Notre Dame's PERFECT Defensive Unit!

Just let this sink-in for a few seconds:

Notre Dame allowed ONE TD or LESS to 

NINE OF THEIR TWELVE OPPONENTS THIS SEASON!

Now let's look at how dominant this defensive unit was this season.  Here's how ND's defense stacked up against each of the offensive units they played this season.

• Navy:  Gave up 10 points -- 15.5 points less than Navy's average for the season.  Navy is bowl-eligible.
• Purdue:  Gave up 17 points -- 12.9 points less than Purdue's average for the season.  Purdue is bowl-eligible.
• Michigan State:  Gave up 3 points -- 17.3 points less than Michigan State's average for the season.  Michigan State is bowl-eligible.
• Michigan:  Gave up 6 points -- 24 points less than Michigan's average for the season.  Michigan is bowl-eligible.
• Miami, FL:  Gave up 3 points -- 28.4 points less than Miami's average for the season.  Miami is bowl-eligible.
• Stanford:  Gave up 13 points -- 15.6 points less than Stanford's average for the season.  Stanford is bowl-eligible.
• BYU:  Gave up 14 points -- 15.2 points less than BYU's average for the season.  BYU is bowl-eligible.
• Oklahoma:  Gave up 13 points --  28.7 points less than Oklahoma's average for the season.  Oklahoma is bowl-eligible.
• Pittsburgh:  Gave up 26 points -- 1.5 points less than Pittsburgh's average for the season.  Pitt wins their game next week and they will be bowl-eligible.
• Boston College:  Gave up 6 points -- 13.8 points less than Boston College's average for the season.
• Wake Forest:  Gave up 0 points -- 18.5 points less than Wake Forest's average for the season.
• USC:  Gave up 13 points -- 21.2 points less than USC's average for the season.
   

Mornin' After We Earn a Championship Shot!

Here's what the media's sayin' this morning about Notre Dame's 22 - 13 win over USC last night to finish a PERFECT SEASON!

LINK:  BILL PLASCHKE -- LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  GENE WOJCIECHOWSKI -- ESPN

LINK:  GARY KLEIN-- LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  MATT FORTUNA -- ESPN

LINK:  GARY PASKWEITZ -- ESPN

LINK:  KEITH ARNOLD -- NBC

LINK:  STEWART MANDEL -- SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  FRANK SCHWAB -- YAHOO

LINK:  RICH HAMMOND -- ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LINK:  MARK WHICKER -- ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LINK:  DENNIS DODD -- CBS 

Think ND Fans Will Be Playin' This Song !!!

WELCOME TO MIAMI -- NOTRE DAME FAMILY!!!

Video: Notre Dame Football's Return to Campus

The Fightin' Irish returned to the campus of the University of Notre Dame around 6 AM ET this morning -- and the cameras were rolling when the buses parked at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.  Special thanks to WSBT-TV for posting this video!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL RETURNS HOME

Mark May -- In His Leprechaun Suit...

ESPN's Mark May made the proclamation that "if Notre Dame goes 12 - 0 this season I'll dress like the Notre Dame Leprechaun..."

Well, WE DID and HE DID!

What PERFECTION Looks & Sounds Like!

I couldn't wait to get up this morning for MASS at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart -- and to watch the videos coming out of last night's PERFECT WIN over USC.  Thank you Fightin' Irish Digital Media!

Coach Kelly's halftime speech and post game speech -- had me in tears, big time!  OH WHAT A NIGHT!

Be sure to check out Joe Theismann using his iPhone to catch all the locker room action...

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  PRE-GAME ON FIELD AND POST GAME LOCKER ROOM!!!

Notre Dame's "OTHER UNDEFEATED TEAM"

Muffet's Fightin' Irish were on the left coast tonight to watch Notre Dame's big win over USC.  Here's a shot of the team before the game!

Skylar Diggins "Tweets This Photo" From LA

Looks like Notre Dame's All-American Skylar Diggins and Natalie Achonwa were standing on the field of the LA Coliseum celebrating the IRISH victory!

Just "Tweeted" Photo -- ND TEAM BUS!

Photo of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick handing out burgers on TEAM BUS.  Photo tweeted by #125NDFB

NOTRE DAME IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

A New York Times' writer took a different look at the success of Notre Dame's football season. 

You'll enjoy reading this!

LINK:  WHY NOTRE DAME IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

The Media Reacts to a PERFECT Notre Dame!!!

This is going to be fun to read!

Took a lap around at 1 AM on Day #8 of Notre Dame being atop of the college football world -- to see what our "friends" are now sayin' about our UNDEFEATED FIGHTING IRISH!

ENJOY THIS NOTRE DAME!

LINK:  LOU HOLTZ

LINK:  ESPN -- ND'S BALANCED ATTACK

LINK:  ESPN -- COACH KELLY AFTER WIN

LINK:  ESPN -- WILL IRISH WIN IT ALL?

LINK:  ESPN -- HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN -- NOTRE DAME BLOG

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES #2

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES 

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

We're Takin' Our Talents to South Beach!!!

Here's some of the highlights of Notre Dame's 22 - 13 win over USC tonight to go 12 - 0 for the season!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS!

NOTRE DAME IS PERFECTION! Hallelujah!

Folks, it wasn't pretty it was PERFECT!

For only the second time in the 125 year history of Notre Dame football an IRISH team is 12 - 0 on a season.  Think about that!

Here's some video I took of Notre Dame students celebrating on campus -- just minutes after the IRISH beat USC tonight!

LINK:  STUDENTS CELEBRATING #1

LINK:  STUDENTS CELEBRATING #2

It's Less Than 16 Hours to IRISH Perfection!

Folks, I have a GREAT FEELING about tonight's game between our Fightin' Irish and that school in Los Angeles.  Around 11:42 PM ET -- I expect to be watching a number of Notre Dame students gathered at North Quad's "Stonehenge" celebrating PERFECTION!
  
This is the sixth time we've gone to the LA Coliseum #1 to play USC and the IRISH are 3 - 2 in those contests.

Now, there's a few media types who don't agree with me -- so, to get you fired up for tonight's game -- here's what's being said:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  THE SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  PACIFIC TAKES

LINK:  THE OBSERVER

LINK:  ESPN NOTRE DAME BLOG

LINK:  ESPN USC BLOG

LINK:  ESPN'S DESMOND HOWARD

LINK:  ESPN'S DARRELL REVELL

LINK:  ESPN'S KIRK HERBSTREIT

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES

LINK:  LOS ANGELES TIMES #2

Mel Kiper Picks NOTRE DAME over USC

Kiper readily admits he's a Notre Dame fan -- so it comes as no surprise to me that he picks the Fightin' Irish over USC tomorrow:

LINK:  KIPER ON THE IRISH

Their THIRD TIME Coaching ND vs. USC

The following Notre Dame football coaches BEAT USC in their third-year running the IRISH football program -- Ara Parseghian in 1966, Dan Devine in 1977 and Lou Holtz in 1988 -- and all three won the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP that season!

Note to the Notre Dame Family -- this is Coach Kelly's THIRD SEASON at the helm of the Fightin' Irish!

1966:  ARA PARSEGHIAN'S IRISH ROLL USC

1977:  DAN DEVINE'S IRISH ROLL USC

1988:  LOU HOLTZ'S IRISH ROLL USC

IRISH Did Have A Walk Through @ Coliseum!

Here's a photo of Coach Kelly with ABC's Kirk Herbstreit and Brent Musberger on the LA Coliseum field this afternoon.  "Tweeted" by #125NDFB.  I'm attaching some additional photos as well!

Photo of the Flight Crew Taking the IRISH to LA!

This is the second photo just "tweeted" by #125NDFB. 

Notre Dame Football Heading to Los Angeles!

This photo was just "tweeted" by @125NDFB of the Fightin' Irish boarding their charter flight to Los Angeles!

GO IRISH!

Evan Sharpley Talks Notre Dame Football

Former Notre Dame QB and First Basemen -- Evan Sharpley -- wrote a story this morning in the South Bend Tribune about the resurgence of the Notre Dame football program. 

ND fans will find this enlightening!

LINK:  THE RETURN OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

USC's Lane Kiffin Plays the Brian Kelly Card

Lane Kiffin is under the microscope right now with the performance of his football team this season -- so what does he do a little more than 48 hours before kick-off against Notre Dame?

Kiffin "plays the Brian Kelly card" -- talking to the media yesterday -- sending a message to USC Athletic Director Pat Haden...

LINK:  LANE KIFFIN

Surpassed the HALF MILLION MARK last night!

At 11:38 PM last night -- a Notre Dame fan from Charleston, SC became unique visitor #500,000 to the ND GO IRISH BLOG!

I am very thankful that so many members of the  Notre Dame Family have chosen to follow the positive news about our favorite university at this site.  Seems appropriate that this milestone would be achieved on THANKSGIVING DAY.

As has become custom here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- I compare the visitor count to the size of an American city.  At 500,412 (where we're at at the moment of this post) the ND GO IRISH BLOG would be the 34th largest city in America -- just ahead of three "California towns" -- could be a good omen for Saturday night!

• #33 Tucson, AZ:  520,116
• #34  ND GO IRISH BLOG:  500,412
• #35 Fresno, CA:  494,665
• #36 Sacramento, CA:  466,488
• #37 Long Beach, CA:  462,257

Thank you Notre Dame Family!

Photo of the Day: Flying the Notre Dame Flag!

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Jim Farrington '74 (Stamford, CT) sent me this photo of a Notre Dame ROTC grad flying the flag!  Thanks Jim!

"Twitter Photo" Irish Have Arrived in LA

Here's a photo "tweeted" by ND women's basketball coach Niele Ivey -- of her, Muffet McGraw and Carol Owens.  The Lady Irish play UCLA tomorrow in basketball.  Notice the Notre Dame Football truck in the background!

This Will Give You Goose Bumps -- ENJOY !!!

This was the opener to the Love Thee Notre Dame Celebration held on the campus of the University of Notre Dame on Saturday, September 22nd.  If this doesn't get your heart pumping...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Notre Dame !!!

On Thursday, November 1st more than 1,000 Notre Dame students said THANK YOU in a big way!

Enjoy!

LINK:  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Coach Brey's IRISH Beat His Alma Mater !

The George Washington Colonials played their first ever game against Notre Dame last night and Coach Brey's FIGHTIN' IRISH won the game 65 - 48.

Here's what the media had to say after the game -- see links below.  At the post game press conference, Coach Brey showed up wearing his alma mater's jersey.  ENJOY!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE 

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS 

LINK:  ESPN BOX SCORE

LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME

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.

The Grace Hall #1 Sign is BACK IN PLACE!!!

Notre Dame will "light up" the #1 sign atop GRACE HALL this evening -- celebrating Notre Dame football's return to the top spot in college football.

I suspect the lighting will take place after the 8:30 PM ET announcement of the BCS rankings!

Here's a photo (above) "tweeted" by the Notre Dame Alumni Association of the #1 sign going back on top of Grace Hall!