Graduation Rates: 2011-2012 Bowl Games

Here's a look at the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of each of the 70 teams playing in BOWL GAMES this postseason.  Here's a link to the GSR for African American student-athletes -- on the same teams.

It's a sad commentary when a great number of the teams playing in the Bowl Games graduate less than 6 of every 10 of their players over a six-year period.  Until the NCAA truly does something about this -- they should suspend the term "student-athlete" when talking about many of these schools' athletes. 

Here's a quick overview of a few of the highlights and lowlights -- followed by a look at every one of the 35 Bowl Games and the respective GSR rates of the the opponents:

TOP FIVE TEAMS PLAYING IN BOWL GAMES:
#1:  Notre Dame:  97
#2:  Northwestern:  94
#3:  Rutgers:  89
#3:  Vanderbilt:  89
#5:  Stanford:  87
#5:  Penn State:  87

Sad Fact #1:  Only 9 Teams out of the 70 Teams in Bowl Games graduate at least 8 out of every ten of their players in a six-year period.

BOTTOM FIVE TEAMS PLAYING IN BOWL GAMES:
#70:  Florida International:  43
#69:  Oklahoma:  48
#68:  California:  54
#67:  Georgia Tech:  55
#67:  South Carolina:  55


Sad Fact #2:  16 of the 70 teams in Bowl Games graduate less than 6 out of every 10 of their players in a six-year period.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS / LOWLIGHTS:

• The largest disparity of graduation rates between opponents in a Bowl Game is the Champs Sports Bowl:  Notre Dame (97) vs. Florida State (56)
• The lowest graduation rates between opponents in a Bowl Game is IRONICALLY the Bridgepoint Education Bowl:  California (54) vs. Texas (57)
• The highest graduation rates between opponents in a Bowl Game is the AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati (79) vs. Vanderbilt (89)

GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL -- Dec. 17

• Temple: 60 GSR
• Wyoming:  64 GSR

FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL -- Dec. 17

• Ohio:  71 GSR
• Utah State:  77 GSR

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL -- Dec. 20

• San Diego State:  56 GSR
• Louisiana-Lafayette:  56 GSR

BEEF 'O' BRADY'S ST. PETERSBURG BOWL -- Dec. 20

• Florida International:  43 GSR
• Marshall:  77 GSR

S.D. COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL -- Dec. 21

• TCU:  78 GSR
• Louisiana Tech:  75 GSR

MAACO LAS VEGAS -- Dec. 22

• Arizona State:  64 GSR
• Boise State:  74 GSR

SHEARTON HAWAII BOWL -- Dec. 24

• Nevada:  70 GSR
• Southern Miss:  78 GSR

ADVOCARE V100 INDEPENDENCE BOWL --  Dec. 26

• Missouri:  66 GSR
• North Carolina:  75 GSR

LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL -- Dec. 27

• Western Michigan:  61 GSR
• Purdue:  59 GSR

BELK BOWL -- Dec. 27

• Louisville:  66 GSR
• North Carolina State:  56 GSR

MILITARY BOWL -- Dec. 28

• Toledo:  64 GSR
• Air Force Academy:  84 GSR

BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION HOLIDAY BOWL -- Dec. 28

• California:  54 GSR
• Texas:  57 GSR

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL -- Dec. 29

• Florida State:  56 GSR
• Notre Dame:  97 GSR

VALERO ALAMO BOWL -- Dec. 29

• Washington:  76 GSR
• Baylor:  62 GSR

BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL -- Dec. 30

• BYU:  57 GSR
• Tulsa:  63 GSR

NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL -- Dec. 30

• Rutgers:  89 GSR
• Iowa State:  63 GSR

FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY -- Dec. 30

• Mississippi State:  62 GSR
• Wake Forest:  81 GSR

INSIGHT BOWL -- Dec. 30

• Iowa:  83 GSR
• Oklahoma:  48 GSR

MEINEKE CAR CARE OF TEXAS BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Texas A&M:  59 GSR
• Northwestern:  94 GSR

HYUNDAI SUN BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Georgia Tech:  55 GSR
• Utah:  62 GSR

AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Cincinnati:  79 GSR
• Vanderbilt:  86 GSR

KRAFT FIGHT HUNGER BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Illinois:  76 GSR
• UCLA:  59 GSR

 CHICK-FIL-A BOWL -- Dec. 31

• Virginia:  68 GSR
• Auburn:  63 GSR

TICKETCITY BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Houston:  57 GSR
• Penn State:  87 GSR

OUTBACK BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Michigan State:  62 GSR
• Georgia:  65 GSR

CAPITAL ONE BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Nebraska:  67 GSR
• South Carolina:  55 GSR

TAXSLAYER.COM GATOR BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Ohio State:  67 GSR
• Florida:  76 GSR

ROSE BOWL GAME -- Jan. 2

• Wisconsin:  66 GSR
• Oregon:  63 GSR

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL -- Jan. 2

• Stanford:  87 GSR
• Oklahoma Sate:  65 GSR

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL -- Jan. 3

• Michigan:  71 GSR
• Virginia Tech:  79 GSR

DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL -- Jan. 4

• West Virginia:  75 GSR
• Clemson:  62 GSR

AT&T COTTON BOWL -- Jan. 6

• Kansas State:  62 GSR
• Arkansas:  56 GSR

BBVA COMPASS BOWL -- Jan. 7

• SMU:  72 GSR
• Pittsburgh:  65 GSR

GODADDY.COM BOWL -- Jan. 8

• Arkansas State:  73 GSR
• Northern Illinois:  73 GSR

ALLSTATE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME -- Jan. 9

• LSU:  77 GSR
• Alabama:  69 GSR

ND Promotional Video Message - Champs Bowl

Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt appeared in a YouTube video last night after the Irish learned they would be playing Florida State University in the Champs Bowl.  Do you think Louis Nix just might have a career in TV someday?

LINK:  IRISH CHAMPS BOWL MESSAGE 

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH & MICHAEL FLOYD -- PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  IRISH -- CHAMPS BOWL CENTRAL

ND vs. FSU -- Champs Sports Bowl -- TICKETS!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be taking on the Seminoles of Florida State University on Thursday, December 29, in Orlando, at the Champs Sports Bowl.  If you're interested in tickets -- here's where you can find them!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME -- CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

Irish Played Four Teams in AP Final Top 15

Next time someone says "Notre Dame doesn't play anyone..." -- just roll out this little diddy for them:

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME -- PLAYED FOUR TEAMS IN THE TOP 15!

Here's a link to the AP' final rankings.


LINK:  FINAL RANKINGS -- 2011 SEASON

Kyle Rudolph -- TD Catch Against Broncos!

Notre Dame fans will not be surprised when they see this GREAT CATCH by Kyle Rudolph -- just minutes ago.  The TD catch put the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the Tim Tebow Broncos 12 - 7.  You can expect this to make SPORTS CENTER'S TOP TEN!

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH

Notre Dame Grants Dayne Crist His Release...

This news should arrive as no surprise to most Notre Dame football fans -- Dayne Crist will be wearing a different football helmet next fall.  Crist, who will graduate this month from the University of Notre Dame, has one more year of eligibility left and he's going to take advantage of that at a different school.  This became official Friday afternoon,  when Dayne was granted his release after meeting with Coach Kelly.

Dayne Crist is a Notre Dame Man -- just not a Notre Dame QB, in a Brian Kelly system.  This young man is all that is right about the world.  His parents, family and friends should take great pride in Dayne Crist the human being.  He's a world-class representative of the University of Notre Dame.  I'll be rooting for his success!

You'll want to click on the South Bend Tribune story below to see what schools are rumored to be most interested in Dayne's services:

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST

My Heisman Vote -- Baylor's Robert Griffin III

I made the decision, over night, to give my Heisman vote this season to Robert Lee Griffin III (QB), Baylor University.  Unfortunately -- I'm still waiting for my ballot in the mail!  However, that won't stop me from sharing with you why this young man is AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER and the prototypical STUDENT-ATHLETE-QB Notre Dame should be recruiting for Brian Kelly's offense.

First, let's talk about "RG3's" Heisman worthy season:

• Passer rating of 192.3 -- rank #1 in the country
• Yards Per Attempt:  10.83 yards -- rank #1 in the country
• Yards Per Completion:  14.97 yards -- rank #1 in the country
• Points Responsible For:  22.67 points per game -- rank #1 in the country
• Total Offense:  386.83 yards per game -- rank #2 in the country
• TD passes:  36 -- rank #4 in the country
• Pass Completion %:  72.4% -- rank #5 in the country
• Passing yards:  3,998 yards -- rank #6 in the country

On top of all of this:

• He's taken a football program and led it to their best regular season in 25 years!  
• He's the model student-athlete haven already earned his undergraduate degree (Dec 2010) in political science in three years!  Now enrolled in grad school.  Next up law school.
• Dean's List -- Big 12 Academic Honor Roll (six times)
• Graduated #7 in his high school class
• NCAA All-American in the 400 Meter hurdles -- as a freshman -- world class hurdler
• And, he's probably the best interview in college football -- A CLASS ACT!

Can you imagine this young man in a GOLD HELMET -- running Brian Kelly's offense and representing the University of Notre Dame?   IT WOULD BE OFF THE CHARTS!

Here's a link to a highlight video:  GRIFFIN III FOR HEISMAN!

ESPN calls him the: MOST INTERESTING MAN IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Mark Bavaro -- NY Giants' "RING OF HONOR"

Former University of Notre Dame All American tight end Mark Bavaro, will be enshrined in the New York Giants' "Ring of Honor" during Sunday's game against the Packers.

This week, Bavaro was a guest on the Nick & Artie Show (just click on the link and scroll down to the interview).  Congratulations Mark!

LINK:  MARK BAVARO RADIO INTERVIEW

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  GIANTS VIDEO TRIBUTE TO BAVARO

Taylor Dever -- Life Long Notre Dame Fan...

The University of Notre Dame's starting right tackle, Taylor Dever -- granted an interview to a paper from his hometown in Northern California.  After reading this story -- ND fans will be rooting for #75!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FAN -- NOW NOTRE DAME MAN

NOTRE DAME OFFENSE: Last Three Seasons

Here's how the Fighting Irish rank amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- FOR THE 2011 SEASON -- and how this season compares to ND's final rankings for 2010 and 2009.  You'll also find the 2011 NCAA leader in each category.

OFFENSIVE TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs:  2011 Season:  23.92 first downs -- ranked #19 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:  Baylor with an average of 29.09 first downs per game. 

Third Down Conversions:  2011 Season:  46.54% -- ranked #23 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:  Wisconsin with a 55.24% third down conversion rate. 

Passing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 Season:  7.1 yards per passing attempt -- ranked #62 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 11.3 yards per pass attempt. 

  

Passing Yardage:  2011 Season:  258.08 yards per game -- ranked #34 in the country.  2010 Rank #29 with 257 yards per game -- in 2009 we passed for 323 yards per game, ranking us #7.  2011 NCAA Leader:  University of Houston averaging 449.67 passing yards per game.  

Rushing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 Season:  5.0 yards per attempt -- ranked #22 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 6.5 yards per rushing attempt. 

Rushing Yardage:  2011 Season:  166 rushing yards per game -- ranked #51 in the country.  2010 Rank #97 with 121 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we rushed for 127 yards per game, ranking us #88.  2011 NCAA Leader:  U.S. Military Academy averaging 350.91 rushing yards per game. 

Most QB Sacks Given Up:  2011 Season:  13 sacks given up -- ranked #19 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:  Oklahoma giving up 6 sacks this season. 

Fewest Pass Interceptions Thrown: 2011 Season:  14 interceptions thrown -- ranked #98.  2010 Rank #105 having thrown 16 pass interceptions -- in 2009 we threw 5 interceptions for the season, raking us #4.  2011 NCAA Leader:  Six schools have thrown only 4 interceptions this season; Army, Houston, LSU, Northern Illinois, Temple & Wisconsin. 

Fewest Fumbles Lost:  2011 Season:  12 fumbles lost -- ranked #83 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:  Four schools lost only 4 fumbles for the season; Alabama, Wisconsin, LSU and Wake Forest.

Fewest  Turnovers Lost:  2011 Season:  26 turnovers lost -- ranked #103 in the country.  2010 Rank #84 with 24 turnovers lost -- in 2009 we had 14 turnovers for the season, ranking us #7.  2011 NCAA Leaders:  LSU and Wisconsin -- each with 8 turnovers lost.

Total Offense:  2011 Season:  424.08 yards per game -- ranked #33 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:  University of Houston with 613.25 yards per game in total offense. 

Points Per Game:  2011 Season:  30.5 points per game -- ranked #41 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:  University of Houston averaging 52.67 points per game. 

.

TEAM STATISTICS

Fewest Penalty Yards:  2011 Season:  729 penalty yards -- ranked #93 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 with only 230 penalty yards.

Net Punting Yards:  2011 Season:  34.04 net yards per game -- ranked #104 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:  Florida State averaging 42.04 net yards per punt.

Field Goals Made:  2011 Season:  10 field goals made -- ranked #78 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:  Texas A&M with 25 field goals made this season.

Golden Tate -- We've Seen This Before!

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate -- made a great TD catch last night in the Seahawks' win over the "dream team" in Philadelphia.  Here's a link...

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE'S GREAT CATCH

A New Light Shines on ND's Touchdown Jesus!

The folks at the University of Notre Dame's Office of Sustainability were kind enough to send me this "before & after" shot of the world famous campus landmark.

The Word Of Life mural -- AKA "Touchdown Jesus" -- looks a little brighter these days thanks to their efforts.  As a bonus, Notre Dame uses less power and saves money...

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  BRINGING LIGHT TO ND!

If Facebook Existed 2,043 Years Ago This Month

 

If you're a fan of the University of Notre Dame, I believe you'll enjoy this look at how the social media channel -- FACEBOOK -- might have handled the birth of Jesus, had it been around 2,043 years ago this month.

LINK:  THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT BIRTH -- CAPTURED ON FACEBOOK

Life After TV for Regis and His Wife Joy

The folks at Advil wasted little time hiring Regis Philbin '53 to pitch their pain relief drug.  Here's a link to the TV spot that's airing right now.

LINK:  REGIS PITCHING PAIN RELIEF

Mike Brey's Radio Show -- LIVE TONIGHT!

University of Notre Dame head basketball coach, Mike Brey's radio show will air LIVE tonight beginning at 7 PM ET.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  MIKE BREY RADIO SHOW -- WATCH IT LIVE

Media Plays the "Notre Dame Card" -- Again

I caught the sad story today about Corwin Brown and his decision to claim "mental defects" caused by brain injuries he sustained from playing football in the NFL and College, as his defense -- in an ESPN Blog story...

Well, as you'll see -- it took only two words into the story to connect Corwin Brown and NOTRE DAME.

Now, Corwin could have been labeled:

• Former Michigan Co-Captain
• Former Michigan football player
• Former All Big Ten football player
• Former New England Patriot 
• Former New York Jet 
• Former Detroit Lion
• Former eight year NFL player
• Former NFL player and coach
• Former Virginia football coach
• Former New York Jet coach
• Former New England Patriot coach

Folks, here's the irony, Corwin Brown spent five years as a player and coach with the New England Patriots, five years as a player and coach with the New York Jets, spent four years at the University of Michigan as a player, co-captain and where he earned All Big Ten Honors -- and he spends just three years as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame.  On top of that -- his last job in football was with New England, not Notre Dame.

Yet, every time you'll see Corwin Brown's name on ESPN (over these next few months) -- he won't be labeled as from; Michigan, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, etc., -- he'll be from NOTRE DAME.

IRONIC?  I THINK NOT...

LINK:  CORWIN BROWN

Irish Sign Five Hockey Players in Early Period

The University of Notre Dame's Jeff Jackson announced today the signing of five -- VERY TALENTED -- hockey players who will join the Fighting Irish next fall.  Headlining the class is the most highly recruited hockey player ever to come to South Bend -- Mario Lucia (photo).  Lucia, a 6'-3" left wing was picked 60th overall in this year's NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild.  Here's a link to the UND.COM coverage:

LINK:  JACKSON ADDS TO THE TALENT BASE!

Stanford Assistant Coach Dies of Heart Attack

Former NFL Pro Bowl defensive tackle and Stanford defensive assistant coach, Chester McGlockton (42) died this morning from an apparent heart attack while at home with his family.  McGlockton was on the sideline this past Saturday when the Cardinal defeated our Fighting Irish.  Sad news.  Here's a link to the news story:

LINK:  STANFORD FOOTBALL ASSISTANT -- DEAD

What a Waste of Time -- SEC, Pac 12 & Big 10/12

If you're a fan of Michigan State University and your Spartans lose to Wisconsin this Saturday and it results in "that school in Ann Arbor" going to a BCS game and you do not.  How would you feel about your team "earning" the opportunity to play in the inaugural Big Ten/Twelve Championship game?

Let's say you're a fan of the Tigers of Louisiana State University and your Tigers beat Georgia this Saturday -- yet, in the process you lose a couple of starters to knee injuries.  How would you feel about your team "earning" the opportunity to play in the SEC Championship game, knowing right now that they don't have to play in this game (let alone win this game) to play in the National Championship game -- and, they're now going to have to play Alabama without two of their starters?

Let's say you're the Commissioner of the Pac 12 Conference and you're looking at a football stadium this Saturday that's HALF FULL with emotion and Oregon is leading UCLA 42 - 0 in the 2nd quarter.   How would you feel about your decision to create a Pac 12 Championship game -- especially when the media chatter will be about how lousy your conference must be if UCLA is in the championship game?

Folks, there is very little value this season to play in a conference championship game.  Here are the facts.

1. LSU doesn't have to win their Conference Championship game to play in the National Championship game -- think about that.
2. Alabama doesn't even have to play in their Conference Championship game to play in the  National Championship game -- think about that.
3. That school in Ann Arbor -- doesn't have to play in their Conference Championship game and they may end up in a better position for a BCS bowl than the team that loses Saturday's game -- think about that.
4. UCLA goes 6 - 6 and they earn the opportunity to play in their Conference Championship game -- think about that.

Why would Notre Dame ever want to join a conference -- when "earning the opportunity to play a 13th game truly means nothing!

A Little Better A Little Worse -- ND Defense 2011

Here's how ND's Defense has performed this season in comparison to the other teams who have faced the same opponents as the Irish.  A ranking of #1 means the Irish gave up the fewest yards or points to that opponent this season.  As you'll see the Irish ranked as one of the best overall defensive performances  --  #1 or #2 -- against a few of the teams they've played this season.  You'll also see how this year's IRISH defensive unit's compares to last season's:

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (5-6)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #2 giving up 254 yards
Points:  Irish rank #5 giving up 23 points

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (10-2)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #6 giving up 452 yards
Points:  Irish rank #7 giving up 35 points

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (10-2)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 358 yards
Points:  Irish rank #3 giving up 13 points

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH (5-6)
Total Offense: Irish rank #2 giving up 268 yards
Points:  Irish rank #2 giving up 12 points

PURDUE UNIVERSITY (6-5)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #1 giving up 276 yards
Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 10 points

AIR FORCE ACADEMY (6-5)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #9 giving up 565 yards
Points:  Irish rank #6 giving up 33 points

USC (10-2)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #7 giving up 443 yards
Points:  Irish rank #5 giving up 31 points

NAVAL ACADEMY (4-7)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #1 giving up 229 yards
Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 14 points

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY (6-6)
Total Offense: Irish rank #2 giving up 297 yards
Points:  Irish rank #2 giving up 17 points

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND (2-10)
Total Offense: Irish rank #6 giving up 364 yards
Points: Irish rank #7 giving up 21 points

BOSTON COLLEGE (4-8)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 250 yards
Points:  Irish rank #3 giving up 14 points

STANFORD UNIVERSITY (11-1)
Total Offense:  Irish rank #4 giving up 429 yards
Points:  Irish rank #1 giving up 28 points

IRISH OVERALL DEFENSIVE RANKINGS - 2011 vs. 2010:

• #33 ranked defense in the FBS -- total yards given up per game (349.25 yards).  An improvement from their #50 ranking and 357.23 yards per game in 2010
• #30 ranked defense in the FBS -- total points given up per game  (20.92 pts).  The Irish were ranked #23 in scoring defense in 2010 giving up 20.23 points per game.