TV Tonight: #4 Notre Dame vs. #10 Penn State

Muffet's Fighting Irish will make an appearance on the Big Ten Network this evening at 7:30 PM ET as they take on Penn State in the ACC / Big Ten Challenge.  Should be a good test, as Penn State is coming off "back to back" Big Ten Championships.  The Nittany Lions have only lost one game this season -- to #1 UCONN.

Fun fact -- Penn State is coached by Coquese Washington (photo above) '92, '97 --  former Associate Head Coach of the Irish and a "double domer."  Coquese earned a bachelors in history in 1992 and a law degree in 1997.


LINK:  PENN STATE TALKS TONIGHT'S GAME

Skylar Named "Sportswoman of the Year"

Just a few minutes ago in New York City -- former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins was honored by the March of Dimes as SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR!

Former Yankee great Mariano Rivera was named SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR.

Congratulations Skylar!

LINK:  NICE HONOR FOR SKYLAR

Brian Kelly on the Tim Brando Radio Show

Brian Kelly made the rounds with a number of the sports talk shows yesterday -- here is his interview with Tim Brando.  Coach Kelly talks about Everett Golson, bowl games, the ACC and this season.

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH TIM BRANDO

Brian Kelly's Appearance on Dan Patrick Show

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a guest today on the Dan Patrick Show -- just click on the link below:

LINK:  DAN PATRICK SHOW

Chuck Martin Named Miami (OH) Coach Today

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin will be announced today as the next head football coach at Miami University (OH).  Congratulations Coach Martin!

Coach Martins' introductory press conference will be at 2:30 PM ET -- tomorrow.

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Notre Dame Working With ACC on Schedule...

The commitment Notre Dame made to play five football games a year against ACC opponents goes into effect next season.  As you might imagine, this has brought about some major challenges for the ND Athletic Department as they try to make this happen...

Sounds like a solution might be we only play four ACC teams next year -- in exchange for a season, in the next three that has six ACC teams on the schedule.  Here's the story:

LINK:  SCHEDULING CHALLENGES

Notre Dame Re-Files Lawsuit Against Mandate

The University of Notre Dame will re-file a lawsuit against the federal government today regarding the Obama administration's controversial contraceptive mandate.  Here's the story:

LINK:  NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER

OT: The Little Drummer Boy -- MUST SEE!

The a cappella group Pentatonix just released a music video of their unique rendition of The Little Drummer Boy -- a must see, must hear!

Pentatonix is the 2011 winner of NBC's The Sing Off -- an annual competition of the top a capella groups in the country.


LINK:  THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

OT: USC Hires Sarkisian to Replace Lane Kiffin

Word broke this afternoon that USC has hired Steve Sarkisian -- the head football coach at the University of Washington -- to be the next coach of the Trojans.  Sarkisian, only 39, is a former assistant coach for USC during the Pete Carrol era.

The Irish Catholic -- who was a QB at BYU -- was 34 - 29 as Washington's head coach.

I grew to like Sarkisian when he left Los Angeles for Seattle -- I guess those days are over...

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES STORY

LINK:  LA TIMES -- PLASCHKE 

LINK:  SEATTLE TIMES 

LINK:  ESPN

Coach Kelly With Team After Loss to Stanford

This is a must see for all fans of Notre Dame football.  Please click on the link below.

LINK:  STANFORD ICON

Game Highlights -- Notre Dame vs. Stanford

Here's a look at some of the highlights from Notre Dame's 27 - 20 loss to #8 ranked Stanford last night.

LINK:  HIGHLIGHTS

Coach Brian Kelly's Post Game Presser

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media last night after the loss to Stanford.  As you'll hear -- the Stanford band made things tough in the interview room.

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Irish Lose to Stanford -- End Up 8 - 4 in 2013

The "Injured Irish" put up a fight tonight -- but it wasn't enough as Notre Dame's last two offensive possessions ended with interceptions in a 27 - 20 loss to Stanford.

Notre Dame will now await word on where they'll be playing in a bowl game.  A possibility could be the Poinsettia Bowl -- Thursday, December 26th -- in San Diego against Boise State.  Stay tuned...

Here's the quick media reaction to tonight's game:

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NBC NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

Photo of Notre Dame Football Leaving Hotel

Here's a photo just "tweeted" by #NDFootball of the Fighting Irish leaving their hotel for the game with Stanford.  GO IRISH!

Notre Dame Lacrosse: Colorado Training Trip

The Fighting Irish men's lacrosse team took a trip a few weeks ago to Colorado Springs to train, take on the Air Force Academy and then watch the football team play the Falcons.  Here's a video that captures this experience:

LINK:  ND MEN'S LACROSSE

Media Picks -- Notre Dame vs. Stanford

Took a lap around the worldwide web to see what the media has to say about #25 Notre Dame vs. #8 Stanford tonight on FOX.  The pre-game starts at 6:30 PM ET.

LINK:  NBC SPORTS -- INSIDE THE IRISH

LINK:  ESPN'S NOTRE DAME BLOG

LINK:  SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

LINK:  SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Notre Dame Checks Out Stanford Stadium

The Fighting Irish have arrived in California and are currently checking out Stanford's football stadium.  Photo "tweeted" by @JRSandlin and @NDFootball

Golden Tate Back in the News This Week...

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate -- took a couple of his Seattle Seahawks' teammates to task for being suspended by the NFL.  Good for him.

Here's the story:

LINK:  TATE'S TAKE ON SUSPENSIONS

Be Prepared: Fox Broadcaster a Michigan Fan

Just wanted the Notre Dame Nation to know the "play by play" announcer that FOX has assigned to tomorrow night's game between the Fighting Irish and the Stanford Cardinal is a self professed, diehard Michigan fan...

He admits he grew up rooting against Notre Dame...

Gus Johnson, agreed to an interview with the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen -- here's what he had to say:

LINK:  GUS JOHNSON

Stanford Players Talk About Notre Dame Game

NBC's Keith Arnold -- a Notre Dame alum -- interviewed Stanford QB Kevin Hogan and RB Remound Wright (Fort Wayne, IN) -- about Saturday night's game.

LINK:  STANFORD TALKS NOTRE DAME