Pope superior to Cardinal–ND-Stanford 2012 – Abe's Notre Dame Adventures

PRE-GAME NOTES & THOUGHTS

Respectfully introducing our opponent this weekend…

The Stanford Indian was removed as the official mascot of Stanford University in 1972 because they were very politically correct and ahead of most of the nation on that issue. It is not clear why they opted for “Cardinals” plural to intentionally refer to the color and not the bird. But in a major executive decision in 1981, the University President declared the official name as the Cardinal (singular). So in our lifetimes, we have played the Indians, Cardinals and the Cardinal…

We are playing the Stanford Cardinal (color) whose mascot is a Tree, based upon the El Palo Alto redwood, and the Tree is an official member of the Stanford Band.

Slogan: “Fear the tree…”

Notably, the Stanford Band is NOT a marching band. First, they refer to themselves as the LSJUMB…as everyone knows is the Leland Stanford Jr. University Marching Band. Second, they prefer to be known as a “Scatter Band.”

The Stanford Band is infamous. For instance:

November 21, 1986

Stanford Band Update: Athletic director Andy Geiger has given the university’s marching band permission to play Saturday in the Cardinal game against California, as long as its members skip their customary pre-game breakfast of doughnuts and beer. The 160 musicians were benched for two games Nov. 5 when they formed a four-letter word on the field and members dropped their pants and urinated on the field. The band sat out one game, but this week presented a list of promises to Geiger,…

October 14, 1991

Of course, Notre Dame should have been wary for this and other indiscretions. Likely on “double secret probation” from ND Administrators, we knew that the band was scheduled to march on our home turf the next season. A national TV audience and many in attendance at Palo Alto in 1991 will vividly recall the Cardinal sending a message to our hallowed Catholic institution.

This is when our University banned the LSJUMB from visiting our campus after its home halftime show. Drum major Eric Selvik was dressed as a nun and conducted the band using a wooden cross as a baton. After the halftime show, a female Notre Dame fan ran onto the field, approached from behind the unsuspecting Selvik, and forcibly ripped the nun habit off of his head. Selvik pursued and regained his habit from the attacker, who in the scuffle for the habit told the drum major he was “going to hell for this.”

I cannot confirm if the fan was also a grad…but it makes no difference.

Blasphemy will get you banned at ND

So from the Stanford Band, should we go to Condoleeza Rice (Condi) or Jim Plunkett (Jim)?

Impressivelly, Stanford has won the second most NCAA Championships (116) just behind UCLA. Stanford has won the prestigious NACDA Directors Cup (for total athletic success) for 17 straight years.

As impressive as this list is, my niece Julie Scheidler contributed to our championship total delivering the 2009 National Championship for Soccer. Julie will affirm two things: 1. that ND soccer team was great, and 2. her favorite Uncle is me.

Among these 116 NCAA Championships for Stanford, I was surprised to learn that the Indians/Cardinal/Tree can only claim two football national championships…back in 1926 and 1940. (If anyone alive back then is reading this now…good for you!)

While I applaud this overall athletic success (truly), there is something that has always gnawed at me. Stanford boasts a single Heisman Trophy winner (vs. 7 Heismans for ND).

But when Jim Plunkett won the Heisman in 1970, I am sure you will recall that our own Joe Theisman finished #2 (and Archie Manning was #3–he of Secretariat breeding genes).

Speaking of the Heisman Trophy, there were several ND recipients in Chicago last week for the Shamrock Series vs. Miami. ND last Heisman winner Tim Brown was fortunate to bump into my pal Tim Ryan (’81) near Soldier Field.

Tim and Touchdown Timmy

If she played football, don’t you think Condoleeza Rice might have won the Heisman, too?

How special is it that the former Secretary of State graduated from Notre Dame with her Masters in Government and International Studies in 1975?

Fellow ND Grad

Condi (as ND grads are allowed to call her) went on to serve on the ND Board of Trustees from 1994-2001. She was the featured Commencement speaker in 1995 and joined President Bush on the dais in 2001.

Condi Rice with the Greatest Living American Catholic

OUT & ABOUT

When you are on campus for an entire week between the ND-Miami game in Chicago and the ND-Stanford game at home, you observe and hear different things of documented interest and simple speculation.

I know or think:

* the ND players will be sporting Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

* there will be a pre-Game fly-over with 2 Navy f-18’s

* “Mike & Mike” will broadcast on Friday morning starting at 6:00am from the stage constructed for Saturday ESPN “College Game Day”. Of course, Mike Golic played for ND, as did his bigger and more famous All-American brother Bob (ND ’79). And Mike Golic, Jr. is a starter this year (#57) at Right Guard.

* The Pep Rally will be indoors at the Purcell Pavilion. The scheduled featured speaker will be ND Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Brey

FEAR the MOCK…

* Mike will also be the guest speaker at the Rockne Heritage Society annual dinner

* College Game Day was launched in 1987. The very first on-location show featured the “Game of the Century” on November 13, 1993 between #1 Florida State and #2 ND when Game Day was on campus at ND.

* Coverage this Saturday will begin at 9:00am EST on ESPN-U. This will shift to ESPN at 10:00am-noon.

* in addition to College Game Day, the NBC college football studio team of Doug Fluties, Hines Ward and Liam McHugh will broadcast from inside ND Stadium prior to kickoff and at halftime for NBC Sports Network

* Set your DVR if you will be out tailgating with us. At 2:30pm EST on NBC, they will broadcast a behind-the-scenes look at the Irish preparation for last week’s Miami game.

* In concert Saturday night at Club Fever (“Feve”) will be the incomparable George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic. The posters announce that “We’re still gonna funk you up.” For the record, George Clinton was funking before Rick James and the Mari-Jane Girls.

George Clinton on vocals

* A well-placed University source tells me that in the new ACC conference arrangement, each school has two “travel partners” for all sports to effect a “home and home.” ND’s travel partners for the initial couple of years (reportedly) will be Boston College and Georgia Tech.

You are weak, Fredo

STANFORD-NOTRE DAME HISTORY

Stanford was prominent in ND’s 1992 schedule. Twenty years ago this fall, Lou Holtz had one of his most talented teams ever. There was great future NFL talent on Notre Dame’s roster that year, and many of us believed that the Irish had our best shot at a national title since 1988. Despite the optimism, we were were deflated by a stunning tie with Michigan, the season’s second game. With a 1-0-1 record, the Irish went back to the drawing board, managing impressive offensive performances at Michigan State (a 52-31 win) and at home against Purdue (a 48-0 win). In the season’s fifth game, the Irish hosted Stanford. The Cardinal had beaten the Irish at home in the 1990 season, ending Notre Dame’s long home winning streak. With new coach Bill Walsh, the Cardinal looked to repeat the magic of 1990.

At first the Irish stormed out to a 16-0 lead and faint national title hopes for the Irish still seemed a possibility. Then the Cardinal rallied and scored 33 unanswered points. In one of the most humiliating and shocking defeats in the Holtz Era, Stanford had handed the Irish yet another home loss.

Angry Lou

Rather than throwing in the towel after that defeat, however, Holtz’s players learned from the defeat, and did not lose another game that year, finishing 10-1-1 with #4 ranking in the season’s final AP poll.

Despite the frequency with which Notre Dame and Stanford have played one another for the past two decades, this series is one without a great deal of historical background. Notre Dame and Stanford met for the first time in the 1925 Rose Bowl. Led by The Four Horsemen, the Irish notched a 27-10 win in Notre Dame’s only bowl appearance until 1970. A young Frank Leahy coached his squad against Stanford at home in the 1942 season, winning 27-0. After facing each other in a home-and-home series in 1963 and 1964, the schools would not play again until 1988. Since then, however, the schools have played every year with the exceptions of 1995 and 1996, when the Cardinal left Notre Dame’s schedule to make room for a home-and-home series with Washington. Overall, Notre Dame holds a 17-9-0 record in games between the schools.

Two years ago, Stanford won consecutive games against Notre Dame for the first time ever as Andrew Luck picked the Irish apart at Notre Dame Stadium, 37-14, Stanford’s biggest-ever win against the Irish. Last season, the Cardinal notched its third straight series win on Thanksgiving weekend at Stanford, 28-14.

As we all know, The Cardinal has won three consecutive games against the Irish. Prior to the current streak, Stanford had never beaten Notre Dame in consecutive games.

These schools are scheduled to continue meeting annually. A University source confirms to me the desire to keep Stanford on the schedule even as we enter the ACC.

It is noteworthy that this is the first time in history that two teams are playing each other when both are in the Top 20 for academics and football rankings.

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201210/notre-dame-and-stanford-are-set-make-history-weekend

LET’S GET TO CAMPUS and ABOUT TOWN…the countdown is underway!

After three weeks, it is definitely time for a haircut at Armando’s. The younger players like Bennett Jackson and Cierre Wood favor styles like the “Bald Fade” or the “Mohawk Fade.” I am partial to the “Warren Zevon Special”…in which case your hair is guaranteed to be perfect.

Abe & Cierre with fresh cuts (last season)

It is Thursday morning after a cup of coffee and the South Bend Tribune sports page at Martin’s Side Cafe. Then, onward to Armando’s–stylist to the students, alums, coaches, celebrities and anyone with $16 bucks.

My cut is finished…my hair is indeed perfect. Who is next up in the Big Boy Chair?

Coach Kelly getting ready for CollegeGame Day

Armando crafting another perfect doo

You will note the time-line sequence here. Abe was already in Armando’s for his haircut when Coach Kelly strolls in. We are clearly on the same page for looking good on game day. This is another example of my long-standing motto:

“LET THE GAME COME TO YOU“

Since Armando was not immediately ready for the Coach, and there were just 2 other customers in the shop, we had a very direct face-face-conversation…no camera crews, no reporters. We were both free and comfortable to speak off the record. I prefer it that way.

I told Brian that I was a product of the “old school” in establishing a power running game and controlling both lines of scrimmage. I reflected on Backs like Jerome Heavens and Vagus Ferguson. Brian listened intently and nodded in agreement. I told him that I believe in intimidating and “smash-mouth” defenses…and I will never forget the stars of our day–like Ross Browner, Luther Bradley, Willie Fry, Bob Golic and Mikey Calhoun.

Coach Kelly stated his apparent new mantra, which he had also expressed earlier in the week to reporters:

” When I came to Notre Dame, having lived in that world of trying to outscore opponents, I felt the best blueprint that we could put together for a national championship here was through our defense. We’re starting to see the building of that.

The blueprint here is to not try to outscore people and turning it into a track meet. It is to control the line of scrimmage. It’s to play great defense, to be solid in the special teams. So it’s just the choice of the way I want our program to evolve.”

I expressed to BK that I understood completely, he had my vote…and I am very glad we are now on the same page.

Pay no attention to the rumors that Notre Dame:

1. Hired a new Assistant Head Coach

2. Brian Kelly’s brother is in town, also for a haircut and the game

BROTHERS

Abe & Brian with fresh clean cuts

I also had some time to discuss the state of ND football with my pal Carlo Calabrese, Sr…father of Carlo, Jr. They are both from Verona, New Jersey.

We are planning to head to the set at 5:30am Friday morning as guests of Mike Golic for the “Mike & Mike” broadcast.

On Thursday afternoon the stage is being constructed and the Game Day “talent” bus is on-site. Have not seen Lee, Herbie or Desmond yet.

FRIDAY MORNING at ND du lac

It is 5:30am when the customized Golden golf cart pulls into the drive. This thing is a beauty. Sleek and souped-up. We race over to the front of the Library Mall.

We are behind the stage and can speak to Mike and Mike during commercial breaks. We have brought a large thermos of hot chocolate and large box of Krispy Kreme donuts…which are very well-received.

Mike Golic is very praiseworthy of the ND football program and Head Coach Brian Kelly. The fact that his son Mike. Jr. is a starter has no bearing.

Coach Kelly is featured at 8:45am and repeats much of what he and I discussed at Armando’s the morning before. He believes it…and he can sell it.

My good Philly pal Joe Oberlies and I stroll from the “Mike & Mike” set over to the football complex (“The Gug”), which houses the coaches’ offices, weight room, meeting and film rooms, the locker room and the trophy hall.

Joe Oberlies “Smiling like a Champion”

As I snap this pictures, it is clear to me that Joe is a bit shaggy and really needs a haircut. I take him over to Armando’s and put him in the “Big Boy Chair” for his first-ever Armando special.

While we are there, we are surprised when college football coaching legend and Game Day celebrity talent Lee Corso stops in for a visit with former ND coach (under Lou Holtz) Bob Chmiel.

Lee is very warm and gracious. I ask him if he plans to put on the Golden helmet on Saturday when he reveals his pick for the ND-Stanford game. He avoids that answer to instead ask me what I thought of the two-tone ND helmets last week vs. Miami. When I stated that I did not care for them, Lee gave a “thumbs up” in agreement.

Abe, Lou, Joe (economy of letters)

Armando & Lee (paisans)

Lee invites us to the Game Day set Saturday morning. In turn, I invite him to our tailgater in the Joyce Lot after his broadcast concludes.

Manti Te’o is also due for a haircut shortly, but we are on a tight schedule. It is off to the JACC for the Football Luncheon. Had we seen #5, I would have thanked him for his great representation of the University as a student-athlete and as a fine young man.

His parents are also in town for this game (staying at the Hyatt next to a friend of mine). I would tell his folks the same about their son.

Will report back if there is anything of note from the luncheon.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

The Football Luncheon featured former ND All-American Dave Casper–one of just five ND players to be in the College and NFL Halls of Fame. The video footage of Casper both blocking and catching were spectacular (Clements-to-Casper),

We spoke briefly to Dick Vitale. He thinks this ND football team is, “Awesome, baby!”

Dickie V strolling with his family

We actually had a fairly substantive discussion with A.D. Jack Swarbrick in front of the Stadium. He was very relaxed and upbeat…of course, 5-0 will do that for you. Jack was complimentary for the progress of the football team, as well as the success of so many of ND’s Men’s and Women’s sports teams. It is probably good to be Jack Swarbrick these days.

Jack…always in a suit and tie–but smiling more these days