Does Notre Dame Drive College Football?

The folks at ESPN, in cooperation with a company called Global Strategy Group, conducted a survey of "self-identified college football fans" -- and MORE THAN 50% said they WERE MORE EXCITED ABOUT THIS SEASON THANKS TO NOTRE DAME...

Here's the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S RESURGENCE

Pat Haden: "One Brand in College Football"

University of Southern California Athletic Director Pat Haden was on ESPN's Colin Cowherd radio show this morning...

During the interview -- Haden, who was NBC's "color guy" on Notre Dame football for many years -- came out and made this statement:

"THERE IS ONLY ONE BRAND NAME IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL...

IT'S NOTRE DAME."

I'm sure the USC fan base isn't happy with this...

Here's the entire interview -- Notre Dame fans will enjoy this!

LINK:  HADEN ON NOTRE DAME

Father Jenkins Talks Notre Dame's Success

The Chronicle of Higher Education interviewed the Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., (president of the University of Notre Dame) to talk about Notre Dame's success on the football field and in the classroom.

This is the FIRST TIME EVER that a university has sat atop the BCS rankings and the NCAA GSR rankings at the same time. 

Yes, it can be done!

LINK:  FATHER JENKINS

Coach Kelly & Coach Kiffin Talk Saturday Night!

The head football coaches at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California -- met with the media today (on their respective campuses) to talk about Saturday night's PRIME TIME game.  Here's a link to both press conferences:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY, NOTRE DAME

LINK:  LANE KIFFIN, USC

Bears QB Cutler "...Huge Notre Dame Fan."

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler went public today with his passion for the University of Notre Dame.  The former Vanderbilt football star admitted he was a "huge fan" and that he "wanted to play football there..."

Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  CUTLER -- IRISH FAN

USC's New Starting QB: "We're Going to Win..."

They must have a different policy regarding "bulletin board" material at that school in Los Angeles...

USC's Max Wittek, who will be making his first start Saturday night -- let the world know his Trojans would beat Notre Dame.

Add this to the comments made after the game last year that the "IRISH QUIT" -- by multiple USC players -- and I trust Coach Kelly won't have to say much before this game.  Here's the latest coming out of Trojanville:

LINK:  WITTEK SAYS THEY'LL BEAT NOTRE DAME

LINK:  VIDEO OF WITTEK AT PRACTICE

For $2,400 You Can Own The Real Deal!

The same authentic Shamrock Series Helmet that the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame wore in their game against Miami this past month at Chicago's Soldier Field -- went on sale today!

Notre Dame fans can buy the 24k gold leaf helmet for $2,400...

LINK:  WHERE TO BUY

LINK:  SHAMROCK SERIES ADIDAS VIDEO

Domer Commanding Space Station!

Kevin Ford '82, took command of the International Space Station this past Sunday!

Ford is joined by two astronauts from Russia -- and next month they'll welcome three more from the USA, Canada and Russia.  Here's a link to the video of Kevin taking command of the International Space Station!

LINK:  DOMER IN COMMAND

ESPN's Mark May and "Leprechaun Dreams!"

The folks at ESPN are having some fun this week with Mark May's promise to dress up like the Notre Dame Leprechaun if the IRISH go undefeated...

LINK:  LOU AND MARK MAY

How's This For a PHOTO!

I believe this was shot by Notre Dame's award winning photographer Matt Cashore...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Notre Dame!

Thought you'd enjoy seeing this effort that came out of the Stewardship team, Fighting Irish Digital Media and our Marketing & Communications team at the University of Notre Dame -- hope you like!

More than 1,000 Notre Dame students signed a 24' long THANK YOU CARD on campus earlier this month.  Singer/songwriter Tim Stop performed his own rendition of HERE COME THE IRISH that I believe you'll enjoy as well...

LINK:  THANK YOU!

The Media Can't Get Enough of Notre Dame...

If you ever questioned the importance of the Notre Dame brand in American sport -- I hope you've set those thoughts aside...

Notre Dame's move to the top of the college football world, late Saturday night, even has the attention of  news organizations -- that rarely talk football.   Here's what's being said today!

LINK:  WALL STREET JOURNAL

LINK:  WSJ'S -- THE DAILY FIX

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  HUFFINGTON POST

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

#1 on the Football Field & #1 in the Classroom!

Only Notre Dame!

The University of Notre Dame is the first school ever to be ranked #1 in the BCS Football rankings and #1 in the NCAA Graduation Rates -- and to think many college football pundits thought this couldn't be done...

LINK:  STUDENT-ATHLETE EXCELLENCE

ND Glee Club Sings "Here Come The Irish"

You will want to watch this!

LINK:  HERE COME THE IRISH!

USC WEEK: Kiffin Says Barkley Will Not Play

The University of Southern California's starting QB will not play in next Saturday night's PRIME TIME game against our Fightin' Irish.  Barkley was hurt with a couple of minutes left in their loss yesterday to UCLA.

It's a shame we won't see Barkley!

Lane Kiffin announced this afternoon that Barkley has a sprained throwing shoulder.  Max Wittek will get the start for the Trojans.

LINK:  KIFFIN "BARKLEY OUT"

NBC'S Coverage of ND's Win over Wake Forest

Here's a number of links to NBC's coverage of Notre Dame's 38 - 0 victory over Wake Forest yesterday at Notre Dame Stadium.  The win moved the IRISH record to 11 - 0 on the season!

LINK:  ALEX FLANAGAN WITH COACH KELLY

LINK:  MANTI AND TYLER EIFERT AFTER GAME

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S GATORADE SHOWER

LINK:  ND vs. WAKE FOREST -- FULL GAME REPLAY

It's OFFICIAL -- Notre Dame Football is #1 !!!

Back in late August -- USC was the consensus #1 team in America and Notre Dame wasn't given much hope of winning more than 8 games this season...

Aren't you glad THEY PLAY THE GAMES!

This evening -- the BCS RANKINGS were released and as was expected our FIGHTING IRISH are back on top of the college football world!  Here's the rankings:

LINK:  BCS RANKINGS

THE "OTHER #1" BEATS MICHIGAN STATE!

The University of Notre Dame has two #1 teams in the country at this very moment. 

This afternoon, Notre Dame's #1 seeded -- Big East Champion -- Men's Soccer team beat Michigan State 3 - 0 in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Soccer Championships!

The Irish advance now to play #16  Indiana.

Please note the "IRISH are ranked #3" in the country in men's soccer -- however, we beat the current #1 Akron earlier in the season -- thus, the #1 seed from the NCAA.  I want to thank ND GO IRISH BLOG regular and ND and Akron parent TP Dankoff for setting me straight!

LINK:  POST GAME VIDEO

Our "Little Girl" is Getting Married!!!

Conor Walsh asked our daughter Kara Small to marry him this afternoon...

And, she said YES!

Very special moment for our "little girl" and the Small family.  Kara -- we couldn't be happier for you -- Conor, we'll be proud to call you SON & BROTHER.

PS:  Conor is a Notre Dame fan!!!

Photo of the Year (So Far): The Last Time...

Here's a photo I took in Notre Dame Stadium of Manti Te'o running out onto the field to hug his Mom & Dad at the 50 yard line -- prior to yesterday's game with Wake Forest.  Awesome moment.