Football Saturday, A Day in the Life
UHND.com - Dean Renner
December 1, 2000
And while the ladies in our lives may not understand, we Notre Dame fans share a common bond – we all feel the exhilarating highs when our team wins, and the awful lows when our team loses. And we the faithful fans are ever so fortunate to have allied ourselves with a team that wins far more often than it loses.
But that’s not to say that every game isn’t fraught with peril. For Notre Dame seems to delight in making every game a stressful event. No matter how worthy the opponent – no matter how suspect the opponent, Notre Dame has found a way to play up to, or down to, its opponents.
Such is the life of a Notre Dame fan………
And there I was, gearing up for the last game of the regular season, the USC game. Notre Dame always seems to have trouble with USC for some reason, and I expected this year’s game would be no different.
And as I’m sure we all endure the same emotional rollercoaster on gameday, I thought it might be fun to share the experience with you, to pace about nervously in front of the TV with you. Ah, to be a Notre Dame fan!
THE NIGHT BEFORE: Hit the sack nervous about the game tomorrow – there’s so much on the line for Notre Dame, and absolutely nothing to lose for USC. But I feel a bit confident too, for some reason. For the team with the most to play for has an uncanny way of winning, it’s been my experience.
12:30 PST, 5 MINUTES BEFORE KICKOFF: My assessment of what Notre Dame needs to accomplish in order to win: We must run the ball well, 250+ yards would be good; we must stay on the plus side on turnovers; and we must be able to shut down Carson Palmer. If we can accomplish those tasks, I believe we will win.
12:34 PST, 1 MINUTE BEFORE KICKOFF: Notre Dame wins the toss, and defers! Always a good omen!
FIRST QUARTER: ND’s defense forces a fumble at the 46-yard line! Right on!! That’s why you play defense first! Take the starch out of the other team! Offense takes the field, and not surprisingly looks flat to begin the game. Our running game looks uninspired. Why is it that we are always are flat to begin games? As the quarter progresses, the defense looks more fired up than the offense.
Finally our run offense is beginning to display signs of life, and scores a touchdown! Whew!! Just when I was beginning to wonder if the offense was going to show up for the game! It’s frustrating when we have such slow starts. But we scored, and that’s a good thing – and a relief!
I am concerned, though, about our inability to put pressure on Palmer – I hope it doesn’t come to haunt us later in the game. I mean, good passing quarterbacks have a way of settling down, and picking apart a defense, if you don’t pressure them. There’s nothing as satisfying as seeing a passing quarterback running for his life every down!
SECOND QUARTER: Wow! Are our special teams playing great so far, or what?! 2 blocked punts already!! And Pat Hayden is so very right – our special teams are first rate! And what was that I just saw? Did we just run the fullback? Seems that the fullback is a forgotten component of this year’s offense. And that wouldn’t have happened under Lou Holtz. Any short yardage situation, you could count on the fullback up the gut. And glory be – another carry by the fullback! Smashmouth football is reborn at Notre Dame, thank Goodness!
Defensively, we need to play better. And then Tony Driver intercepts Palmer!! Wow!! And now our running game is going better! Things are looking better!! But we still need to put pressure on Palmer. And our offense still looks a little flat, I mean, 5 penalties on the last drive before the half – come on you guys, wake up! Where’s your intensity?!
AT THE HALF: Notre Dame needs to establish a consistent running game and put pressure on Palmer. If we can do that, I think we can win. But will we be able to?
THIRD QUARTER: The first drive of the second half establishes the tempo for the rest of the game, and we come out and score no points on our first drive. What’s the point of winning the toss, and having the ball to start the second half, if we don’t go out there, run the ball down their throats, and score? Argh………. And why no quarterback sneak on third and one? My Grandmother could have made that call! And finally, the defense puts a little pressure on Palmer! Offensively, ND needs to continue pounding the ball straight at them, but with their small, quick, defense, we need to run some misdirection plays – let them run around a little and wear themselves out! Oh, my -- Glen Earl interception!!! Now let’s go! And we do! We throw a bomb to Javin Hunter!! And then score a touchdown!! Finally, a little breathing room!!
FOURTH QUARTER: USC has it on 4th down. And I’m remembering the game against Michigan, on 4th down where Lloyd Carr calls a pass into the end zone and they score a touchdown. I have that sick feeling history’s going to repeat itself…… And *&^%, I hate it when I’m right. These games are always so stressful! ND needs to answer! And we do, with a field goal. Now our running game is going OK, but is it time to pull Julius Jones? Tony Fisher seems to be running much tougher. And now, USC has the ball, 4th and 1 – and they are hanging around, making me nervous. And then the defense comes up with two gargantuan sacks!! Right on, baby!!
So with 8:30 to go, USC’s defense is beginning to wear down. If we can put together a 4 minute sustained drive running the ball, we should be able to win. And finally, a misdirection play I’ve been wishing ND would run – Joey Getherall reverse! And then we pound the ball into the end zone!!
Right on, baby! -- Notre Dame wins!!!! And as Madonna so happily sang in her song, Holiday, (or was it Kool & the Gang’s Celebration?), it’s time to celebrate!!!
Time to go out this evening – and perhaps indulge in an adult beverage – or more…….!
Football Saturday: a day in the life of a Notre Dame fan.