MIAMI — Four years ago, Notre Dame’s freshman class used to gather in a dorm room in South Bend, Ind., and dream improbable dreams. Last night, the dream was shattered by an Alabama Slammer.
The Fighting Irish seniors, led by star linebacker Manti Te’o, were hoping to leave their legacy by winning the school’s first national championship since 1988. After a 42-14 beatdown, they can only hope to have set new expectations for Notre Dame football.
“It definitely sucks, to be quite honest,’’ Te’o said. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I wouldn’t trade this team for anything. Obviously, I wish the night could have ended in a different way, but my career, my year, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.’’
Te’o won seven postseason awards and came in second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. He had chosen Notre Dame over USC in an 11th hour decision that stunned everyone, including his parents. When he visited Notre Dame, the Irish were upset by Syracuse and fans threw snowballs at the players.
But he came from Hawaii and brought a dream with him. He led his high school, Punahou, to its first state title in 118 years and thought he could do the same at Notre Dame, which hadn’t won a title since 1988.
“We were all bragging about how we were the best class and everyone says they’re the best class to come to Notre Dame and we’re saying we’re going to lead the school to the national championship,’’ Te’o said earlier this week. “Back then it was kind of all just talk. I was saying it but I was like, ‘I don’t know if we’re even ever going to make it.’
“The conversations that were the most powerful were the conversations that I had with my teammates when I would text them as I’m watching Alabama play Texas, then as I’m watching Auburn play Oregon, then Alabama playing last year against LSU. The conversations I had with them saying, ‘Man, we got to make it to one of these. You know I don’t want to be sitting in my living room and watching other people play in the national championship.’ ”
But last night, the Irish (12-1) essentially were reduced to spectators. They trailed 28-0 at halftime as Alabama rolled up 309 yards in total offense. Te’o finished with 10 tackles, but was never a factor.
“We’re close but obviously we’re not there yet,’’ said Te’o. “If we were there, we’d be holding that crystal ball.’’