We said it for last year's USC contest, this year's Michigan game and just two weeks ago against Stanford. But this time, it's really true - at least for a few weeks. It's the biggest game of Irish coach Brian Kelly's career at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame's ground-and-pound 17-14 victory over BYU last Saturday served as the backdrop to an eventful recruiting weekend for the Irish recruiting staff. The Irish hosted several current and future commits and uncommitted recruits, with the highlight being 2013 running back prospect TareanFolston. Folston, a speedy back from Cocoa, Fla., is the No. 79 player in the country according to ESPN. The Irish already have a commitment at running back in the 2013 class from power back Jamel James, but Notre Dame recruiting expert Mike Frank said Folston and the Irish are a good fit.
Notre Dame will be busy this weekend, traveling to Oakland (Mich.) on Friday night before performing a quick turnaround with a trip to Michigan State on Saturday.
After a four game out-of-conference stretch to start the year, the Irish will open their final season of CCHA play when they travel to Northern Michigan on Friday and Saturday for a two-game series against the Wildcats.
Coming off a second-place finish at the Susan Maxwell Berning Classic, the No. 19 Irish conclude their fall season at The Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C., against a field stacked with ranked opponents.
Irish coach Brian Barnes will revisit his former program as the Irish travel to Alabama to take on the Auburn Tigers in a Friday afternoon dual meet.
Saint Mary's will look for a strong showing against its conference competition when the Belles travel to Albion, Mich., to compete in the MIAA championships on Saturday.
Before Notre Dame home games, spectators usually see the intimidating sight of junior linebacker Prince Shembo running the sidelines with a key tool to the defense's success.
While locked in a close race for the fourth and final spot into the MIAA tournament, Saint Mary's won in a three-set sweep over conference rival Alma. The Belles won three close sets, winning the match 25-21, 25-20, 25-19.
As the season rounds to a close, every point will count as the Belles square up against Hope in an attempt to gain a spot in postseason competition.
The Belles will enter their official MIAA schedule with two scoring events this weekend, competing in the Albion dual meet on Friday, followed by a double dual meet with Hope and Alma on Saturday.
A little over a month ago, Kansas State's defense stifled Oklahoma in a 24-19 Wildcat victory that handed Sooners coach Bob Stoops his fourth home loss in 14 years at the helm of the program.
Solutions by The State News
