Charlie's Chiefs on Monday Night Football

Former Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Charlie Weis '78 -- takes his offensive play calling to the NFL's biggest stage tonight as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Diego Chargers in the Monday Night Football game on ESPN. You can bet, the camera will be on Coach Weis often as he makes his return to the pro game. The Chiefs vs. Chargers game is the second game tonight on ESPN's Monday Night Football doubleheader with a 10:15 PM EST kick-off. The first game (Ravens vs. Jets) kicks off at 7:00 PM EST. Here's a link to a Q&A with Coach Weis last month:

LINK: Q&A WITH CHARLIE WEIS

New York Town Hires Notre Dame

The village of Skaneateles, NY (located in the Finger Lakes region) recently contracted with six University of Notre Dame graduate students and their professor to assist them in developing their master plan. The town's Comprehensive Plan Review Committee hired the Urban Design Studio students for $10,000 to assist them in planning their future. The Notre Dame students will be meeting with Skaneateles residents this week (September 14th - 16th) and will be presenting their completed work in December. Here's a link to the story:

LINK: NOTRE DAME COMES TO TOWN

Former NFL Great's "Twins" Are Irish!

Former Oakland Raider great, George Atkinson's twin sons; George III and Josh gave their verbal commitment to Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish this morning. George III is a top wide receiver / running back prospect and brother Josh is a defensive back. Dad, seen here in the photo with his boys, is a radio analyst for the Raiders these days. Here's a video of George III from his junior year:

LINK: IRISH COMMIT

Clausen's NFL Debut...

Former Notre Dame QB, Jimmy Clausen -- made his NFL debut today in the Carolina Panthers 31-18 loss to the New York Giants in the first "official" NFL game played in the Giants & Jets new $1.6 billion stadium. Clausen got into the game late -- when the Panthers starting QB, Mal Moore, was shaken up. Moore was taken to a New York hospital after the game for observation. Jimmy attempted two passes -- but neither was caught. Ironically, Clausen's NFL Passer Rating ended up higher than his teammate Moore's -- can someone please explain to me how you can have an NFL Passer Rating when you don't complete a pass? Here's a link to the statistics:

LINK: CLAUSEN'S NFL PASSER RATING

PHOTO OF THE DAY: A Little Wet @ ND!

It was a rainy day yesterday at Notre Dame. Thought this sign in South Quad was quite appropriate!

Replay: A Tough One to Watch...

We rolled into our driveway around 1:50 AM this morning -- the I-69 Exit off of the Indiana Toll Road isn't much fun after a Michigan or Michigan State game -- what a mess! Much like the first half and last three minutes of the game against Michigan yesterday -- not in any hurry to relive any of those moments! So, if you dare -- here's a link to NBC's replay of yesterday's game:

LINK: A DIFFICULT LOSS

It's Football Saturday @ Notre Dame!

Folks, we're about an hour away from leaving Motown for Notre Dame and our seats in Section 119 -- there will be sixteen of us Irish fans sitting in amongst the Michigan fans (God help us!). The nation will be watching to see if Notre Dame is on its way back -- FYI: WE ARE! For those of you who will rooting for the Irish from home -- here's a few options to get you ready for kick-off:

1. At 9 AM EST -- click on this link and listen to WSBT 960 AM's Notre Dame Football Show -- it goes all morning long - right up to kick-off!

2. At 11 AM EST -- click on this link and watch Notre Dame Stadium fill up and watch the Irish come out of the Student Section on to the field for pre-game warmups

3. At 2:30 PM EST -- click on this link and watch NBC's online pre-game show

4. And, at 3:41 PM EST -- kick-off of the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game on NBC or online

Go IRISH!!!

Replay: Pep Rally - Michigan Week

The Fighting Irish Football Team started Football Weekend with a trip to the Pep Rally at the Irish Green on the Notre Dame campus. The photo was taken from the cell phone of one Brian Smith #58 -- senior linebacker for the Irish. Here's a link to the Pep Rally -- Go Irish!

LINK: Pep Rally

You'll Enjoy This Access to the Irish!

I just got done watching this video just posted by the gang at www.und.com -- this might be their best effort yet! Coach Kelly truly gave them ALL ACCESS for his first game. This video takes you from their last practice on Friday afternoon to inside the Irish Locker Room after the game. CLICK ON THE TOTAL ACCESS VIDEO -- you'll like this!

LINK: IRISH ALL ACCESS -- THE FIRST GAME

Game Day Weather Forecast

Just took a look at AccuWeather's forecast for South Bend, IN tomorrow -- and it's not that bad! If you look at the "hourly" forecast, they're predicting no rain from 11 AM to 7 PM -- let's hope they're correct!!! Here's the link:

LINK: HOURLY WEATHER FORECAST -- IRISH vs. WOLVERINES

Lemming Talking ND Recruiting - Today!

College football recruiting expert, Tom Lemming, will be joining the boys at WSBT 906 AM's Weekday SportsBeat -- today from 5:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST -- as they broadcast from the Irish Green. Here's a link to listen to them live on the web:

LINK: TOM LEMMING ON WEEKDAY SPORTSBEAT

Will They Be Back?

Mega Country-Pop star Taylor Swift and her side-kick Selena Gomez, of Disney Channel Fame, (pictured) generated a great deal of buzz this past Saturday inside Notre Dame Stadium. Will they be back again tomorrow? I'm sure their fans will be on the look out - and maybe a few football players too!

Replay: Brian Kelly Radio Show

Coach Kelly was back at Legend's of Notre Dame last night for his second radio show. Here's a link to video coverage of the show:

LINK: BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW - September 9th

LIVE CHAT with Notre Dame Football

The gang at www.und.com will be hosting a LIVE CHAT @ NOON today with a number of Notre Dame Football players. To join the chat - click on this link below:

LIVE CHAT WITH ND FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Notre Dame's Fight For Kids With Autism

Folks, it's work like this going on at the University of Notre Dame -- that makes me proud to be a fan. I'm sure most know someone who has a child who's dealing with Autism. Here's a story told by Notre Dame's Office of Public Affairs & Communications -- that will touch your soul! KLEENEX ALERT! Click on the link below:


LINK: FIGHTING AUTISM

On Campus? -- They're Painting the Helmets!

The University of Notre Dame announced earlier in the week that they were moving the painting of the helmets to this afternoon at 3:00 PM -- inside Notre Dame Stadium. Fans can come to GATE E (Student Entrance) and watch one of the great college football traditions -- the painting of the Notre Dame football helmets! Here's an Adidas TV commercial from 1996 about this uniquely Notre Dame tradition -- that you'll enjoy:

LINK: THERE'S FOOTBALL -- AND THEN THERE'S NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

A Notre Dame Icon -- To Retire

The University of Notre Dame's long time Executive Director of its Alumni Association, Chuck Lennon '61 -- announced his retirement yesterday -- effective next June 2011. Chuck's 30 years of service to his Alma Mater left Notre Dame a much better place. Lennon was a fixture at Pep Rally's with his "Raise the Roof" cheer (SEE VIDEO LINK BELOW) -- and never missed an opportunity to make a fellow Alum or visitor feel at home when they crossed his path at Notre Dame. He epitomizes what it means to be a "Notre Dame Man." I'm certain there will be tribute after tribute for this "Man and his Notre Dame sweater" -- over these next nine months. Thank You Chuck Lennon!

LINK: "RAISE THE ROOF"

LINK: A BONUS VIDEO OF CHUCK IN ACTION!

Michigan Week: #1 vs. #2 in 1989

It's the game in which Rocket Ismail broke Bo Schembechler's heart and became Irish legend -- with his two kick-off returns for TD's as the #1 ranked Irish beat #2 ranked Michigan in the so called "Big House." Here is Keith Jackson's call on ABC:

LINK: YOU DON'T KICK TO ROCKET!

Brian Kelly Radio Show -- Tonight!

Just a quick reminder -- every Thursday night during the Notre Dame football season -- Head Coach Brian Kelly will be hosting his own radio show at Legends of Notre Dame. The radio show runs from 7 PM EST to 8 PM EST on a number of radio stations. You can also watch it live on www.und.com -- ALL ACCESS. Here's two links to where you'll find Coach Kelly's radio show tonight live on the web:

LINK: LIVE ON THE WEB

LINK: LIVE ON THE RADIO

The Montana vs. Rudy Story -- Part II

Looks like the "journalists" at TMZ won't let this story go away. Yesterday, Joe Montana was on the Dan Patrick Radio Show and he was asked about the Rudy movie. I wasn't crazy about Joe's response -- as you may have read in an earlier post. Well, it looks like a former teammate, Jay Achterhoff, wasn't as well. Here's a link to TMZ's report:

LINK: MONTANA vs. RUDY