WELCOME to another season of Fighting Irish football!
If I attend the game, I will try to report the sights, sounds and impressions for fans and friends who wish they were here. When people ask me how my summer vacation was, I answer simply–“I do not do summers…I do the Fall, college football, and Notre Dame!
ND-PURDUE Preview
As was the case last week, the Irish once again this week play against one of their most frequent opponents, the Purdue Boilermakers. Dating back to 1896, the Purdue series is one of the oldest for Notre Dame against current members of the NCAA’s FBS division. Only Michigan(1887) and Northwestern (1889) have histories with Notre Dame that date back further than Purdue.
Unlike Michigan and Northwestern, however, Purdue has been a regular on Notre Dame’s schedule through the years. Purdue is the only opponent to appear on Notre Dame’s schedule at least once in each decade since the 1890s.
This Saturday, Notre Dame and Purdue will renew their annual rivalry, playing for the 84th time. Overall, the Irish hold the all-time advantage in games between the schools with a 55-26-2 (.675) record. Aside from Navy, the Irish have played and beaten no school as frequently as Purdue. The Irish and Boilers have played on the gridiron each season since 1946. This year will be the 67th consecutive season in which the schools will play, a stretch only surpassed by Notre Dame’s series with Navy.
This series reached its zenith in the 1960s when both squads were perennial powerhouses. In 1968, #1 Purdue traveled to #2 Notre Dame and handed the Irish a 37-22 beating, still the only home loss Notre Dame has experienced in a #1 vs. #2 game. In the 1970s, the balance shifted toward the Irish with Notre Dame winning 18 out of 21 games between 1975 and 1996. Parity returned to the series between 1997 and 2007, a period during which Notre Dame held a 6-5 record against Purdue. The Irish have won the last four games in this series, Notre Dame’s longest streak against the Boilers since winning a series-record eleven straight games between 1986 and 1996.
Two years ago, in the last series contest played at Notre Dame, the Irish prevailed in Brian Kelly’s inaugural game as Irish coach, 23-12. Last season, the Irish defeated the Boilers, 38-10, inWest Lafayette.
The winner of the Notre Dame-Purdue series receives the Shillelagh Trophy, a tradition that dates back to 1957. The trophy was donated by the late Joe McLaughlin, a merchant seaman and Notre Dame fan who brought the club from Ireland.
THE GREATEST GAME in recent memory…
It is appropriate that for the 35th anniversary of the 1977 National Championship season, we reflect back to a tremendous roadtrip our Junior year as we caravanned from ND to West Lafayette.
Our starting QB that day was Rusty Lisch. When he was ineffective, a fellow Dillonite entered the game–2nd-teamer Gary Forystek.
The Boilers totally dominated the first half for a 24-14 lead to begin the 3rd quarter. At that point, the only Purdue senior starter Fred Arrington burst through the line and absolutely crushed Forystek. We thought he was dead. He layed motionless for 15 minutes and an ambulance drove onto the field to take him away.
Another ferocious playmaker on the field that day was Keena Turner.
It is just coincidental that the starting center on the Purdue team was Pete Quinn. He now does color radio for the Boilermakers network. Pete will be at my tailgater on Saturday and he is bringing one of his buddies. I look forward to meeting Keena!
We knew Keena Turner before he was a 49’er
Keena is credited with breaking Forystek’s back. While sad for Gary, this was the re-birth of “The Comeback Kid” who had missed the previous season with an injury. An of course, he was # 3…Joe Montana.
The Comeback Kid begins the legend
Joe rallied the Irish for 17 points and the victory with a 13-yard pass to TE Ken MacAfee with just 1:39 left. Purdue QB Mark Hermann’s +300 yards passing effort fell short.
Another highlight of that sunny afternoon in West Lafayette was the debut of a very feisty ND Teaching Assistant who was seeking his Doctorate in Economics. Perturbed by a group of beligerent Purdue fans, the future PhD. unleashed a thunderbolt of a blast to the Boiler’s nose and he went down in a heap. While we urged our T.A. to continue his fighting prowess in the Bengal Bouts, he decided to retire undefeated at 1-0.
As Warren Zevon would say, “And his hair was perfect…”
The annual Fall pilgrimage ND begins with the anticipation of pizza at Rocco’s and a fresh haircut at Armando’s.
Warren and Linda are fabulous hosts as the legendary landmark Rocco’s Pizza opened in 1951. Warren says he cannot even guesstimate how many pies they have served.
Abe and Warren
Coifing so many of our heads since 1975, Armando is the stylist to the stars, students, and other admirers. Coach Kelly will look marvelous on the sidelines Saturday. His cut is fresh from Thursday.
Many coaching legends have say in that same chair–Ara, Lou, Digger.
“Style Like a Champion today”
Always well-groomed…Coach Kelly
I was very happy to see my old friend Armando and to get my hair back in order! Sans baseball hat…his hair was perfect again.
The Two A’s
I treated future son-in-law John Dalhoff to an Armando’s special this morning. We had a chance to talk to Cierre Wood. He is an extremely polite and impressive young man. I suspect that he used some poor judgement from which he has learned. I asked Cierre if he was anxious to play again. He starred strongly into my eyes and said, “Sir…I never wanted to play more than now. I will be ready.”
Disclosure. This picture was not taken this morning. This was at the Blue-Gold Brunch in April… and this is not foreshadowing of Cierre’s two game suspension.
TAILGATE PREP…Let’s get packing!
The unelected Mayor of South Bend is Pat Flynn. He may also hold the distinction as the only candidate in ND history to be elected as his Class President (’78) for four successive years . We knew he would go on to further greatness as the President of the Indiana Beer Company.
Is anyone surprised that he is so good at his job? This includes superb customer service, such as garage delivery of tailgate suds!
Special delivery!
Abe & Pat… getting ready!
And with an initial supply of beer delivered to start the season, the rest of the tailgate prep work could begin. Wipe down the coolers, crack open the ice bags, and start chillin’, and make ready for grillin’!
All staged and ready to go!
FRIDAY FOOTBALL LUNCHEON
ND pal Big John Lium played on the ’66 National Championship team for Ara. He was gracious to provide great seats front and center for the luncheon.
Coach Kelly was very positive and upbeat. He was obviously pleased for the performance in Dublin, takes Purdue very seriously, and is optimistic for a new season–realizing how difficult the schedule is.
As part of the program, ND Student-Athletes participate. Today, Braxton Cave, John Goodman and Robbie Toma represented themselves, their parents and our University very well.
Student-Athletes on stage
First-time Football luncheon attendees Sean and John Bennett
RECEPTION and PEP RALLY
Off for some relaxation after a long day… will report back after the Pep Rally.
Out for now..
GO IRISH
Abe
Very informative with the historical coverage. How about some St. Mary stories about your daughter?