Friday notes: Temple, recruiters, numbers and more

As we mentioned a few days ago, Notre Dame and Temple have agreed to a three-game series, with the first game of the series coming in 2014 at Lincoln Financial Stadium in Philadelphia.

"“It’s been nearly 20 years since a Notre Dame football team has played in Philadelphia, so we’re excited about the opportunity to do so, in the process playing a Temple program for the first time in our history,” Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick said.

For those keeping track, the Irish neutral site games of the next few years will be Maryland next November in Washington, D.C. at FedEx Field, Navy in Dublin, Ireland to kick off the 2012 schedule and then in Chicago at Soldier Field later in October. 2013 sees the Irish take on Arizona State in the new Cowboys Stadium, UConn at Foxboro Stadium, and 2014’s slate has the Irish taking on Temple in Philly, with a game against Syracuse set for the Meadowlands. Barnstorming in the 21st century.

As you could probably predict, there’s been some grumbling from some factions of the fanbase that tend to grumble when they can, but I think this is a great game at a terrific venue in a town that has great support for Notre Dame. The 2014 schedule already contains games against Arizona State, Michigan and Southern Cal, so any worry of quality opponents can be brushed off and likely eliminated as the Irish lock in three more games for the year.
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Not that these awards matter in the grand scheme of things, but with the 2011 recruiting class in the rear-view mirror, Rivals and ESPN have decided to put together lists of top recruiters around the country. Not surprisingly, the Irish coaching staff is well represented on these lists, with Tony Alford being mentioned by Rivals and Chuck Martin, in his first year at the major D-I level, being selected by ESPN.

Here’s Rivals rationale for listing Alford:

Alford beat Florida State head-to-head for defensive end Aaron Lynch not once but twice and his tenacious recruiting allowed the Irish to finish with one of the best defensive line classes in the country. Alford also pulled in four-star athlete George Atkinson III from California and got three-star quarterback Everett Golson to flip from North Carolina. He also assisted on wide receiver Davaris Daniels and beat the following teams for his recruits - Alabama, FSU, USC, Georgia, Auburn, Clemson and Oregon, all of whom finished in the national top 10 along with Notre Dame.

Here’s ESPN’s write-up of Martin:

2011 prospects: Stephon Tuitt, DE (Monroe, Ga./Monroe Area), DaVaris Daniels, WR (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills), Josh Atkinson, CB (Livermore, Calif./Granada) The battle for Tuitt with Georgia Tech alone gets Martin on this list. He secured the ESPNU 150 defensive end early, lost him to Georgia Tech for a brief time, then made a final visit a day later and got him back to close a strong defensive line class for the Irish.

You could just as easily make an argument for adding names like Mike Elston and Bob Diaco to these lists, but I don’t think you’ll see either of these accolades making it on Alford or Martin’s resumes any time soon. Still, we’re in quite a different place than we were last year at this time when most wondered if there was a single recruiter outside of Alford that was capable of going up against the big guys.
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While it wasn’t exactly a secret, the football office announced practice dates for the spring session culminating in a Blue Gold game played on April 16. The Irish spring practice will start Wednesday, March 23 and the Irish will practice Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until the spring game finale. Two practices that’ll likely be of interest? March 25th and 26th, when the Notre Dame Football Coaches Clinic will run, and also feature former Irish assistant Urban Meyer, who will headline the festivities.

Also announced by the Irish are some jersey changes for the upcoming season.

Bennett Jackson -- 86 to 2
Louis Nix III -- 67 to 9
Tommy Rees -- 13 to 11
Robby Toma -- 19 to 9.

Early enrollee freshman will be wearing the following:

Kyle Brindza -- 27
Brad Carrico -- 56
Everett Golson -- 5
Aaron Lynch -- 19
Ishaq Williams -- 1

While Louis Nix and Robby Toma will both be sporting No. 9, I don’t think it’ll be hard to tell them apart.
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Sad news today broke this morning on the passing of former Notre Dame All-American and Chicago Bear Dave Duerson. He was 50. Duerson played for the Irish from 1979-82, and was a three-time captain for the Irish before being selected in the third-round of the NFL Draft by the Bears.

“Our hearts go out to the Duerson family and to all those who knew Dave,” athletic director Jack Swawrbrick said. “In addition to being a great football player, Dave represented himself and the University in so many other ways as a team captain, as well as through his work with the Monogram Club and the Board of Trustees. You couldn’t help but be impressed by him when you met Dave Duerson, and I think that was the reaction from anyone who was ever around him.”

Duerson is survived by four children, including a son, Tregg, who played football for the Irish.

“Our family asks that you please remember Dave as a good, kind and caring man. He loved and cherished his family and friends and was extremely proud of his beloved Notre Dame and ... Chicago Bears. Please keep Dave and our family in your prayers,” former wife Alicia Duerson told NBCChicago.