OK, two things wrong with this picture. Even though Saturday was my day off, I missed the Badgers homecoming (sorry Barry and the alma mater.) And two, I'm a self-proclaimed Notre Dame hater.
But when good friend, good guy and Domer promoter Phil Wittliff called me way back in April and said "I have tickets to the SC game..." I knew I had to answer the call. The former Mr. Admiral, you see, played hockey on the first ever NCAA-sanctioned hockey team at ND, when it was promoted from a club sport....and also played football. The only thing that stopped him from seeing the field under center? First Heisman trophy hopeful Terry Hanratty, and then a guy by the name of Joe Theismann. If you don't believe me, look in OJ's book (ok, not the "If I Was the Killer" fiasco, it's his autobiography) and you'll see a young Phil prominently behind the OJ and Hanratty himself.
So the first photo is of me, imitating Touchdown Jesus. I have no idea if this is blasphemous, I'm not Catholic, but Father forgive me if I have sinned. I was just trying to see who would be raising their arms more like that as the day went on.
Now my next admission. Gasp, I actually cheered for Notre Dame! Truth is, when I was a kid...I was a little warped. I didn't like the predominant powers. Didn't like the Steelers. Hated the Yankees. And couldn't stand USC. So I made a pact with Phil that I would root for his Irish....as opposed to the first time I went to an ND game, when I trashed talked to him all first half as Georgia Tech led 19-3 at the half, and wisely shut up when they built a 23 point lead on the way to a 33-3 shellacking of Notre Dame.
So we were in the opposite end zone for the thrilling final seconds. Down 7, Notre Dame had 3 chances to score inside the 10. And they couldn't get it done. The better team won, but the Fighting Irish as their nickname states....did put up a fight coming back from 20 down. 
And hey, two other guests of Phil, Dennis Klumb and his son Griffin....showed up in SC gear! They lived in So Cal for 10 years and became fans...but hey Phil, at least this time I was on your side!
Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com
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