Updated Photos of Notre Dame's Basilica Floor

The University of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart is wrapping up the installation of a brand new "slate" floor this week.   The plan calls for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to celebrate Mass again this Sunday -- can't wait to see the new floor and hear the new sound!

Watch VanGorder's Press Conference Replay

Notre Dame football's new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will be formally introduced to the media this afternoon at 3 PM ET.  Here's a link to the PRESS CONFERENCE REPLAY if you'd like to watch!

LINK:  REPLAY PRESS CONFERENCE

Coach Kelly on Bill King Radio Show Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a guest this morning on the Bill King Radio Show.  He talked about a number of things -- namely, his plan to return to calling the plays on offense.  Here's the story:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

Notre Dame Hires Brian VanGorder to Run "D"

The University of Notre Dame just announced that Brian VanGorder has been hired as their new Defensive Coordinator.  VanGorder comes to the Fighting Irish from the New York Jets where he was their linebacker's coach this past season.

Coach VanGorder first coached with and for Brian Kelly from 1989 to 1992 at Grand Valley.  Since then, VanGorder has served as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, the Atlanta Falcons and Auburn.

Here's a replay of Coach VanGorder's introductory news conference with Auburn back in 2012 -- along with a link to his accomplishments as a coach:

LINK:  BRIAN VANGORDER

LINK:  BRIAN VANGORDER WIKI

Two Domers Lead All NFL Rookie Jersey Sales!

WOW!

Dick's Sporting Goods has been tracking the sale of NFL jerseys for the past fifteen months -- and the top two selling jerseys among NFL rookies belong to #1:  Manti Te'o and #2 Tyler Eifert...

Think about that -- there were 254 players drafted by NFL teams last year -- and many more signed as free agents.  And, the top two on the sales list -- NOTRE DAME PLAYERS!

LINK:  JERSEY REPORT -- DICK'S SPORTING GOODS

Skylar Diggins On the Eastbay Catalog Cover!

Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins -- as you can see above -- is on the cover of the Eastbay catalog.

Great Friends: Brian Kelly & Jeff Quinn

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and University at Buffalo head coach Jeff Quinn got together to talk a little football and their relationship.

Must see and must read!

LINK:  KELLY & QUINN

LINK:  BUFFALO NEWS STORY

Miami Herald: Nice Story on "Showman Tate"

Our man Golden Tate almost became "legend" for his fumble on the onside kick last night that gave New Orleans the ball back and the chance to tie the NFL Playoff game.  Thankfully for the former Notre Dame All-American the Seahawks won the game and they advance one step closer to the Super Bowl.

I found this Miami Herald story today about Golden -- you'll enjoy this!

LINK:  BRASH GOLDEN TATE

OT: Seahawks' "Fan Induced Earthquakes"

If you're tuned in to today's NFL Playoff Game on FOX between the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks you're sure to hear about the equipment inside Seattle's CenturyLink Field that measures earthquakes...

If you're going to the game -- dress for rain!

It's going to be noisy!

LINK:  EARTHQUAKES IN SEATTLE

Golden Tate & Seahawks Feeling Unnoticed

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate had some things to say about the pending return of Percy Harvin to the Seahawks for today's NFL Playoff game with the New Orleans Saints... 

He's always a good quote!

LINK:  TATE SPEAKS

First ACC Road Game Today for Brey's Irish

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The Notre Dame men's basketball team is in Atlanta, GA today to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  Tip-off is scheduled for NOON ET.  Georgia Tech announced it was a sell-out (8,600 seating capacity) -- so it should be fun to see how the Fighting Irish handle an ACC crowd on the road.

The game will be televised on the ACC Network.  I have a link below to their affiliate stations around the country -- click on that link to see if the game will be televised in your area.  Along with a link of Coach Brey talking about today's game.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  COACH BREY -- GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  ACC NETWORK -- AFFILIATES

Manti Te'o "Moving On" in San Diego

Found this story in the New York Daily News about former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o and his rookie season with the San Diego Chargers.  The Chargers play some guy named Peyton and his Broncos this Sunday at 4:40 PM ET.

You'll enjoy this story!

LINK:  MOVING ON

Two Dads Celebrate Their Kids ND Acceptance

It's a moment I'll never forget -- learning one of your kids was accepted to the University of Notre Dame...

I found this blog post written by Rick Becker who's son Ben recently received his acceptance letter to Notre Dame's Class of 2018.  Rick writes about his joy that day and the joy of another future Notre Dame dad.

One of Ben's future classmates will be a young woman out of New Jersey by the name of Sarah Christie -- who just happens to be the daughter of Governor Chris Christie.

See the story below:


LINK:  NOTRE DAME ACCEPTANCE LETTER

Notre Dame Grad Student on Jeopardy Today

Marika Kuspa -- a grad student in Notre Dame's College of Science will be a contestant on Jeopardy today!  Click on the link below -- you'll find Marika's intro at the 46 second mark:

LINK:  MARIKA KUSPA ON JEOPARDY

George Atkinson III Files for 2014 NFL Draft

Notre Dame student-athlete George Atkinson III has decided to take his game to the National Football League.  Here's the story:

LINK:  ATKINSON OFF TO NFL

CNN Story: College Athletes' Reading Levels

CNN's Sara Ganim conducted an investigation of the reading levels of some of the athletes at a few of the top public colleges in the country.  Domer Bubba Cunningham '84 and '88, the Athletic Director at the University of North Carolina is interviewed.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  THEY CAN'T READ

TV Ratings Down for BCS Championship Game

Just further proof why college football needs Notre Dame...

You had the Heisman Trophy winner leading an undefeated Florida State team against the SEC Champion Auburn Tigers.

Yet, ESPN's overnight TV ratings for Florida State vs. Auburn were down from last year's game between Notre Dame and Alabama -- the all-time record.  That's a shocker when you consider 90% of the country was hunkered down in their homes watching TV because of the record cold weather...


LINK:   TV RATINGS DOWN FOR BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Notre Dame's Final Rankings Don't Add Up !!!

Just took a look at the final college football polls released this morning -- the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll.  In the AP Poll Notre Dame is ranked #20, in the USA Today Poll Notre Dame is ranked #24.

Here's my frustration -- we deserved better...   The facts prove Notre Dame should have finished #18 in both polls -- at the very least.

In the AP Poll, #18 Texas A&M has four losses and they're ranked ahead of Notre Dame -- yet, they only have one victory all season against a Top-25 team in the final rankings and that's their bowl win over #23 Duke.  #19 USC has four losses and we beat them head to head...

Then you have the USA Today Coaches Poll -- where Notre Dame at #24 sits behind SIX teams who also have four losses:

• #18  Texas A&M (9-4)
• #19  USC (10-4)
• #20  Arizona State (9-4)
• #21  Wisconsin (9-4)
• #22  Duke (9-4)
• #23  Vanderbilt (9-4)
• #24  NOTRE DAME (9-4)

I've already addressed Texas A&M and their one win over a ranked team this season, and Notre Dame's head to head wins over USC and Arizona State...

Now, let's talk about Wisconsin, Duke and Vanderbilt... --

Wisconsin doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 team this season.  And, they were beat by Arizona State -- who lost to Notre Dame.

Duke doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.

Vanderbilt doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.

And, NOTRE DAME HAS THREE WINS OVER TEAMS RANKED IN THE FINAL TOP-25 USA TODAY COACHES POLL:  #3 MICHIGAN STATE, #19 USC AND #20 ARIZONA STATE.

It doesn't add up.
 

LINK:  FINAL FOOTBALL POLLS

Only 284 Days Until Notre Dame Plays FSU !!!

I'm guessing the gang at ESPN's College GameDay already have this date circled on their calendar -- October 18, 2014 -- when Notre Dame travels to Tallahassee to take on the defending National Champions. 

It's been more than eleven years since the last time (and the first time) Notre Dame traveled to Doak Campbell Stadium to play Florida State -- remember that game?

See the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BEATS FLORIDA STATE

OT: Auburn Fan Has $50,000 Riding on Game

Mark Skiba's dad made a $100 bet for him in Las Vegas (January 30, 2013) on Auburn winning the National Championship.  The odds were 500 to 1 against this happening.

Think he's a little nervous today?

LINK:  AUBURN FAN COULD WIN BIG