Notre Dame's confidence is rewarded with BCS title berth
4:22AM EST November 25. 2012 - LOS ANGELES -- Somehow amid the swirling chaos -- singing and dancing and so much more – there was a moment of calm and quiet at midfield. Jack Swarbrick found Brian Kelly. Both men laughed, then embraced.
"This game," Notre Dame's athletic director told his football coach, "defines your year."
Kelly replied: "It's the same game. It's who we are: Find a way."
And he's right. Notre Dame's 22-13 victory over USC, which propelled the Fighting Irish into the BCS championship game, could have been so many other games in a magical season. By now, the formula has become familiar: dominant defense, inconsistent offense, a grinding effort – and another win. But here, finally, is Notre Dame's definition of perfection:
"We're the best team," senior linebacker Manti Te'o said afterward. "We're No. 1."
For now, anyway. Alabama remains to be played. Or Georgia. Whichever, the SEC champion will gun for that league's seventh consecutive national championship, surprising no one. But Notre Dame is playing for its 11th – and first since 1988 – and who saw it coming?
Not Swarbrick. Four years ago, he stood in the same tunnel at the Los Angeles Coliseum, experiencing a far different feeling. "You guys had me pinned up against the wall," he said, referring to reporters. Charlie Weis would last another season as coach, but USC had just whipped the Irish 38-3, illustrating what seemed to be a vast talent disparity.
Could the Irish ever close the gap with college football's elite? That night in the Coliseum, could you have imagined this? "No," Swarbrick said. "No." Notre Dame as a national power was faded history.
"But then you watch this team," said Joe Theismann, the former Notre Dame quarterback. "It has guts, it has determination, it has talent, it has leadership – and it has playmakers."
And now, it has a perfect regular season and a shot at another national title. "It's a great day to be an Irishman!" Theismann said just after the final gun.
A defining moment? In a season like this, there were so many. A narrow escape of Purdue – Purdue! – in the second game. A victory at Michigan State the next weekend that by comparison seemed like utter domination. Sure, the Spartans proved to be mediocre, but at the time they were ranked No. 10, and Notre Dame – well, who really knew what the Irish were, or would become?
Kelly told Swarbrick over the summer: "We're going to be very good." But the athletic director said he believed it when the Irish beat Stanford in overtime Oct. 13, at the season's midpoint. In the previous couple of years, Stanford had been "more physical, bigger and tougher" than the Irish. Not this time, though the question will endure: Did Stepfan Taylor get into the end zone?
But that's part of the equation, too.
"You've got to believe that somebody is shining down on this football team," Theismann said. "You've got to believe that."
By now, everyone knows the stats: Five victories by a touchdown or less. Three overtimes against Pittsburgh. So many games that could have gone either way, times when Notre Dame didn't seem to measure up against the other BCS contenders – but won anyway, as they all eventually lost. But back to Swarbrick, and Stanford:
"To survive it the way we did, that's when I thought we had a chance," he said.
Southern California Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin meets with Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly following the 22-13 loss at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Gary A. Vasquez, US Presswire
Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell (6) intercepts a pass intended for USC receiver Marqise Lee (9) Saturday in Notre Dame's 22-13 win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The victory is expected to propel the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship Game. Kirby Lee, US Presswire
Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Clint Chelf (10) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma won the game 51-48. Richard Rowe, US Presswire
\Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly hugs an assistant coach as he is showered with Gatorade after Notre Dame defeated the USC Trojans 22-13 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Matt Cashore, US Presswire
Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Isaiah Anderson (82) runs from Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Gabe Lynn (9) during the third quarter at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.Oklahoma won the game 51-48. Richard Rowe, US Presswire
A general view before the game between the Southern California Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee, US Presswire
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Chad Bumphis (1) advances the ball for extra yardage against Mississippi Rebels defensive back Charles Sawyer (3) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Ole Miss won 41-24. Spruce Derden, US Presswire
Penn State Nittany Lions band members get ready for the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State held on for a 24-21 win over Wisconsin in overtime. Evan Habeeb, US Presswire
Oregon Ducks running back De'Anthony Thomas (6) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Oregon won the game 48-24. Scott Olmos, US Presswire
Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Seth Doege (7) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Baylor Bears. Baylor won the game 52-45. Tim Heitman, US Presswire
Oklahoma Sooners players huddle before the game against Oklahoma State Cowboys at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma edged Oklahoma State 51-48. Richard Rowe, US Presswire
Alabama comes to the line of scrimmage against Auburn during the first quarter at Bryant Denny Stadium. The Tide rolled past the Tigers, 49-0. John David Mercer, US Presswire
Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball ran for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Ball set the NCAA record for most career touchdowns, but the Badgers lost the game in OT. Evan Habeeb, US Presswire
Florida Gators defensive back Josh Evans (9) celebrates after linebacker Jelani Jenkins (not pictured) made an interception against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Gators won the game, 37-26. Kevin Liles, US Presswire
Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Darren Moore (14) catches a touchdown pass against Baylor Bears safety Chance Casey (9) during the game at Cowboys Stadium. Baylor beat Texas Tech 52-45 in overtime. Tim Heitman, US Presswire
The Alabama Crimson Tide Million Dollar Band lines up on the field before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant Denny Stadium. John David Mercer, US Presswire
Auburn Tigers head coach Gene Chizik argues with head linesman Gary Jayroe in the their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant Denny Stadium. Alabama cruised to a 49-0 win. John David Mercer, US Presswire
Air Force Fighting Falcons quarterback Kale Pearson (2) has the ball knocked out of his hands by Fresno State Bulldogs defensive back Beau Fryer (19) in the third quarter at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Fighting Falcons 48-15. Cary Edmondson, US Presswire
Penn State players warm up prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions went on to win 24-21. Evan Habeeb, US Presswire
Florida State Seminoles fans Aidan O'Neill-Speciale and Mercy Joy Corlew prepare for the game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Despite these costumes, Florida won the game37-26. Melina Vastola, US Presswire
Florida's Omarius Hines (20) runs the ball past Florida State defensive back Terrence Brooks (31) during the Gators' victory against in-state rival Florida State. Melina Vastola, US Presswire
Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, middle, celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter. The Buckeyes beat the Michigan Wolverines 26-21. Andrew Weber, US Presswire
Pittsburgh Panthers fullback Mark Giubilato (43) dives forward as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Jamil Pollard (97) tries to bring him down during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh pulled out the upset, winning 27-6. Charles LeClaire, US Presswire
Ohio State Buckeyes fan Jon Peters was very excited for the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won the game 26-21. Greg Bartram, US Presswire
Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Jawan Jamison (23) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Shane Gordon (44) tries to make a tackle during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won the game, 27-6. Charles LeClaire, US Presswire
Former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel is held by players from his 2002 National Championship team in a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Greg Bartram, US Presswire
Oklahoma Sooners fans cheer before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma went on to win the game 51-48. Richard Rowe, US Presswire
Georgia Bulldogs safety Bacarri Rambo (18) attempts to take the ball away from Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Robert Godhigh (25) in the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia cruised to a 42-10 victory. Daniel Shirey, US Presswire
Louisville Cardinals running back Jeremy Wright (28) dives over Connecticut Huskies defensive back Byron Jones (16) during the first half of play at Papa John's Cardinals Stadium. Connecticut won the game 23-20. Jamie Rhodes, US Presswire
Arizona Wildcats fans hold a flag in the grandstands in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Stadium. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 41-34. Mark J. Rebilas, US Presswire
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Nick Hirschman (8) is consoled by his mother Liz Hirschman following the loss to the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. The Utes defeated the Buffaloes 42-35. Ron Chenoy, US Presswire
Utah Utes quarterback Travis Wilson (7) (left) is hugged by wide receiver Kenneth Scott (2) (right) following his seven yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Utes defeated the Buffaloes 42-35. Ron Chenoy, US Presswire
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Mekale McKay (82) misses a last second pass attempt against the LSU Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU defeated Arkansas 20-13. Nelson Chenault, US Presswire
Washington State Cougars running back Carl Winston (3), offensive lineman Jake Rodgers (69), and wide receiver Bobby Ratiff (82) celebrate a touchdown against Washington Huskies during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougars beat the Huskies by a final score of 31-28 in overtime. James Snook, US Presswire
West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Pat Miller (5) tackles Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jerome Tiller (11) during the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. West Virginia won the game 31-24. Peter G. Aiken, US Presswire
Iowa State Cyclones running back Jeff Woody (32) fumbles the ball near the goal line against West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. West Virginia defeated Iowa State 31-24. Peter G. Aiken, US Presswire
Washington State Cougars wide receiver Gabe Marks (84) has the ball batted away by Washington Huskies cornerback Desmond Trufant (6) during the first half at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 31-28. James Snook, US Presswire
LSU Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) makes a touchdown catch over Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Otha Peters (5) during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. LSU won 20-13. Beth Hall, US Presswire
LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles signals a touchdown after watching a replay in the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU won 20-13. Nelson Chenault, US Presswire
Syracuse Orange running back Prince-Tyson Gulley (23) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Syracuse defeated Temple 38-20. Howard Smith, US Presswire
The Washington State Cougars take the field before a game against the Washington Huskies at Martin Stadium. Washington State won the game 31-28. James Snook, US Presswire
The Texas Longhorns take the field before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.TCU beat Texas 20-13. Brendan Maloney, US Presswire
Temple Owls quarterback Connor Reilly (12) talks with quarterback Clinton Granger (3) during the fourth quarter against the Syracuse Orange at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Syracuse defeated Temple 38-20. Howard Smith, US Presswire
TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Stansly Maponga (right) recovers a fumble by Texas Longhorns quarterback David Ash (14) during the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.TCU beat Texas 20-13. Brendan Maloney, US Presswire
Syracuse Orange cornerback Keon Lyn (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown off an interception with Syracuse Orange safety Jeremi Wilkes (28) during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Syracuse defeated Temple 38-20. Howard Smith, US Presswire
A Temple Owls fan watches the game during the fourth quarter against the Syracuse Orange at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Syracuse defeated Temple 38-20. Howard Smith, US Presswire
Iowa Hawkeye cornerback Anthony Hitchens (31) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Ben Cotton (81) at Kinnick Stadium. Nebraska beat Iowa 13-7. Reese Strickland, US Presswire
Texas Longhorns quarterback David Ash (14) passes the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas Christian beat Texas 20-13. Brendan Maloney, US Presswire
Two weeks later, the Irish won at Oklahoma, and looked very good doing it, and gained more confidence. The defense shut down the high-powered Sooners. Notably, redshirt freshman quarterback Everett Golson took a huge step forward. He remains a work in progress. So does the entire offense – Saturday, they settled for five field goals (in six attempts). "We're still in process," Kelly said. "We're not there yet."
But somehow, they've arrived.
Listen to the Irish, they'll talk about camaraderie and closeness in the locker room, the sorts of intangible qualities that seem universal to winning teams. They'll note a core leadership group of fifth-year seniors, part of a recruiting class ranked No. 1 nationally by Rivals.com, that stuck through the coaching change. And they'll talk about how their coach changed, at least a little, after Notre Dame finished 8-5 his first two seasons.
After a loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl, Kelly introduced regular team meetings, every Monday at 5 p.m. Sometimes the topic was football, sometimes life. Sometimes it was serious, others not. But a guy who had seemed to spend much of his first two seasons yelling emerged kinder, gentler. How much did that play into this unbeaten run?
"I don't know what it is," said senior defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore. "I don't know if we're closer, or what. It's a big jumble of things."
More tangibly, note how differently this team is built. Throughout his coaching career, Kelly's m.o. has been to spread it out and fling the football around. Instead, these Irish grind. During the offseason, Kelly saw a superior defensive front seven led by Te'o and recognized a significant strength. He had solid running backs, but an unsettled quarterback – Golson had evident ability, but no experience – so he changed strategy: ball-control offense, don't make mistakes, let the defense clamp down and smother opponents.
Golson has gotten better and more comfortable, evolving into an occasionally dangerous playmaker. But his potential, along with the entire offense, seems largely untapped. It doesn't seem to matter.
Late Saturday night, Lewis-Moore stood on one side of the tunnel, talking defense and still smiling over a fourth-quarter goal-line stand that ended USC's last realistic hope of the upset. A few feet away, kicker Kyle Brindza was surrounded by reporters, talking about all of those field goals. And Kelly was saying this game could have been any of those other games.
"That's how we played the game all year," he said. "That's how we got to 12-0."
Could they soon be 13-0? Especially if the opponent is Alabama, the Irish will spend the next month hearing about how they don't measure up – the same thing they heard all season, as they kept playing and winning the same game. For now, maybe this is enough:
