National Championship Rings for ND Fencers!

These are the rings created for Notre Dame Fencing's two individual NCAA National Champions -- Gerek Meinhardt and Lee Kiefer!

2014 Strength of Schedule vs. Notre Dame

This is the second segment of the ND GO IRISH BLOG's look at the  TOP 25 teams in the AP POLL and their strength of schedule (SOS) vs. Notre Dame's.  These are the teams ranked 6 to 10 and their SOS vs. the Fighting Irish.

Folks -- the PLAYOFF COMMITTEE better be looking at this!

#17 NOTRE DAME

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  103 - 56
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  6
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  5

#6 AUBURN

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  93 - 60
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 6

#7 UCLA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  82 - 72
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013: 4
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:5

#8 MICHIGAN STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013: 82 - 71
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 3

#9 SOUTH CAROLINA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  96 - 59
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013: 4
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  5

#10 BAYLOR

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  78 - 72
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013: 2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 1

LINK:  TEAMS #1 - #5 -- STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE 

The Greg Bryant Era -- Only 8 Days From Now!

This is a photo of Notre Dame running back Greg Bryant -- posing for the NBC TV cameras...

"Irish Chocolate" May See His First NFL Action

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis Nix '14 has yet to play in Houston's first two NFL exhibition games due to knee surgery.

That may change this Saturday when the Texan's take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Here's the story:

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

Notre Dame's Shamrock Series' Under Armour

Here's the look...

A Very Nice Story on Domer Jonas Gray

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Jonas Gray had a big game this weekend for the New England Patriots gaining 98 yards on 12 carries. 

Found this great story about Jonas in the News Telegram -- must see!

That's Jonas #35 -- in the photo above.

LINK:  JONAS GRAY

Ireland Golf Caddie's Fighting Irish Tattoo!

The Notre Dame Women's Golf Team was in Ireland last week on a six-day golf tour...

The photo above is of Notre Dame's Director of Athletics Advancement Sara Liebscher -- with her caddy at Old Head Golf Links -- who just happens to sport a Notre Dame Fighting Irish tattoo on his upper arm.

Potentially FIVE NFL ND Rookie Starters

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the following players are in the starting line-up for their respective teams in a couple of weeks.   

When was the last time Notre Dame had five ROOKIE STARTERS in the NFL?

• Zack Martin -- given, will start at right guard for Cowboys
• Troy Niklas -- could start for the Cardinals at tight end
• Stephon Tuitt -- could start at the defensive end position for the Steelers
• Chris Watt -- could start at the right guard position for the Chargers
• Prince Shembo -- could start at middle linebacker for the Falcons

For that matter -- when was the last time any college team had that many rookie starters?

2014 Strength of Schedule vs. Notre Dame

Over the next few days the ND GO IRISH BLOG will be looking at the TOP 25 teams in the AP POLL and their strength of schedule (SOS) vs. Notre Dame's.  First -- the top FIVE ranked teams' SOS vs. the Fighting Irish.

Folks -- the PLAYOFF COMMITTEE better be looking at this!

#17 NOTRE DAME

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  103 - 56
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  6
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  5

#1 FLORIDA STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  83 -69
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  2

#2 ALABAMA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  71 - 79
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 4

#3 OREGON

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013: 80 - 73
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  4

#4  OKLAHOMA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  71 - 78
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:   2

#5 OHIO STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  87 - 66
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  1
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  1

Bob Diaco Names His Starting QB -- I Think...

You have got to watch this out of Storrs, CT.  Coach Diaco names his starting QB yesterday -- I think...

LINK:  DIACO

There's a "New Sheriff" in Notre Dame Town!

You've got to love this photo of Coach Van Gorder at today's Notre Dame football practice!

Coverage of Notre Dame Football Media Day

Here's all of the coverage I've been able to find of today's MEDIA DAY for the Notre Dame Football program.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S PRESSER

LINK:  JACK NOLAN INTERVIEW OF COACH KELLY

LINK:  CODY RIGGS INTERVIEW

LINK:  CHRISTIAN LOMBARD INTERVIEW

LINK:  AUSTIN COLLINSWORTH INTERVIEW

LINK:  JACK NOLAN & REGGIE BROOKS

The Story of the Shamrock Series Gear for ND

The folks at Under Armour shared their story today regarding the making of the Shamrock Series helmet and uniform for the University of Notre Dame.   As a storyteller -- it's nice to see their interest in telling a story...

I LIKE THE STORY!

You must watch the video linked below:

LINK:  THE STORY

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S UNVEIL

Notre Dame's Under Armour Football Uniforms

Well, here's what we've been waiting for...

Looks like we have a different shade of gold with the pants.

This "early reveal" paves the way for the much anticipated SHAMROCK SERIES helmet and uniform unveil which should happen this afternoon -- click on the link below to watch LIVE.  Starts at 1 PM ET:

LINK:  SHAMROCK SERIES UNIFORM REVEAL

New Addition to ND's Labar Athletics Complex

A privacy screen has been added to the eastern edge of Notre Dame's Labar Athletics Complex -- where the Fighting Irish Football Team practices.

I'm quite sure this move was precipitated by the OVERLOOK at NOTRE DAME apartment complex -- on Twyckenham -- just east of the practice fields.  The Overlook at Notre Dame is a four-story building housing graduate students.

You never know ("WINK-WINK"), there just might be a Michigan, USC, Florida State alum or two or three in those apartments attending grad school at Notre Dame...

LINK:  OVERLOOK AT NOTRE DAME

WATCH LIVE: Media Day Today at 1 PM ET

The Notre Dame Football team will hold its annual MEDIA DAY today at 1 PM ET -- and you can watch it LIVE at the link below:

LINK:  MEDIA DAY

NFL Highlights of ND Players This Weekend

Here's a look at some highlights of former Notre Dame student-athletes from this weekend of NFL Exhibition football.  Just click on the former player's name and you'll see their highlight video:

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE TD CATCH

LINK:  STEPHON TUITT'S -- TACKLE DOWN FIELD

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH'S 51 YARD TD CATCH

LINK:  ROBERT HUGHES' TD RUN

ND Football -- A Look at the Wide Receivers

The Fighting Irish are expected to be throwing the ball all over the field this season -- here's a look at the position that should be on the other end of many of Everett Golson's passes...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WIDE RECEIVERS

ND Football Media Day -- LIVE at 1 PM ET

Notre Dame Football's annual MEDIA DAY is scheduled for Tuesday at 1 PM ET -- here's a link below to the LIVE coverage:

LINK:  TUESDAY @ 1 PM ET

Fr. Jenkins Accepts ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

University of Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on the steps of the Golden Dome.  Here's a video replay:

LINK:  FR. JENKINS