(FUN) GAME DAY
It is a bright and crisp Spring morning in the Bend. It feels like football, though it is considerably more relaxing without rising at 5:30am to set-up the tailgater at Joyce Lamp Post #3 with my Wingman, Dr. Rick Behler.
We stroll past our sacred spot knowing that it will appear much different on Saturday morning September 8 when the Boilermakers come to town.
We are headed into the Joyce Center for the Players-Coaches Brunch. There will be a player at each table and Coach Kelly will address the audience.
By some dumb luck, we are seated with starting Running Back #20 Cierre Wood. He is an incredibly personable young man with a plan. He shares that he aspires to play in the NFL and then take his ND degree in Theatre & Film to the studio or big screen. He volunteers that he has a TV face.
Cierre shared that he is the oldest of 8 children from Oxnard, CA. He was a USA Today All-American at Santa Clara H.S. Cierre sees himself as a role model to his siblings. His H.S. sister is a D-1 softball player and she is considering ND. Cierre states that his college choices were UCLA , USC or Cal, but he knew that ND would offer the most fulfilling and comprehensive package for football, academics and life.
You will recall that Cierre started the final 6 games of his sophomore season when Armando Allen was injured. He distinguished himself last season by rushing for 1102 yards and 27 receptions. He said that he hopes to improve on those numbers…if it helps ND win.
Cierre is fueling his frame with heaping helpings of French toast, bacon, eggs and potatoes. I am hoping that it does not slow him down at game time.
Cierre Wood with his new pal
Maureen and Katie Kohler join the boys
Adjacent to our table was ND All-American future NFL’er Manti Te’o. We first met at Armando’s two years ago and instantly found the Dillon Hall bond. Across our tables at the brunch, I caught his eye and gave him the Hawaiian “hang loose” finger sign and then mouthed “Go Big Red!” He returned the same gestures with a big smile and seemed to want a picture with me.
Manti Te’o (on the left)
While Manti is clean-cut and very personable and engaging in public, we know he is a warrior on the field. His presence is powerful. I love this picture from my archives:
Te’o cannot be bothered as he proceeds into the tunnel
As the Brunch attendees made their way to the buffet food lines, a solitary figure was at his table picking at his scrambled eggs while studying his notes. Coach Brian Kelly was all alone seemingly inviting a supportive comment.
I re-introduced myself as Jeff KOHLER as in plumbing (but not) from PHILDELPHIA. He quickly dismissed the qualifers and said, “I know that! Good to see you again…thanks for coming…and how are you?”
That was my opportunity to express to the Coach that we all understood his intentions at the Rockne Banquet in Chicago the past Friday when he was making the points for progress and consistency… and that 8 wins would be an example of that.
He stated that we needed to get better…and that we were and will. He promised that we would see some exciting things in the Blue-Gold game and this season.
Coach Kelly also shared with me that he was having minor back surgery in Philadelphia on Thursday. Instinctively, I offered to pick him up at the airport. Surprisingly, he had already made transportation arrangments.
Since I was hungry, I let the Coach go.
KOHLER & KELLY
(sounds like a prominent law firm)
Daughter Katie was sitting on the lucky chair with the magic sticker taped underneath. She won an autographed picture from the Coach. We hope this picture is worth something someday.
There was an autograph session following the brunch. The lines were extremely long for the “usual suspects”. But that did not matter to me. I only wanted one conversation and one autograph for posterity. Former Fenwick QB star Joe Romano (who was coached back then by Tim Rooney–former outstanding Northwestern receiver for Coach Rick Venturi and now a high profile Chicago litigator) greeted his fans with a firm handshake and a hearty, “Thank you for supporting ND football.” His father Rocky Romano would be proud.
I related to young Joe that Cierre Wood stated that he avoids the term “walk-on” because everyone contributes and everyone is important to the team. I knew that Joe felt the same about Cierre.
Helmetless Fighting Joe Romano
And speaking of daughter Katie and the Rockne Dinner in Chicago, she had the privilege of speaking to Dick Savage, ND Class of 1930. He is the oldest living ND alum at 104 years old. She met Dick’s “baby brother” (Don) who is just 94-years old. Remarkably, he is very fit and active and invited Katie to an upcoming Cubs game. (I hope it is a day game).
Following the brunch, we were on a tight schedule to get to the Rockne Heritage Fund tent for this Membership Society’s annual lunch under the bigtop. Mary Rattenbury is such a great hand-on Executive Director. She was the host and moderator to express that Rockne offers all of the benefits of the Sorin Society, with an emphasis upon athletics. Funds support athletes and programs for all ND sports (almost all which are non-revenue generating).
My niece Julie Scheidler, a 4-year starter on the ND Women’s and the 2011 National Soccer champs, spoke at this event last year to thank benefactors for their support.
This year, Mary lined-up Men’s basketball star Tim Abromaitis. You will recall that he was sadly sidelined for the season after playing just two games last year. But he maintained an excellent attitude, persisted in his studies and re-habbed fully. Mike Brey and the University have petitioned for a 6th year for Tim and most people believe he deserves it. (My sources say this will be approved.)
I spoke with Tim for several minutes and was most interested for his 3.9 GPA. Was he naturally brilliant or did he work at it? I could see him cross his fingers in advance of a “white lie” when he said he has to study a lot.
I introduced him to my H.S. Senior daughter Maddie Kohler who is thrilled to be attending SMC in the Fall. I told Tim that they had something in common–both were stars of their H.S. basketball teams. I also suggested that she would be at his ND games next year and he was invited to watch the SMC Belles.
Lastly, he was familiar with H.S. junior Steve Vasturia from St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia. He has already committed to Coaches Martin Inglesby (who recruited him personally) and Mike Brey. Young Steve played a pick-up game with the ND Varsity in The Pit before the S. Florida game and then he came over to our Philly tailgater. He is a fine young man with a bright hoops future for ND. You heard it here first.
ABRO and MADDIE
(height difference– 1 1/2 feet)
Just as at the previous brunch, Coach Kelly was very positive and upbeat with his themes. He also tailored his speech to the Rockne crowd. Coach K. sincerely thanked the generosity of the Rockne Heritage Fund members because while so much attention is shone upon the football team, there are over 800 other ND Student-Athletes working as hard at their respective sports.
BK addresses the Rockne Heritage Fund membership
ONWARD TO THE STADIUM
It was a beautiful sun-splashed Spring day in South Bend. Portions of the Stadium were under construction with the annual bench replacement program. While rumors continue for Coach Kelly’s desire for a slicker and faster turf surface, I can confirm that the grass was still green and it was real. There were also no signs of a JumboTron, though in my previous conversations with A.D. Jack Swarbrick, we know that he favors this “game experience” and marketing tool.
As I reported in yesterday’s Blog from the ND Equipment room, the Coaching staff would be wearing non-traditional wardrobes, such as gray tops. Someone in the Adidas Marketing Department is either color-blind or has no sense for tradition. In any event, Coach Brian Kelly led the charge from the tunnel and onto the field with the 2012 edition of Your Fighting Irish!
Year #3 for Coach Brian Kelly
The announced attendance is 31,465…and that seemed about right.
ND will play a new format for the game of Offense vs. Defense with points awarded (ala golf’s Stableford System) for various achievements and flubs.
Was it foreshadowing that I watched intently as Cierre loaded his body with pre-game carbs at brunch…and then exploded for 20 yards on his first carry? CW (not to be confused with the infamous CW) scored a swift touchdown and had 52 yards on just 5 carries during an abbreviated day for him.
It was clear that Kelly wanted to test and showcase others. As I texted to comrades back home “real time”, George Atkinson III (GA-3) was outstanding and QB Everett Golson is thrilling.
GA-3 showed explosive power, speed and judgement. His 2 fumbles can be overlooked (in the Spring) by his 124 yards rushing (15 carries) and 3 passes caught. We will see a lot of #4 in the Fall.
GEORGE ATKINSON III (GA-3)
Tyler Eifert is an outstanding TE. Could he be even better than Kyle Rudolph? He looks so good whether he catches the ball or even just misses. Any ND QB will enjoy throwing to TE at TE.
QB Tommy Rees is a groan-producing machine. It is hard to get excited for his QB candidacy. Golson stole the QB show on 11/15 passing for 120 yards and 2 TD’s. He also carried 6 times for 25 yards. He is better than the Eagles Michael Vick and is probably also kinder to animals.
Golson will ordinarily wear uniform #5. On this day, he switched so that Freshman Gunner Kiel could wear that number in honor of the late Irish QB and his uncle, Blair Kiel.
He throws…he runs. But will he play?
To prove that the game was “live” and real, when Golson scrambled out of the pocket on one play toward the sideline, Ishaq Williams put a mean lick on him out-of-bounds and drew an Unsportsmanlike penalty.
Speaking of QB’s, do you recall the Weis QB Derby four years ago when Evan Sharpley was in that mix? He was the star of the Alumni Football player’s flag football game prior to the B-G game. He is also dating a former ND classmate who is the reigning Miss Indiana.–Jackie Jerlecki. There seems to be some justice here.
MISS INDIANA 2012
LAS VEGAS…not SOUTH BEND
DaVaris Daniels also caught a TD pass. Good trivia question. What ND Women’s hoops star is dating DaVaris?
The abbreviated game had a running clock to accommodate the NBC Sports Network allotted coverage. It sure is enjoyable watching a game that starts at 1:30pm, has no TV time-outs, ends in the sunlight, and there is time to walk around the campus, post-game tailgate or attend 5:00pm Mass. We will never see those days again ($$$)
POST GAME
Met a few pals for a post-game recap at the Morris Inn Lounge and had chance to speak to Justin Tuck (he was staying there with his wife and 2-year old son).
I can confirm:
1. the South Bend Tribune had it wrong. Justin never met with troubled Aaron Lynch–who was hundreds of miles away attending the USF Spring game
2. Justin shot a 98 at my club (Cedarbrook). On a good day, I now know that I can beat a 2-time Super Bowl Champion at something.
3. his book sales are brisk
While several Mock NFL Drafts Stanford TE Coby Fleener possibly being selected by the Giants, I did not ask Justin if this Pro Burke protege from Lemont, IL and Joliet Catholic H.S. would be a likely choice. (Quick: what famous former ND player was from the same H.S?)
This was a very enjoyable 83rd edition of the Blue-Gold game. I was pleased to contribute to so many people’s memories.
I will be back in September for our Purdue home opener. Until then,
GO IRISH!
Abe