NOTRE DAME, Ind. --- It was a very long trip for the Rice Owls to the land of the Golden Domers but that didn't stop the faithful Owl fans from making the trek.

Many Rice fans were seen checking out the campus before the big game, some for their first time ever.

The Emberlys, who came all the way from Houston, Texas, the home of Rice University, were one of those couples checking out the campus for the first time. 

"It's been fantastic. We both went to small universities, so to be on a campus such as Notre Dame, it's beautiful and just excitement with the fans and there's just a huge turnout so we're just super excited," said Latonya Ellerby.

The Ellerbys say their son Emmanuel took the field today as a linebacker for the Owls.