A Good Omen? -- ND Beats Utah Last Night!

The University of Notre Dame Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Team took on the Utah Utes last night in front of a "standing room" only crowd at the Rolf Aquatic Center -- and the Irish won both meets! The Men won 13 of the 16 events -- scoring a convincing 184 to 116 over Utah.  While the Women won 12 of their 16 events -- in their 185.5 to 112.5 victory.  Congratulations Irish!  Here are links to the results:

LINK: MEN'S RESULTS

LINK:  WOMEN'S RESULTS

Game Day @ Notre Dame!

Today's game is the last home game of the season at Notre Dame and the last home game for 36 seniors on the Notre Dame team.  If you're like me -- and you're not going to the Utah game today -- here's how you can keep occupied leading up to kick-off.  We really need a win today -- GO IRISH!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GAME DAY RADIO SHOW --  starts at 9 AM EST

LINK:  UND.COM LIVE STADIUM CAM -- watch Notre Dame Stadium fill up, starts at 11 AM EST

LINK:  UND.COM PRE GAME BLOG -- starts at 1:30 PM EST

KICK OFF:  2:41 PM EST

LINK:  NBC.COM SIMULCAST OF GAME

LINK:  UND.COM LIVE POST GAME SHOW -- starts immediately after game's end

Notre Dame Teams Go 6 -1 Last Night!

Seven of the University of Notre Dame's athletic teams -- had a very busy night last night -- and many would say a successful night!

The women's soccer team kicked off their NCAA Championship run with a convincing 3-0 first round victory over New Mexico last night.  The 7th ranked Irish were led by senior co-captain Lauren Fowlkes who scored two goals and by junior Melissa Henderson's 50th career goal.  The Fighting Irish now play USC -- this Sunday -- at Notre Dame's Alumni Stadium, in second round play.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WOMEN'S SOCCER

The women's basketball team tipped off their regular season last night at home -- with a convincing 99-48 win over New Hampshire.  The 12th ranked Irish were led by senior Devereaux Peters who scored 23 points and had 8 rebounds in only sixteen minutes of play.  All thirteen members of the Fighting Irish scored in last night's game.  The women set a school record 36 steals last night as well.  The Irish play next Monday night, at home, against Morehead State.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

The men's basketball team played their home opener last night as well and they didn't waste any time letting Georgia Southern know they meant business.  Hitting 15 of their first 18 shots -- the Irish rolled out to a 36 point lead less than 13 minutes into the game -- and they cruised to a 98-61 win.  Ben Hasbrough led the Irish with 20 points as every play on the team saw at least five minutes of action.  The Irish are back in action tomorrow when they host Liberty -- for a 2 PM tip-off.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME MEN'S BASKETBALL

The 11th ranked Irish hockey team played the #9 ranked Michigan Wolverines up in Ann Arbor last night and Jeff Jackson's gang won 3-1!  Notre Dame outshot Michigan 33-24 in the victory -- upping their CCHA record to 5-1-1-1 and puts them in first place!  These same two teams meet again tonight at 7:35 PM at Michigan's Yost Arena.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME HOCKEY

The 11th ranked men's soccer team -- took on the #1 ranked team in the country, Louisville, in the Big East Championship Semi-Finals.  Unfortunately, Notre Dame's perfect night ended when Louisville scored the game's only goal early in the second half.  The Fighting Irish now await the seeding for the Men's NCAA Soccer Championship -- which will be announced Monday.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME MEN'S SOCCER

Notre Dame's Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving Teams competed last night against Utah and both were victorious -- see stand alone story on blog, above.

Not a bad night for Notre Dame -- did you notice the national rankings of four of the seven teams!!!

What the Money's Sayin' -- ND vs. Utah

As has become tradition at the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- we turn to the "experts" in Vegas -- to check in on how they're analyzing Notre Dame's game with Utah.  The Utes are ranked #14th in the country -- and bring one of the best offenses and defenses to town.  The Irish are on a two-game losing streak -- WE NEED A WIN!  Here's a few links:

LINK:  CAPPERSPICKS

LINK:  PREDICTEM

LINK:  SPORTSBETTINGWORLD

LINK:  TOUTHOUSE

LINK:  ODDSSHARK

Rocket Ismail's Message to the Irish Nation!

Folks, this might be the best pep rally speech at the University of Notre Dame in some time.  It's an INSTANT CLASSIC -- and it came from none other than Raghib "The Rocket" Ismail.  The Rocket's message -- "UNBELIEF, we don't have time for you!"  SO WELL SAID!  GO IRISH!  Here's a link to the Pep Rally video -- the photo was "tweeted" by Irish LB Carlo Calabrese during the Pep Rally:

LINK:  ROCKET BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE

Coca-Cola Happiness Machine @ ND Today!

Coca-Cola brought it's  Happiness Machine to the Notre Dame campus today -- and it was quite the attraction!  WNDU brought its news team over to LaFortune today to catch this unique vending machine in action.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOT YOUR TYPICAL VENDING MACHINE

Coach Kelly @ Friday Football Luncheon

The gang at UND.COM posted this video today of University of Notre Dame Football Coach, Brian Kelly -- and his appearance at the Friday Football Luncheon today at the Joyce Athletic Center.  Here's a link:

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S COMMENTS

Yankee Stadium -- ND's Home Next Saturday!

Here's one of the latest photos -- released by the New York Yankees -- of the transformation of their $1.5 billion stadium into the home of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.  Note, no logos on the field and the vertical stripes in the far end-zone -- being painted -- just like Notre Dame Stadium!  (Click on the photo to enlarge)

Will the Newton Investigation Expose the SEC?

The news surrounding the rumored recruitment of Auburn QB Cam Newton -- isn't getting any better for all those involved.  The latest has a former Mississippi State player,  named Kenny Rogers, who told ESPN that Cam Newton's father (Cecil Newton) told him it's going to take "between $100,000 and $180,000 to deliver Cam." And, that he was present when Cecil Newton asked Mississippi coaches for money to sign his son. (see link below)

It makes you wonder where Mr. Newton came up with the idea that Mississippi State would be willing to pay and pay big to get his son to commit to his school?  Was it because he was paid by the Florida Gators, three years earlier -- to commit to their program -- the same football team where current Mississippi State Head Coach, Dan Mullen, was Cam Newton's Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach at the time?

Do you think ol' Urban Meyer might be squirming a little bit -- especially now that the FBI is involved in the investigation?

I'm guessing "Old Man Newton" is taking calls from "intermediaries representing" a few SEC schools right now, asking him  -- "what's it going to take to keep you quiet...?"

Will this be the case that blows the doors off the illegal recruiting practices and NCAA violations -- that have been long rumored to be rampant in the SEC?

LINK:  THE GOING RATE FOR A STARTING QB IN THE SEC

Coach Kelly After Thursday's Practice

University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly -- met with the media after yesterday's practice -- as the Irish prepare for their last home game at Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday against the #15th ranked Utah Utes.  Here's a link:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Football Weekend Weather @ Notre Dame

Looks like today is going to be absolutely glorious!  And, Saturday -- not so good...  Better be prepared for some rain if you're going to the Utah game tomorrow.  Here's a link to WNDU's Storm 16 Interactive Radar:

LINK:  WEATHER RADAR -- NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame's MBA Program -- Top 25!

Bloomberg Businessweek just released their biennial survey of The Best U.S. Business Schools 2010 -- and the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business MBA Program was ranked 24th best in the country.  You'll recall, that earlier this year, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business undergraduate program #1 in America.   Congratulations to Dean Carolyn Woo and her team!  Here's a link to the rankings of MBA programs:

LINK:  ONE OF THE BEST!

A Walk On's Last Home Game...

James "J.T." Redshaw (North Huntington, PA) is a Notre Dame football player.  He's "five foot nuttin' and a hundred and nuttin" -- and he will be wearing the gold helmet this Saturday for the last time inside Notre Dame Stadium.  Redshaw, a walk-on, is a pre-med major and he carries a perfect 4.0 in the classroom!  Maybe we'll hear a "J.T" chant in the stands late in tomorrow's game? Notre Dame's student newspaper (Observer) ran a story on J.T. yesterday that I thought you'd enjoy:

LINK:  HIS LAST HOME GAME

Notre Dame's #1 Fan?

And I thought I was a Notre Dame fan...  The South Bend Tribune profiled -- Glenn Cooper from Groton, South Dakota yesterday.  Glenn's home is 600 miles away from the Notre Dame campus -- yet, he's a season ticket holder for every Notre Dame sports team -- except hockey.  You see, Glenn spends the school year in a home he bought in South Bend -- then he spends the summer back at his home South Dakota.  THIS IS A NOTRE DAME FAN!  Here's a link to the story.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S #1 FAN

Craig Biggio's Son Signs With Notre Dame

Connor Biggio, a second baseman at St. Thomas High School (Houston, TX) and the son of Houston Astros' all-time great Craig Biggio -- signed a National Letter of Intent yesterday --  fulfilling a dream to attend the University of Notre Dame.  Here's a link to the story:


LINK:  BIGGIO SIGNS WITH NOTRE DAME

Veteran's Day Salute: A Second Chance

Gene Dixon, the just elected president of the Notre Dame Club of Detroit, earned a MBA from the University of Notre Dame in 1969.  But, on graduation day -- June 1, 1969 -- Dixon was wearing the uniform of the US Army at Fort Knox, not the cap and gown his classmates were wearing that day in South Bend.  Well, 41 years later (May 21, 2010) -- Dixon received the opportunity to wear that cap & gown as he walked across the stage at Notre Dame's 2010 Commencement and received a standing ovation from the entire crowd.  Congratulations Gene!  Here's a link to Notre Dame's press release:

LINK:  A SECOND CHANCE AT GRADUATION

Veteran's Day Salute: Green & Bleier

Former Notre Dame student athletes; Danielle Green '99 and Rocky Bleier '68 had the distinct honor of wearing the uniform of the Fighting Irish and the uniform of the US Army.  We salute these two and all Veterans today -- for the sacrifices they and their families have made for our country!

Danielle Green-Byrd is a former left-handed shooting guard for Muffet McGraw's Irish in the late 90's -- she graduated as the 17th leading scorer in Notre Dame history.  After graduation she became an assistant coach at Washington High School (Chicago) and then Chicago State University.  In January 2003, she enlisted in the US Army -- a year later, Green-Byrd was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Freedom. On May 24, 2004 -- while on duty on the roof of a Baghdad police station, Green was hit by what she believes was a grenade. She lost her left hand, the shooting hand that helped her score 1,106 points at Notre Dame. She also has significant damage to her left leg, a dislocated left shoulder and shrapnel wounds down the left side of her body.  Danielle was one of the first women, in the US Miltary wounded in Iraq.  Green-Byrd's inspirational story has been told a number of times by ESPN, CBS, etc. -- here's a profile the US Department of Defense did on Danielle:

LINK:  DANIELLE GREEN

Rocky Bleier is a former running back for Ara Pareseghian's teams in the mid-60's.  A member of the 1966 national championship team and captain of the 1967 team -- Bleier left Notre Dame to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers who drafted him on the 16th round of the 1968 NFL Draft.  The 412th overall pick -- Bleier was drafted into the US Army after his rookie season (December 1968) with the Steelers.  He volunteered for duty in the Vietnam War and was sent there in May of 1969.  On August 20th, while on patrol in Heip Duc, Bleier was wounded in the left thigh by a rifle bullet when his platoon was ambushed in a rice paddy. While down, an enemy grenade landed nearby, sending shrapnel into his lower right leg.  While Rocky was recovering in a Tokyo hospital, doctors told him that he would not play football again. Soon after, he received a postcard from Steelers owner which just read "Rock - the team's not doing well. We need you. Art Rooney".  Well, the rest is history...   A book and movie "Fighting Back" memorialized Bleier's struggles over a two-year period to get back on the football field.  It should be noted that Rocky has four Super Bowl rings for his efforts.  Here's a link to a story that ESPN did on Rocky this past year:

LINK:  ROCKY BLEIER

Coach Kelly After Today's Practice

As is his usual, Coach Kelly met with the media after practice today.  What was not so usual today -- the first questions came from a Utah sportswriter who's already in town for Saturday's game.  Here's a link to Notre Dame Football Coach, Brian Kelly's session with the media this afternoon:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

Impersonating Lou Holtz -- A Few Laughs...

Notre Dame fans have had little to smile about these days -- let alone laugh -- when it comes to our beloved Fighting Irish.  So, for a little change of pace, I did a YOUTUBE search of people who like to impersonate  one of our favorite Notre Dame football coaches of all time -- Lou Holtz.  Just click on the links below -- ENJOY!

LINK:  AN ALABAMA RADIO SHOW'S IMPERSONATION OF LOU

LINK:  LOU'S RETURN TO THAT SAME ALABAMA RADIO SHOW

LINK:  DAN PATRICK'S IMPERSONATION OF LOU HOLTZ

LINK:  DAN PATRICK'S IMPERSONATION OF SKIP'S DAD

LINK:  FAN #1'S IMPERSONATION OF LOU HOLTZ

LINK:  RADIO STATION'S FAKE LOU HOLTZ

Domer NBA Coach -- Off to a 7-0 Start!

Former Notre Dame basketball star, Monty Williams is still undefeated as a NBA Head Coach!  The youngest head coach in the NBA -- led his New Orleans Hornets past the Los Angeles Clippers last night,  to go 7-0 on the young season.  Here's a link to Monty's post game interview:

LINK:  MONTY WILLIAMS -- UNDEFEATED NBA HEAD COACH