OT: Seahawks' "Fan Induced Earthquakes"

If you're tuned in to today's NFL Playoff Game on FOX between the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks you're sure to hear about the equipment inside Seattle's CenturyLink Field that measures earthquakes...

If you're going to the game -- dress for rain!

It's going to be noisy!

LINK:  EARTHQUAKES IN SEATTLE

Golden Tate & Seahawks Feeling Unnoticed

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate had some things to say about the pending return of Percy Harvin to the Seahawks for today's NFL Playoff game with the New Orleans Saints... 

He's always a good quote!

LINK:  TATE SPEAKS

First ACC Road Game Today for Brey's Irish

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The Notre Dame men's basketball team is in Atlanta, GA today to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  Tip-off is scheduled for NOON ET.  Georgia Tech announced it was a sell-out (8,600 seating capacity) -- so it should be fun to see how the Fighting Irish handle an ACC crowd on the road.

The game will be televised on the ACC Network.  I have a link below to their affiliate stations around the country -- click on that link to see if the game will be televised in your area.  Along with a link of Coach Brey talking about today's game.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  COACH BREY -- GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  ACC NETWORK -- AFFILIATES

Manti Te'o "Moving On" in San Diego

Found this story in the New York Daily News about former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o and his rookie season with the San Diego Chargers.  The Chargers play some guy named Peyton and his Broncos this Sunday at 4:40 PM ET.

You'll enjoy this story!

LINK:  MOVING ON

Two Dads Celebrate Their Kids ND Acceptance

It's a moment I'll never forget -- learning one of your kids was accepted to the University of Notre Dame...

I found this blog post written by Rick Becker who's son Ben recently received his acceptance letter to Notre Dame's Class of 2018.  Rick writes about his joy that day and the joy of another future Notre Dame dad.

One of Ben's future classmates will be a young woman out of New Jersey by the name of Sarah Christie -- who just happens to be the daughter of Governor Chris Christie.

See the story below:


LINK:  NOTRE DAME ACCEPTANCE LETTER

Notre Dame Grad Student on Jeopardy Today

Marika Kuspa -- a grad student in Notre Dame's College of Science will be a contestant on Jeopardy today!  Click on the link below -- you'll find Marika's intro at the 46 second mark:

LINK:  MARIKA KUSPA ON JEOPARDY

George Atkinson III Files for 2014 NFL Draft

Notre Dame student-athlete George Atkinson III has decided to take his game to the National Football League.  Here's the story:

LINK:  ATKINSON OFF TO NFL

CNN Story: College Athletes' Reading Levels

CNN's Sara Ganim conducted an investigation of the reading levels of some of the athletes at a few of the top public colleges in the country.  Domer Bubba Cunningham '84 and '88, the Athletic Director at the University of North Carolina is interviewed.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  THEY CAN'T READ

TV Ratings Down for BCS Championship Game

Just further proof why college football needs Notre Dame...

You had the Heisman Trophy winner leading an undefeated Florida State team against the SEC Champion Auburn Tigers.

Yet, ESPN's overnight TV ratings for Florida State vs. Auburn were down from last year's game between Notre Dame and Alabama -- the all-time record.  That's a shocker when you consider 90% of the country was hunkered down in their homes watching TV because of the record cold weather...


LINK:   TV RATINGS DOWN FOR BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Notre Dame's Final Rankings Don't Add Up !!!

Just took a look at the final college football polls released this morning -- the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll.  In the AP Poll Notre Dame is ranked #20, in the USA Today Poll Notre Dame is ranked #24.

Here's my frustration -- we deserved better...   The facts prove Notre Dame should have finished #18 in both polls -- at the very least.

In the AP Poll, #18 Texas A&M has four losses and they're ranked ahead of Notre Dame -- yet, they only have one victory all season against a Top-25 team in the final rankings and that's their bowl win over #23 Duke.  #19 USC has four losses and we beat them head to head...

Then you have the USA Today Coaches Poll -- where Notre Dame at #24 sits behind SIX teams who also have four losses:

• #18  Texas A&M (9-4)
• #19  USC (10-4)
• #20  Arizona State (9-4)
• #21  Wisconsin (9-4)
• #22  Duke (9-4)
• #23  Vanderbilt (9-4)
• #24  NOTRE DAME (9-4)

I've already addressed Texas A&M and their one win over a ranked team this season, and Notre Dame's head to head wins over USC and Arizona State...

Now, let's talk about Wisconsin, Duke and Vanderbilt... --

Wisconsin doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 team this season.  And, they were beat by Arizona State -- who lost to Notre Dame.

Duke doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.

Vanderbilt doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.

And, NOTRE DAME HAS THREE WINS OVER TEAMS RANKED IN THE FINAL TOP-25 USA TODAY COACHES POLL:  #3 MICHIGAN STATE, #19 USC AND #20 ARIZONA STATE.

It doesn't add up.
 

LINK:  FINAL FOOTBALL POLLS

Only 284 Days Until Notre Dame Plays FSU !!!

I'm guessing the gang at ESPN's College GameDay already have this date circled on their calendar -- October 18, 2014 -- when Notre Dame travels to Tallahassee to take on the defending National Champions. 

It's been more than eleven years since the last time (and the first time) Notre Dame traveled to Doak Campbell Stadium to play Florida State -- remember that game?

See the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BEATS FLORIDA STATE

OT: Auburn Fan Has $50,000 Riding on Game

Mark Skiba's dad made a $100 bet for him in Las Vegas (January 30, 2013) on Auburn winning the National Championship.  The odds were 500 to 1 against this happening.

Think he's a little nervous today?

LINK:  AUBURN FAN COULD WIN BIG

Revisiting ND's Last Three National Titles !!!

As we await tonight's BCS National Championship game -- I thought the Notre Dame nation would enjoy a trip down memory lane.  Here's a look at the highlights of the Fighting Irish's last three National Championships in football.  Enjoy!

LINK:  1988 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- FIESTA BOWL

LINK:  1977 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- COTTON BOWL

LINK:  1973 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- SUGAR BOWL

Tuitt Tells Sports Illustrated He's Headed to NFL

Notre Dame student-athlete Stephon Tuitt told Sports Illustrated's Brian Hamilton that he is going to make himself eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft.  Here's the story:

LINK:  TUITT TO THE NFL

Must See: Coach Brey With Team After Duke !!!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media provide great coverage ALL THE TIME of our athletic teams here at the University of Notre Dame.  Yesterday's win over DUKE was no exception.  You must watch the locker room celebration.

LINK:  TEAM CELEBRATES WIN

The Media the Mornin' After Beating Duke

Took a lap around the web to see what the media had to say about Notre Dame's 79 - 77 win over #7 ranked Duke.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  ESPN COLLEGE BASKETBALL BLOG

LINK:  CBS SPORTS RECAP

LINK:  THE HERALD-SUN

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  NEWS OBSERVER

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Mike Brey's Post Gamer Presser After Duke Win

Mike Brey's Notre Dame teams are now 13 - 6 against TOP TEN RANKED TEAMS when they play at Purcell Pavilion.  Duke was the latest top ten team added to the win total.

Word on the web this morning is -- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME DUKE'S "COACH K" HAS LOST A GAME TO A TEAM COACHED BY ONE OF HIS FORMER ASSISTANTS."

Here's what Coach Brey had to say after the game:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BEATS DUKE

Notre Dame Beats Duke in First ACC Game!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish beat the #7 ranked team in the country this afternoon 79 - 77!  A true team win as all nine Notre Dame players who played in the game scored.  Notre Dame is now in a FIRST PLACE TIE in the Atlantic 10 Conference -- a game ahead of Duke.

LINK:  ESPN RECAP

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

SHE is a Domer Coaching Boxing in Chicago

Kimberly Hickey is a Notre Dame alum coaching boxing at Chicago's Leo Catholic High School.  Found this story at the DAILY DOMER -- it's a must see, must read story.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S FIGHTING IRISH

Notre Dame on TV Today -- MUST SEE TV !!!

The University of Notre Dame's men's basketball team and hockey team will be playing marquee games today against Duke and Boston College respectively.

First at 4 PM ET -- Mike Brey's Fighting Irish welcome the #7 ranked Duke Blue Devils to Purcell Pavilion for the first time in eighteen years.  The game will be televised on CBS.

Then at 7:30 PM ET -- Jeff Jackson's #14 ranked Fighting Irish will take the ice at FENWAY PARK (yes, Fenway Park) to play #6 ranked Boston College.  The game will be televised on the NBC Sports Network.

Should be a great pre-lude to the winter storm most of us in the Midwest will be facing this evening and tomorrow...

GO IRISH!

LINK:  DUKE vs. NOTRE DAME

LINK:  BOSTON COLLEGE vs. NOTRE DAME

Former ND Football Coach Headed to Texas?

That's the story running throughout the media this morning...

Charlie Strong, a former defensive line coach (1995 - 1998) at Notre Dame and now the head coach at Louisville is rumored to have been offered the head coaching job at the University of Texas.

I can see the t-shirts now:  TEXAS STRONG

LINK:  TEXAS-STRONG

NOW 3/4 of a MILLION UNIQUE FOLLOWERS!!!

Unique follower #750,000 -- a Notre Dame fan from Manhasset, NY -- visited the ND GO IRISH BLOG at 10:56 PM ET this evening!  

THANK YOU NOTRE DAME FANS!!!

As I always do when the site reaches a new milestone -- I pick out where the ND GO IRISH BLOG would rank in the United States if it were its own city.  Well here's the rank -- the 18th largest !!!

At the 750,000 mark the ND GO IRISH BLOG just passed my former hometown of DETROIT -- and it's now just behind our oldest son's former hometown of Charlotte, NC.  Here are the rankings:

#15:  Columbus, OH -- 809,798
#16:  Fort Worth, TX -- 777,992
#17:  Charlotte, NC -- 775,202
#18:  ND GO IRISH BLOG -- 750,000
#19:  Detroit, MI -- 701,745
#20:  El Paso, TX -- 672,538

OT: Rose Bowl Replaces Field for BCS Game

A sod farm near Palm Springs, CA has been growing three grass football fields for the Rose Bowl the past few months.  The first was installed after the last UCLA home game in November -- for Wednesday's 100th Rose Bowl.  The second, was installed hours after Wednesday's game -- they actually placed the new turf -- over top of the old turf (see photo above) for Monday's BCS National Championship game.

The third field was grown -- as a back-up plan...

You have to read these stories.

LINK:  PERFECTION

LINK:  THE PERFECT FIELD

The Duke Blue Devils Come to Notre Dame

ACC Basketball begins tomorrow when "Coach K" brings his #7 ranked basketball program to Notre Dame for the first time in eighteen seasons.  Duke features arguably the #1 freshman in the country Jabarri Parker (photo above) out of Chicago's Simeon High School.  Should be quite a challenge for the Fighting Irish!

LINK:  COACH BREY TALKS DUKE

LINK:  HERALD-SUN STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Revisiting; Notre Dame 17 -- Michigan State 13

Over the next few months if you run into any Michigan State fan or any college football fan who doesn't love our Fighting Irish -- you're sure to hear the following:

"Michigan State should not have lost to Notre Dame -- there were a number of bad calls made by the referees that led to ND's victory.  Michigan State got "HOMERED" by Notre Dame."

Well, it's time to COUNTER this misinformation with some FACTS from the game:

1. The referees who worked this game were from the Big Ten Conference.  Last I checked, Michigan State was still a member of the Big Ten Conference.  The Spartans brought their own officials with them to Notre Dame Stadium that day.
2. Michigan State's offense generated 254 yards of total offense in the game and scored only 13 points -- their lowest offensive output for the season and their lowest scoring game of the season. 
3. Both teams were called for a number of penalties; Michigan State had 10 penalties in the game for 115 yards -- Notre Dame had 8 penalties for 86 yards.   Please note:  MSU also had 10 penalties called on them by Big Ten officials (just a couple of weeks later) at a home game against Indiana.  They won that game 42 - 28.  Notre Dame's 86 penalty yards were the most against the IRISH all season!

ND the "Gold Standard" for Attendance Records

Just take a look at these attendance records as you watch the highlights of the majority of the bowl games this season and see all of the empty seats.  Notre Dame is truly the "gold standard" when it comes to drawing fans to games.  Take a look at these attendance records:

• New Era Pinstripe Bowl -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Rutgers)
• Michigan Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Michigan)
• Sun Life Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Alabama)
• Hyundai Sun Bowl -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Miami)
• Spartan Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Michigan State)
• Los Angeles Coliseum -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. USC)
• Soldier Field -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. USC)
• LaVell Edward Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. BYU)
• Oklahoma Memorial Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma)

Skylar Diggins' in Nike Cross Fit TV Spot

Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins has been cashing in on her hard work...

LINK:  NIKE CROSS-FIT TV SPOT

A Nice Video Profiling San Diego's Manti Te'o

The former Notre Dame All-American is featured in this video shot this past Sunday during San Diego's big win over Kansas City.  Enjoy!

LINK:  MANTI TE'O

Domer Hannah Storm -- Tournament of Roses

ABC's coverage of the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade will be hosted by Notre Dame alum Hannah Storm '83.  The show begins at 11 AM ET this morning!

LINK:  STORM TO HOST

A Slate Floor for Basilica of the Sacred Heart

The University of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart is getting a major makeover these next few weeks as a slate floor is being installed -- in replace of the carpet.  See the photos above.

Tyler Eifert's Two NFL TD's in 2013 Season

The former Notre Dame All-American had a very nice rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals -- reaching the end zone on two occasions.  Here's the video proof!

LINK:  vs.  DETROIT LIONS

LINK:  vs.  PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Golden Tate's Five NFL Touchdowns in 2013

Here's a video recap of the five times former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Golden Tate reached the end zone this season for the Seattle Seahawks during the 2013 season.  Here's hoping it will happen a few more times in the Playoffs.

LINK:  vs.  INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

LINK:  vs.  ATLANTA FALCONS

LINK:  vs.  ST. LOUIS RAMS

LINK:  vs.  ST. LOUIS RAMS

LINK:  vs.  ST. LOUIS RAMS

Replay of Michael Floyd's 5 TD Catches in 2013

Former Notre Dame All-American Michael Floyd caught five touchdown passes during the 2013 NFL season for the Arizona Cardinals.  Here's a video replay of every TD.

LINK:  vs.  JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

LINK:  vs.  ATLANTA FALCONS

LINK:  vs.  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

LINK:  vs.  SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

LINK:  vs.  SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Regular Season Stats for ND Stars in the NFL

Took a look today at the 2013 season stats of every former Notre Dame football player in the NFL.  These are the players on active, injured reserve and practice squads.  A few former Irish stars had great individual seasons:

• Justin Tuck's 11 sacks were 8th best among defensive lineman!
• Michael Floyd's 91 yard TD catch was second longest in the NFL this season!
• Michael Floyd's 1,041 yards receiving was 23rd among wide receivers!
• Golden Tate's 898 yards receiving was 31st among wide receivers!
• Tyler Eifert's 61 yard TD catch was the fifth longest for TE's in the NFL this season!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Michael Floyd -- 65 catches -- 1,041 yards --  5 TD's 
• Golden Tate -- 64 catches -- 898 yards -- 5 TD's
• Tyler Eifert -- 39 catches -- 445 yards -- 2 TD's
• Justin Tuck -- 63 tackles -- 11 sacks -- 1 INT
• Anthony Fasano -- 23 catches -- 200 yards -- 3 TD's
• Kyle Rudolph -- 30 catches -- 313 yards -- 3 TD's
• Jon Carlson -- 32 catches -- 344 yards -- 1 TD
• Manti Te'o -- 60 tackles
• Robert Blanton -- 60 tackles
• Harrison Smith -- 58 tackles -- 2 INT's

PLAYOFF TEAMS:

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE -- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

LINK:  ANTHONY FASANO -- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

LINK:  TYLER EIFERT -- CINCINNATI BENGALS

LINK:  MANTI TE'O -- SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

LINK:  SERGIO BROWN -- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

LINK:  TREVOR ROBINSON -- CINCINNATI BENGALS

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS -- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

LINK:  DAVID BRUTON -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  J.J. JANSEN -- CAROLINA PANTHERS

LINK:  BRAXSTON CAVE -- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING -- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS


NON-PLAYOFF TEAMS:

LINK:  ROBERT BLANTON -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  JON CARLSON -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  JOHN SULLIVAN -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- ARIZONA CARDINALS 

LINK:  JONAS GRAY -- BALTIMORE RAVENS

LINK:  RYAN HARRIS -- HOUSTON TEXANS

LINK:  ROBERT HUGHES -- ARIZONA CARDINALS

LINK:  DEREK LANDRI -- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

LINK:  KAPRON LEWIS-MOORE -- BALTIMORE RAVENS

LINK:  ZEKE MOTTA -- ATLANTA FALCONS

LINK:  ERIC OLSEN -- PITTSBURGH STEELERS

LINK:  BRADY QUINN -- ST. LOUIS RAMS

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK -- DETROIT LIONS

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK -- NEW YORK GIANTS

LINK:  DARRIN WALLS -- NEW YORK JETS

LINK:  SAM YOUNG -- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Why NYC Cheers Notre Dame's Fighting Irish

This piece was written for the New York Post by the University of Notre Dame's Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications -- Paul Browne.  You'll want to read this.  That's Paul Browne in the photo above.

LINK:  WHY NYC CHEERS...

The Winningest Football Program of All-Time!!!

126 years of football and it came down to Notre Dame beating Rutgers in New York City and a Michigan loss to Kansas State in Tempe, AZ -- over a span of 11 hours...

NOTRE DAME IS ONCE AGAIN -- the WINNINGEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROGRAM OF ALL-TIME!

LINK:  RANKING BY ALL-TIME WINNING %

Pinstripe Bowl Trophy Presentation to ND

Here's a replay of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl trophy presentation to Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  TROPHY PRESENTATION

Notre Dame's Sideline View of Pinstripe Bowl

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media caught a number of key plays in the game from a sideline camera - and some post game fun.  Enjoy!

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION

Coach Brian Kelly Post Game Presser

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media after Notre Dame's 29 - 16 win over Rutgers today in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.  Here's the replay:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Media Reaction to Notre Dame's Bowl Win

Took a quick lap around the web to see what the media members are saying about Notre Dame's 29 - 16 win this afternoon over Rutgers in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.   Just click on the links below:

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  NEW JERSEY STAR LEDGER

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  NEW YORK POST

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

IRISH "Double Up" Rutgers in Every Category

Well, almost every category -- except for the scoreboard...

FIRST DOWNS:

• Notre Dame:  31
• Rutgers:  16

RUSHING YARDS:

• Notre Dame:  175 yards
• Rutgers:  80 yards

PASSING YARDS:

• Notre Dame:  319 yards
• Rutgers:  156 yards

TOTAL YARDS:

• Notre Dame:  494 yards
• Rutgers:  236 yards

PENALTIES / PENALTY YARDS:

• Notre Dame:  8 for 69 yards
• Rutgers:  3 for 33 yards

TIME OF POSSESSION:

• Notre Dame:  38:16 minutes 
• Rutgers:  21:44 minutes

TURNOVERS:

• Notre Dame:  1
• Rutgers:  4

Notre Dame Wins New Era Pinstripe Bowl !!!

It wasn't pretty -- it hasn't been all season...

Yet, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame finished the 2013 season with a record of 9 - 4 -- good enough to end up in the TOP-25 -- after beating Rutgers 29 - 16.

Notre Dame's Zach Martin was named game MVP -- so happy for him!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN GAME RECAP

Pre-Game Photos -- New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Here's the best photos "tweeted" from Yankee Stadium for Notre Dame's game against Rutgers in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.