When the game finished, it was time to load onto the buses and go to the stadium.
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The ABC intro music faded, and the picture showed the two announcers for the game.
“Can the heavy underdogs salvage a bowl bid and spoil the playoff dreams of their long-distance rival from South Bend? Tonight’s game is between the undefeated Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the USC Trojans.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Tom Clause, along with Brett Goodrich, and we are about to watch the longest intersectional rivalry in the country, dating back to 1926.
Brett, tell me why USC has a shot in this game,” Tom said.
“In terms of pressure, it’s all on the other side of the field.
“USC doesn’t have a College Football Playoff appearance coming, the UCLA loss was horrendous, and interim head coach Jason Merritt was fired because of it. But ruining Notre Dame’s CFP dream would make their season.
“For USC, it all starts with their defensive front. The Notre Dame offense is average, at best, so they need to put pressure on the Fighting Irish’s offensive line.
“Offensively, everything has been a struggle. Even when Matt Long has played well, it hasn’t translated into wins.
That’s why they’re starting David Dawson tonight. He hasn’t lost a game in his previous three appearances.
“What Dawson needs to worry about is Notre Dame’s secondary, which has been the strength of their team so far.
Dawson will have to avoid making key turnovers and focus on moving the chains if USC is to have a chance.
“He must try to play like there’s no pressure on his shoulders,” Brett said.
“And what about Notre Dame? What do they have to do to win?” Tom asked.
“There’s no need to get cute here; just run the ball. Last week, USC got hammered with the ground game as UCLA battered them with 313 rushing yards. It was the third 200-plus-yard rushing game USC has given up in the last five they’ve played.
“An even bigger problem for USC is they’re not generating enough takeaways. Let’s face it, if Notre Dame takes care of the ball and doesn’t turn it over, it will be a long night for the Trojans.
“On defense, the Fighting Irish must contain Dawson. In his first game against UNLV, he ran all over them. That’s the wild card in this game. But Notre Dame is not UNLV.
Their defense is packed with talented veterans who have shown they can handle a running quarterback,” Brett said.
“Everyone in the studio is predicting a Notre Dame blowout. What say you?” Tom asked.
“I have to agree. Notre Dame isn’t going to blow it now.
“Don’t be surprised when USC has a few big moments to make it seem like a miracle is possible, but the Irish defense has been too good. When teams turn the ball over, the Irish have a knack for taking those opportunities and making them pay for their mistake.
“Some people may criticize Notre Dame’s schedule, but the fact remains that they’re undefeated and just four quarters away from going to the College Football Playoff.
When the game is on the line, they’ll run the ball and take care of business,” Brett said.
“Final score?” Tom asked.
“35–10.”
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After warming up, David found himself throwing up in a trash can in the locker room.
“Fuck me! Tell me you’re not sick,” Coach Thomas said, worried.
“I’m fine. I get a nervous stomach before big games. The good news is that in high school, my teammates took it as a sign that I was about to lead them to victory,” David explained.
“I hope you’re right,” Coach Thomas said and then brought the team together. “I’m not going to give you some inspirational speech because you all know what’s on the line. A win, and we get to play in a bowl game. A loss and your season’s over.”
David couldn’t contain himself.
“Our season is not going to be over,” David said to interrupt.
Everyone turned to look at him, some curious as to why he broke into the coach’s pregame speech.
“Tonight is about us, right? We have an opportunity to play fast, to play hard, and to play together. We have a chance to put the football world on notice. USC, the
sleeping giant of college football, awakens. In front of a national television audience, we shock the world as we upset the number three team in the nation.
“I plan to do my part to make sure that happens. As the coaches always tell us, focus on your job, do it to the best of your ability, and good things will happen. I just want to know who else plans to do their job today? Who else wants to tell everyone that we will no longer be a losing team?
Who wants to set the table for things to come?” David asked.
“You heard the man,” Coach Thomas said.
The team loudly said that they agreed.
“Then let’s go out there and do it,” Coach Thomas said.
Willie gathered the offensive line, and they led the team to the field. An ABC TV guy held them up in the tunnel.
Over the PA system, they heard, “The USC Trojans take the field!” The TV guy stepped out of the way as Willie led the team out of the tunnel to the cheers of a packed house.
The USC marching band began to play Fight On as the team ran toward their sideline.
David took it all in. This was why he’d come to USC—to play in games that mattered, and this was a big one. If they could somehow upset number three Notre Dame, it would be a turning point for USC and give them something to build on for next year. It would put the football world on notice that the old USC was back, that they would be in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. Once there, David didn’t plan to leave until they won the National Championship.
It was all right there in front of him, and he had the vision to see their success today and in the future. Notre Dame was in for a long day, in his opinion.
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Up in the booth, Brett and Tom announced the game.
“David Dawson is more than just a quarterback. Let’s go to the sidelines to Kelly Ann Colman for an update,” Brett said.
The camera switched to Kelly Ann on the USC sideline.
“Thanks, Brett. David Dawson is also an actor who’s been featured in several films. At USC, he’s minoring in Film and had an assignment this week to do a documentary, which we’ll show you now.”
When the video was done, Kelly Ann followed up. “I talked to David about why he added the last part. He told me he wanted to share with high school players that college ball was much harder. That everyone on your team was once the star of their high school team, so you must find a way onto the field. He said it came down to doing what he called ‘winning football moves.’”
Brett was the color analyst and had been a quarterback in the NFL.
“I agree with what he’s saying. I think the hardest thing I had to learn was that I wasn’t going to win on talent alone; I had to put in the work in the weight room, the practice field, and the film room,” Brett said.
USC received the ball and ran it out to the twenty-two-yard line. David led his team out to start.
“Dawson is in the shotgun as Notre Dame brings up a safety who looks to be in a run blitz. He fakes the handoff and finds Callaway on a quick slant for an eight-yard gain,”
Tom said.