Category Archives: Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s Te’o wins 2012 Bronko Nagurski Trophy

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Notre Dame - 16KDec. 3, 2012
For Immediate Release

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FWAA) – Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, who has helped put the Fighting Irish on the cusp of their first national title in nearly 25 years, claimed the 2012 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Monday night.

The 6-2, 255-pound senior from Laie, Hawaii, became the 20th winner of the trophy, which annually is awarded to the best defensive player in college football as voted upon by theFootball Writers Association of America (FWAA). Te’o received the award on Monday night at a banquet at the Westin Hotel that is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

“It’s definitely a great accomplishment for me.” Te’o said after receiving the trophy. “I’ve ways wanted to be the best. For this to happen helps me to know I’m heading in the right direction. The formula is the same: Hard work leads to success as long as I keep doing it.”

Coincidentally, his head coach, Brian Kelly, was the keynote speaker at the banquet. Te’o is the first Notre Dame player to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and only the second finalist from the school.

To see the original release in full form, click HERE

Building a case for Notre Dame

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by Travis Normand

No, I am not actually building a case for Notre Dame yet.  Like I said last week, they still have to play USC, and I am reserving judgement until after that game.  However, this doesn’t mean that others aren’t already trying garner support for Notre Dame’s number one ranking.

I received the following notes and stats today in an email from Notre Dame’s sports information department.  I know that a lot of people are not very impressed with the Irish, but take a minute to read the following information.  It may not change your opinion, but you have to admit,  some of these facts are pretty intriguing.

What is Notre Dame’s style?

  • It stops the run and runs the football. The Irish are one of four teams in the FBS that rush for more than 200 yards per game and allow less than 100 yards per game. Of those four teams, though, the Irish are the only team to have faced only FBS competition (no games vs. FCS teams).
  • It’s a stifling defense led by Manti Te’o that ranks No. 1 in the nation allowing 10.0 points per game. Only two FBS defenses in the last 10 years have allowed fewer points per game than this year’s Notre Dame defense.
  • It’s an improving offense under first-year starter Everett Golson that played one of its best games of the year today. The Irish totaled 430 yards of offense in the first half today vs. Wake Forest.

Continue reading →

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by Travis Normand

I found this over at NDFootball.Wordpress.com (Strong and True, The Notre Dame Football Blog) and wanted to share it.  I am not yet making a case for Notre Dame to be in the National Title game, but this visual representation of how well the Irish defense has played this season is very impressive.

Some people will argue that Notre Dame hasn’t been impressive enough (overall) this season.  However, one cannot argue that the Irish defense has been anything less than amazing against the competition it has played.

The next measuring stick for Notre Dame’s defense will come on November 24, when the Irish face USC.  Of all the opponents that Notre Dame has faced thus far, only one of them has a scoring offense ranked in the top 50 (by points per game) — Oklahoma is ranked 13th at 39.78 points per game.  USC’s offense is currently ranked 26th (tied with Georgia) scoring 36.9 points per game in 2012.  Most pollsters will probably wait and see what Notre Dame is able to do against this USC offense before they decide whether or not the Irish have a legitimate claim to one of the two spots in the BCS Championship game.

2012 Notre Dame Football Media Guide

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by Travis Normand
2012 Notre Dame Media GuideThanks to the guys and girls in the sports information department at Notre Dame for sending me their 2012 football media guide.  Not many schools still send out media guides any more, but I always say “thanks” to the few that do.  Media guides are an extremely helpful resource and they make covering a team a thousand times easier.

Further, Notre Dame has made their guide a little smaller in size (instead of the traditional larger magazine size).  Personally, I prefer the smaller size and find that it is easier (and thus more likely) to take with me when I travel.

Thanks again!

2012 Notre Dame “Shamrock Series” TECHFIT Uniform by Adidas (is awful!)

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by Travis Normand

Its official, Notre Dame has the worst new uniforms of the 2012 season.  I mean, these uniforms are uglier than what the Maryland Terrapin coughed up in 2011.

I won’t even try to hide the fact that I am a traditionalist and that I really like Notre Dame’s regular uniform.  However, even if I wasn’t, these new Notre Dame uniforms make the Oregon Ducks look like the school with the conservative uniform option.

Thank God this “look” is only for one game (the October match-up versus Miami).

Notre Dame’s Game Ball for Dublin

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by Travis Normand

As you are probably aware by now, Notre Dame will play it’s first game of the 2012 season on September 1 against Navy in Dublin Ireland.  Earlier today (August 6, 2012) a member of the Notre Dame football equipment staff tweeted this message and photo:

@NDFBEquipment

“Here is our game ball for Ireland … just arrived!
pic.twitter.com/r7ukHaWd“

Click HERE for larger sized photo.