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Friday, March 29, 2024
The Observer

Twas the night before Miami

'Twas the night before Miami, when all through Notre Dame
Not a creature was stirring, everyone ready for the game.
The cleats were flung by the doorway with care,
In hopes that the National Championship soon would be there.

The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of leprechauns danced in their heads.
Brian Kelly in his pajamas holding a nice strong night cap,
Had just settled his brain for a long pre-game nap.

When out on the deck there arose such a clatter,
Bob Diaco sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window Longo flew like a Raven,
Tore open the shutters hoping it wasn't Nick Saban.

The moon on the breast of the ocean below
Gave the luster of mid-day waking up the echo.
When, what to Kelly's wondering eyes should appear,
But a single sun ray, and a whole bunch of beer.

With a big old body, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Theo Riddick.
So up to the stadium the players, they flew,
With a bus full of boys, and MantiTe'o too.

More rapid than eagles his players they came,
And coach whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Motta! Now, Brindza! Now, Martin and Louis Nix!
On, Toma! On, Stockton! On, on Braxton and Hendrix!
To the back of the endzone! Through the uprights with the ball!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the sideline Everett Golson came with a bound.
He was dressed all in all green, from his head to his feet,
And his jersey was soaked with sweat from the Miami heat.

For the whole team he had put on his back,
And he looked like a student-athlete, just opening his backpack.
Jones' eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, just looking for his next carry!

Shembo's little mouth guard was drawn up like a bow,
As he tried his best to avoid getting turf toe.
Kapron had a broad face and a big round belly,
That shook when he laughed, just ask Brian Kelly!

Golic was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And Jake laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon told the crowd they had nothing to dread.

Eifert spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And scored lots of touchdowns, which was a huge perk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the field Goody goes!

He sprang to the endzone, and his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew storming the field like a missile.
But I heard Manti exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Champsionship to all, and to all a good-night!"

Contact Jane McGraw at jmcgraw1@nd.edu
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.


The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.