October 20, 2001

10-20-01 the last time the Irish beat USC in South Bend.  Bob Davie and his boys did it, 27 to 16.

Coach Brian Kelly has played ten freshmen this year.  Those guys were eight years old when Notre Dame pulled off that win.  Dang that makes me old too.

All great football programs have their rivalries whether it’s Auburn and Alabama, Texas and Oklahoma, Michigan and Ohio State.

USC is ours.

The Irish are due to start another dominance run against the Trojans.

Between 1983 and 1995 Notre Dame won 11 straight.

Between 2002 and 2009 USC won 8 straight.

Between 2010 and ?? Notre Dame will win ?? straight.

Who could ask for a better setting?  The students will be back from break and the entire campus primed for the rivalry.  The trees on campus turning into autumn colors.  Notre Dame Stadium packed.  A night game in prime time.  Cool crisp fall weather.  Yellow mums set out on both sides in front of the “beautiful people gold seats”.  80,000 crazed fans waving green towels.  The Irish running onto the field wearing green jerseys with gold letters.

Man it is going to be electric.

Go IRISH!

Hey, on the left side of the Blog are mug shots of the 15, 2012 recruits thus far.  Also a list of recent articles.  On the right side is a list of popular posts and the football schedules.  Check them all out.

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Some Mid-Term Numbers

Well mid-terms are over for the student athlete Notre Dame football players.  Here are some numbers for the mid-term football team.

Rushing                       ATT     YDS     AVG

Cierre Wood                113      684      5.8

Jonas Gray                   47        407      8.4

Andrew Hendrix          6          111      18.5

Passing                     ATT     Comp   INT      TOT YDS

Tommy Rees               140      212      6          1503

Dayne Crist                  8          16        1          105     

Andrew Hendrix          4          4          0          33

Receiving                    REC     YDS     AVG

Michael Floyd              53        639      12.1

Tyler Eifert                  32        363      11.3

Theo Riddick               24        236      9.8

T. J. Jones                    21        229      10.9

Cierre Wood                14        92        6.6

Scoring                        TD       PTS      FG       PAT

Cierre Wood                6          36

David Ruffer               N/A      35        12        23

Michael Floyd              4          24

Jonas Gray                   4          24

Tyler Eifert                  3          20*

T .J. Jones                    3          18

George Atkinson          2          12

Robby Toma                1          6

Tackles                        UA       A         TOT

Manti Te’o                   34        25        59

Harrison Smith             25        15        40

Robert Blanton             26        13        39

Darius Fleming             10        17        27

Kapron Lewis-Moore   14        12        26

Gary Gray                    20        6          26

Carlo Calabrese           11        13        24

Dan Fox                       10        13        23

Zeke Motta                  6          11        17

Jamoris Slaughter         8          8          16

Lewis Nix                    2          11        13

Sacks                           UA       A                    

Manti Te’o                   4          0

Lynch                          3          0

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ND vs. AFA Observations From Afar

The yellow mums looked awesome in the stadium.  Hope they hold up for U$C in two weeks.  Somehow I don't think the guys from Colorado Springs noticed.

The weather was spectator for South Bend the first week of October.  The 80 degree sunny day allowed for all the students to wear there blue T-shirts at least one more time. 

The trees have started to turn and should be out with full force color when the Irish battle the Men of Troy.

So why the disappearing act with Manti Te’o?  Coach Brian Kelly conceded at the Sunday teleconference that he dinged his ankle in practice that Wednesday.  He was nonexistent in the second half.  However Manti still recorded 5 unassisted and 5 assisted tackles against the AFA.  We need him and Ethan Johnson back when the Irish take on the under NCAA suspension University of Southern California.

So what was with the AFA kick-off team holding hands and swinging their arms in unison?  I suspect that it is part of a called on-side kick play that can be implemented at a time, place and circumstance required.  The AFA on-side kick play that was executed was not expected by the Irish and surprise was not required.  Don’t expect any of that foolishness from Southern Cal.

Rumor floating around NDNation is to expect 80,000 green towels waving at a green jersey clad Notre Dame Team.  Can’t wait.  Suspect USC could care less as long as they bring their crappy band and that doubly crappy ditty they insist on playing after every play.  At least the Administration has drawn the line on the stupid horse and rider in the stadium.

So did the introduction of Andrew Hendrix wakeup the game film watchers in the darkroom of the Trojan film room?  How about Michael Floyd back to receive punts?  How about the reverse to Theo Riddick or the neat pitch to Cierre Wood?  Or maybe the option toss?  You got to love the wrinkles added by Brain Kelly just in time for bye week before the biggest rivalry the Irish have on the schedule.

Head Coach Seattle Sea Hawks

Man.  Everyone in the Station is pumped up already.

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Lubricate the Trojans

Now that Air Force has been dispatched our attention turns to U$C.

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Notre Dame Bells

For whom the bell tolls?  Why they toll for thee Notre Dame!  These are not the Bells of Saint Mary’s.  Rather the death knell of Independent Football for Notre Dame.  Can it be possible after all these years?

The death of the Big East Conference (BE).  The tall pole in the tent.  The one factor that has kept the Irish a national independent football power.

The Big East is flopping around on the boat deck like a tuna just gaffed and thrown on board.  Texas Christian University has come to the conclusion that it is cheaper and smarter to join the Big 12 instead of the Big East.  Saves time and distance for all its sports.  Makes a lot of economic sense/cents.  The Big East can’t stop the hemorrhaging from Pittsburgh and Syracuse. 

UConn is quietly seeking a way out and into the ACC.  West Virginia has already been soundly rejected by the SEC and ACC.  East Carolina has petitioned to join the Big East.  They bring nothing to the table and actually diminish the sports gene pool.  Navy is sniffing around but there is no real advantage over being independent.  The Big East has even openly stated they are soliciting membership in a desperate attempt to garner and hold eight football schools together to keep their grip on a BCS spot.

Notre Dame needs the Big East to provide a venue for basketball and Olympic sports.  Where will it turn?

Will any conference accept the University minus the Football Program?  It is doubtful that the Big Ten would and probably not the ACC.  The worst scenario is that the Big 12 may and that is like jumping into a frying pan that is already burning everything in the pan.  Turmoil breeding turmoil and no stability.  After all they started this last round of conference moves with Nebraska and Texas A & M.  Who says Texas won't remain the big bully of the less than Big 12?

The Big Ten is waiting.  They are waiting with a heavy boot to stomp on the neck of Notre Dame.  They have waited a long time for this to happen especially after getting their faces rubbed in it back in the 1990’s when the Irish rejected the latest offer when the Big Ten added PSU.  Notre Dame would be gang raped every time they would open their mouths sitting at the table with those SOBs.

The answer is for the basketball teams of the Big East including Notre Dame to continue on as a basketball conference only.  The remaining football schools either go independent or join a lesser conference.  But who cares about them?  Notre Dame can play and schedule whomever they like for the Olympic sports.  Big Ten, MAC, ACC, other small independent schools.  Notre Dame Hockey is already joining a separate conference thanks to the Big Ten and its new league play.   

This keeps Notre Dame Independent.
 

For Whom the Bell Tolls?  Why yes, it could be chiming for Notre Dame.

We like that.

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Notre Dame Issues at Quarterback on the Horizon?

Traditionally the open date on the Notre Dame schedule (after six games) is the point where the coaching staff “fish or cuts bait” with the freshman who have not yet seen action.  The decision is made to “Red Shirt” a player and save a year of eligibility if he has not seen the field. 

This is taking on tremendous meaning and possible long term consequences at the quarterback position.

Senior Dayne Crist who was anointed the starting quarterback for the all 13 games after winning the position in fall practice could petition for a fifth year but was benched after half a game against USF.  So far he has gotten in for mop-up duty against Purdue and three plays.

Sophomore Tommy Rees is a work in progress.  He is still learning to read defenses and Head Coach Brian Kelly has stated that Rees cannot yet operate a high tempo, no huddle full spread offense.  Add the fact he is not a mobile quarterback fitting the quarterback mold that is required and has a short history of turnovers is somewhat discouraging.

Sophomore Andrew Hendrix has yet disappointingly to see action.

Sophomore Luke Massa was officially designated a WR but is working on the scout team as QB and wears a red hat signaling in plays during the game.

Everett Golson apparently is going to be “Red Shirted” this year.   

It appears Kelly does not have a quarterback lined up for the recruiting class of 2012.

Will Kelly play Hendrix ahead of Crist?  What game?  Maryland, Wake Forest, Boston College, mop-up duty?  A lot of ‘ifs’ based upon how late Crist got inserted in the Purdue mop-up.

What is the worst case quarterback scenario for 2012?

** Crist takes his diploma and moves on with his life.

** Next spring an unfulfilled Hendrix does not beat out Rees or Golson and takes his two or three years of eligibility somewhere else.

Leaving Rees, Massa and an unproven Golson.  Not good.

We expected to see Hendrix in the Purdue game with a special package of plays based upon the score and the domination of the Notre Dame defense.  We were fooled.  We do not expect to see Hendrix in the AF game but we have been surprised before.  A lot depends on how that game unfolds.  Maybe when USC comes to South Bend to add to the excitement of Green Jurseys and Green Towel?s

We need a maturing, healthy Tommy Rees and a jump start from Everett Golson next year barring any other scenarios.

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OSU Boosters and Tattoo U

Well just when we thought it was all over, now we hear that two OSU players already under suspension and scrutiny have been suspended for the Nebraska game.  Read the story Here.

Last year leading rusher Daniel Herron and top receiver DeVier Posey were set to be reinstated only to receive an additional suspension along with offensive lineman Marcus Hall.  It appears they accepted too much money for too little work during summer jobs.  These guys were hired to work at a car wash and to pick up scrap metal.  Pick up scrap metal?  What the heck does that mean?  Also, you are trying to tell me that they also dried off cars at a car wash?  Give me a break.

The real issue is not the street thugs who failed to register the summer jobs with the University, but rather the attitude and belief of the Athletic Director, Gene Smith that promotes the idea that OSU does not have a systemic problem.  

The real issue is the booster system and turning of a blind eye by the University to all the goings on. 

Let’s see………….

**  A booster who ran a drug operation out of a tattoo parlor frequently by numerous OSU players that received free and discounted tattoo’s for bringing in OSU sports memorabilia.

**  A booster who took a particular liking to Terrell Pryor and provided for him.

**  A booster who provided loaner automobiles for tickets.

**  A booster who provided summer jobs and “great pay” for who knows what in return.

The OSU Football stinks worse than a fish market.

The OSU AD needs to be fired.

The relationships between “Boosters” and OSU student athletics needs to be reined in and controlled.

The program is out of control and is a disgrace to college football.

Notre Dame Reverse Play

If you follow Subway Alumni Station (SAS) Blog (and we hope you do), you know that one of our rants is the Irish lack of originality in the running game.  Read rant Here.  One of our examples is the end around or reverse.

** It gets a swift WR in space.

** It slows down the rush on the quarterback and keeps them honest.

** It works well with a defense trying to defend a spread offense.

** It can be run “naked” without a lead blocker or with a tight end breaking free of his block to lead.

Well Blog fans, Brian Kelly must read our wonderful Blog, we got my wish Saturday against Purdue!

If you missed it or were as open mouth dumbfounded as me, there is what happened:

Fourth quarter, Notre Dame 38 – Purdue 3, ND first and ten on their 45.

WR John Goodman swings around behind Tommy Rees and gets the handoff and runs for two yards before being forced out-of-bounds.  No big deal, ND was flagged for a false start.

OK………….

Why was the play called?  Look at the score.

Why sure handed, but lead boots Goodman?

Why not Robby Toma, Theo Riddick, or TJ Jones?

Why…………..?  What a waste of a great play.

** To let the rest of the schedule know the reverse is actually in the playbook?

** To placate ranting SAS?

** None of the above.

Who knows.  At least we know the play is actually in the playbook and practiced.

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Notre Dame and Air Force Some Statistics and Rankings

Dead Falcon

First of all, let’s not get too cocky over zero turnovers in the Purdue game last Saturday.

Case in point:

**  Tommy Rees had two passes dropped by Purdue defenders.  One might have been a pick-six except the ball hit Purdue DB on the hands.

**  Michael Floyd fumbled and recovered the ball after a nice catch.

**  Tommy Rees and Jonas Gray fumbled a handoff that was recovered by Rees.

Notre Dame and Air Force are different as night and day.  Here are some miscellaneous statistics and rankings that bear this out.

Rushing Offense:

AF ranked 3^rd.

ND ranked 41^st.

Passing Offense:

AF ranked 113^th, 55 for 38, 596 yards, 69.1 completion

ND ranked 21^st, 196 for 125, 1347 yards, 63.8 completion

Net yards:

AF ranked 38^th, 2054 yards, 1458 rushing and 600 passing

ND ranked 15^th, 2245 yards, 898 rushing and 1373 passing

First Downs:

AF ranked 65^th, 93 first downs, 64 rushing, 25 passing, 6 on penalties

ND ranked 3^rd, 130 first downs, 45 rushing, 69 passing, 12 on penalties

Defense by Sacks and Interceptions:

AF ranked 40^th, 10 sacks and 5 interceptions

ND ranked 19^th, 13 sacks and 5 interceptions

Punting:

AF ranked 112^th, 12 for 511 yards and 38.4 net

ND ranked 83^rd, 19 for 708 yards and 37.1 net (Don't be fooled, Ben Turk is getting good/lucky rolls out of his rugby style punting)

Punt Returns:  (We already know this is dismal)

AF 4 for 50 yards, 12.5 avg.

ND 10 for 3 yards, .3 avg.

Kick-Off Returns:

AF ranked 77^th, 15 for 361 yards

ND ranked 37^th, 21 for 484 yards (Without George Atkinson’s touchdown run, this stat would be average)

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Go IRISH Shoot the Falcons! (Yeah that's not politically correct, so what, it's our Blog)

Spoilermakers Exposed

Well after Middle Tenn., Southwest Missouri State, Rice, a Bye, Purdue came home to harsh reality and an overpowering Irish defense, some great running and a Tommy Rees who’s only criticism is overthrowing receivers.  The Spoilermakers and in danger of losing their historical moniker.  Fear not, they play hapless, luckless and worthless Minnesota next week.  But after that it gets ugly with games against PSU, IL, MI, Wis, and OSU.  We don’t see a bowl game or winning season for these guys.

Some shout-outs in no particular order:Austin Collinsworth – 3 solo tackles, all on special teams.

George Atkinson III – two tackles on special teams.

David Ruffer – Hang in their son.   How about kicking more medium range field goals from the left hash mark in practice?  Say an extra 10-12.

Michael Floyd – All American.  Potential first round draft pick.  Great game.  Don’t let it go to your head.  Stay focused.  Good decision on returning for your senior year heh?  Too bad Jimmy didn’t.

Ben Turk – Well you only had to punt twice but you averaged 44 yards.  Good job.

Theo Riddick – Gone missing at Purdue?

John Goodman – Punt returning can only get better (hopefully).

Kyle Brindza – Ditch the florescent green shoes until you can consistently kick the ball deep into the end zone.

Cierre Wood - Man you are a breath of fresh air for a rushing game that has been missing for so long.

Jonas Gray - Ditto

Jordan Cowart – We all watched as Coach Kelly discussed your personal foul for fighting.  Hey, you’re not playing for the “Prayerful Choirboys”.  You are playing for THE FIGHTING IRISH.  Good job son.

Ethan Johnson - Hope and pray the injury (ankle sprain?) is slight and you're be ready to go against Air Force.

Luke Massa, Matt Mulvey, Kona Schenke, Deion Walker - Congrats on your first playing time.

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Spoilermakers

True Boilermakers

Been to West Lafayette once, the town and stadium are difficult to reach and with reported road construction all over the place, I’m watching the game from the comfort of my living room.  I can't say I think much of the big drum, the stupid train/whistle or the golden girl.  The fans stink too. 
Plus, we just relocated the Station to Florida for the fall/winter; it would be a long commute. 

When the team sporting the 5^th toughest strength of schedule plays the team having the weakest strength of schedule who is going to win?  Purdue has managed to schedule Middle Tenn., Southeast Missouri State, Rice and that dreaded Bye Week U.  They could, could be in for a dose of reality and wondering why they don't schedule competition.

So Purdue is coming off that bye-week with plenty of time to prepare for the Irish.  What can we expect?

**  They will double-team Michael Floyd, they would be stupid not to after watching Pitt and their success. 

**  Give confusing defensive looks to an easily confused Tommy Rees.  Why not, Pitt did and it almost worked.

**  Spend little time on defending the Irish punt return game since it is basically self-destructing each week on its own.

** Try and create turnovers or at least stay ahead of the ratio against the Irish.

** Hope that Rees will continue his telegraphing of receivers by staring down his target from the snap.

** Purdue always plays the Irish tough at home, try and capitalize on that.  This should be a game where we get to see Andrew Hendrix but I doubt it.  I think we will have to wait for Wake Forest at home.

So what are our thoughts about Notre Dame?

** If the Irish have to depend on Kyle Eifert to take up all the slack from the wide receivers, Floyd being double teamed and no vertical passing game, it is going to be a long night.

** If the rushing of Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray are ineffective and the burden is put on Tommy Rees, we are in trouble.

** We are scratching our heads and wondering about the Notre Dame play book and the spread offense.

·         Where is the screen play to Wood?

·         Where is the reverse to Riddick?

·         Where is the double reverse from Jones to Riddick?

·         Where is the Leprechaun?

Brian Kelly keeps defending Tommy Rees by stating that they are still installing and feeding offensive plays.  Wait a minute this has been going on since after the Tulsa debacle.  When is Tommy going to be full?

Go Irish. 

NUMBERS

If you don't understand the problem, then these numbes mean nothing to you.

5-5-3-2

ND – Pitt the Glass is Half Empty

Well we roll into Pittsburgh Saturday.  On paper this is a Team we should easily handle, just like USF.  There in lies the rub.  What aspect of the Game of Football will the Irish squander or fail to execute?  Let’s see…… we have already exposed ourselves by…….

Missing a chip shot field goal.

Shanked a number of key punts.

Blundered through 13 turnovers in three games.

Execute punt returns in a way that defies logic.

Can rip-off 8-14 yard runs but can’t make a third and one.

Being a glass half empty type person I fear the worse……

Our field goal and PAT execution will disintegrate into blocked kicks. 

Kickoffs will be short and turn into long runbacks by Pitt.

The defensive line will become porous. 

The offensive line will forget how to block.

Something or somebody prove me wrong.  I’ll be watching.

Go IRISH Beat Pitt

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The Punt Game – A ND Perplexing Dichotomy

Notre Dame cannot punt.

Notre Dame cannot catch and return punts.

Attestation:

Let us see if we have the numbers straight.  Statistics after three games are:

**  We have fielded 7 punts for 5 yards for a 0.7-yard average.  2 of the 7 ended up being lost fumbles.  Throw in one muff that was recovered and we have caught 4 punts cleanly. 

**  We have punted 13 times for 471 yards, a 36.2 average, and a 32.0-yard net.  Ben Turk is ranked 113 out of 120 with that 32.0 net punting statistic.  In his defense, against MSU he punted twice pinning them back inside the 20-yard line, one rolled to the one-yard line.  He came through when he was needed.  These were rugby style punts that are harder to field but do not give your gunners much time in providing coverage since they are basic line drive punts.

Ben Turk

I studied Ben Turk and Kyle Brindza as they warmed up before the MSU game.  Turk would boom one spiral punt and then kind of miss the next one.  He was not consistent.  Brindza was consistent however; his best punts equaled the ones that Turk kind of missed.  The two were not even close or competitive in punting.  Brian Kelly has stated that fact over and over again at press conferences. 

Kyle Brindza - Plymouth H.S.

I was disappointed in watching Turk.  He punted a lot without his helmet and walked around bouncing the football off the ground.  Looked kind of cavalier to me.  I do not know if that is his pregame ritual or just his style.  I was taught you always worn your helmet when you practice, just like in a game situation.

Rumor is that Robby Toma is getting a chance at punt returning.  For cryin out loud he can’t do any worse that Theo Riddick or John Goodman.  I don’t understand it.  You have 85 scholarship players and 20 walk-ons, plus an entire student body and the Irish have no one to field a punt?

Isn’t it a three-step process?

***  Decide to fair catch it or field it.

***  Catch it.

***  Run.

If Brian Kelly decides to revert back to last year and send someone out there to just call a fair catch and hopefully field the ball cleanly we have ceded a big part of Special Teams to the opponent.  If that is the case, put NO ONE back and rush 11 at the punter.

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Notre Dame vs MSU Tailgating September 17, 2011

We pulled up to the entrance of the North White Parking lot as 7:50 Saturday morning.  The lot was not scheduled to open until 8:00.  Sure fooled us.  At least 50 tailgaters were already up and running, plus about 10-12 RV’s.  They took our $25 bucks and waved us in. 

Great spot!  First row.  Nosed the pickup against the fence with plenty of room to spread out into the alley.  We were an easy walk to the porta-potties and the first shuttle stop.  Plus, it was a shorter walk back to the lot after the game.  The shuttles are too few and slow after the game, plus you get claustrophobic riding with a zillion other fans including the enemy.

Here are a few pictures.

Yeah, we fixed Old Glory from hittin the ground.

Enemy encampment right across the way.  Fancy tent, chairs, and grill.  We still had more fun and that was even before the game.

Real nice setup here.  Satellite dish, TV, generator, open bar, fancy chow, big tent.  Even put orange cones out to protect the dish.  Must be Domers.

You got to know where these are located if you show up at 8:00 a.m. for a 3:30 kickoff and you drink beer.  After about 11:00 a.m. the women folk get a little picky about utilizing them.  After the game they are quite funky.  Best bet is to hit the library where the shuttle stop is located on the way back from the game.

The tree hugger squad.  They stop by and offer special plastic bags for tossing your cans and bottles.  We did not do a very good job this year filling it up.  We brought a keg.  The co-ed was kind of cute.

Sparty got deflated in the Stadium and after the game in North White Parking Lot.  We are going to research obtaining a Leprechaun blow-up for next year.

Notre Dame's finest keeping us safe.

This is how you get to campus.  It seats about 50 but they squeeze another 50 on there just so you can get personal with Sparty fans or get to know some drunk up close.  We always walk back as the lines are long and we want to stretch our legs.

For $120 bucks you can drive and park your RV in the back of North White Parking Lot.  You still have to leave three hours after the game ends but at least you don't have to wait in line to suffer through using porta potties that have seen better times.

Everybody seems to have a Corn-Hole set.  You can even buy a version in the Bookstore, of course it's not called Corn-Hole.  Here is something different.  You toss steel washers and try to get them in the holes in order.  This has got to be a Subway Alumni type game.  Kinda blue collar.  I may make one for next year.

Typical alley way.  You are suppose to keep it open for traffic.  Right.  We have a lot more room than you get at South campus or golf course parking lots.

The basic rules of tailgating that we have learned:

1.  Don't get drunk to the extent that you draw attention to yourself or party.

2.  Offer food and drink to others as appropriate.

3.  Pick up your trash and maintain a clean area.  (this is greatly abused by ND fans and enemy alike)

4.  Don't screw with security.

5.  Don't screw with the enemy.

6.  Leave before the three hour time limit after the game.  What the heck, the traffic has cleared.

7.  Plan on doing it again next year.

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Big Ten Referees Attempt To Hijack Game Against MSU

We were sitting right there!  T.J. Jones catches the ball runs through the end zone and does this to the ND Band and fans screaming.

A yellow hankie is thrown.  Brian Kelly takes advantage of a TV timeout to find out how the B1G referees are screwing him.

Couple days later Kelly gets his answer from the Conference officials, it is NOT unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting.  Sorry bout that. 

Good thing Kyle Brindza had a tremendous kickoff from our 20-yard line.  Sparty only got it out to their 25 on great coverage.  No harm done this time.

Question:  How do you taunt your own band and fans?

Some Notre Dame Stadium Game Day Observations and Comments

Walked up to Gate A just as they opened up.  We were among the first few hundred into the Stadium.  Great seats!  Have had similar before.  Section 3, about half way up the original Stadium level before the addition.  Corner of the South End Zone about midway between the flagpole and the tunnel.  Just super. 

Best Seats In The House

Here is where everything is happening.  You have the ND band directly below you, the tunnel just to the right where you can give the Bronx cheer to Sparty and his boys.  Super close view of the student body, the cheerleaders and Leprechaun.  You get to see the flag raising and observe the rich and beautiful people in the gold stadium seats sitting and applauding quietly.  From our seats, the ND Band completely drowned out the MSU Band thank goodness. 

BTW, since the Notre Dame Band is limited to three yearly road trips, why does the administration tolerate visiting team bands every year they play at Notre Dame since it is not a one-for-one arrangement?  It cuts down the time we get to enjoy our Band.  It seems that Sparty and U$C always bring there bands yet ND does not always go to LA or East Lansing.

Spartan Band

Was a bit disappointed that the yellow mums were just starting to open up.  Guess they will be in full bloom when we host Purdue.

Wow, we had George Atkinson III and T.J. Jones run right at us for touchdowns and unfortunately saw John Goodman fumble right in our laps.  Oh yeah, Robert Blanton snagged his pick right in front also.  Do you know why he ran out of gas running the pick back?  You couldn’t tell from watching the game on TV, but Robert was all over the field throughout the game.  Sometimes he looked and acted like a safety, other times a cornerback and still other occasions a linebacker.  He was everywhere.  No wonder he had nothing left in the tank.  He appeared to be possessed.

The field looked and played great.  It was quite an improvement over the opening game against USF where on TV every play when players hit the ground a cloud of brown dust blew up.  Plus the middle of the field looked threadbare in spots.  I asked a season ticket holder sitting next to me about the condition and he said it looked much improved over the USF game.  So what was the problem?

Since we were in our seats early, we got 90 full minutes of just terrible music (?) from the PA speakers.  Is that garbage the only type music (?) they are allowed to play?  Is this part of the new Notre Dame family friendly environment?    The music (?) stinks.  Change it.  Please.

The SAS staff really likes our Band.  We got a special treat after the game.  They performed the half-time show from the USF game that was rained out.  That rather made up for having to share the half time with the Spartan Band.  Oh, the bands combined for America the Beautiful and Proud to be an American.  Just great stuff.

Notre Dame Band

Two things that have slowly changed over the years.  The announcer now tries to make jokes, announce names in a “funny way” and has gotten away from straight reporting field activities.  The scoreboards have turned into feeble attempts at arousing the fans.  “D-Fence”, “NOISE”, “STAND UP”, “CLAP YELL” are all flashed on the scoreboard.  Call us traditionalists, call us old fogies, but we know when to stand, yell, clap, sing, curse without a lame statement from the scoreboard.  If you want to create something along the lines of Michigan, then erect a couple of junbotrans.   Geez.

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