Johnny Irish

No Mas!

Sun, 11/25/07

It’s over. Thank Touchdown Jesus, it is finally over.

That’s really the best thing I can say about that game yesterday (and, for that matter, this season). Finally, it is over and done with.

Notre Dame 21, Stanford 14.

3 wins, 9 losses.

Some (including Yours Truly) had jokingly referred to Saturday’s slopfest as Notre Dame’s bowl game. And if that was the case, then at least they finally won a bowl game. Even if it was so soiled and sloppy and nasty that dubbing it the Toilet Bowl doesn’t even begin to do it (in)justice.

Somehow, someway, the Irish managed to pull out a win in their season finale. Despite turning the ball over FIVE times (including twice in their first eight plays). Despite having two touchdowns taken off the board (although only one was merited). Despite allowing the Cardinal to hold the ball for 34:15. Despite missing a field goal (again) and having a punt partially blocked (again). Despite skidding and slipping and sliding around Stanford Stadium (try saying that five times, fast!) like they were on roller skates.

I’m guessing that a big part of the equation was that they were playing Stanford. And a banged-up Stanford at that. Oh, and the Cardinal’s FOUR missed field goals and horrific play calling may have factored in too.

Then again, an inspired, aggressive defense led by fifth-year seniors Trevor Laws and Tommy Zbikowski also had a lot to do with it. And I’m guessing both those guys made a few bucks in their final game day audition for NFL scouts (too bad Zibby’s incredible length-of-the-field, give-and-go TD to end the first half didn’t hold up … ironically, because of a flag on Laws).

Anyway, it’s all over now. And the strangest college football season in memory ended in the strangest possible way for the Irish:

The losingest team in Notre Dame history (3-9) becomes the first Irish team to finish its season with back-to-back wins in 15 years.

Never mind that those wins came over 1-11 Duke and 3-8 Stanford. Or that Saturday’s was only secured when Stanford receivers TWICE dropped balls in the end zone. Or that Stanford kicker Derek Belch missed all four of his field goals attempts, including a 30-yarder with the game tied in the fourth quarter.

A win is a win is a win. Which is exactly how many wins the Irish managed in 12 tries this season.

There’s simply no way to sugarcoat a three-win season. But nine losses looks a heck of a lot better than 10, and if you get to have just one winning streak all season, you might as well have it over your final two games.

That, Notre Dame fans, is where the Irish are at right now. That is the reality of the situation. And if things are to get better next season (and I really believe they can and WILL), there’s a number of other things that will have to happen.

Let’s take a look at a few of those things that stood out on Saturday … and throughout this sad, sloppy season.