Posted on 10/15/2005 7:37:59 AM PDT by scott says
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Charlie Weis, welcome to your kingmaking moment.
You know all about what makes Notre Dame the stuff of myth and lore -- hell, you lived a glory-days chunk of it as a student here. You've embraced the tradition of the place so often since becoming head coach, some people swear you're half leprechaun.
And Saturday -- outlined against a blue-gray October sky, perhaps? -- you have a chance to own a shiny piece of Golden Dome glory for yourself.
That's how big this is for Coach Crew Cut.
The grand scope of Saturday's game against almighty USC is exactly the thing that brings out the Notre Dame (cue the angels singing on high) in Notre Dame. And this is exactly the kind of game that can transform a Notre Dame coach into a hero.
A seemingly unbeatable opponent riding a mile-long winning streak. A rising Fighting Irish team. An unmistakable feel of fall in the northern Indiana air. Notre Dame Stadium. Touchdown Jesus. The whole Domer shebang.
Cue the marching band. Feel your skin prickle. Set the echoes' alarm clock for 3:30 p.m. ET.
"It's about winning games, period, here," receiver Jeff Samardzija said. "There's a lot of people who love Notre Dame, but there's a whole lot more people who love Notre Dame when you win."
And love the coach when he wins games like this.
The kingmaking moment happened in this stadium for Lou Holtz, twice. Seventeen years ago this Saturday, Holtz accelerated the resurgence of the Irish program by upsetting No. 1 Miami 31-30 -- the catalyst for Notre Dame's last national championship. In 1993, Holtz did it again, beating No. 1 Florida State in South Bend 31-24. This is the biggest Notre Dame game since that day.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
Now if we can get a new kicker and special teams coach which cost us both losses this year....@^@$^#@
I just like to watch good games...don't know whats so funny.
Big officiating error: If the clocl stopped because Leinhart fumbled, then it should be marked where the ball went out of bounds at the 5 or 6 yard line. He can't be down at the 1 and a fumble stops the clock.
State = the little kid on the porch, afraid to knock on the door...
In an age where we blow up everything no matter how lame as the next big thing...THIS GAME LIVED UP TO THE HYPE AND THEN SOME
and before Irish Eyes start whining NO YOU DID NOT GET SCREWED
The ball squirted out backwards- it didn't go out anywhere near Leinhart.
Forward progess stopped at the one yard line and the ball did not contact the playing field in bounds after the fumble. It was a good spot.
USC got hosed on that one unsportsman-like call, and ND had a reception called in bounds early in the game on a TD drive that was clearly out. Can't blame the officials for the ND loss in this one.
It was a great game by both teams. In two years, USC and ND will be the two dominate terms in the nation just about every year if they can keep their coaching staffs together.
Think the Irish scored too quickly?
How could you possibly say that? Matt was no where near out of bounds. He was at least 1.5 yards in bounds. It was either a touchdown (which it wasn't, but was a LOT more believable), or the game was over since the clock wouldn't stop and they didn't have any time outs left. The officials choose Option 3 instead that the ball was out of bounds. Watch the replays. It wasn't even close. I was at a large bar and even the neutral people were booing at the call (most had been pulling for USC).
what are you watching? The ball went flying out of bounds at the one......I don't give a damn about either team, so I am not biased at all.
They've got to be able to control the clock like the Irish did today AND make sure they have the ball last!
Just like last year? that was a fantastic game....
Where did the ball go out of bounds?
Heres ESPN.com link to game ....
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=252880087
At the one yard line...as I watched it live I had no clue what was going on, just too fast and confusing. I just watched the replay on ESPN.news...Lienhart got hit and the ball went up and directly OUT at the one. Lucky break for USC.....
Cal lost to Oregon State today.
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