Irish Look to Pep Up

If you’re looking to get to South Bend early to do a little celebrating (and with many hotels now demanding three-night minimums at $600 a night, celebration might help ease the financial pain), you might want to swing by Notre Dame Stadium Friday evening.

Because of the huge interest in Saturday’s home opener with Penn State, Notre Dame officials have decided to move the pep rally from the Joyce Center to the stadium on Friday, weather permitting. There will be no admission. Gates will open by 5:30.

The last time the Irish tried this, before last year’s USC game, 40,000 or so people showed up. Irish officials are anticipating another big crowd. Coach Charlie Weis said the goal is to not turn anybody away.

It didn’t help last year, when then No. 1 USC won on a last-second touchdown. But No. 19 Penn State is not as good as that Trojan team. The Irish, it seems, are better than last year. That just might mean the celebration won’t be limited to Friday.

Just don't hold us to that.