Sunday, December 31, 2017

Brian Kelly and Ed Orgeron Talk Citrus Bowl


Merry Christmas from the Notre Dame Band!



The Band of the Fighting Irish -- IN ORLANDO!



DeShone Kizer Talks to Media After Loss Today



The young man had his finest game as a professional -- throwing for 314 yards and 2 TD's -- he also rushed 10 times for 61 yards, leading the Browns in rushing as well.

Unfortunately, the Browns lost to the Steelers -- completing an 0 - 16 season...

Notre Dame Depth Chart: Citrus Bowl vs. LSU


Looks a little different with the recent injuries and suspensions to players on Notre Dame's offensive side of the ball...

LINK:  DEPTH CHART

ESPN Story: Notre Dame to Adjust Scheduling


Thought you might find this story interesting...

LINK:  FUTURE SCHEDULING

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Mike Brey = Digger Phelps in All-Time Wins



The Fighting Irish win their ACC opener this afternoon over Georgia Tech -- giving Mike Brey 393 career wins at Notre Dame -- equaling Digger Phelps. 

Brey goes for #394 next Wednesday night...

Lou Holtz -- Citrus Bowl Parade Grand Marshall



"Notre Dame" Being Painted at Citrus Bowl


A little blue paint is going to make this field complete...

They saved the best -- for last!

Double-click on image to enlarge.

LSU O Coordinator and QB Talk Notre Dame


Fighting Irish "Speed Work" in Orlando...


Friday, December 29, 2017

Coach Mike Elko Talks Citrus Bowl vs. LSU

Muffet's IRISH Open up ACC Play With a Win!


Blackhawks GM Talks 4 Years at Notre Dame


I missed this article earlier in the year.  Nice story about Notre Dame alum Stan Bowman -- who just happens to be a three-time Stanley Cup Champion General Manager for the Chicago Blackhawks.

This is a Chicago Tribune story about how Notre Dame shaped his life...

LINK:  BOWMAN

Thursday, December 28, 2017

ESPN Picks CFB Playoff Teams Since 1988


Now, I'm going to differ on who should have been favored in 1993...

LINK:  CFB PLAYOFF -- IF AROUND SINCE 1988

LSU's Orgeron Talks Citrus Bowl vs. IRISH


Notre Dame Players Talk Citrus Bowl Prep


Universal Studios Visit for the Fighting Irish!


LSU Beat Writer Talks Notre Dame Football


Took a lap around the Louisiana web-world to find what the LSU Tigers' beat writers are saying about our Fighting Irish -- just click on the link below...

LINK:  OFFENSIVE LINE

Two Notre Dame Commits Picked Top in PA!


Phil Jurkovec (Pine Richland HS) and Matthew "Bo" Bauer (Cathedral Prep HS) were just named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in Pennsylvania...

FYI:  Both led their teams to undefeated seasons and STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!

LINK:  PENNSYLVANIA'S BEST

Irish Sports Daily Filmed Practice #1 in Orlando



This is my "go-to" site for Notre Dame recruiting information -- IRISH SPORTS DAILY.  Here's a link below to their site...

LINK:  IRISH SPORTS DAILY

Brian Kelly's First Citrus Bowl Media Session



Coach Kelly met with the assembled media after today's practice in Orlando...

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Notre Dame Alum Placed on Path to Sainthood


His name is the Rev. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., a Holy Cross Priest who graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1937.  Last Tuesday, Pope Francis declared  Fr. Patrick Peyton as "venerable" -- placing him on the path to sainthood.

LINK:  LEARN MORE ABOUT PATRICK PEYTON '37

LINK:  FR. PEYTON WIKI PAGE

Monday, December 25, 2017

Heaven's Home Now for this Notre Dame Fan


My Uncle R.J. Doyle left for heaven yesterday morning with my Aunt Barb at his side...

Didn't see this coming -- he was my favorite.

Don't think anyone was more excited about me getting a job at Notre Dame than my Uncle R.J. -- I rarely went a two week period over the past six years without having an online conversation with him about all things Notre Dame.

He loved; my Aunt Barb, his four boys and their wives, his eight grand kids, his family, Blue Lake, Lake Mecosta, Dead Stream, deer hunting and his deer camp, fishing, the Platte River, his Irish heritage and Notre Dame.

I know he'll be sitting in the front row at Heaven's Notre Dame game watch for next Monday's Citrus Bowl -- he'll be there with his Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa Doyle), his sister Joan (my Mom) and his daughter-in-law Susan.  Susan will be the one wearing the "Michigan" t-shirt (we all can't be perfect.)

Really going to miss him -- he was a good man.

Heaven is home now. 

LINK:  OBITUARY

A Very Merry Christmas from Notre Dame!


Saturday, December 23, 2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Coach Brian Kelly Talks Signing Day Results!



20 players signed their National Letters of Intent -- TODAY!

Coach Brian Polian Talks ND Recruting Class


Notre Dame Commit: Jack Lamb, LB





Notre Dame Commit: Tariq Bracy, DB



Notre Dame Commit: Tommy Tremble, TE



Notre Dame Commit: Cole Mabry, OL



Notre Dame Commit: Micah Jones, WR



Notre Dame Commit: Kevin Austin, WR



Notre Dame Commit: Jayson Ademilola, DE



Notre Dame Commit: Justin Ademilola, DT



Notre Dame Commit: Houston Griffith, DB



Notre Dame Commit: John Dirksen, OL



Notre Dame Commit: George Takacs, TE



Notre Dame Commit: Paul Moalo, S



Notre Dame Commit: Jahmir Smith, RB



Notre Dame Commit: Ovie Oghoufo, LB




Notre Dame Commit: Joe Wilkins, Jr., CB



Notre Dame Commit: Ja'Mion Franklin, DT



Notre Dame Commit: Shayne Simon, LB



Notre Dame Commit: Derrik Allen, S



Notre Dame Commit: Phil Jurkovec, QB



Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Early Signing Period Starts Tomorrow Morning


Tune in to Notre Dame Football's LIVE COVERAGE at 9 AM ET!

LINK:  CLICK HERE

The Top Offensive Line in College Football!


A great honor for the Notre Dame Offensive Line as they accepted the Joe Moore Award today -- recognizing them as the best unit in college football!

It's the largest trophy in college sports -- weighing in at 800 lbs.!

Monday, December 18, 2017

Domer Lee Now 3rd in NHL Goal Scoring!


Former Notre Dame hockey captain Anders Lee (New York Islanders) is now 3rd in goal scoring in the NHL, with 20 goals in his 33 games!

LINK:  NHL TOP GOAL SCORERS

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Jessica Shepard's Record Setting Day at ND!


The transfer from Nebraska is settling in quite nicely here at Notre Dame -- she scored 39 points today in the win over DePaul -- the most individual points scored ever in a women's game at Purcell Pavilion!

Three Domers Celebrating a Fellow Domer's TD!



Notre Dame alums; Theo Riddick (25), T.J. Jones (13) and Golden Tate (15) -- showing off their Rockette's inspired TD celebration after T.J. Jones scored his first NFL TD this season!

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Coach Kelly Talks Bowl Prep With Media Today


Tough Loss for the Fighting Irish in Indianapolis


Lighting struck again -- as the Fighting Irish gave a game away to Indiana in a Crossroads Classic Game.  Notre Dame fans will remember blowing a 16 point second-half lead to the Hoosiers in this same game two years ago...

Friday, December 15, 2017

LSU QB Grew Up a "Huge Notre Dame Fan"


He has a Joe Montana uniform hanging in his closet in his Indiana home...

LINK:  ETLING

Former ND Coach Inducted into Hall of Fame!


Former Notre Dame Volleyball head coach Debbie Brown was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame this week!

Congratulations Debbie!

LINK:  STORY

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Jarius Jackson New CFL Offensive Coordinator


Congrats to former Notre Dame QB Jarius Jackson -- who was just named Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach of the CFL's B.C. Lions!

LINK:  STORY

Domer Talks Pressure of Qualifying for Tour

The Notre Dame alum birdied three of his final six holes Sunday, to finish (-14) -- the number he needed to qualify for the first eight events of the 2018 Web.Com Tour!

Congrats Mark!!!

Indiana's Head Coach Talks Notre Dame Game


Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Domer Rudolph -- Vikings' Man of the Year!


The former Notre Dame All-American -- who is currently 2nd in the NFL among TE's with 7 TD catches -- was just named the Vikings' Man of the Year!

LINK:  STORY

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Mark Baldwin Earns Web.Com Tour Exemption!


Congrats are in order for Notre Dame alum Mark Baldwin '06 -- who just earned an exemption for the first 8 events of the 2018 WEB.COM TOUR season!!!

Mark carded a four day total of -14 -- after scores of 69, 67, 68 and 70 today -- finishing in 41st place at the WEB.COM TOUR QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT.

The players who finished in 11th to 45th place earned the 8 event exemption for 2018.

Baldwin birdied three of his last six holes to make the top 45!!!

CONGRATULATIONS MARK!

Photo above -- that's Eric Deutsch on the left -- Mark on the right.  Eric caddied for Mark this week.

LINK:  FINAL LEADERBOARD

Kizer With Media After Browns' OT Loss Today



LINK:   OT LOSS

OT: 100 Years to Complete this Catholic Church




The largest Catholic church in America --- The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. -- AKA "America's Catholic Church" -- just celebrated its completion after 100 years of construction, with the finishing of the Trinity Dome (appropriately) on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

LINK:  STORY


Undefeated -- ALL TIME -- in Big Ten Play...



Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish finished off the 2017 portion of their Big Ten schedule this weekend by sweeping the #12 ranked Wisconsin Badgers in Madison...

Notre Dame has yet to lose a BIG TEN game in its history.  The Fighting Irish are now 10 - 0 in Big Ten play.  They have beaten every Big Ten team but that school in Ann Arbor -- so far this season -- the Irish travel to Michigan to play on January 5th.

The Irish -- ranked #3 in the country -- are now 16 - 3 - 1 on the season.

Current Big Ten Standings:
  1. Notre Dame: 10 - 0 - 0
  2. Ohio State:  5 - 4 - 1
  3. Penn State:  4 - 4 - 2
  4. Minnesota:  4 - 7 - 1
  5. Wisconsin:  4 - 5 - 1
  6. Michigan:  3 - 5 - 2
  7. Michigan State:  2 - 7 - 1

Coach Brey Takes the Irish to Delaware...


Saturday, December 9, 2017

Mark Baldwin Cards a 68 -- Drops to 31st


The Notre Dame alum shoots a four under 68 -- and he loses fifteen places -- golf isn't fair some days...

Bottom line, three really good days on the course for Baldwin;  69, 67 and 68.

Tomorrow's the FINAL ROUND -- here's what he's playing for.

LINK:  LEADERBOARD

OT: CBS Sports Intro to Army Navy Game



Watch Notre Dame Men's Hoops vs. Delaware


You can watch the game online at the link below...

LINK:  ND vs. DELAWARE

Baldwin Shoots a 67 Moves up to 16th Place!


Notre Dame alum Mark Baldwin '06 -- shot a 67 yesterday to move up to 16th place in the WEB.COM TOUR QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT!

Mark carded six birdies against one bogey -- he's now -8 after two rounds!

Two more rounds to go -- here's what Mark's playing for.

LINK:  LEADERBOARD

Notre Dame Scores Three Goals in 3rd to WIN!



That's 12 straight wins -- and the IRISH remain undefeated in Big Ten play!

Friday, December 8, 2017

Echoes 2017: ND Football's Award Show



Domer Anders Lee -- 4th in NHL in Goals!


The New York Islanders' Anders Lee is tearing up the NHL -- over the last 90 games he's played he has scored 49 goals!

The former Fighting Irish hockey star currently sits in 4th place in the NHL in total goals scored with 16.

LINK:  AN ELITE SCORER

Domer Honored as Time's Person of the Year!


Her name is Lindsey Meyer and she's a graduate of Notre Dame's Class of 2008.  Lindsey is featured as one of the "Silence Breakers" who have been selected as Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2017.


LINK:  TIME STORY

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Domer Baldwin at Web.Com Qualifying Final


Notre Dame alum Mark Baldwin '06, just completed first round play in the FINAL STAGE of the WEB.COM Tour Qualifying Tournament in Chandler, AZ.  Mark is just one of 144 professionals who made it through two rounds of qualifying to get to the Final Stage.

Baldwin carded four birdies to go with one bogey today shooting a 69 -- placing him in 22nd place after the first round.

For those playing in the Final Stage -- the stakes are clearly defined:
  • The winner will receive fully exempt Web.com Tour status for the 2018 Regular Season.
  • Finishers 2-10 (and ties) will receive exempt Web.com Tour status for the first 12 events of 2018.
  • Finishers 11-45 (and ties) will receive exempt Web.com Tour status for the first eight events of 2018.

You can follow Mark's progress these next three days at the link below.

LINK:  LEADERBOARD

OT: The Power and Majesty of the Great Lakes


This is un-edited video of Lake Michigan -- at Saint Joseph, MI -- two days ago...

Irish Receive Muffet's Hall of Fame "Kicks"


Love these custom shoes from Under Armour!  I hope they market a "low cut" version in men's sizes, count me in!

Three Named Sports Illustrated All-Americans!


One was five-star recruit, one was a four-star recruit and one was a three-star recruit coming out of high school...

Above image courtesy of Irish Sports Daily.

LINK:  SI's ALL AMERICANS

Promoting ND Players for Post Season Awards




 

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Muffet's #2 Ranked Irish Roll Michigan State


The aftermath of a TEDDY BEAR TOSS at Notre Dame!

Brey Talks Disappointing Loss to Ball State



That makes THREE sub-par performances for the IRISH after being ranked as high as #5 in America this past week...

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Pat Connaughton -- Now an NBA Starter !!!


In his third season with the Trail Blazers -- the former Fighting Irish star has earned a starting role in Portland!!!

LINK:  WHY CONNAUGHTON IS STARTING!

Monday, December 4, 2017

Auriemma Talks Sunday's Win Over Notre Dame

Here's what UCONN's head coach had to say about their come-from-behind win over Notre Dame yesterday...

SEE YOU IN APRIL UCONN!

LINK:  AURIEMMA #1

LINK:  AURIEMMA #2


LSU Returning to Citrus Bowl vs. Notre Dame


Here's an interview with LSU head coach Ed Orgeron...

LINK:  "THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN"

Sunday, December 3, 2017

For 35 Minutes We Were -- #1 Team in America


Muffet's Fighting Irish were in control with 5 minutes to go...
  • 10 straight missed shots
  • Bad defense
  • And, the IRISH gave away an 11 point lead in the 4th quarter...

SEE YOU IN APRIL!

LINK:  ND LOSES to UCONN

Coach Kelly & Tranquill Talk Citrus Bowl Game


TJ Jones' Custom NFL Cleats Today...


He paid homage to his alma mater...

Mike Brey Tossed -- Talks Win Over St. Francis



With Alabama IN -- Looks Like the Citrus Bowl


That's what the folks at NBC think...

We should find out OFFICIALLY -- sometime between 2:30 PM ET and 3:00 PM ET.

LINK:  ND BOWL OPTIONS

Notre Dame Hockey -- Dominating the Big Ten



Notre Dame has yet to lose a BIG TEN game...

They have swept:
  • Penn State
  • Ohio State
  • Minnesota
  • Michigan State

The Curse of Bobby Lane Strikes Detroit Again!



This is a classic -- they can't even blow the building up...

The former home of the Detroit Lions for 27 seasons -- still stands -- as an attempt to blow up the Pontiac Silverdome, failed this morning.

We should have expected this -- as the Lions have failed more often than not since 1957.  The 27 Lions team that called the Pontiac Silverdome home were a combined 175 - 238 - 1 those seasons.

Pretty pathetic.

The curse of Bobby Lane -- strikes again!

FYI:  I am a life-long Detroit Lions fan...

LINK:  STORY


Why ND Fans Should Hope Alabama Gets In...


This is a no-brainer.

If Alabama gets the fourth College Football Playoff slot it proves the following:
  • You don't need to win a conference title to make the CFB Playoff
  • You don't need to play 13 games to make the CFB Playoff
  • And, you only need wins over 10 FBS opponents* to make the CFB Playoff

*Note: The Big Ten / Ohio State crowd will argue that (11-1) Alabama only has 10 wins this season against FBS opponents -- with an "exhibition win against Mercer" on November 18th.

So, I'm rooting for the following to happen today during the NOON ET hour:
  • Alabama gets the 4th ranking
  • Notre Dame gets the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day vs. LSU
  • And, further proof that a Conference Championship is not required to play for a National Championship