SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame plays its last regular-season home game Saturday against Syracuse. But for the senior players, it’s so much more than just another matchup. It’s potentially their final time running out of the tunnel in front of the home crowd.
This week, I spoke with several seniors, and you could feel the emotion. The disbelief that this could really be it. The last time wearing the blue and gold at Notre Dame Stadium.
In total, 23 seniors will be recognized on Saturday. Some of the notable names include:
- Devonta Smith (CB)
- Jalen Stroman (S)
- Tyler Buchner (WR/QB)
- James Rendel (P)
Defensive linemen:
- Jason Onye
- Jordon Botelho
- Jared Dawson
- Gabe Rubio
Saturday will be emotional. For some, it could be their final snap inside Notre Dame Stadium. And with NFL draft decisions still ahead for a few juniors and no guarantee of a home playoff game, this might even be the last time fans see a Jeremiyah Love touchdown in South Bend.
But players told me — this isn’t a goodbye. It’s a handoff. A passing of the standard to the next generation of Fighting Irish.