Sports

Navy triple option to challenge defense

Before last season's 56-14 drubbing of Navy, Notre Dame had lost three of the previous four games against the Midshipmen because of one key culprit - the triple option.

Staff Predictions: Notre Dame vs. Navy

Allan Joseph Editor-in-Chief On paper, predicting this game is a fool's errand: Navy games are always unpredictable, season openers even more so and games in Ireland ... well, who knows? The reality is much easier than that, even with the loss of two starters to suspension. Notre Dame has come a long way from the debacle in the Meadowlands two years ago, and Navy has since lost Ricky Dobbs. The Irish defense is much more disciplined, and Everett Golson is running an offense that's finally comfortable with the Brian Kelly system. Especially considering the hype around this game, Navy might give Notre Dame a scare for a quarter or so. But it won't last much longer than that. It's going to be one amazing Irish party in Aviva Stadium.

Eifert, Te'o among four captains selected

Traditionally, team captains are the vocal engines of a well-oiled machine. As the focal points of a huddle, they holler at their teammates in practice and roar across the white lines before and after the whistle.

Attractions, sights aplenty in Ireland

DUBLIN - Day 1 of this trip was pretty low-key. We got situated in Dublin, took some photos for the Irish Insider and slept for the first time in nearly 36 hours.

Irish Celebration

DUBLIN - The Fighting Irish in Ireland.

SMC Soccer: Belles look to build off .500 season

Under the leadership of Belles coach Michael Joyce, Saint Mary's finished last season 10-10. This marked the first time the Belles outshined the five-win summit since 2005.

International exposure entices Irish recruits

The Irish enter the 2012 season having already assembled a competitive 2013 recruiting class of 19 players, including five ESPNU 150 talents. Though National Signing Day is still nearly a half-year away, Irish coach Brian Kelly and his staff have built a class that ranks No. 8 nationally in ESPN's latest class rankings. Irish recruiting expert Mike Frank said the Irish recruiters outperformed expectations in the summer signing period.

2012 Preseason Coverage

The beginning of Irish coach Brian Kelly's third season in charge of Notre Dame will have a decidedly foreign feel. The first snap of the Irish opener against Navy on Sept. 1 will be taken in a foreign country by a quarterback in a foreign position: Notre Dame starter.

Head to Head: Notre Dame vs. Navy

NAVY PASSING No, that's not a misprint. The two words a couple lines up do indeed say "Navy Passing." Although due to Navy's option offense, the Midshipmen's passing attack is nearly non-existent. Despite the structure of the offense, look for Navy to pass the ball slightly more than in years past under the direction of new junior quarterback Trey Miller. Miller is a better passer than former Navy signal caller Kriss Proctor, who ran for more yards than he threw for last year. Irish fans should recognize Miller from last year's 56-14 blowout win - a game in which he made his first career start. While Miller produced subpar numbers in South Bend, he gained valuable experience against the Irish that can only benefit him this year. Notre Dame's pass defense enters the season as one of the largest questions marks for the Irish. After losing both cornerbacks from last year and safety Harrison Smith to the NFL Draft, the secondary was set to plug in three new starters. But with the season-ending injury suffered by Lo Wood, freshman KeiVarae Russell was thrust into the starting lineup. Despite the inexperience, the secondary should have no problems defending Navy's primitive passing game. EDGE: NOTRE DAME

Joseph: Golson selection not enough (Aug. 31)

DUBLIN - Don't do it. Just don't. Don't read too much into Irish coach Brian Kelly's selection of sophomore Everett Golson as the starting quarterback for tomorrow's opener.

Denson driven by mentoring, coaching

Editor's note: This is the first of a new Observer feature. The "Waking the Echoes" series intends to inform fans about some former players and will feature weekly stories profiling them and their lives since Notre Dame.

Men's Tennis: Andrews improves during summer

Junior Greg Andrews was not about to lose any of his momentum.

Dublin prepares for the weekend's festivities

DUBLIN - Some cities would not take well to 40,000 foreign visitors arriving for a single event - much less a foreign game on the same weekend of one of the country's biggest domestic events.

Men's Soccer: Powers not going out quietly

Just as in the past three years, a new season means a new uniform number for Irish senior midfielder and captain Dillon Powers.

Football: Picking up the slack

Following the suspension of senior running back Cierre Wood, some fresh faces will get their chance to shine in the season opener against Navy on Saturday.

ND Women's Golf: Nhim called upon to lead young Irish

Remove all underclassmen from the Irish roster. Only one name would remain - junior Kristina Nhim.

SMC Volleyball: Belles to begin season at North Park Tournament

Saint Mary's kicks off its season this weekend when the Belles head to Chicago to participate in the North Park Tournament.

ND Women's Soccer: Six different players score in dominating weekend

Monardo: Forget stats and style: It's the goals that count (Aug. 27)

Soccer is a game that relies on skillful touches, prolonged possessions and fluid team play. But like most sports, soccer is also a game that relies, ultimately, on production. 

Men's Soccer: Irish bedevil Duke in opener

After the No. 18 Irish failed to capitalize on several prime scoring opportunities, senior forward Ryan Finley put the game-winning goal away in the 76th minute, and Notre Dame held on to clinch a 1-0 win over No. 21 Duke. The goal came off a pass across the box from junior forward Harry Shipp, who elected to pass the ball rather than take a shot. Finley, who transferred from Duke in 2011, scored his first goal of the season against his former team.