Appearances. A leaner BK ran onto the field wearing a sporty ND warm-up top with a white collared shirt underneath. I do not think he has any ratty old gray sweatshirts with the sleeves ripped off in his wardrobe. And speaking of running…his nose was just fine. At the post-game press conference, he was neatly groomed with a Friday fresh Armando haircut (no issue with an incorrigible cowlick that Armando dealt with for the past 5 years). He was direct, humorous, insightful and polite to reporters. I did not recall him citing any “schematic advantage.”
Walk-ons. It is incredible that kicker David Ruffer won the starting job on Friday and was impressive in winds up to 30 mph. He had played Interhall before walking on. Nate Montana was also awarded a scholarship last week and is no longer a walk-on.
Clarification. Coach K was not clear at the Pep Rally Friday when he stated that the players would enter the Stadium parading down through the student Section 31. That was true for the pre-game warm-ups. And as you saw, he led the team charging out of the tunnel for the game.
Inexperience (so what?). Interesting that 14 ND players saw their very first action of their ND careers on Saturday. And the penalties were low (2-15 yds) and that was so refreshing. (Wasn’t Sam Young capable of that himself in the first series alone in previous years?)
Interesting pre-game prep tidbit. NBC-TV invited last year’s Interhall football champions Siegfried Hall and runner-up St. Ed’s onto the playing field on Friday to simulate plays so the cameramen could practice sight-lines and adjustments. Pretty cool incentive for the lads. I only recall that when the undefeated Dillon Hall Interhall Football Champs for 1978 were awarded a victory party across the border at Kubiak’s Sunday night for our victory and recognition of not allowing a TD the entire season.
I am confirming that Taylor Swift was at Rocco’s Saturday night after the game. Her brother Austin is a Freshman in Duncan Hall. She told a few patrons she had a great time and may be back for the Michigan game.
Sunday was very quiet. There was Dane Crist and his SMC girlfriend walking on campus after Mass.
Mike Golic and his family attending the #3 ND Women’s Soccer game vs. Texas Tech (undefeated ND wins 2-0 with two goals 47 seconds apart).
Armando Allen stopped by the Men’s Soccer game later vs. California and told a few folks that he felt great after the game (no bangs or bruises) and everyone else was really injury-free, too.
Time to gear-up for Michigan.
I expect a much bigger turn-out of family and friends. Reporting may be difficult and events may not be as blog-worthy as this weekend. But as you know (and as one of my Dillon roommates taught me), “just let the game come to you.”
Over and out.
Abe