Notre Dame Clobbers #2 Boston College

Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish crushed the #2 ranked Eagles of Boston College last night 7 - 2 in game  of a best-of-three Hockey East Tournament series.  BC scored the game's two first goals, on their home ice, before Notre Dame scored seven unanswered goals. 

The Irish are on a roll at the right time -- eight straight wins -- as they make their case for a NCAA bid.

Game two is played this afternoon -- again in Boston -- at 4 PM ET.  Go Irish!

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD STORY

Notre Dame's "Thunder & Lightning"

PREDICTION:  Notre Dame freshmen Greg "Thunder" Bryant and Tarean "Lightning" Folston (both from Florida) combined with Cam "Superman" McDaniel -- will make up the best three back rotation we've seen in South Bend since the days of Bettis (1st Round Draft Pick), Brooks (2nd Round Draft Pick) and Watters (2nd Round Pick) and we can't forget Culver (4th Round Draft Pick) either...

Should be fun!

Justin Tuck Signs With Oakland Raiders Today

WOW!

The Captain of the New York Football Giants' signed a deal to play for the "BLACK & SILVER" in Oakland.  Tuck leaves the Big Apple for the Black Hole -- never saw this coming...

Tuck, the former Notre Dame All-American, signs a two-year deal for $11 million.  CONGRATS!

LINK:  TUCK A RAIDER

Gates Foundation Gives Notre Dame $23 Million

The wealthiest couple in the world, Bill and Melinda Gates (pictured above) -- through their Foundation -- gave the University of Notre Dame $23 million to fight malaria and dengue fever.  Notre Dame biologists Nicole Achee and Neil Lobo are leaders of this international research effort. 

This represents the second largest research grant ever given to the University of Notre Dame!

See the story below:

LINK:  GATES FOUNDATION

UCONN Back on Muffet's Basketball Schedule

The only two undefeated women's college basketball teams going into the NCAA Tournament -- obviously, didn't play this season...

That changes for certain -- December 6th when UCONN travels to Notre Dame to renew their rivalry.  Now, they might just meet in Nashville in April!

LINK:  GENO vs. MUFFET -- AGAIN!

Golden Tate's Lions' Signing Press Conference

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate left his Super Bowl Champion teammates in Seattle today -- signing a five year contract with the Detroit Lions.  Here's a link to his press conference:

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE

Golden Tate Agrees to Deal With Detroit Lions!

In the past few minutes, the story is breaking that former Notre Dame All-American and Super Bowl Champion Golden Tate has agreed to a five-year $31 MILLION DOLLAR ($13.25 million guaranteed) contract with the Detroit Lions.

Here's what is being reported:

LINK:  TATE TO LIONS

LINK:  SEAHAWKS BLOG 

LINK:  ESPN STORY 

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS

LINK:  DETROIT NEWS

LINK:  SEATTLE TIMES

ND vs. Wake Forest -- ACC Tourney on ESPN2

The Fighting Irish play the Demon Deacons this afternoon at 1 PM ET on ESPN2.  Here are the game notes:

LINK:  GAME NOTES

The Weather Channel's "Snowiest Universities"

It is Tuesday, March 11th -- and within 24 hours we're expecting as much as 8" or more of new snow here on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

What a winter it has been.

Leave it to the folks at the Weather Channel to come up with a list of the "snowiest universities" in America.  Not surprisingly, Notre Dame is on that list.  Click on the link below to see where we ended up.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME IS ON THE LIST

Notre Dame's Innovation Park in the News...

In less than five years -- sixty-two companies have launched inside the walls of Notre Dame's Innovation Park.  Pretty impressive!

The South Bend Tribune's Kevin Allen caught up with Notre Dame's Dave Benner -- to talk about the impact Innovation Park has had on the South Bend community.

LINK:  INNOVATION PARK

ACC Tournament Champions! Celebration!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media bring this inside look at Notre Dame's post game celebration after yesterday's ACC Tournament Championship win!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME VICTORY

Cutting Down the Nets -- a Notre Dame Tradition

Kayla McBride scored 25 today in Notre Dame's 68 - 53 win over Duke to win the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship!

Replay of Jewell Loyd's "Jewelly-oop" vs. Duke

Here's the television replay of Lindsay Allen's alley-oop pass to Jewell Loyd in Notre Dame's 69 - 53 win today in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship game!  Loyd was named the ACC Tournament MVP!

LINK:  JEWELLY-OOP

ND Beats Duke -- ACC Tournament Champs!!!

Muffet's Fighting Irish overcame a lack luster first half to pull away and beat #10 Duke by a score of 69 - 53.  Jewell Loyd and Kayla McBride combined for 51 points -- just two shy of the entire Blue Devils team.

The win leaves Notre Dame 32 - 0 -- with a couple of trophies from the Atlantic Coast Conference in their inaugural season.  Now it's NCAA Tournament time!  GO IRISH!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN GAME RECAP

Cardinal Timothy Dolan "Meets the Press"

I always enjoy watching Cardinal Dolan handle the media.  Here's his interview today with NBC's Meet The Press' David Gregory:

LINK:  CARDINAL DOLAN

NCAA Considering Football Early Signing Date

This would be a great thing!  Why am I not surprised the SEC football coaches are against this idea...

LINK:  EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

Notre Dame Goes for ACC Tourney Title Today!

Muffet's Fighting Irish play Duke this evening for the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title.  The game tips off at 7 PM ET on ESPN -- GO IRISH!

LINK:  ACC NETWORK -- GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  ESPN PREVIEW

LINK:  DUKE COACH TALKS NOTRE DAME

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Did You Rember to Set Your Clocks Forward?

A public service reminder from the ND GO IRISH BLOG.

Irish Beat #14 Ranked NC State by 35 Points!

Muffet's Fighting Irish are on quite a roll these days...

31 - 0 on the season!!!

Notre Dame raced out to a 12 - 0 lead then 42 - 15 just before the first half was over -- as they cruised to a 83 - 48 win over 14th North Carolina State.  The victory puts Notre Dame into the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Championship Final tomorrow evening against #10 Duke.

Here's the highlights, post game press conference and a news story linked below:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GREENSBORO NEWS & RECORD

LINK:  JEWELL LOYD -- POST GAME 

LINK:  MUFFET MCGRAW -- POST GAME

Sorry Ladies -- Brady Quinn Got Married Friday!

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn got married yesterday to long-time girlfriend Alica Sacramone (photo above).  Sacramone won an Olympic Silver Medal in gymnastics at the 2008 Olympics.

Muffet's Fighting Irish on ESPNU Today at 5 PM

#2 ranked Notre Dame plays #14 North Carolina State this afternoon at 5 PM ET in a sem-final game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.  You can watch the game live on ESPNU.

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

Louis Nix's Chicago Radio Show Interview

Former Notre Dame defensive lineman Louis Nix met with Chicago's 87.7 "The Game" to talk about his time in South Bend and the upcoming NFL Draft.  He's always entertaining:

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

Muffet's Irish Win by 26 Over Florida State!

Notre Dame won their first ever Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament game tonight 83 - 57 over the Seminoles.  Not a bad start for the Fighting Irish!  North Carolina State is up next tomorrow at 5 PM ET on ESPNU.

Here are the game highlights!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Notre Dame Chemists Discover New Antibiotic!

19,000 people die each year in the United States from a bacteria called MRSA.  Yesterday, two Notre Dame chemists Mayla Chang and Shariar Mobashery (photo above) announced they have discovered a new class of antibiotics that can fight this bacteria.

Their discovery could save thousands of lives!

LINK:  NEW DISCOVERY

Notre Dame Men's Hoop Team Gear for ACC

Adidas, outfitting Notre Dame men's basketball for the last time -- as Under Armour takes over July 1st -- has provided Brey's Fighting Irish with this look for the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

I like everything but the zebra shoes -- and I hope they gave them a "white and gold" version of the shoes in the upper right of the photo, like they did Muffet's team...

Will Justin Tuck Leave the New York Giants?

Former Notre Dame All-American, Super Bowl Champion and captain of the New York Football Giants -- Justin Tuck, is being encouraged to explore free agency...

Here's the story:

LINK:  TUCK A FREE AGENT

Muffet's Team's Gear for ACC Tournament!

The #2 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish are going to look real sharp in their uniform combination for the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament!  I love it!

LINK:  TEAM REPORT FROM ACC TOURNAMENT

Everett Golson Still ESPN's CFB Lead Story

When you're the QB at Notre Dame you're going to get your share of media attention...

LINK:  GOLSON

Spring Practice #2 for Notre Dame Football

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media were up early at the Loftus Sports Complex to watch practice #2 for Notre Dame football.  Here's the report:

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL

A Coach and His American Record Holder!

A couple of weeks ago -- Notre Dame junior swimmer Emma Reaney set a new AMERICAN RECORD in the 200 Yard Breaststroke at the 2014 ACC Championships!  Here's a video of Notre Dame Women's Swimming Coach Randy Barnes and Emma watching the race together for the first time. 

Very special!

LINK:  AN AMERICAN RECORD

Spring Practice #2 - Coach Brian Kelly Interview

After today's morning practice "indoors" at the Loftus Sports Complex -- Notre Dame head football coach met with Fighting Irish Digital Media's Jack Nolan to talk about his team.

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Muffet McGraw Named ACC Coach of the Year!

The ACC made the official announcement this morning -- Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw was named the 2014 ACC COACH OF THE YEAR!  Muffet's #2 ranked Irish finished the regular season at 29 - 0 with a 52 game regular season winning streak.

This is the sixth time Muffet has earned conference coach of the year honors -- but, obviously the first in the Atlantic Coast Conference! 

• 2014:  Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year
• 2013:  Big East Conference Coach of the Year
• 2001:  Big East Conference Coach of the Year
• 1991:  Midwestern Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year
• 1988:  North Star Conference Coach of the Year
• 1983:  East Coast Conference Coach of the Year (Lehigh Head Coach)

LINK:  COACH OF THE YEAR

Happy Birthday #126 for Knute Rockne !!!

126 years ago today -- Notre Dame coaching great Knute Rockne was born in Voss, Norway. 

What a life he lived and did he ever change the fortunes of a little Catholic school in northern Indiana...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROCK!

LINK:  KNUTE ROCKNE DOCUMENTARY

Domer David Bruton Talking Breakfast Today!

Former Notre Dame football player and current Denver Broncos' captain -- David Bruton, visited Hillcrest Elementary in Northglenn, CO today to talk about the importance of breakfast.  Thought you'd enjoy this story!

LINK:  DAVID BRUTON

Domer Dad -- Torii Hunter Sr. -- Kisses Alligator!

Detroit outfielder and father to Notre Dame wide receiver Torii Hunter, Jr. -- Torri, Sr. -- kissed a live alligator yesterday at the Tiger's Spring Training facility in Lakeland, FL.  Click on the story linked below to find out why...

Kids, don't try this at home!

LINK:  TORII HUNTER, SR

Sports Illustrated Story on ND's Everett Golson

The national media made the trek to South Bend this week to capture the return of Everett Golson to Notre Dame football.  Here is Sports Illustrated's take on the Fighting Irish's QB:

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Tour Notre Dame's ALL SEASON Golf Facility

Ever wonder how Notre Dame's golf team trains during the winter months here in South Bend?

Take a look "inside" Notre Dame's golf program:

LINK:  INDOOR TRAINING

CSN Chicago's Interview of ND's Brian Kelly

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly took a trip down memory lane in this interview with CSN Chicago's Pat Boyle.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

Replay of Everett Golson's Session With Media

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson met with the media today for the first time in a long time...

He spent 20 minutes answering questions -- here's a link to the session:

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON WITH MEDIA

Coach Kelly Talks With ESPN's Todd Blackledge

Notre Dame fans -- you're going to enjoy this "inside access" with Coach Brian Kelly as he talks about Everett Golson's return to the Fighting Irish with ESPN's Todd Blackledge.  Good stuff here!

LINK:  INSIDE ND QB PLAY

Coach Brian Kelly With Media After Practice #1

Notre Dame Football kicked off Spring Practice this morning -- and after today's session Coach Kelly met with the media.  Here's a link to that conversation:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY WITH MEDIA

Heee's Back!!! Golson at ND Spring Practice

For Notre Dame football fans -- today is a special day!

Spring Practice kicked off at 7:30 AM this morning -- INSIDE -- here in "balmy" Notre Dame, IN.  Today was the coldest March 3rd in the history of keeping track of these kinds of things...

All eyes were on some new faces -- Everett Golson, Coach VanGorder and Coach Fleur -- check on the media coverage below:

LINK:  PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

ESPN's College Football Caravan at ND Today!

It seems appropriate that ESPN kicks-off its tour of college football teams in the country -- today on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.  Tom Rinaldi and Todd Blackledge were seen here today interviewing Brian Kelly, Everett Golson and taking in the first Spring practice for the Fighting Irish.

Here's a link to Rinaldi's and Blackledge's interview of Everett Golson:

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON -- TOM RINALDI INTERVIEW

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON -- TODD BLACKLEDGE INTERVIEW

Notre Dame Men's Basketball on ESPN Tonight!

The Fighting Irish are down in Chapel Hill, NC to play the Tarheels on national TV tonight at 7 PM ET on ESPN.  Word is the weather is quite bad in the area so it will be interesting to see how many  of the 21,750 "Carolina blue" seats have people in them in the "Dean Dome" tonight.

Here's a preview of tonight's match-up -- click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. NORTH CAROLINA

Notre Dame Released Its Strategic Plan Today

The University of Notre Dame released its ten year strategic plan "A Legacy Expanded" this morning.  It's the result of a two-year conversation that took place among every college, school and division at Notre Dame -- about the future of this great university.
 
You're going to want to watch the video of Fr. Jenkins, C.S.C. meeting with campus representatives -- which is the first link and then visit the Strategic Plan website, the second link.


LINK:  FATHER JENKINS

LINK:  STRATEGIC PLAN WEBSITE

ESPN Has Muffet's IRISH Favored to Win SEC!

Now, I'm sure if Notre Dame did play in the SEC we would be favored to win their women's basketball tournament -- see last line of copy on today's ESPN Women's Basketball home page! 

Hey ESPN -- we're in the ACC now!

Perfection -- Notre Dame Beats #13 by 24 Today!

This season will go down in history -- the first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame go 29 - 0 !!!

That's 52 consecutive regular season wins for Muffet's gang!

This was also the 9th win this season against a ranked opponent as North Carolina State came into the game ranked #13.  Notre Dame disposed of them early in the second half, taking an eight point halftime lead and stretching it to 30, before emptying the bench and winning 84 - 60.

Notre Dame outscored their opponents  by 527 points on the season -- an average margin of victory of 18.17 points per game.  DOMINATION!

It's now time for the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament -- see link to preview below!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN'S GAME RECAP

LINK:  ACC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW BY ESPN