Notre Dame's Defense -- National Rankings

It's time for our weekly look at where Notre Dame Football ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- AFTER ELEVEN GAMES OF THE 2010 SEASON.  In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's defense currently stands on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2009 and against the top team in the country -- in each category this season.

DEFENSE -- TEAM STATISTICS

Quarterback Sacks:  2010 Rank - #29 with 26 QB sacks -- in 2009 we had 19 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #92 -- Florida State leads the country with 41 QB sacks.  

Tackles for Loss:  2010 Rank - #57 with an average of 5.91 tackles for loss per game -- in 2009 we averaged 6.0 tackles for loss per game, ranking us #48 in the country.  Boise State leads the country with an average of 8.8 tackles for loss per game.  

Interceptions:  2010 Rank - #30 with 13 interceptions -- in 2009 we had 12 interceptions for the season, ranking us #50 -- Alabama leads the country with 21 interceptions. 

First Downs:  2010 Rank - #42 allowing an average of 18.45 first downs per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 19.67 first downs per game, ranking us #72   -- TCU leads the country giving up an average of 11.55 first downs per game.

Third Down Conversion Rate:  2010 Rank - #30 allowing only 36,21% conversion rate on third down -- in 2009 we allowed a 39.5% conversion rate, ranking us #67 -- West Virginia leads the country allowing only a 21.74%  conversion rate. 

Red Zone Efficiency:  2010 Rank - #36 allowing the team to score 79% of the time -- in 2009 we allowed teams to score 75% of the time, ranking us #15 -- Boise State leads the country allowing teams to score 47% of the time.

Turnovers Gained:  2010 Rank - #44 with 20 turnovers gained -- in 2009 we gained 19 turnovers for the season, ranking us #80 -- Hawaii leads the country with 31 turnovers gained this season. 

Rushing Yards:  2010 Rank - #62 giving up an average of 153 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 170 yards rushing per game, ranking us #89 -- Boise State leads the country giving up an average of 72 yards rushing per game.  

Passing Yards:  2010 Rank - #51 giving up an average of 208 yards passing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 227 yards passing per game, ranking us #76 in the country.  TCU leads the country giving up an average of 135 yards passing per game.

Total Yards:  2010 Rank - #55 giving up 362 yards per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 397 yards per game, ranking us #86 -- TCU leads the country giving up 223 yards per game.  

Points Allowed Per Game:  2010 Rank - #33 giving up 20.91 points per game -- in 2009 we gave up 25.3 points per game, ranking us #63 -- TCU leads the country giving up 10.91 points per game. 

DEFENSE -- INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Tackles Per Game:

• Manti Teo -- averaging 10.73 tackles per game -- ranked #13 in the country

Sacks:

• Darius Fleming -- 5.5 sacks this season -- ranked #70 in the country
• Ethan Johnson --  5.0 sacks this season -- ranked #83 in the country

Interceptions

• Harrison Smith -- 3 interceptions this season -- ranked #47 in the country
• Darrin Walls -- 3 interceptions this season -- ranked #47 in the country

TOMORROW AN ANALYSIS OF THE NOTRE DAME OFFENSE

Ruffer -- A Finalist For The Lou Groza Award!

Notre Dame's "Mr. Perfect" David Ruffer -- was named yesterday as one of the three Finalists for the 2010 Lou Groza Award -- which is awarded annually by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to the nation's top place-kicker.  Ruffer, joined the Irish in the middle of last season as a "walk on" straight from Notre Dame's "interhall" football league.  And, all he's done is make every kick he's attempted ever since!  Ruffer is a "perfect" 15 for 15 this season -- the only kicker in the FBS that has attempted at least 10 field goals without missing -- and he's now 20 for 20 for his career.  Could be a movie here!!!  The winner will be announced at the 19th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Dec. 7th at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida -- and again on Thursday, Dec. 9th at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

LINK:  LOU GROZA AWARD FINALISTS

The Band of the Fighting Irish -- NYC Video!

This was just tweeted by @NDBandMom -- a video from The Band of the Fighting Irish's performance in New York City's Times Square this past Saturday.  What a NOTRE DAME MOMENT!  Just had to post the link!!!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BAND IN TIMES SQUARE

Domer Team Dominates!: The Amazing Race

Notre Dame grad, Thomas Wolfard '02 and his girlfriend Jill Haney -- absolutely "crushed" the other four teams remaining in CBS's The Amazing Race last night!  Wolfard and Haney were the first to get to the finish line in Bangladesh -- in this globe trotting adventure race.  For finishing first, the two earned a $15,000 bonus from Discover Card!  There are only four teams left in the race for the MILLION DOLLAR prize!  Tune in next Sunday night and root them on!  Here's a link to a replay of last night's episode of CBS's The Amazing Race:

LINK:  REPLAY OF THE AMAZING RACE

Notre Dame Pep Rally @ Hyatt Regency OC

The Notre Dame Club of Orange County is hosting the "official" Notre Dame / USC Pep Rally at the Hyatt Regency OC (Garden Grove, CA) this Friday!!!  The Leprechaun, Notre Dame Cheerleaders and a number of former Irish greats will be in attendance.  If you're in the area -- get out and cheer on the IRISH!  “Tailgate type” food & drinks will be available for purchase in the Ball Room as well as games for the “kids.”  And, the Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore will be there as well (they never miss an opportunity!) giving ND fans access to all of the IRISH GEAR you'll need for Saturday's game against USC.  The Notre Dame Bookstore "West" will be open "all day" Friday and from 9 AM to 2 PM on Saturday (a great place to get your Christmas shopping done!).  The Hyatt Regency OC's Ballroom doors open up at 5 PM PST with the Pep Rally beginning at 7:30 PM PST.  A big thank you to Brian Miehaus '00, for making me aware of this special event!  Go Irish beat Trojans!!!  Here's a link to the Notre Dame Club of Orange County website:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME CLUB OF OC

Play Like A Champion Today -- Accredited!

The University of Notre Dame's Play Like A Champion Today Educational Series received national accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) this past week.  AND YOU THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A SIGN IN THE NOTRE DAME LOCKER ROOM!  More than 18,000 coaches and 3,000 parents have participated in PLC workshops in the United States, Canada and most recently, Uganda.  Play Like A Champion Today develops and offers coaching clinics and parents workshops in partnership with athletic leagues, youth sport organizations and high schools.  Here's a link to their website and a video:

LINK:  PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY VIDEO

LINK:  PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY WEBSITE

Bowl Eligible Irish: Where Do They Go?

The big wins, the past two weeks, have earned the Irish the opportunity to go "BOWLING" and not the kind with a bag, ball, shoes and shirt!  Notre Dame currently stands 6-5 after Saturday night's win at Yankee Stadium over Army -- with the USC Trojans left this Saturday in Los Angeles.  Let's take a look at where the Notre Dame Fighting Irish could be headed for a Bowl Game:

When the Irish beat USC Saturday night (!) -- they will finish the season at 7-5, winning their last three games of the season.  And, they will be the most desired 7 win team in America -- for bowl game committees. 

Most experts believe the Irish will be headed to Orlando to play in the Champs Sports Bowl on December 28th against a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference -- probably North Carolina State.  The Irish have the option of taking the Big East slot in this game this year or next.  Big East fans will be furious!

If the Irish are "upset" by the Trojans this week -- we will finish the season with six wins -- and, then it gets a little crazy with where the Irish may end up.  Here are a few of the Bowl Games that will be lining up trying to convince Notre Dame to play in their game:

-The Hyundai Sun Bowl -- in El Paso, TX on December 31.  This bowl is scheduled to take ACC #4 vs. the PAC 10 #4.  Yet, many are predicting that the Fighting Irish will take the PAC 10 spot and  play the Miami Hurricanes in this game.  The media is going to have a field day with this...

-The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl -- in San Francisco on January 9th.  Can you believe they're playing a bowl game for a six win team on January 9th?  This game is scheduled to take the #6 team in the PAC 10 Conference (assuming they are bowl eligible) against a team from the Western Athletic Conference.  Yet, many feel they'll find a way to invite Notre Dame.
 
-Ticket City Bowl -- in Dallas on January 1st.  This bowl is scheduled to take a team from the Big Ten vs. a team from the Big 12.  Only eight Big Ten teams are bowl eligible for the nine bowl games that are contracted with the conference -- that doesn't account for any Big Ten team that is selected for a BCS bowl game.  Many feel, the Ticket City Bowl is praying they are the bowl that doesn't have to take a Big Ten team -- and, that the Irish will fall to them.

-Little Caesars Bowl -- in Detroit on December 26th.  This bowl is also scheduled to take a Big Ten team vs. the Mid American Conference Champion.  As mentioned above, the Big Ten doesn't have enough bowl eligible teams this year, and there won't be a Big Ten team in Motown at this game.  The Mid American Conference Champion will come from one of three teams;  Northern Illinois, Ohio or Miami, OH (which is coached by former ND player and coach -- Mike Haywood!)

-New Era Pinstripe Bowl -- in New York City on December 30th.  This bowl game is scheduled to take the #7 team in the Big 12 vs. the #4 team in the Big East.  At present, the Big 12 has eight teams bowl eligible, but there's the chance that Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Missouri could be scooped up by one of the BCS Championship games leaving a spot open here for the Irish.

-The BBVA Bowl -- in Birmingham, AL on January 8th.  This bowl game is scheduled to take the #10 out of the SEC vs. the Big East.  At present, only eight teams in the SEC are bowl eligible, so this spot is not going to be filled.

-The Military Bowl -- in Washington D.C. on December 29th.  This bowl game is scheduled to take the #8 team out of the ACC against a team from Conference USA.  There are nine teams in the ACC that are bowl eligible with the outside chance that Virginia Tech may get selected for one of the BCS Bowl Championship games.  I don't see the Irish being around to be picked by this bowl game!

Irish Hockey Sweeps the MSU Spartans!

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team -- swept the #17th ranked MSU Spartans this weekend before sell-out crowds at the Joyce Center!  On Friday night, the Irish won 6-2, scoring five goals in the second period.  Six different Irish players scored a goal in the game.  And on Saturday night, Jeff Jackson's icers scored two "short handed" goals in the third period in Notre Dame's 4-2 victory!  The 11th ranked Irish are now 9-3-1 on the season and continue their hold on first place in the CCHA.  The Irish are now 7-1-3 in their last eleven games against the Spartans.  Go Irish!  Here are the game stories from the South Bend Tribune:

LINK:  SATURDAY'S WIN!

LINK:  FRIDAY'S WIN!

Irish Women's Soccer Rolls over #3 Tar Heels!

Randy Waldrum's Notre Dame Fighting Irish soccer team crushed the "two-time defending National Champions" North Carolina Tar Heels 4-1, on their home field, this Saturday at the NCAA Women's Soccer National Championship in Chapel Hill, NC!  The win vaults the #7th ranked Irish into the Quarter Finals (there's eight teams left) in Stillman, OK next weekend -- where they will take on the #6th  ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls, on their home field.  This is the seventh straight year that the Irish have advanced to the "Round of Eight" -- quite an accomplishment!  The photo is of Notre Dame's Melissa Henderson, who scoreed her 51st career goal in the game.  Go Irish!!!  Here's the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  IRISH BEAT TAR HEELS!

Coach Kelly's Sunday Conversation -- Army

Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly -- had his weekly "sit down" with UND.COM's Jack Nolan to talk about the Irish win over Army last night in Yankee Stadium.  Here's a link:



LINK:  COACH KELLY REFLECTS ON ARMY & YANKEE STADIUM

A Message to NBC: Tom Hammond Must Go!

Here I am enjoying a "Notre Dame Moment" -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame playing in prime time, under the lights -- in the first football game in the $1.5 billion home of the New York Yankees.  And, Notre Dame is in cruise control -- leading 27-3 and about to become bowl eligible in a season that has had 'more downs' than ups.


This was the crowning moment of a historic two days for the University of Notre Dame - "that little school in the middle of nowhere..."  There's not another school in America -- that could have staged two days like this -- in the media capital of the world.

Then I hear this, from the 'so called' voice of Notre Dame football on NBC (Tom Hammond) -- after recalling Rockne's famous "WIN ONE FOR THE GIPPER" speech that took place in the old Yankee Stadium at halftime in a game against Army -- Hammond drops this doozy:


"There's question as to whether this really ever happened..."

WHAT?????

Tom Hammond, NBC's chosen voice for Notre Dame Football -- the most storied brand in college sports -- IS GOING TO CALL INTO QUESTION ONE OF THE GREAT STORIES IN AMERICAN HISTORY???!!!

And, he's going to do this -- on national television -- in prime time -- at Yankee Stadium -- on Notre Dame's chosen TV network??!!

What's with Hammond?  And, what's with NBC?   Is this how you treat your partner??!!

Will we see Hammond this Thursday -- during NBC's coverage of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade -- tell the world when Santa Claus arrives at the end:  "There's question as to whether this guy in the red suit..."  

This is blasphemy!

How dare Tom Hammond take on the legend of Knute Rockne, Notre Dame and American sports culture -- especially on last night's big stage! 

It's time for Notre Dame to put the DOME DOWN -- and let NBC know that Hammond must go!

Notre Dame's Mass @ St. Patrick's Cathedral

Ran across this news report from NY1 on Notre Dame's Mass yesterday morning at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan.  You'll enjoy the interview of the members of "The Notre Dame Family" as they leave the Cathedral after Mass.  A standing room only crowd of more than 2,400 packed St. Patrick's for the Mass.  Please note -- the ND GO IRISH BLOG is reporting that University of Notre Dame President, Fr. John Jenkins -- did not change his name to "Ron Jenkins" while in NYC this weekend!

LINK:  MASS AT ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL

The Media's Take On ND vs. Army...

It was a special two days -- make that "historic" two days, in New York City for the University of Notre Dame, it's football team, its students, its alums, it's faculty, it's staff and its MILLIONS OF "SUBWAY ALUMNI" around the world!  Here's what the media is reporting after Notre Dame's 27-3 win over Army last night -- the first football game ever in the new Yankee Stadium -- photo courtesy of the New York Times:

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  NEW YORK POST

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE

LINK:  ESPN  (THEY DID THEIR BEST TO IGNORE THE IRISH IN NYC)

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #3

LINK:  WNDU-TV

Notre Dame's Post Game: Win Over Army!

Here's video from the victorious Notre Dame locker room -- and Notre Dame player interviews, after the Irish's 27-3 win over Army in Yankee Stadium.   A shout out to Coach Diaco -- and his game ball!  We'll post all of the interviews here as they become available:

LINK:  ND LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION

LINK:  TOMMY REES & GARY GRAY

NBC: Replay of Notre Dame vs. Army

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Black Knights of Army tonight 27-3 in the first game ever in the new Yankee Stadium.  Brian Kelly's Irish were led by a dominating defensive effort -- as Notre Dame becomes bowl eligible with their 6th win of the season.  Here's a link to NBC's coverage of Notre Dame in primetime.  Photo courtesy of Kathy Willens / AP

LINK:  NBC'S FULL REPLAY OF NOTRE DAME vs. ARMY GAME

The National Anthem @ Yankee Stadium

Here's a link to NBC's pre-game coverage of the first ever football game in the New York Yankee's new $1.5 billion home -- and Patrick Wilson's rendition of our National Anthem.  The photo is of the Black Knight's Parachuting Team bringing in the game ball into Yankee Stadium -- courtesy of @fightingirishff.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  NATIONAL ANTHEM @ YANKEE STADIUM

Video of Irish Entrance @ Yankee Stadium

The folks at NBC produced a video that they played during the Notre Dame football team's walk from the Yankee's locker room to the football field inside Yankee Stadium.  The photo is courtesy of @fighting irishff.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S ENTRANCE INTO YANKEE STADIUM

Coach Kelly Post Game Press Conference

If you'd like to listen to Coach Kelly's post game comments after Notre Dame's convincing 27-3 win over Army in the first football game ever played at the new Yankee Stadium -- click on the link below.  The photo of Coach Kelly and Army's Coach Ellerson shaking hands at games end is courtesy of @fightingirishff

LINK:  UND.COM -- COACH KELLY

The First TD Ever @ Yankee Stadium!

Here's another historic photo -- and it's of senior running back, Robert Hughes of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- scoring the first touchdown in the history of the new Yankee Stadium.  For the record, it was a one-yard run over the left guard and tackle.  Photo courtesy of @fightingirishff

The First TD Pass Ever @ Yankee Stadium!

Here's a historic photo -- the first touchdown pass and catch in the history of the new Yankee Stadium.  For the record, it was a 31 yard TD pass from Tommy Rees to Tyler Eiffert.  Photo courtesy of @fightingirishff