During our Hot Dog Bye Week podcast, this Loyal Reader revealed that he would spend his bye week Ubering around Ann Arbor during Army/Michigan weekend. Here’s his playlist:

For those keeping score at home, that’s Army’s Fight Song, The Irish Tenors, “Here Come the Irish”, and the Rudy soundtrack. There’s trolling Michigan and then there’s this next-level, real-man-of-genius moment.

I can only imagine the stream of reactions from Michigan fans as they climb into his car and slowly realize the personal hell they have entered. May his Uber rating rest in peace.

As someone who steers this entire site straight into not just the silliness of college football, but also the pettiness and trolling opportunities it offers, I respect the hell out of this effort. Further, I hope his final Uber ride is given to a group of Army fans still buzzing over an upset over the damned Skunkbears.

The Roundup

The misery index is always a fun read, but typically you don’t see “how is this school a festering corpse?!” in week 2, but I guess Tennessee was just willing to jump on that grenade.

Another fun weekly read is the “top whatever” column. However, I think we can keep the absurdity of Hugh Freeze coaching from a hospital bed at #1 forever. It’s all downhill from here–UPDATE: maybe this dumb ride will keep going.

The silly season of the coaching carousel is always a wild ride. But Tom Herman/Coach O saga a couple of years ago at LSU was a damn rollercoaster.

Ian Book is a unicorn. Maybe not the thing you expected to hear from anyone after his performance against Louisville, but he’s a part of a ever-shrinking percentage of college QBs that actually bide their time before they win the starting job.

Notre Dame did take a hit in one poll. Anxiously awaiting a certain subset of fans that trash #sportsmath to now point to the SP+ as the one true poll that actually reflected ND on the eye test.

Bill C had some other non-stat stuff that you should read. This piece is basically a national primer to some of the biggest storylines for various teams around college football and how week 1 affected them.

I think I have a Beaver correspondent now. Had another line dropped about Oregon State’s next game against Hawaii. It will be aired on Facebook Live; however, no one is quite sure exactly where on Facebook it will be. Regardless, my bet is the answer is “in more homes than the Pac 12 network.”

Offer this kid a scholarship immediately. The all-name champion is here and I don’t know how you top this.

Get me back in school. Notre Dame is offering a course discussing The Good Place. Can I take this online? Please?!

#snacktalk has reached epic proportions. Little did I realize our silly podcast would set off a seismic event of a Rudy parody done by KFC, featuring both actual Rudy (meh) and Sean Astin (YAY!). Not only does this fever dream exist, IT’S AMAZING.

Opponent Watch

Number of former ND coaches to roam the opposing sideline: still zero.

If you’ve ever wondered how Southern Cal has ended up in their current state, you should absolutely read this fascinating piece about the booster that is likely responsible.

The post Friday Roundup: The Trolling Michigan via Uber Edition appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Interestingly enough, “Rudy” had its world premier in South Bend exactly 25 years ago this month. That season, the Fighting Irish went into the last game of the year, at home, undefeated and #1, only to be beaten by a substantially lower-ranked opponent. Let this be a dire and horrifying warning!

For October is the month of horror, ending as it does with Halloween, the night when ghosts and demons cavort openly among the living. American film-goers love to be horrified, because they know that what they are watching is not real. Irish football fans hate to be horrified, because what they see before them is oh-so very real.

Thus, let us bring together movies, the Fighting Irish, and the Naval Academy Midshipmen (who can be all too horrifying) and re-imagine some horror films with better endings:

“The Poseidon Adventure”

In theaters: A rogue wave capsizes a cruise ship, killing all but our heroes, led by a Minister.

In San Diego: A wave of Irish offense swamps the Middies, led by our hero, a Book.

“The Last Voyage”

In theaters: A heroic father leads his wife and daughter to safety after a boiler explosion sends a cruise ship to the bottom.

In San Diego: A heroic Kelly leads his Irish and their fans to victory after an explosive Notre Dame sends Navy to defeat.

“The Perfect Storm”

In theaters: Three deadly weather systems converge on a fishing boat which is engulfed by the sea.

In San Diego: Eleven deadly defensemen converge on the hapless Middies who are engulfed in loss – unfortunately for Navy, it will be Tranquill weather.

“Below”

In theaters: Terrible things happen on a Navy submarine.

In San Diego: Terrible things happen to Navy next to their submarines.

“Jaws”

In theaters: A great white shark eats people.

In San Diego: A great Irish defense eats Middies.

“The Abyss”

In theaters: Divers encounter underwater aliens.

In San Diego: What the Middies will be staring into.

“Dead Calm”

In theaters: A murderer pirates a sailboat.

In San Diego: The Navy cheering section.

“Deep Rising”

In San Diego: Irish Rising

“Moby Dick”

In San Diego: A cut-blocker

“All Is Lost”

In San Diego: The Story of the Navy Midshipmen

“A Night to Remember”

In San Diego: The Story of the Fighting Irish

EFS CSC

The post Good Fridays w/Padre: The Horror appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

But the whole idea of all these candidates debating issues and working toward one office caused me to consider the parallels to football (aren’t there always parallels to football or religion). And so I looked at several of our opponents and pondered what they would be like, were they Presidential candidates. I do this in the nation’s interest and in the spirit of patriotism.

First, some have already bowed-out of the race:

Texas – Walked a bit too softly and forgot to carry his big stick…while talking too loudly.

Virginia – The General Lee of the race. Played rough, left destruction in his path, but still lost.

Michigan – Lost the last primary. Moved to a small South American dictatorship.

Then, there are those who are still in the race:

Massachusetts – Thinks he’s an East Coast elite. Talks with a clinched jaw…a glass jaw.

Clemson – Can take a punch, but can’t deliver one.

Navy – A true patriot, but not enough missiles in his arsenal.

USC – Lying, cheating, philanderer with anger issues. He offends more voters than he attracts.

Temple – Small-time politician with small-time chances.

Pittsburgh – Always stays in the race too long, but usually gets kicked when he’s up.

Wake Forest – Genteel fellow, more interested in tee-times than kick-offs.

Boston College – Agent of the Evil Empire.

Stanford – Thinks way too highly of himself and is often delusional. Sore loser.

And that leaves tomorrow’s opponent:

Georgia Tech – Floats like a bee, but stings like a butterfly.

In this theoretical political scenario, the Irish win the primary and advance to the general election. It’s impossible to tell who the opposing party’s candidate might be, but there’s a good chance it will be a Southerner known for arrogance and corruption. I’ll leave you to fill in that blank.

EFS CSC

Editor’s Note – Father Sorin Says: The Founder Comments on Today’s Notre Dame is currently available in the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and on Amazon.

The post Good Fridays w/Padre: Candid Dates appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Here are your headlines:

FROM OUR SITE

• BK era: Scoring offense and defense

RECRUITING

• One Foot Down: OFD opinions: 2016 recruiting top target (Joejuan Williams, Josh King and Rashan Gary)
• 247 Sports: Six earn invite to The Opening at LA regional (Matt Fink)
• AL.com: Auburn in good position with RB Elijah Holyfield; yes, he’s Evander’s son
• TigerNet.com: Clemson offers 4-star DE after Junior Day visit (Julian Okwara, younger brother of Romeo Okwara)

COACHING

• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Autry Denson & his coaching ministry

CURRENT TEAM

• ND Insider: Football notebook: ND offense might already be up to speed (Brian Kelly, Mike Sanford, Everett Golson, Malik Zaire, Mike Denbrock, Bob Davie, Bob Diaco, Autry Denson, Lou Holtz, Jay Hayes, Aaron Taylor, John Foley)
• CSN Sportsnet Chicago: Notre Dame spring preview: Everett Golson, Malik Zaire & the QBs

IRISH IN THE NFL

• Bleacher Report: Maxx Williams is the only first-round talent in underwhelming TE draft class (Ben Koyack)

MISC.

• Post Standard: The Rev. Ted Hesburgh of Notre Dame: One quiet Syracuse life he changed forever
• Sidney Daily News: ‘Rudy’ to speak in Fort Loramie
• Eleven Warriors: 11W community interview: IMG Academy offensive lineman Mirko Jurkovic Jr.

The post Morning Roundup: March 9, 2015 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

The Moment’s Vince Moiso. Photo: USA Network

For anyone who believes in second chances, USA Network’s new original series ‘The Moment’ is for those who believe in, or who have benefited from, second chances. Hosted by legendary NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, ‘The Moment’ gives ordinary people the unique opportunity to realize unfulfilled dreams and rewrite their life’s story. It gives them the second chance of a lifetime.

Each week, Kurt will surprise one person with their second chance: whether that’s becoming a race car driver, costume designer or sports photographer. Traveling far from their homes and families to pursue their calling under the guidance of expert mentors, each participant will prepare for the interview of a lifetime. In the end, they will find out whether they still have what it takes to pursue this career or if they’ve been living their dream life all along.

This week I got the opportunity to interview one of “The Moment” nominees: Vince Moiso.

Vince Moiso has lived and breathed football from a very young age. After a promising playing career in college (University of San Diego) and pro career in Europe, Vince not only played quarterback, but was getting involved with coaching as well. But that’s when tragedy struck. His father, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, took a turn for the worst and passed away. It was up to Vince to support his recently widowed mom. Vince decided to forgo his dream of coaching and went into the tile business and has built a very successful career. However, there is still something missing, and being a football coach would complete his life. Our mentor will get Vince back up to speed and prepare him for an interview with the most elite college football program in the country – the University of Notre Dame. Vince will have to dig deep to overcome the years away from the game, and decide if the life of a professional coach is right for him and his family. (Bio from USANetwork.com)

Vince stopped by the blog to answer a few questions about Notre Dame, Fighting Irish football and what Our Lady’s University means to him.

THE MOMENT — “Football Coach Finale” — Pictured: — (Photo by: Tasos Katopodis/USA Network)

Q: How long have you been a Notre Dame fan?

A: “A true Notre Dame fan? Since September of 2012 after my experience here.”

Q: What is your first Notre Dame memory (football or otherwise)?

A: “The two kickoff TD returns by Rocket Ismail against Michigan in 1989. I remember watching it in total amazement, I was in high school at the time.”

Q: What is your favorite Notre Dame football memory?

A: “Rudy, seriously, if you’re a college football fan, who doesn’t love the movie Rudy? Is there anything more inspirational?”

Q: Did you play football in high school/college?

A: “I started playing football when I was 7 years old in Jr. All-American in Southern California. I played at McKay High School in Salem, Oregon and at the University of San Diego. I was a QB, and I also went on to play professionally in Europe.”

Q: When did you decide you wanted to be a football coach?

A: “I started coaching kids when I was in high school. It has always come naturally to me. I just thought that football would always be a part of my life. I would play for as long as I could then transition to coaching. It seemed to be the natural progression, unfortunately it didn’t happen that way.”

Q: Who is your favorite Notre Dame football coach? and why?

A: “Probably Lou Holtz, because Notre Dame football was so relevant at the time for me. I was a freshman in high school when he won the national championship. I was paying attention to college football so he made an impression on me. I think from that 1988 team more than 20 players went on to play in the NFL. And I like seeing Lou on ESPN now!”

THE MOMENT — “Into the Fire, South Bend IN, Football Coach” — Pictured: — (Photo by: Michael Hickey/USA Network)

Q: What about Notre Dame makes it such a special place for you (and so many
others)?

A: “I could write a book on this subject. I’m officially a subway domer now. You see what I thought was a simple opportunity to get back into coaching at Notre Dame became so much more. I didn’t understand why Notre Dame until I got here. By day two as I walked into the Basilica it was clear why I was here. This place welcomed me with open arms and every person I have met associated with the University is more impressive than the next. There is an energy that you cannot explain unless you have been here to feel it yourself. As coach Holtz said, “if you’ve been there no explanation is necessary, if you haven’t none is adequate.” Any true Notre Dame fan has heard that a thousand times but I know it rings true every time they hear it. It rings true for me.”

Q: What is your biggest takeaway from your experience with ‘The Moment?’

A: “You would expect me to say the coaching experience itself or the opportunity, but it’s not the biggest takeaway. For me ‘The Moment’ was about personal growth. I discovered along the way that I had not seriously opened up about my father’s death over 16 years ago. The show helped me explore the guilt and responsibility I felt over his death. It forced me to open up and let go. Once I did I had the time of my life. It was a very special life experience.”

“And last but certainly not least …  none of this would have been possible without the love and support of my wife and two daughters.”

I’d like to give Vince a big thank you for stopping by the blog. Tune in to USA Network on Thursday, May 2nd and see if Vince got the job as a Notre Dame football coach!

Cheers!

The post What Would You Do With The Second Chance of a Lifetime? appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.