aaaaaaaaaaaahh!

I need a drink.
dvm | Email | Homepage | 11.26.05 - 11:45 pm | #

GO IRISH!

I'having one now.

Great end to a great season.
GIJOE | Email | Homepage | 11.26.05 - 11:53 pm | #

80 yards in 50 seconds! Awesome! We have turned another corner! Learning how to win a tight game.
Another great call on the 2-pt. suck 'em right in.
irish51 | Email | Homepage | 11.26.05 - 11:53 pm | #

I was only worried about a pick on the last drive. I didn't even think they'd need to try the FG - Stanford's D was toast. It was only a matter of Quinn putting the ball where it needed to be.

14 points given up on special teams alone tonight. DBs burned. OL failing to block 3 down linemen. Brady trying to force deep balls instead of taking the short ones.

Plenty for Charlie to work on in preparation for the Fiesta.

A W is a W, and I'll take this one. Hell of a season, guys - 9-2 is fantastic.
Bill | Email | Homepage | 11.26.05 - 11:53 pm | #

I'm too old for this s*&t.
Some break out the Grey Goose and OJ and make mine a double.
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:10 am | #

Instant classic game. Samardzija and Stovall were incredible, as was Quinn.

Great game and a BCS bowl is well-earned. Kudos from this Texas fan.
chris sieber | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:27 am | #

Double, OJ? Freudian slip or something more sinister? Muahahahaha
okhrana | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:29 am | #

I can only imagine what the next press conference is going to read like.
tedwick | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:29 am | #

I'll take'em any way I can get them but phbbbblllttttt!

Let's not play around like that anymore.

The only time I have questioned Charlie the whole year was when Fitzpatrick went out for the last field goal.

Nice job by Brady, Mo, Jeff and Darius(X2)!
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:30 am | #

I had totally missed this newest post when I commented below. I knew we'd pull it off with Weis at the helm, but I think I have it ingrained in me thanks to attending ND during the Davie and Willingham years that nothing is certain.
Kat | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:37 am | #

UGH......

Visions of number 15 chasing an opposing receiver down the field. Thought I was back in the Davie/willingham nightmare.

Thank God for happy endings (and never say die offenses...)
Tom | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:46 am | #

If my stats our correct, we have a 1,000 yd rusher, two 1,000 yd receivers, a QB with over 3,600 passing yds, a receiver who is currently leading the nation with 16 TDs, and Notre Dame broke its previous season point-total by one. Great job, guys...
Raristotle | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:48 am | #

Tom: I agree. When is ND going to ban DB's from using that number. Clifford "Fire" Jefferson and Preston "Toast" Jackson come to mind.

(We called him "Fire" 'cause he was always getting burned.)
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:51 am | #

talk about a nail biter...so much for being an easy win, great game though, and now onto the Fiesta, enjoying some salsa and Tostitos as we speak
irisheyes13 | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:59 am | #

Wha...what happened. I blacked out for a few hours?

Good God.
CJs Burger | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:13 am | #

Just do what I do - keep repeating #15 Kevin McDougal #15 Kevin McDougal...
Domer | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:14 am | #

Brady Quinn is my hero!!!!
Kevin O'Mara | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:22 am | #

We used to call Clifford Jefferson "Highway 15"...even had non-ND people calling him that when watching games because even they noticed that every team was going that way. Preston Jackson just kept the tradition going.
ND Fan | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:34 am | #

My final word on Clifford: I was always amazed at home much smack he would talk to some guy who just beat him for a 30 yard pass.
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:39 am | #

Let us not forget that Pat Terrell brought plenty of honor to #15.

Personally, I think Ferrine is going to be a pretty solid player.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:43 am | #

Sweet Jesus, lucky for me I'd had several drinks by the time the fourth quarter came around, not sure I could've survived otherwise. That @#$*@'s not funny. We better show up to play at the Fiesta bowl.
Jaisn | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:43 am | #

Pat: True.
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 1:49 am | #

Great win guys... agree about questioning that Weis call to use DJ... but he made up for it with that last drive and keeping the team calm... Thankgoodness we have a month to rest... I am exhausted. It's hard being a superfan. CONGRATS TO STOVALL, SHARK, & WALKER on 1000 yard seasons!!!!
Jake | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 2:12 am | #

Way to close for comfort, but you wouldn't have seen a Davie or Willingham team come back down the field to score starting with 1:45 left, after having fallen behind.
With respect to the controversy (or pseudo-controversy that Oregon is trying to create) over ND getting a BCS bid, when will people realize that ND is two plays away from being in the Rose Bowl via Texas? Oregon got blown out by USC. That is why ND deserves the BCS bid (for those of you that caught Lou Holtz's inability to defend ND's BCS credentials on ESPN after the game, it was painful to watch).
Bernie P. | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 2:44 am | #

I'm glad we won - but boy was that way too close for comfort.

During the second half I drank like I had during the last couple of years (my liver can't take much more of this).

GO IRISH!!
Ryan | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 3:21 am | #

Regarding Holtz's bumbling defense of ND in the Fiesta Bowl:

It didn't help that he had Mark "I'm always right" May arguing with him. Lou barely had enough time to speak, let alone actually think about the question.

One Holtz-Word-of-Advice heard today during the NC State-Maryland pregame regarding a certain QB getting sacked too much:

"It's hard to throw from the supine position."
TSchaef | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 3:29 am | #

But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

While it was crushing to see Stanford score the go-ahead touchdown, it seemed completely different than in recent years. I had a sense of calm I haven't known since the ND-Michigan game of '94. I was certain then that Powlus would bring the Irish out of the abyss, as I was certain the Quinn/Weis would do the same tonight. I was wrong then. Happy to see I was right this time.

Rumor-o'-the-week: Fitzpatrick wore the wrong sized shoes.
TSchaef | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 3:34 am | #

Damn you Remy Hamilton!!!
TSchaef | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 3:35 am | #

Pants, meet shit.
Jeff H. | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 4:36 am | #

If only I were Lou Holtz:

"So, Mark--ND doesn't deserve the BCS? Is that because they went 0-6? How'd that prediction work out for you? Now seriously, Mark--a PITT grad shouldn't be talking about teams that do or do not deserve going to the BCS, after the moral travesty of seeing them lose their 5th game in the Fiesta Bowl..."
Nate | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 6:57 am | #

After reading all this angst above and seeing the concern on Weis's face I can only think games like this take a couple of years off everyone's life....including Chucks.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 9:29 am | #

Oh, and if I EVER see Smarja waving his little fingers tauntly at another player like on that first towndown I will leap out of the stands, sprint a 9.2 100 and take him out. After friends and relatives attend my funeral, I hoep all of you will post that I was justified.

I love the guy, but he's got to show some class. I hope Charlie sees that one on Monday.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 9:32 am | #

I had nightmares of CW deciding to stall that last drive inside the 10 to set up DJ "Ice" Fitzpatrick.

I will continue to have nightmares about

1) Kicking off to Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn
2) Our slo-mo midget DB's "covering" Ginn and Holmes on deep routes
3) tOSU pass-rushers salivating after watching the last 2 games.

On the bright side, it's nice to discover our running game and see such impressive poise by BQ with the game on the line.
Scott | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 9:59 am | #

The game was unnecessarily exciting.
A win is a win. Take 'em anyway you can get them.
dbldomer7375 | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 11:34 am | #

We all need to remember that truism: On any given Saturday...

ND is never as good as the hype we want to believe; our opponents are never as bad/evil/etc.

The better team did win, just not the way we wished it would happen.

Wishin' and hopin'
Soapbox | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 11:41 am | #

I didn't have so much have an issue with the finger waving thing. It was an exciting 80 yd play, with Samardzija outrunning everyone, and it was the 2nd play of the game, 15 seconds into it. At that point in the game, with the initial pregame jitters and anxiousness still weighing in, a move like that, while somewhat uncalled for, was understandable.

You may recall Battle's gesture after the first play of the 2002 FSU game.
John - ND | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 11:56 am | #

I couldn't understand Dan Fouts disagreement with Weiss calling a time out on the final Stanford drive. It may seem strange to some college fans; however, anyone who follows pro ball knows it is essential to preserve that time. I applauded him loudly, while my friends thought I was nuts. I guess I didn't look so stupid. That is why HE is the coach, and not you Dan.
john | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:26 pm | #

It ain't over til it's over and that's why you play for 60 minutes. It was the last game in Stanford stadium, I would hope the trees would play with passion. Add to that it's the Irish they're playing and of ocurse it's a game. With a month off to rest and prepare, who ever we play will be the subject of quite a disection.
walterbutkus3451 | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:28 pm | #

I agree with John, I applauded too. Maybe that's why Fouts never made it to the Super Bowl.
walterbutkus3451 | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:29 pm | #

It was the right call with 1st and goal to go. Either they're going to score the touchdown or not, and if they take all the downs to make a TD, it's better to have the ~1:30 that would be left on the clock to come back.
John - ND | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 12:45 pm | #

Jackson and Fouts seemed to be having a contest of who could say the most stupid things throughout the night. I'd have to say Jackson wins by a nose with his comment on Stanford's last PAT: "For the win..."
Jeff H. | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 2:13 pm | #

John ND --

It is bush league to wave fingers tainting opponents. It is also a penalty if the refs see it. It is also patented by Erickson, P-F Satan and other classless coaches of assorted potential felons.

Walter Payton said it best. "Act like you have been there before and intend to be back, soon."
Yago | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 2:53 pm | #

Samardzija's absolutely silly and totally uncalled for taunt at the end of his first touchdown is very serious. Notre Dame isn't about that kind of stuff, and if Weis truly stands for the things he says he does he will sit Samardzija for some or all of the bowl game as a statement that principle IS more important than winning at Notre Dame. I'm sure he needs to see the tape first, but I hope someone asks him that at a press conference. I'll be very interested in his reaction.

P.S. Does Samardzija hold on every single running play?
Charlie | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 7:09 pm | #

calm down . . . don't take the fun out of sports. Samardzija shouldn't be benched, there are far worse things that go on - 7th floor crew anyone???
new | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 8:04 pm | #

Good Lord...all you people have to complain about is the Shark waggling his finger at a DB?
Man, things must have REALLY improved over the last year.
BTW, I think it was Barry Sanders that made the comment about acting like you've been there before, not Payton.

PS...my heart finally restarted about 3am EST.
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 11.27.05 - 11:33 pm | #

Several are credited, but I'll go with THE most herealded name in sport news: ESPN.

"Where is Barry Sanders? Perhaps the most gifted and entertaining running back of all-time played the game with class and a quiet grace -- can you imagine any of these other ham n' eggers in the league today simply flipping the ball to the ref when they score? ("Act like you've been there before," said his dad.)"

Barry's Dad.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 11.28.05 - 6:35 am | #

Perhaps we are over-reacting to Smarja's fingers. But after years of DB's getting toasted for 30 yards and thumping their chest after a routine tackle...can you blame us?

Or a WR making a routine catch in the 3rd quarter for our 2nd first down of the ballgame and tomahawk chopping "first-down". These things scar you.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 11.28.05 - 6:38 am | #

Who said saying about taking the fun out? Do an end zone dance...do a high five...spike the ball...do whatever you want. Just don't taut the other team. This is what he did. Period.

There is no place for this on the Notre Dame team. None. And surely we don't judge ourselves in relation to Flordia schools, do we? Please. There is a different standard at Notre Dame.

If turnabout was fair play they would have tauted him right back when he dropped a key TD pass late in the game. Of course, Stanford was more classy. Will Charlie make it clear this kind of behavior will not be tolerated? Hmmm...I guess we'll see.
Charlie | Email | Homepage | 11.28.05 - 9:18 am | #

Does the Shark deserve to get benched? I don't really think so. Will he be running some extra laps for the next five weeks? Absolutely.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 11.28.05 - 12:13 pm | #

being an alum . . . didn't we fire are coach 3 yrs like a certain FL school (just an argument thrown out there).
look at all sides, trust me i'm pro notre dame but we aren't without our faults - high standards doesn't mean we don't make moves against those standards time to time
new | Email | Homepage | 11.28.05 - 12:38 pm | #

Taunting is for the likes of the "U", not ND. I don't know how to teach a lesson like that. Hopefully, Charlie does. We can't tolerate that stuff. It's immature, classless, demeaning to the other team. Ask Terrell Owens what it gets you in the long run.
bevo | Email | Homepage | 11.28.05 - 1:53 pm | #

Benching the Shark for that??? We wouldn't bench him for anything other than a truly dastardly personal foul, or something equivalent. What he did was truly benign. I don't applaud taunting, but I totally understand it. Nobody was demeaned. Rather, the tone was playful. Charlie, if you would have played any freaking COMPETITIVE in college, high school, or even in your back yard, then you'd understand the place of said taunts. CW will likely give some minor punishment via extra sprints, but he shouldn't have to make it public. Lordy, y'all need a clue.
Dan c/o 2001 | Email | Homepage | 11.29.05 - 10:20 pm | #

C'mon Charlie you can't be serious? ND is about higher standards, but that doesn't mean we all don't occasionally make mistakes. I felt bad about flipping off all the Tennessee fans around me a few weeks back after Samardzija's jaunt to the 4-yard line. I made a mistake. As JohnWA and new said above, Charlie should and will definitely address it. In addition to said sprints, I expect Shark will get quite a toungue lashing in front of the entire team and he will be made an example of as to something not to do.

But suspension is WAY, WAY, WAY too severe for the mistake he made.
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 11.30.05 - 5:24 pm | #