They Used the Leprechaun Logo for 45 Years

However, those days are about over...

Chapman High School in Chapman, KS has been using the ND Leprechaun logo since 1967 -- but the University of Notre Dame has said "cease and desist."  This comes on the heels of the school re-opening after a tornado tore down the school in 2008...  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  CHAPMAN HIGH SCHOOL

USC Week -- Coach Kelly's Tuesday Presser

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today at noon to discuss Saturday's game with USC.  Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage:

LINK:  COACH KELLY MEDIA CONFERENCE

A Hole-In-One Story -- Involves a ND Alum

My wife Susan and I were in the Charlotte, NC area yesterday to visit our oldest son, Jimmy.  He's a 2008 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a former Irish Guard.  Jimmy's employed at NASCAR.

Monday afternoon the three of us headed off to Verdict Ridge Country Club, about a thirty minute drive north of Charlotte -- just west of Lake Norman.  Verdict Ridge -- is the perfect name for a golf club founded by a well known Carolina attorney (Eddie Knox).  It was a beautiful 80 degree day with "Carolina blue sky" everywhere you looked...

Verdict Ridge is a very nice track cut through the woods and hills -- that leaves you feeling "guilty" for enjoying this golf experience too much...  That's their promotional story.

Well, let's just say that the first 12 holes Jimmy was getting a "golf lesson" from his old-man.  At one point I asked Jimmy what ball he was playing so I could "buy stock" in that company before the NYSE's closing bell that day...  He lost at least a dozen balls on the first 12 holes -- NO EXAGGERATION!

So, we arrive to #13 a 141 yard par three.  The pin was located in the front third of the green.  I had the honors and hit an eight iron, just left of the flag, about 30 feet behind the hole -- a good shot.  Jimmy, playing his new "used" NIKE irons he inherited from his Dad that day -- pulled out a wedge -- yeah, he hits it a long way, it just doesn't always land in the correct area code.

Now I must admit, I was watching his left foot during his golf swing on this par three.  Jimmy has a habit of moving his left foot during the down swing -- instead of using it as a firm foundation to swing against.  If you were critiquing a baseball player you would say he's "stepping in the bucket."

So, when I looked up to find the flight of his ball I lost it in the sun...

But, Mom has it in her sights -- and she non-chalantly says "I think it went in..."

Well, I didn't believe it -- nor, did Jimmy.  So, after Mom hits her tee-shot, we hop in the carts and head to the green.  I arrive first at the scene and see only my ball.  Now, I have to admit -- my wife has a very poor track record of knowing where her own golf ball ends up after she hits it -- so I'm not buying the "balls in the hole" story...

Jimmy, is the second to arrive to the green and he's looking everywhere but the hole...  Well, he finally gets up enough nerve to look into the cup -- and THERE WAS HIS PRECEPT ball!  His first hole-in-one!  The USGA places the odds of hitting a hole-in-one at: 1 in 30,000.

But, the story's not over...

So, now we head to the next tee -- a par four dog-leg left.  The group ahead of us was still in the fairway, so we had a few minutes to wait.  We're all excited for Jimmy -- and he's grinning 'ear to ear' at his feat.  He made the comment, "I didn't think I'd ever get a hole-in-one..."  I tell him "hang on to that ball, we'll send it in to Bridgestone for their hole-in-one award..."

The fairway clears and Jimmy has the honors -- for the first and only time that day!!!

Now, most humans would probably have locked up their hole-in-one golf ball for posterity sake -- at least that's what Mom & Dad thought.  Not Jimmy -- he sets that hole-in-one golf ball on the tee and proceeds to hit it straight right -- DEEP -- into the North Carolina forest.

He looks at me and says "that was my hole-in-one ball..."  I couldn't believe it.

Well, my wife and I hit our tee shots and we make a bee-line over to where we think his ball last "left the planet..."

Now to say these wood are thick would be an understatement -- add a few hundred "picker bushes" to the mix and you'll see what we're up against.  All three of us "headed into this battle with nature" with the goal of finding that special ball...

I wish this story had a happy ending -- unfortunately, it does not.

We didn't leave the forest with that golf ball.  I came out of the "battle" with blood on my right hand from two cuts and a stream of blood on my left leg for the effort -- don't mess with Carolina picker bushes!


A SPECIAL NOTE to the members of Verdict Ridge Country Club -- if you're playing #14 in the next few days and you feel the need to take on the forest along the right side of that hole -- please take a look for a PRECEPT golf ball.  If you find it, please put it in your pocket and send me an email at jim.small@ndgoirish.com -- you'll make a Domer happy!


The photo above is the last time this golf ball was seen in captivity...

The Doors Open Friday Night -- It's a Beauty!

A $53 million investment in the hockey program at Notre Dame.

This Friday night, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will take the ice for the first time in the brand spanking new Compton Family Ice Arena -- AKA "The Hockey Cathedral."

Here's a link to a UND.COM feature.

LINK:  IRISH HOCKEY'S NEW HOME!

ESPN Power Rankings Has Irish at #23

It's a start...

Ever since the ten turnover nightmare, the Irish have been digging themselves out of a self-inflicted hole called 0 and 2.  While still not cracking the Top 25 AP or Coaches Poll -- a Notre Dame win Saturday night and we'll back.  Here's a link to ESPN's "power rankings."

LINK:  ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS

Here's Lane Kiffin on 710 AM Talkin' Irish...

University of Southern California head football coach Lane Kiffin was on the radio today in Los Angeles talkin' with Mark Willard about Saturday's game with our IRISH.  Here's a link to the interview on 710 AM:

LINK:  LANE KIFFIN ON THE RADIO

A New Video Feature @ ND -- IRISH UPDATE

The folks at UND.COM have "upped their game" big time over the past twelve months -- knocking out plenty of new content on a consistent basis!  I really like what they're doing.

Here's a new program called IRISH UPDATE -- which will be a weekly effort showcasing the 'olympic' sports at Notre Dame. 

LINK:  IRISH UPDATE

Five Days to USC -- But Who's Counting...

It's the week Notre Dame and USC fans get excited for every season.  Had the Irish not have "given away" their first two games of the season, this would have been THEE GAME in college football.  The boys in Vegas have ND has 8.5 pt. favorites over the Trojans.  Here's a few stories coming out of the "left coast:"

LINK:  SUNDAY PRACTICE AT USC

LINK:  SB NATION -- LOS ANGELES

LINK:  LA TIMES

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LINK:  ESPN LA

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

Rocket Relives His Two TD Returns @ Michigan

You just got to love Rocket Ismail -- Notre Dame needs to hire him...  He sure can tell a story.

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

Notre Dame's Path to #1 All-Time Winning %

Folks, with little to do on a non-ND football weekend, I thought I'd work on a "math problem" for our Irish.  As many of you may know, our football team's woes over the past twenty seasons has dropped us behind that school in Ann Arbor in "ALL-TIME WINNING PERCENTAGE."

We can reclaim that title this season!  Here's how we get that done:

Current All-Time Winning Percentage as of October 16, 2011:

1. Michigan:  .73522%
2. NOTRE DAME:  .73232%

Now, here's what we need to happen yet this season.  Michigan needs to lose 4 of their next 5 games.  Here's how that happens:

• Purdue at Michigan -- Michigan wins
• Michigan at Iowa -- Iowa wins
• Michigan at Illinois -- Illinois wins
• Nebraska at Michigan -- Nebraska wins
• Ohio State at Michigan -- Ohio State wins

And, the Irish win all of their last six games!

Here's what the All-Time Winning % will look like at the end of the 2011 regular season:

1. NOTRE DAME:  .73367%
2. Michigan:  .73306%

Look Who's the Projected #2 Pick in NFL Draft

Looks like Mr. Michael Floyd made a "GREAT DECISION" to hang around for his senior season at Notre Dame.  Here's a look at The Sporting News updated mock 2012 NFL Draft.

LINK:  FLOYD A PROJECTED TOP PICK

Domer Bubba Cunningham to UNC as AD?

There are rumors flying around the internet this evening that Bubba Cunningham '84 & '88 is the top candidate to become the next Athletic Director at the University of North Carolina.  Cunningham, the AD at Tulsa, was also rumored to be moving to Kansas University in the past year...

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM TO CHAPEL HILL

Trick Shot Monday -- ND Football Team Fun!

You can't describe this -- you just have to watch it...

LINK:  TRICK SHOT MONDAY

Lou & Beth Holtz -- Leading the ND Family

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular, Diego Ybarra alerted me to this collaboration between Lou & Beth Holtz and the University of Notre Dame.  It's an effort to raise money to assist Notre Dame researchers in the efforts to find a cure for cancer.  Here's the link:

LINK:  LOU & BETH HOLTZ

Stephon Tuitt -- A Lesson Learned

Notre Dame football freshman Stephon Tuitt "overslept" one morning two weeks ago and it cost him a trip to Purdue to play against the Boilermakers.  Matt Fortuna, ESPN's Notre Dame beat writer caught up with Tuitt to ask him about this learning experience.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  LEARNING THE HARD WAY

Coach Kelly With Mike & MIKE -- Friday Morn'

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was in Bristol CT this evening spending time with Lou Holtz and Mark May on the College Football Live set -- and he'll be back tomorrow morning as a guest 'on-set' at the Mike & MIKE Show in the morning (7:45 AM ET).  Rumor has it that Coach Kelly will stick around and be a guest on Colin Cowherd's show later in the morning.  Be sure to tune in to ESPN RADIO or ESPN2!

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON MIKE & MIKE

Phil Steele Projects Notre Dame to Fiesta Bowl

College football guru Phil Steele came out today with his picks for the upcoming bowl game season.  Steele has the Irish playing Boise State -- won't the folks at ESPN love that! -- in the Fiesta Bowl on January 5th.  Here's a link to his projections:

LINK:  IRISH OFF TO FIESTA?

Media Day for the Notre Dame Basketball Teams

Muffet McGraw and Mike Brey "tag teamed" the media today as they trotted out the 2011 - 2012 editions of their respective basketball programs.  Trust me -- Notre Dame Basketball is back -- it's going to be a fun season for both teams!  Here's a link to the media coverage:

LINK:  MUFFET McGRAW -- MEDIA DAY

LINK:  ND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL -- PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  MIKE BREY -- MEDIA DAY

LINK:  ND MEN'S BASKETBALL -- PLAYER INTERVIEWS

Double Domer Stars in ESPN's The Dotted Line

Eugene Lee, President and CEO of etl Associates, Inc -- who has a couple of degrees from Notre Dame -- starred today in an ESPN Films movie called "The Dotted Line."

Lee, a sports agent, was featured in this film about the role an agent plays in the sports industry.  If you haven't seen the film -- you'll want to!  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG contributor Mike Doyle for alerting me to Lee's relationship with Notre Dame!  

Here is a link to Lee's company website and a link to his promotional video:

LINK:  ETL ASSOCIATES

LINK:  LEE'S "SIZZLE REEL"

Irish Football Intern Succumbs to Leukemia

Xavier Murphy '11, a member of Brian Kelly's football staff these past two seasons (intern / senior manager) died today from complications associated with leukemia.  Murphy was diagnosed just four weeks ago -- after complaining of back pain to the Notre Dame training staff.  Very, very sad.

Please say a prayer today for Xavier and his family.

LINK:  XAVIER MURPHY

Bye Week -- Notre Dame Football Update

Here's the latest on Notre Dame football, Tuesday during their bye week -- as the Irish gear up for USC next Saturday in prime time.  Coaches are out on the road recruiting...

LINK:  COACH KELLY MEDIA SESSION

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

Brady Quinn Taking Some Flack...

Former Notre Dame All American QB Brady Quinn -- who's languishing on the bench in Denver is taking some heat in the Mile High City for leaving to be at his girlfriend's side for her surgery.  Quinn is dating USA elite gymnast Alicia Sacramone (pictured) -- who tore her Achilles tendon in Tokyo preparing for the World Championships.  Here's a link to the story...

LINK:  THE BEST BOYFRIEND

ND's Student Newspaper -- Air Force Recap

The Observer, the University of Notre Dame's award winning student newspaper, runs a recap of the Irish football game every week and I thought you'd like to see it.  You'll enjoy the perspective!

LINK:  THE OBSERVER

Tune In Tonight to ISD's POWER HOUR @ 7 PM

Notre Dame football fans will enjoy Mike Frank's Irish Sports Daily Power Hour which airs each Monday night during the Irish football season at 7 PM ET.  Here's a link to the show:

LINK:  IRISH SPORTS DAILY'S -- POWER HOUR

Irish Connection -- This Is Really Good Stuff!

Notre Dame fans -- you need to watch this show that the gang at UND.COM has been producing this season.  It's called IRISH CONNECTION and it takes you INSIDE ND FOOTBALL.  Click on the link below.

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

Photo of the Day -- ND Students Recruiting!

Found this photo this evening -- two ND students seeking the commitment of Florida HS athlete Nelson Agholar -- who was on campus this weekend for his official visit...  Got to love it!

Robert Hughes -- ESPN's "The Dotted Line"

Former Notre Dame running back Robert Hughes is featured in ESPN Film's "The Dotted Line" which airs this Tuesday at 8 PM ET.

Just wanted to give the ND Nation a "heads up" on this.

If you're observant, you'll see a ND class ring in the "tune in" promotion that ESPN is currently running -- it belongs to sports agent Eugene Lee who's a "Double Domer."

LINK:  ROBERT HUGHES IN ESPN MOVIE

"JUST WIN BABY" -- Al Davis

Yesterday the NFL lost one of its most controversial yet most transformational characters in its history -- Al Davis.  Now, I'll never forgive Al Davis from keeping Jon Gruden from taking the Notre Dame football coaching job a number of years ago -- a fact that has never been officially confirmed, but I believe to be true.  

Former Notre Dame Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Brown made a statement in a 2009 radio interview, that I'd like to believe he regrets to this day -- "Al Davis hated African American players from Notre Dame..." (see the link below).  

The aforementioned points about Al Davis and Notre Dame could have a lot to do with the fact that Davis was an assistant coach at USC, early in his career...

If you're a fan of speeches, like me -- click on this link below.  Al Davis "presented" more people for introduction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame than anyone else -- you're about to see why...


LINK:  AL DAVIS' HALL OF FAME INTRODUCTION FOR JOHN MADDEN 

LINK:  TIM BROWN ON AL DAVIS & NOTRE DAME

NBC Replay of Notre Dame's Win over Air Force

Here is NBC's full game replay of Notre Dame's 59 - 33 win over Air Force on Saturday.  The Irish played their finest first half of offensive football in a long, long time -- it was a PERFECT half.  Here's the link:

LINK:  FULL GAME REPLAY OF NOTRE DAME OVER AIR FORCE

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Devine Gets His Statue!

Former Notre Dame football coach Dan Devine's legacy was honored Saturday before kick-off, as a statue outside Notre Dame  Stadium was unveiled.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune's photo gallery of the event:

LINK:  COACH DEVINE HONORED

The Mornin' After the Irish Put 59 on Air Force

Took my weekly lap around the world wide web to take the media's temperature as to our IRISH and their performance yesterday against Air Force.  Before kick-off a US Air Force STEALTH Bomber flew over Notre Dame Stadium -- see the photo.  Here's some of the media coverage:

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  DENVER POST

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE -- BRIAN HAMILTON

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- TOM MOOR

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- ERIC HANSON

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  WNDU-TV

Big Time Hockey Recruit Commits To ND!

His name is Mario Lucia, he's one of the top young hockey talents in the world and he picked the Irish over playing for his DAD at the University of Minnesota.  Mario's Dad, Don Lucia is the head coach of the Gophers and a 1981 graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

Here's a link to a NHL.COM story about Lucia's commitment to ND and links to a couple of other stories about Mario.

LINK:  BIG TIME IRISH HOCKEY COMMIT!

LINK:  LUCIA PICKS HIS DAD'S ALMA MATER

LINK:  LUCIA'S NHL DRAFT INTERVIEW

Big Win For Irish -- Post Game Video

The Irish played a perfect half of offensive football -- six drives, six touchdowns 42 points...  The second half, not so perfect -- but, we did see a "Brian Kelly type QB" for the first time running his offense and Mr. Hendrix ran for 111 yards!  Here's a few links from UND.COM's post game coverage of Notre Dame's 59 - 33 win over Air Force:

LINK:  POST GAME LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME MEDIA SESSION

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Domer Alan Page Featured in NCAA Promotion

The NCAA and Buick teamed up to produce a video series called the "HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL" -- which features former NCAA athletes who've gone on to do great things for the human race.  One of the first subjects -- is one Alan Page, the former Notre Dame All-American defensive end and NFL Hall of Famer.  Page, a Supreme Court Justice in the state of Minnesota, is one of the all-time greats on and off the field...

LINK:  HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL -- ALAN PAGE

Notre Dame Football Pep Rally -- Last Night!

Football weekend at Notre Dame always includes the PEP RALLY.  Here's the video of last night's pep rally for today's game against Air Force.  Here's the UND.COM link:

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL PEP RALLY

Florida's Top HS Athlete @ Notre Dame Today!

Nelson Agholor, widely considered the best prep athlete in the state of Florida, is taking an "official visit" this weekend to Notre Dame.  Agholor, who could play multiple positions for the Irish -- is ranked among the top 25 players in the nation.  Here's the South Bend Tribune story about Nelson and this weekend's recruiting visitors.

LINK:  TOP ATHLETE

Brewer's Winning Pitcher a Domer!

Former Notre Dame baseball player John Axford blew his first save in nearly six months-- but, he came back the next inning to get the Diamondbacks out one-two-three and got the win!!!  You're going to love his story -- see below.  Congrats John!

LINK:  AXFORD GETS THE WIN!

LINK:  JOHN AXFORD'S STORY

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