My next door neighboor was there as well, and now she has pneumonia. But she's still thrilled even though she can't talk and can't get out of bed.

Great story, Jay. You made me feel like I was there.
Bill | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 9:11 pm | #

A.M.D.G.

Fantastic stuff, Jay. It looked like Samardjiza said "nice pass" as he walked by Stanton and gave him a glare that might have melted his face mask.
Tee | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 9:22 pm | #

great stuff; i've read every recap on the net and this one was best; keep 'em comin'
mptesq | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 9:35 pm | #

Thank you for letting me relive Saturday night. Standing in front of the tv yelling to my roommate "We're ahead! We're ahead! Oh my God we're ahead!" and then "We won! Oh my God! Oh my God! We won!" over and over because I was too stunned to do or say anything else.
jaisn | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 9:51 pm | #

Jay,

I nearly got drenched reading your account. Great work.

While you were drying out markmaybewrong did another iteration on the Conversation. It's doing a good job of separating the tiers.
canuck | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 9:54 pm | #

That was an amazing game. I am in the band and I have to say it was one of the coolest feelings playing the fight song and having the players and fans jump up and down out of excitment all in one area. The players started throwing their receiving gloves into the crowd and everyone was glad we came out ontop after one of the most miserable weather games I have ever had to sit through. That game showed a lot of heart.

Go Irish!
Irish Fan | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 10:04 pm | #

Can you provide more detail next time? Just err on the side inclusion when in doubt.
Scheulling | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 10:14 pm | #

Had to sit through watching the game with about 6 tOSU fans and one of my roommates. The two of us took so much crap ... words can't describe how happy were to only hear the two of us shouting in amazement at the end of the game.

Does anyone, anyone out there have a video of Sam Young doing the jig?!
IrishHoffy | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 10:16 pm | #

That is an incredible story, Jay. Thanks for sharing. GO IRISH!
Andy | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 10:32 pm | #

Jay, it was my 5-month old son's first night game. So, we troop over to a friends' house (Weiser's, for you '92ers) where there are other kids around and where my son can sleep sorta regularly. The thinking here is that we won't be stuck at home if I feel the need to punch through a wall. Clever, I thought. Just pay Weiser for the damages, but I won't have to organize the contractor or anything.

During the third and fourth quarters, however, we all end up scaring the @#%% out of my son, not once but twice. I really felt badly... but then again I didn't want him to miss the comeback. He didn't miss a play of the 4th quarter. He now has a sense of what he's in for in this life. Good for him.

Oh, and his name? Quinn.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 10:35 pm | #

Jay I hope you are considering a career in writing. You have some real talent, thanks so much for sharing! GO IRISH!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 10:46 pm | #

When Gioia shanked the PAT at 37-33, he was doing ND a favor. Seriously...which odds did you like better at that point? Him lining up late for a game-tying FG, or ND relying on the offense or defense to put up some points in the last 4min and change?

I'll take the latter.
c-stone | Email | Homepage | 09.27.06 - 11:27 pm | #

Jay - fantastic writing!

c-stone - I thought exactly the same thing. A friend of mine sent me a text saying something like "Ouch! No FG to tie." My response was "TD to win." This season, I would much rather a game came down to making a play on offense than in the kicking game. As it turned out, it came down to the D.
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 12:02 am | #

"John L. Smith seemed like Patton at this point, knowing exactly what to call against our defense (I pictured him saying, "Minter, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!")"

At this point I'm thinking "I wonder if he knows how well crafted and funny that sentence is?" What a piece of writing. You no doubt have, or have seen, "Sports of the Times." Your piece is at that level. No doubt that, somewhere, Red Smith is smiling. My eyes are stinging now from the rain, and, for the first time since Saturday night, I feel a lot better about our dramatic digging ourselves out of a hole. I sincerely hope that you have a manuscript in the works, or at least have given thought to doing so. Thanks again.
Go Irish.
Bill H | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 12:34 am | #

It may sound like a broken record by this point, but fantastic article, Jay. You captured the emotion and feel of the game perfectly. I wish I could have been there.

To come back from the despair of that early deficit all the way to the euphoria of Lambert's 1st interception... well, it was simply a phenominal game. It's all well and good to make fun of ESPN's Instant Classic stuff, but this game will be a classic forever.
PAK '00 | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 12:42 am | #

The picture you link of the stunned Sparty fans is absolutely classic.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:03 am | #

Great re-cap. I was on the phone with my younger bro who was there. I live in Alaska so he was calling me often, and all I could hear from him was "this is terrible". It was so loud in the first half he could not hear me at all, so he just yelled for a few seconds about how bad things were and hung up. Then he called after we took the lead and it sounded like he was in his bedroom at home, very quiet. We were both saying the same thing....."unbelievable"......
Dave in Alaska | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:38 am | #

Goia still owes me a new Guinness glass because i shattered mine against the wall when she shanked the Extra point.

I am very very gung ho about the next few games prior to USC but you know DAMN WELL that a bad kicker will come back to bite us in the ass at some point...
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:49 am | #

c-stone, let's be fair to Gioia - he's been pretty solid since the GT game, and the conditions absolutely sucked ass for kicking on Saturday night.
Bill | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 6:29 am | #

Outstanding article - hardly a week gone by and the game is already deservedly part of the ND legend.
Mighty Squirrel Kingdom | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 7:26 am | #

Jay - Great, great story. I'm glad you are on our side.
PhilB | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 7:31 am | #

matsut - I deleted your comment and the ones that responded to it since you already typed the exact same thing in the post below. Just because that comment section isn't getting as many responses doesn't mean that people aren't reading it or that you should be able to spread your message-board level trash talk to other posts. Keep your criticisms tied to the post in question.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 8:41 am | #

Oh, my gawd...I am SO chastened...whatever shall I do?
matsut | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 8:47 am | #

Acting like an adult is a start.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 8:52 am | #

Great post about a great, great game. Win the wind changed directions, I suddenly felt like Lieutenant Dan raging against Hurricane Carmen in "Forrest Gump". You couldn't script a come-from-behind victory any better than that.
Re-Run | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 8:53 am | #

Echoing the crowd here, but... Great article, Jay. This is just the latest example of what makes BGS stand out in the crowded field of college football blogs. Truly a great piece of writing.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:19 am | #

One other thing, sometime in the 3rd or 4th quarter (I'm working from memory) Stanton got a hat laid on him by Wooden. It was like an option left or something and Wooden came in and stuck Stanton something good. Does anybody else recall that play? Stanton definitely got up a little slowly and there was a great close up of him where he looked a little out of sorts. Did anybody feel like this contributed to Stanton's poor play? From that play forward, he did not seem to have his game together.
Re-Run | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:23 am | #

One sentence about the game mechanics stood out to me. I know this post is more about the "feel" of the game, so I don't want to get too off track, but I want to comment on this one thing.

"Quinn had been kooky, and our tacklers seemed to be bouncing off of Ringer and Caulcrick instead of wrapping them up."

The lack of tackling seemed painfully obvious to me, watching this one on TV. Too many times in the first half, I (loudly) noted our lack of tackling to my wife and my dad. It seemed that most of our LBs and DBs were just trying to slam into the MSU players and knock them to the ground. There seemed to be very little ability to wrap them up and bring them to the ground. Sometimes that resulted in big stops, but more often it led to a broken "tackle" and extra yards for MSU. On several occasions Zibby bounced off of MSU players, rather than using his arms and executing a solid tackle. Zibby normally seems pretty solid, but on Saturday it seemed like he was going for the knock out punch instead of just tackling the guy.

I was at the Michigan game and couldn't bear to watch the replay, so I don't know if was as much a problem in that game. Is this a lingering fundamental problem, or just a one off (hopefully) that manifested itself against the Spartans?
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:27 am | #

Where were you sitting, Jay? I was at the game and much of what you said sounded like it was from my vantage point as well (Section 15, Row 14).
Joe | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:28 am | #

For crying out loud, you guys are touchy. That's all right, though, I was around for the John Cooper years and I know all too well that deep-seated anxiety and doubts about one's team will do that to one.

So - minus the smack-talking, and in an adult fashion: I've watched every minute of all four of ND's games, and I just don't think you guys have a very good team right now. Too slow, not enough fight, a fair-to-middling RB, and a QB who can't handle pressure. Like I've said before, give Weis time to recruit and Clausen (if he's still coming to ND) a year under his belt, and who knows? But for this year, at least, you should be satisfied (and should have been thinking this way from the start) with eight wins and ecstatic with nine.
matsut | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:28 am | #

(I hate to reply to this.)

Not enough fight?

Did you read the post you're responding to?
Jay | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:35 am | #

Great story. Thanks for sharing. It's funny that you mentioning Rhema's blocking. That was the first time this season I've heard that. Last season, it seemed Stovall was getting a lot of praise for it.
Josh | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:56 am | #

Joe, I think we were section 14, row 12...so right in front of you.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 9:56 am | #

All right, I take back that part of it, sort of...what I was getting at was the whole coming out flat thing, and playing largely uninspired football for long stretches...props certainly go to ND for taking advantage of the opportunities that were handed to them, but that first half...my goodness.
matsut | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 10:08 am | #

re-run, i recall richardson upending stanton on an option. pretty nasty hit. richardson had another big one earlier in the game, cant recall who it was against though.

josh, rhema has been a great blocker all year. if it weren't for idiot big ten refs, he would have 3 or 4 key blocks that sprung huge plays. instead, the refs cant understand that a WR could hold a block so they throw flags on clean plays. im very happy with mcknights blocking so far this year, hes picking up the slack left by stovall.
mike | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 10:12 am | #

Couple points.

The only way to really get a feel for how hopeless the game was by the 4th quarter was to be there, to feel the wind and driving rain. I kept thinking to myself "I believe in our guys to make this a game, but how in the hell are they going to do it in a hurricane?" There was no better feeling than walking down the ramps at Spartan stadium to chants of "We are ND!"

On Zibby's punt return that was called back: I'm almost positive that the flag was NOT on McNeil. I don't have the game on Tivo but I have watched the replay on Classic twice, and I noticed this during the game. Watch the gunner at the top of the screen at the beginning of the punt. It looks like our player (can't make out the number) just tackled him. The flag comes out before Zibby even had a chance to touch the ball. I think this is why the ball was put on the 7 yard line even though the flag was at midfield, because it occurred before possession changed.

Lastly, why should we be ecstatic with 9 wins matsut? We have 3 right now, do you really believe we'll have that much trouble getting 6 more out of Stanford(0-4), UNC(1-3, 1 pt win over Furman), Purdue(gave up 35 pts to Indiana State and 31 to winless Miami OH), UCLA(lost to Washington), and the 3 academies?
anohioirish | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 10:51 am | #

Jay - great writeup. My mind is still in Spartan stadium as well trying to do the math and figure out how we actually won. I still can't add up all the points to make it work :) I was in the upper deck above you. I was not happy at first to be in the upper deck, but it actually was the best place to be. You could see ALL the plays and side-action happening. We were surrounded by ND fans and students. During the 4th quarter, it was as loud as I remember when sitting in the student section at Notre Dame as a student. Pure pandemonium!!! Also, the picture of the flag that you show reminded me of the weird winds - I remember at one point when the flags on our side of the stadium were blowing in and the flags on the press-box side of the stadium were blowing out. The American flag was actually blowing STRAIGHT UP! I kid you not... it was some type of omen (I thought a bad omen at the time, but what do I know.) Even when we were getting our buts kicked, my dad and I were laughing like little kids at the thought of being caught in the monsoon.

I'm still riding on a high from that game. The only way I can describe it is...

UNBELIEVABLE!
rbingham'97 | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 11:29 am | #

Ah, I can roll with that last comment, Matsut. You've hit on some good points. Our RB situation is a little untenable although that's mostly a depth issue. Walker's not gonna win any 100 meter dashes, but he does a great job (when given something to work with). It's also true that we have come out flat in pretty much everygame this year.
I wouldn't say that Quinn CAN'T handle pressure. He played well in high-pressure games last year and did fine in the 2nd half against MSU. It's just been a case of him not handling pressure as well as he has in the past. Remember, he JUST threw for FIVE touchdowns. In a driving rainstorm no less.
As for being too slow, I'm not sure how true that is. Maybe too slow to stay with Manningham but that can be said of a lot of defenses. We've got enough speed at just about every position, I'd argue. If we're slower it's like 4.30 as compared to 4.40, which isn't that big of a difference once you get into a game.
And I doubt any Irish fan would be ecstatic with 9 wins.
Re-Run | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 11:55 am | #

"props certainly go to ND for taking advantage of the opportunities that were handed to them, but that first half...my goodness."

You are almost insufferable except I take solace that we have a tOSU fan that hangs on just about every word written here. Somehow, I take some delight in that, especially because I could give a shit about tOSU and their beligerent fans (although Mean Gene thinks it's
Domer99 | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 12:43 pm | #

I find it funny that tOSU fans in particular are so quick to label a team lucky and label the wins as "lucky" and "opponent meltdowns" when in their only NC season in the last 30+ years they themselves got very lucky and fortunate along the way. But then they would probably label the play as "gutsy" and "opportunisitc" rather than aforementioned labels. In CFB luck and opportunistic play is a staple and it is rare that a championship team goes through a season without tapping either one. Instead of trying to minimize this win for ND or blame MSU for giving the game to ND, how about we all take joy in the fact that that game kicked serious ass. Thats what CFB is and it was great to watch.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:10 pm | #

..."I started yelling and shaking my fist at the hurricanoes, just like Lear. I was mad, in both senses of the word..."

Oh, the imagery! Thart's why I'm proud to be an alum... referencing Lear in the middle of a wonderful recap!

God Bless ND!!!!!
unclemikey | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:13 pm | #

Objectively we have come out flat in 3 out of 4 games. I know we don't have elite talent yet, but robo-genius play-calling, execution, and intensity last year kept us competitive with great teams like USC and OSU. Last year, we overachieved. So far this season our execution and intensity have been underwhelming. We have the capability, we just have to put it together for 4 quarters. When we do that we can hang with anybody.
Sam | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:18 pm | #

Let's not forget, tOSU was the benefit of a bogus pass interference call at the end of regulation in the National Title game.
Jason | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:38 pm | #

Matsut,

When we we are ecstatic, it is not because of a certain record, but because with CW, we have hope......with TW and BD, it was trepidation and dread.

It's a long season......watch out when this team puts it together. In my heart of hearts, I believe they will.......
Mike | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 1:52 pm | #

You attribute both of the Samardzija td blocks to McKnight, but Grimes made the block on the td when Jeff was nearly tackled as he scored.

Other than that, great write-up.
Tommy Gee | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 2:35 pm | #

Jason, that is the one comment that drives 99.9% of tOSU fans completely batshit crazy. Maybe it wasn't as bad as Colorado's NC won with the aid of the infamous 5th down AND the phantom Rocket clip, but it's pretty damn close. On second thought, maybe tOSU's NC WAS more tainted since they would've lost 3+ games without Mo C.
scott | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 2:35 pm | #

Anohioirish is exactly right about the penalty on Zibby's punt return. Lambert, of all people, is the player responsible (hence the confusion about the number, 20 can be mistaken for 10). If you have the game on DVR, you can watch Lambert force the gunner to the inside and then absolutely throw him to the ground by his jersey, just as the punt gets away. No flag was thrown on McNeil, despite what Boob says.
Dickey | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 2:37 pm | #

Ignoring that Davie was our (gulp) coach for 5 years (were we drunk or sedated?), who would you rather have calling an ND game:

1) Boob
or
2) Short sleeve Mush burger
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 2:53 pm | #

I hope that final interception becomes known as "the magic football" play.
chris | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 4:09 pm | #

I usually just lurk on here, but I had to comment. Jay, you're writing in this piece is fantastic. I come to bluegraysky to read about football, but if you write anything else, I'd love to read it.
anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 4:32 pm | #

lambert was also the one who jumped on the zibby fumble but had it ripped out from under him in the pile. i'll take his two big defensive plays with his two special teams gaffes any day though.
mike | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 5:12 pm | #

Can't blame Lambert for the ball getting ripped out in the pile. Another blown call by the Big 1? refs there.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 5:45 pm | #

Jay, I work with chicago writers all day... you could give us a seminar. I'm looking forward to your write-up of the Purdue game.

Regarding matsut: It helped to read the Rock. "Only four teams in the top 20 crack the top 20 in schedule strength. The second closest good team is USC at number 9. The other 16 teams playing the toughest schedules aren't ranked. Competition matters and Notre Dame is 3-1 against the best schedule in the country...."

As well, 95% of our players graduate.

It seems NCAA should set up a new football division made up only of teams that regularly play formiddable opponents and whose players are something more than neaderthal....except, there'd literally be no one else in our league.

Just one more reason why ND truly is #1. As a complete package, there is nothing else that even comes close.

You can't blame anyone for being jealous of true greatness.

At the same time, we should remember the truth -- even though it gets distorted by all the other schools who put out thugs to play powderpuff football.
Zkela '97 | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 5:46 pm | #

Anon,

In answer to your question, I was both drunk AND sedated during the Davingham years.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 09.29.06 - 12:59 pm | #