by Leprechaun Express & Steve Welsh
“This year of sweeping change for Notre Dame passed another mile marker Saturday with the Blue and Gold spring game.The 20,000 or so fans that took in the two-hour intra-squad scrimmage at Notre Dame Stadium on a bright day got a glimpse of a promising first-year starting quarterback and a taste of the schemes being implemented by new coordinators on both sides of the ball. …”
“Ian Book finished 17-for-22 for 277 yards and one touchdown and Daelin Hayes had seven tackles with three sacks to lead Gold to a 27-14 win over Blue in the annual Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium (20,147). …”
“Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. EDT. … General admission and reserved gold tickets may be purchased online … General admission adult tickets are $12 each ($15 on game day) … General admission youth tickets (18 years and under) are $8 each ($10 on game day) … Children (ages three and under) do not require a ticket for general admission seating areas …”
“… Inconsistent decision-maker. Showed dreadful lapses in judgement that lead to interceptions. Too willing to make off-balanced heaves. Benched against Stanford. Had at least one interception in 15 of his 23 starts. …”
“The football game begins at 12:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium. … Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. EDT. … General admission adult tickets are $12 each ($15 on game day) General admission youth tickets (18 years and under) are $8 each ($10 on game day) …”
“… Teams rebuild. Programs reload. #NotreDame was … near the bottom in 2016 with only 10 starters returning … the result was a 4-8 outcome. … partly because it still remains a team and is not a program. … Phil Steele released his pre-spring experience chart for all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams, based on the number of starters returning on offense and defense. … Notre Dame was tied with 23 others for 25th in most starters returning with 15 (eight on offense and seven on defense). … here is the breakdown of starting experience returning among the 2017 Irish opposition, from most to least …”
“University of Notre Dame junior quarterback DeShone Kizer has decided to forego his final two years of eligibility to make himself available for the 2017 National Football League Draft. ‘DeShone is an extremely gifted quarterback that was faced with a difficult decision,’ Irish head coach Brian Kelly said. ‘He could return as a senior captain at Notre Dame — a place that he loves, and with a program that respects him immensely. Or, he could begin the next chapter in his life and accept the opportunity that likely awaits in the NFL. While he chose the latter, the type of leadership DeShone displayed this past season will benefit our program moving forward. He’ll certainly be missed on and off the field, but we’re very happy for him and his family. DeShone will always represent this University with the utmost professionalism and class.’ …”
“#NotreDame quarterback #DeShoneKizer declared for the #NFL draft Monday, giving up his senior season and opening up the Fighting Irish’s starting job next year for #BrandonWimbush. Kizer put together a solid junior season …. He threw for 2,925 yards and 26 touchdowns, and rushed for 472 yards and eight touchdowns. … Earlier this month, Malik Zaire … announced he was transferring … as a graduate student.”
“… FootballScoop.com reported Wednesday that ‘Notre Dame would be willing to negotiate an exit from the 6-year extension Kelly signed just last year should the right opportunity arise.’ His name was connected to the Oregon job, which became open Tuesday night after the school fired fourth-year head coach Mark Helfrich. …”
“Malik Zaire’s days as a Notre Dame quarterback are over. The school granted his request to be released from his scholarship and to seek a transfer …. Zaire … has one remaining season of eligibility … expected to graduate in December and would be eligible to play next fall as a grad student. … Florida, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin are among the potential destinations …. Michigan State had been on that list, but Notre Dame reportedly would block him from transferring there or to any other school on the 2017 schedule except for North Carolina. …”