Notre Dame 28 - Utah 3 -- A TEAM VICTORY!

A football season that's been about as difficult as you could imagine for a university, a team, a coach and his staff -- CHANGED TODAY!  Notre Dame's 28-3 victory over the #14th ranked Utes of Utah was so big,  on so many fronts.  And, the Notre Dame Family's reaction at game's end -- ICING ON THE CAKE!

Folks, this was an 8-1 team, that was ranked #5 in the country eight days ago -- and our boys stood "toe to toe" with them -- and WON all three phases of the game;  offense, defense and special teams.

I truly believe this is the moment we'll all look back upon -- when NOTRE DAME became NOTRE DAME -- once again!

Enjoy the links below to -- ALL OF THE FUN -- after today's game:

LINK:  NBC'S POSTGAME

LINK:  NBC'S GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  NBC'S INTERVIEW OF TOMMY REES & GARY GRAY

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME POST GAME & LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION

LINK:  ROBERT BLANTON INTERVIEW

LINK:  MANTI TEO INTERVIEW

LINK:  BRIAN SMITH INTERVIEW

LINK:  TOMMY REES INTERVIEW

Boy, Did We Need This Win Or WHAT!!!

You've got to hand it to Brian Kelly, his coaching staff and HIS KIDS!  If ever a school, a team and a coach needed a win like this -- IT WAS TODAY!  Notre Dame beats the #14 ranked team (Utah) in the country 28-3 -- impressive!  I am so happy for the Fighting Irish Family.  Isn't this a great photo that was "tweeted" by @fightingirishff !!!

Irish Lead 28-3 in 4th Quarter!

The Irish are on their way to beating #14 ranked Utah today.  Here's another photo "tweeted" by @fightingirishff --  of freshman Prince Shembo and teammates celebrating another defensive stop for Notre Dame.  Utah came into this game averaging 41 points per game -- they have 3 right now!

Michael Floyd's 25th Career TD Catch!

It's halftime at Notre Dame Stadium -- Irish lead the #14 Utah Utes 14-3!  Here's a photo, just tweeted by @fightingirishff -- of Michael Floyd's three-yard TD catch, the 25th of his career, from Tommy Rees.

Lou Holtz on Phone With "Peggy"

Former Notre Dame and College Football Hall of Fame Coach -- Lou Holtz -- is starring in a Discover Card commercial with "Peggy" a call center customer service agent...  Enjoy:

LINK:  CAN LOU INSPIRE PEGGY?

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