A Sunday Conversation -- Coach Kelly

Life goes on -- and the Irish need to get over yesterday's beating by the Naval Academy and start preparing for Tulsa this Saturday.  This afternoon, Coach Kelly met with UND.COM's Jack Nolan for their weekly Sunday chat.  Here's a link:

LINK:  A SUNDAY CONVERSATION WITH COACH KELLY

The Morning After -- the Media Piles On

And, we should expect nothing else when the most storied college football team in the country takes a beating like they did yesterday at the hands of a military academy school.  Frankly, we deserve all of it.  (The photo is of Navy's "back up" fullback who rushed for 210 yards yesterday -- a school record for that position).  Here's what our "friends" in the media had to say about Notre Dame's humbling 35-17 loss to Navy yesterday:

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  BALTIMORE SUN

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Notre Dame Hockey Beats #1 BC Last Night!

Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish hockey team beat the top ranked team in college hockey last night, Boston College,  2-1.  SOME GREAT NEWS ON A SATURDAY IN WHICH OUR FOOTBALL TEAM GOT HAMMERED BY NAVY. Sophomore goalie Mike Johnson had 28 saves and senior forward Calle Ridderwald scored two second period goals as the Irish move on to 4-1-0 on the season.  The victory snapped a 14 game winning streak for Boston College -- a carry-over from last season when they won the National Championship.  It's the fourth time that Notre Dame has beat a #1 ranked Boston College hockey team in the last seven seasons.  (The photo is of former ND hockey coach Lefty Smith handing out the trophy that annually goes to the winner of the ND/BC hockey game to Irish team captain Joe Lavin).  The #17 ranked "young" Irish (12 of the 27 players are freshmen) are sure to move up in the polls this week prior to their "home and home" series with Western Michigan University this weekend.  Go Irish!

Our Worst Loss of All Time?

Folks, I've promised to be POSITIVE on this blog about Notre Dame.  And, I will do my absolute best to continue that trend.  I just got done watching a game that reminded me of the Miami whipping on Gerry Faust's Irish back in the mid-80's -- a game I thought was the worst in Notre Dame football history.  Gang, this may have topped it.  A 217 lb. Navy "back-up" fullback rushed for more than 200 yards today -- the first time in Navy history.  He did this up the middle of a defense that featured supposedly, our best defensive lineman (Ian Williams) and our best linebacker (Manti Teo).  How does that happen -- ALL GAME LONG?  Does Georgia Southern have better athletes than we do on defense?  They held Navy to 109 yards rushing and 13 points.  THINK ABOUT THAT!  We're fortunate that Navy called off "the goats" in the 3rd quarter.  They kicked our fannies.   Never thought I'd write that about Notre Dame football.  Here's a link to Coach Kelly's post game press conference -- not a fun duty today.  It's on right now.

LINK: COACH KELLY POST GAME MEDIA SESSION

What The "Money's" Saying About -- ND vs. Navy

            

Every week, the ND GO IRISH BLOG looks to the "experts" in Las Vegas who set the "betting line" on college football games.  The last two weeks -- Vegas has been right on the money, with their point spreads on Irish games.  The Pitt game, ND was a 6 point favorite -- the Irish win 23-17.  The Western Michigan game, ND was a 24 point favorite -- the Irish win 44-20.  COINCIDENCE?  Here's what they're saying about today's game with Navy:

LINK:  SPORTS ODDS.COM

LINK:  ODDS MAKER.COM

LINK: ACCU SCORE.COM

The Irish vs. #1 Ranked Opponents

This evening, the #1 ranked team in college hockey -- Boston College -- will be taking on Jeff Jackson's #17 ranked Fighting Irish at the Joyce Center.  It will be a great early test for this young Notre Dame team.  You may recall that Notre Dame and BC met in the NCAA National Championship game in 2008.  We won't mention who won that game...  In college football, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Oklahoma have beaten more #1 ranked teams than anyone else in history -- with both schools beating teams ranked #1 at the time -- eight times!  Here's a list of all time wins by schools against #1 ranked opponents in college football:
-Notre Dame, 8
-Oklahoma, 8
-Miami (Fla.) 7
-Purdue, 7
-USC, 7
-Texas, 5
-Alabama, 4
-Arkansas, 4
-Michigan, 4
-Ohio State, 4
-Penn State, 4
-Auburn, 3
-Florida, 3
-Illinois, 3
-Minnesota, 3
-UCLA, 3
-Wisconsin, 3
-Arizona, 2
-Georgia Tech, 2
-Kentucky, 2
-LSU, 2
-Maryland, 2
-Michigan State, 2
-Oregon State, 2
-Tennessee, 2
-Arizona State, 1
-Army, 1
-Boston College, 1
-BYU, 1
-Florida State, 1
-Georgia, 1
-Kansas, 1
-Kansas State, 1
-Mississippi State, 1
-Nebraska, 1
-Northwestern, 1
-Rice, 1
-South Carolina, 1
-Stanford, 1
-Syracuse, 1
-Texas A&M, 1
-TCU, 1
-Texas Tech, 1
-Washington, 1
-Washington State, 1

Help This Domer Win Hispanic Award!

David Olivencia is a graduate of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business MBA program -- and he's a finalist for the Outstanding Hispanic Award at the upcoming Hispanic Forum 2010 this December in Washington D.C.  David is a member of the Notre Dame Club of Detroit -- and the Club sent out an email out last night asking the Notre Dame family to go to the site linked below and vote for David.  I thought it would be an effort the ND GO IRISH BLOG gang should get behind.  So, here's the link to vote for David.  Go David! and Go Irish!

LINK:  VOTE FOR DAVID OLIVENCIA

The Daniels Family -- Welcome to Notre Dame!

One of Brian Kelly's most recent recruits is Davaris Daniels -- a big time wide receiver out of the Chicago area.  Davaris, just happens to be the son of Phillip Daniels, a defensive end with the Washington Redskins -- who's in his 15th year in the NFL.  FYI -- that's Davaris on the right...   Rumor has it, that Brian Kelly will be instituting a "bring your Dad to school" program the Saturday of the USC game next October -- it's expected that Davaris's dad will offer to give a demonstration on "the art of  the QB sack"-- in Coach Kelly's Notre Dame classroom (Notre Dame Stadium).  Sounds like a wonderful idea to me!  Here's a link to an ESPN.COM story this week on these two:

LINK:  THE DANIELS FAMILY

Weather Forecast for Notre Dame vs. Navy

Here's what the weather forecast looks like for "Football Weekend" for the Irish and their fans these next few days in East Rutherford, NJ -- courtesy of My9 TV.  Looks like great weather!  Here's a link to local weather radar for northern New Jersey:

LINK:  WEATHER RADAR FOR NEW JERSEY

It's a Big Deal -- When the Irish Come to Town

Thought you'd enjoy this screen shot of the "home page" of the New Meadowlands Stadium website.  It shows a photo of Armando Allen above the stadium -- the Irish are coming to town!  Here's a link to their official website:

LINK:  THE NEW MEADOWLANDS STADIUM

CBS Affiliates -- Where to Watch the Irish!

CBS doesn't publish a TV coverage map for college football -- so, you're going to have to check out your local TV guide to see if your CBS affiliate is going to carry the Notre Dame vs. Navy game this Saturday.  Kick-off is scheduled for NOON, 12:00 PM EST.  Here's a link below to a list of the CBS affiliates across the country by state.  And, if you learn that you won't be getting the game -- you can watch the game on the web -- click on the link below to watch the game online at cbssports.com:

LINK:  LIST OF CBS AFFILIATES BY STATE

LINK:  WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME ONLINE

It's Thursday -- Brian Kelly's Radio Show Tonight

Every Thursday during the football season -- Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly -- hosts his radio show live from Legends of Notre Dame.  If you can't be there in person at 7 PM EST -- you have the option of watching it or listening to it, live on the web.  Here are the links:

LINK:  WATCH THE SHOW

LINK:  LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Hottest Ticket in College Football This Week...

You guessed it -- Notre Dame vs. Navy at the new Meadowlands Stadium.  That's according to STUBHUB.COM -- here's a link to the story.  Ironically, the most expensive ticket in college football this season (see link below) also involves the Irish an another military academy.  I guess that's the price you pay for no longer being RELEVANT...

LINK:  HOTTEST TICKET IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

LINK:  MOST EXPENSIVE TICKET IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Three ND Players Receive Mid-Season Honors

Phil Steele, who publishes Phil Steele's College Football Preview -- just released his "Mid-Season All American Team" and three Notre Dame Football players received All American honors;  Manti Teo, Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph.  Teo was named 2nd team All-American linebacker, Floyd and Rudolph were named 4th team All-Americans at their respective positions.  Manti Teo was also named to Sports Illustrated's Mid-Season All-American team -- as a 2nd team linebacker.  Here are the links to the teams:

LINK:  PHIL STEELE'S MID-SEASON ALL AMERICANS

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S MID-SEASON ALL AMERICANS

Notre Dame Releases Football Schedules

The University of Notre Dame released its 2011 and 2012 football schedules yesterday -- and they contain some new opponents, some past opponents and those you've come to expect.  Notre Dame alum, Skip Holtz (son of Lou) will bring his University of South Florida Bulls into Notre Dame Stadium to kick-off the 2011 season.  It will mark the first time the Irish have played this school in football.  That same trend carries on later in the year when Notre Dame will travel to Winston-Salem, NC to take on another "first time opponent" in the Deamon Deacons of Wake Forest -- in its 31,500 seat stadium.  This just might be the smallest football stadium (pictured) the Irish have played in, since the days of Rockne.  Other highlights of the 2011 season include the first night game in the history of Michigan Stadium -- as the Irish will play the Wolverines "under the lights" on September 10th.  And, a neutral site game in Washington D.C. -- as the Irish will take on Maryland at the Redskins' Fed-Ex Field.  The 2012 season kicks of in Ireland -- as the Irish will travel to Dublin to take on Navy.  This season will see the return to the Notre Dame football schedule of some of the bigger names in college football; Oklahoma, Miami and BYU.  The Miami game will be held at Chicago's Soldier Field. Here's the FUN FACT OF THE YEAR:  Ten of the twelve Notre Dame's opponents, on the 2012 schedule, have won a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in football.  Here are the ten schools; Navy, Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan, Miami, Stanford, BYU, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and USC.  The only two schools on the 2012 schedule that haven't; Boston College and Wake Forest.  Is anyone playing a schedule like that in the country?  Here's a link to the 2011 & 2012 schedules:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S 2011 & 2012 SCHEDULE

PHOTO OF THE DAY -- Buffet's Office Sign

Legendary Berkshire Hathaway investor, Warren Buffet -- was interviewed by USA Today about his love for Nebraska football.  Buffet, who's lived in the same home in Omaha, NE -- that he bought for $31,500 in 1958 -- says "his heart is with the Huskers..."  Well, it look's like his "head/brain" is with the IRISH -- see the sign behind him.  Go Irish!

How Navy Plays the Game of Football...

I have the utmost respect for the Naval Academy -- one of my best friends growing up is a graduate of this prestigious institution.  The commitment these young men and women have made to our country should never be questioned.  They are heroes.  Having said that -- I'm not a fan of how they play the game of football.  Undoubtedly, we're going to hear a CBS Announcer, this Saturday, talk about how the "undermanned Naval Academy plays with great discipline..." -- in a complimentary fashion.  What they don't have the guts to say is this: Navy football has become synonymous with -- CHEAP SHOTS.  Case in point, here's a video of the game last year at Notre Dame Stadium.  The video catches a Navy football player -- on the other side of the field from the play -- attempting to end the career of a Notre Dame football player (Robert Blanton).  Here's the link:

LINK:  NAVY FOOTBALL HAS "SUNK" TO THIS

Legendary Irish Coach Dies at Age 93

Tom Fallon who retired from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 as the WINNINGEST COACH IN IRISH ATHLETICS HISTORY -- died yesterday at the age of 93 of natural causes at his South Bend home.  Fallon was Notre Dame's men's tennis coach for 31 seasons (1957 - 1987) taking his 1959 team to a Co-National Championship.  He retired with an overall record of 514-194 good for a 72.6% winning percentage -- earning him a spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame.  Fallon also found time to coach the Notre Dame Wrestling team -- as he started this program in 1952 at Notre Dame and led it for its first 15 seasons.  Fallon's combined win total for his wrestling and tennis teams was 579 wins.  Here's a link to Notre Dame's story on Tom's death:

LINK:  ALL TIME NOTRE DAME COACHING GREAT

Notre Dame's Offense -- National Rankings

It's Wednesday -- which means it's time for our weekly look at where Notre Dame Football ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- AFTER SEVEN GAMES OF THE 2010 SEASON. In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's Offense & Special Teams currently stand; on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2009 -- and how this week's opponent: NAVY's offense, defense and special teams compare in the same categories.

OFFENSIVE TEAM STATISTICS

Total First Downs:  2010 Rank - #26 with 146 first downs -- in 2009 we had 293 first downs for the season, ranking us #13 -- Tulsa leads the country with 183 first downs.  Navy has 122 first downs for the season, ranking them #84 in the country.

Third Down Conversions:  2010 Rank - #78 with a 35.8% conversion rate -- in 2009 we had a 39.1% conversion rate for the season, ranking us #48 -- Nevada leads the country converting 57.8% of their third downs.  Navy has converted 43.5% of its third down conversions this season, ranking them #23 in the country.

Passing Yardage:  2010 Rank - #18 with 2,006 passing yards (287 yards per game)  -- in 2009 we passed for 3,882 yards (323 yards per game) for the season, ranking us #7 -- Hawaii leads the country with 2,817 passing yards (402 yards per game).  Navy's defense has given up an average of 160 passing yards per game this season, ranking them #9 in the country.

Rushing Yardage:  2010 Rank - #97 with 791 rushing yards (113 yards per game) -- in 2009 we rushed for 1,539 yards (127 yards per game) for the season, ranking us #88 -- Air Force leads the country with 2,428 rushing yards ( 347 yards per game).  Navy's defense has given up an average of 163 rushing yards per game this season, ranking them #78 in the country.

Fewest QB Sacks Given Up:  2010 Rank -- #70 giving up 15 QB sacks -- in 2009 we gave up 25 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #66 -- Boise State leads the country having only given up 1 QB sack.  Navy's defense has sacked the QB 8 times this season, ranking them #95 in the country.

Turnovers Lost:  2010 Rank - #70 with 13 turnovers lost -- in 2009 we had 14 turnovers for the season, ranking us #7 -- Oregon State leads the country with 4 turnovers lost for the season.  Navy's defense and special teams has gained 13 turnovers this season, ranking them #31 in the country.

Total Offense:  2010 Rank -- #50 with 2,797 yards (399 per game)  of offense -- in 2009 we had 5,421 yards (451 yards per game) of offense for the season, ranking us #8 -- Oregon leads the country with 3,402 yards (567 per game) of offense.  Navy's defense has given up 323 yards per game this season, ranking them #27 in the country.

Points Per Game:  2010 Rank -- #68 with 27.14 points per game -- in 2009 we averaged 30.1 points per game for the season, ranking us #32 -- Oregon leads the country scoring 54.3 points per game.  Navy's defense has given up an average of 18.17 points per game this season, ranking them #22 in the country.

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TEAM STATISTICS

Fewest Penalties:  2010 Rank - #29 with 36 penalties -- in 2009 we had 75 penalties for the season, ranking us #50 -- Penn State leads the country in the fewest penalties with 20.  Navy is ranked #6 in the country for fewest penalties with 27 on the season.

Fewest Penalty Yards:  2010 Rank -- #56 with 340 total yards in penalties -- in 2009 we had 666 yards in penalties, ranking us #60 -- Penn State leads the country in fewest penalty yards with 131.  Navy is ranked #7 in the country for fewest penalty yards this season with 226.

Net Punting Yards:  2010 Rank -- #37 with an average net of 37.87 yards per punt -- in 2009 we averaged 32.1 yards per punt, ranking us #112 -- Pittsburgh leads the country with 44.83 net yards per punt.  Navy is averaging 7 yards per punt return this season, ranking them #76 in the country.

Field Goals -- 2010 Rank -- #8 with 12 field goals made this season.  The Irish are 12 for 12 -- one of seven teams in the FBS who have not missed a field goal this season.  In 2009 we made 19 field goals, ranking us #22 -- while going 19 for 22 in the process.  Navy has made 5 field goals this season,  ranking them #82 in the country.   Making 5 of 8 in the process.

HERE'S A LINK TO YESTERDAY'S ANALYSIS OF THE IRISH DEFENSE

PHOTO OF THE DAY -- Saint Andre Bessette

This photo is of the tapestry of Saint Andre Bessette, of the Holy Cross Congregation -- the founders of the University of Notre Dame -- which was displayed on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica during the Canonization Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's square at the Vatican on Sunday.  The University of Notre Dame's delegation, led by Fr. Jenkins, arrived in Rome Sunday morning in time for the celebration.  An estimated crowd of 50,000 was in attendance.  Saint Andre Bessette is the first member of the Holy Cross Congregation to be so honored.