Sports

SMC Basketball: Belles' comeback falls short

ND Women's Swimming: Irish take final dual meet

In their final dual meet of the season Saturday, Notre Dame looked primed for the upcoming Big East championships, defeating Toledo, 176-123. 

ND Softball: Irish split doubleheaders

The Irish began their season by going 2-2 at UNC Charlotte's Fast Pitch Classic over the weekend. Notre Dame split the games on both days of the tournament, losing twice to Wisconsin and defeating UNC Charlotte and Presbyterian. 

Irish outlast Cardinals in five-overtime thriller

No. 25 Notre Dame outlasted No. 11 Louisville, 104-101, in a five-overtime thriller that will go down as an instant classic.

Track & Field: Four prepare for league finals

With the conference championship just a week away, four Irish athletes will travel to Grand Valley State this weekend for some last minute preparation.

Q&A: Rece Davis

Q&A: Jalen Rose

ND Women's Swimming: Team hopes to carry momentum to Toledo

As Notre Dame's regular season draws to a close, the team may be treating its last meet against Toledo more as a tune-up. The Irish will travel to Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday, although the outcome does not overly concern them, according to senior diver Jenny Chiang.

Men's Tennis: Irish trek to East Lansing

No. 30 Notre Dame is on the road this weekend, traveling to East Lansing to face No. 48 Michigan State on Saturday. Both squads are 4-3, presenting equal opportunities for victory as they enter the weekend.

Q&A: Jay Bilas

Fencing: Irish seek to continue success against Duke

After a strong day at the Northwestern Duals on Feb. 2, Notre Dame will travel to Durham, N.C., for the two-day Duke Duals this weekend.

SMC Tennis: Belles begin season with doubleheader

Fencing: DeSmet aims for second NCAA championship

Hunter Bivin

HUNTER BIVIN Offensive Lineman 6'6" • 290 Apollo High School Owensboro, Ky. Ranked as one of the top tackles in the country, Hunter Bivin committed to Notre Dame in March, selecting the Irish over Florida, Ohio State and Oklahoma, among others. With his 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame, Bivin has the ability to overpower his opponents with raw strength. Although he struggles with his footwork at times, he displayed good agility and technique at the Under Armour All-American Bowl in January. Bivin largely lined up as a left tackle in high school but demonstrated the ability to play different positions on the line. He even saw some snaps at center, a rarity for a player of his size. Bivin projects to play inside at Notre Dame. Bivin still needs to put on more weight and strength, but he could find himself in mop-up duty as early as next season.

Hockey: Frosty relations

Mike Heuerman

Mike Heuerman Tight End 6'4" • 220 Barron Collier High School Naples, Fla. Brian Kelly and the Irish managed to snag tight end Mike Heuerman from the clutches of Urban Meyer and Ohio State. The four-star tight end from Barron Collier High School in Naples, Fla., cited tradition and the campus community as reasons for choosing Notre Dame over Ohio State, LSU and several other schools. Heuerman stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds. He is already a talented and dominant blocker with the potential to do even more damage on the outside once he fills out his tall frame. He plays smart and adjusts quickly when blocking. Heuerman also runs a swift 4.69-second 40-yard dash. That speed coupled with his height will make him a big challenge to cover and a formidable receiving threat.  

Recruits adopt 'Mob' mentality

The 24 incoming players who make up the Irish class of 2013 hail from as far east as Massachusetts and as far west as California. But despite being separated by distance, the group has been united for months under one defining moniker.

Tarean Folston

TareanFolston Running Back 5'9" • 190 Cocoa High School Cocoa, Fla. TareanFolston is the faster of Notre Dame's two running back recruits from the Sunshine State, and his 4.48-second speed in the 40-yard dash will be an asset in the Irish spread running game. And as fast as Folston is, he's even quicker in his cuts. Where other shifty players may "jump cut" around would-be tacklers, Folston drives into every move, coming out of a cut with more momentum than he had going into it. He can string out plays and beat other players to the edge, or at a moment's notice decisively drive into a hole, where he does not shy away from contact. With his elite quickness and skills both running and receiving the football, Folston should join upperclassmen like George Atkinson III and Davonte' Neal as versatile, explosive weapons in the Irish offense.

Isaac Rochell

Isaac Rochell Defensive End 6'4" • 250 Eagles Landing Christian Academy McDonough, Ga. Isaac Rochell played both offensive and defensive line in high school but will join the Irish ranks as a defensive end. Rochell received offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma but committed to the Irish in June and will add considerable depth to the defensive line. ESPN rates him as a four-star prospect and the 13th best defensive end in the country. The 250-pounder has a knack for getting in the backfield and is relentless in pursuing the quarterback. He recorded seven sacks and 24 tackles for loss during his junior year. Rochell already has the speed and size to compete in college but can still add bulk to improve his strength.  

Allen: 2012 momentum carries into 2013 (Feb. 7)

Recruiting is a college football fan's most dangerous game.