Matt James headlines the class of 2010 at Notre Dame

Highly-regarded Cincinnati prep offensive tackle Matt James has signed with Notre Dame, spurning offers from in-state power Ohio State and Florida.

Just how important was James' signature to the Irish?

Along with Illinois offensive lineman Christian Lombard (a player who performed well during the recent Army All American game), James is one of only three offensive linemen to sign with Notre Dame in the 2010 class.

Irish suffer a pair of recruiting losses

With National Signing Day just over a week away, Notre Dame appears to be limping down the final stretch.

Sunday evening, the fragile vessel that is the Notre Dame football program sprung a few more leaks, with the defections of highly-regarded Indiana defensive end Blake Leuders and talented running back Giovanni Bernard.

Losing Leuders stings because he plays along the defensive line and appears destined for defensive end, a position at which the Irish are woefully depleted. Leuders was snatched away by the same gentlemen who recruited him to play for Notre Dame: Brian Polian and Randy Hart, both of whom are now employed by Stanford, which is where Leuders will now enroll.

Irish suffer a pair of recruiting losses

Sunday evening, the fragile vessel that is the

Losing

Legacy recruit spurns Notre Dame offer

Well, at least he didn't choose Southern Cal...

As yet another long and eventful recruiting season slowly meanders toward National Signing Day on February 3rd, the Fighting Irish received some bad news on Thursday evening: Notre Dame legacy and decorated high school athlete Anthony Barr decided to cast his lot with his hometown UCLA Bruins. Barr told Rivals.com that, "it was the hardest decision of my life...I will always be a Notre Dame fan."

Barr is a classy young man and he will perform well at UCLA, which is an excellent school.

Kelly reels in his first recruit

Congratulations to Golden Tate

Edsall rumors had better be a joke

Posted by BrianBoru at 12/10/2009 12:50 AM EST

Should Notre Dame eventually hire Randy Edsall, I would suggest that each and every Fighting Irish fan find something else better to do with their Saturday afternoons.

Brian Kelly would come with questions

Posted by BrianBoru at 12/8/2009 5:50 AM EST

Should Brian Kelly become the next head coach at Notre Dame, I will not be dancing in the streets. Most observers of Notre Dame Football will tell you that the Fighting Irish's biggest problem, probably since Lou Holtz left South Bend back in 1996, has been its inability to win the battle in the trenches.

Weis is fired

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/30/2009 2:32 PM EST

The Charlie Weis era has officially ended.

Nov. 30, 2009
For Immediate Release

Irish lose another heartbreaker; Weis declines postgame presser

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/29/2009 12:48 AM EST

Much can be said about this game, this season; however, that's another blog.

ESPN's Robert Smith is a fool

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/28/2009 7:56 PM EST

Former Ohio State Buckeye and oft-injured NFL washout Robert Smith proves that you don't have to know what the hell you're talking about in order to opine on college football.

This is the end

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/28/2009 2:56 PM EST

It is nearly five hours until kickoff and I am listening to 'The End' by The Doors.

Morrison's haunting tune serves as a fitting soundtrack for the final season of the Charlie Weis Experiment.

Clausen family home is not for sale

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/26/2009 1:35 AM EST

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. According to the Chicago Tribune, Jimmy Clausen's parents have not sold their family home in South Bend. This news comes a day after the Tribune reported that the home was sold. In fact, Tribune Notre Dame beat writer Brian Hamilton reported that the home is not for sale per the family's attorney.

That's the good news.

Interesting times with Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/25/2009 12:25 AM EST

I'm back from South Bend, where I attended the Notre Dame/Connecticut contest, and there is much to discuss.

This could get messy

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/17/2009 12:40 PM EST

For those of you hoping that Charlie Weis would do the right thing and resign: it appears as though Charlie has dug his heels into the sand and prepared himself for a hostage negotiation.

The hostage, in this case, is the Notre Dame football program.

Notre Dame loses once again

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/14/2009 11:44 PM EST

Not much new for Notre Dame. Charlie Weis remains as the worst head coach in all of college football.

Never before have I seen so little accomplished with so much talent: Floyd, Tate, Clausen et al.

A sign Weis is losing his team...?

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/8/2009 2:38 PM EST

Yesterday, defensive tackle Ian Williams offered a candid answer in response to why the Irish were defeated by Navy. His answer? Notre Dame was "outschemed", according to Williams.

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis should do the right thing: Quit now

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/8/2009 2:14 AM EST

How many of you were surprised by the result of Saturday's Notre Dame/Navy game?

ND V Navy halftime thoughts

Posted by BrianBoru at 11/7/2009 4:24 PM EST

It's not surprising that Notre Dame is trailing Navy at the half. I've been saying all along that this team, this program, is on the fast track to obscurity with Weis limping about the sidelines.

A reminder: Navy lost to Temple last week. Yes. Temple.

The times they are a-changin'

Posted by BrianBoru at 10/23/2009 6:41 PM EDT

I haven't written much lately because there isn't very much left to say. I suppose I could continue to repeat my blogs, trotting out why Notre Dame Football is dead as we once knew it.

But I have become at once indifferent and curious regarding the precipitous decline of a once-proud tradition.

Smoke and mirrors: Michigan exposed; Notre Dame still missing something

Posted by BrianBoru at 10/11/2009 6:37 AM EDT

I hate bye weeks during Notre Dame Football season.

That noted, let's take a peek at the Michigan Wolverines, shall we? A few blogs prior, I announced Michigan was a fraud. I said they would lose four or five games. I was never sold on their cocky freshman quarterback, who I believe has a weaker arm than New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon; his candy arm would soon be exposed, I thought.

Irish eke out victory in white-knuckle affair

Posted by BrianBoru at 10/3/2009 7:43 PM EDT

Right out of the chute, here are a few thoughts on the game: Jimmy Clausen is the best quarterback in the country — and it's not even close.

Playing opposite the multi-talented Washington quarterback, Jake Locker, Clausen was remarkably poised under duress the entire afternoon. Hobbled by a turf-toe injury that will, unfortunately, be ailing him all season, Clausen tossed a comical 422 yards through the air, also accounting for two touchdowns and one interception — a perfectly-thrown pass which sailed through the hands of running back Armando Allen.

Post Purdue: Where does Notre Dame go from here?

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/28/2009 2:30 AM EDT

(courtesy Darron Cummings/AP) Jimmy Clausen celebrating the victory over Purdue.

Upon a day of reflection on Saturday evening's thrilling victory against Purdue, I have fallen back into cranky pessimist mode.

Jimmy Clausen leads the way...Irish defeat Purdue

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/27/2009 12:30 AM EDT

Jimmy Clausen is a helluva quarterback. Playing on a bum foot, he led his Fighting Irish on a game-winning drive to defeat the Purdue Boilermakers 24-21.

On fourth-and-goal, Clausen found his remarkable tight end, Kyle Rudolph, for the winning toss.

Will Armando play...?

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/24/2009 8:09 PM EDT

The status of running back Armando Allen, according to Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis, will be decided shortly before kickoff against Purdue.

Floyd likely lost for the season

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/20/2009 2:27 PM EDT

The Irish will most likely be without the services of wide receiver Michael Floyd for the remainder of the season. Floyd had surgery on his broken collarbone today.

Floyd, perhaps the best receiver in all of college football, cannot be replaced by one player.

To hell with the Big Ten...the Irish hang on for the win

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/19/2009 8:27 PM EDT

The Fighting Irish held on to defeat the Michigan State Spartans and the Big Ten officiating crew.

Here are some observations from the game:

ND Halftime thoughts

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/19/2009 5:44 PM EDT

Where shall I begin...?

Let's talk about the first quarter: the Playstation offense appeared to be clicking early, with Clausen connecting on a big 58-yard pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph. Running back Armando Allen capped the drive as he took the snap out of the Wildcat formation.

All is not well for Notre Dame Football

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/14/2009 3:47 PM EDT

(Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis)

Improvement from the offense amounts to very little when the defense is a sieve. Ditto the special teams. Absolutely brutal.

Same old story

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/14/2009 2:00 AM EDT

Charlie Weis is a poor head football coach.

Sadly for Notre Dame fans, very few people within the Notre Dame administration seem to care. Accordingly, as long as Charlie Weis continues limping along the Notre Dame sidelines, Notre Dame fans ought to adopt the same outlook toward the football program. Perhaps then the powers that be at Notre Dame will sit up and take notice, and finally begin to demonstrate that they are not content in becoming the Chicago Cubs of college football.

A good start...

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/7/2009 4:35 PM EDT

If recent history has taught us anything, it should remind us that winning a season opener does not guarantee a successful season. Under Charlie Weis, the Fighting Irish are 4-1 in season openers. With that out of the way, it was an impressive victory for the Irish; however, there remain a few question marks:

1) The interior of the defensive line. Too often Notre Dame was gashed by running back Vai Taua up the middle. In order for Notre Dame to once again be considered an elite program, that must not continue this season. The defensive tackles will need to fill the gaps much better as the season moves forward.

Notre Dame V Nevada Preview

Posted by BrianBoru at 9/4/2009 12:26 PM EDT

Taking a look at the Notre Dame/Nevada game tomorrow...

Finally...the season is upon us

Posted by BrianBoru at 8/31/2009 3:15 PM EDT

Your wait is over, Notre Dame Nation.

In what has probably seemed like the longest off season of his coaching career, Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis will finally get the opportunity to silence his critics as the Fighting Irish get set to play Nevada on Saturday.

No more talk: Weis is ready for 2009 season

Posted by BrianBoru at 8/7/2009 4:18 PM EDT

Before a crowd of curious reporters, Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis appeared both confident and anxious as he answered questions for nearly 45 minutes.

The occasion was media day 2009, the official beginning to what ought to be a memorable season.

Notre Dame/UConn series will not happen

Posted by BrianBoru at 8/5/2009 12:21 PM EDT

Reports are making the rounds that Notre Dame and the University of Connecticut will not participate in a previously arranged six game football series.

If these reports are true, I like it.

McMackin suspended 30 days

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/31/2009 10:35 PM EDT

Within the hour, the AP has reported that Hawaii head football coach Greg McMackin has been suspended 30 days for his homosexual slur directed at Notre Dame.

During a press conference on Thursday, McMackin used the words 'faggot' and 'faggot dance' to describe the Notre Dame football team.

Weis issues response to McMackin's comments

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/31/2009 5:13 PM EDT

Just in: Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis responds to comments made by Hawaii's McMackin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2009

UH coach calls Fighting Irish 'faggots'

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/31/2009 1:38 AM EDT

Hawaii Football coach Greg McMackin needs to be sacked.

Kyle Rudolph named to Mackey Award watch list

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/29/2009 3:37 PM EDT

Just in: Sophomore tight end Kyle Rudolph has been named to the John Mackey Award watch list.

Notre Dame Legends defeat Japan National team in Tokyo

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/27/2009 3:20 AM EDT

Over the weekend, the Irish Legends of Notre Dame defeated the Japan National team by a score of 19-3.

I did not watch the game, and it will not be telecast until August 10th, but apparently Notre Dame Legends dominated the smaller Japanese squad along the line of scrimmage.

Nate Montana leaves Notre Dame

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/25/2009 4:01 PM EDT

Fourth-string quarterback Nate Montana has decided to transfer to Pasadena City College.

Notre Dame comes to Tokyo

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/24/2009 11:10 AM EDT

The Notre Dame Legends football team is set to square off against the Japanese Senior National Team tomorrow night in Tokyo, Japan.

In what is being dubbed the Notre Dame Japan Bowl, former Notre Dame football players will have the opportunity to suit up one final time.

Notre Dame's Fighting Irish playing Tulsa?

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/21/2009 3:12 PM EDT

The Fighting Irish are finalizing the finishing details on a 2010 date with the University of Tulsa. An official announcement is imminent.

This move is not surprising because Bubba Cunningham, former associate athletic director at Notre Dame, is Tulsa's athletic director.

The Urban Conundrum

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/16/2009 1:43 PM EDT

It will not go away...despite the recent statement that he would "never" coach at Notre Dame, Florida head football coach Urban Meyer has not convinced many people...nor has he convinced me.

That's because the time to deny his interest in the Notre Dame position has long been overdue. You've heard the story before — Urban Meyer devoting a section of his book to how close he came to accepting the Notre Dame gig. Simply put, Meyer chose the Florida job in the winter of 2004 because he had a young family and did not want to recruit nationally, sending him away from his family for weeks at a time.

Summer recruiting momentum continues

Posted by BrianBoru at 7/7/2009 3:08 PM EDT

It would seem that Charlie Weis and his football staff are not too concerned about their summer vacation plans. Capping a recent flurry of commitments, Illinois prep quarterback Tommy Rees pledged his services to Notre Dame, becoming the 11th player to join the Irish's class of 2010. Rees is the second quarterback in the fold for ND, joining Cincinnati's Andrew Hendrix.

Rees, a three-star prospect on both Rivals.com and Scout.com, was reported to have thrown pretty well at Notre Dame's one-day camp just last week. He's viewed as an insurance policy who will provide depth for a roster that could conceivably lose two quarterbacks after this year. Sure, Jimmy Clausen enters 2009 with two years of eligibility remaining, but if he can demonstrate that his performance against Hawaii on Christmas Eve was not a fluke, there is a pretty solid chance he will forego his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft next season. Clausen, who will be 22 years old in September, will not be as charitable with the football this season. Many of his interceptions were as a result of playing injured, brought on by playing behind a poor offensive line.

Good news and bad news

Posted by BrianBoru at 6/26/2009 12:50 AM EDT

Since there has been a helluva lot more bad news than good news since Lou Holtz was fired, er...left Notre Dame, let's just get the bad news out of the way first...

Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis announced that sophomore tight end Joseph Fauria will not be enrolled at Notre Dame this season due to "personal reasons".

Luke Harangody will return to Notre Dame

Posted by BrianBoru at 6/15/2009 3:42 PM EDT

This just in: Notre Dame basketball star Luke Harangody will return to Notre Dame for his senior year.

Men's head coach Mike Brey posted the news on his Twitter page within the past half hour.

A return to the past

Posted by BrianBoru at 5/23/2009 7:38 PM EDT

Notre Dame and Yankee Stadium. Immediately, we are reminded of Knute Rockne's famous "Win One for the Gipper" speech in 1928. Though Rockne no longer paces the Notre Dame sideline, the Fighting Irish would like the opportunity to add another chapter to its grand history. And they would like to do it against a rival from their past – Army.

Irish Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick, a far better man for the job than his predecessor Kevin White, has expressed an interest in Notre Dame competing against Army in the inaugural college football game played at the new Yankee Stadium. This would make a lot of sense due to the large number of Notre Dame alumni and "subway alumni" in the New York City area. In fact, the term "subway alumni" was first coined to describe the huge Notre Dame fan base in New York City who did not attend Notre Dame.

Irish Head Coach Mike Brey now on Twitter

Posted by BrianBoru at 5/15/2009 2:58 PM EDT

Notre Dame Men's Head Coach Mike Brey has jumped on board the Twitter bandwagon, Irish Fans.

If you would like to check out his page, you can find it at: www.twitter.com/ndmikebrey

Notre Dame on ESPN

Posted by BrianBoru at 5/14/2009 2:10 AM EDT

The Notre Dame Football program is being featured all week on ESPN’s College Football Live. After hosting the first two days of coverage, John Saunders, thankfully, found something else to do on Wednesday. Saunders, whose agenda against Notre Dame has much to do with his friendship and support of former Irish Head Coach Tyrone Willingham, appeared noticeably uncomfortable as he listened to fellow analyst Ed Cunningham (correctly) cite Willingham’s poor recruiting while at Notre Dame, in particular along the offensive line, as the chief reason Notre Dame had performed so deplorably inept the past two seasons.

Cunningham did say, however, the Irish needed to improve upon their fundamentals in blocking up front. In other words, though Tyrone Willingham was a train wreck on the recruiting trail, leaving Charlie Weis with a barren stretch of classes, Weis has run out of excuses. The 2009 outfit, for better or worse, is all his. Finally stocked with talent across the board, coaching will dictate this season's outcome.

Gary Gray returns to Notre Dame

Posted by BrianBoru at 5/10/2009 9:29 PM EDT

The Fighting Irish just got a little deeper in the defensive backfield. After sitting out the spring semester, cornerback Gary Gray will be returning to Notre Dame. Though Gray's return was not unexpected, this bodes well for the football program since he has three years of eligibility remaining, essentially providing the Irish with another recruit to its impressive 2009 haul.

Reports indicate that Gray is in good football shape and ready to contribute immediately this season.

The Golden Ghost

Posted by BrianBoru at 4/15/2009 2:35 AM EDT

For a team brimming with question marks it is nice to have at least one conclusive answer: Golden Tate.

With much of the offensive focus on quarterback Jimmy Clausen, look for the two-sport star to build on his breakout 2008 campaign in which he led the Irish in receiving, and push for All America notice in 2009.

Spring practice thoughts

Posted by BrianBoru at 4/9/2009 2:47 PM EDT

Poring over many accounts of spring practice, I am pleased to read Jimmy Clausen has impressed for the Fighting Irish. He's reportedly in the best shape of his life, has added some extra bulk to his once frail frame, and appears ready to lead his team to a successful season. Clausen, of course, will need a lot of help.

He will need his experienced offensive line to step up and play like angry men. Reports out of practice indicate the left tackle position has been seized by Paul Duncan, and that the senior has been very good.

North Carolina celebrates

Posted by BrianBoru at 4/7/2009 2:30 AM EDT

The North Carolina Tarheels proved to be too talented for Michigan State, collecting their fifth NCAA Championship.

Right at the outset, the Tarheels jumped on the Spartans, led by outstanding point guard Ty Lawson. Lawson, once again, demonstrated why he is the best player in the nation. Running the offense and leading the defensive pressure, Lawson could be found all over the court. He finished with a game-high 21 points while also notching eight steals. Yeah, eight steals. Lawson tied the record for an NCAA tournament contest, displaying superhero quickness I've not seen in a long time.

The stage is set

Posted by BrianBoru at 4/5/2009 2:56 AM EDT

Continuing their improbable run through the NCAA Tournament the Michigan State Spartans upset the Connecticut Huskies in the first game of the Final Four.

The Spartans, an industrious group of athletes who precisely exemplify the personality of their head coach, Tom Izzo, terrorized the Huskies at their own game.

New York City...end of the road

Posted by BrianBoru at 4/1/2009 3:39 AM EDT

In a game that was not nearly as tight as the final score would indicate, Penn State whipped the Fighting Irish. And so the season ends, Notre Dame fans. An especially disappointing season it was.

Hindsight brings me happiness that I was unable to travel to New York City for the game.

The Final Four is set

Posted by BrianBoru at 3/30/2009 12:58 AM EDT

If your bracket is still intact, maybe you ought to start playing the lottery.

Undoubtedly, the most surprising upset of the NCAA Tournament occurred today as the gritty Michigan State Spartans thoroughly baffled the University of Louisville Cardinals.

Thoughts on spring football

Posted by BrianBoru at 3/25/2009 4:07 PM EDT

With the Fighting Irish kicking off spring practice this week, here is what I am watching:

1. Will Jimmy Clausen be able to build off his sterling performance in the Hawaii Bowl?

The season continues

Posted by BrianBoru at 3/19/2009 3:19 PM EDT

Close your eyes and try to forget for a moment that it was the NIT. Pretend Notre Dame just defeated Duke in the NCAA Tournament. Are you excited yet? Well, you're not alone. Upon channel surfing to ESPN2 for the game, I quickly took note of the listless South Bend crowd seemingly waiting for football season.

Watching the Irish eke out a victory against the scrappy Lobos of New Mexico was alternatively satisfying and troubling. It was nice seeing the seniors play with passion and intensity while refusing to allow their season to end. But where was this passion earlier this season?

ND in the NIT...if anybody cares

Posted by BrianBoru at 3/18/2009 12:42 PM EDT

Notre Dame began its quest in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) with a 70-64 victory over the Blazers of Alabama-Birmingham. I must confess that I did not watch the game; consider it a mute protest by choosing to do other things on a beautiful St. Patrick's Day.

Entering the 08-09 season, I, like many others, expected the Irish to compete for the Big East title. After all, they did begin the season ranked in the Top 10, returning all but one starter (Rob Kurz) from a team that finished 24-7 and 14-4 in Big East action last season.

Weis must go

Posted by BrianBoru at 3/15/2009 2:48 PM EDT

The 2009 football season will be pivotal in the coaching career of Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis. Four years into his regime in South Bend, Weis has made very few decisions which would provide hope for the future.

Electing to eschew the ground game in 2008, Weis opted instead to focus his offensive identity almost exclusively around the talents of enigmatic sophomore Jimmy Clausen. After enjoying a relatively small measure of early success, racing out to a 4-1 record behind the gun-slinging Clausen, Notre Dame faltered down the stretch losing five of its next seven games. Recognizing Weis’ penchant for aerial display, teams began dropping an extra man into coverage in order to stop the predictable Irish offense. Trouble followed.

New York...here come the Irish

Posted by BrianBoru at 3/26/2009 12:30 AM EDT

Madison Square Garden; here come the Irish. In a game that seemed to have a lot more riding on it than a trip to the NIT Semifinals, Notre Dame staved off a late charge against the Kentucky Wildcats.

Quickly out of the gate charged the Irish led by the wonderful play of Luke Harangody. It was during the first half that Harangody established a tenor of toughness - his teammates soon followed.

A kick in the gut

Perhaps the most unsettling news of this offseason came late Tuesday evening.

Coveted quarterback recruit Nick Montana, son of former Notre Dame legend and Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, has committed to play football for the University of Washington.

The same Washington Huskies program which Tyrone Willingham navigated to exactly zero wins last year.