As we’re all sharing ND memories, I came up with many I could focus on in my post. Many many many that I could talk about. I thought about the Ann Arbor Suth Road Trip, the year I was Sprout along with the Green Giant for Halloween (it was chilly folks), Lou’s last game, the Pitt hail and snow and rain and frozen balls game and on and on. (ND – USF last year was nowhere CLOSE to this list. UGHHHHHH)
But looking back on all the Notre Dame games I’ve been to, on campus or elsewhere, the one that stands out:
ND – Michigan, 1998.
aka “The Michigan Sucks Game”
You see, this game was the hype game. First game of the season, with Michigan ranked a pre-season Top 5 and coming off their share of the national championship the year prior, with ND a lowly 22nd. Going into this game, ND didn’t have a chance. Defending National Champs, ND breaking in a new QB in Jarious Jackson, and many thinking that UM was actually a top 2 or 3 team that could repeat.
The buildup during the week was palpable. The shirts were made early and sold out quickly. There was buzz every day, people getting ready for gameday. The campus flooded with people – family and friends coming in for the game early. The Pep Rally was absolutely insane. Tailgating was madness. At one point one of the girls in our group was offered $40 for her “sucks” t-shirt (she had paid $10). She demurred but countered with $80. In the end, she sold it for $50 + the shirt off the guy’s back. Kickoff.
And then, Autry Denson, first offensive play, busts out a 58 yard run against Michigan’s vaunted D. And it was on. Jarious Jackson led an offense with a lot of question marks to 36 points-the most UM had given up since 1991-and Denson ran for 154 yards.
It was a whooping. A stomping. 36-20. Man, it was sweet. It was a game where the Notre Dame of old rose up, dusted off the magic, and roared back with a vengeance. We had no chance in that game, and no one believed it outside of the Notre Dame Campus that weekend. But that belief was enough, that day, and the Irish came up big. In the 4th Quarter we danced and yelled and did more push-ups, and as the clock wound down we’d done it. Notre Dame was back, and it was beautiful. And we reveled in it – we stormed the field and tore up the grass and marched up the tunnel with our boys in blue and gold. It was a weekend and a game to remember.
I am wearing the shirt right now. Screw you, Skunkbears.
Don't take me, yourself, or life so seriously. This is supposed to be fun.
Biscuit co-founded HerLoyalSons in partnership with his ND roommate (Dillon Hall baby!), MQ, in 2006 and has been ranting about ND Football and everything Notre Dame since. He strongly believes in the mission of ND and its football program. Biscuit expects logic and data in arguments and will absolutely crush you if you come to a debate missing one or the other. He despises everything Michigan, and his favorite pastime is mocking Purdue.
- (Re)Introducing: DANCING LEPRECHAUNS - August 29, 2019
- Ticket Auction: ND vs USC - August 22, 2019
- No Respect! - December 14, 2018
Always appropriate for any time.
Headbutting everything right now you guys.
Unfortunately, there is nary a t-shirt, smock, breastplate, apron, blouse, or polo that can ever capture the sheer amount of suckitude that F***************************** YOU MICHIGAN!!!! exhibits.