SOME HISTORY
The series with Stanford is historic in many ways. On January 1, 1925 the Notre Dame Ramblers claimed the very first National Championship for the school and coach Knute Rockne by defeating the Stanford Indians coached by Glenn “Pop” Warner. Stanford was led by its electric QB Ernie Nevers—who would not ever tinker with the game plan nor ever left anything to chance. ND featured the Four Horsemen on offense. But the two-way ND star was Elmer Layden at d-back who returned two INT’s for TD’s in the 27-10 victory.
That Rose Bowl victory would be ND’s last bowl game until 1970.
Stanford eventually changed its mascot from the Indians. The de jure mascot is the color “cardinal”—not the bird. And the de facto mascot is the more prominent Stanford tree.
A tree like no other
The Tree is ubiquitous and operates under the aegis of the infamous Stanford band, as does the five-member female dance group (separate from the cheerleaders) known as the “Dollies”.
HELLO, DOLLIES…
The modern series with Stanford began in 1988 and has been played every year, except 1995-96 when ND and Washington played a home-home series. In that period, ND leads 18-10. This included seven straight ND victories from 2002-2008. However, ND has lost the last 4/5 contests.
In 2013, the Cardinal prevailed in Palo Alto 27-20.
Everyone will recall the rain-soaked game at ND Stadium in 2012 when ND was victorious in O.T. to keep the undefeated season intact. Stanford fans whined for several calls or non-calls. Sorry. The Trees were chopped that day.
Was he over??…. NO!!
Thank you, Manti
Irish remain undefeated
CURRENT
The Stanford Cardinal come into ND Stadium on Saturday ranked #14 with a record of 3-1 (busted by the Trojans). Since ascending from the OC role in January 2011, HC David Shaw has led a solid Stanford unit.
And while ND is 4-0 and ranked #9, the Vegas odds-makers favor the opponent. (Perhaps they prefer a running game to set-up the pass…?) But the fact is that ND’s recent opponents only have a combined record of 7-11 with no victories versus any Power Conference opponents.
Clearly, Saturday will be a test.
Since you turn to www.shakedownthethunder.net for insightful and original reporting, qualified analyses and opinionated opinions, you will not read this anywhere else…
The Cardinal are led (is led?) by the very calm and accomplished Kevin Hogan at QB.
A product of Gonzaga H.S. in Washington, D.C., remarkably, he was not recruited by Notre Dame. (A source says “not even a sniff”).
KEVIN HOGAN
Hogan in action in 2013
Kevin Hogan’s mother is Donna O’Brien Hogan. She graduated from SMC. His father and uncles attended ND. One might call this a family with some ND legacies.
His uncles were part of the original ownership group of the Jamison Inn (now called Ivy Court) across from the Linebacker Inn. Also in that ownership group was the famous “Black Jack” Burke—father to ND men Johnny (Gomez), Billy (Wilfredo) and Mike (“Pro”; Ebony Messiah; Baby Black Jesus).
Black Jack Burke with son Pro and grandson Pro, Jr.
As a young boy, Kevin Hogan would be chucking the football across the Jamison parking lot to any receivers going out for passes. He brought that game into the ND Stadium parking lots during tailgating and was always tossing a football.
His influence was likely his famous Uncle Coley “O’Brien—brother to Donna. Hero of the famous 10-10 tie in 1966 against Michigan State, Coley was a leader on that National Championship team.
IRISH QB COLEY O’BRIEN
So when an older Kevin Hogan in full Stanford uniform first ran through the ND Stadium tunnel, he followed in the same path as a famous ND quarterback—his Uncle Coley.
One can only wonder if that crosses his mind on game day…or if the Vegas odds-makers know this story to make Stanford a 2-point favorite on the road?
GAMEDAY
The forecast is improving, though rain is possible. That has not stopped ND from winning in the rain or deterred our hearty group to tailgate.
For those of you watching the game at home, stay tuned for a superb feature.
’81 Dillonite Peter Urbain and his wife Donna (Ruiz) ’84 are board members of a foundation building hospitals and training doctors to serve the poor in rural Ecuador. Andean Health & Development was founded by Father Ted and ND ’84 grad Dr. David Gaus.
The non-profit will be featured this Saturday during the Notre Dame v. Stanford football game in the commercial “What Would You Fight For?”
Tune in to the game at 3:30pm Eastern Time this Saturday, October 4th on NBC. The commercial will air right after the end of the first half.
Please spread the word about this incredible opportunity for Andean Health by forwarding this email or posting on Facebook and Twitter.
The video of the commercial will also be posted on the AHD website after it airs: http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AndeanHealthDevelopm/fa5cf865f0/35091471fb/59d6ca34c7.
Live and on campus…
We will be hosting a lively contingent from Wells-Fargo. They were extremely gracious hosts for the BSC National Championship game in South Florida. As many of you clients and customers know, WF has $1.6 trillion in assets and net income of about $25 billon. It is the largest market cap U.S. bank. Among its 270,000 team members, few—if any—are bigger or more colorful than the dynamic Kevin “Vulch” Kenny, an EVP there. He leads his WF contingent back to ND this weekend. We are anxious to host them.
ABE & THE VULCH
ND-STANFORD 2012
BOBBY C. & THE VULCH 
Dillon Hall Interhall football lore will always remember the sleek and chic star from Delbarton H.S. in New Jersey. Vulch was Interhall’s answer to Deion Sanders.
Vulch wore perfectly (bleached) white and tight football pants (1-2 sizes too small), ironed his Big red jersey before games, buffed his helmet with floor wax, polished his white cleats, and brushed his “Golden Richards” locks down in the back to flow out of his helmet.
On a talent-laden Dillon Interhall football team featuring at least nine guys who were All-State back in high school, Vulch bided his time at tailback until those stars graduated. The consummate team player and leader, Vulch then led Dillon Hall to the campus championship. GO BIG RED!
He was also legendary off the field. At our tailgater two years ago, the willowy and statuesque Stacia O.,former ND tennis star, whispered to Abe, “Is that really Kevin Kenny?… I still (longingly) recall him at those Dillon parties. And how about those extra-tight white jeans. If he had a quarter in his pocket, I knew if it was heads or tails.”
Among his travelling party, Vulch has extended a tailgate invitation to his valued client and friend… someone who has several connections to Notre Dame—Mr. Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. There are several buildings on campus honoring the DeBartolo family name. Our own Joe Montana’s link to 49’ers history and Mr. Debartolo’s ownership is well-known.
All-Pro’s and their owner
Another early arrival and attendee may be NBC Sports analyst for ND home games—Mike Mayock. Many say he is the best in the business.
Our own Dr. Rick Behler has sent a message to Mayock inviting him to our tailgater. Mike graduated from the Haverford School on the Main Line in Philadelphia and went on to star in both baseball and football at Boston College. He is a Member at Merion Golf Club where Dr. Behler also plays frequently. Merion was the site of the 2013 U.S. Open. Mike grew up as a caddie there and a source confirms that he is a 12-Handicap.
Best in the biz…Mike Mayock
Mayock’s son was not quite good enough for Notre Dame. But he recently graduated and played d-back for Villanova University (not far from their home).
Speaking of Villanova, our pal Richard “Dickie” Waris is an avid supporter of both ND and Villanova. Just last week, Dickie participated in a Villanova Development golf event at North Shore CC (suburban Chicago).
Best looking guy gets the center…sorry Jay
VU Hoops Head Coach Jay Wright was a member of the 5-some. You would have to be a native Philadelphian to recognize the other very famous former Villanova All-American guard in this picture. (Bob Melchioni)
Dickie was pleased to be given this locker for the day. Luke would also likely be impressed if he was to visit Dickie’s club and offered the use of his locker.
We also have a commitment for a future tailgater attendee when ND hosts Northwestern on November 15 from a Board of Trustees member.
When Georgewa Scanlon was in Chicago last week, he spent time with ESPN’s Michael Wilbon (“Pardon the Interruption”). By George’s account, Michael is a great guy and even likes ND. He is definitely invited…as long as he does not attempt to bring Mark May. (BTW—Google “Mark May arrest record”. Interesting reading).
Georgewa– with no interruption
UNIQUELY STANFORD
The Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band (LSJUMB) bills itself as the World’s Largest Rock & Roll Band.” The members number from 20-400…depending on the day.
They are stuck in the “70’s” with much of their material heavy on the classic rock of that era. The band’s theme song is “All Right Now.”
Among the many opponents they have mocked and tried to humiliate with their halftime shows, Notre Dame has been a target—with consequences.
In 1991 in Palo Alto, the Stanford Drum Major dressed as a Nun and conducted the band with a wooden cross as a baton. An ND woman fan bolted from the stands to attack him. A formal apology was issued from Stanford to Notre Dame.
In 1997 at ND Stadium, the LSJUMB performed its show titled, “These Irish, Why Must They Fight?” This mocked stereotypical behavior, included a band member dressed as a Cardinal, and brought in potato famine jokes. Irish and Catholic groups criticized the parodies and Stanford President Gerhard Casper offered a formal apology for the band which, “in their sophomoric attempt at humor crossed the line from funny to obnoxious and offensive.” Subsequently, the LSJUMB was prohibited from performing at football games against ND through 2000.
Band boys being bad
The Stanford mascot is a tree… C’mon, man. What is that all about?
What kind of tree? What properties of a tree? What does a tree represent?
Something like a “Mighty Oak” would be a stretch…but they do not even try to justify or explain.
Head-to-head…ND’s leprechaun mascot has to win.
Here is last year’s leprechaun Johnny Romano. He is the nephew of our great pals Danny (Emho) Romano and Dr. Victor (Rocky) Romano. NJ Governor Chris Christie is honored to have his picture taken with our real person mascot. Johnny may have been influential to persuade The Guv’s daughter to attend ND–where she is a freshman this year.
Governor Chris Christie & Johnny Romano
In the enlightened era of this new century and 2014 today, do women appreciate being called “Dollies”? These young ladies fall under the umbrella of the band (oh…great.) They are managed by their Dollie Daddy or Dollie Mama. They are selected during auditions in front of the entire assembled band. (Do you think there is any alcohol involved?)
The new Dollies debut at the annual Spring “Dollie Splash”, followed by a dunking in the Stanford Claw.
(Not to be confused with the rival USC dance team)
It seems that the Stanford culture and spirit is a bit looser than ND’s own Irish Guard today. Unlike years past, the Irish Guard now falls under the tight auspices of the Band Director. There are no gender or height requirements. It is also to be seen if today’s Guard can meet the “stern face” test as our brethren in the past did so well as they cleared the crowd and led the way for “The Band of Your Fighting Irish”.
The Irish Guard…taller back then
In its proud history of tall, stoic and strong Irish Guardsmen, Dillon Hall was well-represented with Pat Conklin and Mike Gies.
Two Dillon Guardsmen…and best pal Pierre Urbain
To this day, it is still not clear what is under those kilts.
NOTRE DAME-STANFORD CONNECTIONS
It is well-documented that Condoleezza Rice earned a Masters in Political Science from ND in 1975. She was the former Provost at Stanford and is now on the faculty as a Sr. Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution.
During her first stint at Stanford, Rice was a Fellow on the faculty in 1980 and could have met a young law student there—Jack Swarbrick, who went on to graduate with Honors.
Beard or no beard for Jack?
Call 1-800-LINCOLN to cast your vote
Condoleezza Rice has a long and devoted relationship to Notre Dame. The former Secretary of State is always warmly welcomed back. She is an avid sportswoman.
With Coach Mike Brey
Coach Brey joining Abe & Pro tailgating
And with Father (“Broadway”) Joe Carey, too
Condi is a very big football fan–both college and professional.
Ronnie Lott, Condi and Manti
Abe & Manti…Condi unavailable
Of course, Ms. Rice is known first and foremost as an intellectual. She is a scholar and diplomat. She is the recipient of many honors, awards and degrees.
With Fr. Ted Hesburgh, the closest we have to an American Pope
Fr. Ted joining Abe to bless and dedicate a bench at The Law School in the honor and memory of our deceased classmate and friend, Ron Dallas.
Our Dillon Guardsmen with Fr. Ted
Lou Holtz did not attend Stanford. But he coached against that school. He is also a Member at Augusta, where Condi is one of the first women Members.
(Disclosure: for as many times as Abe has been to The Master’s, he has not seen Condi or Lou there)
Condi at Augusta (a charmed life…)
Lou lovin’ it…
Lou sharing a laugh with Abe & Mo
Back to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice…we did not think to invite her to our tailgater—but we could have. Our very good friend and tailgate partner Dan (“Mini”) Dell’Orto (ND ’71) was the former Principal Deputy General Counsel at the Department of Defense. In this role, he was an Advisor to the White House. We cannot share his stories here for Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney or President Bush. But we will confirm that he knows Condi Rice.
In fact, she should recall meetings in the White House Situation Room when she was the National Security Advisor and then the Secretary of State when they worked together on the Iraq Security Agreement and other initiatives. For 2016, we will extend an invitation to her.
(No picture of Mini for national security reasons).
We know that ND’s Graduation Success Rate among its football players is the best in the country. The graduation rate among the general student population is similarly extremely high.
While Stanford has had a number of high profile drop-outs (C’mon, Tiger..), they do count Fred Savage as a 1999 degree recipient in Political Science. We recall young Fred as one of the great child actors.
But when did Winnie Cooper get so grown up?
GUEST COLUMNIST CORNER
Most people will read Shakedownthethunder.net from last-to first, from bottom-to-top.
Why might they do that?
To start with our Guest Columnists, of course.
They are college football experts with particular insight for Notre Dame.
We begin this week with John (Romo) Romanelli. A 1979 graduate, Sorin Hall legend, and an unforgettable elite Club lacrosse and interhall football player.
Quads of steel…hands of silk
Random Musings from the Cheap Seats…..
ND Stanford – September 29, 2014, by Correspondent JJR
I love this series, and the growing rivalry. There are a handful of universities demonstrating that you can achieve excellence in athletics, and, academics, and atop that all-too- short list is Stanford. ND – on every level – should promote association with Stanford, and make them a permanent part of schedule. Elite school, great athletics- and, like ND, a legendary roster of head coaches Fielding Yost,Walter Camp, Pop Warner, Bill Walsh. Very few schools wouldn’t trade their current head coach for Stanford’s David Shaw.
Lots of parallels between the schools the past 20 years. Post Bill Walsh and Lou Holtz, both programs wandered in the desert for a while, until the hiring of Harbaugh (now Shaw) and Kelly, respectively. Great head coaching matters (see USC pre and post Pete Carroll, or Michigan post Bo), and after 15 years of well-intended miscues in hiring, both programs have elite coaches.
Stanford plays tough, hard nosed game. Their offense is increasingly atypical for today’s game – power running and play action. Turnovers, penalties, and horrid Red Zone O (i.e, haunting memories of the CW era Irish) have been a problem for Stanford, and cost them the USC game they almost couldn’t lose. They thoroughly outplayed USC, but, truly gave the game away. Stanford QB a game manager, not likely to beat the Irish, though suspect they’ll look to exploit ND blitzes with quick passes to TE and RB
On Defense, they are big, very well coached, play with passion and intelligence, arrive to the ball with anger, and, statistically, are dominating NCAA FBS rankings. #1 in Red Zone Defense, #1 in Scoring Defense, Top 5 in Passing Yards Allowed, and in Overall Defense. While two of their four games have been Army and UC Davis (honestly, didn’t realize UC Davis had a team), stats could be bit misleading, but, anyway you look at it, their D will be the best played so far, and is excellent.
Syracuse game was as an odd game. Jekyll and Hyde performance by the QB, and, a re-shaped OL which again seemed to be fine pass blocking, and equally un-fine run blocking. Coaching staff (and EG) deserve credit for turning around bad start with a remarkable 25 straight completions. Still, alarming to see the casual ball security – Irish were lucky not to have had more lost fumbles.
Irish have dominated this season so far, largely by skill position players are superior athletes to opponents, and truth now be told, that won’t be the case with Stanford, FSU and USC. OL, not the QB, the biggest area of concern for Irish as they enter tougher part of schedule.
Projections – Look for Irishtol win a very tough, and low scoring game, something like 17 – 14. Keys for the Irish will be managing likely frustration on O against a very tough Stanford D, and, Stanford not scoring too many big plays countering Irish blitz. Hoping to see progress on OL – jet sweeps and passing works with, to borrow a phrase, “decided athletic advantage”, but, that won’t be the case as much here, so Irish need to balance that with credible inside run game.
Go Irish!
As previously introduced, perhaps no student on campus had more appropriate nicknames than “Pro” Burke.
He is our resident pro, who chooses to report on college. Here is is offering this week.
My take on the Syracuse game:
Golson, Golson come on man. Trying to do too much or get too much out of each play.
The first pick, we have two routes mirroring each other at 20 yards (not a smart spread of the field) he picks the guy in double coverage, while Ben Koyack is running uncovered 15 yards left of that. The first down scamper, that he was not content to go down on, he gets 6 extra yards and get stripped and balls goes over. Be smart, protect the ball, move the chains and wear them down. That is the nature of games against good defenses.
BK – We should be able to get a deep ball to Fuller, but pick your spots, do not expose yourself to blitzers by having 4 routes 25 yrds long (and get your all world QB hit again and again). Good inside runs and quick throws are the key this week.
Our opponent: Stanford huh?
They have been having a real hard time scoring points this season, unlike the Luck years or even last year. They scored 35 on Army, but so did Yale. They managed only 10 pts against SC and 20 against Washington. That said, it should be as simple as containing WR Ty Montgomery and preventing big plays. Last week, against Washington, in a game they won, they were only 3-12 on third down conversions. They had 2 runners combine for 28 carries and 116 yrds, unfortunately one of those two was QB Kevin Hogan (nephew of Irish ’66 QB Coley O’Brien) who ran 14 times for 53 yrds. They only got 95 yrds out of their running backs, so they will be looking to make adjustments up front in the blocking scheme (this team actually has 2 fullbacks). Coach Dennis Shaw, for years has tried to confuse our defense with multiple tight end sets and mutiple uses of those tight ends. Eric Cotton and Austin Hooper and the tight ends de jour this season. Look for the Cardinal to do what they did 4 years ago against us. Expect to see 2 or 3 tight ends on the field. Some lined up in a tight slot or even at fullback. They will slam these guys at the point of attack, sometimes on long – off side – traps, in hopes to open a seam to get their run game established. Then late in the second half one of these tight ends will streak straight up the center of the field trying to catch us pressing up against the run. Got to have a safety keeping an eye on these guys, or they will burn us (Coby Fleener, now with the Colts, had 5 tds in 3 games against us – including a 75 yarder on Senior day at the Farm 3 years ago). Do not expect Jaylon Smith to be able to run with these guys. All of this said, it comes back to doing what we have done well this year. Find ways to get pressure – especially inside pressure – and make Hogan a runner. Do that and they are cooked. Give him time in the pocket and our secondary will look like Swiss cheese.
Offensively, yards will be a lot harder to come by than what we have seen so far this season. Their defense is good, if not great. They gave up only 13 pts in each of their two real games this season. We must not stub our own toe. No turnovers, no dumb penalties, no drops by the wide outs. Execute, move the chains and keep Golson protected and things should work out. They like to hit, so expect more Cam McDaniel- running with a punishing style. Better be prepared to run the ball in the second half to protect a lead. BK has never done a really good job of managing time of possession. The offense must be able to eat some clock and keep the Stanford offense off the field. With Robinson, Hunter and Fuller, Stanford will be hard pressed to cover all three. We just need play calls that get them some room to work. Spread the field, throw short stuff and some screens to keep them flat footed, then boom take the big play. I’m looking for big days from Golson, Fuller, Koyack and McDaniel. We have lots of skill guys now, move the ball around based on coverage, to let them use their athleticism. My pick Irish 27 Red Trees 20.
Bring a poncho rain predicted!
Pro
_________________________
Well folks…
Need to take a break from all of this to visit Armando for my pre-game haircut and “Chalk Talk” for the “X’s & O’s”.
ND may be underdogs before kickoff, and that is fine. Sing it if you know it. “Old Notre Dame will win overall!”
Thanks for all the contributions from many friends. Just havin’ fun here. All is accurate as I know it, heard it and perceive it!
GO IRISH!!
Abe
Last post…
Back from Armando’s. As Warren Zevon sang, “His hair was (again) perfect”. Thank you, Armando. Shaggy is gone. Game ready now.
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