Sports

The loyal son

This Saturday, for one last time, MantiTe'o will make his way to the northwest corner of Notre Dame Stadium after the coin toss. As he has done on each home football Saturday, he will look up, gaze at his 8,500 classmates and exhort them to prepare for kickoff.

Wilcox: Examining the Battle for the Chapel

At Notre Dame, two things are taken very seriously: football and religion. In the annual Keenan-Stanford interhall football game, known as the "Battle for the Chapel," the two are combined to create a rivalry unlike any other.

Karnes: Aura of Notre Dame Stadium raises stakes in interhall

Every fall, thousands of football players dream of the same thing: playing under the bright lights of a massive stadium, being cheered on by their friends and family while playing the game they love. Some players get a taste of that experience on Friday nights in high school, but only a fortunate few get to experience the real rush of playing in college or the pros.

Wood embraces California mentality

In just one year, senior running back Cierre Wood went from 5,641 rushing yards and 71 touchdowns in high school to zero his freshman year. Zero yards, zero touchdowns and zero playing time.

ND Women's Swimming: Trip to Kansas will be a homecoming for Reaney

When the Irish head to Topeka, Kan., to compete in the Kansas Women's Classic this weekend, it will be a homecoming for sophomore Emma Reaney.

Sucked to sea

PERTH, Australia - There's a reason why Australians are so connected to the oceans. It's not just the waves or the sheer feeling of bliss when sitting on a beach. The waters have provided livelihood for the Australians as a means of trade and transportation. Even before the first Europeans ventured down under, many of the Aboriginals made homes by the sea, utilizing the coast for the food and ease of travel on the water. The climate is considerably more comfortable along the coast than in the innermost parts of the continent called "the outback," which is quite arid and dry. Today, Australians flock to the oceans to surf, snorkel and explore, among other activities.

Stembaugh: Student referees act as unsung heroes

The games have been intense, the rivalries ferocious and the excitement growing more heated by the week as the women's interhall flag football season inches towards the championship matchup.

Connors: What makes interhall football so great?

Every week, 29 football teams don pads or flags to play fellow dorms in a game of interhall football. The games are fierce, competitive and hold special meaning to each dorm.

Tausch adds name to Notre Dame record books

For Irish senior kicker Nick Tausch, watching the ball sail through the uprights is a special feeling.

SMC Swimming: Belles expect strong showings from relay teams

Cowart eyes NFL career as long snapper

Many of Notre Dame's athletes claim the title of "master of their craft," but few more so than senior long snapper Jordan Cowart. Cowart is in his final season as the first scholarship long snapper in Irish history.

Calabrese adds physical presence to defense

In an Irish linebacking corps crowded with talent, senior inside linebacker Carlo Calabrese is a force to be reckoned with all on his own. With 136 career tackles and counting, Calabrese has served as a constant presence on defense for the last three years.

Hockey: Wolverines await

No. 7 Notre Dame is sitting squarely in the middle of the valley of death, a veritable murderer's row schedule that may be tougher than what they hope to witness in the NCAA championships in March. A split with No. 9 Western Michigan and a 3-1 loss at No. 1 Boston College are behind the Irish, and they've yet to reach their series with No. 6 North Dakota.

Connors: Overcoming adversity to win titles a trend

What does it take to lead an interhall football team to a once-in-a-lifetime championship game in Notre Dame Stadium? Togetherness, heart, resiliency, trust.

Toma excels as slot receiver

Robby Toma has always embraced being the little guy. At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, he doesn't have any other choice.

Breslau makes mark as student first, then athlete

Every NCAA football player is called to be a "student-athlete."

Turk steadily improves as starting punter

During Irish punter Ben Turk's senior season, he has established success to cap a career that has faced many challenges as a rare four-year starter at punter. Upon graduation from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Turk was ranked No. 3 nationally among punters in his class. Turk chose Notre Dame over Alabama, Cincinnati, Florida and Miami.

Cave becomes mainstay on offensive line

For most high school football players, the recruiting process is full of difficult decisions. For senior center Braxston Cave, the decision was a no-brainer.

Football: Dealing with the Deacons

After dispatching Boston College, No. 3 Notre Dame will face its third and final ACC foe of the season when it welcomes Wake Forest on Saturday.

Fencing: Olympian leads squad

Individual glory was on the line this weekend as numerous Irish fencers participated in the North American Cup tournament in Virginia Beach, Va.