In sports, there’s nothing quite like a rematch. Especially when it follows a blowout loss, under the watchful eyes of your fans, alumni, and critics. On September 13, 2008, the Notre Dame football team had a chance to rewrite the story after a humbling 38–0 shutout at the hands of Michigan the year before. Armed with a renewed sense of purpose, a locker room full of underclassmen, and a few words of inspiration from former head coach Lou Holtz, the Irish took the field at Notre Dame Stadium not just to play—but to prove something.
From the opening whistle, Notre Dame made their intentions clear.