I drove 600 miles, got a nice burn to the neck and arms, fought my way through the bookstore and got “the shirt’, and had just a super great time. I’m going next year. The attendance had to be more than 52,000! We eyed-balled the fans and mathematically placed them within the 59,000+ old stadium seats and filled them with some left over. Was hoping see a QB have a sustained drive for a TD or a RB have a break-out run to help settle at least in our mind who will be in the backfield this fall, but that was not to be. Surprised more concessions were not open in the stadium and more organizations not selling cokes and brats on the quad, everyone could have cleaned up.
Guess it’s Go Irish, beat the Dawgs.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 4:59 pm | #

It really was a great day for the game. Absolutely beautiful. It was great to see how many people came in, and on my way on the Toll Road all I saw was ND fan after ND fan caravaning on in to the game.

It really was neat to see Holtz back on the sidelines picking grass and yelling at kids again. I really found that to be something special.

Agreed on the concessions. They really need to work on that next year, as the lines for food were INCREDIBLE.

All in all a great day, and only an ankle sprain as an injury.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 5:38 pm | #

I'm not sure how they came up with that exact number either, and students definately weren't counted.
Time | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 6:45 pm | #

Agreed about concessions, students not being counted, and sunburn.

As for "eyeballing" the attendance, one thing to keep in mind is that because it was general admission, people in many sections weren't as tightly packed in as in a real game. I know this because I spend the third quarters wandering around the stadium, going into various sections to take pictures from different perspectives, and generally people were sitting a bit further apart than you'd see normally. So that may account for the difference between the announced attendance and the "eyeballed" attendance.

Still, the student attendance couldn't have been anything more than a rough estimate.
Brendan Loy | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 7:03 pm | #

That should say "the third quarter," not "the third quarters," obviously.
Brendan Loy | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 7:04 pm | #

P.S. My favorite moment was when a bunch of students chanted:

Goooo Irish!
Beeeeat Irish!
Suck it, Irish!
Go, Irish, Go!

Heh.
Brendan Loy | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 7:05 pm | #

re: Subway

they released "the shirt"? why haven't I seen it anywhere?
AS | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 8:44 pm | #

Whoops: scrolled down a few articles and had my questioned answered. Disregard, please. Anyone know where I can see The Shirt, though?
AS | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 8:45 pm | #

AS:

Rakes of Mallow has it up on their site, or I bet you can just go to the ND bookstore page and it would be up.
Anonymouse | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 8:52 pm | #

Regarding The Shirt, I am a little bummed that they haven't posted any "Shirt" desktop wallpapers yet. I plastered my machines at work and home with 'em throughout the season last year, and I look forward to posting my allegiance for all my coworkers to see as soon as the graphics become available.

And I'm incredibly envious of those who were at the game this weekend. The wife and I were going to go, but ended up being obligated to attend a wedding reception we couldn't get out of. I'm so bummed I wasn't there - sounds like it was a terrific weekend. It would've been my 2nd B-G game, following my attendance in '91 (I'm sure that Craig Hentrich autograph is worth something right now!). Agh - maybe next year.
PK | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 9:25 pm | #

Brendan Loy? I thought you were an SC fan?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 9:52 pm | #

Great atmosphere and nice to see Charlie really turning the game into something special. From Mike's picture, I must have been about a row over. I had a clear vantage point on the recruits and they looked huge. My two big complaints were pass protection and wide receiver's hands. Both of those were a disappointment of sorts. Of course, having 4 running backs, 3 tight ends and 2 full backs provides a ray of hope.
One other note, I really liked Clausen's control of the game. He never got a chance to open up, but I never saw him force a pass and it seemed every one he threw went where he wanted it (even a throwaway).
Laws and Brown looked pretty impressive too.
NearbyGuy | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 9:52 pm | #

I may be wrong but believe that the closed sections were part of the stadium concrete rehab that has been going on
Evan Williamson | Email | Homepage | 04.22.07 - 10:51 pm | #

What a great experience at the Spring game. We had the band, we had cheerleaders, we had officer McCarthy do his joke, the ushers, the concessions, the students, the tailgating.

ND really did their best to go through the motions of gameday except that the tickets were cheaper, the parking was free, and no real opponent.

At the end of the "game", the scoreboard showed ND v. GTech (0-0). I was pumped up only to realize during the drive home, sitting in traffic, that I had to wait all summer to see the team in action again.
Nails | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 12:56 am | #

Come on BGS, this is probably THE largest news week(end) up until Charlie releases his "top 2", where are all the analytical articles? Hopefully, as all things do, its only a matter of time before we get a posted article that talks more about the game and first impressions than just overview stuff (Jabbie ran for X amount on X carries, Clausen was X for X with X touches X interceptions). Give me some REAL information since I have yet to find any sufficient game film. HOW did Jabbie hit the holes? Is he more power than finesse? Was Demetrius Jones' 31 yard scamper an elusive run or was he running in an open field that even sweet Lou Holtz could've ran? Was it more of a Michael Vick-esque type of run (I'll make my own holes) or was it a Peyton Manning (i see a hole and by God i will take it) Come on BGS! I dont care about sun burns or if there were or werent 51,000 fans, PLEASE, GIVE ME THE GOOD STUFF!!!!
Ian | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 8:38 am | #

Game footage posted here.

http://www.cstv.com/allaccess/pl....asx&school=nd&
tjnd88 | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 8:56 am | #

Ian,

I did a real BG game post under T. Nice. No interest. Used the data from the game stats: http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_h...box-bluegold- 07

The lack of good posts was the "ho-hum" game (run, run, run, sack, run, punt.) When posts are 3-4X fluff-to-football, the game was a downer.

Wait about two weeks for some real posts.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 9:04 am | #

If we give up all the good stuff on the first day Ian, how are we going to get anyone to come back?

Always leave 'em wanting more...

Seriously though, we're collecting stories and quotes and photos and video. You'll get more updates, don't worry.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 9:21 am | #

I guess it is true, the game really wasnt much of a barn burner in terms of news and information revealing the team. Thanks for the video post tjnd88. As everyone else is, I guess im just too excited to see the new offense and defense and see what we are capable of this year (hopefully enough to shut up the likes of Mark May...)
Ian | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 10:25 am | #

I was looking forward to seeing the QBs air out a little bit. I will say that Clausen and Sharpley looked like the top 2 of the day, if only because they didn't make any big mistakes.
The real highlight for me was getting to meet Jim Caviezel in the bookstore.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 10:27 am | #

Come October 20 annum this the thunder will be shaken down from the sky

enough is enough
Terry | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 11:50 am | #

I can imagine lots of reasons why Charlie didn't want his quarterbacks throwing the ball Saturday, as unsatisfying as they may be to us fans.

Number one, let's say a guy sucks it up all through camp and then goes 16 for 20 with two TDs in the big spring game. All of us anoint him the next starter and spend all summer drooling over the kid. When CW taps somebody else, then god forbid has a weak start, there is much second guessing in ND nation.

Number two, he may not want to have his secondary torched up and down. According to Chuck, they've only put in the most basic cover package and emphasized everybody getting it cold. You don't hang that out to dry and have:
-Everyone complaining that Corwin hasn't done anything with the defense
-Recruits thinking he may not be the second coming
-Opposing OCs coming out of the spring game with useful film

Number three, he may be telling the truth when he says he wants to emphasise the power game as a way to toughen the team. At this point, I think our lines are the biggest potential weakness going into the fall, and CW probably knows he needs to season the guys on both sides with every possible rep.

While we're all consumed by the quarterback controversy, Charlie knows he's going to have a competent signal caller come the first. What's standing between us and a great season is being able to run the ball down people's throats, and stop them from doing the same to us.
indy | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 12:32 pm | #

Gabe,

I had the pleasure of having Jim Caviezel attend one of my tailgates last year. Heck of a nice guy. And it provided this interesting dialogue...

My Sister: "Brad, Jesus (played by Jim obviously) came to our tailgate!"

Brad: "What? Who's here?"

My Sister: "Jesus, he just showed up with some people we know!"

Brad: "Quick....hide the beer!"
Brad | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 12:53 pm | #

I totally believe Charlie when he says he'd like to go to more of a power running game. We've got 3 or 4 RBs right now who are more than capable, not to mention a couple bruising FBs plus the addition of Hughes in the fall. Our running game could be among the tops in the country.

Brad, I just briefly spoke with Mr. Caviezel in the bookstore, but you are right, he is a very nice guy. I was surprised how he just seemed like a normal dude, shopping for a t-shirt.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 1:31 pm | #

I was going to try and get some pictures, but a late start from the Chicago 'burbs coupled with construction traffic didn't get us there until about halfway into the first quarter. I reached for the camera when I realized it was with my wife and sister in law who had sacrificed themselves to go get food.
We didn't see them again until halftime.
Any news on Sullivan? I'm assuming he's okay.
Whitey | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 1:48 pm | #

Sorry... got my response on Sully down in the Tony Rice article comments.

High ankle sprain, out two weeks.

Thanks.
Whitey | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 1:56 pm | #

I'm glad Sully's going to be OK. I'm sure I'd be in a lot of pain, too, if Chris Stewert did a belly flop on my leg.
DWalk's Dad | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 1:58 pm | #

How did TT do? The video clip (THANK YOU!) did not mention him but focused on Jabbie, Aldridge, Allan and Schwapp getting 4 ypc.

Looked like it was a great day, too bad I couldn't be there. Next year I suppose.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 2:34 pm | #

any reports on how chris stewart look at the nose tackle?
yak | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 2:41 pm | #

I don't think Chris Stewert played a whole lot, but yes, he did fall on Sully's leg to cause the ankle sprain. And I'll say that the few plays I focused on him he did a great job of occupying 2 O-Linemen. I don't believe he recorded a tackle, but his job at NT in the 3-4 will mainly be to take up as many blockers as he can, and his size alone allows him to do that. After learning some technique, I think he could be a fine NT.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 2:49 pm | #

I heard that Sharpley is focusing primarily on baseball (i.e. quitting football) and that Frazer is planning on transferring. Any sort of truth to either of these?
AS | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 3:55 pm | #

Coach Weis is going to sit down with the four QB's in a month when he gets back from his recruiting trip. At that point he'll let them know which two are the top two. At that point, there might be moves made whether that be position switch, sport switch, or transfer. But until that day comes, assume all rumors and gossip are just that; rumors and gossip. We only have to wait a month to find out the top two. Let's not mentally toss two guys off the team just yet.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 4:59 pm | #

Ian.

Please understand that the BG game is an exhibition for entertainment of the fans and for charity as well as a way to allow all of the players to play in ND stadium. As good as the Blue Gray Sky folks may be, the "good stuff" won't be known until the Ga Tech game at the earliest. While it was nice to see Jabbie and Thomas run the ball relatively well, not even the players place any significant weight on BG game performance. Although most trash talk about earning the MVP awards, they are the first to acknowledge that what you saw this spring is not what you will get in the fall. With that in mind, please give Pat and Jay a break. There is no other free source of information that remotely compares.
Southside | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 6:54 pm | #

I think it's safe to say that no one except Charlie and his staff know. And maybe they are still working on it--while it's fun to speculate on who might be the two competing for the starting job, I agree with Pat--let's not mentally write anyone off yet. None of them are slouches, and we'll be fine with whichever Charlie starts. Pull for your favorite, but the trend I've seen is people going for the hype (Clausen) or the athleticism (Jones); don't forget that Fraser was Charlie's first choice for QB, and Sharpley's got experience and isn't just an afterthought. 2 years under Charlie and understudying Quinn isn't something to sneeze at.

We'll see how it all shakes out, when it shakes out.
Anonymouse | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 7:02 pm | #

Erik '04, TT's stats were OK. My impression of his play was that he did OK at grinding out yards, but didn't find much open space. How much was him and how much was what the offense/defense was giving him, I couldn't say. Armando Allen didn't find much space either.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 9:09 pm | #

ND grossed much more than Alabama (free tickets for all) and OSU ($5).
brnd | Email | Homepage | 04.23.07 - 10:55 pm | #

indy,

"What's standing between us and a great season is being able to run the ball down people's throats, and stop them from doing the same to us."

Does that mean: if our lines get "nasty," we'l win?
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.24.07 - 9:01 am | #

Thanks, Mr. W!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 04.24.07 - 2:30 pm | #