Vegas Gang Has Notre Dame Favored by 5 1/2

Found this story at MLive -- a Michigan web news site this evening...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FAVORED

Full Game Replay: Notre Dame 48 - Rice 17

If you'd like to re-watch Notre Dame's game with Rice -- just click on the link below:

GO IRISH!

LINK:  FULL GAME REPLAY

ND Players Signed to Practice Squads Today

The NFL had to make their final roster cuts by 4 PM ET Saturday -- and a number of former Notre Dame student-athletes were released.  Today -- the players who cleared waivers at NOON ET could begin signing with NFL Teams' Practice Squads.

Here's the list (BELOW) of former Fighting Irish football players who will continue to get paid for playing professional football:

LINK:  NFL RULES -- PRACTICE SQUADS

That's Trevor Robinson, Cincinnati Bengals center, in the photo above.

LINK:  JONAS GRAY -- PATRIOTS PRACTICE SQUAD

LINK:  JACKSON BENNETT -- GIANTS PRACTICE SQUAD

LINK:  DAN FOX -- GIANTS PRACTICE SQUAD

LINK:  KONA SCHWENKE -- CHIEFS PRACTICE SQUAD

LINK:  TREVOR ROBINSON -- BENGALS PRACTICE SQUAD

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON -- RAIDERS PRACTICE SQUAD 

LINK:  BRAXSTON CAVE -- REDSKINS PRACTICE SQUAD

Domer Ian Gray Sees Son Play at Notre Dame

Ian Gray (II) is the 6'-8" 345 lb. behemoth (wearing #72) who started at left tackle yesterday afternoon for the Rice Owls.

Ian Gray (I) is a former Notre Dame student-athlete -- he played defensive tackle for the Fighting Irish in the late 70's.  Ian Sr., flew all the way from Saudi Arabia yesterday to see his kid play against Notre Dame.  Pretty awesome story...

LINK:  FATHER & SON

Everett Golson Gets Notre Dame Game Ball

Here's an "inside" look at a few of the key plays in the game as well as a look in the locker room before and after -- when Everett Golson received the game ball...

LINK:  GOLSON

LINK:  PRE-GAME

NBC Post Game Notre Dame Player Interviews

Found this at NBC's Notre Dame Central -- just click on the links below:

LINK:  CODY RIGGS INTERVIEW

LINK:  JOE SCHMIDT INTERVIEW

LINK:  SHELDON DAY INTERVIEW

Domer Hendrix '13 Throws for 318 Yards!

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Andrew Hendrix '13 had 318 yards passing and three TD's in his first collegiate start after enrolling in grad school at Miami University (Oxford).   Another Domer, tight end Alex Welch '13, was on the receiving end of one of those TD passes!

Hendrix is playing for former Fighting Irish offensive coordinator Chuck Martin -- who was flagged for two unsportsmanlike penalties in the final two minutes of the game...

Marshall beat the Redhawks of Miami 42 - 27.

LINK:  HENDRIX THROWS 3 TD'S

LINK:  VIDEO OF HENDRIX TD PASS

Week #1 College Football: Video of the Day

You have got to watch the Auburn ball boy run a 4.4 forty along the sideline -- classic!

LINK:  AUBURN BALL BOY

First Game Performances for ND Opponents

Took a lap around the web this evening to see how our future opponents fared in their opening games of the 2014 college football season.

Notre Dame's opponents are 8 - 3 so far this opening weekend -- with one game left to be played.

 Click on the link below:

LINK:  MICHIGAN 52 - APPALACHIAN STATE 14

LINK:  PURDUE 43 - WESTERN MICHIGAN 34

LINK:  SYRACUSE 27 - VILLANOVA 26

LINK:  STANFORD 45 - UC DAVIS 0

LINK:  NORTH CAROLINA 56 - LIBERTY 29

LINK:  FLORIDA STATE 37 - OKLAHOMA STATE 31

LINK:  OHIO STATE 34 - NAVY 17

LINK:  ARIZONA STATE 45 - WEBER STATE 14

LINK:  CALIFORNIA 31 - NORTHWESTERN 24 

LINK:  LOUISVILLE PLAYS ON MONDAY 

LINK:  USC 52 - FRESNO STATE 13

Michigan's Hoke: "Notre Dame Next Week..."

Here is Michigan's head coach Brady Hoke meeting with the media after the Wolverines' win over Appalachian State.  The win ties the all-time series record at 1 - 1 between these two schools.

LINK:  HOKE PRESSER

A Look at Notre Dame's Offensive Efficiency

Here's what the production looked like -- by position -- in today's 48 point outburst against Rice:

QUARTERBACK POSITION:

• 295 Yards Passing -- 14 for 22
• 99 Yards Rushing -- 14 carries
• 3 TD's Rushing
• 2 TD's Passing
• Zero Turnovers

RUNNING BACK POSITION:

• 182 Yards Rushing -- 28 carries
• 7 Yards Receiving
• 1 TD Rushing
• Zero Fumbles

RECEIVER POSITION:

• 288 Yards Receiving
• 13 Receptions
• 2 TD's

FINAL STATS:

• 23 First Downs
• 281 Yards Rushing
• 295 Yards Passing
• 576 Total Yards
• 48 Total Points
• 30:09 Time of Possession

Coach Kelly Talks 48 - 17 Win Over Rice Today

Here is a link to Coach Kelly's post game press conference after Notre Dame's big win over the Rice Owls.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  POST GAME PRESSER

Game Highlights: Notre Dame 48 - Rice 17

The Fighting Irish kicked off the season today in good order -- beating the Rice Owls by 31 points in the home opener.  Here's some of the highlights:

That's sophomore Greg Bryant scoring his first TD for Notre Dame!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Dual Threat QB's -- May We Always Have One!

Everett Golson -- boy, did we miss your talents!

Just got back home after the post-game Mass and Notre Dame's 48 - 17 win over Rice.  It was the Golson Show -- as he scored three TD's running and threw for two more.

Just maybe the folks at ESPN start talking Heisman when they speak of Everett Golson.

Here's what the media is saying -- just an hour after the game's end -- just click on the links below:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  ESPN 

LINK:  ELKHART TRUTH 

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Replay of "Football Friday" at Notre Dame!

Here's a replay of yesterday's Football Luncheon at the Joyce Athletics Complex -- in front of a crowd of 840 -- and the Pep Rally last night in front of thousands...

LINK:  FOOTBALL LUNCHEON

LINK:  PEP RALLY

LIVE Weather Radar Updates from Notre Dame

The 127th football season at the University of Notre Dame begins in just a little over seven hours from now -- kick-off is scheduled for 3:42 PM ET -- and it's a rainy day here in South Bend.

Here's the latest hourly forecast from ACCUWEATHER:

• 3 PM:  Mostly Cloudy
• 4 PM:  THUNDER STORMS
• 5 PM:  Mostly Cloudy
• 6 PM:  Mostly Cloudy
• 7 PM:  THUNDER STORMS

If you'd like to keep an eye on what's going on with the weather today -- just click on the links below:

LINK:  LIVE WEATHER RADAR

LINK:  HOURLY FORECAST

Pre-Game Look at Media's Take on Rice vs. ND

Took a lap this morning around the worldwide web to see what the media has to say about this afternoon's game between the Rice Owls and our Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. 

Just click on the links below:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

LINK:  ESPN'S ND BLOG

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

Meet NBC's New ND Football Sideline Reporter

Her name is Kathryn Tapper and she's a former Academic All-American track athlete at Rutgers.  Tapper takes over the Notre Dame sideline reporting duties for NBC's coverage of the Fighting Irish. 

Here is an interview Kathryn gave to NBC's Keith Arnold:

LINK:  TAPPER ON NOTRE DAME GIG

Alex Flanagan's Goodbye to Notre Dame

Former NBC sideline reporter Alex Flanagan posted a goodbye message last night to the University of Notre Dame.  Flanagan worked the Notre Dame sideline for seven seasons.

Kathryn Tappen will take on those duties for NBC today...

You can see by Alex's message -- Notre Dame made a lasting impression. 

THANK YOU ALEX!!!


LINK:  GOODBYE NOTRE DAME

Empty Student Section at Michigan Stadium?

Word on the street is Michigan Stadium will see a significant drop in student attendance at football games -- look how bad it might be...

LINK:  ATTENDANCE DOWN

Severe Weather Plan for Notre Dame Stadium

A Notre Dame official spoke with the local media today about plans in place should severe weather come to campus during tomorrow's game between Rice and the Fighting Irish.

LINK:  EVACUATION PLANS

Chargers Excited About Watt's Possibilities...

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Chris Watt '13, earned some high praise from the San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy.  The Bolts are thrilled with Watt's smarts and ability to play three positions on their offensive line -- very well.

LINK:  POSITION FLEXIBILITY

Photo of ND Football Motorcade to South Bend

After this evening's Pep Rally the Fighting Irish jumped aboard three buses for their trip downtown to the Double Tree Hotel -- their Friday night headquarters...  Note the police escort.

Photos From Tonight's Notre Dame Pep Rally

Here's the view of tonight's Pep Rally in South Quad -- note the new Under Armour gear for the Notre Dame cheerleaders.

LINK:  VIDEO

Houston Chronicle Coverage of Rice Owls FB

Took a visit to the Houston Chronicle site to see what they're reporting about their "home team" Rice Owls and their game with our Fighting Irish tomorrow -- here's what I found:

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Forecast: Can the New Field Turf Handle Rain?

We're going to learn tomorrow if Notre Dame Stadium's new Field Turf surface can handle rain -- maybe lots of it...

Rice vs. Notre Dame is scheduled to kick-off at 3:42 PM ET.

Here's the latest forecast -- click on the link below:

LINK:  RADAR

OT: Under Armour Did the Naval Academy Right

I really like this helmet, uniform combination created by Under Armour for the Naval Academy. 

Notice the player's rank on the shoulder boards and pants (bars).

SHARP!

LINK:  UNDER ARMOUR & NAVY

Brian Kelly Met With Media After Practice Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after practice to talk about Saturday's game with Rice (and some other news concerning the team).  This is the last time he'll speak with the press until after the game:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY WITH MEDIA

MUST SEE: Notre Dame's 30-Second TV Spot

Folks, this was all done by our team in University Communications at the University of Notre Dame -- in house!

BRAVO!!!

LINK:  MUST SEE

Watch LIVE: Brian Kelly Radio Show 7 PM ET

The Brian Kelly Radio Show returns to the worldwide web this evening beginning at 7 PM ET.  You can watch it LIVE -- right here at the link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW

Dan Patrick Interviews Brian Kelly Today

I have to admit I always enjoy the interview approach Dan Patrick takes with Brian Kelly -- he asks questions we don't normally hear...

You'll see that in this interview today.  Enjoy!

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY INTERVIEW

Notre Dame to Move Forward on Stadium Work

The University of Notre Dame just announced that they will move forward with the Campus Crossroads Project -- beginning immediately after the last home game this season.

The projected 33-month construction project will bring academic and student life facilities to the heart of Notre Dame's campus.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME ANNOUNCEMENT

LINK:  CAMPUS CROSSROADS SITE

Notre Dame NFL Rookies Survive Roster Cuts

The NFL required each of their teams to cut down their rosters to 75 players yesterday -- as they lead into the last games of the exhibition season tonight.

The next cut (the final cut) -- which will happen by this Saturday at 4 PM ET -- will reduce the rosters to 53 players.

Here's how Notre Dame's NFL Rookies are doing: the eight players drafted in the 2014 Draft are still collecting an NFL pay-check as are two free agents; Dan Fox and George Atkinson III.

LINK:  ZACK MARTIN -- COWBOYS -- 75 MAN ROSTER 

LINK:  STEPHON TUITT -- STEELERS -- 75 MAN ROSTER

LINK:  TROY NIKLAS -- CARDINALS -- 75 MAN ROSTER

LINK:  LOUIS NIX -- TEXANS -- 75 MAN ROSTER

LINK:  CHRIS WATT -- CHARGERS -- 75 MAN ROSTER

LINK:  PRINCE SHEMBO -- 75 MAN ROSTER

LINK:  T.J. JONES -- RESERVE PUP LIST

LINK:  BENNETT JACKSON -- GIANTS -- 75 MAN ROSTER

LINK:  DAN FOX -- GIANTS -- 75 MAN ROSTER

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON -- RAIDERS -- 75 MAN ROSTER

Back to FOX Broadcast Booth for Brady Quinn

The Miami Dolphins QB tryout ended yesterday for former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn.  Quinn was given a two-week look by the Phins to try to win the back-up QB position...

However, not all is bad for Brady -- he can now return to FOX SPORTS where they have a broadcasting gig for him.

LINK:  QUINN RELEASED

Current Weather Forecast for Saturday's Game

Here's what the weather team at WNDU-TV is currently forecasting for this weekend's weather for Rice vs. Notre Dame...

Skylar Named WNBA's Most Improved Player

Her sophomore season as a professional has been one for the record books.

Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins was just named the WNBA's Most Improved Player.  Skylar received 29 of the 38 votes from a panel of national and local sportswriters and broadcasters.

Skylar averaged 20.1 points for game this season -- after averaging 8.5 points per game last year.  In the process she set the Shock's single season scoring record.  She also led the team in assists, steals and minutes played.

Diggins led the entire WNBA in minutes played per game, she was 2nd overall in points per game and finished 4th in assists.  Way to go Skylar!!!

LINK:  ANNOUNCEMENT

Rice Owls Head Coach Talks Notre Dame Game

The Rice Owls head football coach Dave Bailiff met with the media to talk about his team and Saturday's game against our Fighting Irish:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

Local News Stories on Notre Dame FB Players

Took a lap around the worldwide web and found a couple of stories in local newspapers about two members of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame's defensive line.  Just click on their names below to read their story:

LINK:  JARRON JONES

LINK:  ANDREW TRUMBETTI

Rice Week: Coach Kelly's Press Conference

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today to discuss Saturday's game against the Rice Owls -- the first game of the 2014 season.

Here's a link to the press conference -- click on the link below to watch:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Reflection: "A College Bound Son..."

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Rick Becker penned a piece the other day about dropping off his son Friday at the University of Notre Dame.  Rick's son Ben is a member of the Class of 2018.

Rick, who has a gift for the written word, passed along a blog post (last night) he had written a few weeks ago as he contemplated sending his oldest off to college.  Enjoy!

LINK:  QUESTIONS FOR THE COLLEGE BOUND

Maybe USC's Josh Shaw Didn't Rescue Boy

University of Southern California defensive back Josh Shaw claimed to have jumped out of a two-story window Saturday night -- onto concrete -- and then crawled into a swimming pool to save his 7 year-old nephew from drowning.

Shaw, a fifth-year senior for the Trojans, suffered injuries to both ankles and is lost indefinitely to the team.

Well, the story breaking in the past hour is -- this may not be true -- see story linked below.

LINK:  RESCUE ???

LINK:  LAPD UPDATE

ND Players & Students to Stand for Alma Mater

The Observer is reporting leaders of the Notre Dame football team met with Student Government last night to inform them that the "team and student body" would stand together after EVERY home game going forward -- not just after wins.

Here's the story:

LINK:  STANDING FOR THE ALMA MATER 

LINK:  ALMA MATER

Domer Jonas Gray Earning Praise With Patriots

Former Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray is making the long comeback from an ACL injury suffered during his senior campaign in South Bend.   This past weekend he earned some reps with Tom Brady in their exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers...

LINK:  JONAS GRAY

Uni-Watch's Look at the New Helmets & Jerseys

The 2014 college football season begins this season for most of the FBS teams -- and the folks over at UNI-WATCH published this look at a number of the new helmet and uniform combos...

LINK:  THE NEW LOOK FOR 2014