The National Media's Reaction to ND's Win

Here's what a few in the national media had to say about Notre Dame's come from behind win over Virginia -- and the news that Malik Zaire is out for the season with a fractured ankle...

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  FOX SPORTS

Virginia Coach Talks Loss to Notre Dame

"IF WE SEE THIS" -- We Beat GT Saturday

I've watched enough highlight tape of Georgia Tech's two "scrimmages" this year to devise a game plan for the Fighting Irish to win a game that no one in the media will give us a chance to win this week.

First the facts:

• In Georgia Tech's two scrimmages -- they haven't faced a single player who will be drafted in the first five rounds of next May's NFL Draft -- or, the 2017 or 2018 NFL Draft.  They will see MANY on Saturday.
• In Georgia Tech's two scrimmages -- they haven't faced a single player who was rated higher than a three-star recruit coming out of high school -- MOST WERE 2 star, 1 star and UNRANKED.  They will see MANY on Saturday.
• In Georgia Tech's two scrimmages -- they haven't faced an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman with "big boy football" size and athletic ability.  They will see MANY on Saturday.
• In Georgia Tech's two scrimmages -- they haven't faced a team that they had to fear on defense.  They haven't seen a Prosise, Fuller, Hunter, Smythe, Brown, or a Stanley, Nelson, Martin, Elmer or McGlinchey -- they haven't played a "big-boy" team yet -- like they will on Saturday.
• And, in Georgia Tech's two scrimmages -- they haven't left the cozy confines of their field in downtown Atlanta -- where they averaged 50,000 fans...  They will see 75,000 FIGHTING IRISH fans on Saturday!

Here's a look at the TALENT EVALUATION of the toughest team Georgia Tech has played in their two scrimmages this season.

"IF WE SEE THIS" -- VICTORY LIST (need FIVE OF SEVEN to happen):

1. Do not turnover the football.  Brian Kelly is 18-0 at Notre Dame when his team does not turn it over.
2. We must score TD's -- on at least 87% of our trips to the Red Zone -- field goals will not win this one.  We will need to score at least 39 points to win this game -- the three teams that beat GT last year averaged this point production.
3. The Tight End position must become a target -- with five or more catches in this game.
4. We must turn over GT at least two times.
5. We must make at least five tackles for loss in this game.
6. We can't be forced to punt more than three times in this game.  In GT's three losses last year -- their opponents were only forced to punt 3 or fewer times.
7. We must limit GT's big chunk plays -- of more than 20 yards -- to no more than 3 in this game.

Here's a look at Georgia Tech's last loss -- a game against Florida State in December...

Will Fuller #4 in NCAA FBS in Receiving Yards

The Notre Dame speedster (a three-star recruit) has moved up to the number 4 ranking in FBS for total receiving yards after yesterday's win over Virginia.

Fuller has caught 12 passes for 266 yards and 4 touchdowns -- he's tied for 2nd in the country in total TD catches!

LINK:  NCAA RECEIVING STATS

C.J. Prosise #14 in NCAA FBS in Rushing Yards

Not bad for a student-athlete playing his first two games at running back since he was 12 years-old.  C.J. (a three-star recruit) has rushed for 253 yards on 37 carries for a 6.8 yards average per attempt.

LINK:  NCAA RUSHING STATS

ESPN Highlights: Notre Dame 34 - Virginia 27

Virginia's Radio / TV Team Game Broadcast

You'll want to watch this -- it shows a field level view of game highlights including ND's game winning drive at the end.  With commentary from Virginia's radio broadcast team...

A Quick Look At ND's Locker Room After Game

Game Highlights: Notre Dame 34 - VA 27

Georgia Tech Has 15 Pass Attempts All Season

And they've run it for 476 yards and 439 yards in their first two games -- while throwing it for 77 yards and 132 yards.

The big numbers are these -- 69 points and 65 points with 2 turnovers (fumbles) -- one each game.

Georgia Tech's Opponents -- First Two Games

Here's the facts about Georgia Tech's two opponents this season -- neither has a win over a FBS opponent.

GAME ONE:  Georgia Tech beat Alcorn State 69 - 6

• Alcorn State won their second game over Alabama State, 31 - 14

GAME TWO:  Georgia Tech beat Tulane 65 - 10

• Tulane lost their first game to Duke, 37 - 7
• Tulane has rushed for 96 yards in their first two games of the season
• Tulane has turned the ball over 3 times in their first two games

Highlights: North Carolina's Win Over GT 2014

North Carolina ran for 189 yards and threw for 390 yards against Georgia Tech.

Highlights: Duke's Win Over Georgia Tech 2014

Georgia Tech turned it over three times last year in their loss to Duke.

Virginia Win: Brian Kelly's Post Game Presser

I'm Going to Say It Now -- WE WILL WIN!

We're going to be hearing all week long on how we have ZERO CHANCE of beating Georgia Tech -- ZERO....

Bring it!

What happened today -- doesn't happen to losers -- it happens to teams who are learning how to WIN.  I don't know how we'll do it next Saturday -- but, I'm confident we're going to find a way.

What though the odds be great or small...

ESPN Highlights from ND's Dramatic Win Today

There's 40 videos of highlights and interviews from Notre Dame's 34 to 27 dramatic win over Virginia today.

LINK:  40 VIDEOS

Georgia Tech Goes for 60 Points Again...

Folks, we will have our hands full next week...

LINK:  HIGHLIGHTS

Photo of the Day in College Football from VA

We feel your pain young man...

Game Winner for Notre Dame Over Virginia!

DeShone Kizer throws a 39 yard desperation pass with 12 seconds left -- to pull out a 34 to 27 win for the Fighting Irish over Virginia...

Going to be an interesting week in South Bend.

It's Still 734 Days Since Michigan Scored on ND

Seen today on ESPN...

ESPN: "Notre Dame is the X Factor This Year"

First Photos "TWEETED" from Virginia

A Trip Home for Notre Dame's C.J. Prosise

ABC57 News - See the Difference Michiana

Notre Dame's C.J. Prosise, Doug Randolph and Greer Martini -- are hail from Virginia and the same high school -- Woodbury Forest High School.

Notre Dame Pep Rally / Luncheon in Virginia!

ABC57 News - See the Difference Michiana

Notre Dame's Friday "Walk Through" at Virginia

Notre Dame checks out Scott Stadium and prepares for the first away game of 2015. #NDvsUVA pic.twitter.com/8PLMmnf0fX

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 11, 2015

NBC'S Doug Flutie Talks With CBS's Gottlieb

Doug Gottlieb, the one time Notre Dame student-athlete, interviews NBC's Doug Flutie about the Fighting Irish...

Domer Chris Watt '13 Talks NFL Opener

You can catch Chris Watt's interview at the 1:53 mark of the video linked below...

LINK:  CHRIS WATT

Virginia Week: Coach Kelly's Last Media Chat

Now, please note the color green Coach Kelly is wearing in his press conference.  This is color green I'm hoping Under Armour will call FIGHTING IRISH GREEN.  And, it would be a color they and Notre Dame would commit to FOREVER.

And, we as a fan base would begin committing to wearing something in Fighting Irish Green at every athletic event we attend for Notre Dame.  Could be a hat, scarf, gloves, shirt, pants, etc. -- every ND fan is seen at our team's sporting events with this color somewhere on their person.

Domer Kyle Rudolph's Minnesota Home...

Virginia's Head Coach Talks About the Irish

The Brian Kelly Radio Show LIVE -- 7:30 PM ET

Notre Dame Fans Keep An Eye Out For Tuitt!

The NFL season begins tonight in Foxboro, MA as the New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers and former ND defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt.

Tuitt who wears #91 is expected to start for the Steel Curtain -- after missing Pittsburgh's last two exhibition games with an ankle injury.

He's the only former Notre Dame star in tonight's game -- which kicks off at 8:30 PM ET.

Team #127 Heads to the Commonwealth...

Notre Dame Football's -- first ever -- trip to the state of Virginia...

A Texas Football Fan Thanks Notre Dame...

Terry Bader, a fan of the Texas Longhorns, wrote a thank you letter to the Notre Dame family that was published in the Observer -- Notre Dame's student run newspaper.  Thought you'd enjoy reading it.  (That is not Terry in the photo above)

As one of the thousands of Texas Longhorn fans who attended the Notre Dame-UT game on Saturday, I’d like to thank the University, their employees and the Notre Dame fans for the remarkable hospitality and generosity my family and I received during our time on campus and at the game. From the moment we arrived on campus through our walk of shame back to the car, we were treated with nothing but kindness, great cheer and good-natured kidding. I’ve ventured into “enemy territory” many times over the years attending Texas road games and I can promise you that Notre Dame towers above them all in terms of sportsmanship and cordiality and that watching a game at Notre Dame Stadium is the most extraordinary, tradition-laden, emotional college football experience I’ve had. I hope many of you can venture down to Austin next year and that you receive the same great welcome I experienced (and, of course, the same walk of shame afterwards). Hook ’em Horns!

Terry Bader

Texas fan

Sept. 8

ND Family: Must Read New York Times Story

You'll enjoy this New York Times interview of Notre Dame president Fr. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. -- about the state of collegiate athletics and Notre Dame's position.

This is going to start a much needed conversation -- it is going to get interesting...

LINK:  JENKINS

Coach Brian Kelly Calls In to Rich Eisen Show

Fun Fact: Virginia Becomes the 36th State...

To host a Notre Dame football game -- as the Fighting Irish play for the first time ever in the state of Virginia this Saturday when they take on the Cavaliers at 3:30 PM ET.

The game is sold out -- a rarity for Virginia, they averaged only 39,000 fans per game in their 61,000 seat stadium last year. See story linked below.

Fun Fact -- courtesy of Michael Bertsch -- Director of Notre Dame Football Media Relations

LINK:  THE ALLURE OF NOTRE DAME

Virginia Week: Coach Kelly's Press Conference

Only ND: Top Ranked Academics & Football

The US News & World Report 2016 rankings for Best National Universities came out this morning and the University of Notre Dame is ranked 18th. 

Notre Dame is the only college in America that is ranked in the TOP 20 as an academic institution and the TOP 20 (actually 9th) as a football team.  

Yes, you can do both!

LINK:  TOP 20 ACADEMIC INSTITUTION

LINK:  TOP 20 FOOTBALL PROGRAM
 

University Notre Dame - #9 College in America

Here is there just released list of the top ten universities in America by College Factual...

LINK:  UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

A Showtime Tease -- First Show Airs at 10 PM!

We're in the red zone: Just 1 HOUR until the series premiere of #ASeasonWith @NDFootball. https://t.co/9VMq8JFQ2K #FightingIrish

— A Season With (@ASeasonWith) September 9, 2015

Under Armour's "Un-Grabbable Jersey" ???

I'm going to guess the jersey needs to be tucked in -- I'm quite sure this won't happen again to DeShone Kizer...

LINK:  UNDER ARMOUR -- UNGRABBABLE

Color This SEC Mouthpiece Not Convinced...

The Remarkable Return of Jarrett Grace

Highest Rated NBC Season Opener in 9 Years

The Notre Dame vs. Texas game was watched by an average of 4.1 million fans -- even though the game was out of reach in the 3rd Quarter...

LINK:  HIGHEST RATED

Nice Feature on Domer & 49ers' Ian Williams

You'll want to see this -- and read this.  In addition Ian was just named a TEAM CAPTAIN for the 49ers!

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS

LINK:  TEAM CAPTAIN STORY

Sneak Peak: Showtime's A Season With ND!

Must See: Fr. Ted's Office, Just As He Left It

Great work by my colleagues at University Communications.  Click on the link below!

LINK:  FATHER TED'S OFFICE

Virginia Players Talk Notre Dame Game

Virginia's Head Coach Talks Notre Dame Game