Police arrested five people and cited at least 41 both before and during Saturday's football game against Penn State - a very similar count to last year's home opener against Michigan State.
During the game, 13 people were removed from Notre Dame Stadium for "alcohol related violations," two were arrested and two were "transported by ambulance to the hospital due to intoxication," Associate Director of Notre Dame Security/Police (NDSP) Phil Johnson said in an e-mail Monday.
Officers outside the stadium, Johnson said, made three custodial arrests for public intoxication and issued 28 arrest tickets for "alcohol related offenses such [as] minor consuming and using a false ID."
At the first home game of last season - the Sept. 17 Michigan State matchup - police arrested four people and cited 46.
Johnson did not say whether those arrested, cited or removed from the stadium on Saturday were Notre Dame or Saint Mary's students. He did not mention any marshmallow-related ejections from the stadium.
He did not return Observer phone calls late Monday afternoon asking for clarification.
In addition, three students received "University citations for violation of University rules" and five people received no-trespass notices, Johnson said.
Johnson did not explain which University rules were violated or why those students received University citations rather than police-issued arrest tickets.
Johnson did not specify what local police forces aided NDSP, how many officers were present, if they were plain-clothes or uniformed or if preliminary breath tests (PBTs) were used.
Last year, Indiana State Excise, South Bend and St. Joseph County police were present in addition to NDSP at home games. NDSP used a mix of plain-clothes and uniformed officers, Johnson told The Observer last September, and administered PBTs "to help decide whether or not [people] need to be in custody for their safety."
"NDSP will continue to work with other area police officials next weekend to help foster a family friendly environment in parking lots," Johnson said in the e-mail Monday. "Keep in mind that laws regarding the use of alcohol will be enforced and you are responsible for your conduct.
"Law enforcement officers will arrest underage drinkers on campus and at tailgate parties."
