--Realistically, Notre Dame was hoping to bat .500 when it came to potential early departures Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph, and that's what happened. Floyd is staying. "I'm returning to Notre Dame for three reasons: to earn my degree, return Notre Dame to the top and improve myself as a player," he said.

--The Irish pulled off a late coup by signing 6-7 defensive lineman Troy Niklas, who made a late visit to South Bend and picked Notre Dame over USC.

--ND opens the 2011 season with a visit from South Florida of the Big East.

SPRING SNAPSHOT

Practice begins/ends: March 22/April 22.

Practice priorities: Let the battle for the quarterback job begin. Dayne Crist and Tommy Rees go in as 1-2, with the order changing depending on who you talk to. Regardles of who wins the spot, and you get the feeling it could change daily, there's a new attitude in South Bend and the Irish will look to continue building on the four straight wins that ended last season.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He held them together. The defense improved, and they were playing their best football at the end of the season in all facets. I think they feel good about the way they finished and where they're headed next. And they have every right to be." -- Former Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian, to the South Bend Tribune, on Brian Kelly and the ND program.

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