Last weekend may have been inundated with Halloween events, but the lack of a home football game left Notre Dame students itching for Saturday's match-up against the Tennessee Volunteers.
The bye week followed home games against the University of Southern California and Brigham Young University, making up an unusual five-game home stand over six successive weekends.
Megan Spokes, a junior, said last weekend increased her anticipation and expectations for the coming game.
"I feel like a bye week just magnifies your excitement for a game, especially when we played so well against USC after our last bye week," she said. "The team has had a rest along with all the students and fans. Everyone should be ready to go for Saturday,"
After the 5-2 Irish have started strongly this season, students like sophomore Nicholas Zehrbach are confident the football team will capture a win against the Volunteers.
"I'm excited, but then again it's just another easy victory for the Irish," he said. "I think the fact that we got much better over the off season, while Tennessee obviously did not, is a huge indicator that we are going to pull a large margin victory this Saturday."
Sophomore Pat Lyons said despite last year's win against Tennessee, the biggest indicator for a win this season is the success the team has achieved thus far.
Though there were worries of being overwhelmed with so many consecutive home games, students are taking this season's unique schedule in stride.
"I don't think it's made too many problems for me," Lyons said. "I've just had to be smarter about budgeting my time."
Many students feel the season is passing them by.
"In a way I feel like the season is going fast because there have been so many games already," said junior Annie Parrett. "With only [three] home games so far, it [also] seems like the home season is still just beginning. I'm sure it will be a blur with three in a row at home."
Students are also keyed up for Friday's pep rally and for the opportunity to see friends and family visiting for the game.
Hobbs said this game will be especially memorable because many of her friends that graduated last year will be coming to South Bend.
Pep rallies for Notre Dame's final three home games against Tennessee, Navy and Syracuse will require tickets for non-student fans wishing to attend. In the past, fans could enter the pep rally by waiting in line; however, a limited number of free tickets will be made available to the public on the day of the rally due to increased demand.
Spokes said the past procedure was a better way of handling the admittance of fans.
"I think that requiring fans to get tickets may discourage the attendance to the event," she said. "Pep rallies are meant for anyone and everyone who loves Notre Dame to get excited for the game. By limiting the event with tickets, you're leaving out some dedicated fans."