The Next "Big Thing" for Muffet's Fighting Irish?

She stands 6' - 3" and is the reigning Gatorade Female HS Athlete of the Year -- and she just might be dunking a basketball in a game at Purcell Pavilion this season...

Brianna Turner arrives at Notre Dame as the next SUPERSTAR in WAITING -- click on the South Bend Tribune story below to learn more about Muffet's latest phenom:

LINK:  BRIANNA TURNER

NASCAR Champion Todd Bodine at Notre Dame

Former two-time NASCAR Truck Series Champions Todd Bodine is seen here in a photo with the ND GOLD GANG prior to this evening's Pep Rally.

Photo of Dick Vitale with Notre Dame Players

Notre Dame parent Dick Vitale -- is on campus this weekend with his grandkids to see the Fighting Irish play the Tarheels. 

As you can see in the photo above that Dickie V. "tweeted" -- he stopped in to see some of the football team working out...

Replay: Coach Kelly at Today's Football Lunch

More than 1,000 fans jammed into the North Pavilion of the Joyce Athletic Complex on the campus of the University of Notre Dame today to celebrate the Fighting Irish football team...

Here's a link to Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly's on-stage interview:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

Domer: Only Traditional Bell Maker in America

I first saw this story in the Fall Issue of Notre Dame Magazine -- it's a must read if you haven't seen it -- story linked below.

Notre Dame grad student Benjamin Sunderland is the ONLY traditional bell maker in the United States of America -- think about that for a second...

You'll want to watch this video and read the story:

LINK:  VIDEO

LINK:  STORY

Domer Golden Tate Leads the NFL in "YAC"

He came in as the perfect compliment to Calvin Johnson -- and he's frankly become the best wide receiving option for Matthew Stafford in Detroit...

Golden Tate leads the NFL in "yards after the catch" -- with 237 yards on the season!

And, he has ZERO DROPS in the Lions' five games!

Tate is having an NFL All-Pro type season in the Honolulu Blue & Silver.

LINK:  THE LIONS' GOLDEN ROAR

Theo Riddick to Spell Reggie Bush on Sunday

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Theo Riddick is slated to take over for former USC running back Reggie Bush in the Lions' game against Harrison Smith, R.J. Blanton and the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday...

LINK:  RIDDICK

North Carolina Coaches Talk Notre Dame Game

The GOHEELS TV Network was at practice this week -- talking with the North Carolina coaches about Saturday's game with Notre Dame -- here's the latest:

LINK:  OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS

LINK:  HEAD COACH

Coach Kelly Meets Media Today After Practice

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today -- after practice -- for the last time before Saturday's game with North Carolina.

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESSER

Brian Kelly Radio Show -- Watch LIVE at 7 PM

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly will be hosting his weekly radio show this evening at 7 PM ET -- LIVE from O'Rourke's Public House.

If you'd like to watch the LIVE broadcast -- click on the link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW

Muffet & Jewell Talk at Today's Media Day

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team "officially" kicked off the 2014 - 2015 season today with their annual Media Day.  Here's Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw and All-American Jewell Loyd talk about this year's team:

LINK:  MEDIA DAY

Domer Condoleezza Rice Prepping for Playoffs

The former U.S. Secretary of State and Notre Dame grad -- Condi Rice -- sat down for an interview with ESPN's Heather Dinich to talk about her preparation plans for the Playoffs.

The only female member of the College Football Playoff Committee...

Click on the link below to see this story:

LINK:  CONDI RICE

First Look: Notre Dame Women's Hoops Jersey

The folks at Under Armour have created what I would call a "classic look" -- as seen in the photos above -- in the uniform design for Muffet's Fighting Irish...

Inside Notre Dame Football: Stanford Edition

I missed posting this earlier in the week -- thought you'd enjoy seeing this...

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Couple of Domers to Man Chargers' Center Spot

Former Notre Dame student-athletes Chris Watt and Trevor Robinson will be #1 and #2 option at the center position this weekend for the San Diego Chargers' in their game game against the Oakland Raiders.

The Chargers signed Trevor off of the Bengals' practice squad today...

Watt is slated to get his first NFL start this Sunday -- at a position he never played during his time in a GOLD HELMET.  Here's the story:

LINK:  DOMERS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

North Carolina Head Coach Talks Notre Dame

Here's a link to North Carolina head football coach Larry Fedora's press conference yesterday -- as his team prepares for Notre Dame...

LINK:  NORTH CAROLINA

Replay: Brian Kelly's Press Conference Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly held his weekly news conference today -- talking about Saturday's game with the North Carolina Tarheels

You can watch the REPLAY LIVE at the link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Notre Dame: #3 Scoring Defense in the Country

The unit that we all thought would struggle the most this season -- is now one of the best in the country at what they do...

The Notre Dame Defense has held their first five opponents to an average of 12.0 points per game -- good for THIRD BEST in the country -- think about that!

Here's how the Fighting Irish defense ranks in these defensive team categories:

• POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME:  #3
• RUSHING YARDS PER GAME:  #9
• TOTAL YARDS PER GAME:  #21

LINK:  NCAA DEFENSIVE STATISTICS

Domer Jed York Has a Chat With Jim Harbaugh

Jed York '03, has his hands full these days with his 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.  The media is reporting that Harbaugh is coaching his last season in San Francisco...

York addressed this issue on the NFL Network today.

LINK:  YORK TALKS HARBAUGH

ESPN's Kanell Has Notre Dame in the Playoff

Take a listen to former Florida State QB pick his top four football teams in the country.

I always thought this guy was smart...  :)

LINK:  PLAYOFF BOUND

SF Chronicle Writer's Pilgrimage to Notre Dame

Bruce Jenkins, a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, made the trip to South Bend this weekend with his wife to take in the game between Stanford and Notre Dame. 

You'll enjoy his thoughts on their pilgrimage to Notre Dame.

LINK:  A PILGRIMAGE

Notre Dame's Latest "FIGHTING FOR" TV Spot

This Notre Dame television commercial ran at halftime during NBC's coverage of the Fighting Irish's big win over Stanford Saturday.  Thought you'd like to see it again.

LINK:  FIGHTING FOR

Another "Inside View" of ND's Victory Saturday!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media were up to their "old magic" with this inside look at Notre Dame's big win over Stanford yesterday. 

You'll see the late game-winning TD drive!

MUST SEE!

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

Full Game Replay: ND 17 - Stanford 14

Here's a link to a full game replay of Notre Dame's 17 - 14 victory over Stanford yesterday...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME 17 - STANFORD 14

Notre Dame Statement on Suspended Students

The University of Notre Dame released this statement today on the student-athletes involved in the academic fraud investigation.

LINK:  UNIVERSITY STATEMENT

AP Poll: Notre Dame #6 -- A Look at the Votes

Here's how the Associated Press Poll voters -- see link below -- voted this week for the Fighting Irish.  Here's where the writers are from who didn't vote for Notre Dame in their TOP TEN:

Important to note -- Scott Wolf, (in the photo above with the USC cheerleaders) who voted Notre Dame #13 in his AP Poll (the lowest of all AP Voters) has a USC Football blog: http://www.insidesocal.com/usc/  

• Michael Lev -- Orange County Register -- USC beat reporter
• Nick Baumgardner -- lives in Ann Arbor, MI -- Michigan State alum
• Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press -- Michigan alum
• Ed Johnson, Albuquerque Journal
• Scott Wolf -- Los Angeles Daily News -- see photo above

LINK:  AP POLL

Audio Replay: Coach Kelly's Sunday Presser

The head coach of the #5 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame met with the media -- via conference call today.  Here's a link to the press conference:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESSER

Notre Dame Moves Up to #5 in Coaches Poll

Notre Dame moved up a few spots in the just released Amway Coaches Poll.  Just click on the link below to see who's ranked ahead of our Fighting Irish:

LINK:  COACHES POLL

Ranking the "UNDEFEATED" in College Football

With just EIGHT teams still undefeated after WEEK SIX of the college football season I thought it was time to release the first ever ND GO IRISH RANKINGS INDEX.

The NDGIRI is based on "strength of schedule" -- wins against FBS competition, wins against POWER FIVE Conferences and if the opponent won ten or more games the prior year.  I give each team a point for each.  Pretty sophisticated!!!

THE NDGIRI FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL

1. Notre Dame:  11 points
2. Florida State:  10 points
3. Mississippi:  9 points
4. Mississippi State:  9 points
5. Auburn:  7 points
6. Arizona:  7 points
7. Baylor:  7 points
8. TCU:  6 points

Now, what tells me that four or five of these teams will be ranked higher than Notre Dame this afternoon when the polls come out...

Stanford's David Shaw's Post Game Presser

Here's what Stanford's head coach David Shaw had to say after their 17 - 14 loss to Notre Dame yesterday afternoon.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  POST GAME PRESSER

LINK:  TRANSCRIPT

ESPN: Downplaying Notre Dame and Golson

Take a look at this video clip of Herbstreit and Fowler after the Michigan State game last night -- and then read the article...

Little love for the Fighting Irish as a contender -- and no love at all for Everett in the Heisman hype...

That's okay -- let's win next week and then "shock the world" in Tallahassee a week later.

LINK:  ESPN

The Mornin' After Notre Dame Beats Stanford!

Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see how the media was reacting to Notre Dame's last minute win over Stanford yesterday.

Just click on the links below:

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  THE ELKHART TRUTH

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

OT: Arizona State's "Hail Mary" vs. USC For Win

The folks at USC are a little stunned this hour...  They led by 9 points with 3 minutes left in the game -- only to lose on this 46 yard pass on the last play of the game to Arizona State!

Final score:  Arizona State 31 - USC 34

LINK:  REPLAY

PAC-12 Networks' Replay of ND Over Stanford

Here's what the PAC-12 Network's commentators had to say about Notre Dame's 17 - 14 over Stanford.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  PAC-12 NETWORK

Hug of the Day: Jack Swarbrick & Joe Schmidt

Got to love it!

Here's Notre Dame Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick (ND undergrad, Stanford Law) hugging former walk-on, now defensive leader Joe Schmidt.

USC vs. NOTRE DAME -- Stanford Comparison

Here's a comparison of Notre Dame's performance -- versus USC's performance -- against their common opponent Stanford:


NOTRE DAME DEFENSE vs. USC DEFENSE

Points allowed to Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  14
• USC:  10

Rushing yards allowed to Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  47 yards rushing
• USC:  128 yards rushing

Passing yards allowed to Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  158 yards passing
• USC:  285 yards passing

Total offensive yards allowed to Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  205 total yards allowed
• USC:  413 total yards allowed 

NOTRE DAME OFFENSE vs. USC OFFENSE

Points scored on Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  17
• USC:  13

Rushing yards against Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  129 yards rushing
• USC:  156 yards rushing

Passing yards against Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  241 yards passing
• USC:  135 yards passing

Total offensive yards against Stanford:

• Notre Dame:  370 total yards of offense
• USC:  291 total yards of offense

MUST SEE TV: INSTANT CLASSIC!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media just released this GREAT LOOK at the last 70 seconds of the game from Notre Dame's "sideline" point of view -- and Coach Kelly in the locker room!

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

Coach Brian Kelly -- "GREAT VICTORY!"

Here's a "nine-second" clip of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly in the locker room immediately after the Fighting Irish's 17 - 14 win over Stanford.

LINK:  GREAT VICTORY!

Only 9 of the AP Top 25 Still Undefeated...

As of 9:00 PM ET on Saturday, October 4th...

THE UNDEFEATED:

• Florida State
• Auburn
• Baylor
• UCLA
• NOTRE DAME
• Mississippi
• Mississippi State
• Nebraska
• TCU

The next AP Poll will undoubtedly have undefeated Arizona added to this list...

Brian Kelly's Post Game Presser after Stanford!

Here is NBC's coverage of Coach Brian Kelly's press conference after #8 Notre Dame's 17 - 14 win over #14 Stanford.

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

NBC Post Game Interview: Golson & Koyack

NBC's Kathryn Tappen interviewed Everett Golson and Ben Koyack after their game-winning throw and catch on FOURTH and ELEVEN!

LINK:  GOLSON AND KOYACK

PHOTO OF THE DAY: ND Drum Major...

NBC caught this reaction -- following Brindza's kick-off after Notre Dame's go-ahead TD -- of the Band of the Fighting Irish catching the game ball.

Photo: David Robinson and Corey Robinson

The Admiral is seen here with his son Corey in a photo taken just after Notre Dame's last minute win over Stanford today. 

Photo "tweeted" by @therobfranklin -- of the South Bend Tribune

Cole Luke Grabs His First Two Career "PICKS"

Cole Luke intercepts Stanford's Kevin Hogan TWICE TODAY -- here he is (linked below) after the game making his first on-field interview DEBUT!

That's Cole tackling Stanford's Kevin Hogan -- in the photo above -- in the first half...

LINK:  COLE LUKE

Replay: Notre Dame TD WINNER Over Stanford

Here it is Fighting Irish fans -- BELIEVE!

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION'S LOOK!

LINK:  GAME WINNING TD

LINK:  SLOW-MOTION REPLAY!

Notre Dame Football -- "Smartest & Toughest"

Folks, the young Fighting Irish stood toe-to-toe with the #1 defense in the country and put up these numbers against Stanford -- in 30 degree temps, RAIN and 25 mph winds...

• 241 yards passing -- MOST GIVEN UP THIS SEASON
• 129 yards rushing
• 370 total yards -- MOST GIVEN UP THIS SEASON
• 21 first downs -- MOST GIVEN UP THIS SEASON
• And a 65 yard TD drive with 3:01 left on the clock to win the game
• 17 POINTS -- MOST GIVEN UP THIS SEASON

LINK:   STATS

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW !!!!!

A fourth and eleven -- and Everett Golson finds a wide-open Ben Koyack in the endzone with 1:01 left in the game for a 17 - 14 win over #14 Stanford.

WOW!

The Fighting Irish are now 5 - 0 with North Carolina next week.

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  GAME STATS