by Leprechaun Express & Steve Welsh
#NOTREDAME #FOOTBALL: Video from July unveiling Notre Dame’s custom alternative uniforms for this year’s Shamrock Series game against Army — including a Celtic font; a dark, understated forest green; understated burnished gold trim on the uniform; and a somewhat clashing helmet. (The uniform looks like a stylish moisture-wicking, post-modern t-shirt, while the helmet arguably has a kind of 1970’s industrial
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#NOTREDAME #FOOTBALL: Brian Kelly met with reporters early in the week as Notre Dame prepared to take on Army.
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Navy vs. #NotreDame presented by Navy Federal and Navy Mutual … Please Note: Navy is the home team and will be on the West sideline. … Game time is now 11:30am …. Venue EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
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Brian Kelly spoke with reporters after practice on Thursday, heading into Notre Dame’s game with Navy in Jacksonville on Saturday.
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“… [special teams] miscues have played a major role in why the Fighting Irish (3-5) have struggled. A blocked punt was the only touchdown scored in a 10-3 loss at North Carolina State. The Irish were leading 20-0 against Miami … when the Hurricanes recovered a bouncing punt that ricocheted off Tony Pride Jr., igniting a 27-0 run that included
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“… Obviously, Ken Niumatalolo and what he’s done at Navy has been well documented. This year they’re already beating a top five team in Houston, a team that we know quite well in terms of playing them over my past six years here. A ton of respect for what they do offensively, defensively, and special teams. So it will be
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“… Notre Dame seventh-year head football coach Brian Kelly’s reality is that the balance of the 2016 season, including Saturday’s triple-option test, really does matter. The equally important world of perception screams that it’s already about 2017. The worn coaching adage dictates Kelly take one game at a time, and — at the very least — one season at a
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… When Bob Elliott was hired as a special assistant to the head coach at Notre Dame, one of his first tasks was to conduct an in-depth study on option football. Notre Dame plays Navy every year and also had Georgia Tech and Army on the 2015 and 2016 schedules. Elliott, who had previously coached the safeties and linebackers for
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Brian Kelly met with reporters on Tuesday, to preview Notre Dame’s upcoming game against Navy in Jacksonville.
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So how is Navy this good? … More depth means injuries are less devastating. … particularly … when a team loses a quarterback …. Luckily for Navy, Will Worth was ready to step in. In his limited work, the senior has won four games and amassed 1,187 total yards and 15 touchdowns. … more of a power rusher, while Reynolds
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Irish, Mids Meet For 90th Straight Season – Notre Dame vs. Navy – 11:30 a.m. ET Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla. — Tickets are still available through the Jacksonville Sports Council — CBS national television broadcast — IMG Notre Dame Football radio network and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (channel 129)
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“Inside Notre Dame Football” recaps Notre Dame vs. Miami, previews Notre Dame vs. Navy and covers some of the latest news from Notre Dame football, featuring Brian Kelly, Jack Nolan and Notre Dame players.
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IRISH VIDEO: “ICON – Closing Out a Football Game (Ep. 8),” covering #NotreDame’s victory over Miami (Fla.)
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Nothing has gone according to plan for Notre Dame (3-5) this season, but they managed to find themselves celebrating a win despite blowing a 20-0 lead at home …. Notre Dame saw a 20-0 lead turn into a 27-20 deficit against Miami (4-4, 1-3 ACC) in the fourth quarter, but … responded with a 10-point run to come away with
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Notre Dame blew a 20-point lead but recovered to beat Miami 30-27 on kicker Justin Yoon’s third field goal of the game, a 23-yarder with 31 seconds left … DeShone Kizer passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns as the Fighting Irish (3-5) overcame two muffed punts, a successful onside kick by Miami and a partially blocked punt to win
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“By The Numbers … 1-9 Record by Miami in Notre Dame Stadium, with the first visit by the Hurricanes coming back in 1972. Their lone victory occurred in 1984 (31-13), the season after winning their first of five national titles from 1983-2001. … 4 Straight victories by the Fighting Irish against Miami, dating back to 1990, and thereby extending their
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Brian Kelly spoke with reporters following Notre Dame’s 30-27 comeback win over Miami (Fla.) on Saturday.
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“They’re historic rivals that have struggled in recent years. … Saturday, though, the Hurricanes and Irish showed that whenever they meet, emotions will run high and there will, more than often, be more than a little drama. This time, the drama in the Irish’s 30-27 victory included a 20-point comeback effort, a stunning special teams touchdown, a kicker who connected
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What happened Saturday night would’ve been unbelievable if this wasn’t Notre Dame football in 2016. Notre Dame 30, Miami 27 fit the theme almost perfectly. A chaotic afternoon saw the Fighting Irish dominate its way to an early 20-point lead only to allow 27 straight points. The difference Saturday was the way Notre Dame finally finished, something that’s eluded them
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… Notre Dame sophomore receiver C.J. Sanders fumbled a Miami punt with 6:49 left, and the Hurricanes recovered for a touchdown. Notre Dame then responded with a quick 75-yard drive, capped by a 41-yard TD run by Adams. ….
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Irish blow another big lead …. Defensive front controls line of scrimmage …. Special teams miscues sting Irish …..
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“Justin Yoon connected on a 24-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the game to end the #NotreDame football team’s (3-5) … frustration on the final drive. Yoon’s kick gave the Irish a 30-27 victory over Miami (4-4), which suffered its fourth straight loss. Before the game-winning boot, the Irish came close to a grave mistake. …”
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Video highlights from Notre Dame’s 30-27 last-minute, come-from-behind victory over Miami (Fla.) on Saturday.
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The University of Notre Dame football team (3-5) responded to adversity in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to earn a 30-27 come-from-behind victory over Miami (4-4) in front of 80,795 spectators at Notre Dame Stadium. Justin Yoon’s 23-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining proved to be the game winner, following Josh Adams 41-yard rushing touchdown at 5:53
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“Quarterback Bad Kaaya and his Miami Hurricanes found their offense in the second half Saturday against #NotreDame. But the Fighting Irish had one last answer. …”
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… #DeShoneKizer remains one of college #football’s most highly regarded prospects in scouting circles. … an NFC executive views the redshirt sophomore as a top-10 draft choice. ‘Pocket passer with a very good arm, has the athletic ability to get out and make plays with his feet,” the executive [said] …’All the tools are there. He’s struggled a little bit
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#NotreDame leads the all-time series with Miami, 17-7-1, including an 8-1-0 mark at Notre Dame Stadium
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the Miami Hurricanes this Saturday in The House That Rockne Built. 3:40 p.m. ET; Saturday, Oct. 22; Notre Dame Stadium (80,795); Notre Dame Ind. … NBC national telecast … IMG College Sports … Irish football radio broadcasts … broadcast to 117 affiliates … SiriusXM Satellite Radio (channel 129). … preceded by a one
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“Catholics vs. Convicts: It was only a game, except it was so much more. The antagonism transcended #football. The two universities were symbols of a schism in society. … The contrast, the stage, the personalities and the compelling plots of the games made Hurricanes vs. Fighting Irish one of the greatest rivalries in sports for an intense six-year stretch ….”
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Fifty-eight fewer yards a game is a big production deficit for the #NotreDame #football team’s rushing attack. … Last season, with an offensive line buoyed by future NFL players Ronnie Stanley … and Nick Martin …. along with Steve Elmer … Mike McGlinchey … and Quenton Nelson … the Irish averaged 208 yards on the ground. … This year …
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#NotreDame began the season with College #Football Playoff aspirations. Now the Irish just hope to qualify for any bowl game. Arguably the most disappointing team in the country, Notre Dame (2-5) needs to win four of its final five games to become bowl eligible.
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Some of what we’re hearing inside the UM football program: There’s not great optimism about this offensive line improving dramatically because they’re not athletic enough against athletic defensive fronts that can run around them and not strong maulers against big teams that can wear them down… Even beyond the porous protection, receivers aren’t getting open enough and the skill position
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Brian Kelly met with reporters for his Tuesday press conference, previewing Notre Dame’s upcoming game against Miami (Fla.) [click here for transcript]
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COACH KELLY: Obviously playing a very talented team in Miami. Outstanding athleticism. Mark Richt, I think we all know the respect for Mark and what he’s accomplished in his career. … another challenge that we’re going to have to face in terms of an offense that has some very productive players. Kaaya leads Miami in a lot of categories. But
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“How desperate are things at Notre Dame? Apparently to the point that coach Brian Kelly pulled DeShone Kizer for Malik Zaire in the second half of Notre Dame’s implosion of a 17-10 loss to Stanford Saturday night. The Irish are 2-5 and enter the bye week with uncertainty at the one position that hasn’t had it since the second half
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“… Notre Dame … dropped to 2-5 on the season with a 17-10 loss to Stanford (4-2) …. The Irish led 10-0 at halftime, but Stanford posted an interception return for touchdown, safety, long touchdown drive and two-point conversion in the game’s final 30 minutes …. Notre Dame was able to mount a desperate drive in the final minutes …
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Running back Christian McCaffrey will not play on Saturday night against Notre Dame, coach David Shaw confirmed … Last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up did not play most of the second half of last Saturday’s 42-16 loss to Washington State. … After rushing for 436 yards over his first three games, all victories, the junior has been limited to 84 total rushing yards
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Former … Notre Dame football player Gary Gray is suing Notre Dame and the NCAA, claiming he suffered repetitive head injuries while playing football and didn’t receive proper medical care. … the latest in a wave of federal lawsuits filed … on behalf of former football players related to concussions .. Gray … was a cornerback on the Fighting Irish
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… when the Irish and Cardinal have met in each of the last five seasons, both teams have been nationally ranked — with Notre Dame three of the last four seasons ranked ninth or higher. Stanford has played in the Rose Bowl three of the last four years (winning two of those), while Notre Dame appeared in the Bowl Championship
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… Notre Dame (2-4) might not make the postseason. The Irish will likely be underdogs in their three remaining home games against Stanford, Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech. They have neutral site games against Navy and Army. The regular-season finale at USC could be a battle for bowl eligibility for both teams. We don’t see Notre Dame lowering itself to
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Notre Dame is now 2-4 on the season after a 10-3 loss to North Carolina State in the middle of a hurricane …. While the game itself was a sloppy mess and the contest probably shouldn’t have been played, the result will still stand. … Now, the Irish need to play to make a bowl game. … Notre Dame has
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… Brian Kelly [on Thursday said] … ‘They’re ready. They just have to break through. They’re doing all the things I’m asking them to do, they just have to go win. It’s going to happen. I would’ve liked that it happened a few weeks ago, and they would’ve as well, but they’re ready to win. … I believe this group
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… every Notre Dame coach has a shelf life. The best and brightest … depart before being pushed. Where does that leave Brian Kelly, coach of the nation’s most underperforming team? It’s doubtful the school would fire him a year after a 10-win season and nine months after he signed an extension through 2021. But perhaps Kelly will realize that
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“All Peter wanted to do was stand on the sideline. When the Make-A-Wish foundation first approached the Zinsli family, that was the idea that popped into his head. The 18-year-old cancer-free high school senior wanted to attend a Notre Dame football game and experience it from a different angle. And if he was allowed to shake head coach Brian Kelly’s
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Notre Dame’s offense, when not playing in a hurricane, has been plenty explosive, although not at all dependable. … The offensive line in particular hasn’t met expectations. … expected to be a strength, with McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson returning, but the Irish rank 92nd in the nation in rushing at 149.5 yards a game. That’s 58.1 yards a game worse
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Notre Dame players on Wednesday disagreed with the notion their head coach was blaming players or throwing them under the bus in a way that was unfair or negatively impacted the locker room. ‘Blame is definitely not the word,’ quarterback DeShone Kizer said. ‘In this game there are 11 guys who are required to do their job … in order
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“… After the game, head coach Brian Kelly was highly critical of his junior center. ‘I’m just extremely disappointed in the offensive execution and lack of ability to manage the snapping of the football,’ Kelly said, ‘which was atrocious.’”
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“For most of the game, field goals by N.C. State’s Kyle Bambard (38 yards) and Notre Dame’s Justin Yoon (40) were the only scoring plays. It was fitting that the game was decided by a blocked punt … returned for a touchdown. With 12:43 left in the game, Pharoah McKever blocked Tyler Newsome’s punt and Dexter Wright returned it 16
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“The University of Notre Dame football team (2-4) lost 10-3 to NC State (4-1) at a water-logged Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The game was held in nearly unplayable conditions directly in the path of Hurricane Matthew, leading to 10 total fumbles and only 311 total yards of offense combined by both teams.”
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#HurricaneMatthew — which made landfall in South Carolina about 200 miles south of Raleigh — brought torrential, driving rain and winds gusting up to about 50 miles per hour to central North Carolina on Saturday. … as of 8 p.m. E.T., 4.84 inches of rain had fallen in the Raleigh area …. But in spite of those miserable, wretched conditions,
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“The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have dropped three of their last four games following Saturday’s 10-3 loss to North Carolina State, and head coach Brian Kelly had mixed feelings regarding his team’s performance. Speaking to reporters following a loss that came in a steady downpour facilitated by Hurricane Matthew, Kelly lamented his team’s inability to make positive gains against N.C.
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Even if Notre Dame (2-4) does not end up crossing the 6-6 threshold, if the Irish can muster three more wins, they might be able to invoke their high graduation rate to go to a bowl game with a 5-7 record. (From NCAA.com, June 29, 2016:) … all bowl-eligible teams with 6-6 records must be selected for a bowl game
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“Insufficient Number of Deserving Teams … if an insufficient number of institutions meet the definition of a “deserving team” to participate in postseason bowl games in a particular year, an institution that meets a condition set forth below shall be eligible to be selected to participate in such a bowl game. …. 5. An institution that finished its season with
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Ironically, while lightning is one weather-related danger that can reliably bring a football game to a halt, apparently lightning is not as common in hurricanes. Yet, as seen with #NotreDame vs. North Carolina State, lightning in a hurricane is not unheard of. Playing in Raleigh, N.C., amidst the advancing fringes of Hurricane Matthew, Notre Dame and North Carolina State already
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Accuweather live weather and live forecast for Raleigh, N.C., should appear below after loading. Additional links: Raleigh weather – Accuweather Raleigh weather – National Weather Service Raleigh weather – Weather Channel
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“… 1,196 Junior QB DeShone Kizer has thrown for 1,196 yards over the last three games, second-most in school history over any three-game stretch. 471 Junior QB DeShone Kizer threw for 471 yards vs. Syracuse, the most ever by a Notre Dame quarterback in a victory. 18 The Irish scored the first points of the game vs. Syracuse in just
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Leading up to Notre Dame’s game at North Carolina State, video from Brian Kelly’s weekly radio show, also featuring Jack Nolan, Notre Dame players, and some game highlights.
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“NC STATE, NOTRE DAME TIES – There are several individuals who have played big roles in the history of the NC State and Notre Dame football programs. The most obvious is Lou Holtz, who led both programs to great heights. Holtz coached the Pack to a 33-12-3 record between 1972-75, with NC State finshing in the top 20 in three
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Approaching the halfway mark for Brian Kelly’s seventh season at the helm, Notre Dame still has a losing record, even after a seemingly improved performance in a 50-33 neutral site win over Syracuse in East Rutherford. With Brian Kelly entering his second game running the Irish defense – with vaguely detailed help from Greg Hudson – the Irish have a
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“… Hudson … gained control of the Fighting Irish defense when Brian VanGorder was fired Sept. 25 after a 1-3 start. And while the only tangible evidence of Hudson’s impact to the outside world has been a 50-33 win over Syracuse in his debut, he has certainly carried a presence about himself inside the Irish football complex. …”
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Brian Kelly met with reporters on Thursday heading into Notre Dame’s road game at North Carolina State.
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After a 33-16 victory over previously unbeaten Wake Forest last Saturday, NC State is now 3-1. The Week 2 loss to East Carolina is in the past and the Wolfpack have built some momentum. … Three Things to Watch … 1. Turnovers … 2. … Boise State graduate transfer Ryan Finley has taken hold of the [quarterback] position … complet[ing]
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Brian Kelly met with reporters on Tuesday heading into Notre Dame’s upcoming game at North Carolina State. [click here for transcript] … So a lot to play for, a lot in front of us, a lot of challenges, but more importantly a group that I feel is really excited about the direction that we’re going in particular on defense. We
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7 points on special teams …. Notre Dame is now one of 20 teams in the country to have a kickoff return for a touchdown …. Notre Dame allowed Syracuse to convert just 20 percent of its third downs …. 5 touchdowns of 50-plus yards …. 4.5 yards per play allowed on first down in the second half …. 1
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1. The Notre Dame defense made progress … 2. Back to work. … Kelly made good on his promise to play more people, as an amazing 27 players were credited with tackles …. forcing nine Syracuse punts — four times on three-and-out …. 3. What a wild start. … five consecutive touchdowns to open the contest — and Notre Dame’s
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“The worst is behind Notre Dame … Notre Dame didn’t do everything it wanted defensively, but it was clearly improved. … The wide receiver position is going to be strong for years to come …. Kizer is pretty incredible, but not perfect …. Young guys played well …”
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“The Notre Dame offense did struggle on third down, which sounds strange considering that their first effort here resulted in a 67-yard touchdown pass. The problem was that after that, they managed to move the chains just two of the 11 remaining times. Plus, their one fourth down effort near the goal line failed. The worst effort in this category
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…. Kizer, who has ascended to the top of most NFL draft analysts’ lists of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks next spring, went 23-for-35 and threw three touchdown passes in the win. His 465 passing yards was the third-highest single-game mark in program history —J oe Theismann holds the record of 524—and the 6-foot-5, 235-pound signal-caller rushed for another score too.
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As much as tackling and coverage and pass rush all played key roles, Irish coach Brian Kelly had maybe more interest in ensuring his players enjoyed themselves. … That’s what comes from a 50-33 triumph over Syracuse in East Rutherford, New Jersey. … inside the locker room, there was hooting … hollering … dancing. … shouting and laughing. If Kelly
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Fox Sports noted improvement and a greater sense of urgency in Notre Dame’s defense in the Irish victory over Syracuse. … It wasn’t a perfect performance … that’s OK. Saturday proved Notre Dame is still a work in progress, and there’s nothing wrong with that. … the Irish’s much maligned defense looked, well, better on Saturday. … after giving up
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“It should be little surprise that quarterback DeShone Kizer is the Notre Dame player whose name appears near the top of most NCAA offensive statistical leader lists. Kizer’s had a hand in 20 of ND’s 25 touchdowns this season and leads an offense that has averaged nearly 40 points and 495 yards of offense through five games this season.”
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Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer reacts to the team’s 50-33 win over Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.
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… Notre Dame defensive players, bullied on the field and bashed off it for the first four weeks of the season, single-mindedly pushed for new defensive coordinator Greg Hudson to sing the Fight Song in the jubilant postgame aftermath of Saturday’s 50-33 subduing of Syracuse …. ‘He brought an energy to the team, a new type of leadership,’ Notre Dame
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…. A firing. A defensive overhaul. A 1-3 record. A crisis of confidence and execution. … the Irish persevered. … As the top executive in the Notre Dame athletic department, athletic director Jack Swarbrick had a vested stake in the upheaval. Kelly said he came to Swarbrick with his decision to fire VanGorder …. ‘My message, publicly and privately, is
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“Notre Dame got back on the win column Saturday with a 50-33 victory over the Orange from Syracuse. It wasn’t always pretty and the Irish were still sloppy in some areas, but after the loss to Duke, any win feels great. The Irish now sit at 2-3 and for at least a week, Rome isn’t burning.”
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“The 6-4, 230-pounder has all the physical tools NFL teams salivate over when it comes to quarterback prospects.”
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Blue and Gold Illustrated reports on Notre Dame’s defensive improvement against Syracuse, following a change in defensive coordinators. … though the 50-33 #NotreDame win over Syracuse … featured plenty of room for improvement on defense, it was a step in the right direction. Syracuse’s high-powered offense started fast …. But some halftime adjustments proved crucial, and the Irish limited the
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“Eighteen-year-old leukemia survivor Peter Zinsli has been a Notre Dame Football fan all is his life. In partnering with the Make-A-Wish foundation, Peter’s wish was to meet the team and attend one of their games. The Irish had much bigger plans ….”
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… Brian Kelly somewhat simplif[ied] Notre Dame’s defense since he dismissed defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder … [he also played] a lot of freshmen. … Troy Pride Jr. became the 13th freshman to play for Notre Dame this season, a high for Kelly since he joined the Irish in 2010. Pride was one of four freshmen in Notre Dame’s secondary at
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“… We’ve just got to get back out there. We’ve got a lot of things to work on from this weekend. Obviously we’ve got to get the points down. It’s too many points we left this weekend. From my standpoint, we’ve got to be a little bit more effective in our four-minute offense and running the football.”
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Brian Kelly and Jack Nolan recap the Irish victory over Syracuse and look ahead to Notre Dame’s upcoming game at North Carolina State. A Make-A-Wish Foundation wish is fulfilled; and there are some closer looks at some Notre Dame players.
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The Raleigh News & Observer reports on ABC’s decision to have Notre Dame’s game at North Carolina State kick off at 12 noon, for national broadcast on ABC itself (rather than, for example, ABC Sports’ cable affiliate, ESPN). N.C. State’s home game with Notre Dame on Saturday will kick off at noon and be televised nationally on ABC …. Predictably,
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St. Brown padded his team-leading totals with four more catches, 182 more yards and two long touchdowns in a 50-33 squashing of Syracuse Saturday at MetLife Stadium. … with 25 for 541 and six scores on the season, the owner of one career catch coming into this season is ahead of [Will] Fuller’s All-America pace of last season. … The
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Notre Dame will count this as progress after a week of upheaval and adjustments for a beleaguered defense. … Notre Dame tightened up its tackling and held Syracuse to seven points in the second half, and DeShone Kizer made up for most of the Irish’s ills with one of the best passing games in school history. … a career-best 471
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“… Notre Dame had its first win since Sept. 10 against Nevada. … Kizer finished … with a career-high 456 yards on 23 of 35 passing for three TDs and one interception. He also ran for a touchdown. Both teams were inefficient on third down — Notre Dame was 3-for-13 and Syracuse was 3-for-14. Notre Dame ran 78 plays for
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Video highlights of Notre Dame’s 50-33 victory over Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
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Notre Dame Passing C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT QBR DeShone Kizer 23/35 471 13.5 3 1 76.3 Notre Dame Rushing CAR YDS AVG TD LONG Josh Adams 20 102 5.1 0 28 Dexter Williams 8 80 10.0 1 59 DeShone Kizer 9 1 0.1 1 8 TEAM 37 183 4.9 2 59
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Brian Kelly talks to reporters after Notre Dame’s 50-33 victory over Syracuse at MetLife Stadium.
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The University of Notre Dame football team (2-3) blew by Syracuse (2-3) with 657 yards of offense in a 50-33 victory in front of 62,794 spectators at MetLife Stadium 62,794 in East Rutherford, N.J. … Junior DeShone Kizer completed 23 of 35 passes for 471 yards and three touchdowns to key the Irish offense, while the defense steadied the ship
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… 42YD PUNT Down & Distance: 1st & 10 Ball On: Syr 1YD Tyler Newsome punt 42 yards to the Syr1. …
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