Saturday, November 28, 2020

Notre Dame Hockey Beats #3 Michigan

North Carolina Media Talks Notre Dame Loss


Here's what the North Carolina media had to say about Notre Dame's convincing win over their Tar Heels...

LINK:  DAILY TAR HEEL #1

LINK:  DAILY TAR HEEL #2 

LINK:  DAILY TAR HEEL #3 

LINK:  HERALD SUN #1 

LINK:  HERALD SUN #2 

LINK:  CHARLOTTE OBSERVER


The Media the "Mornin' After" Our Big Win!


Took another lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what the media has to say about the Fighting Irish's win over #19 North Carolina last night...

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS 

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED 

LINK:  USA TODAY 

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

 

Mike Brey Talks Game w/ #13 Michigan State

The Fighting Irish tip off the hoops season traveling to East Lansing to take on the #13 ranked Michigan State Spartans.

You can watch the game on the Big Ten Network beginning at 8 PM ET.

Go Irish!

Friday, November 27, 2020

Mack Brown Talks Loss to Notre Dame Today

Game Highlights: Notre Dame Over Carolina...

Photos: Notre Dame 31 -- North Carolina 17

Inside the Numbers -- Notre Dame's Defense


This was a true gut check for the Notre Dame defense...

You're playing the top offense in the ACC and maybe the top offense in all of college football -- without your top safety in a 17 - 17 game when North Carolina gets the 2nd half kick-off...

Inside the performance of the Notre Dame defense:

  • 17 points given up -- to a team that was averaging 40.2 pts. per game
  • 298 yards given up -- to a team that averaged 533.9 yards per game
  • 87 yards rushing given up -- to a team that averaged 217.2 yards per game 
  • 211 yards passing given up -- to a team that averaged 313.67 yards per game
  • 6 QB sacks -- to a team that averaged giving up 3.6 QB sacks per game

 

North Carolina only gained 58 total yards in the 2nd half!


ABC's Video Clips From Notre Dame's Win!

Clark Lea for President! WOW!

No one has done this to the North Carolina offense...

An absolute second half defensive clinic -- with Kyle Hamilton on the sidelines!

Here Come The Irish Football Show: UNC Week

Here Come The Irish: Claypool Interview

Watch this week's Here Come The Irish Football Show at 12:11 PM ET today at the link below.  Great lead in to today's big game!

LINK:   HERE COME THE IRISH FOOTBALL SHOW

The "Experts" Pick Today's Game Winner...


Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning -- here's who they're picking as the winner of #2 Notre Dame vs. #19 North Carolina...

LINK:  CBS SPORTS 

LINK:  FAN NATION 

LINK:  247 SPORTS 

LINK:  VEGAS INSIDER 

LINK:  SATURDAY BLITZ

 

 

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Common Foes: Notre Dame & North Carolina


Took a look at the common opponents of North Carolina and our Fighting Irish.  Here's what the numbers look like...

 

BOSTON COLLEGE

  • North Carolina 26 -- Boston College 22
    • Total yards for NC:  401
    • Total yards for BC: 353
  • Notre Dame 45 -- Boston College 31
    • Total yards for ND:  557
    • Total yards for BC:  357

 

FLORIDA STATE

  • Florida State 31 -- North Carolina 28
    • Total yards for NC:  558
    • Total yards for FSU:  432
  • Notre Dame 42 -- Florida State 26
    • Total yards for ND:  554
    • Total yards for FSU:  405

 

DUKE

  • North Carolina 56 -- Duke 24
    • Total yards for NC:  573
    • Total yards for Duke:  411
  • Notre Dame 27 -- Duke 13 
    • Total yards for ND:  441
    • Total yards for Duke:  334

 

HERE ARE THE TOTALS:

  • Notre Dame
    • Points scored:  114
    • Points given up:  70
    • Point differential:  +44
    • Total yards gained:  1,552
    • Total yards given up:  1,096
    • Yard differential:  +456
  • North Carolina:
    • Points scored:  110
    • Points given up: 77
    • Point differential:  +33
    • Total yards gained:  1,532
    • Total yards given up:  1,196
    • Yard differential:  +438
  •  ND vs. NC analysis:
    • Points scored:  Notre Dame / 4 points more
    • Points given up:  Notre Dame / 7 points less
    • Total yards gained:  Notre Dame / 20 more yards gained
    • Total yards given up:  Notre Dame / 100 yards less
  • BOTTOM LINE -- very even game.

North Carolina's "Hype Video" for Friday...

Thanksgiving Proclamation from Notre Dame


A friend, neighbor and Notre Dame Law School professor, Roger Alford -- asked me to post this Thanksgiving Proclamation -- which is based on President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863...

Please read and sign if you agree.

LINK:  THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION FROM NOTRE DAME

ACC Network: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Connaughton's New Deal Puts Him On List!


Pat Connaughton just agreed to a new three year agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks that puts him in "rare air" among former Notre Dame student-athletes.

Here's a look at the TOP 25 current and former Notre Dame athletes (football, basketball, baseball and hockey) who have been (and will be) paid the most as a professional athlete:

  • Ronnie Stanley:  $132,131,825 -- not guaranteed, contract 2025
  • Jeff Samardzija:  $127,625,000 -- current free agent
  • Zack Martin:  $102,329,796 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
  • Kyle Rudolph:  $77,897,708 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2023
  • A.J. Pollock:  $76,397,500 -- guaranteed contract to 2023 
  • Jaylon Smith:  $75,022,000 -- not guaranteed contract to 2025
  • Anders Lee:  $71,894,038 -- guaranteed contract to 2026
  • Golden Tate:  $70,837,672 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
  • Troy Murphy:  $66,000,000 
  • Stephon Tuitt:  $64,760,551 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
  • Harrison Smith:  $63,666,546 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2021
  • Bryant Young:  $44,000,000
  • Justin Tuck:  $43,248,463 
  • John Sullivan:  $40,050,021
  • Jerome Bettis:  $35,122,500
  • Jeff Faine:  $34,456,892
  • Kyle Palmieri:  $34,442,154 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
  • Tim Brown:  $28,432,686
  • Pat Connaughton:  $27,165,642 -- guaranteed contract to 2023
  • Ian Cole:  $26,049,694 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
  • Joe Montana:  $26,000,000 
  • Quenton Nelson:  $24,148,910 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2021
  • Ian Cole:  $23,049,694 -- guaranteed, contract to 2021
  • Craig Counsell:  $22,086,667
  • David Phelps:  $19,308,813 -- free agent

ACC Network: Hype Video?

Coach Kelly Catches Up w/ Dexter Williams

Notre Dame Players Talk North Carolina Game

Monday, November 23, 2020

Thanksgiving Music Video from Notre Dame!

 

I hope you'll enjoy this music video our team created for the University of Notre Dame...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

Great Photos From Notre Dame This Evening!

 


Click on the images above to enlarge

These photos were taken this evening by Fr. Ralph Haag, C.S.C. -- the rector at St. Ed's Hall...

Beautiful!

Mack Brown Talks Playing Notre Dame

Brian Kelly Talks Game w/ Tar Heels

LIVE Chat Tonight at 8:30 PM ET

 
Please tune in tonight at 8:30 PM ET for a Thanksgiving LIVE CHAT with Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C. -- the president of the University of Notre Dame.
 
At the Chat's conclusion we will be releasing a music video -- you will not want to miss!
 

 

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Roethlisberger Talks "A Little" About Claypool

 

The rookie WR from Notre Dame scored another TD today -- making it 10 TD receptions in 10 games -- the first wide receiver to do this in the Super Bowl era... 

You'll hear the Claypool comments at the 8:16 mark.

Our Guy Brady Quinn Called Out by Urban

Friday, November 20, 2020

Heaven Got a Good One Yesterday...

 

 
Just learned a family friend Conrad Peterson (on the right in this photo) of Old Harbor, Alaska -- left for Heaven yesterday...
 
Man, what a great guy.  My Dad (on the left in the photo) and my Uncle Denny have been making the yearly trek to fish with the guys at Kodiak Sportsman's Lodge since 2005 -- where Conrad has guided since 2003.  I had the great fortune to make that trip in 2017 and quickly formed a bond with this man.

Conrad was also the Tribal President of the Alutiq Tribe of Old Harbor...

Two years ago, Conrad and his wife Amy came to South Bend to watch the Fighting Irish play a game inside Notre Dame Stadium.  They stayed in our home and we gave the two of them a wonderful Notre Dame football experience.
 
Since our first meeting in 2017 -- we've been texting back and forth about fishing, Notre Dame football and all things Alaska.  He will be missed...
 
 
 
Conrad & Amy


 
LINK:  STORY OF CONRAD'S PASSING

ESPN's College Football Playoff Predictor

Carolina Insider -- Talk of Game vs. Notre Dame

 

The "Notre Dame talk" begins at the 4:30 mark...

Monday, November 16, 2020

Know Thy Foe: North Carolina's Mack Brown

 

Press conference after North Carolina's "shoot out" victory over Wake Forest...

Clemson vs. Notre Dame -- Top Opponent...


This far into the season -- here's a look at how both Clemson and Notre Dame fared against their most accomplished common opponent -- Boston College Eagles:

 

Game Location vs. Boston College:

  • Boston College traveled to Clemson (home game)
  • Notre Dame (away game) traveled to Boston College 

 

Final Score vs. Boston College:

  • Clemson 34 -- Boston College 28
  • Notre Dame 45 -- Boston College 31

 

Offensive Statistics vs. Boston College

  • Clemson Offense
    • Points Scored:  34
    • First Downs:  26
    • Total Yards:  448 yards
    • Passing Yards:  342 yards
    • Rushing Yards:  106 yards
    • 3rd Down:  7 - 16
    • Possession:  30:50
    • Turnovers:  1 fumble lost
    • Punts:  3
  • Notre Dame Offense
    • Points Scored:  45
    • First Downs:  29
    • Total Yards:  557 yards
    • Passing Yards:  283 yards
    • Rushing Yards:  274 yards
    • 3rd Down:  4 - 9
    • Possession:  34:27
    • Turnovers: 3 fumbles lost
    • Punts:  0

 

Defensive Statistics vs. Boston College:

  • Clemson Defense
    • First Downs:  21
    • Total Yards:  275 yards
    • Passing Yards:  208 yards
    • Rushing Yards:  67 yards
    • 3rd Down: 4 - 11
    • Tackles For Loss:  8
    • QB Sacks:  4
    • Turnovers:  0
  • Notre Dame Defense
    • First Downs:  22
    • Total Yards:  357 yards
    • Passing Yards:  272 yards
    • Rushing Yards:  85 yards
    • 3rd Down:  4 - 11
    • Tackles For Loss:  7
    • QB Sacks:  1
    • Turnovers:  1 interception

 

Swarbrick Interviews President of NBC Sports

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Well, My "Notre Dame Cast" is Undefeated!

 
I broke my ankle a couple of weeks ago -- took a nasty fall off a ladder, broke both bones and dislocated it...
 
The good news is my surgeon was Dr. Jim Flynn '03 -- a Notre Dame alum who is a former student manager for the Fighting Irish football team.  He's great at his craft and in a few months I suspect I'll be back on my feet!
 
My wife Susan did the honors of painting IRISH on my cast -- this afternoon -- before the Boston College game!

Brian Kelly Talks Win Over Boston College...

Ian Book's Playing at a HIGH LEVEL!!!

Condensed Game Replay: ND 45 -- BC 31

Jurkovec Talks Loss to Notre Dame w/ Media

BC's Hafley Talks 45 - 31 Loss to Notre Dame

Brian Kelly's 100th Win at Notre Dame!


With today's win over Boston College -- Brian Kelly, the Dick Corbett Head Football Coach moves up into a tie for 2nd place in all-time for WINS at the University of Notre Dame!  

There have been 29 head football coaches in Notre Dame history who have coached at least one season...

Here's the TOP TEN in all-time wins:

  1. Knute Rockne:  105 wins
  2. Brian Kelly:  100 wins
  3. Lou Holtz:  100 wins
  4. Ara Parseghian:  95 wins
  5. Frank Leahy:  87 wins
  6. Dan Devine:  53 wins
  7. Elmer Layden:  47 wins
  8. Bob Davie:  35 wins
  9. Charlie Weis:  35 wins
  10. Jesse Harper:  34 wins

What a Back Drop for Tik Tok...

That's former Notre Dame Leprechaun Sam Jackson '20 in the Notre Dame jacket...

Coach Kelly's Final Media Session Before BC

GO IRISH! Beat Boston College!!!

Notre Dame Football's Rhodes Scholar Finalist

Notre Dame's Tribute to the "Golden Boy"

Friday, November 13, 2020

Breaking: Paul Hornung Has Left for Heaven


The Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner and Green Bay Packer was 84 years-old.  The Louisville Sports Commission announced Paul's death due to dementia.

Hornung is one of seven football players in history to be awarded the Heisman Trophy and the NFL MVP award.

He led the Fighting Irish to a 2-8 record his senior season (1956) -- and still won the Heisman Trophy.  Think about that.  A few months later the Green Bay Packers drafted him #1 overall.

Hornung is the only player in NFL history with 50 rushing TD's and 50 field goals!

Here's the ESPN story...

LINK:  HORNUNG

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES STORY

OT: College GameDay Set at Augusta National

 
The ESPN College GameDay show will be broadcast from Augusta National's Par Three Course -- tomorrow morning...  What a scene!
 
Show starts at 9 AM ET -- got to believe they'll be talking about Notre Dame football!

 

Boston College OL w/ Packer & Durham

Brian Kelly Radio Show -- Boston College Week

Notre Dame Players Talk Boston College...

Inside Notre Dame Football: Clemson Week

Notre Dame Glee Club: Christmas Music

The Bus and Mapletron Talk Mental Health...

Here Come The Irish Football Show -- Edwards

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

BC's Jeff Hafley Talks Notre Dame Game...

Notre Dame Men's Basketball Schedule

 
Click on image above to enlarge.
 
No one will play a more difficult pre-season schedule in the country than Mike Brey's Fighting Irish!
 

 

Full Game Replay: Notre Dame 47 -- Clemson 40

ACC Women's Hoops Predictions: 2020-2021


 

Jim Mora Talks Notre Dame Over Clemson

ESPN "Talking Heads" Discuss Notre Dame...

Finebaum Talks Notre Dame & CFB Playoffs

Rocket Can Sure Tell A Story -- Enjoy!

Brian Kelly on the Dan Patrick Show Monday

Jeff Jackson's Season Opening Media Session

Monday, November 9, 2020

The Ashley Family's Reaction to ND WIN!!!

 

Jason Ashley forwarded this video taken by his wife Amy -- of the family's reaction to the last play of the Clemson vs. Notre Dame game!  LOVE THIS!

The Ashley family hails from Greenville, South Carolina...

Go Irish!

Clemson Players Look Back at Loss to ND

Mike Brey's Season Opening Media Session

BC's Head Coach's Sunday Press Session

 

 His next press conference will be tomorrow...

Only One College Football Team Can Say This!


The Notre Dame Fighting Irish continue to be the only college football team in history to NEVER LOSE a football game to a conference opponent...


ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE -- FOOTBALL STANDINGS:

  • NOTRE DAME:  6 - 0
  • Clemson:  6 -1
  • Miami: 5 - 1
  • North Carolina: 4 - 2
  • Virginia Tech:  4 - 2
  • Wake Forest:  3 - 2            
  • NC State:  4 - 3
  • Boston College: 4 -3
  • Pittsburgh:  3 - 4
  • Georgia Tech: 3 - 4
  • Virginia:  2 -4
  • Louisville: 1 - 5
  • Florida State:  1 - 5
  • Syracuse:  1  6
  • Duke:  1 - 6

RED denotes on Notre Dame's schedule this season. 


 

 

Behind the Scenes With Brian Kelly

Missed This: Brady Quinn Interviewing Book

Sunday, November 8, 2020

936 All-Time Wins for Notre Dame Football...


Back in February of 2018 -- the NCAA stripped our Fighting Irish of 21 wins over the course of two seasons.  I believe the penalty was way too harsh -- and will never recognize this decision at the ND GO IRISH BLOG when looking at "all-time winning" totals for FBS...

So, after last night's victory over #1 Clemson -- Notre Dame Football has an all-time record of 936 - 326 - 42.  Here's where that ranks in college football history:


ALL TIME WINNING PERCENTAGE:

  1. Notre Dame: 73.3%
  2. Boise State: 73.1%
  3. Ohio State:  73.0%
  4. Alabama:  72.8%
  5. Michigan: 72.7%

 

ALL TIME WINS:

  1. Michigan:  964
  2. Notre Dame:  936
  3. Ohio State:  930
  4. Alabama:  928
  5. Texas:  926

 

Who knows, if Harbaugh gets another five-year contract extension in Ann Arbor -- we just might catch the Wolverines by 2027 in all-time wins!

Clemson's D vs. Notre Dame's Offensive Line


Thought it would be good to do some research to see how impressive Notre Dame's offensive line's performance was last night.  Here are the facts:

  1. No one has rushed the ball better vs. Clemson this season
  2. No one has protected the QB better vs. Clemson this season
  3. No one has thrown the ball better vs. Clemson this season 

 

  • Notre Dame's ability to run the ball vs. Clemson:
    • Wake Forest:  37 yards rushing
    • Citadel:  86 yards rushing
    • Virginia:  147 yards rushing
    • Miami:  89 yards rushing
    • Georgia Tech:  123 yards rushing
    • Syracuse:  150 yards rushing
    • Boston College:  67 yards rushing
    • Notre Dame:  209 yards rushing
 
  •  Notre Dame's ability to protect the QB position:
    • Wake Forest:  6 QB sacks
    • Citadel:  4 QB sacks
    • Virginia:  3 QB sacks
    • Miami:  5 QB sacks
    • Georgia Tech:  4 QB sacks
    • Syracuse:  2 QB sacks
    • Boston College:  4 QB sacks
    • Notre Dame: 2 QB sacks
 
  •  Notre Dame's ability to throw the ball vs. Clemson:
    • Wake Forest: 293 yards passing
    • Citadel:  76 yards passing
    • Virginia:  270 yards passing
    • Miami:  121 yards passing
    • Georgia Tech:  81 yards passing
    • Syracuse:  175 yards passing
    • Boston College: 208 yards passing
    • Notre Dame:  310 yards passing

Notre Dame Players Talk Win Over #1 Clemson

What I Will Never Forget About Last Night...


It was a game "for the ages" -- as our #4 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame stood "toe to toe" with the #1 Clemson Tigers...


Here's what I will never forget about last night:

  1. My reaction and my family's reaction when Kyren Williams takes the 2nd play from scrimmage and goes 65 yards for a TD!
  2. Kyren Williams picking up the Clemson blitz, all night long -- a tip of the cap to you young man!
  3. Overcoming costly mistakes in the redzone -- throwing away 15 points
    1. Michael Mayer's illegal motion -- ND lost 4 points 
    2. Michael Mayer's drop -- ND lost 4 points
    3. Ian Book's fumble into the endzone -- ND lost 7 points
  4. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramorah taking the fumbled pitch into the end zone -- Etienne could feel a beat down coming and he flinched...
  5. Javon McKinley's great finger tip catch -- when we really needed a big play!
  6. The punishment Notre Dame put on Clemson -- player after player leaving with injury in those orange and purple helmets in the 4th quarter
  7. Dabo talking the ACC officials into picking up a flag -- after  an obvious pass interference penalty late in the 4th quarter
  8. A 91 yard drive in the closing minutes -- that culminated with the "seas parting" and an open Avery Davis catching a perfectly thrown deep ball from Ian Book -- and the short TD pass a couple plays later...
  9. Notre Dame's defensive line taking the game over in the 2nd OT with back-to-back sacks -- after Notre Dame's go-ahead OT TD!
  10. The camera shot (from above the field) of the student body running onto the field
  11. And, my Domer son's reaction -- watching him run out of our house (with his girlfriend) to join the expected on-campus celebration in the water of the Clarke Memorial Fountain...

 

Funny end to the story:  Apparently our Notre Dame student body doesn't know about the tradition of jumping into the fountain after big wins...  When they arrived, no one was around.  However, I'm proud to say my Domer son (Class of  2008) was the first to jump in and kept the tradition alive... 

Dabo With Media After Loss to Notre Dame

Brian Kelly Talks Win Over Clemson Tonight!

Game Highlights: Notre Dame 47 - Clemson 40

Notre Dame 47 -- Clemson 40 in Double OT!

 
 
>WHAT THOUGH THE ODDS BE GREAT OR SMALL...
 
 
Just 34 yards rushing for Clemson -- think about that!!!
 
 
LINK:  GAME STATS

 

Notre Dame Locker Room Celebration!

The ND GOLD GANG CALLED IT!

 
YES!!!

 

Friday, November 6, 2020

Look For These ESPN College GameDay Signs

 
Our Gold Gang and Notre Dame Cheerleaders will have these signs out on campus today and tomorrow.   Keep an eye out for them on the ESPN College GameDay Show from Notre Dame tomorrow morning from 9 AM ET to NOON ET. 

 

How You Know You've Raised Your Kids Right

My friend Dave Peloquin '03 is the Director of Player Personnel for Notre Dame Football.  Last night at practice -- three members of Dave's staff (his kids) decided to let the world know who they are cheering for this Saturday night...

Go Irish!

Monday, November 2, 2020

Brian Kelly Talks Clemson Game Today...

Tale of the Tape: #1 Clemson vs. #4 IRISH


Here's how these two teams match up -- going into Saturday's game vs. Clemson...

Notre Dame Offense vs. Clemson Defense: 

  • Rushing
    • Notre Dame averages 231 yards per game -- #11 in the country
    • Clemson allows 100 yards per game -- #15 in the country
    • Notre Dame averages 5.08 yards per carry -- #22 in the country
    • Clemson allows 2.74 yards per carry -- #11 in the country
  • Passing
    • Notre Dame averages  206.2 yards per game -- #71 in the country
    • Clemson allows 174.9 yards per game -- #27 in the country
    • Notre Dame QB's sacked 2 times per game -- #38 in the country
    • Clemson has sacked QB's 4 times per game-- #3 in the country 
  •  Total Offense
    • Notre Dame averages 437.2 yards per game -- #29 in the country
    • Clemson allows 274.7 yards per game -- #7 in the country
    • Notre Dame averages 34.8 points per game -- #26 in the country
    • Clemson allows 15.6 points per game -- #11 in the country

 

Notre Dame Defense vs. Pittsburgh Offense:

  • Rushing
    • Clemson averages 166.6 yards per game -- #55 in the country
    • Notre Dame allows 93.7 yards per game -- #8 in the country
    • Clemson averages 4.47 yards per rush -- #5 in the country
    • Notre Dame allows 3.14 yards per rush -- #14 in the country
  • Passing
    • Clemson averages 341.4 yards per game -- #8 in the country
    • Notre Dame allows 173.5 yards per game -- #9 in the country
    • Clemson QB's sacked 1.57 times per game -- #32 in the country
    • Notre Dame has sacked QB 2.83 times per game -- #29 in the country
  • Total Offense
    • Clemson averages 508 yards per game -- #10 in the country
    • Notre Dame allows 257.2 yards per game -- #6 in the country
    • Clemson averages 46.1 points per game -- #2 in the country
    • Notre Dame allows 10.3 points per game -- #4 in the country
 

 Other Interesting Stats:

  • Penalties
    • Notre Dame is averaging 4.7 penalties per game -- #12 in the country
    • Clemson is averaging 5.86 penalties per game -- #38 in the country
  • Third Down Offense
    • Notre Dame is converting 54.7% of the time -- #7 in the country
    • Clemson is converting  50.5% of the time -- #16 in the country
  • Third Down Defense
    • Notre Dame is allowing 24.4% of the time -- #4 in the country
    • Clemson is allowing 27.5% of the time -- #7 in the country