NOTHIN' BUT NET: A site so bad even its owners have deserted it

www.gonotredamego.com

By MARC FIGUEROA - Staff Writer | Saturday, November 29, 2008 3:08 PM PST ∞

These are excruciating times for Notre Dame football. Even Rudy Ruettiger couldn't turn this thing around.

The Irish faithful has become so enraged by the blue and gold's lackluster play, snow-ball throwing has replaced booing in God's country.

The Internet is filled with Web sites and blogs that either want coach Charlie Weis' head on a platter or are praying for him to turn this thing around.

Whatever the case, most Irish fans out there are still fighting the good fight ---- a la the Fighting Irish.

But buried deep in the pipes of the World Wide Web ---- the 15th page of a "Notre Dame football" Google search, which is akin to Siberia of the Web world ---- is a site that could be a foreshadowing of things to come for Irish football.

The site www.gonotredamego.com appears to be deserted these days, as a 2006 schedule signals abandonment even before things got really bad in South Bend.

We went on an investigation to find out what became of this once proud Internet destination.

Cool stuff

---- You have to give Irish fans credit. This site doesn't look like it's been touched by its authors since the beginning of the 2006 season, but Notre Dame football fans are still participating in the discussion forums. One poster, "IrishBlood81" sent a message just last week pleading for Weis' dismissal. It triggered a flurry of replies, amazing considering this site has been lost in cyberspace for more than two years.

---- There are current links to buy men's basketball tickets. Yeah, Notre Dame vs. South Dakota is probably easier to stomach than Notre Dame vs. Syracuse.

Check at the door

---- One sure sign that this site is outdated is the picture of Notre Dame players raising their helmets in celebration of a job well done. I can't imagine this shot was taken when the Irish slipped past San Diego State in the season opener.

---- The seating chart of Notre Dame Stadium lists three medical facilities, including one near the press box. I'd be sick too if I had to write about this rag-tag bunch week after week.

 

The grade

This site is running on fumes, just like Notre Dame football. It barely qualifies as a Web site, just as Notre Dame barely qualifies as a college football team. It only deserves one out of five mouses.

Marc Figueroa still has respect for Notre Dame football. He is a San Diego State alum, after all. He can be reached at marc@marcfig.com.