Basking in the Irish Glow

Are you still basking in the glow of Notre Dame’s most memorable rally since Joe Montana was strutting his Irish stuff?

Of course you are, and why not? For the first time Notre Dame showed the resiliency champions are made of. If they can overcome a hostile environment and huge deficits, as they did in Saturday’s 40-37 win at Michigan State, they can overcome almost anything, including really bad first quarter offense.

Notre Dame has scored just 10 first-quarter points all season, which is unheard of for Charlie Weis-directed teams. His opening script was so ineffective against Michigan State, it was as if Spartan coach John L. Smith had given it to him.

“Go ahead, Charlie, use this. I promise I won’t tell my defense.”

Weis got it turned around by going to the two-minute, no-huddle offense, something he’d just as soon not have to do. He wants to run more often and more effectively. He wants to dictate play. And, for goodness sakes, he wants to stop with all these 3-and-out possessions.

Notre Dame gets its next chance on Saturday against unbeaten Purdue. In the mean time, if you want more insight into the Irish victory, check out this South Bend Tribune story.