2015 Preview: Opponents Returning Starters

If you look at Notre Dame's 2015 Football Schedule -- against Power 5 Conference teams -- here's how these opponents rank in regards to returning starters:

1. USC:  16 returning starters
2. Wake Forest:  16 returning starters
3. Pittsburgh:  15 returning starters
4. Stanford:  14 returning starters
5. Georgia Tech:  13 returning starters
6. Virginia: 12 returning starters
7. Texas:  12 returning starters
8. Clemson:  11 returning starters
9. Boston College:  10 returning starters

Phil Steele: "Notre Dame Returns Most Starters"

College football guru Phil Steele published his ranking of the teams with the most returning starters in 2015 and guess who's #1 in the country among the Power Five conference teams?

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Here's the rankings:

LINK:  RETURNING STARTERS

Notre Dame Alum Opens "Hesburgh Hospital"

In Santo Domingo, Ecuador -- a new hospital carries the name of University of Notre Dame president emeritus, Fr. Ted Hesburgh, C.S.C.

Here's the story that ran on Notre Dame's Alumni site:

This summer, business major-turned physician, Dr. David Gaus, helped to open Hesburgh Hospital on behalf of Andean Health & Development, a nonprofit aimed at providing quality and sustainable healthcare for rural poor in the Ecuador.
 
Through the inspiration of Fr. Hesburgh, Dr. Gaus attended medical school and determined to use his degree for good: by providing residents of rural Ecuador affordable, accessible medical care. In 2000, he founded the Pedro Vicente Maldonado. Since then, the hospital has treated more than 75,000 patients, including 2,500 childbirths, 1,200 surgeries and 7,500 emergencies.
 
Now Dr. Gaus and the AHD have expanded these efforts, opening a new hospital in Santo Domingo, named the Hesburgh Hospital in honor of Fr. Hesburgh’s own presence and impact on the mission in Ecuador. The Hesburgh Hospital features 60 beds, comprehensive health services, residency training programs for family Physicians, and a research and resource center.
 
Unique to both of these hospitals is not only their distinctive approach to affordable healthcare, but also their mission to be financially sustainable within their first 2 years of operation, meaning that the hospital will operate off of revenue gained from patient services rather than outside donors. It is this kind of mission which allows the hospitals to operate as fully developed community partners regardless of outside forces—providing good for their communities.

LINK:  WATCH THE VIDEO

Zack Martin '13, Voted First Team NFL All-Pro!

Folks, the honors are just beginning to pile in for former Notre Dame student-athlete Zack Martin '13.

The Dallas Cowboy offensive guard was just named FIRST TEAM NFL ALL PRO by the media -- the only rookie to earn such honors! 

Here's the story:

LINK:  ZACK MARTIN -- NFL ALL PRO!

TMZ: The "Admiral" Proud of His Two Sons...

David Robinson was caught on camera after Notre Dame's win over LSU, by a reporter from TMZ Sports...

LINK:  ROBINSON

Happy "NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP" Year!

It's going to be a great year for the Fighting Irish and the Notre Dame Nation!  Just you wait and see...

Happy NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Year!

LINK:  THE LAST TIME

Didn't Take Long: Media Jumping on ND's...

Bandwagon...

LINK:  PLAYOFF CONTENDER IN 2015

OT: "Spelling Is Overrated" in East Lansing...

Got to love this fan's sign at the Michigan State basketball game yesterday in East Lansing...

Domer Joe Montana in AT&T TV Commercial

Former Notre Dame All-American, National Champion and four-time Super Bowl Champion (three time Super Bowl MVP) Joe Montana -- is appearing in a TV spot with Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and Bo Jackson for AT&T -- take a look:

LINK:  HEISMANS vs. SUPER BOWL RINGS

OT: Harbaugh Madness in Ann Arbor, Michigan

This is a story you just couldn't make up...

LINK:  "ANN ARBAUGH"

Full Game Replay: Notre Dame 31 -- LSU 28

Here is the ESPN3 -- full game replay of Notre Dame's last second 31 - 28 win over LSU yesterday in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. 

If you fast forward to the end -- you can see the trophy presentation to Coach Kelly and the Team Captains:

LINK:  GAME REPLAY

OT: Another QB Who Throws Without the Laces

I couldn't pass this up...

South Bend TV Post Game Coverage Last Night

Here's what I could find from the four South Bend TV stations concerning Notre Dame's 31 - 28 win over LSU in the Music City Bowl:

LINK:  WNDU-TV #1

LINK:  WNDU-TV #2

LINK:  WSBT-TV #1

LINK:  WSBT-TV #2

LINK:  FOX 28 TV

LINK:  ABC 57 TV

Coach Kelly & Players Talk Music City Bowl Win

Here's all of the post game coverage I could find of Coach Kelly and Fighting Irish players talking about their 31 - 28 win over LSU in the Music City Bowl:

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  PROSISE & FOLSTON

LINK:  COREY ROBINSON

The Media the Mornin' After ND's Win Over LSU!

Wasn't that fun yesterday!

What a big win for our Football Program at Notre Dame.  After that great start and then all of the injuries and losses -- many had thrown in the towel on this team.  Thank goodness the coaching staff and players still BELIEVED!

Took my customary lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what all of the media pundits are saying today about what many would describe as a "shocking" victory for Notre Dame.  Should be interesting:

LINK:  BATON ROUGE ADVOCATE 

LINK:  NOLA

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  GANNETT NEWSPAPERS

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  FORT WAYNE NEWS-SENTINEL

LSU Coach Les Miles Ater Loss to Notre Dame

LSU head football coach met with the media after the game -- he obviously was talking about the FAKE TD that wasn't...

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  ON FIELD WITH LSU REPORTER

Coach Kelly in Locker Room (Before & After)

You're going to want to watch this!  Inside look at Notre Dame's 31 - 28 win over LSU today in the Music City Bowl!

LINK:  LOCKER ROOM!

Just Had to Post: Mike Bertsch "PRATFALL"

Notre Dame Football's Director of Media Relations takes an unfortunate fall after tripping over Fr. Mark Thesing, C.S.C. in the post game locker room celebration.

Got to love his "post-fall" reaction -- and the team's...

LINK:  THE FALL

Kyle Brindza Leads Team in Victory March!

Fitting -- his last game in a Notre Dame uniform -- with his teammates...

LINK:  BRINDZA LEADS VICTORY MARCH

"Kayla McBride Day" at Her Erie PA High School

Former Notre Dame All-American and WNBA star -- Kayla McBride was honored today at her high school.  Take a look:

LINK:  KAYLA'S DAY

LINK:  ITINERARY FOR HER SPECIAL DAY