Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame, One Fan's Experience

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Matt Mellott of Cincinnati, Ohio holds a shirt in the parking lot before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Going to a game a Notre Dame stadium, one of the cathedrals of college football (Literally and Figuratively) Seeing your favorite play the Fighting Irish when you are one of their biggest rivals is close to a dream come true.

Miami Hurricane football is a big part of my life. You allocate time, effort, energy, and money into consuming your favorite team – even with the ups and downs of a regular season. Die hard fans buy tickets in the spring, book their hotel of choice and purchase merchandise to rock at a game in the spring.

It’s called “Canesfam” for a reason. We support the squad during national championships, losing seasons, probation, and coaching regimes.

Under the leadership of Mark Richt, ‘Canes fans, including myself, feel a sense of renewed fandom with aspiring hopes to get back to relevancy. With a different coach heading the program, I saved my money and traveled to South Bend, Indiana for the Notre Dame experience.

The Miami-Notre Dame rivalry was known as “Catholics versus Convicts” in the 1980’s. The game was being hyped early in the season as just the schools; third meeting since Notre Dame severed the rivalry in 1990.

Miami and Notre had played just twice in the 25 years in between, both Notre Dame wins. The Irish won 33-17 in the 2010 Sun Bowl and dismantled the Hurricanes 41-3 at Solider Field in Chicago as part of the Shamrock Series in 2012.

This year’s meeting lost it’s luster due to both teams performances, Miami brought a three-game losing streak to South Bend and the Irish a sloppy 2-5 record. You wouldn’t have known the difference in this college town about 100 miles east of Chicago.

Oct 17, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; General view of the golden dome at the main administration building on the campus of Notre Dame. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Friday

My first glimpse of the Notre Dame campus when driving was a cemetery. While the sun peered onto the eroded stones in the ground, I asked: “Why on the earth is there a cemetery on campus?” Unusual for most schools in America, once I roamed the campus, I understood.

Driving in, I could see the glistening golden dome from afar in the middle of the tree’s flourishing in autumn’s delight. While finding a place to park on campus, at every stop there was an usher to greet people and give directions. It was not even game day yet.

The amount of people on campus was astounding. I have never seen a College Campus like this. The campus bookstore looked like a mall during Christmas season. There were even Miami fans, including myself, in the bookstore. The passion for Notre Dame proved to be impressive.

As the day lingered, we grabbed lunch at Legends, where part of the movie “Rudy” was filmed. The menu held a sense of influence from ESPN morning host and former Notre Dame defensive lineman Mike Golic. of Mike and Mike.

The Golic Burger and Golic’s Notre Dame Sub are on the Legends Menu and served with Golic Aioli. This was revealing to the status that they hold former players to, a characteristic that the “Canesfam” shares with the former players of Miami.

While exploring the campus and wearing Miami gear head to toe, I met locals and more Notre Dame fans. Many of them welcomed me to Notre Dame. The gesture was kind and genuine, and you could sense the pride behind it. It was pure.

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After surveying the campus, I visited inside what they called “The Golden Dome” or administration building. The paintings inside replicated the echoes of Michelangelo. With Notre Dame’s Catholicism eccentric brand, I began to see why the notion of the cemetery existed.

Just next door, I arrived at the cathedral or place of worship. Regardless of religious affiliation, one would have to appreciate the architecture and paintings inside the building.

Golden materials glistened inside the church, Jesus and the apostles stood on the side of the walls, and candles illuminated the center of the room. After my glance, I streamed outside to the commons area to hear fans of Notre Dame cheer to their fight song. Honestly, it was a bit catchy, but after the third time, it got weary.

As the sun diminished, Brian Kelly and his team spoke to the crowd at a pep rally. We heard the typical coach speak about how hard his team “practice and prepared” during Notre Dame’s bye week and how they will “beat the Hurricanes”.

Notre Dame was off the week before facing Miami, The way Miami had been playing during a three-game losing streak did not make me very confident about winning the game on Saturday.

Sep 8, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take the field before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE

Notre Dame vs. Miami Gameday

“Wake up, It’s Gameday,” I told myself at 5:30 a.m. Despite my pessimism of the Canes of late, I was still hopeful, energetic and optimistic about a victory in South Bend. We got back into town rather early after a late night in a local bar watching the World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. My godfather, a Notre Dame season ticket holder, and I did not know many people, because we are both natives of Memphis, TN. That didn’t matter. We both were there for this experience

My godfather, a Notre Dame season ticket holder, and I did not know many people. We are both natives of Memphis, TN. That didn’t matter, we were there for the experience

The impressive thing about Notre Dame was a number of events were held leading up to game time. Ushers handed pamphlets with events such as a “Game Day Run Club”, “Gameday Breakfast”, questions and answers with Notre Dame’s Director of Athletics, a fan fest, and a pre-game Concert. I’m scrolling through this list, and I asking Notre Dame fans, “Are all these events common for a game day weekend?”. We only participated in the fan fest, because there were places to sit and televisions to watch the 12:00 o’clock games.

As I scrolled through the list, and I asked Notre Dame fans, “Are all these events common for a game day weekend?”. We only participated in the fan fest, because there were places to sit and televisions to watch the 12:00 P.M. games.

The weather leading up to Gametime was a breezy 70 degrees with clouds in the sky. The ‘Canes got off the bus looking focused and ready to go. Notre Dame and Miami walked into the stadium at the same time which was not planned. Brian Kelly had a scarlet face of fury when this occurred. Game time was near.

Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Miami Hurricanes mascot Sebastian The Ibis runs onto the field before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Game

As the stadium filled, the atmosphere started to generate organically. Students and fans piled into their seats. In the upper corner of one end zone, I saw an impressive array of green and orange. one “Canesfam” always travels well to away games. They made their presence known throughout the game.

Miami ran out on the field to excessive boo’s, as always. I made sure to throw up “The U” high and proud in front of thousands of Notre Dame fans. The game starts.

The game starts.

Notre Dame Quarterback Deshone Kizer and the Fighting Irish offense drives down the field and scores a touchdown on a shovel pass to Tori Hunter Jr. I’m thinking to myself, “here we go again.”

Miami’s struggling offense trotted onto the field time throughout the 1st quarter without getting anything going offensively. Every time Miami lined up in the I-Formation, I told my godfather, “It’s a wasted play call”. The offensive line continued to play poorly and the Notre Dame defensive line was eating up the running backs. Before long, the ‘Canes were down 20-0. A blowout seemed

The offensive line continued to play poorly and the Notre Dame defensive line was eating up the running backs. Early in the second quarter, the ‘Canes were down 20-0. A blowout seemed imminent.

Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Miami Hurricanes halfback Mark Walton (1) spins into the end zone for a touchdown as Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Nyles Morgan (5) defends in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The Comeback

I was down and disenchanted, but never lost focus on the game. Slowly, the defense started to grasp the challenges the Notre Dame offense presented and give the ball back to the Miami offense. Brad Kaaya started to settle in after to max protection implemented by Richt.

Miami scores on a Kaaya to David Njoku touchdown pass. Canes are down 20-7. “Things could be worse”, I thought. Then, Richt shows some balls and goes for the onside kick. Miami recovers on perfectly executed play by Michael Badgley and Jamal Carter. Miami failed to capitalize and has to punt. gets snuffed two times on 3rd and 4th and one yard to gain. Miami goes into halftime 20-7.

Miami failed to capitalize and has to punt. On the next possession, the Hurricanes get snuffed twice on third and fourth down needing just one yard for a first down in Nore Dame territory. The Irish run out the clock and lead 20-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Miami turns things around offensively. It is the best play calling I’ve seen from Richt all year. The Miami defense and Hurricanes Cornerback Adrian Colbert are playing with swagger.

Special teams come through again with a blocked punt to give Miami the ball at the Notre Dame 45. I’m feeling good, and Notre Dame fans are getting worried and frustrated. Miami cuts the lead to 20-14.

Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Michael Jackson (28) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 4th quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Miami 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Failed to Finish

At this point, as a fan, you start to feel confident in the swing of momentum. Then, the unthinkable happens. Notre Dame muffs a punt and the ‘Canes score a touchdown to take the lead 27-20. Irish fans around me tremble in fear in disbelief of losing yet again to go 2-6 on the year.

In the back of my head, I remember the Florida State loss and how Miami was unable to finish the game. My conscience proved me right, sadly.

On a broken play and missed tackle by Miami Defensive lineman Chad Thomas, Notre Dame ties the game less than 56 seconds of play after the muffed punt. Irish fans go crazy, and I implement a face palm to the forehead.

“At least our offense has a chance,” I said subconsciously. Horrified, I see the I-Formation yet again, and the ‘Canes try to run the ball into a brick wall. Miami is put in a third and long situation and does not convert. Not surprising by any stretch of the imagination.

Notre Dame drives down the field with under two minutes to go. Suddenly, it is third and goal. Miami has a shot to get a stop and a field goal. I see the play and develop, and I yell “ball!”. A scramble of Miami and Notre Dame players mesh to pick up the fumble by the Notre Dame tight end. At this point, I wish I could’ve seen a replay, but Notre Dame does not have replay or video board. Notre Dame recovers and kicks a field goal

A scramble of Miami and Notre Dame players mesh to pick up the fumble by the Notre Dame tight end. I wish I could’ve seen a replay while at the game, but Notre Dame Stadium does not have replay or video board. Notre Dame recovers and kicks a field goal to take a 30-27 lead.

The Miami offense has another chance to tie or win the game with 30 seconds left on the clock. We all know how this ended. Kaaya takes a sack on third and two. Without any timeouts left the clock runs out. Notre Dame fans cheer amongst themselves and I sat there sadly watching the celebration occur, but not surprised. Another loss of three points or less.

Notre Dame fans cheer amongst themselves and I sat there sadly watching the celebration occur, but not surprised. Another loss of three points or less.

Silver lining

All and all, the ‘Canes fought valiantly to defeat the deficit. A Miami fan could find a sense of happiness in that. Yet, a loss is a loss. Although, I would do all again for this experience in South Bend, Indiana for Miami and Notre Dame.