Sports

Hefferon: NHL lockout may be a blessing (Jan. 16)

Santa was a little late for hockey fans in America, but the gift of sanity finally arrived in the form of a new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement about two weeks after Christmas and after several months of missed games - 510 in all.

Experience proves its worth in managing layoff

Seniors reflect on final game, collegiate careers

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - For four months, MantiTe'o's senior season at Notre Dame unfolded in storybook fashion. Twelve times he walked off the field a victor as the Irish marched to the BCS National Championship Game.

Owens: 2012 success paves the way for 2013 (Jan. 15)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - 2012 wasn't supposed to go like this. If Notre Dame had stayed true to the script, it would have gone 8-4 this season. Improvement would have been evident, even if not in the final record. The stage would be set for a 2013 BCS berth and Irish resurgence.

Tackling issues plague Irish defense in romp

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - After his unit had underperformed in a 42-14 drubbing at the hands of Alabama following elite play all season, nose guard Louis Nix sat in the Notre Dame locker room amidst a throng of reporters, cameras and notepads.

Tackling issues plague Irish defense in romp

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - After his unit had underperformed in a 42-14 drubbing at the hands of Alabama following elite play all season, nose guard Louis Nix sat in the Notre Dame locker room amidst a throng of reporters, cameras and notepads.

Golson looks to grow after championship loss

Poor first quarter buries Notre Dame

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Two plays into the game, it all looked okay for No. 1 Notre Dame.

Joseph: Bright spots in Sun Life Stadium give hope for 2013 (Jan. 8)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - It wasn't pretty, and it was a deeply unsatisfying end to a storybook 2012 season. But once you step back from the chaos and the heartbreak, some bright spots emerge - not just in the big picture of the 2012 campaign, but in the 42-14 loss. There aren't many to highlight, but the ones there are suggest the Irish will be back for more next fall.

Gameday Analysis: Notre Dame-Alabama

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The BCS National Championship Game is finally here. With kickoff just hours away, see what The Observer's beat writers think will be the keys to tonight's game.

Diaco leads Irish defense with relentless energy

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - It's January and Bob Diaco's top-ranked defense is preparing for the national championship game. After Monday night, the focus will be on recruiting leading up to Feb. 6. Shortly after, spring practice will consume his time.

Irish Insider Live: One Day Away

The Observer's beat writers discuss Notre Dame's mindset leading up to the BCS National Championship Game and identify players they think will play key roles in the matchup with Alabama.

One day away

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Brian Kelly has been to three national championship games before (all while he was at Division II Grand Valley State). He lost the first one in the last two minutes of the game, and he won the next two. He knows how to play for championships. But in many ways, the BCS National Championship Game is an entirely new challenge.

Allen: Te'o can add to already abundant legend Monday (Jan. 6)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The day Notre Dame fans have been anticipating for 45 days - or 24 years, depending on how you count it up - is finally about to unfold.

Miami Beach pep rally draws thousands

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - It was hard to believe the same stage hosted the same event just three hours before.

Defensive line depth contributes to success

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - "Next man in."

Power football takes center stage

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - When the Irish and Crimson Tide line up in the trenches Monday night, it will mark a victory for traditional, defensive-minded football in an era where gimmicks and finesse are the flavor of the day.

Fox, Calabrese prepare to stop Alabama offense

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Over the summer, Dan Fox decided he needed to step up his game. The senior linebacker from Rocky River, Ohio, approached defensive coordinator Bob Diaco and asked him to prepare a compilation of areas in which Fox could improve. After reviewing Fox's 2011 game film, Diaco returned with a package for Fox to study. And the results for the high school safety and onetime outside linebacker have been obvious.

Saban, Kelly headline Media Day

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Sitting on the sidelines of the field that will host their titanic matchup in just two days' time, Irish coach Brian Kelly and Alabama coach Nick Saban held court in front of hordes of reporters today at the BCS National Championship Game media day. Each swatted away NFL rumors and talk of his own place in history, instead preferring to talk about the players surrounding them and the dynamics of the game ahead.

Joseph: Don't read too much into pre-practice reports (Jan. 5)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - There's a little bit of intrigue swirling in South Florida.