First Game Performances for ND Opponents

Took a lap around the web this evening to see how our future opponents fared in their opening games of the 2014 college football season.

Notre Dame's opponents are 8 - 3 so far this opening weekend -- with one game left to be played.

 Click on the link below:

LINK:  MICHIGAN 52 - APPALACHIAN STATE 14

LINK:  PURDUE 43 - WESTERN MICHIGAN 34

LINK:  SYRACUSE 27 - VILLANOVA 26

LINK:  STANFORD 45 - UC DAVIS 0

LINK:  NORTH CAROLINA 56 - LIBERTY 29

LINK:  FLORIDA STATE 37 - OKLAHOMA STATE 31

LINK:  OHIO STATE 34 - NAVY 17

LINK:  ARIZONA STATE 45 - WEBER STATE 14

LINK:  CALIFORNIA 31 - NORTHWESTERN 24 

LINK:  LOUISVILLE PLAYS ON MONDAY 

LINK:  USC 52 - FRESNO STATE 13

Michigan's Hoke: "Notre Dame Next Week..."

Here is Michigan's head coach Brady Hoke meeting with the media after the Wolverines' win over Appalachian State.  The win ties the all-time series record at 1 - 1 between these two schools.

LINK:  HOKE PRESSER

A Look at Notre Dame's Offensive Efficiency

Here's what the production looked like -- by position -- in today's 48 point outburst against Rice:

QUARTERBACK POSITION:

• 295 Yards Passing -- 14 for 22
• 99 Yards Rushing -- 14 carries
• 3 TD's Rushing
• 2 TD's Passing
• Zero Turnovers

RUNNING BACK POSITION:

• 182 Yards Rushing -- 28 carries
• 7 Yards Receiving
• 1 TD Rushing
• Zero Fumbles

RECEIVER POSITION:

• 288 Yards Receiving
• 13 Receptions
• 2 TD's

FINAL STATS:

• 23 First Downs
• 281 Yards Rushing
• 295 Yards Passing
• 576 Total Yards
• 48 Total Points
• 30:09 Time of Possession

Coach Kelly Talks 48 - 17 Win Over Rice Today

Here is a link to Coach Kelly's post game press conference after Notre Dame's big win over the Rice Owls.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  POST GAME PRESSER

Game Highlights: Notre Dame 48 - Rice 17

The Fighting Irish kicked off the season today in good order -- beating the Rice Owls by 31 points in the home opener.  Here's some of the highlights:

That's sophomore Greg Bryant scoring his first TD for Notre Dame!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Dual Threat QB's -- May We Always Have One!

Everett Golson -- boy, did we miss your talents!

Just got back home after the post-game Mass and Notre Dame's 48 - 17 win over Rice.  It was the Golson Show -- as he scored three TD's running and threw for two more.

Just maybe the folks at ESPN start talking Heisman when they speak of Everett Golson.

Here's what the media is saying -- just an hour after the game's end -- just click on the links below:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  ESPN 

LINK:  ELKHART TRUTH 

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Replay of "Football Friday" at Notre Dame!

Here's a replay of yesterday's Football Luncheon at the Joyce Athletics Complex -- in front of a crowd of 840 -- and the Pep Rally last night in front of thousands...

LINK:  FOOTBALL LUNCHEON

LINK:  PEP RALLY

LIVE Weather Radar Updates from Notre Dame

The 127th football season at the University of Notre Dame begins in just a little over seven hours from now -- kick-off is scheduled for 3:42 PM ET -- and it's a rainy day here in South Bend.

Here's the latest hourly forecast from ACCUWEATHER:

• 3 PM:  Mostly Cloudy
• 4 PM:  THUNDER STORMS
• 5 PM:  Mostly Cloudy
• 6 PM:  Mostly Cloudy
• 7 PM:  THUNDER STORMS

If you'd like to keep an eye on what's going on with the weather today -- just click on the links below:

LINK:  LIVE WEATHER RADAR

LINK:  HOURLY FORECAST

Pre-Game Look at Media's Take on Rice vs. ND

Took a lap this morning around the worldwide web to see what the media has to say about this afternoon's game between the Rice Owls and our Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. 

Just click on the links below:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

LINK:  ESPN'S ND BLOG

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

Meet NBC's New ND Football Sideline Reporter

Her name is Kathryn Tapper and she's a former Academic All-American track athlete at Rutgers.  Tapper takes over the Notre Dame sideline reporting duties for NBC's coverage of the Fighting Irish. 

Here is an interview Kathryn gave to NBC's Keith Arnold:

LINK:  TAPPER ON NOTRE DAME GIG

Alex Flanagan's Goodbye to Notre Dame

Former NBC sideline reporter Alex Flanagan posted a goodbye message last night to the University of Notre Dame.  Flanagan worked the Notre Dame sideline for seven seasons.

Kathryn Tappen will take on those duties for NBC today...

You can see by Alex's message -- Notre Dame made a lasting impression. 

THANK YOU ALEX!!!


LINK:  GOODBYE NOTRE DAME

Empty Student Section at Michigan Stadium?

Word on the street is Michigan Stadium will see a significant drop in student attendance at football games -- look how bad it might be...

LINK:  ATTENDANCE DOWN

Severe Weather Plan for Notre Dame Stadium

A Notre Dame official spoke with the local media today about plans in place should severe weather come to campus during tomorrow's game between Rice and the Fighting Irish.

LINK:  EVACUATION PLANS

Chargers Excited About Watt's Possibilities...

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Chris Watt '13, earned some high praise from the San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy.  The Bolts are thrilled with Watt's smarts and ability to play three positions on their offensive line -- very well.

LINK:  POSITION FLEXIBILITY

Photo of ND Football Motorcade to South Bend

After this evening's Pep Rally the Fighting Irish jumped aboard three buses for their trip downtown to the Double Tree Hotel -- their Friday night headquarters...  Note the police escort.

Photos From Tonight's Notre Dame Pep Rally

Here's the view of tonight's Pep Rally in South Quad -- note the new Under Armour gear for the Notre Dame cheerleaders.

LINK:  VIDEO

Houston Chronicle Coverage of Rice Owls FB

Took a visit to the Houston Chronicle site to see what they're reporting about their "home team" Rice Owls and their game with our Fighting Irish tomorrow -- here's what I found:

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Forecast: Can the New Field Turf Handle Rain?

We're going to learn tomorrow if Notre Dame Stadium's new Field Turf surface can handle rain -- maybe lots of it...

Rice vs. Notre Dame is scheduled to kick-off at 3:42 PM ET.

Here's the latest forecast -- click on the link below:

LINK:  RADAR

OT: Under Armour Did the Naval Academy Right

I really like this helmet, uniform combination created by Under Armour for the Naval Academy. 

Notice the player's rank on the shoulder boards and pants (bars).

SHARP!

LINK:  UNDER ARMOUR & NAVY

Brian Kelly Met With Media After Practice Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after practice to talk about Saturday's game with Rice (and some other news concerning the team).  This is the last time he'll speak with the press until after the game:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY WITH MEDIA