Photo of Newly Sodded Notre Dame Stadium

The day after the Fighting Irish's last home game in Notre Dame Stadium -- the turf was removed, making way for a new playing surface.

Here's what it looked like this afternoon as the crew was re-painting the numbers on the field.

Doesn't look too bad!

25th Anniversary of the 1988 National Champs!

This weekend the 1988 National Champions will be honored here at Notre Dame.  It was a special team -- a special season.  You're going to want to watch this look back at their championship run through the eyes of Coach Holtz and his players.

LINK:  NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

How Did This Notre Dame Student Do It?

Folks, he did zero training -- he is not a varsity athlete...

Yet, he shows up in the Windy City last weekend and runs the 26 mile Chicago Marathon in 3 hours and 3 minutes -- qualifying for the Boston Marathon!

Here is Daniel Yerkes' story -- which I found on the St. Edward's Hall Blog, The Gentelemen's Monthly.

LINK:  LOOK, NO TRAINING!

Coach Kelly's Last Media Session Before USC

It's Thursday of game week -- which means Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media for the last time before kick-off.  Here's what he had to say about Saturday night's game against USC:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

Inside Look @ NFL Films on Campus

NFL FILMS, widely considered the "best at what they do" -- was back on campus the week after the Oklahoma game -- producing a feature film called ONWARD NOTRE DAME.

Irish fans can watch this show this Saturday at 5 PM ET on the NBC.

Here's a sneak preview of what they were up to:

LINK:  NFL FILMS @ NOTRE DAME

LINK:  PROMOTIONAL TRAILER

OT: The College Brand Run by Nike...

The folks in Eugene, OR will be outfitting their football team in PINK HELMETS, shoes, socks and gloves for this Saturday's game against Washington State.  Twenty-five of the helmets will be "auctioned" off to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.  Here's a link to the ESPN story:

LINK:  PINK HELMETS

USC's Effort to Hire Knute Rockne in 1924

Can you imagine if this had happened?

You'll want to read this story written by Notre Dame alum Keith Arnold -- on his INSIDE THE IRISH Blog:

LINK:  ROCKNE TO USC

Jerian Grant Named ALL ACC Preseason Team

Notre Dame senior shooting guard Jerian Grant received a little recognition yesterday from the Atlantic Coast Conference media -- as he was selected to the ALL ACC "Preseason" Team.

LINK:  GRANT -- ALL ACC PRESEASON

Kelly's FIRST FIVE STAR RECRUIT this Fall!

Word here on campus -- according to the Observer -- is Stephon Tuitt will return for his senior year of school and football at Notre Dame.  Tuitt is currently the #2 defensive end on one of the ESPN "talking heads" draft boards.

Let's hope he doesn't change his mind!

Here's the story:

LINK:  TUITT TO RETURN!

Notre Dame Picked Fifth in ACC Media Poll

The first season for Notre Dame basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference -- began today with the ACC's official media day.  And, as they do - the media released their poll of who would win the conference title.  Here's their ranking:

1. Duke
2. Syracuse
3. North Carolina
4. Virginia
5. NOTRE DAME
6. Pittsburgh
7. Maryland
8. Boston College
9. Florida State
10. North Carolina State
11. Georgia Tech
12. Miami
13. Wake Forest
14. Clemson
15. Virginia Tech

Now that my friends is a basketball conference!

Replay: Brian Kelly on Dan Patrick Show Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a guest on the Dan Patrick Show today -- you'll hear some things you've never heard before...

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY ON DAN PATRICK

USC's Marqise Lee -- "I'll be 100% by Saturday"

USC's All-American wide receiver, who missed the past couple of weeks with a knee injury suffered against Arizona State, says he'll be 100% by Saturday night.  Bring it on!

LINK:  LEE TO PLAY SATURDAY

PRIMER: USC vs. Notre Dame

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media put this piece together on the "greatest intersectional rivalry" in college football.

I have never understood the use of "intersectional" when describing this game...

LIVE:  GET FIRED UP!

USC Week: Coach Kelly Press Conference

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today to talk about Saturday's prime-time game against USC.  Here's a link to the replay:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

The Streak Must Come to an End Saturday!

This is a shocking fact...

Bob Davie is the last Notre Dame coach to beat USC in Notre Dame Stadium -- back in 2001 -- when the IRISH beat the Trojans 27 - 16.  Tyrone Willingham lost his only home game to USC and Charlie Weis was 0 for 3 against the Trojans inside Notre Dame Stadium.

Coach Kelly is 2 - 1 versus USC, but the loss came at home.  That's five losses in a row...

It's time we change things inside the "house that Rock built!"

LINK:  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF 2001 VICTORY

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. USC RIVALRY

Father Scully to Receive the Simon Award!

Notre Dame's ACE program -- the Alliance for Catholic Education -- is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.

It's leader, the Rev. Tim Scully, C.S.C. -- will be honored next month in New York City with the Simon Award -- an annual $100,000 lifetime achievement prize, the largest such award for an American nonprofit leader!

Congratulations Fr. Scully!

Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  110 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

It's Monday -- There Must Be a Trick Shot...

Here is the BEAT USC WEEK edition of Trick Shot Monday...

LINK:  TRICK SHOT MONDAY

Bowl Options for Notre Dame Football...

The South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen looked ahead at what Notre Dame's bowl options might be if we don't finish in the top-14 and earn a BCS bowl bid.  You won't be happy...

LINK:  BOWL OPTIONS

Domer Dad Walks Super-Fan Down the Aisle

Jon Bon Jovi -- the rock-n-roll Dad of Notre Dame student-athlete Jesse Bongiovi granted the wish of a fan this week when he showed up at her Las Vegas wedding.  Here's the story:

LINK:  WEDDING CRASHER

NCAA Eligibility Standards -- Game Changer?

The folks at NCAA headquarters have decided to "up the ante" on academics for high school student-athletes who want to receive a college scholarship...

The new rules -- which will go into effect for those who are currently in their freshman year of high school -- will require a higher GPA and more core classes, prior to their senior year, to be eligible.  Click on the link below for all of the changes.

According to the NCAA's research -- 43% of the college basketball players and 35% of the college football players who are "seniors" this year would not have been eligible to receive a scholarship if the new rules were in effect.

LINK:  ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS