The 23rd time was the lucky charm

CRESCO - Before diving head-first into the high school winter sports seasons, I’d like to share a story with our loyal readers about a recent trip my wife, Sara, and I took to one of my favorite places - the University of Notre Dame.

I realize there are people who couldn’t give a frog’s behind about Notre Dame and other people who are fans like me. The late, great former Irish Head Coach Dan Devine was quoted as saying, “There are two kinds of people in the world, Notre Dame lovers and Notre Dame haters. And quite frankly, they’re both a pain in the a - -.” Even though I’m a fan, truer words have never been spoken!

Nevertheless, I still want to share my story for those interested in reading it. If you don’t want to read it, feel free to turn to Page A4 with the Sudoku on it - that’s ok, I don't mind. But if you want to read my column, hop aboard and enjoy the ride!

On Nov. 20, Sara and I embarked on our latest trip to Notre Dame to see the Irish take on Syracuse two days later. We decided to start the trip a couple days before the game to avoid the weekend Chicago traffic on the Interstate, which we did.

This year marked the 23rd time I attended a home football game at Notre Dame, and the eighth time for Sara. For those who didn’t read my column last year, my connection with the university is because of my dad, or Pop as we call him, who graduated from Notre Dame in 1960. When I was growing up in Dubuque in the 1980s and 1990s, he and my mom took me to several games, which resulted in many fun and exciting memories.

In last year’s column, I briefly talked about the first three games I attended in 1984, 1986 and 1987. In this column, I’d like to reminisce about the trip we took in 1990.

That year, my parents, my sister, Sara (the OG Sara Troy or Sara Pumpkin, as she is known in our family), and my best friend from school, Pat Meehan, drove to Notre Dame on Friday, Oct. 5, 1990, so we could see a pep rally on campus the night before a game. This was Pat’s first Notre Dame game, and Pop wanted us to experience an old-fashioned pep rally in person. To say the least, it was awesome!

Anyway, after the pep rally, it was getting late. Once we got back to the car, Pop suggested we get a quick bite to eat at McDonald’s or some other fast food place before heading back to the hotel, which was 30 minutes away. Pat and I agreed that sounded good, but Sara Pumpkin did not. She spoke up quite emphatically, ‘No, I want a meal!’

To say the least, Pat, myself, Mom and Pop were somewhat taken aback by Sara Pumpkin’s boldness, but she got her way. We went to a restaurant and had a nice, non-fast food meal. I learned later from Sara that watching a Notre Dame game in person and walking around campus was not what she looked forward to during our trips. She was all about the food and having a fancy meal.

Years later, I shared the ‘I want a meal’ story with Sara’s husband (also named Nate) and her two kids. Sara tells me that almost on a weekly basis now, Nate and their kids tease her by saying, ‘I want a meal,’ when they want her to cook something good.

Anyway, let’s get back to this year’s trip. On Nov. 20, we drove from Cresco to Michigan City, Indiana, which was about 360 miles and got there around 3 p.m. For supper that night, I took my wife, Sara, to a Chili’s restaurant for a real meal. I texted Sara Pumpkin a photo of Sara at the restaurant with her food. 

The next day, we drove to the Notre Dame campus, parked in the bookstore campus and spent some time looking at the merch in the bookstore, which was not that crowded, thankfully! After searching for some good deals, I ended up getting Sara a white and gold pullover hoodie that said, ‘Irish.’ I got a blue, full-zip, hoodie with an ND logo on it. I also bought a game program for myself, Pop, and my brother, Jim.

After leaving the bookstore, we walked around campus for about a couple hours. Sara and I walked over to the Rockne Memorial, where she took a photo of me rubbing Knute’s nose for good luck. Then we walked over to the Hesburgh Library (Touchdown Jesus), which is Sara’s favorite place on campus.

The Hesburgh Library holds a special memory for my parents. On Oct. 23, 1965, Pop proposed to Mom in the lobby of the library. The building has changed slightly in the past 60 years, as it now has a coffee and sandwich shop on the first floor, much to Sara’s delight! 

Sara and I also visited the Grotto, the Sacred Heart Basilica and a few more sites before heading back to our hotel.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, we drove back to campus again for game day. The weather was just about perfect - 48 degrees and bright blue sky! 

We walked around campus again and took more photos. We stopped by the Knights of Columbus food booth and I had a steak sandwich, which is a Troy family tradition.

Then we saw the bagpipe band give a brief concert in front of the steps of the administration building (the Golden Dome).

We then moseyed back to the library coffee shop, so Sara could get one of her fancy coffee drinks before the game. I had a turkey sandwich and some  mysterious drink called a Caramel Frappachino, which Sara raves about. 

Around 1:45, we went over to the stadium, a short walk from the library, and waited in line to get in. While waiting in line, we had a nice chat with two older ladies from Cincinnati. We lamented how there are no longer paper tickets to games - everything has to be on Google Wallet on your phone. 

At 2 p.m. on the button, the gates finally opened and we were able to go into the stadium. Fortunately, I was able to open my Google Wallet thingamajig so the ushers could scan our tickets. 

Because our tickets were in section 135, we had a lengthy walk to the upper bowl of the stadium. Our seats were in the north end zone above the tunnel where the players run out onto the field, and opposite of the jumbotron scoreboard. 

Prior to the game, the band performed a few songs, which Sara and I both enjoyed. At the conclusion of the National Anthem, a plane flew over the stadium, which was really cool!

Once the game started, it didn’t take long for Notre Dame to get the upper hand against Syracuse. The Orange (Syracuse’s mascot) got the ball first. Less than one minute into the game, Irish defender Jalen Stroman picked off a Syracuse pass and returned it for a touchdown. On the Orange’s next possession, Stroman blocked a punt and teammate Luke Talich picked up the ball and returned it for a touchdown. Shortly after that, Irish defender Leonard Moore had another pick-six (interception return for a touchdown). Less than six minutes into the game, Notre Dame had a 21-0 lead and its offense had yet to run a play!

When Notre Dame’s offense finally got on the field, it didn’t take them long to reach the end zone. One the third play from scrimmage, running back Jeremiyah Love found a running lane the size of a truck and raced 45 yards for a touchdown. 

Notre Dame added one more score later in the first quarter to take a 35-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

The Irish added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 49-0 halftime lead. Playing most of their second and third stringers in the second half, Notre Dame still added three more touchdowns over the final 30 minutes to take a 70-0 lead before Syracuse finally scored with seven seconds left to make the final score 70-7.

A graphic on the scoreboard noted that the last time Notre Dame scored 70 or more points in a game was in 1932 when ND beat Haskell, 73-0. 

After the game, the ND players and coaches gathered at our end of the stadium to sing the Alma Mater (Notre Dame Our Mother), which is always neat to see in person. 

Following the Alma Mater, we made our way out of the stadium and eventually found our car. 

We drove back to Michigan City to stay for one more night before heading back to Cresco on Sunday. 

Even though it’s an incredibly long drive from Cresco to the Notre Dame campus, it’s always well worth it!