Saturday challenge

This Saturday we will host a very impressive Stanford team, a team that mirrors the pugnacious toughness and determination of their head coach. We will win this game only if we return to our underdog, blue collar Fighting Irish roots and show the Cardinal that, what tho' the odds be great or small, our toughness and determination overwhelms theirs. We must be relentless.

And when I say "we", I don't just mean the team — I mean ALL of us. I challenge the students: when Stanford has the ball on the north end of the field, don't allow them to get a play off. At all. Not even one. The noise must be deafening, not just on big downs — on every down. I challenge the alumni: stand and yell for your team. Do not shout "sit down" at anyone in front of you, and do not sit down if someone shouts it at you. This is a football game, not a piano recital. I challenge the players: take somebody's head off. Because I guarantee that your opponent will if you don't. This isn't a contact sport, this is a war. And when you get ‘em down, step on their throats. No mercy.