God, Country, Notre Dame (Football): A Game Day Experience

Source: Keegan Bankoff

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A rainy, late September morning in the midwest marked the start of another football Saturday at the University of Notre Dame. The 3-1 Fighting Irish were set to take on the 4-0 Louisville Cardinals in a highly anticipated rematch from a year ago, where the Cardinals bested the Irish 33-20 in an upset victory. 

Football in South Bend transcends just the sport itself. The game day atmosphere at Notre Dame is one few forget—the campus is rich with tradition, and a lively community provides a fun time for those making the pilgrimage to one of the premier venues in college football. The tradition surrounding the game and the campus is something that awes even visiting team fans. Yet, the most exciting part is the tailgates. Fans are out setting up their tents and elaborate displays right when the parking lots open at 6 a.m., even if the game doesn’t start until 7:30 p.m. By noon, over 80,000 people are patrolling the lots—sharing food, drinks, and some mostly friendly banter about their teams. The red and green colored shirts clashed like ugly Christmas sweaters, and chirps flew as the fans got fired up to watch their teams battle. For a town tucked away in the northwest corner of rural Indiana, they sure know how to party. 

Vegas had the Irish favored by just under a touchdown heading into the game. This was a massive game for both teams, with hopes to reach the new 12-team College Football Playoff on the line. After winning a huge opening week tilt at Texas A&M, the Irish “drank the kool aid” and came out flat-footed against inferior opponent Northern Illinois, losing as a 28-point favorite at home. This loss reminds college football fans why the sport is so special– many coaches love the phrase “any given Saturday” for a reason. The Irish were booed off their own home turf– something that those players will certainly never forget. With the Northern Illinois loss, this was a must-win matchup for the Irish, and they understood that.

It was a weird game– lots of fumbles, penalties, and totally unorthodox plays that left many scratching their heads. Notre Dame built a 21-7 lead in the first quarter after fumbling the opening kickoff on their own 20-yard line. For a while, it seemed as if Notre Dame was going to steamroll the Cardinals. However, the nerves never seemed to settle down for the home team, and a back-and-forth game ultimately ended with the golden domers fending off a late Louisville attack, covering the spread at a final of 31-24. 

I was blown away by the passion the fans had for their teams. After all, this is just college football; the players on the field are 18-23 year olds—like you and me—criticized for their every move. Modern college “‘ball” feels like a professional sport, hence the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) legislation into the college world in 2021. These are now, essentially, athletes paid for their skill and performance on the field. They are no longer amateurs. So, is it reasonable to say this is just college football now? I don’t know what lies ahead for college athletics, but I do know we should enjoy it while it is still recognizable.