Last week was a JV scrimmage and the Irish gave us a preview for the big game and the season. This week is all Varsity. Notre Dame vs. Michigan–a classic rivalry.
The Rice game was a nice tune-up last week. Initial tailgate supplies were purchased and the stockpile continues to grow in anticipation of the epic Michigan tailgater and game. This will be the 11th night game in Notre Dame Stadium history. Temperatures are predicted to be Fall-like and clear. Tailgate cheer will abound.
THE BUILD-UP BEGINS
BEER ANYONE?
Tailgate Wingman Dr. Rick Behler is legendary for his incomparable Bloody Mary’s. On a nice Fall afternoon, master mixologist Dr. Behler will also be preparing his famous Pimm’s Cocktails. He shops meticulously in advance. This stuff does not come pre-mixed in a bottle!
DR. BEHLER 
BEVERAGE SHOPPING LIST
Quite refreshing…mint leaves make it perfect
The tailgate will feature our traditional burgers, brats, doggies and sandwiches. In 12 years, we have never run out of food! (The beverage supplies have been pushed to the limits…)
Mini-grill fires-up for maximum output!
We are here…all friends are welcome 
This is what the Joyce Lot looks like at 6:00am as vehicles are staged and the tailgate set-up begins. Rice last week: 
Once we are in full swing in the Joyce Lot on Saturday, the scene will likely look like this from USC last year This was our encampment at Lamp Post #3. This Michigan game and tailgate will be epic.
“Can you see us?…We are over here!”
Joint Chief of Staff General Martin Dempsey will be on campus Saturday delivering an address and then touring the campus, including the locker room facilities. Via an ND pal who is a retired Colonel and DOD official (under Donald Rumsfeld), we have an invitation out to the General to stop by our tailgater. We are told that he is a “Bayonne Boy” who likes a good party and would be the loudest and heartiest voice singing.
With tailgate shopping nearly complete, we took a break for a leisurely round of golf at the fabled Morris Park Country Club in South Bend with hosts Pat & Laura Flynn.
This Club has had Members ranging from Lou Holtz to Ty Willingham. One was a great coach; the other a great golfer. Speaking of Lou, he will be in town Friday night for his “Lou’s Lads” reception. He is scheduled for his usual haircut at Armando’s (the time cannot be disclosed).
Lou does not appreciate pictures or autographs when he is getting his hair cut. He is always in a rush. However, Coaches Kelly and Parseghian are very outgoing and approachable. Disclosure: picture of BK getting his hair cut last season. It is obvious that he recently had his hair cut (butchered) at some other shop recently, or tried to cut his hair himself. We are monitoring this situation closely.
ARMANDO & COACH BRIAN KELLY
ABE & COACH 
TWO “A’s”…one is a legitimate legend.
ABE & ARA
THREE “A’s” !! Armando, Ara & Abe
By the way, I have to say that as of Thursday morning, and as Warren Zevon would croon, yes– “His hair was perfect.” 
“AHH-OWW…Werewolves of London!”
(we miss you Warren)
Speaking of great golfers–and someone with five “Holes-in-One” in his career, Pat Flynn can really hit a golf ball. Sometimes it is said that a player hits it so hard he “comes out of his shoes”. In Pat’s case, he blasts it right through his drawers.
Reminds me of an appropriate joke.
Q: “Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants?
A: “In case he got a “Hole-in-One”
A pants-splitting blast
Cooler in the summer with extra ventilation
BACK TO THE BIG GAME…
OK…Does Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke remind you of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie?
Or perhaps Flounder from “Animal House”?
Or a distressed D-1 football coach who may be in his last season?
How we ND fans miss Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriquez and even Bo Schembechler…
Brady Hoke may be a short-tenured UM coach. And speaking of Governor Christie, his daughter Sarah began classes last week as a Notre Dame freshman. I cannot confirm with my own eyes that two big men were moving her possessions into Pasquerrilla-West dorm for her. However, that sure expedited the move-in.
Christie told reporters that they would be seeing a lot of him at Chicago Midway airport the next four years on his way to South Bend. If he happens upon legendary Rocco’s Pizza, sales could explode for Warren and Linda during the next four years. Flour deliveries by the truckload may be required. As we know, Rocco’s is the place for pizza.
Most legendary… 
Summer casual for the Coach.
(Definitely not an Armando’s haircut)
Long-time Pals–Warren and Abe
(Has that been two “Warren” references in the same blog?)
The “Chicken Dance” is dead…
Time to strut the “Hoke Choke”
The first match-up between Michigan and Notre Dame was in 1887. In 42 contests there have been some very memorable games. As everyone knows, Notre Dame’s commitment to the ACC has put pressure on the schedule. Subsequently, A.D. Jack Swarbrick exercised the option to cancel the games with UM for 2015-17. And by mutual agreement, the series is further suspended for 2018-19.
This was pure business, though UM Head Coach Brady Hoke chose to assert that ND was “chicken”. There is no confusion for this and here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeMmV_2k2ps
Further, after UM defeated ND 41-30 at The Big House last year, the Michigan fight song (acknowledged by many as the second best collegiate fight song) was followed by a recording of the “Chicken Dance” blaring over the loudspeakers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyB2po-qqE (“Chicken Dance at 1:01)
When Brady is sitting home alone in his den in December reviewing the Severance language from his termination as Michigan coach, he may regret the remarks that inspired Notre Dame to another victory over UM in 2014. This chicken theme is not new. In fact, there is a long line of chicken-hearted Michigan men. Lest we forget those who have spited us most…
“TO HELL with NOTRE DAME”
To be sure, the University of Michigan (aka: “Mee-chee-gan”; Big Blue; Wolverines; UM; crybabies) has had a number of colorful coaches in its history.
Fielding Yost
It is well-documented that Yost was a bitter man and especially hateful toward Notre Dame. After the upstart Notre Dame team defeated the mighty Michigan in 1909, Yost vindictively canceled the 1910 game on its eve in South Bend. Michigan would not come to Notre Dame for another 32 years. Yost continued his vendetta by blocking ND in all discussions to possibly join the Big 10 Conference. He also urged other to boycott playing ND. This is historically significant because Fielding Yost proven that he was indeed a chicken…and likely the first UM Chicken Coach.
Fritz Crisler
In the 1940’s, Notre Dame won four national championships, but could not get a game with The Cluckers. ND Coach Frank Leahy recalled, “In 1944 I asked (Michigan Coach) Fritz Crisler directly if we could resume the series. He looked me straight in the eyes and said that Michigan was willing to meet Notre Dame any place, any time, and any Saturday. I believed him. I repeatedly asked him for a date that we could meet and he never could make room on his schedule for Notre Dame.” When asked by reporters about a Michigan-Notre Dame series in 1947, the normally quiet, reserved Leahy shot back, “I just wish we had the opportunity to beat Michigan. We’d be happy to play them any time, on any Saturday, during any fall.” In the 1940’s Crisler, too, attempted to organize Big Ten schools to boycott ND. Michigan State and Purdue both told Notre Dame they were proud and delighted to have the Irish on their schedules. After 1943, Michigan would not play Notre Dame again until 1978. As well-documented, Fritz Crisler continued the vendetta against ND and proved that like Yost, he was also a chicken. The tradition continued.
Bo Schembechler
Bo was gruff and direct. He was quoted as, “We don’t need Notre Dame,” Bo said. “They need us more than we need them.” This was because Bo preferred to focus on the Big Ten championship, but also because of his dismal career record vs. ND with Bo as just 4-6 vs. the Irish. Three years before he died, Bo reportedly said that if he was still Athletic Director, he wouldn’t schedule the Irish even “if they got down on their hands and knees and begged….To hell with Notre Dame.” It is not clear how much bitterness or chicken-heartedness was involved here. But Bo would rather not play (and lose) to ND. A chicken position…
Gerald Ford
Was not a Michigan coach. But he was a great American, U.S. Congressman, VP and President. And he was an All-American at UM (’33). Ford was never accused of being a chicken. Of the rivalry, President Ford was quoted as, “”It’s good for Michigan, it’s good for Notre Dame, and it’s good for college football.” President Ford was not a chicken. He should have applied and played at Notre Dame.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
What games did we like best? Many of us attended these games and the memories are vivid. We have to cherish:
- 1978—dubbed the “Reunion Game” as the ND-UM series resumed, this matched QB’s Joe Montana vs. Rick Leach. ND was the defending National Champions and UM was #5. Although ND lost 28-14, it remains a memory.
- 1979—ND upsets #5 UM 12-10. Irish Linebacker Bob Crable blocks a key FG attempt by climbing up the back of UM defender Mike Trgovic. This results in a collegiate rule change.
- 1980—Harry Oliver nails a 51-yarder for ND with just 4 seconds left. ND wins 29-27 as pandemonium reigns.
- 1982—the first night game at Notre Dame Stadium vs. Michigan. ND prevails 23-17.
- 1988—Ricky Watters (“For who…for what?”) runs back an 81-yard punt return for a TD. (Dr.) Reggie Ho nails four FG’s. UM’s Mike Gillette misses a 48-yarder at the gun to lose the game. ND wins 19-17.
Ricky Watters on the Eagles
- 1989—No one cared that it was raining because The Rocket ran back two consecutive kick-offs for TD’s as the Irish win 24-19. So devastating…Bo Schembechler retires that season.
- 1992—one of ND’s all-time great tailbacks, Reggie Brooks scores and is knocked-out cold in the endzone. To this day, he cannot recall the play. The game ends in a rare tie 17-17.
Reggie Brooks & Abe
Reggie has never had a greater photo set-up than this with the famous Shukis sisters–Carol and Mary–all-time great ND tennis players and Monogram winners.
- 2012—another Home night game where Tommy Rees replaces in ineffective starting QB Everett Golson and Manti Te’o has 2 big interceptions. ND wins 13-6. Tommy and Manti are gone; Everett is BACK…better than ever! (As a side-note,.Gosh–do we miss Manti–his skills and leadership)
Manti & Abe
- 2014—also a memory in this loss (41-30)…Devin Gardener passes for 4 TD’s and rushes for another and the speakers blast the “Chicken Dance”—none of this will be repeated in 2014. Book it.
GETTING READY FOR THE BIG GAME
The ND equipment truck is loaded with all of the gear from The Gug. It will take the short drive to The Stadium and the fabled locker room in the House that Rockne Built…with new synthetic field turf lobbied for by Brian Kelly. 
(View from my roof). The ND Practice Fields are now empty and all clear. It is time to take it inside The Stadium.
Is there a more famous college football stadium in the United States? The glory and memories are endless.
But what is ending is the storied inter-sectional rivalry between the University of Michigan and the University of Notre Dame…the Wolverines vs. the Irish. Two great stadiums; two great fight songs; two great schools.
We are fortunate to be here for another classic.
Just as last week, let’s cheer for the ND players as they gather in the Student Section end zone to sing the Alma Mater after another Irish victory.
See you for tailgating and afterwards for a celebration beverage.
GO IRISH!
Yours in ND,
ABE