Robert Blanton News

Before the 2009 season I took a look at the top 40 influential players for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Going into the season, Fighting Irish fans expected this game at Stanford to be a good one to end the year with.

Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage throws a pass. Savage led the Scarlett Knights to a 31-0 win against South Florida on Thursday.

Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 2:57 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 2:57 a.m. COLUMBIA, S.C. South Carolina receiver Moe Brown wasn't sure he could listen to any more of Marine Corporal Steven Diaz's presentation this week.

Cheap shot on the field Nov. 12: Notre Dame defensive back Robert Blanton was on the receiving end of a cheap shot in the game against Navy.

Last Saturday, Notre Dame junior nose tackle Ian Williams made national ripples with the word "outschemed" used in the context of the Irish defensive coaching staff.

Notre Dame associate head coach Corwin Brown has criticized Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo for his postgame comments after the Midshipmen upset the Irish Saturday and for a ``malicious'' cut block by a Navy receiver.

Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis bragged last week about how his defense "dominated" and "mauled" the Navy offense in last year's meeting between the schools.

For 43 years Notre Dame football fans could count one at least one thing: their favorite team would always beat Navy.

With mixed results, No. 25 Notre Dame has toed the fine -- and dangerous -- line between victory and defeat most of the season.

I know it's late, but here are the unedited versions of my follow story and our look back that will appear in this morning's S-R. Read on.

Washington State receiver Jared Karstetter makes a touchdown catch ahead of Notre Dame defender Robert Blanton during Saturday's 40-14 loss in the Alamodome.

The idea was to avoid a safety. So Jimmy Clausen scrambled, got out of the tackle box and threw the ball generally toward a Notre Dame receiver.

Notre Dame's young defensive line was a worry heading into the season, with a starting sophomore end who had yet to play and another sophomore who was moving from end to tackle.

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett Cornerback Gary Gray was one of the surprises for Notre Dame in last week's loss to USC.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. A " "We believe" was written in chalk Tuesday on the walkway leading up to the building that houses Notre Dame's football offices.

The skinny: Weis has had little trouble with the Irish's in-state rival. In Notre Dame's three wins over Purdue under Weis, the Irish have outscored the Boilermakers 122-70. Danny Hope, Purdue Seasons: 1 Record: 1-2 vs.

So far: Notre Dame is giving up 249.3 passing yards per game and has given up four passing touchdowns.

Three weeks into the 2009 season and Notre Dame Nation has lots of concerns. None more apparent then a defense that ranks 96th in the country for total defense.

A total of 21 different players took the field for the Irish on the defensive side of the ball, many of whom were in on a significant number of snaps.