Saturday, January 31, 2015

Domer Tim Brown a NFL HALL OF FAMER!!!


It's about time!

Former Notre Dame All-American Tim Brown just became the 12th Fighting Irish football player to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

He's also the NINTH former Heisman Trophy winner to earn such an honor.

Congratulations TIM!!!

LINK:  HALL OF FAMER!

Domer Jerome Bettis NFL HALL OF FAMER!!!


WPXI in Pittsburgh just broke the news that former Notre Dame All-American Jerome Bettis will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!!!

It will be announced officially at 9 PM ET on NFL HONORS on NBC.

Jerome becomes the 11th former member of the Fighting Irish to earn this great honor!

Congratulations to THE BUS!

LINK:  BREAKING NEWS

Domer Kendall Moore '14 Named Team Captain


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Kendall Moore '14, who was suspended from football this past season -- was named a Team Captain for today's College Gridiron Showcase in Arlington, TX.  He posted this photo and caption on his Instagram account -- see link below.

You can watch the game live -- on the web -- beginning at 2:30 PM ET TODAY.

Moore, gave an interview to the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen this week where he talked about his experience as one of the five suspended players -- see link below:

LINK:  WATCH GAME -- LIVE RIGHT HERE

LINK:  MOORE:  "ND TREATED US FAIRLY"

LINK:  KENDALL MOORE INSTAGRAM

Domer Tuck Recruiting Suh to Oakland Raiders


Former Notre Dame All-American Justin Tuck is down in Phoenix this week enjoying the spoils of being a Super Bowl Champion -- meeting with the assembled media.

Well, he started a recruiting pitch for Ndamukong Suh...

LINK:  TUCK RECRUITING

Rankings of Notre Dame Teams in Season


Here's the current rankings of Notre Dame teams currently in season -- EIGHT TEAMS RANKED IN THE TOP TWENTY (6 IN THE TOP 10) -- pretty impressive!
  • WOMEN'S FENCING:  #1 IN THE COUNTRY
  • MEN'S LACROSSE:  #2 IN THE COUNTRY
  • MEN'S FENCING:  #2 IN THE COUNTRY
  • WOMEN'S BASKETBALL:  #4 IN THE COUNTRY
  • MEN'S BASKETBALL:  #8 IN THE COUNTRY
  • WOMEN'S LACROSSE:  #9 IN THE COUNTRY
  • MEN'S TENNIS:  #14 IN THE COUNTRY
  • WOMEN'S TENNIS:  #20 IN THE COUNTRY

Coach Brey Talks Noon Tip With Pittsburgh


Here is Notre Dame men's basketball coach Mike Brey with his radio and TV shows this week -- talking about Saturday's NOON tip-off in Pittsburgh:

LINK:  RADIO SHOW

LINK:  TV SHOW

Thursday, January 29, 2015

The Media Is Now Jumping on ND's Bandwagon


Well, it took 22 games in the 2014 - 2015 season for the national media to finally BELIEVE Notre Dame might be pretty good in basketball...

Here's what they're saying now:

LINK:  ESPN'S -- ADAM RITTENBERG

LINK:  FOX SPORTS -- REID FORGRAVE

LINK:  CBS SPORTS -- SAM VECENIE

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS -- TROY MACHIR

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS -- JEFF EISENBERG

LINK:  BLEACHER REPORT'S -- ROB GOLDBERG

Grant & Vasturia Relive the "Duke Dagger"


The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media got together with Jerian Grant and Steve Vasturia in the locker room after Notre Dame's big win over Duke.

The photo above was taken by @mattcashore -- as Steve Vasturia released his big shot!

Here's what they had to say about the key play in the game:

LINK:  DUKE DAGGER

Coach Brey Talks With Media After Duke Win


The #8 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat the #4 ranked Duke Blue Devils last tonight 77 - 73. 

Here's Coach Mike Brey with the media after the game:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

ND Gold Gang's -- Duke Game Signs!


The ND Gold Gang came to play tonight!  #NDGoldGang  @NDGoldGang

Photo of the Night: Vasturia's "Duke Dagger"


With 22 seconds left in the game -- Notre Dame's Steve Vasturia nailed a 3-pointer to put the Irish up 76 - 72. 

Game Stats: #8 Notre Dame 77 -- #4 Duke 73


A great night by Notre Dame's Jerian Grant!

Mike Brey Has Coach Krzyzewski's NUMBER!


How's this for a FUN FACT -- Notre Dame's Mike Brey came into tonight's game as the only "Coach K" former assistant to beat him...

Well -- he's now done it TWICE!  Coach K is now "19 - 2" in his career against his former assistant coaches.

Big win for the Fighting Irish as they overcome Duke's ten point second half lead to win 77 - 73 in front of a sold-out Purcell Pavilion.  ND moves to 20 - 2 on this magical season.

LINK:  ESPN HIGHLIGHTS

Three ND Recruits McDonald's All-Americans!


McDonald's released the participants in their 2015 All-American Game and THREE FUTURE DOMERS -- all guards -- will be playing for the East Team!
  • Arike Ogunbuwale
  • Ali Patberg
  • Marina Mabrey

Muffet just re-loads! 

This will give the Fighting Irish -- EIGHT McDonald's All-Americans on their roster for the 2015 - 2016 season.

LINK:  McDonald's All-Americans

Notre Dame Basketball "New KICKS From UA!"


The Fighting Irish will be wearing these new shoes from Under Armour for tonight's game against Duke!

GO IRISH!

#4 Duke vs. #8 Notre Dame on ESPN2 Tonight!


The Fighting Irish will host the Blue Devils this evening at a sold-out Purcell Pavilion.  The game will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 PM ET.

Keep an eye-out during the telecast for the ND GOLD GANG!!!

LINK:  ESPN PREVIEW

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Hype Begins for #4 Duke vs. #8 Notre Dame


Purcell Pavilion will host the first game amongst two "top-ten" ranked teams in men's basketball in 12 years tomorrow night when #4 Duke comes to town to take on the #8 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Here's what the media is saying...

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR

LINK:  ESPN

Monday, January 26, 2015

Coach Mike Brey Talks OT Win Over NC State


Notre Dame head basketball coach Mike Brey was obviously excited after last night's OT win over North Carolina State.  Here's a link to his post game press conference:

LINK:  "THEY ADJUST TO US"

Sunday, January 25, 2015

PRO BOWL: Golden Tate's 60 Yard Catch & Run


Here's a video replay of former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate who made a nice catch and run -- in today's NFL PRO BOWL.

Along, with the sequence of photos of the catch, breaking the tackle and then the run after...

LINK:  GOLDEN'S PRO BOWL

Down 18 -- Notre Dame Wins in OT Tonight!


WOW!!!

In a game that the "studio host for ESPN" was giving to North Carolina State after just twenty minutes -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame fought back from a dreadful first half (down 18 points) to force the game into OT with a last second tip-in by VJ Beachem!

Then, the IRISH finished the job winning 81 - 78 in overtime -- A HUGE WIN!!!

LINK:  VIDEO REPLAY OF BEACHEM TIP-IN

LINK:  ESPN GAME RECAP

LINK:  RALEIGH NEWS OBSERVER 

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE 

Aerial Photo: Construction at "Rock's House"


The lack of snow in South Bend -- though it's snowing today -- has had to help the construction work around Notre Dame Stadium.

Expected to be done September 2017.

Tate & Martin on "Team Irvin" -- NFL Pro Bowl


Former Notre Dame student-athletes Golden Tate and Zack Martin were selected by former Miami Hurricane and Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin for his team in today's NFL Pro Bowl in Phoenix.  Looks like Golden may have missed the team photo...

They will be wearing the "black uniforms" in today's game.

The game will be telecast on ESPN at 8 PM ET.

LINK:  ROSTERS

OT: SNL's "Deflategate" Parody Last Night


The funny folks at 30 Rock did their thing last night with the "deflategate" controversy surrounding the New England Patriots...

Pretty funny stuff:

LINK:  SNL'S "DEFLATEGATE"

Notre Dame's Auguste Talks Return to Team


The Chicago Tribune interviewed Zach Auguste at practice about his return to the Fighting Irish:

LINK:  ZACH AUGUSTE

Domer Koyack Scores TD in Senior Bowl Game


Notre Dame tight-end Ben Koyack caught two passes for 19 yards and a TD in yesterday's Senior Bowl played in Mobile, AL.  Here's a replay of the TD -- along with a second link to a story earlier this week about Koyack in the Chicago Tribune.

Nothing like that Notre Dame GOLD HELMET at these all-star games...

LINK:  BEN KOYACK TD

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

NC State Coach Gott Talks Notre Dame Game


Here's what North Carolina State's head basketball coach has to say about their game today at 6:30 PM ET on ESPNU against our #8 ranked Fighting Irish:

LINK:  COACH GOTT

Notre Dame Game Televised on ESPNU Today


Mike Brey's Fighting Irish travel to Raleigh, NC today to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack -- the first time Notre Dame has played there in 32 years!   

The game is sold-out -- 15,000 fans -- plenty of red in the stands!

The Wolfpack are 13 - 7 on the season with wins over Duke, Tennessee and Florida State -- this is not going to be easy today.

The game tips-off at 6:30 PM ET on ESPNU -- GO IRISH!

LINK:  RALEIGH NEWSPAPER

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Lions Expect Even More From Golden in 2015!


Domer Golden Tate will be playing in his first NFL Pro Bowl game tomorrow -- after leading the Detroit Lions in catches (99) and yards (1,331) this season.

Here's what Lions' head coach Jim Caldwell had to say about the former Notre Dame All-American:

LINK:  LIONS TALK GOLDEN TATE

LINK:  CAREER STATS


Friday, January 23, 2015

OT: Jim Harbaugh's Michigan 7-Year Contract


Ever wonder what a coaching contract looks like for a big-time football program?

Here's your chance to look at a copy of the seven-year contract Jim Harbaugh signed with the University of Michigan.  As you'll see in the story -- and in the contract -- Harbaugh is guaranteed more than $5.7 million a year.

And, he can buy out his contract -- for a lot less than I expected.

LINK:  STORY ABOUT CONTRACT

LINK:  ACTUAL CONTRACT

MUST SEE: The Collinsworth Brothers at ND


You are going to want to watch this HBO feature about Cris and Holly Collinsworth's two Notre Dame Men.

Pretty awesome family.

LINK:  HBO'S COLLINSWORTH BOYS

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Skylar Diggin's Feature in Self Magazine


Former Notre Dame All-American and WNBA star Skylar Diggins is once again in the media...

Here's the story:

LINK:  SKYLAR

Brian Kelly Has the Most 2015 NFL Pro Bowlers


Quite a distinction for Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly.

Grantland Story: Can Jerian Lead the Irish...


The Grantland folks are very talented storytellers...

Here's a story penned by Adam Doster about Jerian Grant and the Fighting Irish.  A good read:

LINK:  GO PAST MARCH?

Domer Fleming Finally Gets His Super Chance


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Darius Fleming is finally healthy and will be running out of the tunnel in Phoenix for Super Bowl XLIX with the favored New England Patriots.

That's Darius #58 in the photo above recovering a key fumble in Sunday's AFC Championship game.

Darius and teammate Jonas Gary are the only Notre Dame alums playing in next week's Super Bowl...

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING


Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Notre Dame's "Momma Bettis" Fighting Cancer


Gladys Bettis, mother of all-time great Notre Dame running back Jerome Bettis and former Campbell Soup TV commercial star -- is in a battle with breast cancer.

Here's the story:

LINK:  THE BUS' MOM

Chicago Tribune: Weis & Cutler a Perfect Match


It's been rumored that former Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis '78, is being interviewed by the Chicago Bears for their open Offensive Coordinator position...

Well, the Chicago Tribune's Steve Rosenbloom thinks Charlie would be just what's needed to handle Jay Cutler.

LINK:  WEIS & CUTLER

Under Armour / Notre Dame: Happy Anniversary


It was a year ago this very morning that Notre Dame's Jack Swarbrick and Under Armour's Kevin Plank stood at a podium (see link below) to announce the "most valuable shoe and apparel contract in college sports history."

In the 365 days since, Under Armour's "market cap" has increased dramatically.  Take a look at the growth:
  • January 21, 2014:  $8.96 billion
  • January 21, 2015:  $13.99 billion 

Under Armour's "market cap" has grown 56.1% -- since the announcement of the Notre Dame relationship.

Happy Anniversary to the Under Armour shareholders!

LINK:  ANNOUNCEMENT

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Domer Charlie Weis Interviewing With Bears?


Word on the street is Notre Dame alum and former football coach Charlie Weis '78 -- is interviewing for the Offensive Coordinator's role with the Chicago Bears. 

Here's the story:

LINK:  WEIS TO BEARS?

Tommy Hawkins Returns "Home" to Notre Dame


One of the all-time great Notre Dame people Tommy Hawkins -- was honored this past weekend with membership in the NOTRE DAME BASKETBALL RING OF HONOR.

Here's a recap of "The Hawk's" visit HOME -- you'll want to watch this -- see link below.

I must admit I had tears in my eyes during his acceptance speech Saturday:

LINK:  TOMMY HAWKINS

Monday, January 19, 2015

Tennessee Coach & Players Talk Loss to ND


Here is Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick along with her players -- with the media -- after their 88 - 77 loss to the Fighting Irish tonight...

LINK:  COACH WARLICK

LINK:  PLAYERS

Muffet & Players Post Game Presser After Win


Notre Dame women's head basketball coach Muffet McGraw met with the media tonight after her #6 Fighting Irish beat #5 Tennessee 88 - 77.

Jewell Loyd and Taya Reimer were also asked questions by the media.

Here's what they had to say:

LINK:  MUFFET PRESSER

OT: My Cousin Dropped a "Quadruple Double"


Tara Lierman, a senior at Holt High School (MI) -- earlier this week recorded a rare "quadruple double" -- scoring 28 points, dishing out 12 assists, grabbing 11 rebounds and 10 steals...  That's her in the photo above -- #10.

In a game three days later she throws in another 28 points, 8 assists and 5 steals.  Tara has already committed to playing college soccer at Grand Valley State -- a huge get for the Lakers!

She's up for the Lansing State Journal's "ATHLETE OF THE WEEK."  Tara's a big Notre Dame fan -- you can vote for her at the link below:

LINK:  TARA LIERMAN

List of ND Opponents Losing Players to NFL


Here's the list of 2015 Notre Dame football opponents who are losing players "early" to the NFL Draft:
  • USC:  4 players
  • Stanford:  2 players
  • Clemson:  1 player
  • Texas:  1 player
  • UMass:  1 player

#6 Notre Dame's BIG Win Over #5 Tennessee


Jewell Loyd was the best women's basketball player on the PLANET tonight...
  • 34 Points
  • 5 Rebounds
  • 4 Assists

And, Lindsay Allen and Jewell Loyd served notice that they just might be the best back court in the country.

As #6 ND beat #5 Tennessee tonight 88 - 77 in front of a national TV audience - in a game the Volunteers were looking to "dominate" the Fighting Irish.  This was Notre Dame's 6th win this season over a top-25 team.  A win that will help the Fighting Irish at NCAA Tournament seeding time.

It was a battle between the #4 scoring offense in the country -- Notre Dame -- vs. the #8 scoring defense in the country -- Tennessee.  THE OFFENSE WON.

The Irish came into the game averaging 85.4 points a game, Tennessee came in allowing only 51.8 points a game.

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN GAME RECAP