Reality: This Will Always Be OUR Team!

Folks, we've had a very tough run of games for our boys in the GOLD helmets. I'm sure many will say "seasons." Heck, in our last seven games -- we've lost six -- and the average loss is by 4 points. FOUR POINTS! Our last eight losses have all been by less than a TD.

Yet, we wake up this morning -- emotionally drained -- but, still PASSIONATE IRISH FANS!

Trust me, we're going to be rewarded -- for doing things right. USC can break the rules, the Gators can break the laws -- and win -- but, that's not winning in my book.

I've never been more confident -- than I am this morning -- that Coach Kelly will teach this team how to win again. BELIEVE! We've got a tough game coming up this week against Stanford -- great medicine for what transpired last night.

Being a Notre Dame fan is a gift -- given to many of us by our; Grandparents, Parents, etc. Our foes will laugh at that statement -- only because they just don't know what it means to be a NOTRE DAME FAN. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, could you ever root for another team? Not a chance! This is who we are...

It's time for the "millions" in the Notre Dame Family to gather "round' the table" and get behind our Irish. We Win and we lose -- AS ONE!

Brian Kelly Post Game Remarks

Here's a link to Coach Kelly's time with the media following the Irish's overtime loss to the Spartans. The photo was taken after the game during the playing of the Alma Mater. Here's the link:

LINK: COACH KELLY POST GAME

THE FAKE -- That WASN'T!

As you can see in this photo -- the play clock was at ZERO (look at the red box at the bottom of the photo) before the ball was snapped in OT. Look at Darius Flemming's (#45) reaction in this photo as he realizes the clock runs out. And, look at the play clock in the upper right hand and left hand sections of the Stadium's scoreboard -- they both read: 00. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Breaking News: The BIG EAST STICKS IT TO THE IRISH!

Are we obligated to give them any of our Bowl money?

Do you think Notre Dame will receive a call from Big East Commissioner John Marinatto saying "SORRY JACK, WE BLEW IT?"

Here's a link to the video so you can watch it in real time -- again, look at the "RED PLAY CLOCK" in the bottom of the TV screen.

LINK: PLAY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED!

Live Game Day Blog -- 7 PM EST Tonight!

The boys at www.und.com will be "blogging" live from the Spartan Stadium press box beginning at 7 PM EST. Former Domers; Reggie Brooks and Mirko Jurkovic will be joined by Jack Nolan. They will be taking questions from Irish fans. Here's the link to participate in the blog:

LINK: GAME DAY BLOG -- MICHIGAN STATE GAME

First Photo: Spartan Stadium

Via the magic of Twitter a Notre Dame fan by the Twitter handle of @eTruth_Irish just posted this photo of the Michigan State student section filing into Spartan Stadium nearly two hours before kick-off.

Bring Back the Shamrocks!

I completely forgot about the Shamrock that Notre Dame Football had on its pants (I LIKE!) during the Ty Willingham era. I do remember the Shamrock on the jersey. You just got to know that there's too much time before this football game if I'm thinking about football pants design! We still have more than five hours to kick-off!!!

The Color of Gold: ND Football Helmets

There's been plenty of discussion the past couple of years about the "color" of the Notre Dame football helmets. So, I thought I'd grab four photos of ND QB's over the past 35 years to see if you can see a discernable difference in the gold color of the Irish football helmets. What do you think? I didn't want to mention the jersey color or pants -- that's another conversation!

ND vs. MSU: Brown's Heisman Day!

In the 1987 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State game, Notre Dame's All-American receiver Tim Brown tied an NCAA record with "back to back" punt returns for touchdowns in the #9 ranked Irish's 31-8 win over the #17th ranked Spartans. It was a day many felt he won the Heisman Trophy. Here's a link to the punt returns:

LINK: AN ALL TIME GREAT

Irish Get Basketball & Baseball Recruit Today!

Word on the street is Patrick Connaughton, a 6'-5" shooting guard out of St. Johns Prep (Danvers, MA) committed to the Irish basketball program this morning! Scout has him ranked as a 4* recruit and number 75 overall in the country -- so, he's a good get for Notre Dame. Schools that also offered Connaughton include; UCLA, Florida, Wake Forest, Boston College, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Marquette and Florida State. As you'll see in the ESPN blog report, Connaughton will also play baseball for Notre Dame -- where new Irish baseball coach, Mike Aoki will look forward to his highly recruited, mid-90's fastball:

LINK: CONNAUGHTON COMMITS TO IRISH

LINK: ESPN: CONNAUGHTON COMMITS

PHOTO OF THE DAY: The Golden Dive!

It's one of the greatest photos ever taken inside Notre Dame Stadium. You just have to wonder what that MSU band member (face circled) was thinking as he's about to witness Notre Dame's Golden Tate's Superman dive -- up close and personal! You can click on the photo to enlarge.

'Never Again' -- One Last Look...

This past Saturday, Notre Dame freshman WR T.J. Jones became a YOUTUBE Legend. Thankfully, that's the only result he and the Irish football program had to deal with after he forgot to cross the goal line with the football. As of this morning, almost 800,000 people have already tuned in to this video. If Michigan had not scored at the end of the game -- this would have been talked about for years. Here's the link:

LINK: YOU CARRY THE BALL INTO THE END ZONE

Do They Like Each Other?

There's been some talk this week about the Head Coaches of both teams -- and their time at Cincinnati. You see, Michigan State's Head Coach Mark Dantonio was the Bearcats Head Coach prior to Brian Kelly rolling into town when Dantonio took the reigns of the Spartans football program. As we know, Kelly took the Cincinnati program to new heights -- is Dantonio resentful? YOU BE THE JUDGE. Here's the Lansing State Journal MSU beat writer's "Green & White" opinion on the matter as well as the South Bend Tribune's Al Lesar's and the Detroit Free Press's Shannon Shelton:

LINK: LANSING STATE JOURNAL

LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK: DETROIT FREE PRESS

The Megaphone Trophy? -- A Big Deal @ MSU

I must admit, I never knew -- or if I did -- I just plain forgot that there was a "rivalry trophy" that Notre Dame and Michigan State play for in football each year. It's called the Megaphone Trophy. (Seen here in the photo) I learned about it when I heard the MSU head coach and players talk about the importance of winning this trophy. I can honestly tell you I've never heard a Notre Dame player or coach talk about this trophy. And, I couldn't find a photo of a Notre Dame player carrying this trophy -- and I know I've never seen this trophy displayed at Notre Dame. So, the question of the day is this. Is the Megaphone Trophy a big deal -- if only one team is talking about it?

East Lansing Writers Take on ND

Here's a few links to some video, blogs and articles from some of the local "sports experts" in the East Lansing area -- specifically the local Michigan State beat writers -- with their take on the Notre Dame game. You'll also find a video to MSU's Coach Dantonio talking about the history of this rivalry:

LINK: LET'S TALK ND -- MSU BEAT WRITER'S BLOG

LINK: IF MSU HAD HIRED KELLY?

LINK: DANTONIO PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

The Weather Now in East Lansing

If you're planning on tailgating today before the Notre Dame vs. Michigan State game -- bring your rain gear! Though it looks like rain will move out of the area -- for awhile. Does this now qualify me as a METEOROLOGIST? That sure wasn't that hard -- was it! The image above was a look at a live radar (8:45 AM EST) of the weather in the Lansing area. Here's the live link to the weather radar at TV-6 in Lansing - if you'd like to check the weather throughout the day:


LINK: STORM DOPPLER RADAR -- EAST LANSING

Irish's Arrival at Michigan State

Here's some video of the Irish getting off their buses at Spartans Stadium at 5:30 PM last night for their "walk-thru." The WNDU-TV crew caught up with Coach Kelly as well. The photo is of Dayne Crist, Irish QB, getting off their slick looking bus. Here's the link:

LINK: IRISH IN EAST LANSING

2002 ND vs. MSU: Irish Walk-On QB!

How soon we forget... Eight years ago, Notre Dame came to Spartan Stadium to take on MSU with Carlyle Holliday behind center. Unfortunately, Caryle gets hurt late in the third quarter and the Irish have to go to an "untested" (non-scholarship, walk-on) back-up named Pat Dillingham. Sound familiar? This time the 12th ranked Irish pull one out over the 22nd ranked Spartans in the final minute as Dillingham hooks up with former ND QB, Arnaz Battle -- you'll enjoy the bonus call of the winning touchdown by Tony Roberts! Here's the link:

LINK: DILLINGHAM'S DAY IN GOLD!

CBS Sports' Spencer Tillman's Preview

Found this video this morning of CBS Sports' Spencer Tillman giving his preview of today's Notre Dame vs. Michigan State football game. Tillman "likes to talk" -- but doesn't say much -- I'll just leave it at that. Here's his pick:

LINK: PREVIEW OF TODAY'S GAME

Game Time Weather Forecast: East Lansing

The latest weather forecast for tomorrow night calls for a chance of rain at kick-off, so dress accordingly if you're heading to East Lansing. Here's a link to AccuWeather's hourly forecast for the Fighting Irish's game tomorrow evening:


LINK: COULD BE A WET NIGHT IN EAST LANSING

ABC/ESPN2 Coverage Map for Game

Notre Dame's visit to Spartan Stadium will be televised nationally via a ABC/ESPN2 "tag team" tomorrow night at 8:00 PM EST. Some of the country will see the game on ABC HD and some of the country will see the game on ESPN2 HD. The coverage map is pictured above -- along with a link below, to that same map, so you'll know what channel to tune in at:

LINK: ND vs. MSU TV COVERAGE MAP

Preview: Irish vs. Spartans

The folks at www.und.com just posted their video preview of tomorrow night's Notre Dame vs. Michigan State football game. UND.COM's Jack Nolan and former Notre Dame All-American, Reggie Brooks host this segment.

LINK: IRISH vs. SPARTANS

My Never Ending Pasta Bowl -- Photo Contest!

Our friends at Olive Garden offered to send the ND GO IRISH BLOG a $15 gift certificate -- redeemable at anyone of their more than 700 restaurants across America & Canada -- if we were to agree to let Notre Dame fans know about their "My Never Ending Pasta Bowl" promotion that's going on in their restaurants until October 10th. (We're going to use the gift certificate in a ND GO IRISH BLOG contest -- once it arrives). Here's the details on the "My Never Ending Pasta Bowl" promotion:
Head into your local Olive Garden an ask for the "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" for $8.95. You'll get all of the pasta you could ever eat, along with your choice of 40+ pasta/sauce combinations. AND -- unlimited access to Olive Garden's garden salad or soup and breadsticks. I'm getting hungry just writing this!
In addition -- you can enter the "Olive Garden Never Ending Pasta Bowl" -- Photo Contest for a chance to win a $25 Olive Garden Gift Card. To enter the contest, bring your camera (or use your cell phone) and take a photo of your Never Ending Pasta Bowl Experience -- then visit the Olive Garden's Facebook page -- link below -- and click on the CONTEST tab and share your photo and story. FYI: The closest Olive Garden to the Notre Dame campus (this is according to the Olive Garden PR people) is located at 3003 Brittany Street in Elkhart. Go Eat, Go Enter and Go IRISH!

LINK: OLIVE GARDEN FACEBOOK PAGE

Notre Dame Football Tickets Still Available

Just got off the phone with the Notre Dame ticket office and learned that tickets are still available for the following games: Western Michigan & Tulsa (pairs together) and single tickets for the Pittsburgh and Utah games. To see the Irish play - call this number: 574.631.7356 to speak with the Notre Dame Ticket Office. If you've ever dreamed about seeing the Fighting Irish in Notre Dame Stadium - here's your chance! Tickets are $70 each.

LINK: NOTRE DAME STADIUM SEATING CHART

Kelly's Last Press Conference: MSU Week

Here's a link to Coach Kelly's press conference last night after practice -- his last time with the media before Saturday night's game against Michigan State. You'll hear some great news on the health of Defensive Line and Special Teams coach, Mike Elston -- and what Coach thinks about his Irish:

LINK: COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

ND vs. MSU: 2006 Irish Comeback

This may have been Charlie Weis's greatest win at Notre Dame. The Irish trailed early 17-0, 24-7 and were down 37-21 with eight minutes left in a game played in a MONSOON! The next five minutes were unreal -- as the Irish take the lead 40-37 and win the game! Here's a link to video highlights of this classic:

LINK: IT'S NEVER OVER TIL' IT'S OVER

Should Golden Have Stayed One More Year?

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Golden Tate 60th overall in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The former Biletnikoff Award winner, from Notre Dame, left school early to pursue a professional career which started "officially" this past Sunday. Unfortunately for Golden, he was standing on the sidelines in street clothes, watching four other Seahawk receivers make catches in Seattle's 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49'ers. In the NFL, only 45 of the 53 players on the roster are ruled "active" for each game - and Golden wasn't activated for their first game. Yesterday's Seattle Times did a story on what's keeping Golden on the sidelines -- and it makes you wonder would he have been better off with one more year at Notre Dame? Remember Coach Kelly's comments about Michael Floyd's lack of route running skills? Here's a link to the article:

LINK: GOLDEN, DID HE NEED ONE MORE YEAR?

Three Big Monday TV Appearances for Irish!

ESPN announced yesterday that Mike Brey's Fighting Irish have been put on their "Big Monday" TV schedule for the 2010-2011 season three times! The first game is scheduled for January 10th when the Irish travel to Milwaukee to take on Marquette. Two weeks later, Notre Dame's trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Pitt Panthers will be televised -- and finally, the ESPN cameras will be coming to Purcell Pavillion on February 28th when Villanova comes to town.

LINK: ESPN'S BIG MONDAY

Former Raider Great and His Twin Domers

George Atkinson played 11 years in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders. The former defensive back / punt returner was a member of their Super Bowl XI championship team. He's fifth all-time for the Raiders with 30 career interceptions and set their single game record for most punt return yards with 205 in one game! So, he knows a little about football. This past week his twin sons; George III and Josh committed to play football next year at Notre Dame -- and a local radio station tracked George down to ask him about his boys and "why Notre Dame?" I believe you'll enjoy his response. When you get to the web page, scroll down to the bottom and look for the link to the interview:

LINK: GEORGE TALKS ABOUT HIS IRISH COMMITS

Win the Ultimate Trip to Every Bowl Game!

The promotional people at Cooper Tires sent the ND GO IRISH BLOG a note asking if we would be willing to let Notre Dame fans know about their Ultimate Bowl Tour Challenge. It sounds like something we'd like to win -- so here it is: This college football season Cooper Tires is awarding the most driven fan with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to attend five of the biggest BCS bowl games including the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and the National Championship Game. The winner of the Copper Tires Ultimate Bowl Tour and three very lucky friends will be whisked away on a private jet, making stops in Pasadena, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas and Glendale, AZ. I say Notre Dame fans would look great in that private jet wearing our blue & gold at every Bowl Game! Here's the link to play:

LINK: ULTIMATE BOWL TOUR CHALLENGE

Brian Kelly Radio Show -- 7 PM EST TONIGHT!

Coach Kelly's radio show starts at 7PM EST from Legends of Notre Dame. Here's a link to where you can watch the show online or a link to where you can listen to the radio broadcast only.

LINK: LIVE VIDEO FEED OF SHOW

LINK: LIVE RADIO FEED OF SHOW

Notre Dame's New Admissions Director

Now, that's not what they call this position anymore. The official title is Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions -- and the person 'soon to be sitting' in that office at Notre Dame is Donald Bishop. Bishop was announced yesterday as the replacement for the retired Dan Saracino -- effective December 1st. He's a former ND grad, Class of 1977, who previously worked for eight years in Notre Dame's Admissions department before stints at Cornell, Creighton, Ohio Weleyan and Embry Riddle. So, if you want to get your son or daughter into Notre Dame -- it will be his team making those decisions starting this December!

A Notre Dame Internet Browser -- For Free!

CBS Sports and Brand Thunder, Inc. have teamed up to create college themed browsers for sixty schools. And, wouldn't you know it -- Notre Dame is on that list. Whether you have a PC and use Internet Explorer or a MAC and use Firefox -- they have a free download for you! All you have to do is click on the link below and follow the instructions to theme your internet experience with Notre Dame -- Go Irish!

LINK: FREE NOTRE DAME BROWSER

Access Hollywood Visits Regis & Notre Dame

Access Hollywood's Maria Menuounos (pictured) spent some time with Regis Philbin '53, in his New York office, talking what else -- Notre Dame football! And, Menuonos did her best to experience the sites and sounds of Game Day at Notre Dame for Access Hollywood -- as she visited campus for Saturday's game against Michigan. Here's a link to the story:

LINK: ACCESS HOLLYWOOD COMES TO ND

Clausen's First Endorsement Deal

Former Notre Dame QB and maybe Sunday's starter for the Carolina Panthers, Jimmy Clausen, has signed on as a paid endorser of FLO TV. FLO TV allows you to watch live television on your cell phone, computer, in your car, etc. Here's an article in which the ESPN reporter weaved in "Notre Dame" into Clausen's use of the FLO TV product he's representing. Here's the link:


LINK: CLAUSEN ON NOTRE DAME

MSU vs. ND -- Rain Storm 2006!

On the Monday after Notre Dame's thrilling, come from way behind, win over the Spartans -- in a rain storm -- a Detroit sports talk radio host "WENT OFF ON HIS SPARTANS." His name is Mike Valenti and his rant over the Spartans collapse against the Irish -- has become radio legend. His diatribe runs for fifteen minutes or so -- thus, you'll see links to Part 1 and Part 2 below. As you'll hear, Valenti, a Michigan State grad, is passionate about his Spartans and wasn't too happy with the outcome of this game. YOU MUST LISTEN TO THIS!

LINK: MSU FAN'S RANT - PART 1

LINK: MSU FAN'S RANT - PART 2

Johnny Lattner on Reggie Bush...

Former Heisman Trophy Winner and Notre Dame "All-Everything" Johnny Lattner, was asked by the Chicago Tribune -- the day before Reggie Bush's announcement -- "should Reggie Bush keep his Heisman?" You might be surprised with his answer:

LINK: LATTNER ON BUSH

Official Ground Breaking: "Hockey Cathedral"

This past Saturday, the University of Notre Dame's President; Rev. John Jenkins, presided over a ceremony to bless and dedicate the Compton Family Center -- the future home of the Irish Hockey program. "The Compton" is named after Kevin and Gayla Compton, who also happen to be the owners of the NHL's San Jose Sharks. Kevin and Gayla made a generous lead gift to Notre Dame to fund what is being called by some as college hockey's "Cathedral." The $53 million structure, which opens in October 2011 -- will immediately become the finest college hockey facility in the world. Here's a few links to a number of architectural renderings of this world-class facility:

LINK: PHOTOS OF STADIUM'S EXTERIOR

LINK: TEAM LOCKER ROOM

LINK: STADIUM'S MAIN CONCOURSE

LINK: STADIUM'S CLUB LEVEL

LINK: STADIUM SITE LINES

Notre Dame is Different...

Folks, Gregg Easterbrook's blog post at ESPN today -- is something you need to keep in your back pocket (if/when) the subject of "student-athlete" ever comes up with your friends in the; Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Pac 10, Big 12, WAC, etc. You'll find near the end of Easterbrook's lengthy blog post -- a story about Notre Dame football player Chris Stewart. Stewart is a Law Student at the University of Notre Dame -- who just happens to be a starting offensive lineman. You see, at Notre Dame you're expected to graduate in four years and if you want a fifth year on the gridiron, you've graduated and have enrolled in grad school. Here's the link:

LINK: A NOTRE DAME STUDENT-ATHLETE

Coach Kelly's Media Session Today

Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly, met with the media today at noon -- in his weekly Tuesday press briefing. Here's a link to www.und.com's coverage:

LINK: COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

NBC was the WINNER Saturday!

NBC Sports is experiencing the excitement that Brian Kelly has brought to the Fighting Irish football program -- first hand. For the second week in a row -- TV ratings are up big time. The Michigan vs. Notre Dame game was the most watched Notre Dame football game in the past five-years and the most watched featuring these two teams in sixteen-years. It was the twelfth largest audience ever for a NBC telecast of a Notre Dame football game in their twenty-year history with the Irish -- and largest audience ever for two un-ranked opponents. 7 million viewers tuned in to the game -- and the two-game viewership average is the best in four years for Notre Dame football. Here are the five largest TV audiences ever for a NBC broadcast of Notre Dame vs. Michigan football game:

1: #6 Michigan 26, #3 Notre Dame 24 September 10, 1994 10.1 million
2: #3 Notre Dame 17, #6 Michigan 17 September 12, 1992 7.3 million
3: Michigan 28, Notre Dame 24 September 11, 2010 7.0 million
4: #22 Notre Dame 36, #5 Michigan 20 September 5, 1998 6.6 million
5: #20 Notre Dame 25, #7 Michigan 23 September 14, 2002 6.5 million

Pogo Back Flip Record Set on Regis & Kelly!

Former Notre Dame alum, Regis Philbin '53, hosted a Guiness Book of World Records attempt on his Regis & Kelly Show yesterday. It's "Record Breaker Week" as they've partnered with Guiness Book of World Records to break a record -- LIVE -- every day this week. On Monday's show a young man from Akron (Fred Grzybowski) set the world record for most consecutive back flips on a pogo stick! He did nine back flips -- breaking the old record of eight. I didn't know there was such a record -- but I do now! You've got to see this video:

LINK: WORLD RECORD!

Samardzjia: First Career Win as a Starter!

Jeff Samardzjia earned his first Major League victory as a starter -- pitching 5 2/3 innings of shut out baseball in the Cubs 5-1 victory over the Cardinals last night. The former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver struck out four -- and helped his own cause with an RBI single in the 2nd. The "Shark" was just brought up from the Iowa Cubs -- where he was 11-3 this season. Here's a link to the MLB site and some video of Jeff's big night:

LINK: SAMARDZJIA'S BIG NIGHT

Notre Dame Featured in Coke Zero Promotion

I've been approached on a number of occasions, since this blogged launched this past January, to sell advertising. Each time I've declined. That continues today -- the only reason I'm mentioning this promotion is because it involves our favorite school this week - the University of Notre Dame. Coke Zero is running a contest online (see link below) called the PLAYBOOK CHALLENGE and is giving away some great prizes. It's free -- and it's fun -- a good combination these days! Like any contest, you can't win if you don't play -- here's the link:

LINK: COKE ZERO'S PLAYBOOK CHALLENGE

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Is Manti Being Held?

This is a close-up of a photo (below) of Michigan's winning TD in the last minute of Saturday's game with the Irish. Is Teo being held by the collar, is it "hands to the face" or, is this just a great block? You be the Big Ten referee! Photo courtesy of Mike Doyle.

Samardzjia: Gets Cubs Start Tonight!

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver, Jeff Samardzjia, gets the start tonight for the Chicago Cubs in their game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Samardzjia was called up from the Iowa Cubs after going 11-3 for the Cubbies top minor league team this season. You can catch the action on WGN-TV or you can click on the link below and listen to the radio broadcast -- Samardzjia's first pitch is at 8:15 PM EST:

LINK: LISTEN TO THE SHARK'S START TONIGHT