Brian Kelly's Media Day Press Conference

The 126th season of Notre Dame football "kicked off" officially yesterday afternoon as the Fightin' Irish held their annual Media Day.  Here's what Coach Brian Kelly had to say:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

Notre Dame Football: "Wearing the C"

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame named their three captains yesterday for the 2013 football season;  Bennett Jackson, T.J. Jones and Zach Martin.  Martin becomes only the 18th player in the 126 year history of Notre Dame football to be named captain for two seasons.

I love the story that Fighting Irish Digital Media put together for this:

LINK:  WEARING THE "C" 

LINK:  ALL-TIME LIST OF CAPTAINS

Mike Golic Jr. to Make Steelers Practice Squad?

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr., is being projected to make the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad -- as you'll see in this article linked below.  Irish fans will recall that Mike was an "un-drafted" free agent signee with Pittsburgh.

LINK:  GOLIC

Video of Theo Riddick's First NFL Touchdown!

Former Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick scored his first NFL Touchdown tonight in a 40 - 9 Detroit Lions exhibition game victory over the New England Patriots.  Theo scored on a three-yard run in the 4th quarter. 

I'm quite sure he'll be hearing from his former teammates on his attempt at a celebration dance in the endzone!

Here's the video:

LINK:  RIDDICK'S FIRST NFL TD

Notre Dame Has the Higest Demand for Tickets!

Forbes did some research as to which "home" college football ticket was the most in demand this season and it wasn't even close...

Football tickets on the "secondary market" for Notre Dame football this season -- are the highest priced in college football this season at $293.40 a pop.  Here's the story:

LINK:  THE TICKET - MOST IN DEMAND

2013 Notre Dame Football Team Photo!

This photo was just "tweeted" by JR Sandlin -- a member of Coach Kelly's football staff at Notre Dame.  It's nice to see Danny Spond (#13) in uniform -- in the team photo.  Just click on the photo to enlarge.  You can follow JR on Twitter here: @JR_Sandlin

Where You'll Find Everett Golson This Fall

It was announced in the past few hours that Everett Golson will spend the next couple of months in San Diego working with QB coach George Whitfield Jr.   Whitfield is becoming the latest "QB coach for the stars."  The folks at Sports Illustrated recently tabbed him the "Quarterback Whisperer..." 

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON'S QB COACH

LINK:  QB WHISPERER

Photos From Notre Dame's Media Day -- Today!

Matthias Farley (#41 -- Safety)

Stephon Tuitt (#7 Defensive End)

Bennett Jackson (#2 -- Defensive Back)

Tommy Rees (#11 - QB)

T.J. Jones (#7 -- Wide Receiver)

Chris Watt (#66 -- Left Guard)

These are the photos being "tweeted" by Notre Dame Football and its staff -- from today's MEDIA DAY.

"March Out' This Morning @ Notre Dame!

The Band of the Fighting Irish begins their 168th season with a MARCH AROUND CAMPUS beginning at 9:30 AM ET THIS MORNING!  The "first" university marching band in the country will march out nearly 500 students -- seeking one of 380 to 400 spots in the greatest college band in America!

THIS IS ONE OF THE GREAT TRADITIONS AT NOTRE DAME!

Here's the WSBT-TV story:

LINK:  MARCH OUT

Photos of the "New" Morris Inn @ Notre Dame

Folks, if you haven't seen the new Morris Inn -- be prepared to go WOW!

We had an event at the Morris Inn tonight and "to a person" we were all blown away with the transformation of this campus landmark.  INCREDIBLE!

"Hayseed" -- "Like an Assistant Coach on Field"

Former Notre Dame football captain Harrison Smith is making quite a name for himself in the NFL.  His head coach is already calling the "second year" safety for the Vikings "... a coach on the field..."

You'll enjoy this NFL story on "Hayseed."

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH

Brian Kelly -- "I Want to be at Notre Dame"

My friend Jeff Jeffers (WNDU-TV) sat down with Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly for WNDU's COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF show that will air at 2 PM ET on August 31st.  The folks at WNDU-TV gave us a "sneak preview" of the conversation tonight -- Irish fans will enjoy seeing this!

LINK:  JEFF JEFFERS WITH COACH KELLY

Looking for ND Memorabilia -- Here's the Place!

I stumbled upon Augie's Locker Room this afternoon during the lunch hour in South Bend -- and all I can say is WOW!

If you are a fan of Notre Dame -- you MUST stop in and see what Jim Augustine has in his store.  I could have spent an hour walking around taking in what "Augie" has collected.  It's vintage Notre Dame at its best!

So, if you're coming in for a football weekend this fall -- please be sure to carve out some time to visit Augie's Locker Room -- they're located on South Bend Avenue (SR 23) -- just across the street from Oak Hill Condominiums and around the corner from the Linebacker.  Here's a link to their website:

LINK:  AUGIE'S LOCKER ROOM

Domer Hits First Professional Walk-Off Homer!

Eric Jagielo, who was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round this past June, hit a "walk-off" home run this weekend to lead the Staten Island Yankees over the Tri-City Valley Cats.  Jagielo, is having a terrific rookie season for the Yankees -- having been selected to play in the 2013 NY-Penn League All-Star game.

After Jagielo's "big fly" a local TV station caught up with him for this extensive interview -- the second link shows a video of his "walk-off" home run:

LINK:  JAGIELO INTERVIEW

LINK:  VIDEO OF JAGIELO'S HOME RUN!

Mike Golic, Jr. -- Episode #2 Gillette's NFL Film

It's called Built For Training -- and former Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike Golic, Jr. '12, is one of three NFL rookies featured in this weekly series.  Here's episode #2:

LINK:  MIKE GOLIC, JR.

Cierre Wood in Battle to Make Texans Roster

Former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood has held his own rushing the ball -- gaining 79 yards on 15 carries for the Houston Texans -- second best on the team.  Yet, he's struggling with special teams -- something he never played for the Irish.  Here's a look at the guys battling Cierre for a back-up running back roster spot with the Texans:

LINK:  WILL HE MAKE THE ROSTER

LINK:  HOUSTON TEXANS STATS

Tim Brown's Thoughts on Johnny Manziel

Former Notre Dame All-American and Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Brown '88 was in South Bend yesterday hosting a golf outing and the folks at the South Bend Tribune caught up with him...

Here's what he had to say about Mr. Manziel:

LINK:  BROWN ON MANZIEL

Notre Dame's Football Schedule Ranked 13th...

That's 13th toughest in the country...

Here's a link to Phil Steele's statistical rankings of the toughest college football schedules for the 2013 season:

LINK:  13TH TOUGHEST

USA Today Interviews Notre Dame's Swarbrick

Jack Swarbrick, Director of Athletics here at the University of Notre Dame,  sat down with a reporter from USA Today to talk about the NCAA and the state of college athletics.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  SWARBRICK

Tigers' Torri Hunter, Sr. Talks About Notre Dame

He's just one of the famous dads who will see their sons wearing a GOLD HELMET this fall for the Fightin' Irish...

Detroit Tiger outfielder Torri Hunter, Sr. was interviewed this past week about his feelings about Notre Dame and his son Torri, Jr. playing for the Irish.  Notre Dame fans will enjoy this story!

LINK:  LONG TIME LOVE FOR NOTRE DAME