Seniors prepare for final home game
By Jetaun Davis
News Writer
As the Notre Dame football team prepares to play Rutgers in the final home football game of the season Saturday, Notre Dame seniors said they realize that the clock is ticking toward the end of their college years.
"I am going to be really sad on Saturday," said senior Kate Mosesso.
Though not every senior holds an emotional bond with Notre Dame football, many of them said they are having difficulty coming to grips with the fact that this game will be their final football game as Notre Dame undergraduate students. The aspect of Notre Dame football that they will miss the most, many said, is the unique atmosphere of the entire weekend.
"I am going to miss doing the Irish jig with my friends and throwing marshmallows during timeouts," said senior Meg Wallace said. "I will definitely miss laughing hysterically at that one usher that ducks with fear every time the marshmallows come out."
But senior traditions and friendly jokes are not the only aspects that will be missed, students said. Seniors said it will be particularly hard to bid farewell to this specific season, which has been marked with such increased enthusiasm and victory under new head coach Tyrone Willingham. Although seniors witnessed a successful season in 2000 when Notre Dame went to the Fiesta Bowl, students say this season stands far above that of two years ago.
"The new west coast offense is what really makes the games crunk," said senior James Scarborough. "Over my past three years, everyone new what play Davie would run: straight down the middle."
Many seniors said they are upset because they have only had one year with Notre Dame football while under the direction of Willingham and his staff.
"I'm glad that he was here for my last year," Mosesso said. "I wish I was going to be around to see more of him."
Though they appreciate being a part of this era, students said, they are sad that it is over so soon for them. This year's senior class will make up the first alumni members of the "return to glory" phenomenon, but students said this distinction does not ease the transition from student to graduate.
"Coming back for games still won't be the same not sitting in the student section," Mosesso said.
In fact, to extend their time with the "return to glory" era, many of the seniors are planning their trips to the bowl game that is much anticipated.
Although other years were not marked by such excitement and change, students said they still have unforgettable memories from their first three undergraduate seasons.
"The Boston College game my freshman year where the squirrel running into the end zone was the highlight," said senior Kyla Davis.
Senior Dan Hoople also chose a freshman year game — the Nebraska game — as his favorite.
"Their fans redded out the Stadium, but the game was definitely one to remember as well," Hoople said.
Other seniors, however, could not pinpoint a specific game as their favorite.
"All of them" are Wallace's favorite, she said, "because I always have fun at the games with my friends."
All News Stories for Friday, November 22, 2002
