Thursday, September 8, 2011

National Rankings -- Where the Irish "D" Ranks



Notre Dame fans will be sick to their stomach after reviewing the defensive rankings of our Fighting Irish and realizing we're 0 - 1 on the season.  Those turnovers were devastating!  

Here's a look at where Notre Dame's "D BOYS" are ranked among their peers in college football after Week 1 of the 2011 season.  You'll also see how we fared in 2010 and 2009.

NOTRE DAME DEFENSE -- 2011 TEAM STATISTICS

Quarterback Sacks:  2011 after game #1:  2 sacks, ranked #37 in the country.  2010 Rank #45 with 26 QB sacks -- in 2009 we had 19 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #92.

Tackles for Loss:  2011 after game #1:  6 tackles for loss, ranked #55 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. 

Interceptions:  2011 after game #1:  0 interceptions, ranked #74 in the country.  2010 Rank #32 with 14 interceptions -- in 2009 we had 12 interceptions for the season, ranking us #50.

First Downs:  2011 after game #1:  20 first downs allowed, ranked #62 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.

Third Down Conversion Rate:  2011 after game #1:  allowed a 14.29% conversion rate on third down, ranked #2 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. 

Red Zone Efficiency:  2011 after game #1:  allowed opponents to score 100% of the time, ranked #60 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.

Turnovers Gained:  2011 after game #1:  0 turnovers gained, ranked #98 in the country.  2010 Rank - #54 with 21 turnovers gained -- in 2009 we gained 19 turnovers for the season, ranking us #80.

Rushing Yards:  2011 after game #1:  126 rushing yards given up, ranked #56 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.

Passing Yards:  2011 after game #1:  128 passing yards given up, ranked #20 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. 

Total Yards:  2011 after game #1:  254 yards of total offense given up, ranked #24 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.

Points Allowed Per Game:  2011 after game #1:  23 points allowed, ranked #64 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.
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Mike Lee to Star in Subway TV Spot Tonight!

Notre Dame fans -- if you're planning on watching tonight's NFL opening game (Saints vs. Packers) -- please keep an eye out for Mike Lee '09 and his Subway commercial debut at the TWO MINUTE WARNING commercial break in the first half of tonight's game on NBC.  The telecast begins at 8:30 PM ET.

And, don't forget that tickets are still available for Mike's fight at Notre Dame on Friday, September 16th -- the first professional boxing match ever on the ND campus.

LINK:  TICKETS TO MIKE LEE'S FIGHT AT ND!
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Just Passed the 200,000 Unique Visitor Mark!

At 10:01 PM this evening a Notre Dame fan from Baton Rouge, LA became unique visitor #200,000 to the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- THANK YOU!

This blog was launched 19 months ago as a project to prove whether I could create content that would attract an audience.  Well, the site's growing faster than I would have ever dreamed.  Just goes to prove the power of the Notre Dame brand -- no other school could generate such demand on the web for a blog created by one fan.

The ND GO IRISH BLOG is now ranked among the top 9% of all blogs on the worldwide web...

Notre Dame fans, this post will be the 1,882nd story I've written on this site -- it's been great fun!  Thanks for making the ND GO IRISH BLOG part of your daily Notre Dame 'fix' on the web!

Can we say 300,000!!!!
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Michigan Week: Wednesday Report on ND


The University of Notre Dame is one day closer to erasing the memory of the GREAT GIVEAWAY GAME against USF -- and playing in the first night game at Michigan Stadium.  Here's what's happening around the Irish football program:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA AFTER PRACTICE

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION
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2011 NCAA Offensive Rankings After Game #1

It's time for our FIRST look at where Notre Dame Football ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- FOR THE 2011 SEASON.  In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's Offense & Special Teams currently stand; on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2010 and 2009.


OFFENSIVE TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs:  2011 after game #1:  27 first downs -- ranked #10 in the country.  2010 Rank #57 with 19.83 first downs per game -- in 2009 we averaged 24.4 first downs per game for the season, ranking us #13.

Third Down Conversions:  2011 after game #1:  28.6% -- ranked #82 in the country.  2010 Rank #76 with a 37.5% conversion rate -- in 2009 we had a 39.1% conversion rate for the season, ranking us #48.

Passing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #1:  8.0 yards per passing attempt -- ranked #43 in the country.  2010 Rank #75 with 6.8 yards passing per attempt -- in 2009 we averaged 8.7 yards passing per attempt, ranking us #7 in the country.
  
Passing Yardage:  2011 after game #1:  391 yards per game -- ranked #5 in the country.  2010 Rank #29 with 257 yards per game  (3,089 yards for the season)  -- in 2009 we passed for 323 yards per game (3,882 yards for the season), ranking us #7.

Rushing Yards Per Attempt:  2011 after game #1:  4.0 yards per game -- ranked #64 in the country.  2010 Rank #83 with 3.9 yards rushing per attempt -- in 2009 we averaged 3.8 yards rushing per attempt, ranking us #76 in the country.  

Rushing Yardage:  2011 after game #1:  117 rushing yards -- ranked #83 in the country.  2010 Rank #97 with 121 yards rushing per game (1,450 yards for the season) -- in 2009 we rushed for 127 yards per game  (1,539 yards for the season), ranking us #88.

Most QB Sacks Given Up:  2011 after game #1:  2 sacks given up -- ranked #32 in the country.  2010 Rank #66 giving up 19 QB sacks -- in 2009 we gave up 25 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #66. 

Fewest Pass Interceptions Thrown: 2011 after game #1:  3 interceptions thrown -- ranked #112.  2010 Rank #105 having thrown 16 pass interceptions -- in 2009 we threw 5 interceptions for the season, raking us #4.

Fewest Fumbles Lost:  2011 after game #1:  2 fumbles -- ranked #89 in the country.  2010 Rank #31 having lost 8 fumbles -- in 2009 we lost 9 fumbles for the season ranking us #39.

Fewest  Turnovers Lost:  2011 after game #1:  5 turnovers lost -- ranked #108 (last) in the country.  2010 Rank #84 with 24 turnovers lost -- in 2009 we had 14 turnovers for the season, ranking us #7.

Total Offense:  2011 after game #1:  508 yards per game -- ranked #15 in the country.  2010 Rank #63 with 378 yards per game of offense -- in 2009 we had 451 yards per game of offense, ranking us #8.

Points Per Game:  2011 after game #1:  20 points per game -- ranked #84 in the country.  2010 Rank #73 with 25.75 points per game -- in 2009 we averaged 30.1 points per game for the season, ranking us #32.
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TEAM STATISTICS

Fewest Penalties:  2011 after game #1:  8 penalties -- ranked #85 in the country.  2010 Rank #10 with 55 penalties -- in 2009 we had 75 penalties for the season, ranking us #50.

Fewest Penalty Yards:  2011 after game #1:  73 yards in penalties -- ranked #95 in the country.  2010 Rank #25 with 511 yards in penalties -- in 2009 we had 666 yards in penalties, ranking us #60.

Net Punting Yards:  2011 after game #1:  34.6 yards per game -- ranked #73 in the country.  2010 Rank #72 with an average net of 36.9 yards per punt -- in 2009 we averaged 32.1 yards per punt, ranking us #112.

Field Goals:  2011 after game #1:  0 field goals made -- ranked #75 in the country.  2010 Rank #32 with 15 field goals made.  In 2009 we made 19 field goals, ranking us #22 -- while going 19 for 22 in the process.     

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CNNSI Interview of Coach Kelly

Here's a link to a CNNSI.com interview of Notre Dame head football coach the day after the loss to the University of South Florida -- also known as the "GREAT GIVEAWAY GAME."  Here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY CNNSI.COM INTERVIEW
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Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tommy Rees Named Notre Dame's Starting QB


To no surprise to most Notre Dame football fans -- Tommy Rees was named today as the starting QB for the Irish.  Rees is a calm, cool customer -- who apparently doesn't get too rattled.  And, he's accurate and he's productive -- a must for his head coach.  Here's what Coach Kelly had to say about the decision at today's press conference -- and here's a look at how the NEW GUY behind center has to think.  I also threw in a few "talking heads" in Bristol, CT just for kicks:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  TOMMY REES PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  ESPN #2

LINK:  ESPN BLOG
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Where's the Home Field Advantage?


The University of Notre Dame football team has won 13 of their last 28 games inside Notre Dame Stadium.  Think about that...
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Monday, September 5, 2011

Michigan Coach Press Conference -- ND Week


University of Michigan's Brady Hoke met with the media today.  Here's what he had to say about their win over Western Michigan on Saturday and their game this week against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. 

LINK:  BRADY HOKE PRESS CONFERENCE
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Brian Kelly's Sunday Press Conference


Notre Dame head football coach took calls over the phone from the media on Sunday about the 23 - 20 loss to the University of South Florida.  Here's the link to the podcast:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE
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Sunday, September 4, 2011

T Boone Pickens -- Takes A Shot @ Notre Dame


The same man who gave his alma mater $165 million in cash and then required that Oklahoma State let him manage it for them - and lost most of it -- ripped the University of Notre Dame yesterday calling them "damaged goods."

Really?

LINK:  T BOONE PICKENS -- HAS HE LOST IT?
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ND Players Who Have A Job in the NFL Today


The NFL required its teams to get down to their 53 man roster yesterday -- as they get ready to open up the 2011 season this week.  As you'll see in the updated report, we have a few of our former Irish football stars looking for jobs today.  Here's a list of many of the ex-Notre Dame players who were battling for a job in the NFL -- and where they stand this morning:






















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THIS WAS WAY TOO CLOSE!


The Notre Dame fans standing outside of Gate D last night, during the first rain delay, witnessed a pretty scary moment that NBC caught on TV (my wife and I were standing just inside Gate D's concourse).  Thankfully, no one was struck!

LINK:  SHAKE DOWN THE THUNDER AT NOTRE DAME
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Which Team LOST This Game? -- THE TEST


Just to prove that STATS ARE FOR LOSERS, Notre Dame football fans can give this test to a SKUNKBEAR fan this week (those are the Walmart Wolverines we've grown to love here in Michigan) to see if they're smart enough to figure out who won this college football game:

FIRST DOWNS:
  • Team #1:  20 First Downs
  • Team #2:  27 First Downs

TOTAL YARDS OF OFFENSE:
  • Team #1:  254 Yards
  • Team #2:  508 Yards

LEADING RUSHER FOR EACH TEAM:
  • Team #1:  14 carries for 40 yards -- 2.9 yard average
  • Team #2:  21 carries for 104 yards -- 4.9 yard average

LEADING RECEIVER FOR EACH TEAM:
  • Team #1:  8 catches for 75 yards -- 9.4 yard average
  • Team #2:  12 catches for 154 yards -- 12.8 yard average

THIRD DOWN CONVERSION:
  • Team #1:  2 for 14
  • Team #2:  5 for 14

LONGEST RUNNING PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE:
  • Team #1:  12 yards
  • Team #2:  18 yards

LONGEST PASSING PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE:
  • Team #1:  18 yards
  • Team #2:  37 yards

OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS:
  • Team #1:  1
  • Team #2:  3

FIELD GOALS:
  • Team #1:  3 for 4
  • Team #2:  0 for 1

TOTAL PENALTIES:
  • Team #1:  9 penalties
  • Team #2:  8 penalties

TOTAL TURNOVERS:
  • Team #1:  0 turnovers
  • Team #2:  5 turnovers


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NBC Replay -- Notre Dame vs. USF

If you dare -- you can watch NBC's replay of the "great giveaway" today at Notre Dame Stadium as the Irish turn the ball over five times in a 23 - 20 loss to the University of South Florida:

LINK:  NBC REPLAY 
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What the Media is Sayin: USF 23 - ND 20


Just got back to Motown after the marathon AKA the "GREAT GIVEAWAY" at the University of Notre Dame this afternoon and evening.  I don't believe ND fans will enjoy reliving this experience -- but, here's what the media is saying about our IRISH hours after this difficult defeat to the University of South Florida:

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- ERIC HANSEN

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  ST. PETERSBURG TIMES

LINK:  TAMPA BAY ONLINE

LINK:  ST. PETERSBURG TIMES #2

LINK:  WNDU-TV

LINK:  WNDU-TV -- SKIP HOLTZ PRESSER

LINK:  CNNSI

LINK:  FOX SPORTS




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Stats Are For Losers...


I made a promise last January when I launched this blog that I'd never go NEGATIVE on the University of Notre Dame.  Thus, I've got nothin' to say after spending 2 1/2 hours sitting on cement in the ND Stadium concourse this evening -- waiting for the storms to pass -- watching the Irish just give a game away to the University of South Florida.  BRUTAL.

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY POST GAME

LINK:  PLAYERS' POST GAME 

LINK:  GAME LOWLIGHTS


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Friday, September 2, 2011

ND to Host a Number of Big Time Recruits!

The South Bend Tribune did a nice job today outlining ND's recruiting plans for this weekend -- here's a link to a couple of stories:

LINK:  OFFICIAL & UNOFFICIAL VISITORS -- THIS WEEKEND!

LINK:  TOP RECRUIT IN COUNTRY

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I've Always Wanted ND to Have One of These!

The University of Notre Dame football program received a "present today' -- and it's well over due!  I've always wanted the Fighting Irish to paint up a truck to promote ND Football -- and they finally did!  I suspect we'll see a model of the truck for sale in the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore -- before too long!  Here's a link to the UND.COM feature on the truck:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME EQUIPMENT TRUCK


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Football Weekend @ Notre Dame!


Just got back from spending this evening on the University of Notre Dame campus.  Took a group from work down to "America's Holy Land" to take in the Band of the Fighting Irish, the Irish Green, South Dining Hall for dinner and the Pep Rally.

Having been to a number of Pep Rally's in my day -- I must admit not feeling the LOVE at this rally.  Sure hope there's more excitement tomorrow in Notre Dame Stadium!  Here's links to a number of the gatherings on campus today:

LINK:  DILLON HALL PEP RALLY 

LINK:  FRIDAY'S QB LUNCHEON 

LINK:  COACH WARRINER -- QB LUNCHEON

LINK:  BRAXSTON CAVE & TREVOR ROBINSON

LINK:  KEITH ARNOLD -- USF GAME PREVIEW


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Thursday, September 1, 2011

An Enhanced Experience @ Rock's House!


The University of Notre Dame has teamed up with CENTERPLATE, the hospitality partner of choice to many of the largest athletic and entertainment venues in the country -- to enhance the gameday experience for Irish football fans.  Well, more than 80,000 of us will be the judge of that this weekend!  Here's a link to a release that speaks to what's planned:

LINK:  SOMETHING NEW AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM
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Coach Kelly's Last Presser Before USF Game

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media for the last time today before Saturday's 3:30 PM kick-off with the University of South Florida.  Today was "PERFECT PRACTICE THURSDAY" for the Irish football program.  Here's the link:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESSER
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Diaco Picked the 20th Best Def. Coordinator

Rivals came out today with their ranking of the top coordinators in college football.  On the defensive side of the ball they ranked the top 20 coordinators -- our man Diaco was picked at #20.  Charley Molnar, our offensive coordinator was not ranked.  Only one of our opponents had coordinators picked in the top 20 and that was the school in Ann Arbor.  Their offensive coordinator (Borgess) was ranked #10 and their defensive coordinator (Mattison) was ranked #5.  Here's a link to the lists:

LINK:  RIVALS TOP 20 COORDINATORS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Brian Kelly on Mike & MIKE Thursday Morning!

Irish fans, rumor has it that Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly will be a guest Thursday (tomorrow) morning at 7:15 AM ET on ESPN2's Mike & MIKE!  If you can't catch the show on TV, you can always listen to the interview on the ESPN radio!

Here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY WITH GOLIC
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Dayne Crist, Manti Teo & Harrison Smith


Three of Notre Dame football's "leaders" met with the media today to take their questions about the game this Saturday against the University of South Florida.  ND fans will be proud of these three!  Here's the links:

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST INTERVIEW

LINK:  MANTI TEO & HARRISON SMITH INTERVIEWS

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Brian Kelly's Media Session Today!


Coach Kelly took questions from the assembled media after practice today -- as the Irish get ready for their opening game this Saturday!  Here's a link to Coach Kelly's media session:

LINK:  COACH KELLY
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Irish Projected to Play in FIESTA -- SI.COM

Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel has the Fighting Irish slotted to play Wisconsin in the Fiesta Bowl on January 2nd.  That wouldn't be a bad thing!  Here's a link to his bowl predictions:

LINK:  IRISH TO FIESTA BOWL
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A Notre Dame Book for Civil War History Buffs!

Jim Schmidt is a Civil War expert -- who has a real job as a chemist in a biotech company in Houston, TX.  For the past fifteen years or so Jim has been consumed with the Civil War -- writing article after article, and a couple of books on this subject before his publishing of "Notre Dame and the Civil War."

Here's what Jim learned, from his research for this book, about Notre Dame and the Civil War:   

"While many institutions of higher education made great sacrifices during the Civil War, few can boast of the dedication and effort made by the University of Notre Dame. For four years, Notre Dame gave freely of its faculty and students as soldiers, sent its Holy Cross priests to the camps and battlefields as chaplains and dispatched its sisters to the hospitals as nurses. 

Though far from the battlefields, the war was ever-present on campus, as Notre Dame witnessed fisticuffs among the student body, provided a home to the children of a famous general, responded to political harassment and tried to keep at least some of its community from the fray. 

At war's end, a proud Notre Dame welcomed back several bona fide war heroes and became home to a unique veterans' organization."

This looks like a book Notre Dame fans will love!  Here's a link to where you can buy "Notre Dame and the Civil War" online:

LINK:  BUY THE BOOK!


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Mike Lee Training Video -- Must See!


University of Notre Dame boxing champion Mike Lee '09 is featured in this interview that shows him training for a fight -- you're going to love this! 

Word broke this week that fellow ND alum, Regis Philbin is going to be the "MC" of Mike's next professional fight -- which just happens to be on the University of Notre Dame campus, September 16th.  Mike is fighting on the Michigan State football weekend, the first professional fight ever at ND! 

Here's a link to the video and a link to where you can buy tickets for Mike's fight!

LINK:  MIKE LEE VIDEO

LINK:  BUY TICKETS HERE TO MIKE'S FIGHT AT ND ON SEPTEMBER 16TH!
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Coach Kelly's USF Press Conference


Coach Kelly met with the media today to talk about Saturday's game against the University of South Florida.  Thanks to the gang at UND.COM for keeping us fans on top of what's going on with the IRISH!

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S PRESSER
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Photo of the Day! -- It's a Mystery...???


Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly just "re-tweeted" this photo with the caption "SPECIAL DELIVERY ON ITS WAY."

Are we talkin' new FOOTBALL JERSEYS for the Irish home opener?  What's your idea on what is so special?

LINK:  MYSTERY SOLVED!
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The Size of the Athletes Committing to ND!


This evening Jarron Jones, a 6'-7" - 308 lb. defensive end out of the Rochester, NY area committed to play football next fall for the University of Notre Dame.  Jones had originally committed to play for Penn State before changing this mind.  Jones joins a list of long, athletic and huge athletes that Brian Kelly & Company has recruited to ND over the past 12 months.  Just think how these kids are going to look in a couple of years walking off the bus at USC!  Here's the list:
  • Aaron Lynch -- 6'-6" 270 lbs.
  • Tony Springman -- 6'-7" 290 lbs.
  • Ishaq Williams -- 6'5" 255 lbs.
  • Stephon Tuitt -- 6'-6" 290 lbs.
  • Ben Councell -- 6'-5" 230 lbs.
  • Brad Carrico -- 6'-5" 290 lbs. 
  • Connor Hanratty -- 6'-5" 315 lbs.
  • Ben Koyack -- 6'-5" 253 lbs.
  • Troy Niklas -- 6'-7" 250 lbs.
  • Chase Hounshell -- 6'-5" 275 lbs.
  • Jordan Prestwood -- 6'-5" 287 lbs.
  • Jarron Jones -- 6'-7" 308 lbs.
  • Taylor Decker -- 6'-8" 313 lbs.
  • Mark Harrell -- 6'-5" 270 lbs.

LINK:  JARRON JONES COMMITMENT STORY

LINK:  JARRON JONES HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
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Monday, August 29, 2011

UND.COM'S ND GameDay Primer!


Get ready for Skip Holtz's University of South Florida Bulls by watching UND.COM's 2011 Football Primer!  Just don't do it late at night, or you might not be able to go to sleep!  GO IRISH -- BEAT DA BULLS!

LINK:  2011 ND FOOTBALL PRIMER




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Coach Kelly's Tuesday Presser -- Live at NOON!

Notre Dame fans -- if you live on the East Coast -- here's your lunchtime entertainment on Tuesday!  Coach Kelly will be meeting with the media on Tuesday (tomorrow) live at NOON ET.  Here's the link:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE -- HERE LIVE!
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Sunday, August 28, 2011

ND Dad -- Dick Vitale Meets Pope Benedict XVI


Just saw Dick Vitale "tweet" about meeting Pope Benedict XVI -- here's a link to the story:

LINK:  VITALE SPEECHLESS
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Sports Illustrated Recognizes Aaron Lynch


The folks at SI.COM picked their "Freshman 15" -- fifteen freshmen who will make an impact this fall.  Well, to no surprise to Irish fans -- our #19 Aaron Lynch is on that list.  Here's the story:

LINK:  THE FRESHMAN 15
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Lou Goes Back to East Liverpool High School!


Former Notre Dame football coaching legend and College Hall of Fame member Lou Holtz -- spent a day earlier this month at his old high school in East Liverpool, OH talking to their football team.  Holtz graduated from East Liverpool 57 years ago...  Here's a couple of links to the news coverage -- note what he's wearing!

LINK:  LOU HOLTZ GOES HOME

LINK:  LOU'S BACK IN LIVERPOOL
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Know Thy Opponent -- USF Bulls

A new series at ND GO IRISH BLOG will be launched today called "KNOW THY OPPONENT" -- it's a primer for Irish Fans that will take a look at what our opponent's local media is saying about their team and their upcoming game with the University of Notre Dame.

Up first:  Skip Holtz's University of South Florida Bulls:

LINK:  HERBSTREIT PICKS USF TO WIN BIG EAST 

LINK:  WIN AT ND WOULD BE HISTORIC

LINK:  HOLTZ NOT THINKING ABOUT COACHING AT ND

LINK:  TIME IS NOW FOR BULLS

LINK:  BULLS EXPECT SPECIAL SEASON

LINK:  DON'T SHAKE ND PLAYERS 

LINK:  SCRIMMAGE UPDATE

LINK:  PHOTOS OF USF PRACTICE FACILITY

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Third Week of NFL Pre-Season -- ND Update


After checking in on how our former Notre Dame football stars are doing with their NFL teams this morning -- I'm reminded how important their DEGREE from the University of Notre Dame is!

If I was running the football recruiting operation for Brian Kelly I would be publishing a weekly NFL injury report that would be circulated among the parents of every top high school football player in America.  I would be constantly making the point that the NFL stands for "Not For Long" -- and that "Notre Dame is For Life."

Off my soapbox!

Just click on the player's name below to see the latest news on them:























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Saturday, August 27, 2011

ESPN & Michigan Announce GameDay Location


University of Michigan AD David Brandon announced today that ESPN will set up their GameDay set on Michigan's central campus -- the morning of September 10.  It's good to know because ND fans have been losing sleep over where Desmond Howard would be working from that day...

LINK:  ESPN'S COLLEGE GAMEDAY - ND VS. UM GAME
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Two ND FB Verbals on ESPNU Today @ 4 PM

ESPNU will be televising the Indianapolis Cathedral vs. Warren Central football game today at 4 PM ET.  The game features two star players who have made a "verbal" commitment to play for the Fighting Irish next season; John Turner who wears #4 for Cathedral and Sheldon Day who wears #91 for Warren Central.  Here's a link to a couple of stories about these two standouts:

LINK:  JOHN TURNER -- INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL

LINK:  SHELDON DAY -- WARREN CENTRAL



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First Look @ Weather for ND's Home Opener

The folks at Weather.com are predicting "scattered thunderstorms" for Notre Dame's home opener next Saturday against the University of South Florida.  They're forecasting the chance of precipitation at 60% for this day.  Here's the link to the extended forecast:

LINK:  ND GAME DAY WEATHER FORECAST
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Photo of the Day! -- Compton Family Ice Arena


Here's a recent photo of the construction of the "Hockey Cathedral" -- also known as the Compton Family Ice Arena on the University of Notre Dame campus.  The "Compton" will open in mid-October.
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Notre Dame's Campaign For Aerial Lift Safety

The University of Notre Dame just launched a campaign on aerial lift safety -- as part of its follow-up response to the Declan Sullivan tragedy.  Barry Sullivan (Declan's Dad) leads off the website's video.  Here's a link to the site as well as a story in the Chicago Tribune:

LINK:  UP RIGHT!

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY
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"Our Team Our Story" -- A New Show @ ND

This is a YouTube Video of Mike Golic Jr. and Brandon Newman in their new show "OUR TEAM, OUR STORY."  Now I'm not going to give it a "two thumbs up" -- but, it has potential!  Here's a link to their first two episodes:

LINK:  MEDIA DAY

LINK:  FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
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Friday, August 26, 2011

Update on One Time ND Hoops Recruit Hatch


Notre Dame fans may recall the news of June 24th when former Notre Dame basketball recruit Austin Hatch (Fort Wayne, IN) was involved in a plane crash in northern Michigan that took the life of his father and step-mother.  Hatch, the only survivor of the crash, has been in Traverse City's Munson Hospital ever since.  Hatch had committed to play basketball for Michigan -- a week earlier -- picking the Wolverines over the Fighting Irish. 

To read the most recent update on Austin's condition -- click on the link below:

LINK:  AUSTIN HATCH RECOVERY UPDATE

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  THE ORIGINAL CRASH STORY
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Lou Holtz & Phil Steele Talk ND Football

Former Notre Dame Hall of Fame football coach Lou Holtz and football prognosticator Phil Steele were both guests this week on the Dan Dakich Show in Indianapolis.  Here's a link to both of their appearances on the show:

LINK:  HOLTZ & STEELE
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Tickets to ND's Game Against USF Go On Sale...


The University of Notre Dame announced today that the University of South Florida has returned some tickets that will go on sale at the ND Ticket Office on Monday.  The Ticket Office typically opens at 8:30 AM ET -- here's the number to call if you're still looking for tickets: 574.631.7356

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S OFFICIAL WEB RELEASE ON TICKET SALE

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The Lou & Skip Holtz Show at USF Dinner!

This is pretty good stuff here...

The University of South Florida hosted a kick-off dinner this week for their football program.  After the dinner was over, Lou and Skip took questions from the audience.  Here's a link to the video:

LINK:  THE LOU & SKIP HOLTZ SHOW
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