“I can’t believe that was our last home game of the season.”
I must have said this to every person I talked to on Saturday, but most of us in the student section felt the same way. Thinking about the past three months, all of the home game excitement feels like it happened just yesterday.
We remember huddling up and singing to pass the time in the stadium concourse during the second evacuation of the South Florida game.
We remember the rush of winning our first game of the season against #15-ranked Michigan State.
We remember putting up 59 points against Air Force, the most scored at home in 15 years.
We remember our first home night game in 21 years and the electric environment when “Shipping Up to Boston” was played before the opening kickoff – the start of a new Fighting Irish tradition.
We remember bouncing back after our loss against USC to beat Navy 56-14 and we remember the student’s enthusiastic outburst when they blasted “Crazy Train” on a key third down.
Finally, we remember beating Boston College, 16-14, and standing in the stadium as the team came over after the game to sing the alma mater with us, for many of them, the last time they would be standing on the field as players in Notre Dame stadium.
Our memories from the Boston College game don’t stop there.
Although we were surprised by how close the game was, if we’ve learned anything from this season, a win’s a win so we’ll take it.
Our defense made good stops on third down late in the game, which ultimately propelled us to victory.
Michael Floyd had 10 receptions for 92 yards, a good way to end his career in Notre Dame stadium.
Prior to the game, there was a Senior Day ceremony. Each senior on the team was called out by name, ran out of the tunnel, and met his family at the end of the field. Cheers erupted from the crowd as current seniors in the student section could especially relate to this moment. It’s crazy to think that the next time I’ll be back in the stadium, I’ll be a senior.
Then, with Kelly green pom-poms in hand, “Shipping up to Boston” ringing throughout the stadium, players jumping, and everyone on their feet, the game was underway.
With a 4 o’clock kickoff, by the end of the first half it was the equivalent of a night game so once again the stadium had an added buzz. The band and cheerleaders led the student section in the Celtic Chant, the Irish Jig, the Imperial March, the Victory March, and other traditional Notre Dame band-led motions.
Students and fans fed off of momentum-building songs like “Sandstorm,” “Crazy Train,” “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Seven Nation Army,” “Zombie Nation,” and more.
During halftime, the band Chicago put on a concert accompanied by the Notre Dame marching band. In the student section, we loved the Christmas song they performed with our band putting on Santa hats and dancing around Christmas trees.
Also, in conjunction with the band, Jon Bon Jovi made an appearance during the fourth quarter to take part in a new tradition at Notre Dame. From here on out, during the first media timeout of the fourth quarter the band is going to play “Livin’ on a Prayer,” a song beloved by students and alumni. What better way to start a tradition than by having the legend himself there for it? He received a standing ovation from the entire stadium as the student section and band belted out his song.
Overall, this was a fun game full of surprises. It makes us all wish we didn’t have to wait 10 months to be back in the stadium again.
Although this was our last home game, we still have work to take care of against Stanford in California next week. What do you think? Any chance #22-ranked Notre Dame upsets the #6-ranked Cardinal?
Back to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Newsfeed