In this article, Coach Kelly mentions that ND's defense missed 3-4 defensive calls because the Notre Dame home crowd was actually loud.
Last Saturday, in the final quarter of ND's 23-17 home victory over Pittsburgh, the crowd was so loud when the Irish were playing defense, they missed three or four defensive calls in the game.
So beginning Tuesday, the defense began practicing with music turned up uber-loudly. And the coaches signaled in the defense, just as the backup quarterbacks routinely signal in the offense.
“Yesterday was Hawaiian/Polynesian music, and it was an outstanding selection by Robby Toma,” Kelly said. “And no there was no Don Ho.”
Lame joke aside, this is a great development if it is in fact true. Who was at the game? Did it feel louder? More intimidating?
Man, I hope so. Would be nice to have a home field advantage beyond the other team being afraid of Touchdown Jesus. You know, that scary figure that forgave all their sins and all....
By Brad October 14, 2010 - 12:46 pm
Agreed. I thought the same thing when I saw this. I’ll be at the game on Saturday, and Lord knows I’ll be loud as all get-out.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By JM October 14, 2010 - 12:57 pm
Sad that this is his third home game before the crowd was actually “too” loud. At first, it made me wonder about the Michigan game, but then I remembered that I, a loud obnoxious younger fan, have no chance at getting tickets to that game, but I might in another 40 years…so not too surprising it probably wasn’t as loud at the Michigan game.
Since Utah wasn’t that hyped this year, let’s hope we can make it really loud for that game!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DayBreakBoys October 15, 2010 - 4:39 am
Completely understand and agree. The fact of the matter is, ND’s fanbase is aging. We haven’t won a title in 22 years (22 YEARS!!!), not counting getting screwed over in 93. As a result we have a smaller young fan base than when I was a kid. Plus, with the level of class of ND fans you tend to get better behaved and older fans, not juvenile thugs like most other universities. (tOSU, I’m looking at you)
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Mark G October 14, 2010 - 1:15 pm
I was at the game (3rd of year), and it was loud when Pitt had the ball, particularly in the second half and particularly on 3rd down. Our players did not even need to waive their arms to get the crowd going (though there is always a bit of that anyway). The crowd noise waivered a bit after Pitt got a 1st down, but that is natural. I did not think that it was louder than Michigan, but good to see that we all were loud enough to affect the play calling (though I wished it had affected theirs, not ours).
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By canuck75 October 14, 2010 - 2:05 pm
I was there as well. It was loud and positive, but not extraordinary. Nothing like the USC game of 2005.
Notwithstanding a missed signal or two, I hope the boys appreciated the noise.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By TLNDMA October 14, 2010 - 2:16 pm
I know it was loud in sect 4 row 52 seat 33.
DeeeFense!!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Josh October 14, 2010 - 2:22 pm
I was there last week. I was also at the Michigan (sucks) game. It did seem like the crowd was more into the Pitt game than the UM game(from what I can remember).
My theory is there were more loyal and therefore vocal fans at the Pitt game because ND had a losing record. Bandwagon fans probably quit going after the UM game.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By E-Man October 14, 2010 - 2:25 pm
What? Not scared of TDJC? How about “The power of Crist compells you!”
Yeah, I’m going somewhere warm for that…
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By BigE October 14, 2010 - 8:36 pm
I was there and although it was my first ND game, I was impressed with the crowd noise. I’ve been to many Ohio State games and the ND crowd (especially the student section -which was awesome) noise level was just as impressive.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By TLNDMA October 15, 2010 - 4:57 am
Congrats, on making it to the show. No more slumming in Columbus
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By TubaPete October 15, 2010 - 6:47 pm
I was there, too. My first of this year. I would also agree that the crowd was noiser, at least when they needed to be, i.e. when Pitt was about to snap the ball. Other times the noise was not so much. But this was a big improvement.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By xm October 16, 2010 - 8:35 am
I’m usually the annoying guy who someone’s grandmother tells to sit down she can’t see, so I was pretty impressed by the noise at Pitt. The multitude of boos raining down after we got jobbed on the incomplete (safety) pass was pretty spectacular and the crowd stayed angry for awhile after that. good stuff.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0