Davonte Neal: The Next Rocket @ ND?

Notre Dame freshman, Davonte Neal -- was named this afternoon as the starting punt returner for the FIGHTING IRISH!

Now, we all remember the IRISH had a total of 3 return yards ALL SEASON in the punt return game in 2011.  I'm counting on Davonte surpassing that on his first return!

I've been following ND football for a very long time -- and on film -- I must say he's the closest I've seen to Mr. Raghib "Rocket" Ismail in an IRISH uniform.  He has special skills with the football in his hands -- as you'll see in his highlight video linked below.  YOU MUST WATCH HIS VIDEO!

I can't wait until Navy's first punt...

LINK:  THE NEXT ROCKET?

Notre Dame Football Names its Starting QB!

Folks, there's not a more scrutinized position in all of sport than the QB for the University of Notre Dame...

This afternoon, Coach Kelly announced that Everett Golson had won the starting position for the IRISH!

Everett Golson joins a select fraternity of some of the greatest names in college football history; Huarte, Hanratty, Theismann, Lamonica, Montana, Clements, Rice, Jackson, Mirer, Rice, Beurlein, Quinn, etc., -- who've worn the GOLD HELMET under center.

Everett -- the Notre Dame Nation will be rooting for you!  To get you excited about Mr. Golson's talents -- here's some video highlights from his senior year in high school and his first official press conference as a starter:

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

NINE DAYS to NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL!!!

Folks, if you're like me -- you can't wait!!!

Here's a video that will get you fired up for the start of the 125th season of the greatest college football program in the land...

GO IRISH!


LINK:  ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

Coach Longo Firing Up His Troops!

Notre Dame Football's head strength and conditioning coach Paul Longo is seen in this video (linked below) coaching his boys.  You'll enjoy the intensity he brings to his craft.

LINK:  GO IRISH

Samardzija Talks Notre Dame Football

Folks, former Notre Dame football All-American Jeff Samardzija was on TV with a couple MLB "talkin' heads" -- click on the link below -- pretty funny...

LINK:  JEFF SAMARDZIJA

Photo: Turf Additions to Notre Dame Stadium

The University of Notre Dame's highly acclaimed photographer Matt Cashore -- took this recent photo of the interior of Notre Dame Stadium.  You'll note the addition of "field turf" that rings the grass field and covers the Irish and opposition sidelines.

Domer Gets Four-Year Contract Extension

Former Notre Dame basketball star Monty Williams -- signed a four-year contract extension today to continue on as coach of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets.  Congratulations Monty!

LINK:  MONTY WILLIAMS EXTENSION!

The Maturation of ND's Everett Golson

The South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen sat down with Notre Dame QB Everett Golson to discuss his journey to what looks like will be a starter's role 12 days from now in Dublin, Ireland.  You'll enjoy this story.

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON -- MATURING

Domer Gains Membership to Augusta National

Normally this wouldn't be public knowledge...

However, today's breaking news that Notre Dame alumna Condoleezza Rice '75, had become a member at Augusta National Golf Club -- is significant in that she's among the first two females ever extended membership to this exclusive club.

Congratulations Condi!

LINK:  RICE A MEMBER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL

Tickets for ND's Dublin Pep Rally Available

If you're going to Notre Dame's game against Navy in Dublin -- and you haven't purchased your ticket to Friday night's Pep Rally, you still have time!

On Thursday, August 30th and again on Friday, August 31st (if still available) -- a limited number of tickets will go on sale at the O'Connell House in Dublin from 10 AM to NOON each day.

Folks, this is not your typical NOTRE DAME PEP RALLY -- it's a huge production.  See the promotional video below.  I've also included a second link with directions to the O'Connell House.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME:  A WELCOME HOME!

LINK:  DIRECTIONS TO O'CONNELL HOUSE

Navy "Beats" Notre Dame Scout Team Saturday

Well, this has to be a first.

The Washington Examiner published a story yesterday about Navy's 45 - 0, closed scrimmage, victory Saturday over their Notre Dame "scout team."  Really?

LINK:  NAVY SHUTS OUT NOTRE DAME

Gunner Kiel Talks Shamrock Series Uniform

Notre Dame Football Equipment Manager Ryan Grooms has become a "twitter" star -- here's a video he posted of Irish freshman QB Gunner Kiel and his reaction to what ND will be wearing against Miami at Chicago's Soldier Field.

LINK:  GUNNER'S REACTION

NFL Training Camp Update: ND Players

Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what's being said about our former Notre Dame football stars now playing in the NFL.  Just click on the players' name below and you'll find out!

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- VIKINGS

LINK:  DAVID BRUTON -- BRONCOS

LINK:  JOHN SULLIVAN -- VIKINGS

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- CARDINALS

LINK:  BRADY QUINN -- CHIEFS

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- VIKINGS

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK -- GIANTS

LINK:  ANTHONY FASANO -- DOLPHINS

LINK:  RJ BLANTON -- VIKINGS

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE -- SEAHAWKS

LINK:  TREVOR ROBINSON -- BENGALS

LINK:  TOMMY ZBIKOWSKI -- COLTS

LINK:  JEFF FAINE -- BUCCANEERS

LINK:  SAM YOUNG -- BUFFALO BILLS

LINK:  RYAN GRANT -- FREE AGENT

LINK:  MAURICE STOVALL -- LIONS

LINK:  JORDAN BLACK -- REDSKINS

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS -- 49ERS

LINK:  DARRIN WALLS -- FALCONS

Final Two-A-Day Practice Yesterday!

The Fightin' Irish held their last practices of "training camp" yesterday and the gang at UND.COM was present to capture the action.  See the link below.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S FINAL TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE

Question Notre Dame's Relevance -- Really?

A columnist employed by ESPN created some attention for himself this week by writing a story questioning Notre Dame's power position in college football.  Well, a colleague of his wrote a reply yesterday that I thought I'd share with the ND GO IRISH BLOG community.

LINK:  IRISH RELEVANT

Shamrock Series Helmet & Gloves

Here's a few photos of Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert and Mantie Teo dressed in the Shamrock Series helmet, uniform, and gloves the Irish will be wearing in their game October 6 against Miami at Chicago's Soldier Field.  Along with a photo of Coach Kelly with his two returning All-Americans.

Notre Dame Football Media Day Recap

The 125th edition of the Fighting Irish football program held their annual Media Day yesterday afternoon in rainy South Bend.  And, the gang at UND.COM did their usual best of giving us "wall to wall" coverage.

Click on the link below to watch all of the videos from Media Day.

LINK:  MEDIA DAY COVERAGE

Surpassed the 400,000 Unique Visitor Mark!

Thank you Notre Dame fans!

At 9:54 AM ET this morning, a Notre Dame fan from Lincoln, Nebraska became unique visitor #400,000 to the ND GO IRISH BLOG!

It's quite humbling to see the number of IRISH fans visiting this site every day.  Incredible.

If the ND GO IRISH BLOG were a city -- its population would rank #44 in the United States!  Just ahead of Miami, FL and just behind Raleigh, NC.

A Notre Dame Pep Rally -- Ireland Style!

Folks, the Irish people are going to throw a PEP RALLY unlike anyone has ever seen -- Friday night at Dublin's O2 Arena -- hours before the kick-off of the 125th anniversary season of Notre Dame Football.  It's truly going to be an event to remember!

Here's a link to the video (below) that has been produced to promote the event.  Word on the street is the Pep Rally will be carried on Ireland TV -- with a rumored worldwide TV distribution deal -- with an estimated audience of 40 million.  As more information becomes available for this -- I'll pass on the details.

Think about that...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME:  A WELCOME HOME

Notre Dame's 2012 Shamrock Series Uniform

Here's what Notre Dame's Shamrock Series helmet / uniform combination looks like for their game October 6 against the Miami Hurricanes at Chicago's Soldier Field.

That's Notre Dame All-Americans; Tyler Eifert (80) and Manti Teo (5), modeling the new gear.

ESPN'S Mike Golic Reacts to Rick Reilly...

Former Notre Dame football player, current ND Parent, and co-host of ESPN'S Mike & Mike Show -- took it upon himself to defend his alma mater -- as he responded to Rick Reilly's column from yesterday.

Here's a link to Mike Golic's rant:

LINK:  MIKE GOLIC RANT -- VIDEO

Coach Ara Parseghian's Reunion Speech

This is an impressive man...

Folks, Coach Parseghian is 89 years young -- wait 'til you see this talk!

Legendary Notre Dame head football coach Ara Parseghian was in front of his former players recently and it was caught on tape.  INCREDIBLE!

LINK:  MUST WATCH VIDEO

George Goeddeke Introduces Ara Parseghian

Former Notre Dame football star and AFL All-Pro George Goeddeke -- was given the honor of introducing his "coach" at a Reunion on campus recently -- and his remarks were caught on tape. 

George is quite a man -- we belonged to the same Parish in the Detroit suburbs before my move to South Bend to work for Notre Dame.  He is one of the leaders of St. Patrick Parish and as you'll see in this video -- one of the leaders of the 1966 National Championship team.  Enjoy!

LINK:  GOEDDEKE INTRODUCES PARSEGHIAN

Media Day Begins at 1:20 PM ET -- Thursday!

Media Day, for the 125th edition of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, will begin tomorrow (Thursday, August 16) at 1:20 PM ET -- and it will be covered LIVE by the gang at UND.COM. 

One of the highlights will be Coach Kelly's press conference -- where Notre Dame will reveal the uniform they will be wearing at the Shamrock Series game against Miami, on October 6th, at Chicago's Soldier Field.  To watch it LIVE -- click on the link below.

LINK:  MEDIA DAY 2012

Last Clue: ND's Shamrock Series Uniform

This might be the least revealing "swatch" in the bunch.  It appears to be a garment tag...

Notre Dame and Adidas will be unveiling the Shamrock Series uniform tomorrow at their Media Day.  Should be interesting!

Adidas Updates Notre Dame Football Jersey

Notre Dame Football Equipment Manager Ryan Grooms "tweeted" this photo today of the improvements Adidas has made to the ND MONOGRAM on the sleeves of the football jerseys. 

Clue #4: ND's Shamrock Series Uniform

I think I've got this one -- looks like this "swatch" is the front "yoke" of the jersey -- with the word IRISH centered above a number, in a GOLD shiny material, outlined in white on a blue colored jersey...  (top photo).  The jersey, developed by Adidas for Notre Dame's Shamrock Series game against Miami, will be revealed on Thursday this week!

Two Special Days for Notre Dame Football

On Saturday, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame headed to Diamond Lake for a day of fun, sun, golf, water, food and laughs.  You'll enjoy the video.  And, yesterday -- the IRISH held their annual Faculty/Staff Appreciation practice.  It's a nice event for the on-campus community.

LINK:  DIAMOND LAKE

LINK:  FACULTY / STAFF PRACTICE

Clue #3: ND's Shamrock Series Uniform!

I have to admit, I'm totally confused now...  This is "swatch" #3 (on top) of Adidas' reveal of Notre Dame's Shamrock Series uniform.

ND Football Practice Update: Monday 8/13

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame held two practices today in "wet" South Bend.  I'm sure Coach Kelly looked at the weather and said "we'll probably see this in Ireland in less than three weeks, let's go outside..."

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PRACTICE

Tim Brown Interview with GamePlan For Life

The team at former Super Bowl Champion Coach Joe Gibbs' Game Plan For Life recently sat down with former Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown, to talk about standing strong in your faith.  I thought a few of you might enjoy reading this interview:

LINK:  TIM BROWN

Notre Dame Senior Named Sun Bowl Queen!

Rebekah Wierson, a senior at the University of Notre Dame was crowned SUN QUEEN by the Sun Bowl Association. 

Congratulations Rebekah!

LINK:  DOMER NAMED SUN BOWL QUEEN

Two A Days in Two Minutes -- ND STYLE!

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media put together a two minute video of what two-a-day practices are like at Notre Dame.  Enjoy!

LINK:  TWO A DAYS AT NOTRE DAME

First Week of NFL Pre-Season: ND UPDATE

Here's a look at what's being said about some of our former Notre Dame football stars who are a few weeks into NFL training camps.  Just click on the player's name for the story:

LINK:  BRADY QUINN -- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

LINK:  JIMMY CLAUSEN -- CAROLINA PANTHERS

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- ARIZONA CARDINALS

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK -- NEW YORK GIANTS

LINK:  ROBERT HUGHES -- CHICAGO BEARS

LINK:  TOM ZBIKOWSKI -- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

LINK:  ANTHONY FASANO -- MIAMI DOLPHINS

Coach Kelly With Media After Practice...

Notre Dame head football coach met with the media after Saturday's practice to talk about the first week of camp -- as the IRISH get ready to travel to IRELAND to play the Naval Academy on September 1st.  Here's a link to the video:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH MEDIA

Special Uniforms For These Two Games?

You've got to wonder why NIKE would feel the need to break out SPECIAL UNIFORMS for Virginia Tech's games against Austin Peay and Bowling Green -- yet, they'll do just that this season in two games you probably won't see on television.  Photos above of helmets and a jersey. 

LINK:  BIG GAMES FOR THE HOKIES?

Clue #2: ND's Shamrock Series Uniform

Here's the second "swatch" of material (top photo) from the folks at ADIDAS -- for the uniform they've designed for the FIGHTIN' IRISH in their game on October 6 at Soldier Field against the Miami Hurricanes.  My guess is the the top photo is from the jersey, which will be BLUE with GOLD shoulders on it.  The bottom photo is the first swatch -- which I believe is from the pants or from a muscle shirt that will be worn under the jersey, which would be a huge departure for Notre Dame.  Any guesses?

The entire uniform will be unveiled on August 16.

Golden Tate Subject of Terrell Owens PUNK!

Pete Carroll and Terrell Owens teamed up this past week to PUNK former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate and his Seattle Seahawks teammates.  As some of you may know, Golden declined to give up his #81 to Terrell Owens -- unless he forked over $81,000.  Don't leave the video early.

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE PUNKED

Puzzle Piece #1 -- ND's New Football Uniform

The folks at Adidas are going to have some "fun" this week at the expense of the Notre Dame Nation!  Over the next five days, Adidas USA will be releasing "swatches" of Notre Dame's uniform for the Shamrock Series game at Chicago's Soldier Field set for Saturday, October 6 against the Miami Hurricanes.  It's expected they will display the entire uniform on August 16th.

The photo above is SWATCH #1.

I'm going to guess this is from their pants???

I was told months ago -- this uniform design will "blow your mind..."

We'll see...

Want to be Like Skylar Diggins -- Watch This!

The most famous student-athlete at the University of Notre Dame does not wear a GOLD HELMET.

SHE wears a headband.

Skylar Diggins is the biggest name at ND and she's the biggest name in women's college sport.  I just learned of a video that was produced a year ago by the gang at ESPN that looks at Skylar's workout regimen, her quirks and her singing voice -- she's good!  You'll enjoy this!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S DIGGINS

Boxx Gold, Tancredi & Chapman Bronze!

Notre Dame women's soccer's great past was well represented this evening in London as Shannon Boxx '99 (photo on top), Melissa Tancredi '04 (middle photo) and Candace Chapman '05 (photo on bottom) each won medals today for their respective countries.  Shannon won her THIRD GOLD MEDAL for the United States of America, Melissa and Candace won Canada's first ever Olympic medal in women's soccer -- earning BRONZE MEDALS.

Congratulations to all of these IRISH stars!

LINK:  USA WINS GOLD

LINK:  CANADA WINS BRONZE

Football Practice Report -- Thursday Aug. 9

The Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame were back on the practice fields today -- and here's the video to prove it!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL PRACTICE