Is INDEPENDENCE Still An Option For the Irish?

I'm an old-school traditionalist in most facets of my life.  And, when it comes to the University of Notre Dame there are some things that are OFF LIMITS from my perspective:

• No markings on the GOLD HELMETS
• And, NO conference affiliation for football

Well, two weeks ago there were green shamrocks on our gold helmets -- I ended up not minding that so much...

And, in the last few days the announcement that Pitt and Syracuse were fleeing the Big East for the ACC -- has re-ignited the "Notre Dame football to a conference" conversation... 

This I'm going to mind!!!

Here's all the latest chatter about Notre Dame football and the "perceived" pressure to join a conference -- DON'T DO IT JACK!!!

LINK:  CNNSI

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  NAPLES NEWS

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  MADISON EXAMINER

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE

LINK:  DESERET NEWS 

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  THE DAILY CARDINAL

LINK:  PALM BEACH POST

LINK:  BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Pittsburgh Week: Notre Dame's Monday Update

Brian Kelly met with the media at lunch time today to talk about Saturday's game with Pittsburgh.  Here's a link to the presser -- along with links to what the media is sayin' today about the Irish and their next opponent:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY TALKS PITT

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Inside Notre Dame -- TV Show

Here's a link to Inside Notre Dame -- the weekly ND Football TV Show.

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME -- TV SHOW

Notre Dame's First Verbal Commit Class of 2013

Steve Elmer, a 6'-6" 297 lb. offensive lineman out of Midland, MI committed to Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly before the Irish's game with Michigan State on Saturday.  Here's a link to the Midland Daily News story -- ND fans will enjoy this:

LINK:  ELMER COMMITS TO NOTRE DAME

NCAA Offensive Statistics After Week #3

It's time again for our weekly look at where Notre Dame Football ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- FOR THE 2011 SEASON.  In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's Offense & Special Teams currently stand; on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2010 and 2009 and the current national leader in each category:

OFFENSIVE TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs:  2011 after game #3:  24.33 first downs -- ranked #24 in the country.  2010 Rank #57 with 19.83 first downs per game -- in 2009 we averaged 24.4 first downs per game for the season, ranking us #13.  2011 NCAA Leader:  The University of South Florida with an average of 30.67 first downs per game.

Third Down Conversions:  2011 after game #3:  45% -- ranked #44 in the country.  2010 Rank #76 with a 37.5% conversion rate -- in 2009 we had a 39.1% conversion rate for the season, ranking us #48.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Georgia Tech with a 70.59% third down conversion rate.

Passing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #3:  7.6 yards per passing attempt -- ranked #52 in the country.  2010 Rank #75 with 6.8 yards passing per attempt -- in 2009 we averaged 8.7 yards passing per attempt, ranking us #7 in the country.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Georgia Tech averaging 22.5 yards per pass attempt.

  

Passing Yardage:  2011 after game #3:  289 yards per game -- ranked #27 in the country.  2010 Rank #29 with 257 yards per game  (3,089 yards for the season)  -- in 2009 we passed for 323 yards per game (3,882 yards for the season), ranking us #7.  2011 NCAA Leader:  University of Houston and Oklahoma State University averaging 408 passing yards per game.

Rushing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #3:  4.6 yards per game -- ranked #46 in the country.  2010 Rank #83 with 3.9 yards rushing per attempt -- in 2009 we averaged 3.8 yards rushing per attempt, ranking us #76 in the country.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Georgia Tech averaging 7.9 yards per rushing attempt.

Rushing Yardage:  2011 after game #3:  143 rushing yards per game -- ranked #70 in the country.  2010 Rank #97 with 121 yards rushing per game (1,450 yards for the season) -- in 2009 we rushed for 127 yards per game  (1,539 yards for the season), ranking us #88.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Georgia Tech averaging 427.67 rushing yards per game.

Most QB Sacks Given Up:  2011 after game #3:  3 sacks given up -- ranked #25 in the country.  2010 Rank #66 giving up 19 QB sacks -- in 2009 we gave up 25 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #66.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Five teams have yet to give up a sack this season.

Fewest Pass Interceptions Thrown: 2011 after game #3:  6 interceptions thrown -- ranked #114.  2010 Rank #105 having thrown 16 pass interceptions -- in 2009 we threw 5 interceptions for the season, raking us #4.  2011 NCAA Leader:  12 schools have yet to throw an interception this season.

Fewest Fumbles Lost:  2011 after game #3:  7 fumbles lost -- ranked #120 in the country -- Notre Dame leads the country in most fumbles lost.  2010 Rank #31 having lost 8 fumbles -- in 2009 we lost 9 fumbles for the season ranking us #39.  2011 NCAA Leader:  14 schools have yet to lose a fumble.

Fewest  Turnovers Lost:  2011 after game #3:  13 turnovers lost -- ranked #119 (last) in the country -- in a tie with Western Kentucky for most turnovers lost.  2010 Rank #84 with 24 turnovers lost -- in 2009 we had 14 turnovers for the season, ranking us #7.  2011 NCAA Leader:  9 schools have had one turnover this season.

Total Offense:  2011 after game #3:  432 yards per game -- ranked #37 in the country.  2010 Rank #63 with 378 yards per game of offense -- in 2009 we had 451 yards per game of offense, ranking us #8.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Georgia Tech with 675.33 yards per game in total offense.

Points Per Game:  2011 after game #3:  27.33 points per game -- ranked #69 in the country.  2010 Rank #73 with 25.75 points per game -- in 2009 we averaged 30.1 points per game for the season, ranking us #32.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Georgia Tech averaging 59.33 points per game.

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TEAM STATISTICS

Fewest Penalties:  2011 after game #3: 23 penalties -- ranked #97 in the country.  2010 Rank #10 with 55 penalties -- in 2009 we had 75 penalties for the season, ranking us #50.  2011 NCAA Leader:  East Carolina University only has 3 penalties this season.

Fewest Penalty Yards:  2011 after game #3:  67 yards in penalties per game -- ranked #102 in the country.  2010 Rank #25 with 511 yards in penalties -- in 2009 we had 666 yards in penalties, ranking us #60.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Naval Academy averaging only 11.67 penalty yards per game.

Net Punting Yards:  2011 after game #3:  35.8 yards per game -- ranked #78 in the country.  2010 Rank #72 with an average net of 36.9 yards per punt -- in 2009 we averaged 32.1 yards per punt, ranking us #112.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Bowling Green averaging 49.5 net yards per punt.

Field Goals:  2011 after game #3:  2 field goals made -- ranked #68 in the country.  2010 Rank #32 with 15 field goals made.  In 2009 we made 19 field goals, ranking us #22 -- while going 19 for 22 in the process.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Florida and Virginia are tied with nine field goals made this season.

OT: Photo of the Day -- Helmet Stickers

Thought college football fans would enjoy this "close up" of Terrelle Pryor's football helmet this past year at The Ohio State University. 

NBC's Game Replay: ND vs. MSU

Here's the full game replay of NBC's telecast of Notre Dame's 31 - 13 win yesterday over Michigan State.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  REPLAY OF NOTRE DAME vs. MICHIGAN STATE

Post Game Interviews -- ND's Win Over MSU

Here's the UND.COM coverage after Notre Dame's big win over Michigan State yesterday.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

The Morning After Notre Dame's Win Over MSU

It's always better going to Mass on Sunday morning in Michigan when the Irish beat Michigan State the day before!  Here's what the media is sayin' the mornin' after Notre Dame's 31 - 13 win over the Spartans.  Enjoy!

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  POST TRIBUNE

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- JACK WALDEN

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- ERIC HANSEN

LINK:  LANSING STATE JOURNAL

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS -- ROSENBERG

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS -- SIPPLE

LINK:  DETROIT NEWS -- HENNING

Notre Dame Locker Room Celebration

Can't say enough things about the gang at UND.COM and the work they're doing to cover Notre Dame football.  Here's their video from the NOTRE DAME locker room after the big win over MSU:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LOCKER ROOM

George Atkinson III -- First Notre Dame TD

Here's the video of George Atkinson III's 89 yard kick-off return for a TD this afternoon in the 1st quarter of Notre Dame's 31 - 13 win over the 15th ranked Michigan State Spartans.  Atkinson, a freshman, showed his sprinter's speed -- here's the link:

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON KICK-OFF RETURN

Watch the Post Game Live on NBC!

Folks, we needed this win!  Here's a link to the live web coverage of Coach Kelly's press conference after today's win against the Spartans:

LINK:  COACH KELLY -- LIVE WEBCAST OF PRESSER

Predictions: Michigan State vs. Notre Dame

\Here's what a few of the media experts have to say about tomorrow afternoon's MSU vs. ND football game.  The Spartans have won six of the last seven at Notre Dame Stadium -- it's time we turn the tables IRISH!!!!  Here are their picks:


LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS

LINK:  DETROIT NEWS

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Michigan State Week: The Night Before...

Well, it's less than seventeen hours to kick-off of the 2011 MSU vs. ND football game -- and it's a game most Irish fans don't have a clue which way it will go.  Will we play error free and dominate?  Or, will we continue to be our own worst enemy?  WHO KNOWS!!!  Here's a glimpse of what the mood was like on campus today as the 1966 National Championship Team came home:

LINK:  PEP RALLY

LINK:  QB LUNCHEON -- COACH KELLY

LINK:  QB LUNCHEON -- INTERVIEWS

LINK:  QB LUNCHEON -- 1966 NATIONAL CHAMPS

Michigan State Week: Thursday ND Update

Took a lap around the web tonight to get all of you caught up with who's saying what about Notre Dame's game with Michigan State University.  Here you go!

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY POST PRACTICE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  DETROIT NEWS

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS

LINK:  LANSING STATE JOURNAL

Herbstreit Believes In The Irish!

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit sat down with the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton to talk Notre Dame football.  Here's what ol' "Mr. High School Defense" had to say about the Irish:

LINK:  HERBSTREIT ON THE IRISH

A Look At How Nike Would Handle Notre Dame

The folks at Michigan State University are asking out loud "I thought our colors were GREEN & WHITE?"  You'd never know that with Nike's helmet and jersey/pant designs for their game in October with Michigan.  Looks more like a uniform combo Nike might try to sell our Fighting Irish.  Do you like?

Michigan State Week: Tuesday ND Update

Add caption

Coach Brian Kelly met with the media today for his typical Tuesday press conference.  If you'd like to know what he has to say about the Irish and Michigan State -- click on the link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESSER

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

What Michigan State's Media Is Sayin'

Took a lap around the web this evening at all of the Michigan based media outlets to see what they have to say about this Saturday's game with Michigan State University.  Here you go!

LINK:  LANSING STATE JOURNAL

LINK:  DETROIT NEWS

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

Brian Kelly's Post Game Presser -- Michigan

If you're so inclined -- here's a link to Brian Kelly's post game press conference after the loss to Michigan last night.

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY -- POST GAME