Here Come the Irish (Part 2 cont'd)

other, and a streak of mustard on his shirt - into the House That Rockne Built.

The Notre Dame student section begins at mid-field on the press box side, and continues north into the north end zone.  The crowd, especially the students, is continually involved during the game – with traditional rituals in response to what the band is playing, and participating in the action on the field.

Suddenly, the tunnel behind the north goalposts filled with gold helmets that burst into the sunlight as the Fighting Irish took the field to a thunderous welcome and the Fight Song.  Minutes later, the battle was on.

The defense kept things close during the first half, as they yielded only field goals, but the offense struggled, and ND trailed 9-0 at half.  The offense came alive in the second half.  Sophomore QB Brady Quinn hit junior Matt Shelton with a 46 – yard, 3rd - quarter pass to break the scoring ice for the Irish. 

Following the score, led by the Leprechaun, all across the student section, students appeared in the air, doing push-ups while being held aloft by other students - one push-up for each point in the Notre Dame total. But the defense yielded another field goal, and the Irish trailed 12-7, after three periods.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the band played the "1812 Overture,” and Cap joined the fans and students who responded en masse, extending their arms in a tomahawk chopping motion, while forming a "W" with their fingers, in honor of Coach Willingham.  It was time to pick a winner, and Notre Dame owned the fourth quarter, this day.

After freshman Chase Anastasio crashed through to block a punt, ND capitalized.  Facing a 3rd and 6 at the enemy 25-yard line, the Irish needed a big play. Again, Cap joined many fans - and most all the students - who held up their keys, shaking them - a "key play.”  Quinn hit junior Maurice Stovall for 7 yards, and the drive was alive.  Three plays later, freshman tailback Darius Walker zipped around right end, 6 yards for the go-ahead score - a 14-12 lead.  Walker scored again on a 5 - yard sweep, and when Quinn hit junior Rashon Powers-Neal for an 8 yard TD, the Fat Lady was singing the "Notre Dame Victory March."

In many college stadiums at the end of the game, storm troopers surround the field, in an attempt to keep fans off.  At Notre Dame, fans are allowed - indeed often invited - onto the field, to celebrate with the team.  At the final gun, many fans rushed the field, while others chose to stay in their seats, taking it all in.  The players went to the front of the student section in the northwest corner, raising their helmets as one, while the band played the Alma Mater, "Notre Dame Our Mother.”

The band took the field, playing “When Irish Backs Go Marching By,” and formed at the 50-yard line, then struck up “Damsha Bua,” better known as the “Victory Clog,” while the Irish Guard clogged in front of the band on the press box side, as they always do following a win.

Exuberant Irish fans pulled Cap along and out of the stadium. Once outside, he headed to the South Dining Hall, for dinner.  Visitors are welcome at on-campus eateries during home game weekends, and the South Dining Hall offers a gameday brunch and a post-game candlelight buffet.

Cap piled his plate high with every type of food imaginable, and dug in as Irish music wafted across the room.  The mood in the hall was joyful, upbeat – the thrill of victory.    

After dinner, he hurried to The Huddle, where he grabbed a comfortable spot in front of a big-screen, desperate to catch up on scores and games in progress, and then it was back to the Quality Inn.

Gipper's was wall-to-wall and rockin', as Cap squeezed in - standing room only.  The dance floor was packed and the mood was rowdy, but happy.  These fans were reliving the afternoon's triumph, turning it loose, celebrating.  Everyone had his or her own version of the big plays.  Cap took it all in, then eased out and to his room.

The TV screen lit up the dark with GameDay Final.  Highlights and scores, triumph, heartbreak and helmet stickers.  Some teams survived, others took a hit.  And next week, another chapter.  But tonight, here in South Bend, Indiana, the Dome lit up the sky - the beloved Irish had won.  Tired but euphoric, Cap fell asleep, while his mind replayed the day, and the words of the Victory March echoed throughout the night..."while her loyal sons are marching, Onward to victory!"

The Morning After
Trip Captain rolled out Sunday morning, and moved at a leisurely pace, feeling rested, relaxed.  He took a quick dip in the pool, dressed, and headed to Tippecanoe Place, the old Studebaker Mansion, for brunch.

He stood in front of the omelet wizard with 12 other starving diners, plates at the ready, and watched the wizard juggle 13 omelets, in 13 skillets, all at the same time - all made to order.  A Belgian waffle, toast and fruit completed his first plate.  He focused on lunch fare for the second.  Roast beef, chicken, shrimp, potatoes and all the fixin's, plus dessert, and he waddled out, stuffed, but content.

With a late afternoon flight out of Chicago, Cap had a little time to kill.  He drove east on Washington St., back to the College Football Hall of Fame, for a quick walk-through.  He saw things he hadn't noticed on Thursday.  So much to enjoy.  He promised himself many return visits, and then headed to the campus for one last look, on the way out of town.

He parked at the Hammes and strolled up Notre Dame Blvd., right at the Dome.  A beautiful, clear Sunday afternoon.  In stark contrast to the intensity and frenzied activity of the last two days, today the campus lay peaceful, sedate.   He visited the Grotto, soaked up the sun, then loaded up, rolled out to I-80, and west to Chicago.

Rearview Mirror
Boarding his flight at Midway Airport, Cap had a window seat.  He noticed the smiling lady sitting behind him, and later someone across the aisle – humming the Victory March.  He knew.  They, too, had been there yesterday, and were captivated by the aura of nobility, strength and beauty, which they had felt on an autumn Saturday – and they were slow to turn it loose.

He opened the sports page of the Chicago Tribune, and as the plane lifted off and turned east, he was running over yesterday’s games and next week’s match-ups.  A few minutes later, he heard the lady behind him, “See, there it is, right down there!”  Cap looked down and sure enough, far, far below, shining in the setting sun – the Dome.

His first instinct on Wednesday night had proven correct.  There was much more here than he had expected.  The College Football Hall of Fame.  The Grotto, the Lakes, the Basilica, The Huddle, The Morris Inn, Touchdown Jesus, We’re No.1 Moses, Fair Catch Corby, the Sports Heritage Hall, Knute Rockne, Notre Dame Stadium, the Glee Club, painting the helmets, the pep rally, The Band of the Fighting Irish, the Leprechaun, bagpipers, the Student Association, “The Shirt,” The Irish Guard, “The Notre Dame Victory March,” ghosts from a legendary past, an indomitable spirit, and the Golden Dome.

They found it long ago – a special quality: rich, original, genuine – and it’s who they are today.  The Spirit Lives.  Not for a minute trying to imitate anyone else, Fighting Irish football is truly unique – Nowhere but Notre Dame - and an indispensable part of the fabric of college football.  If you pay attention and realize what’s there, a football weekend in South Bend can be a magnificent and unforgettable experience.  And a lot of fun, to boot.  Cap suspected that this trip to South Bend could turn into an annual pilgrimage.

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