Notre Dame did not pay for those helmets -- so I'm guessing the folks at Adidas must have written the check.

Here's a link to Troy Lee Designs -- and their video of how they constructed the ND football helmet -- the most expensive football helmet in the history of the game:

LINK:  THE MOST EXPENSIVE FOOTBALL HELMET OF ALL TIME

Freshman Friday -- You'll Love These...

The gang at UND.COM produce a show called OUR TEAM OUR STORY -- and on Friday's they've been producing features on the freshman class.  You'll enjoy this look at our Irish.

LINK:  TROY NIKLAS

LINK:  CHASE HOUNSHELL

LINK:  CAM McDANIEL

Jonas Gray Can Look To His Hometown Team...

University of Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray, was having the season many of us expected of him when he committed to the Fighting Irish four years ago.   Power and speed -- a wonderful combination for a running back -- and we finally saw it in a GOLD HELMET and the #25 jersey. 

Unfortunately, Gray's season came to an end on Saturday with what appears to be a serious knee injury.

Ironically, the very next day a running back with Jonas's hometown Detroit Lions -- Kevin Smith, returned to football after a serious knee injury kept him away from the game for more than a year.  And, did he ever come back -- 140 yards rushing, 60 yards receiving and THREE TOUCHDOWNS!

Jonas -- you need to seek out Kevin Jones and chat with him on what he did to make it back, better than ever.  Here's a story about Jonas and a second story about Kevin Jones.

ND fans have not seen the last of Jonas Gray on a football field!!!

LINK:  ESPN BLOG STORY

LINK:  KEVIN JONES -- A COMEBACK STORY

Looks Like the Irish @ Champs Sports Bowl

Here's what the 'experts' are projecting as the destination for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team this upcoming bowl season -- THE CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL, December 29th in Orlando.  The opponent -- none other than FREE SHOES UNIVERSITY (Florida State).  Here's a few of the projections:

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Fighting Irish Hoops on ESPN2 @ 7:30 PM ET

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish take on the Missouri Tigers TONIGHT at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2 in the semi-finals of the PROGRESSIVE CBE CLASSIC in Kansas City.  Tonight's game marks the return of Tim Abromaitis -- who has been sidelined by the NCAA for the first four games of the season.  Missouri is ranked #24 in the country - and will be heavy favorites in tonight's game.  Should be fun!

LINK:  BACKGROUND ON TONIGHT'S GAME

#2 Ranked Irish Take on #1 Baylor @ 2 PM ET

Muffet's second ranked Fighting Irish travel to Waco, TX today to play the top ranked Baylor Bears and their 6'-8" center Brittney Griner.  The game will be televised by CBS beginning at 2 PM ET.  So, click away from your NFL game today -- and catch our Fighting Irish on national TV.  Here's a link to today's South Bend Tribune story on the game:

LINK:  #1 vs. #2

UND.COM's Post Game Coverage -- After BC

The gang at UND.COM did it again -- giving the Notre Dame family the BEST IN CLASS coverage we've come to expect from this group of professionals.  Here are the links to game highlights, player interviews and Coach Kelly's post game coverage.

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  PLAYER COMMENTS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Brady Quinn Back In The Bend...

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn returned "home" to campus this weekend -- and the folks at WNDU-TV caught up with him for a quick interview.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  BRADY QUINN BACK AT ND

The Mornin' After the Irish Beat BC 16 - 14

Took my weekly lap around the web this Sunday morning to check in on the media's reaction to Notre Dame's 16 - 14 win over three win Boston College.  Here's a link to the coverage:

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE #1

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  BC INTERRUPTION

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- ERIC HANSEN

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD #2

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES #2

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE #2

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL #2

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #3

LINK:  WNDU-TV

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES #3

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

A Different Statistical Look @ ND's Defense

Here's how ND's Defense has performed in comparison to the other teams who have faced the same opponents as the Irish.  A ranking of #1 means the Irish gave up the fewest yards or points to that opponent this season.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (5-5)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #2 giving up 254 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #5 giving up 23 points

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (9-2)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #5 giving up 452 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #7 giving up 35 points

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (9-2)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 358 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #3 giving up 13 points

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH (5-5)

• Total Offense: Irish rank #2 giving up 268 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #2 giving up 12 points

PURDUE UNIVERSITY (5-5)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #1 giving up 276 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 10 points

AIR FORCE ACADEMY (5-5)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #9 giving up 565 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #6 giving up 33 points

USC (9-2)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #7 giving up 443 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #5 giving up 31 points

NAVAL ACADEMY (4-7)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #1 giving up 229 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 14 points

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY (6-5)

• Total Offense: Irish rank #1 giving up 297 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 17 points

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND (2-9)

• Total Offense: Irish rank #6 giving up 364 yards
• Points: Irish rank #7 giving up 21 points

BOSTON COLLEGE (3-8)

• Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 250 yards
• Points:  Irish rank #3 giving up 14 points

Catch All of the Post Game From ND Stadium

The folks at UND.COM and NBC will be broadcasting LIVE from Notre Dame Stadium after ND's 16 to 14 win over Boston College.  Catch Coach Kelly's press conference, highlights from the game, etc.  Click on the links below:

LINK:  NBC COVERAGE OF POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  POST GAME UND.COM COVERAGE

ND Football Recruit Starring in Documentary

He's one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country and he hails from the same high school as former Irish QB Jimmy Clausen -- Jordan Payton is now a movie star.  Payton is featured in a four-part documentary film on the recruiting process.  He is being heavily recruited by the IRISH and ND is one of his final choices.  Here's a link to the "movie trailer."

LINK:  IRISH RECRUITING MOVIE STAR

Irish lead 13 - 7 at Halftime...

Here's the positive from the first half:  David Ruffer is 2 for 2 in the field goal department.  Not much more going that well for our Irish.  Here's the halftime stats:

• First Downs:  ND: 12    BC: 6
• Rushing Yards:  ND: 90    BC: 30
• Passing Yards:  ND: 141    BC: 100
• Total Yards:  ND: 231    BC:  130

 Here's a link to NBCSPORTS.COM coverage of the game:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. BOSTON COLLEGE

Live Webcam Today From Notre Dame Stadium

The folks at UND.COM are streaming live video from their WEBCAM inside the House That Rock Built.  Click here right up to kick-off today at 4 PM ET.  The PLAYER WALK will be LIVE as well beginning at 2:15 PM ET!

LINK:  LIVE WEBCAM

Photo "Tweet" of Private Planes in South Bend!

The #2 ranked Fighting Irish Women's Basketball team is currently at the South Bend Airport getting ready to leave for their big game tomorrow against #1 ranked Baylor.  The game (Preseason WNIT Championship) will be televised on CBS beginning at 2 PM ET.

Notre Dame All American Skylar Diggs just "tweeted" this photo of a few of the private jets in town for today's football game.

Notre Dame Football's Pep Rally Last Night!

It's Senior Day at the University of Notre Dame today -- last night, the Class of 2012 had their last Pep Rally.  Here's a link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PEP RALLY

Is This The Day Real Grass Dies @ Notre Dame?

Today's 4 PM ET kick-off at Notre Dame Stadium will be the last time a number of Fighting Irish football players run out of the tunnel wearing the GOLD HELMET.

Will it also be the last time in Notre Dame Stadium when:

1. A football game is played on 100% natural grass?
2. A football game is played without a video board?

If you're at the game today -- take a look around -- take it all in.  I truly believe we'll see a new "high tech" turf as a playing surface next September -- and a new "high tech" scoreboard when those GOLD HELMETS return to the House That Rock Built.

GO IRISH! -- BEAT BC!

Unique Visitor #250,000 Last Night!!!!

At 10:31 PM ET last night -- a Notre Dame fan from Lake Oswego, OR became UNIQUE VISITOR #250,000 at the ND GO IRISH BLOG!

To put this in perspective -- there is only city in the state of Indiana with a population of more than 250,000 and that's Indianapolis.  Here's the rankings of population:

1. Indianapolis:  1,573,796
2. ND GO IRISH BLOG:  250,000
3. Fort Wayne:  205,727
4. Evansville:  121,582
5. South Bend:  107,789

A quarter of a million Notre Dame fans have now read at least one positive story about the University of Notre Dame at this site -- since the blog launched 23 months ago.

THANK YOU for surpassing my wildest dreams for my little blog.  It just goes to show you the power of the Notre Dame brand!

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

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

LINK:  THE IRISH BEAT BC!

LINK:  COACH JACKSON REACTION

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

Regis Philbin -- His Last Show...

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

LINK:  REGIS -- HIS LAST SHOW

The Media Picks Winner of ND vs. BC Game

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

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  BC INTERRUPTION BLOG

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE #2

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

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

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

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

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

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

LINK:  REGIS'S LAST SHOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's some of the media coverage:

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN

LINK:  KRQE -- CHANNEL 13

Isabela Nanni -- the Daughter of Domers!

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

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

Life changed that moment for Ms. Nanni.

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

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

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


LINK:  ISABELA NANNI -- OFFICIAL WEBSITE

LINK:  ISABELA NANNI -- PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

LINK:  BEAUTIFUL -- WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY ISABELA NANNI