Brady Hoke Talks Win Over Central Michigan

The Wolverines put up 59 points today in a rout over Central Michigan University -- a team expected to finish "next to last" this year in the Mid American Conference. 

Here's what Hoke and his QB had to say about their big win...

LINK:  MICHIGAN WINS BY 50

Swarbrick Announces Coach Kelly's Contract

Just minutes after Brian Kelly's Fightin' Irish delivered him career victory #200 -- Notre Dame's Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick announced they had finalized a new contract with the head football coach. 

IT'S A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION.

Congratulations Coach Kelly!

LINK:  ANNOUNCEMENT

Notre Dame Pays Tribute to Seamus Heaney

Seamus Heaney, the famous Irish poet and Nobel Prize winner, passed away yesterday at the age of 74.  Heaney, who received an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 2008, first visited campus back in 1995.  Notre Dame president Fr. John Jenkins C.S.C. -- offered the statement linked below...

LINK:  HEANEY

LINK:  IRISH TIMES

Great Proof That Stats Don't Score Points!

Here's a look at Notre Dame's offensive productions today as compared to Michigan's offensive production:

POINTS:

• Notre Dame:  28
• Michigan:  59

TOTAL OFFENSE:

• Notre Dame:  543 yards
• Michigan:  463 yards

RUSHING OFFENSE:

• Notre Dame:  188 yards
• Michigan:  242 yards

PASSING OFFENSE:

• Notre Dame:  355 yards
• Michigan:  221 yards

TURNOVERS:

• Notre Dame:  0
• Michigan:  3

Notre Dame Beats Temple 28 - 6 in Opener

It looked like a rout -- just three minutes into the game.  Notre Dame scored 14 points on six offensive plays to start the game...

And then -- as ol' Lindsey Nelson would say -- "let's pick up the action late in the 4th quarter..."

The good was this:

• No turnovers on offense
• No turnovers on offense
• No turnovers on offense

Now we can be quite sure that our next opponent "that school in Ann Arbor" will feel quite confident -- as will their fan base...  I suspect the gang in Vegas will make them the favorites.  I LIKE THIS!


LINK:  HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  TROY NIKLAS INTERVIEW

LINK:  GAME STATS

Photo From Notre Dame Locker Room This AM

Notre Dame football's Dave Peloquin just "tweeted" this photo of the locker room this morning.  GO IRISH!

Notre Dame's Pep Rally Last Night

Thousands of Notre Dame fans descended on the South Quad last night in front of the Rockne Memorial to hold the first pep rally of the 2013 football season.  Here's the link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PEP RALLY

Notre Dame vs. Temple -- Media Predictions

Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what the media "experts" are saying about today's game between our Fightin' Irish and the Owls from Temple.  Click on the links below:

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- HANSEN

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  NBC:  NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  ESPN:  NOTRE DAME BLOG

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER #2

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER #3

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL

IT IS GAME DAY AT NOTRE DAME!

We've been waiting for this day ever since the IRISH walked off that field in Florida last January...

I've got the Notre Dame / Irish music pumping on all of the outdoor speakers, the Notre Dame flag is flying and I am ready!

To get you ready -- I've brought back a few classic videos that should get you fired up for today's game with Temple.  ENJOY and GO IRISH!

LINK:  BOB COSTAS INTRO -- NOTRE DAME vs. FLORIDA STATE

LINK:  ROCKET "BRAWL MIAMI"

LINK:  COACH KELLY "WE ARE ND"

ESPN Previews Notre Dame vs. Temple

Here it is -- ESPN blogger Matt Fortuna talks about Notre Dame's game with Temple tomorrow.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  PREVIEW -- NOTRE DAME vs. TEMPLE

Notre Dame Football Weather Forecast -- HOT!

Folks, it is hot here!  If you're going to the Pep Rally this evening -- be prepared for the high humidity and heat.  Sounds like we could be in for more of the same tomorrow with a possible thundershower in the morning.  Here's a link to live weather radar for South Bend:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WEATHER RADAR

Fighting For South Bend -- Notre Dame...

The University of Notre Dame's award winning "Fighting For" TV spots that air on NBC every Saturday -- will run this TV spot tomorrow during halftime.  Enjoy!

LINK:  FIGHTING FOR -- MY HOMETOWN

ND FANS -- THIS IS A MUST HAVE APP!

If you haven't downloaded the 2013 Notre Dame Football App yet -- you are missing out!

I am not easily impressed -- but I must admit, I was blown away with the quality of this APP.  It is incredible!  And, it is FREE.

So, get out your iPad and download this now -- it's a MUST HAVE for every Notre Dame fan!

LINK:  VIDEO PROMO

NBC: The Secret to Brian Kelly's Success

Here it is -- for all the world to see!

LINK:  THE SECRET

Photo of ND Football's Travel Shoe for Players

Members of the Notre Dame football team designed this shoe with Adidas.  Photo was "tweeted" by @NDFBEquipment.

Domer's Dad -- Walk-Off Homer for Tigers!

Torri Hunter Sr. -- father of Notre Dame student-athlete Torii Hunter Jr., hit a dramatic two-out, two strike, three-run homer to propel the Tigers past the Oakland A's yesterday afternoon!  Here's a replay of the homer and his post-game interview:

LINK:  REPLAY OF WALK-OFF HOMER!

LINK:  POST-GAME INTERVIEW

Notre Dame Football -- FUN FACTS FRIDAY

Notre Dame Football's Media Relations team -- released their game notes this week and there a few fun facts to keep in mind as you watch Saturday's first meeting between our Fightin' Irish and the Temple Owls.  Here goes:

• If Notre Dame wins this game -- Coach Kelly will have his 200th career victory!
• Temple will be the 71st different opponent to visit Notre Dame Stadium -- ND is (57-12-1) in those games
• Temple is the 142 opponent to play Notre Dame in the 126 years of ND Football.  Notre Dame is (118-20-3) when facing an opponent for the first time!

LINK:  ADDITIONAL FUN FACTS

Cierre Wood Rushed For 106 Yards Tonight!

Former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood rushed for 106 yards tonight against the Dallas Cowboys on just 16 carries!   And, for good measure -- he caught three passes for 29 yards more!

WOW!

LINK:  WOOD CONFIDENT

LINK:  STATS

Coach Kelly Meets With Media Tonight...

The Fightin' Irish held practice inside Notre Dame Stadium tonight -- as they prepare for Saturday's home opener.  After practice, Coach Kelly met with the media -- here's the link to the coverage:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESSER

Theo Riddick Scores Two TD's Tonight vs. Bills!

Former Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick scored two TD's tonight in the Detroit Lions exhibition win over the Buffalo Bills.  Riddick caught two passes for TD's and he also ran for 26 yards on six carries. 

Theo is in a big-time battle for a roster spot -- this had to help his chances...

LINK:  STATS