That's ND QB Malik Zaire With Training Mask

The #1 QB at Notre Dame is hard at work this morning -- getting ready for his first start in Notre Dame Stadium against Texas on September 5th!

#2 Notre Dame vs. #6 Albany on ESPNU at 3 PM

Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish take on the pony-tailed Lyle Thompson -- the greatest scorer in the history of college lacrosse -- and his Albany teammates in the MILE HIGH CITY today!

The game begins at 3 PM ET on ESPNU. 

Here's what you need to know to get ready for the action:

LINK:  A TRIP TO CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

The Notre Dame Family Is Hurting This Morning

Billy Meckling (Denver, CO) a 21 year-old engineering major -- a Notre Dame student-athlete set to graduate tomorrow -- died early this morning after falling off the roof of the Joyce Athletic Convocation Center.

Please say a prayer today for the Meckling family and friends.  Billy's twin brother Peter attends UC-San Diego and their younger sister Megan is a student at Notre Dame.

What was expected to be one of the great weekends in a family's life has turned into something I can't quite fathom as a parent.   So sad...

LINK:  TRAGIC ACCIDENT

Connaughton Meets with Boston Celtics...

The boy from Massachusetts met with his "hometown" team yesterday at the 2014 NBA Draft Combine -- boy, would I love to see him have the opportunity to wear the green and white...

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON

Connaughton: "Best Athlete in 2015 NBA Draft"

When have you ever heard that sentence tied to a Notre Dame student-athlete?

LINK:  TURNING HEADS

Connaughton Posts a 44 Inch Vertical Jump!

The former Notre Dame hoops star posted the second highest mark ever recorded in NBA Combine history -- just minutes ago -- in the vertical jump!

LINK:  VERTICAL JUMP

NBA Combine Coverage: Connaughton & Grant

Former Notre Dame basketball star Pat Connaughton is in Chicago these next few days to play before scouts from every NBA team at their annual NBA Combine.

Jerian Grant is in Chicago as well -- but will not play, he will only meet with NBA scouts -- see interview below.

Sixty-five players were invited -- here's what is being reported about Pat and Jerian:

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON STORY

LINK:  NBA.COM INTERVIEW OF JERIAN

Notre Dame Ranked #1 -- NFL Draft Line-Up

This is quite a team...

LINK:  ALL-TIME DRAFT TEAMS

Sports Illustrated's Early 2015 Power Rankings

The Fighting Irish are ranked #7 by Sports Illustrated -- sans Everett Golson...

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Fox Sports: Notre Dame's a Playoff Contender!

Notre Dame fans will enjoy this!

LINK:  PLAYOFF CONTENDER

Is Everett Golson "Bama Bound?"

Here's the latest Golson transfer rumor...

LINK:  BAMA BOUND

Notre Dame's "Valedictorian Student-Athlete"

Anna Kottkamp -- the Valedictorian for Notre Dame's Class of 2015 -- is a member of the Fighting Irish Rowing Team!

LINK:  STORY

Florida State "Negotiating" With Everett Golson

You've got to love Florida State football -- their head coach Jimbo Fisher says they are "negotiating" with Everett Golson...

Is Florida State offering Golson more than a scholarship to grad school in Tallahassee?

LINK:  FISHER CONFIRMS GOLSON VISIT

Is Everett Golson Heading to Florida State?

Here's the latest rumor surrounding where Everett Golson '15, will be playing football next fall...

LINK:  GOLSON

Photo Gallery: WALK OFF HOME RUN!

Walk-Off -- Three Game Sweep Over #20 UNC!

The Fighting Irish swept a three game series over the #20 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in dramatic -- WALK OFF fashion!

Happy Mother's Day From Notre Dame!

This is a photo of my "Notre Dame Mom" -- Joan Small.  Mom passed in June of 2012 and I'm sure she's become one of the more active members of the Notre Dame Club of Heaven.

My Mom left this life a little too soon -- at the age of 73 -- so be sure to tell your Moms that you LOVE THEM and be sure to THANK them for all they've done and continue to do for you.

Once they leave for Heaven -- they leave a great void in your life.

Here's what my colleagues here at Notre Dame created this year to THANK ALL OF THE NOTRE DAME MOMS -- linked below.  I think they did a terrific job!

The photo above of my MOM sits above my desk at the University of Notre Dame -- she keeps watch over me -- every day.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME MOMS

LINK:  MOTHER'S DAY SITE

ND Women's LAX Advance to Elite Eight!

Chris Halfpenny's Fighting Irish beat Ohio State last night to advance to tomorrow's game against perennial power Northwestern for a trip to the FINAL FOUR!

ND Men's LAX Advances to Elite Eight -- Again!

It wasn't easy...

Up next -- Albany and their high flying offense.

Grantland Weighs In On Notre Dame QB's

When it's the most visible and scrutinized position in college sport -- the national media takes note...

LINK:  GRANTLAND