Photos From Notre Dame's Trip to West Coast

Here's a few photos of Notre Dame's trip to USC -- what a difference a few hours in a plane can make...

One of the Greatest College Football Rivalries

Where do you think the USC vs. NOTRE DAME rivalry ended up on this list of the 25 greatest college football rivalries?

LINK:  USC vs. NOTRE DAME

Brady Quinn & Matt Leinart Talk ND vs. USC

Two former All-Americans -- one a Heisman Trophy winner, the other a runner-up -- sit down for an interview with the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen to talk about this game...

LINK:  QUINN & LEINART

IT'S GAME DAY IN LA -- TIME TO BEAT SC!

Notre Dame's game with "that school in Los Angeles" kicks off today a few minutes after 3:30 PM ET on FOX.  And, former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn will be in the broadcast booth -- hopefully bringing some good luck to the IRISH!

Here's what the media is saying this morning about today's clash:

LINK:  LA TIMES #1

LINK:  LA TIMES #2

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER #1

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER #2

LINK:  CSN CHICAGO 

LINK:  NBC SPORTS 

LINK:  ELKHART TRUTH 

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

The San Diego Chargers' DOMERS...

Former Notre Dame student athletes Chris Watt '13 and Manti Te'o '13 -- are garnering some praise in San Diego for their recent play...

That's a photo of Chris Watt (#65) in his first NFL start this past Saturday.
 

LINK:  SAN DIEGO DOMERS

Less than 32 Hours to USC vs. Notre Dame!

Took a lap around the California web-world this morning to see what they've been saying about tomorrow's 3:30 PM ET clash between the two most famous "7 - 4 teams" in all of college football.

Just click on the links below:

LINK:  LA TIMES #1

LINK:  LA TIMES #2

LINK:  LA TIMES #3

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER #1

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER #2

Photo: Thanksgiving Meat & Cheese Tray

My wife Susan was up early getting this ready for Thanksgiving with the family...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving from Notre Dame!

Earlier this month, our team crafted a "BIG" thank you for the Notre Dame Family.  It took us a few weeks to pull off -- in some less than ideal conditions -- but, the end product turned out quite nice...

We built a 119 foot-long THANK YOU wall that was nearly 9 feet tall -- see photo above.

More than 3,000 Notre Dame students participated in this THANK YOU.

Please click on the link below -- it will take you to a site that has the following:

• Three unique videos
• A photo that spans the entire 119' of the THANK YOU WALL -- with a navigation tool that will allow you to zoom in and read every message
• And, a photo gallery

Happy Thanksgiving!

LINK:  THANK YOU WALL & VIDEO

A Look at Notre Dame's Fighting INJURED Irish

Never seen anything like this -- injury, after injury, after injury...

Here's a look at the toll injuries and suspensions have taken on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team this season -- 12 STARTERS HAVE MISSED CONSIDERABLE TIME!!!

OFFENSE -- projected starters in bold

• Amir Carlisle -- missed a couple of games
• Torii Hunter Jr. -- missed a couple of games
• Tyler Luatua -- missed a few games
• Davaris Daniels -- out for season

DEFENSE -- projected starters in bold

• Jarret Grace -- out for season
• Ishaq Williams -- out for season
• Keivarae Russell -- out for season
• Tony Springman -- out for season
• Sheldon Moore -- out for season
• Eilar Hardy -- missed first 9 games
• Joe Schmidt -- out for season (5 games)
• Jarron Jones -- out for season (3 games)
• Nicky Baratti -- out for season (10 games)
• Sheldon Day -- missed 2 games / maybe 3
• Andrew Trumbetti -- missed a game
• Austin Collinsworth -- missed 9 games
• Drue Tranquill -- out for season (2 games)
• Ben Councell -- missed 3 games
• Cody Riggs -- missed 3 games / maybe out for season

I Don't Get This: Leinart to Lead Trojans...

The USC Trojans have asked former QB Matt Leinart to lead their team onto the field against Notre Dame on Saturday...

Pretty sad -- a Heisman Trophy winner turned into a mascot.

LINK:  LEINART

Thanks to a "Gang of Six" on Thanksgiving Eve

Eight days ago, in sub-zero wind chill on the campus of the University of Notre Dame -- six members of ND's Carpentry Services team (photo above) went beyond the call of duty to create something special for the entire Notre Dame family. 

Their names:

• Tanner Andrysiak
• Tim Meers
• Jeremy Feltz
• Derek Stump
• Vance Welton
• George Walters

You can see the result of their efforts in this video linked below:
 
LINK:  WATCH IT RIGHT HERE!

Happy Birthday to the University of Notre Dame!

She is 172 years-old today!

Fr. Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame du Lac on this very day -- November 26 -- in the year 1842.

Happy Birthday Notre Dame!

Big Time ND Fans' TV Show -- Up For Awards!

My cousin (and big-time Notre Dame fan) Pat Doyle's TV Show "The Outdoor Option" has been nominated for 4 SPORTSMAN CHOICE AWARDS!

We can help him out by voting for The Outdoor Option in the following categories:

• Best Variety Show
• Best New Series
• Best Educational / Instructional Show
• Best Hosts

You can click on the link below to vote:

LINK:  SPORTSMAN CHOICE AWARDS

Domer Kym Worthy '84, Subject of ABC Drama

Notre Dame Law School alum Kym Worthy '84, a prosecuting attorney for Wayne County (MI), is the subject of a possible ABC TV series called "Conviction."

Here's the story:

LINK:  KYM WORTHY

Muffet's Notre Dame Fighting Irish Ranked #1

Well, it only took a three weeks for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to climb to the ranks of #1 in the Coaches Poll!

Here's the latest women's college basketball rankings:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME #1

Replay of Coach Brian Kelly's Tuesday Presser

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly will meet with the media today to talk one last time about Louisville and then take questions about Saturday's game with "that school in Los Angeles..."

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

Brian Kelly Talks Louisville and Looks to USC

On Sunday afternoon, Coach Kelly recorded his weekly "Inside Notre Dame Football" TV show -- here's a look at what he had to say about the loss to Louisville and the look ahead to Saturday's game with USC:

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Must Read: A Dad, His Son and Notre Dame

Folks, I'm always excited when Rick Becker -- a professor at Bethel College -- sends me a story he's written for his blog...

This story is about his eleven year-old son Nick and his first Notre Dame football game.  Got to love it...

THANKS RICK!

LINK:  NICK'S FIRST ND GAME

Notre Dame Remembers Jim Butz '49, Today

I was fortunate to have spent some time with Jim Butz when he was running things at a golf company called Tiger Shark.  Our conversations invariably led to his love for Notre Dame..

This morning, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart -- Jim Butz will be memorialized.  He died on October 12th at the age of 90 -- he's come "home" today to be buried in Notre Dame's Cedar Grove Cemetery.

He lived quite a life -- which you'll see in the story linked below.

Butz will always be remembered for his role in the creation of the "FIGHTING IRISH (Leprechaun) LOGO."  Butz asked Ted Drake if he could create "some symbol for Notre Dame..."

The rest is history.

LINK:  JIM BUTZ

Domer Riley Sheahan Excelling For Red Wings

Former Notre Dame hockey player Riley Sheahan is holding his own in Detroit -- "centering" the second line for the Red Wings...

LINK:  THE RED WINGS' SHEAHAN

A Thought For Our Friends at Under Armour

What if...

Under Armour picked an "obnoxious green" color -- one that would let the world know Notre Dame is here -- that they would commit to for the next nine years of their current contract with the University of Notre Dame.

Look at this photo above -- it has a few colors present, including red -- what color jumps off the page?  The bright green...

This green would be marketed in a collection called the "Notre Dame Stadium Collection" or the "Fighting Irish Collection."  A collection that would be worn by Notre Dame fans at ALL sporting events featuring our Fighting Irish -- we would not have to wear it from "head to toe" to get the desired effect -- a hat, a scarf, in the right color will work.

This Collection would include the following items:

• caps / winter hats / gloves
• jackets / coats / hoodies
• sweatshirts / t-shirts / polo shirts
• shorts / sweat pants / pants
• shoes / scarfs / sun glasses 

Notre Dame fans would know that this is what you wear to sporting events involving the Fighting Irish -- and they'd also know that Under Armour would not be changing the shade of green... 

Please note -- we would still have all of the other color options and styles available at the Bookstore -- we'd just have an exclusive COLOR to wear to Notre Dame athletic events!

I've had three moments in the past fifteen years where I've been to Notre Dame sporting events where we had more fans than our opponent -- but, their fans all wore RED and it looked in the stands like they had twice as many fans as we did.  Even though we all were wearing Notre Dame gear -- unfortunately in five different colors; blue, black, white, gold and green:

• Nebraska at Notre Dame Stadium -- 2000
• Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl -- 2006
• Louisville at Notre Dame Stadium -- 2014

 
We have the greatest fans in collegiate sports -- let's dress (for once) like we're all on the same team!

What do you think!!!  

LINK:  OPENING VIDEO OF NEBRASKA AT NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame Grad Named Rhodes Scholar!

Alex Coccia '14, was just named a Rhodes Scholar -- the 15th in Notre Dame history!

The Rhodes Scholarship was first awarded in 1904 -- each recipient receives a two to three year education at the University of Oxford, all expenses paid.

Coccia, a former Notre Dame student body president, currently works in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), in Washington, D.C.  ASPE advises the Secretary of HHS on policy development by the Department and Congress, leads special initiatives for the Secretary, and coordinates research and evaluation of Department programs.

Thirty-two Americans were selected Rhodes Scholars yesterday -- here's the press release:

LINK:  DOMER NAMED RHODES SCHOLAR!

Here's the Good News For Notre Dame Fans

Notre Dame continues to extend its lead on the ALL-TIME WINNING % in college football history -- over that school in Ann Arbor -- since the start of the season.  Michigan lost to Maryland yesterday to go 5 - 6 on the season:

• NOTRE DAME:  73.2% 
• Michigan:  73.0%

On a day when you might think all is lost -- just look north...

It's Time To Look Ahead to the USC Game...

 

The last six weeks of Notre Dame football have been difficult for everyone involved.

• FSU: The offensive pass interference call that took a win away
• BYE WEEK:  More time to think about the pass interference call
• NAVY:  Blowing a large lead and escaping with a win
• ASU:  Murphy's Law
• NORTHWESTERN:  Murphy's Law
• LOUISVILLE:  More of the same

So, now we travel to the WEST COAST for a game between two 7 - 4 squads. USC is smarting from a pasting by the crosstown Bruins last night and we're coming off of a stretch we'd like to forget...

To add insult to injury -- late last night, ABC moved the start time of the game to 3:30 PM ET -- a game that is always in PRIME TIME on Thanksgiving Weekend...

Here's a link to Brian Kelly's post game press conference:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

Big Game Today for Notre Dame Bowl Options

The Fighting Irish still have a number of decent Bowl Game options -- and a win today will go along way in solidifying where they could be headed.  Here's the South Bend Tribune's look at the potential Bowls for the Irish...

How would you feel about an Ohio State match-up in the Citrus Bowl!

LINK:  BOWL GAMES

Jonas Gray's "Bad Timing" in New England...

The Sports Illustrated "cover boy" didn't need this...

LINK:  MISSED ALARM

Experts Pick Louisville vs. Notre Dame Winner

Here's what the media "experts" are saying about today's match-up of #24 Louisville vs. Notre Dame. 

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  CNNSI

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

The Louisville Journal Courier's Game Preview

Here's what today's Louisville vs. Notre Dame game looks like from the perspective of the Cardinals' hometown newspaper.  Just click on the link below:

Interesting fun fact:  Louisville becomes the 72nd different team in college football history to play their first game against Notre Dame -- at Notre Dame Stadium.  Notre Dame's record in these games:  58 - 12 - 1

LINK:  LOUISVILLE JOURNAL COURIER

Louisville Talks "Historic Trip" to Notre Dame

They're a little excited in Louisville...

LINK:  HISTORIC GAME

Notre Dame Pep Rally -- Louisville Game

The last Notre Dame Pep Rally of the season was held tonight in the north dome of the Joyce Center.  Take a look...

LINK:  PEP RALLY

Notre Dame Football's Senior Day Primer

The University of Notre Dame will see 29 seniors run out of the "tunnel" for the last time tomorrow afternoon around 3:15 PM ET.  Here's a look back at this Class:

LINK:  SENIOR DAY

ESPN's Mike Golic Pays Off Bet This Morning

Here's the photo that was the subject of a wager between Northwestern alum Mike Greenberg and Notre Dame alum Mike Golic...

Jay Hayes -- "Unleashed" Against Louisville!

Keep an eye out for #93 Saturday afternoon -- Coach Kelly announced today that they're going to put Jay Hayes into the lineup...

I've been awaiting this day -- it's going to be fun!

You're going to want to watch these videos to get prepared:

LINK:  "IRISH CINNAMON"

LINK:  JAY HAYES' MOM

LINK:  JAY HAYES' LIFE STORY

ESPN's Mike Golic Reveals His "Kardashian"

Tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM ET on ESPN -- Mike Golic will reveal the photo his "side-kick" has been waiting for -- on their Mike & MIKE Show...

27 Straight Road Wins for Muffet's Fightin' Irish

The #2 ranked Notre Dame women's hoops team traveled to East Lansing last night to take the on the #15 ranked Michigan State Spartans -- a great first road test for the young Irish...

Notre Dame rallied from a half-time deficit to win their 27th straight road game -- 71 - 63.

LINK:  ND OVER MSU

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS STORY

LINK:  LANSING STATE JOURNAL

Watch the Brian Kelly Radio Show Tonight

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly will be co-hosting the last radio show of the season tonight from O'Rourke's Public House at Eddy Street Commons.  The show begins at 7 PM ET -- just click on the link below to watch:

LINK:  WATCH THE SHOW HERE

ND's Brian Kelly Talks About Louisville Game

Notre Dame head football coach met with the media yesterday to talk about Saturday's game with Louisville -- and to answer some lingering questions from the Northwestern game...

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Louisville's Bobby Petrino Talks Notre Dame

Louisville head football coach Bobby Petrino met with the media this week to talk about their game this Saturday with Notre Dame.  Here's what he had to say:

LINK:  PETRINO ON NOTRE DAME

The Dallas Cowboys' "MVP" -- Zack Martin

Notre Dame fans will enjoy watching this...

LINK:  ZACK MARTIN

Notre Dame Moves Up to #2 in Coaches Poll

Muffet's Fighting Irish are now ranked #2 in the USA Today Coaches Poll after Stanford's win over UCONN...

LINK:  COACHES POLL

From "Un-Drafted" to Sports Illustrated Cover!

What a wild few days for former Notre Dame student-athlete Jonas Gray '12!

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COVER

Transcript: Brian Kelly Press Conference Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today to talk about Saturday's game with Louisville -- along with another look back at the game with Northwestern...

LINK:  TRANSCRIPT

Coach Brian Kelly Looks Back & Looks Ahead

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with Jack Nolan Sunday afternoon to look at Saturday's disappointing loss to Northwestern -- and to look ahead to this Saturday's game with Louisville.

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Domer Jonas Gray '12 -- "The Perfect Patriot"

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Jonas Gray '12, -- had the night of his life last night in the New England Patriot's 42 - 20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.  That's Jonas celebrating his fourth TD in the photo above!

How's this for a stat line:

• Four TD's
• 199 Yards Rushing
• 38 rushing attempts

Sports Illustrated's Peter King -- penned a wonderful story about Gray's incredible night -- a MUST READ STORY -- lop link below!

You'll also want to watch Jonas getting interviewed at his locker after the game...


LINK:  THE PERFECT PATRIOT 

LINK:  JONAS POST GAME INTERVIEW

LINK:  JONAS GRAY HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  NESN STORY ON JONAS