The post HLS Podcast: The “Blue/Gold Recap” Epsiode appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

I am no longer the President of the University. I have seen 15 successors come and go, and one is still sitting in my chair. I know well the burdens these men have carried, since I carried them first. I oversaw many projects in my years as President; but I’m ambivalent on this one. Still, I understand how it came to pass. I speak neither of myself nor of any of my successors. I simply use the character of Father as an explanatory tool.

Father woke up one night in a sweat. Not because he was panicked, but because he lives in one of the old halls with a radiator that clangs like a trolley and kicks out heat like the boiler on a locomotive. But he also had something on his mind. He needed more seats in the Stadium. Being a philosophical sort, Father knew that the problem stemmed from Notre Dame Football’s evangelical nature. A man says to an Alum, “I love Notre Dame football,” the Alum says, “We shall go.” A man says to an Alum, “I hate Notre Dame football,” the Alum says, “I shall change your heart by taking you there.” An Alum owns a company and is told he should have a retreat with his top management; he says, “We shall go to a home game.” An Alum owns a huge company, and he says to himself, “I must keep my many corporate clients happy – I shall take them all to home games.” But these people and Alumni of a certain…ehem…age, are not really the sort you want near the field, because they don’t…what’s the word…care or cheer. Father has been told the answer: Luxury boxes.

Father has learned this from a wise man who brings him messages. We’ll call that man the Savvy One. The Savvy One has told Father that he can address the evangelical issue with luxury boxes, and he can satisfy another need: a real big movie screen. The coach is a demanding little redhead (though no worse than Rockne), and it is the Savvy One who keeps him happy. Coach wants a big screen, because it’s hard to convince a young man to play here when his grade school had more modern scoreboards. The problem is, at Notre Dame, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; if it does break, have the guy who donated it fix it for free; and if it’s too expensive to fix, leave it, and call it ‘Tradition.’ But even Father knows these scoreboards go beyond old-school, past retro-chic, and right into dumpy.

Father knows he can’t sell luxury and an enormous television. Oh, someone will pay for them; but there will be that whole ‘the money could go to something better’ whine from several different groups. Heck, Ted wouldn’t let Ned build the arena until he got his library first. If Father wants his Stadium additions, he’ll have to put them in pretext…er…context. Father asks himself, ‘What else do we need,’ or if he’s being honest, ‘How can I bury/hide this?’ Father knows that for a long time, there’s been a need for a new Student Center. The current one is a 19^th Century science hall (see discussion about ‘tradition’ above). There were plans to build a new hotel-spa-conference-center-megaplex and make the Morris Inn into a second student center. But the Alumni put their cumulative foot down, because when they return, they want to stay as close to the dorms as possible…even though when they lived in dorms they hated it and couldn’t wait to move out. Father also needs new exercise facilities, so his athletes can have the good ones all to themselves, and the rest of the students can have cheap new ones. But Father can’t build any more buildings on the parking lots, because as much as Joe Dillon Hall wants to look like an Adonis while he’s a student, once he turns into an alumnus, he’ll curse a blue streak if you make him walk 15 extra feet from his car to the Stadium. And then there are the green people. They’re not tree people, because you can plant a thousand trees, but if you occupy a couple hundred square feet of grass with a building, ‘Killing Fields’ doesn’t just apply to Pol Pot. So Father will put the luxury boxes into a student center that he will build onto the Stadium – no parking spaces or grass killed, and Alumni will fall all over themselves to pay for it, because it’s ever so close to the Holy Grail…having your name on the Stadium.

Father knows he’s only half way there. He’s got a lot more luxatoriums to hide, and if the professors don’t get a piece of the pie, the F-word will come out: Football Factory. “So who wants some shiny new classrooms,” asks Father. It’s been 25 years since the Arts and Letters money-pit was thrown a bone. The other half of the luxos will be buried in…first come, first served…sold! Anthropsychchurchmusic. None of these make any money so they can’t pay for their own buildings. But stick those buildings onto the Stadium and the things pay for themselves. Digital media? Not sure what that is, but take your floors. Exhibition, conference, entertainment space – we’ll make room. Hel Heck, thinks Father: I have to hide that swimming-pool-sized television somewhere.

Father looks at it and…sure it’s a little big, but so are wedding cakes, and people love wedding cakes…it actually accomplishes everything, and everyone gets something out of it.

Now, I say I’m ambivalent because of a few things:

– It’s a bit pricey. The Project costs more than it took to build and run the University for the first 50 years…combined. I understand – inflation, progress, we don’t make our own bricks anymore, “building safety codes,” and all that. Plus, I shoved sleeping quarters, dining facilities, classrooms, and offices into the Main Building all at once, and that beast cost a mint in its day.

– Why do we need a skyscraper student center? When students asked for an activities center when I was President, I told them to go play on the lawn or swim in the lake. You want to work out? Chop wood, lift heavy rocks. Why do student clubs need offices? Meet in an empty classroom (we will soon have five-times more empty classrooms at the end of each day). Although, having a club office is good life training, since students can go to the office, sit around, talk, eat, do anything but work – just like a regular office.

– Why do Arts and Letters subjects need fancy new ‘teaching spaces’? I could teach philosophy or Latin in a wooded glen…AND DID. You make do with what you have. Besides, this is Arts and Letters; all the fancy picture machines and gizmos we put in those classrooms are just another way to lull students to sleep during lecture.

– Finally, why does anyone feel the need to pretend that this is a thoughtful way to get more use out of the Stadium and bring the campus together at a …Crosspurpose …Crosswise …Criscross …StationoftheCross? It might be outsized, ostentatious, and expensive, but The Project meets a lot of needs. Enough said. We needed it – we built it. Call it whatever you want. If it doesn’t work out, Father will simply call it, “The House That Jack Built.”

EFS CSC

Padre’s book Father Sorin Says: The Founder Comments on Today’s Notre Dame is available from the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and Amazon. If you read it and like it, tell a friend. If you read it and hate it, you must have gone to Michigan or USC.

The post Good Fridays w/Padre: Cross Your Heart appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

While CBK enters season six, Mike Sanford enters season one as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator. For those scoring at home, Mike Sanford will be the fourth offensive coordinator in Kelly’s six years. By year, the O.C. (cue Phantom Planets and serious Ryan Atwood face) has been:

2010: Charlie Molnar (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach)

2011: Charlie Molnar (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach)

2012: Chuck Martin (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach)

2013: Chuck Martin (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach)

2014: Mike Denbrock (Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach)

2015: Mike Sanford (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach)

Let’s start off by noting if you’re scoring ND’s offensive coordinator at home, then…good for you. Though, I’d strongly suggest you go and hug the one’s you love. I get away with scoring such things through years of carefully tailored neglect and hugs.

With that out of the way, the question on many people’s minds is what will Sanford’s impact be on the offense? This is a fairly stark departure for Brian Kelly as he has no discernible history with Sanford. Yes, the “quarterback battle” is rightfully the number one agenda item for both the staff and fans, but the identity of the offense (regardless of quarterback) is a close second.

Kelly provided some possible insight into Sanford’s current role following the Blue and Gold Game when he was asked to address whether Sanford called the offensive plays:

All we said, and I said this I think when we were here, is that his focus right now is we’ve got two very, very good quarterbacks. His focus is on our quarterbacks right now and learning the offense and that’s Job 1. The next job will be obviously continue to grow and learn the offense so there’s play calling opportunities there. Mike Denbrock right now is running the entire offense. Those are his calls and his decisions to make. Mike really is somebody capable of doing all of those things, but not at this time. His focus right now is working with the quarterbacks. And so when we put a timetable on it, right now I’m more ready to be the play caller until all these guys are in a position where they can take more of a role offensively. That’s just a matter of where we are right now because most of Mike’s time has been developing the quarterbacks.

That Sanford was not immediately handed carte blanche to run ND’s offense as he sees fit should come as no surprise. After all, on a points per game basis, the 2014 iteration of Notre Dame’s offense was the best of the Kelly era. Mike Denbrock, by title, received a promotion. By Kelly’s quote, it’s clear that the title of Associate Head Coach hardly relieved Denbrock of substantial say in the offense. Kelly’s comments make it clear that Sanford’s job in the short-term is to fill the void left by Matt LaFleur’s return to the NFL.

Sanford is young. Like, young, young. At just 33 years of age, he does not come to Notre Dame with a substantial body of work to evaluate. After spending 3 seasons with Stanford from 2011-2013, Sanford spent last season as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Boise State. His entire body of (coaching) work with quarterbacks is 2013 at Stanford as position coach and last season with the Broncos.

While unfair, perhaps we can glean a tidbit of meaning from quarterback play the immediate season prior to and then during Sanford’s tenure. Let’s be clear: this is a horribly flawed method. There are far too many moving parts to extrapolate 1:1 causation. Heck, it’s quite possible, likely in fact, that the noise far exceeds signal in doing this type of analysis. But with nothing else to go on, and a lot of months to correct as I see fit, let’s give it a go anyways:

2012 Stanford:

Passing Yards Per Game: 200.1 (93rd nationally)

Yards per Attempt: 7.0 (75th nationally)

Yards per Completion: 11.7 (79th nationally)

Passing Yards Percentage: 53.48% (96th nationally)

TDs: 19

INTs: 10

2013 Stanford:

Passing Yards Per Game: 197.9 (93rd nationally)

Yards per Attempt: 8.9 (11th nationally)

Yards per Completion: 14.6 (11th nationally)

Passing Yards Percentage: 48.77% (103rd nationally)

TDs: 21

INTs: 10

__________________________________________________

2013 Boise State:

Passing Yards Per Game: 279.8 (26th nationally)

Yards per Attempt: 7.7 (33rd nationally)

Yards per Completion: 10.9 (107th nationally)

Passing Yards Percentage: 58.75% (65th nationally)

TDs: 28

INTs: 11

2014 Boise State:

Passing Yards Per Game: 280.4 (26th nationally)

Yards per Attempt: 8.7 (10th nationally)

Yards per Completion:  12.7 (45th nationally)

Passing Yards Percentage: 56.6% (77th nationally)

TDs: 27

INTs: 15

So, I love you all, but I’m terrified that if I do not reiterate this in big bold letters, I’m going to be misunderstood: There are a LOT of things that might be wrong with this simplified analysis. This is an opening salvo, not a final word on the topic.

Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, let me say this: Is Mike Sanford possibly the exact perfect match for Notre Dame? At both stops when he’s had a say in the quarterback play, the following “trends” emerged: 1) A decreased percentage of passing yards as a percentage of total offense. Oh yes #RTDB’ers. There is a way of compromise, and his name might be Mike Sanford. Obviously at Stanford (because “tradition,” duh!) and then as O.C. at Boise, Sanford has had no issue featuring a prominent running game. In fact, the Bronco’s star running back, Jay Ajayi, received more rushing attempts than any other back in all  of college football last year. While Bosie’s offense overall improved from 2013 to 2014, the passing game became “slightly” less important in the Sanford “era.”

Given Notre Dame’s depth on both the offensive line and in the backfield, Sanford’s experience and track record in rushing oriented offenses should be seen as nothing but a plus. His hiring hardly ushers in an air raid mentality. In fact, quite the opposite, Sanford’s far more familiar with rush oriented offenses that attempt to use the passing attack strategically.

To my mind, even more encouraging given Sanford’s title as Quarterback’s Coach at each of his previous stops and at Notre Dame is that on a per attempt and completion basis, Mike Sanford passing attacks improved under his guidance. In fact, on a per attempt basis, both Stanford and Boise State saw drastic improvements in their passing game with Sanford’s instruction. Sure, it helped that both situations involved a starter going from year one to year two, but well….as I recall….Notre Dame’s got one quarterback going into year 3 as a starter and another itching to increase his snap share in year two. Things seem ripe for The Sanford Effect.

I can think of nothing more exciting than the notion of Notre Dame both running the ball more and improving drastically on efficiency in the passing game. This appears to be where Sanford excels and explains Kelly’s post B-G Game remarks about wanting Sanford to focus on improving the quarterbacks in the short term. After all, that’s what Sanford’s brief but interesting track record suggests he’s good at.

With a lot of months to go, we have some time to consider these issues more, but consider this my kickoff of the Mike Sanford will be a significant difference maker in 2015 campaign.

The post Mike Sanford’s The Answer appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

I emphasize the phrase “long road,” because Harry Hiestand’s charges have a lot of coming-together to do between now and Rice. With likely starters Nick Martin and Christian Lombard notably absent due to injury and a game format that had offensive linemen on the field at all times, the O-line never quite gelled. That said, they had their moments.

The biggest of all their moments came with about 8:45 left in the 4th Quarter, when Malik Zaire handed off to Greg Bryant, who exploited a huge hole opened up by Colin McGovern (6’4.5″ – 313) and Mike McGlinchey (6’8″ – 300) at the start of a fifty-plus “big chunk” run. McGlinchey, a probable starter at right tackle, has the athleticism to line up at end and has me seriously excited for August. He could present an intriguing option for Coach Kelly’s offense, if only to confound opposing defensive coordinators in the red zone. In the main, I thought the O-line did a good, but not great, job of creating and holding a pocket for the quarterback throughout the game.

There were moments, though, when Coach BVG’s troops looked, overall, more comfortable and confident than did their counterparts on offense, and they would have put some serious licks on Golson and Zaire had they been allowed to do some actual hitting. While VanGorder played his scheme-cards very close to his chest, the O-line missed a couple of obvious assignments. For what it’s worth, the “official” sack total from Saturday’s game saw Romeo Okwara net three, while Trumbetti, Hounshell, Rochell, and Matuska eached picked up one.

Additional woes came in the form of awful snapping thanks to center Mark Harrell (6’4″ – 300) who flubbed at least two exchanges. Given that Nick Martin has the center spot all but locked down come August, I am not going to let Harrell’s display take on any more significance that it warrants.

In the end, Saturday’s performance by the offensive line was, in all likelihood, artificially depressed, or depressing, given the personnel situation and demands of the game itself. Coach Hiestand has talked about the line’s lack of “chemistry” given the squad’s youth, its loss of once-in-a-generation leadership, and the aforementioned injuries to key players.

Given his past performance and demonstrated record of success, there should be plenty of time between now and Rice for Coach Hiestand and the O-line to work out the necessary equations.

The post Examining The Offense: Takeaways from the 2014 Blue-Gold Game appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

On Lundi Gras, Monday to the rest of you, the Irish completed the first of fifteen practices, culminating in the 85th Blue Gold Game. Due to the lunar cycle, exam schedules, and Pope Gregory XIII, the Blue Gold Game will be held April 12, seemingly fifty-nine weeks from now. All of your terrific NDFIDM daily coverage will be found here, to include Monday’s already-in-the-can session.

If you haven’t yet watched Coach BK’s post-practice presser, take a peek:

To my eye and ear, Coach Kelly is excited about four things this Spring: Everett Golson, Coach VanGorder, Mike McGlinchey, and Everett Golson. Yesterday, WhiskyPoet hit, and well, the high notes from Monday’s practice. One name, though, that went under his radar was Mike McGlinchey. Since Mike’s name came up from both sides of the mic, he bears mentioning here. First things first, @BigGlinch68 is, in fact, that. He’s 6’8″ and 300 pounds. He’s Matt Ryan’s first-cousin, but since that’s only of interest to Alabama newlyweds and Falcons fans, I’d like to focus on the fact that he’s slotted at right tackle with the first team O-line AND that Coach Kelly mentioned that he might have two shirts per game: one as a lineman and one as a tight end. Whether he fills the end spot as a blocking end or as a receiving end (stop it), the notion that opposing D-coordinators will have to account for a kid who’s got 35 pounds on Jimmy Graham is fun to entertain.

And speaking of Defensive Coordinators, Coach VanGorder has the guys definitively outside of their comfort zones and BK loves that. Something Irish fans will love are more scenes from Monday, repeated on Saturdays, of players like Jaylon Smith getting vertical and grabbing pick-sixes.

But all the words Monday were devoted to Everett and his return. You can’t help but love the way the kid looks. And everyone’s been effusive about the way he showed up. Some are calling the quarterback battle over already. I think that would be a huge mistake, if only from a player-development standpoint, as Malik Zaire has enormous talent and should get a good amount of snaps on Saturday if everything breaks right for our boys. That said, with all that we went through in 2013, wouldn’t it be great to have the QB position one of plaudit and hyperbole rather than pathos and hyperventilation?

Watch this and tell me you’re not excited:

Had enough? No? Buy your BG Game tickets here.

Had enough yet? No? Well, here’s a NOPD officer doing The Wobble:

http://youtu.be/C3xWW4DZL24

The post Hot Spring Take: Practice, Practice, Practice appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

My weekend started out on Thursday with a day of research in Notre Dame Archives sifting through decades of Notre Dame football photographs. It was a lovely walk down memory lane for me, along with some bitter sweet memories of those who are no longer with us, but I was able to get my work done with time to spare!

Notre Dame Archives

Notre Dame Archives

Then I made a side trip to the second floor of the library for a little editing work on the manuscript. Oh the hours that I’ve spent in this building! Look familiar Miss Quinn?

Second Floor – Hesburgh Library

Thursday night I caught up with friends, regrouped, and got ready for another hectic day. Friday got off to a busy start with a photo shoot on campus for the upcoming book.

(Photo Credit: Lynne Gilbert)

Then I got the chance to meet USA Network’s “The Moment” star Vince Moiso and his lovely family.

USA Network’s Vince Moiso from “The Moment”

And producer Charlie Ebersol …

USA Network producer, Charlie Ebersol

Followed by a delightful 45 minute conversation with Notre Dame head photographer, Matt Cashore.

My best pal Lynne and Matt Cashore!

Quick outfit change and off to the Alumni Football Dinner we go!

Football Alumni Dinner

At my table I got to sit with current football players Austin Collinsworth and Ben Councell. A pair of delightful young men that I am proud to call Notre Dame men.

Ben Councell and Austin Collinsworth, oh and me!

At the table next to me was my best pal and classmate, Irv Smith, sitting with Big Lou, Louis Nix III.

Louis Nix III and Irv Smith. (Photo Credit: Lynne Gilbert)

Dinner was awesome. The keynote speakers included TJ Jones, Bennett Jackson, Kyle Rudolph and head coach Brian Kelly. I am so very proud of these young men, especially TJ Jones. He has really stepped up, not only as a true Notre Dame man, but as the man of his house since the passing of his father, Andre. God bless you TJ!

TJ Jones

I had the chance to catch up with one of my Dad’s classmates, Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte. What a truly wonderful man.

Heisman Trophy winner, John Huarte

And I also had the chance to catch up with my classmate, Irv Smith. It seems like not a day has passed since we were in school!

Irv Smith

Following dinner I had the opportunity to go to a reception in the stadium which included a tour of the locker room and a chance to touch the “Play Like A Champion Today” sign. Yep, I could die right now a very happy girl!

The Notre Dame locker room!

Cindy and I in the locker room!

See, Notre Dame and St. Mary’s girls can get along!

The sign!!

Play Like a Champion Today

All this and I’m not even to the game yet! Saturday was another bright and early day! First stop, the TNNDN tailgate and some time with classmate Oscar McBride.

Oscar McBride

Then a quick stop to the monogram lunch to catch up with a few more friends …

Oscar McBride, Kapron Lewis Moore, Irv Smith

And …

Former teammates Irv Smith, Lee Becton and Oscar McBride

Game time and I had the honor of being down on the field with some of my pals. You could not have asked for better football weather … sunny, crisp air, blue sky … perfect.

2013 Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game

On the sideline with the boys …

Irv Smith and Oscar McBride

Tight End U …

Wide Receiver Bobby Brown and Tight Ends: Irv Smith, Kyle Rudolph, Oscar McBride

THE moment of the game? Manti Te’o coming over to hug my friend Lynne … Amazing. The Notre Dame family is truly just that … family.

This says it all … Notre Dame is family. (Photo Credit: Matt Cashore)

It was a truly amazing weekend. I love my Notre Dame family more than words can express, and I have absolutely no complaints when football is part of my weekend schedule. Now I am just more in need for football season to get here.

My Notre Dame ladies!

How many days until Temple?

Sigh.

Cheers!

The post Blue-Gold Game Photo Journal appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Yes, you read the title correctly: The Subway Domer has pulled a recruiting coup for the IBG and NDNation has joined the fold.

For the post Blue/Gold Game edition, we got the first crack at asking questions of Mike Coffey, aka El Kabong, of NDNation. He, in turn, has asked his questions three of Kieth Arnold of Inside the Irish who will eventually have Subway’s answers up. And you can find my answers over at The Subway Domer this week. Eventually, we will have the Strong and True blog back in the fold once they find someone to fill Josh Flynt’s shoes.

Without further ado, here are Mike’s answers to my questions:

1) Needless to say, the offense struggled mightily, especially in the red zone. Do you feel that this a sign of future offensive struggles or a chance to praise the Irish defense?

I believe it’s neither.

The Spring Game is a difficult thing to analyze.  We ND football fans haven’t seen a meaningful snap in three in a half months (or more, depending on how you felt about the bowl game) and won’t see one for another four months.  We’ve got a jones to see the players in action in a game-like atmosphere at the location we all associate with great games, and the Spring Game gives us that.  Trouble is, given the familiarity the players have with each other’s abilities, the general knowledge of the plays being run, and the well-known tendency of coaching staffs in general (and this one in particular) to play things close to the vest in a non-competitive situation, it doesn’t give us much else.

No doubt the defense “showed” more than the offense during the scrimmage.  Maybe they were more motivated.  Maybe they took advantage of the temporarily poor OL depth or the larger number of dinged-up players on offense.  Maybe Chuck Martin didn’t want to show off too much in a situation that didn’t matter.  Maybe our defense is really really good and when our offense goes up against a less-talented group, it’ll be their time to shine.  Maybe the the red-jersey rules limited Everett Golson in ways we won’t see when Temple comes to town.

In the words of Edward Nygma, too many questions.  Guessing which (if any) of the possibilities are true is just that — guessing.  We know we had a good defense last year, and nothing that happened Saturday showed us any different.  We know the offense had its issues last year at times, and nothing that happened Saturday showed us any different.  Unfortunately, until that first snap on August 31st, that’s what we’re left with, and I don’t want to color the perception of what happens at and after that snap with judgments based on guesses.

Given the caveats of answer #1, I was interested in seeing a couple things.

The OL was low on bodies, so I went in expecting them to have problems.  I thought they performed relatively well given the limitation, but certainly wasn’t wowed.  I would have liked to see their ground game performance more, as that’s what I expect will drive the success or failure of the unit next season.  I enjoy ND being able to redshirt freshmen offensive linemen to allow them to grow and get more seasoned, but it’s possible we won’t have that luxury this year.

Given the change in depth at the position, I was also interested in comparing Malik Zaire to his competitors, both physically and (to an extent) emotionally.  I found him to be very refreshing in both aspects.  I thought his passes had good power and accuracy, certainly moreso than Andrew Hendrix.  He seemed to exhibit a reasonable confidence for a freshman.  It remains to be seen if we’ll see him behind center at any point, and I’d expect Brian Kelly and the staff will do their utmost to preserve a redshirt year for him.  Having said that, however, if Golson has the improvement we all expect, it’s not a given he’ll be behind center for a third year in a row, and perhaps some experience for Zaire will leave ND in a better position for 2014.  If they don’t, Rees once again was his workman-like self, and while he has his limitations, I wouldn’t be prepared to throw the season away if the situation meant extended time for him at QB.

As I noted above, Zaire’s performance made me interested in seeing what he’ll be able to do, especially on the ground to keep defenses honest.  C.J. Prosise certainly is more than serviceable at a position of need.  I liked George Atkinson, but if he doesn’t learn to keep those pads down, he’ll miss more time this year.

But I would say the guy who stood out for me was Chuck Martin.  Even though he’s the OC for an offensive-minded coach, he’s putting his stamp on the game plan.  He probably never will run the ball as much as I’d like, but he’s shown he respects the need for (at least a semblance of) balance.  For a guy who spent most of his time on the defensive side of the ball prior to ND, that’s a great thing to see, and had Brian Kelly’s chat with the Eagles gone a different way, I’d be comfortable with Martin at the helm.

The post Irish Blogger Gathering: Spring Fling with NDNation appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Braxston Cave was the anchor of a very good offensive line last season. A fifth year senior, Cave started all 13 games in 2012 and his line opened holes for a Notre Dame running attack that surpassed 200 yards in a game seven times. The challenge for Coach Harry Hiestand is to replace Cave while keeping the O-line out of the color commentary next season.

Nick Martin proved he is up to the task last Saturday. While the 2013 Blue Gold Game provided a lot of the usual “meh” moments to which we have all grown accustomed, it also showed us that the center position is not going to be a concern. Paired opposite Nix, Martin acquitted himself rather well and we can only expect more improvement as Martin faces the nation’s best nose-tackle day in and day out.

The first series, to be honest, was nothing to write home about. On first down, Martin and the left guard double-teamed Nix and Golson threw an incomplete. On second down, the Irish ran right, but I’m prrrrrrrrretty sure there was a holding that went uncalled. Third down saw another incomplete.

The second series, though, saw the line, and Martin, come to the fore, and good things start to happen. With Tommy Rees under center, the Irish ran up the middle for a couple of yards. On second down, Martin took Nix one-on-one and Rees completed a quick strike to Prosise for four yards. On third and four, the Irish ran left, the line did its job and George Atkinson, III, picked up the first down.

On first down, Martin and the rest of the line got beat by the blitzing OLB and a bll rush by Nix, but Rees read it right and unleashed a timing pass to TJ Jones. This will happen. In running through the game a few times since Saturday, I can’t help but note that our defense is pretty good. Aside from Nix, our O-line had to contend with Stephon Tuitt and Ishaq Williams, not to mention Kona Schwenke and Prince Shembo.

On third and seven of the same drive, with about 7:55 left in the First Quarter, the O-line, and Martin in particular, do a great job of reading the rush and give Tommy all the time he needed to throw what should have been an incomplete pass, but for the amazing one-hand grab by Cam McDaniel. On the subsequent first down, Martin moved Schwenke out of the way and GAIII filled the hole for a six yard gain. On second and four, Martin neutralized Nix and Tommy should have picked up a completion, if not a touchdown, to Davaris Daniel, but for an uncalled pass interference on Keivarae Russell. On third and four, though, Connor Hanratty (I think) flinched, and that was called. Suddenly it’s third and nine and ultimately the Irish settle for a missed field goal.

There’s a bit to critique in Martin’s game from Saturday. He got manhandled by Tyler Stockton at least once, but with 2:01 left in the Second Quarter, he straight dominated, and maybe held, Kona Schwenke, allowing Golson to complete long to Troy Niklas. Still, even though the refs weren’t calling much, I only counted one false start and two “sacks.”

Not bad for playing the best defense in the country.

The post Will the Center Hold? A Spring Game Analysis appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Then one two point conversion changed everything.

Louis Nix III lined up at quarterback and Irish Chocolate found the endzone for two points on a QB draw. It was epic, legendary, and you bet it is worth every word in this Inside the Film Room breakdown.

All images come via this YouTube highlight on the ND Athletics Youtube page.

Let’s get to it.

Any good QB knows that a successful play starts before the ball is snapped. Big Lou ensures that proper adjustments are made and God help you if you don’t make them.

Lining up wrong for a 300+ pound man is not good for your health.

Above we have the entire formation. The box is overloaded, clearly expecting Irish Choclate fury straight up the gut.

Post-snap, the Irish defense rushes six at Nix, leaving only ILB Kendall Moore (#8) and Safety Austin Collinsworth (#28) as the last line of defense.

Nix appears to drop back to pass and panic sets in. A defense’s greatest fear, giving up a passing touchdown to a nose tackle, could become a reality. Collinsworth immediately heads over to the receiver to his left and Moore slides over to cover the middle of the goal line.

Nix now notices the…uh…Nix-sized hole up the middle. The defense has bought the fake and it’s now time for Irish Chocolate to barrel his way into the endzone.

Big Lou rumbles up the middle, easily breaking a weak one arm-tackle by Tyler Stockton (#92, right of Nix). Speaking of, who tries to use one arm to bring this man down?!

It’s a little hard to see in the screen capture, but Nix (circled) has lowered his pads perfectly and is ready to absolutely destroy Kendall Moore. In the name of hard-hitting analysis, I have displayed his likely last thoughts above and below.

Deciding that becoming a roadkill is not a desireable way to end his spin, Moore goes full matador and gives Nix the ‘ol olé.

Put it all together and you have pure magic in motion (and I do believe the first GIF we’ve actually made ourselves here at HLS):

Want to see how it all came together? Check out one of the greatest ICON’s ever:

And don’t miss Nix’s epic post-game interview:

The post Inside the Film Room: Louis Nix Becomes Legend appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Notre Dame stadium at sunset. Photo: Matt Cashore.

Has it been a while since you’ve been back to campus? Or have you never been to Notre Dame? Here’s a guide of things to do while you are at Notre Dame for the Blue-Gold (spring) game this weekend!

“The Shirt” Unveiling:

Photo courtesy of The Shirt Project, theshirt.nd.edu

Start your Blue-Gold weekend off by attending the unveiling of “The Shirt.” What is The Shirt you ask? The Shirt is a student run charity project. Money raised by The Shirt Project is used to subsidize student organizations and create memorial awards in the names of Notre Dame students. The Shirt Project preserves the charitable nature of the “T-Shirt for the Cause” campaign. Half of the funding provided by The Shirt Project goes to The Shirt Charity Fund, which helps Notre Dame students who suffer from extraordinary medical conditions that requires payment beyond their means. Medical bills add up quickly, and the money for unplanned accidents or illness is not always available. Thus, by paying medical bills on behalf of students, The Shirt Charity Fund allows Notre Dame students to continue their education and recuperation without the fear of not being able to return the next semester due to financial reasons. ( For more information about The Shirt Charity Fund, visit the Financial Management Board’s website here.)

Authors Note: Not everyone is all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to “The Shirt.”
See: Time to Fix The Shirt!  

And while some are not fans of “The Shirt,” others can’t live without it … All Aboard: The Subway Alumni

On Friday, April 19 the 2013 Shirt will be unveiled to the public. The Shirt unveiling festivities will begin at 3:30 p.m., including inflatables, prizes, free food and drink (while supplies last), and local radio station 95.7 The Fan. Come see past Notre Dame players who will be on this years’ Shirt! Also, see performances by Notre Dame’s marching band, cheerleaders, the Leprechaun, Irish dancers, glee club, pom squad and 1st Class Steppers.

The stage presentation will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m., with head football coach Brian Kelly unveiling The Shirt at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Parking: Please be advised that parking will not be available in front of the Bookstore on the afternoon of the Unveiling. The auxiliary bookstore lot will be available as well as the Joyce Center lot.

Game Day:

Parking: For the 2013 Blue-Gold game on Saturday, April 20, the following parking lots will be open for fans. All parking is FREE with no parking pass required. Lots will open at 8:00 a.m.

• Joyce
• Stadium
• Library
• Reserved A
• D2 – accessible parking with shuttle service
• Innovation Park (IP)

Please reference the Game Day Parking Map for the location of all functioning Blue-Gold parking lots.

Tickets: If you don’t already have them, tickets are currently on sale for the 84th annual University of Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football Game,  Saturday, April 20, 2013. The 1 p.m. EDT Blue-Gold football game at Notre Dame Stadium is a fantastic opportunity to get a sneak peek at the 2013 Fighting Irish football squad. Proceeds from the Blue-Gold Spring Football Game help support the scholarship fund of the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley.

Ticket Information: General admission and reserved gold tickets may be purchased online: CLICK HERE

• Press box and team brunch tickets are only available for sale via telephone at 574-631-7356 or in person at the Murnane Family Ticket Office, located between gates 8 and 10 of Purcell Pavilion
• 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 age 3 and under do not require a ticket for general admission seating areas
• Group sales of 20 or more general admission tickets (adults and/or youth) are $8 each

Team Brunch Information: If you’ve never attended the team brunch, it’s definitely something I would recommend you attend at least once. Included with each brunch ticket is a pre-game meal with the Notre Dame football team, exclusive access to an autograph session with the current team members and general admission seating at the game. Most tables will have a current football player seated with them, but due to demand, not all tables will.

• Team brunch adult tickets are $65 each
• Team brunch youth tickets (age 18 and under) are $40 each
• Children age 3 and under do not require a ticket for the team brunch
• Purchase limit of eight total brunch tickets
• Due to limited quantities, the purchase of both press box and team brunch tickets is prohibited
• Brunch is held in the Joyce Center Fieldhouse (north dome), enter gate 2
• Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with brunch beginning at 10 a.m.

Press Box Seating: Take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy the same view as media covering Fighting Irish football! Included with your press box seating are a game program and a press box lunch (hot dogs, soup, cole slaw, potato salad, fruit salad, cookies and drinks.)

• SEATING IS VERY LIMITED
• Press box seats are $100 each
• Purchase limit of four total press box tickets
• Due to limited quantities, the purchase of both press box and team brunch tickets is prohibited

Reserved Gold (chairback) Tickets: Do you want to enjoy the spring game in a seat more than the standard wooden benches? Purchase a reserved gold ticket!

• All tickets are $30, regardless of age
• SEATING IS LIMITED
• Purchase limit is eight total reserved gold tickets

Food:

Looking for a great burger joint? My favorite destination Friday night of Blue-Gold weekend (or any football weekend for that matter) is to CJ’s Pub. In my humble opinion, no weekend at Notre Dame is complete without a trip to CJ’s for burgers. CJ’s is well known for their great pub burgers, and has been a student favorite since 1984. When I was in school, CJ’s was just a hole in the wall. They had a fire a few years back and had to rebuild. The new CJ’s is bigger and better than ever! Now we not only include CJ’s in our Friday night dinner plans … but also for a little dancing on Saturday night as well, as they now have a dance floor! Go figure!

My second food recommendation is brunch at Tippecanoe Place. Tippecanoe Place is the former Studebaker mansion. It is one of the premiere landmarks in the heart of South Bend’s historic district, and the mansion is teeming with the charm and grace of yesteryear. The gracious spirit of the past still thrives in the mansion’s 40 rooms with their wealth of fine antiques, 20 gorgeous fireplaces, and hand-crafted woods. This is definitely a must do experience!

Nightlife:

Nightlife you say? There are three spots that I would put on my “can’t be missed on a weekend to Notre Dame” list … The Linebacker Lounge, Corby’s and Brothers Bar & Grill.

Please don’t miss the ‘Backer

The Linebacker Lounge is a favorite of students and alumni alike! The Linebacker Lounge was founded in 1962 by former Notre Dame football player Myron Pontios, and local businessman Stan Pisek. They converted the building which had been an old drive inn into the now famous bar. The Linebacker has been featured on the Travel Channel, “College Towns”, and in October 2006 was the remote location for the television broadcast of ESPN’s “Mike and Mike in the morning” show. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be on a football weekend (even spring football) than at the ‘Backer singing “Oh What a Night!”

Corby’s Irish Pub would be my next nightlife stop. Corby’s Irish Pub is a famous Notre Dame bar. The pub was established in 1990, and the movie “Rudy” was filmed at this location, which sealed the pub’s popularity. Corby’s is a very spirited Irish establishment and is the perfect place to be on football weekends when droves of alumni flock back to reconnect and relive their glory days!

Relatively new to the nightlife scene in South Bend is Brothers Bar & Grill. Located close to campus in the Eddy Commons, Brothers is great not only to grab a bite to eat, but also for late night fun. The place is huge, the menu is eclectic, and the music is loud but it’s a great time to hang out and people watch after some Irish football.

Campus Scenery:

The Grotto at Notre Dame. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Souder.

Whether you’ve been to campus before or it’s your first time to Our Lady’s University, there are some must see spots on campus.

The Grotto

From the day Rev. Edward F. Sorin, the founder of Notre Dame du Lac, embarked from Le Havre, France, bound for his mission in the New World, Mary, the Mother of God, was his guiding star. The culmination of this early Marian devotion can be seen today in Notre Dame’s stone grotto, designed to closely replicate the grotto in Lourdes, France where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. The Grotto has since become a favorite devotional spot on campus. People of all faiths have found rest and peace in this place of quiet reflection. The beauty of its natural setting, the soft candle glow, bestow a feeling of warmth and welcome upon it’s visitors. No tour of Notre Dame would be complete without a visit to this peaceful shrine nestled among the trees in the shadow of the Golden Dome, to light a candle and say a prayer. (Spring at the grotto photo, courtesy of Kathleen Souder)

Badin’s Log Cabin Chapel

After your stop at the grotto, take a walk around one of the two lakes on campus, and then continue the spiritual part of your weekend by visiting Badin’s Log Cabin Chapel and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Badin’s Log Cabin Chapel is one of the oldest landmarks on campus, and it is a must see for any visitor to Notre Dame, new or old.

Sunlight over the Badin Log Cabin photo, courtesy of Kathleen Souder.

The one-and-one-half story log chapel-cabin was built by Badin in 1830 and when Sorin arrived a decade later it served as living quarters (ground floor) and a house of worship (attic space) for several months until a larger log house was constructed. With the completion of this second structure (located east of Badin’s building), Badin’s chapel assumed two secular functions. The first floor was a carpentry shop, while the second story became a crowded dormitory for the brothers who, by 1843, numbered 18 men. Religious services were then held in a chapel in the larger log structure. (Log cabin history taken from: A Spire of Faith: The University of Notre Dame’s Sacred Heart Church, by Thomas J. Schlereth. Sunlight over the Badin Log Cabin photo, courtesy of Kathleen Souder.)

After stopping by the Grotto and Badin’s Log Cabin Chapel, swing by the Basilica and take in mass.

Sacred Heart Basilica

Your next stop is the Sacred Heart Basilica, which stands in sharp contrast to the simplicity of the Log Cabin chapel. It’s majestic blue and gold will literally take your breath away. Our favorite Mass at the Sacred Heart Basilica is the 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning Mass. We have affectionately nicknamed it “Smells and Bells” because you get a healthy dose of incense, and the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir provides the beautiful music.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, Indiana, is the largest Catholic Church on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. It also serves as the mother church of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States. The neo-gothic church features 44 large stained glass windows and majestic murals which were completed over a 17 year period by Vatican painter Luigi Gregori. The basilica bell tower stands 218 feet (66 m) high. The current basilica was preceded by a smaller structure erected in 1848 by Father Edward Sorin, CSC. The current neo-gothic church was begun in 1870 and consecrated by Bishop Joseph Dwenger on August 15, 1888.

The Golden Dome

The beloved Golden Dome.

Situated right next to the Sacred Heart Basilica, one of the most well known campus sights is The University of Notre Dame’s Main Administration Building (known as the Main Building or the “Golden Dome”). The Dome houses various administrative offices, including the Office of the President. Construction of the Main Building began in 1864 and was finished in 1865. The building stood for 14 years before being destroyed by fire in the spring of 1879.

Father Edward Sorin’s unbreakable will was best demonstrated in 1879 after the disastrous fire destroyed the Main Building, which housed virtually the entire University. Father Sorin willed Notre Dame to rebuild the Main Building and continue its growth. “I came here as a young man and dreamed of building a great university in honor of Our Lady,” he said. “But I built it too small, and she had to burn it to the ground to make the point. So, tomorrow, as soon as the bricks cool, we will rebuild it, bigger and better than ever.”

Immediately after the fire, the University took action, selecting a new design by Willoughby J. Edbrooke and began construction. The current Main Building was completed before the fall semester of 1879. The Golden Dome that caps the Main Building was a gift from the sisters of the adjacent Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame’s sister school. The Golden Dome stands 206 feet above ground level, and 125 feet above the roof of the Administration Building. The Dome, gilded in gold leaf, is 139 feet in circumference at its base and is topped by a statue of the Blessed Virgin which is nineteen feet high.

This is by no means an “all inclusive” list of things to do while you are at Notre Dame this weekend, but it will definitely get you started and on your way. Have a wonderful time on campus and “Cheer cheer for ole Notre Dame …”

Cheers!

The post Things to do Blue-Gold Game Weekend appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.