FROM OUR SITE

• Looking back at ND-MSU ’66: A tie to win
• HLS guide to Frisbee golf on campus

PODCASTS

Blue & Gold Illustrated

• Irish Huddle – Michigan State preview

Inside the Irish

• Talking Irish: Breaking down MSU with J.J. Stankevitz

Irish Illustrated

• Big moment awaits
• MSU preview

Irish Sports Daily

• Power Hour loaded – pre-MSU

ND Insider

• Recruiting update 9-15

The Prime Time Podcast

• College football week 3 preview: Michigan State/Notre Dame Fighting Irish

SATURDAY’S GAME: vs. MICHIGAN STATE (7:30 ET, NBC)

Associated Press

• Michigan State-Notre Dame preview capsule
• Michigan State-Notre Dame highlight memorable college ties

Battle Creek Enquirer

• Michigan State, Notre Dame tailgate set in downtown B.C.

Blue & Gold Illustrated

• Film room: Inside Michigan State’s run game ($)
• Notre Dame ready for Michigan State’s press coverage

Campus Pressbox

• Why Notre Dame will obliterate Michigan State

Chicago Tribune

• Big Ten football picks: Price is right for Michigan State at Notre Dame

Click on Detroit

• Notre Dame faces must win game against Michigan State

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Alabama-Ole Miss highlights week 3: College football 2016 preview, TV, games to watch

18 Stripes

• Notre Dame vs. Michigan State 2016 preview: So we meet again, Sparty

ESPN

• 50 years later, a debate about who’s No. 1 still lingers
• Breaking down Michigan State-Notre Dame

Inside the Irish

• Dantonio ready for another rivalry game with Notre Dame

Irish Sports Daily

• ND vs. Sparty: Key matchups ($)
• ISD Video: Kelly and MSU
• Six thoughts on a Thursday ($)

Irish247

• Tale of the tape: Notre Dame vs. Michigan State ($)

iSportsWeb

• Michigan State football: Notre Dame predictions

MLive

• Michigan State in Bullough siblings’ blood, but don’t forget Morse/Notre Dame ties
• Michigan State hopes young players can grow up quickly at Notre Dame

MSU Athletics

• Grinz on Green blog: Spartans relying on strength in numbers entering Notre Dame game

ND Insider

• Notre Dame passing game will rely on hand-to-hand combat against Michigan State ($)
• Video: Can Notre Dame’s defense do enough against Michigan State?

One Foot Down

• Notre Dame vs. Michigan State weather report
• The anti-preview: Notre Dame vs. Michigan State

Spartan Avenue

• Michigan State football: 5 players to watch vs. Notre Dame

Spartan Tailgate

• History of MSU-Notre Dame rivalry not lost on current players

UHND

• Notre Dame vs. Michigan State ’16 weather, tickets and odds
• Game preview: Notre Dame offense vs. Michigan State defense
• Michigan State game chance for Notre Dame statement

UND

• Hunter Jr., Kizer, Onwualu, McGlinchey press conference transcripts

Wood TV8

• Wood TV8 to host MSU-Notre Dame watch party

.@Brodiesmith21 invades South Bend. Trick shot madness ensues #BRxND pic.twitter.com/sQbbyd8KsT

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 15, 2016

2016 TEAM

Blue & Gold Illustrated

• Notre Dame defense resting better with Daniel Cage’s progress
• BGI Video: Brian Kelly, post-practice Sept. 15
• Brian Kelly, post-practice Sept. 15
• Notre Dame’s offensive line still coming together
• At 5-8, C.J. Sanders has become Notre Dame’s ‘space eater’

CSN Chicago

• Notre Dame unlocking a well-rested Daniel Cage’s potential

18 Stripes

• Is red zone touchdown rate overrated?

ESPN

• The Notre Dame coaches’ coach has made psychology a priority

Irish Illustrated

• Tough acts to follow for McGlinchey, Nelson
• Notre Dame’s marked man
• Prister’s Thursday thoughts ($)

Irish Sports Daily

• Torii Hunter Jr. ready to get his head into the game
• Tillery wants a party in the backfield
• Tranquill ready to battle
• BK notebook 9/15 ($)
• BK transcript 9/15

Irish247

• Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer’s consistency translates to leadership

ND Insider

• Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer: A history of C-L-U-T-C-H
• Video: Notre Dame CB Nick Watkins on how he bounced back after Texas

One Foot Down

• What has happened to Tight End U?

UHND

• 5 most impressive Notre Dame football players so far in 2016
• Positive Nick Watkins injury update

RECRUITING

Blue & Gold Illustrated

• Pair of in-state visitors hope to land Notre Dame offers ($)
• Four-star DE Malik Vann ready to experience game atmosphere ($)
• Five-star CB Shaun Wade excited for return trip to South Bend ($)
• Four-star DT Donovan Jeter previews Irish official ($)
• The Hot Board: Offensive line/tight ends ($)

18 Stripes

• The big board returns: Quarterback and running back

Irish Illustrated

• Video: Kelly eyes big recruiting weekend

Irish Sports Daily

• Support system spurs success for Holloman

Irish247

• Notre Dame Q&A visit preview: 4-star WR Hezekiah Jones ($)
• Notre Dame Q&A visit preview: 5-star CB Derrik Allen ($)
• Notre Dame Q&A visit preview: 4-star TE Tyneil Hopper ($)
• Tunnel vision ($)
• Notre Dame Q&A visit preview: 4-star DE Malik Vann ($)

ND Insider

• Nighttime sets up Notre Dame for another big recruiting weekend ($)
• WR recruit Jeremiah Holloman ready to experience Notre Dame’s tradition ($)

IRISH IN THE NFL

18 Stripes

• Bengals claim Keivarae Russell

Slap the Sign

• Irish in the NFL: Chiefs release Russell, Fuller shines for Texas

MISC.

Indianapolis Star

• Introducing our Notre Dame beat writer: Laken Litman

Irish Sports Daily

• 2017 Baltimore guard visiting ND this weekend

MLive

• Muskegon lifer, former Notre Dame captain Jim Morse a true rags-to-riches story
• These are the most famous University of Notre Dame alumni in history

ND Insider

• Notebook: Ara Parseghian still positively influencing Brian Kelly, Notre Dame
• Darryl Morsell’s strong summer piques Notre Dame interest
• Notre Dame’s intensity relieves coach Muffet McGraw’s stress – for now

WSBT

• Area traffic to be impacted by Notre Dame game this weekend

The post Morning Roundup: Sept. 16, 2016 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

FROM OUR SITE

• Notre Dame vs. Nevada 2016 highlights
• The Irish get well with Nevada, but Spartans loom

PODCAST

• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Nevada recap
• CSN Chicago: Notre Dame notes: Week 2 standouts, podcasting to wrap up Nevada
• Irish Illustrated: Irish on the rise
• Irish Sports Daily: Power Hour loaded
• One Foot Down: Nevada post game show

LAST GAME: NOTRE DAME 39, NEVADA 10

• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Grades: Notre Dame offense vs. Nevada
• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Snap counts
• Irish Illustrated ($): O’Malley’s Monday musings
• Irish Sports Daily ($): ND vs. Nevada breakdown: Run game
• One Foot Down: The Nevada hangover: The underwhelming Notre Dame Stadium experience

2016 TEAM

• Athlon Sports: Five thoughts on Notre Dame after week two
• Irish Illustrated ($): Tim Prister’s tale of the tape
• Irish247 ($): Football chat (Sept. 12)

OFFENSE

• Blue & Gold Illustrated: DeShone Kizer key to Notre Dame’s red zone improvements
• CSN Chicago: Without explosive threats, Notre Dame goes efficient behind DeShone Kizer

DEFENSE

• CSN Chicago: Notre Dame’s Jarron Jones shows another way he can make plays
• Inside the Irish: Can Notre Dame rebuild its secondary on the fly?
• Irish247 ($): Coleman, Vaughn and Love must step up
• Irish247 ($): Bend but don’t break

NEXT GAME: VS. MICHIGAN STATE (7:30 p.m. ET, SATURDAY NBC)

• Bleacher Report: College football picks week 3: Predictions, schedule, rankings for top 25
• Bleacher Report: Michigan State vs. Notre Dame: Game preview, prediction and players to watch
• Bleacher Report: Michigan State Spartans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish betting odds, pick
• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame-Michigan State: Program versus team aspects
• CBS Sports: College football week 3 lines, game odds: Huge road tests for the top 3 teams
• Detroit Free Press: Dantonio: LB Ed Davis might play for Michigan State for Notre Dame
• Detroit Free Press: Michigan State focuses on conditioning, recruiting during bye week
• The Detroit News: MSU, Notre Dame both working out the kinks
• ESPN: Michigan State test should reveal plenty about Notre Dame
• Irish Sports Daily ($): Michigan State preview
• iSportsWeb: The blueprint to beat Notre Dame
• MLive: Many Michigan State questions should be answered against Notre Dame
• MLive: Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly respects Mark Dantonio for work at Michigan State, Cincinnati
• MLive: Notre Dame is the only team to win three straight against Mark Dantonio at Michigan State
• MLive: Dantonio: LB Ed Davis might play for Michigan State at Notre Dame
• One Foot Down: Bagpipe Monday: Brian Kelly owns Mark Dantonio
• One Foot Down: Notre Dame vs. Michigan State: Clone wars
• One Foot Down: BK’s Sunday presser – Nevada week
• SB Nation: College football odds and lines, week 3: FSU, Ohio State among big game favorites
• The Sports Bank: Pre-Michigan State edition
• UHND: Notre Dame opens as surprise favorite over Michigan State
• Washington Post: The other college football top 25: From suspended refs to Kalen Ballage (Gee! Oh!)

RECRUITING

• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Irish in good standing with WR Jeremiah Holloman heading into visit
• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame visits impresses talented pair of 2018 offensive linemen
• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Finn Dirstine: “I think I’d look good in one of those gold helmets”
• Irish Sports Daily: 2018 IN DE enjoys ND trip
• Irish Sports Daily ($): Irish helps itself with Lacey
• Irish Sports Daily ($): 2017 LA S excited for official
• Irish Sports Daily ($): Recruits set to invade South Bend
• Irish247 ($): Elite 2019 DT Jacob Lacey has unforgettable trip to Notre Dame
• PennLive: Pittsburgh’s top high school football players

MISC.

• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame releases 2016-17 basketball schedule
• Fast Horse: Jordan’s top 5 college football stadiums
• Irish Sports Daily ($): From the cheap seats
• Irish Sports Daily: Notre Dame hoops schedule released
• The OU Daily: Ranking the 10 biggest home games in Sooners’ history
• TribLive: Pitt men’s basketball team opens ACC play against Notre Dame on New Year’s Eve
• UND: Cole, Rust shine on biggest hockey stage

The post Morning Roundup: Sept. 13, 2016 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

For The Irish: DT Jarron Jones (Sr.), 6-foot-5, 315 lbs

SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 11: Jarron Jones #94 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Jon Heck #71 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Notre Dame Stadium on October 11, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

After missing the entire 2015 season to a torn MCL, the senior defensive tackle is primed to end his Irish career in a big way. The Irish faithful last saw Jarron Jones at Notre Dame Stadium on Nov. 22, 2014 in a game against Louisville. Jones had a successful year in 2014, recording 40 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Jones also has blocked four kicks in his career, two shy of the Notre Dame all-time record. It takes a special type of 315 pound man to barrel through another large man, jump, then block a kick in just about a 2-3 second range.

It is that type of athleticism that makes Jones a top NFL defensive line prospect despite his injury history. Jones underwent surgery after a suffering a Lisfranc injury – basically a bone break mid-foot. NFL scouts see the upside to Jones, comparing him to 2014 46th overall pick Stephon Tuitt. Both players are strong, athletic, lengthy, and are versatile in defensive front schemes. Jones’ strengths include his quickness, flexibility, power, and length. Jones is projected as a late second round pick in pre-season mock drafts.

The talent for Jones is clearly there, but Brian Kelly’s number one concern is obviously his ability to stay on the field. In a defensive line rotation that includes sophomores Elijah Taylor, Jerry Tillery, and five-star recruit Daelin Hayes, Jones and fellow senior Isaac Rochell will be the leaders on the defensive line.

For The Enemy: Michigan State DT Malik McDowell (Jr.), 6-foot-6, 276 lbs

The junior defensive tackle will be the best defensive lineman the Fighting Irish play this season, as he may just be the best defensive tackle in the country. McDowell is listed a top 10 2017 pick and the first defensive tackle off the board. McDowell is the most talented player on the Spartans and will dictate personnel used on the defensive line.

In his 23 career games, McDowell has recorded 54 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. The five-star recruit has been head coach Mark Dantonio’s biggest recruit and earned second-team All-Big honors. Similar to Jones, McDowell uses his lengthy arms and athleticism to cause havoc on the defensive line.

The post Defensive Line: Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Kelly was ranked in the top 10 of all 128 FBS coaches in two separate publications Tuesday. Athlon Sports, which boasts an online readership in excess of 1 million readers annually, chose Kelly as the 10th best coach. The Sporting News, which has covered college football since before the second World War, put Kelly at #9.

Here’s what Athlon said:

The Fighting Irish just missed out an appearance in the College Football Playoff last season, but Kelly has the program on stable ground and poised for another run at the top four in 2016. Since taking over in South Bend in 2010, Kelly is 55-23 at Notre Dame, including an appearance in the BCS National Championship game in 2012. The Fighting Irish have won at least eight games in each of Kelly’s seasons at the helm and finished No. 11 in the Associated Press poll last year. Winning at a high level at different programs is nothing new for Kelly.

From 1991-03, Kelly went 118-35-2 at Grand Valley State, including back-to-back Division II titles (2002-03). Additionally, he went 19-16 in three years at Central Michigan (2004-06) and 34-6 at Cincinnati from 2004-06. Kelly is a proven winner at four different jobs and clearly has a place among the top 15 coaches in the nation.

Here’s what the Sporting News said:

Last Year: 11
Record: 55-23 (108-45)
Lowdown: Give Kelly credit. He’s the steadiest presence the Irish have had on the sideline since Lou Holtz, and he’s coming off his second double-digit win season. He’s still just 11-12 against ranked teams. He’ll test that against the same tough schedule in 2016.

Athlon and The Sporting News both considered Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher, TCU’s Gary Patterson, Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops, Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, Ohio State’s Urban Meyer and Alabama’s Nick Saban to be better than Kelly. Athlon also ranked David Shaw ahead of Kelly, while the Sporting News had Stanford’s head coach at #11 – behind LSU’s Les Miles. (Miles was #25 at Athlon, so there’s quite a discrepancy there.)

Here are the coaches Kelly will face in 2016 and their respective rankings:

The post Experts: Brian Kelly is Among Ten Best College Coaches appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

#4 Utah – 2010 (28-3): Let’s be honest. The 2010 wasn’t that good. Losses to Michigan, Michigan State (field goal fake, if you’ve forgotten) and Stanford had the team 1-3 through September. Beating a Top 50 team seemed out of reach, let alone a Top 20 win. Notre Dame held the 14th ranked Utes, who scored 47 the week before on TCU, without a touchdown. It’s hard to overstate such a quality win in a new coach’s first year — they call these program building wins.

#3 Stanford – 2012 (20-13): Stanford’s Stepfan Taylor was a bad, bad, man. That he managed 102 yards against Notre Dame’s historically stingy rush defense is really telling. Only one other player eclipsed the century mark during the regular season – major bonus points if you know who it was without looking it up…or really, if you knew off-hand that it was Ray Graham from Pitt go outside now and talk to other living, breathing, human beings. Stuffing Taylor on the goal line was the stuff of legend. And it setup the Irish for their biggest win in a long, long time (we’ll get there…)

#2 Michigan State – 2013 (17-13): BK notched his third straight win over Sparty and did it with a Cam McDaniel TD late. Dantonio went back to the trick-play-bag and got burned…and there were LOTS of pass interference penalties but the net-net was a 10-game home winning streak for the first time since 1999. It also solidified Kelly as a wiley in-game coach (Calling pass plays for Rees to throw back shoulder time-and-time again just to force the PI action wasn’t quite 2015 end of half Jedi mind trick stuff, but it’s was most definitely son of a politician stuff)

#1 Oklahoma –  2012 (30-13): Prior to the Irish steam rolling OU, Bob Stoops had four career home losses. Four. By scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter Notre Dame announced to the nation that they were title contenders for the first time since 1993. This is the mountain top during the Kelly era…and it’s not even close.

The post Brian Kelly’s Top 5 Wins As Notre Dame Coach appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.