Air Force Week -- Thursday ND Update

It's less than 48 hours to what I'm calling "the most pivotal game" of the season for the Fighting Irish.  This game could be over at half -- or, it could go to the last possession.  A win and ND goes into the game against Stanford 9 - 2 with a chance to earn a spot in a BCS game.  BIG BIG GAME for our Irish!  Here's what's being said tonight about ND and Saturday's game:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY AFTER THURSDAY'S PRACTICE

LINK:  COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

He's Rockne, Edison, Ford, Walton...

Steve Jobs, the Founder and former CEO of Apple died today after a long battle with cancer.  The 56 year old did for technology -- what Rockne did for college football, Edison for inventors, Ford for manufacturers and Walton for retailers.

I'm using a MAC -- the best computing platform on the planet -- to write this blog, which is linked to the internet via a hubspot on my iPhone.

Thank you MR. JOBS!  You did good -- real good.

I leave you with one of the greatest speeches ever made at a commencement ceremony -- Steve Jobs at Stanford in 2005 -- you need to watch this!

LINK:  STEVE JOBS RIP

A Weekly "Power Hour" of Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame fans -- if you haven't tuned in to Mike Frank's weekly Power Hour you're missing out.  Mike, who owns IRISH SPORTS DAILY produces a live-weekly PODCAST every Monday night at 7 PM ET during the football season.  You'll find it informative, entertaining and something you need to do before Monday Night Football!  Here's a link to Mike's Power Hour site where you can listen to the previous shows.  TUNE IN!

LINK:  MIKE FRANK'S POWER HOUR

Irish Go East To Play Hockey in 2013 - 2014

The University of Notre Dame announced this afternoon that it would be taking its "#1 ranked hockey road show" to the east coast in the fall of 2013 -- when the Irish join Hockey East.  While I was selfishly hoping Notre Dame would join "THE NATIONAL" -- I can see the benefits associated with heading east to play the likes of Boston College, Boston U and others.

Frankly, I believe this league will provide a much easier path for ND to make the NCAA Tournament each year.  And, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Hockey East (now that it has Notre Dame) will hold it's annual conference championship at Madison Square Garden...  Here's a link to today's announcement:

LINK:  IRISH JOIN HOCKEY EAST

LINK:  COACH JACKSON -- TALKIN' HOCKEY EAST

LINK:  COLLEGE HOCKEY NEWS

LINK:  NHL

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

Swarbrick Talks Changing College Landscape

University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick talked with UND.COM's Jack Nolan this morning about the ever changing landscape of college athletics in America.  He spent a great amount of time talking about the BIG EAST and Notre Dame's desire to see it remain strong.  Click on the link below.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S DESIRE

Air Force Week -- ND Football Tuesday Update

The Irish are preparing for Air Force's option attack -- as are all ND fans -- who still have nightmares from the Navy game of last season...  The photo above is of the Air Force Falcon "YETI" who can exceed speeds of 200 mph on a dive.  Here's a link to today's talk about ND vs. Air Force:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESSER

LINK:  AIR FORCE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

LINK:  COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE

LINK:  DENVER POST

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME CENTRAL -- MSNBC

Air Force Week: Irish Football Monday Update

Here's what I've found today that will entertain the Irish fans as we get ready to take on the "triple option" attack of the Air Force Academy this Saturday.  Here's a few links:

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE

USC Football -- Just Had To Point This Out!

Lane Kiffin's Trojans have given up more than 40 points in each of their last two games against teams from the state of Arizona.  It is the first time in the 123 year history of USC Football that they have given up 40 points in "back-to-back" games.  Can't wait to see what we do to them in three weeks!!!

LINK:  STATS I LIKE!

ND's "D" - MOVING UP THE NATIONAL RANKS!

Here's a look at where Notre Dame's "D BOYS" are ranked among their peers in college football after Week 5 of the 2011 season.  Here's the STAT OF THE YEAR FOR OUR DEFENSE -- WE'VE ONLY GIVEN UP ONE RUSHING TD THIS SEASON, WHICH WAS D-ROB PICKING UP A FUMBLE for Michigan.

Once again, you'll see how we fared in 2010 and 2009 -- and the 2011 NCAA Leader in every defensive category:

NOTRE DAME DEFENSE -- 2011 TEAM STATISTICS

Quarterback Sacks:  2011 after game #5:  13 sacks, ranked #19 in the country.  2010 Rank #45 with 26 QB sacks -- in 2009 we had 19 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #92.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Colorado State and Hawaii with 19 sacks.

Tackles for Loss:  2011 after game #5:  6.2 average tackles for loss per game, ranked #50 in the country.  2010 Rank #65 with an average of 5.63 tackles for loss per game -- in 2009 we averaged 6.0 tackles for loss per game, ranking us #48 in the country.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Louisville averaging 9 tackles for loss per game.

Interceptions:  2011 after game #5:  5 interceptions, ranked #35 in the country.  2010 Rank #32 with 14 interceptions -- in 2009 we had 12 interceptions for the season, ranking us #50.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Vanderbilt leads with 14 interceptions.

First Downs:  2011 after game #5:  18.6 first downs allowed per game, ranked #46 in the country.  2010 Rank - #30 allowing an average of 17.92 first downs per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 19.67 first downs per game, ranking us #72.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Alabama allowing only 11.2 first downs per game.

Third Down Conversion Rate:  2011 after game #5:  allowed a 30.99% conversion rate on third down, ranked #19 in the country.  2010 Rank #22 allowing only 35.08% conversion rate on third down -- in 2009 we allowed a 39.5% conversion rate, ranking us #67.  2011 NCAA Leader: Arizona State allowing only 24.24% conversion rate on third down.

Red Zone Efficiency:  2011 after game #5:  allowed opponents to score 80% of the time, ranked #45 in the country.  2010 Rank #53 allowing the team to score 81% of the time -- in 2009 we allowed teams to score 75% of the time, ranking us #15.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Michigan allowing opponents to score 45% of the time in the red zone.

Turnovers Gained:  2011 after game #5:  6 turnovers gained, ranked #80 in the country.  2010 Rank - #54 with 21 turnovers gained -- in 2009 we gained 19 turnovers for the season, ranking us #80.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Cincinnati and Rutgers with 18 turnovers gained this season.

Rushing Yards:  2011 after game #5:  91.2 rushing yards per game given up, ranked #19 in the country.  2010 Rank #57 giving up an average of 147 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 170 yards rushing per game, ranking us #89.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Alabama giving up an average of 39.6 yards rushing per game.

Passing Yards:  2011 after game #5:  230.4 passing yards per game given up, ranked #72 in the country.  2010 Rank #44 giving up an average of 206 yards passing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 227 yards passing per game, ranking us #76 in the country.  2011 NCAA Leader:  UCF giving up an average of 103.5 passing yards per game.

Total Yards:  2011 after game #5:  321.6 yards of total offense per game given up, ranked #31 in the country.  2010 Rank #49 giving up 353 yards per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 397 yards per game, ranking us #86.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Michigan State giving up an average of 173.4 yards per game in total offense.


Points Allowed Per Game:  2011 after game #5:  18.6 points allowed per game, ranked #26 in the country.  2010 Rank #29 giving up 20.5 points per game -- in 2009 we gave up 25.3 points per game, ranking us #63.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Alabama allowing 8.4 points per game.

Irish Ranked 30th in Associated Press Poll

Three wins and TWO LOSSES against the fifth toughest schedule in college football gets you a #30 ranking in the latest AP Poll and a #36 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll.  Surprisingly, a team the Irish manhandled two weeks ago, Michigan State, is ranked ahead of the Irish in both polls.  Here's a link to both polls:

LINK:  COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS -- WEEK 5

Game Highlights: Notre Dame vs. Purdue

The good folks at UND.COM posted highlights from Notre Dame's 38 - 10 convincing win over Purdue last night.  Here's the link:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS -- ND OVER PURDUE

Tuitt Misses Class -- Stays Home at ND

Notre Dame freshman defensive end Stephon Tuitt apparently missed a class and it cost him a trip to Purdue last night.  Would this have been the case at a SEC, Big Ten, ACC school?

Coach Kelly Post Game Presser -- Purdue

The Fighting Irish dominated Purdue last night 38 - 10 in a game that proved we can run the football and we can hang on to it too!  Here's what Coach Kelly had to say after the game and the morning after:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  SUNDAY PRESS CONFERENCE

The Mornin' After ND Dominates Purdue 38 - 10

Took a lap around the web this morning to see what the "media experts" are saying about Notre Dame's 38 - 10 victory last night over Purdue.  The Irish DOMINATED Purdue in every facet of the game except for special teams -- which continue to be 'not so special' for our favorite team.  Here's what I found:

LINK:  JOURNAL & COURIER STORY #1

LINK:  JOURNAL & COURIER STORY #2

LINK:  PURDUE -- THE EXPONENT

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR STORY #1

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR STORY #2

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  JOURNAL GAZETTE BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE -- HAMILTON

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- WIENEKE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- LESAR

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- HANSEN

LINK:  WNDU-TV

LINK:  NBC SPORTS -- NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  ESPN BLOG #2

LINK:  EVANSVILLE COURIER & PRESS

LINK:  NEWS SENTINEL

Where to Find ND Football on Radio & Web

I've seen many asking about where can I find the Notre Dame football games on the radio.  Well, here's your answer:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL ON THE RADIO

LINK:  IMG NOTRE DAME RADIO NETWORK

Tim Brown To Watch The Irish Tonight in 3D !!!

Former Heisman Trophy winner and Notre Dame All American Tim Brown will be at Ross-Ade Stadium tonight watching his alma mater take on Purdue through the lenses of 3D glasses!  Brown is the analyst for the ESPN 3D Network.  Here's a link to Brown's interview with the South Bend Tribune:

LINK:  TIM BROWN IN 3D

A Wonderful Story -- Nothing To Do With ND

His name is Emmanuel Kelly -- no relation to ND head football coach Brian Kelly -- and he has a story the Notre Dame Family must hear.  You'll be moved by his X-Factor audition and the story of his life.  The Kelly family's story is a story for the world.  WOW!

LINK:  EMMANUEL KELLY'S X FACTOR AUDITION

LINK:  EMMANUEL'S STORY

LINK:  EMMANUEL'S TOP 12 AUDITION

Purdue's Local Media -- Talkin' Notre Dame

Here's what I found this evening from Purdue's local media -- as they talk about tomorrow night's 8 PM ET kick-off with Notre Dame:

LINK:  WELL RESTED BOILERMAKERS

LINK:  WEST LAFAYETTE HS GRAD -- ND TRAINER

LINK:  PURDUE QB

LINK:  TICKETS STILL FOR SALE

LINK:  PURDUE GAMEDAY PAGE

Notre Dame Reallocates $30 Million

The University of Notre Dame announced today that they have made some adjustments to a number of financial policies and expense areas to move $30 million towards student and faculty needs.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME MOVES $30 MILLION

NCAA Rankings of Offense & Special Teams

It's time again for our weekly look at where Notre Dame Football ranks amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- FOR THE 2011 SEASON -- on the offensive side of the balll.  In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's Offense & Special Teams currently rank 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 #4:  24.0 first downs -- ranked #22 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:  Oklahoma State with an average of 30.25 first downs per game.

Third Down Conversions:  2011 after game #4:  43.64% -- ranked #55 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 68.0% third down conversion rate.

Passing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #4:  7.0 yards per passing attempt -- ranked #74 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 19.7 yards per pass attempt.

  

Passing Yardage:  2011 after game #4:  270.75 yards per game -- ranked #38 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 averaging 446.25 passing yards per game.

Rushing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #4:  4.8 yards per game -- ranked #36 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:  Oregon averaging 7.4 yards per rushing attempt.

Rushing Yardage:  2011 after game #4:  152.75 rushing yards per game -- ranked #58 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:  Air Force Academy averaging 411.67 rushing yards per game.

Most QB Sacks Given Up:  2011 after game #4:  5 sacks given up -- ranked #35 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:  Oregon giving up 1 sack this season.

Fewest Pass Interceptions Thrown: 2011 after game #4:  7 interceptions thrown -- ranked #112.  2010 Rank #105 having thrown 16 pass interceptions -- in 2009 we threw 5 interceptions for the season, raking us #4.  2011 NCAA Leader:  6 schools have yet to throw an interception this season.

Fewest Fumbles Lost:  2011 after game #4:  8 fumbles lost -- ranked #118 in the country.  2010 Rank #31 having lost 8 fumbles -- in 2009 we lost 9 fumbles for the season ranking us #39.  2011 NCAA Leader:  8 schools have yet to lose a fumble.

Fewest  Turnovers Lost:  2011 after game #4:  15 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:  4 schools have had one turnover this season.

Total Offense:  2011 after game #4:  423.5 yards per game -- ranked #48 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 630.5 yards per game in total offense.

Points Per Game:  2011 after game #4:  24.25 points per game -- ranked #85 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 53.25 points per game.

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TEAM STATISTICS

Fewest Penalties:  2011 after game #4: 31 penalties -- ranked #107 in the country.  2010 Rank #10 with 55 penalties -- in 2009 we had 75 penalties for the season, ranking us #50.  2011 NCAA Leader:  The Naval Academy only has 5 penalties this season.

Fewest Penalty Yards:  2011 after game #4:  71.5 yards in penalties per game -- ranked #107 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 #4:  36.1 yards per game -- ranked #69 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:  Kansas averaging 47.8 net yards per punt.

Field Goals:  2011 after game #4:  2 field goals made -- ranked #87 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 with 11 field goals made this season.