SOUTH BEND Ind. Out of the tunnel they came under leaden skies Saturday happy for the chance to end maybe the longest one game losing streak in Notre Dame history. The last man on the field was linebacker Prince Shembo toting a javelin like totem with a shamrock affixed to one end.
The senior hopped into the air then purposefully thrust the spike into the end zone.
It immediately tipped over and flopped to the grass.
Related VOTE Who had most impressive win Saturday Kelly signs with ND through 2017 Photos Notre Dame beats Temple NIU field goal in final seconds edges Iowa Wildcats take down Cal behind Ellis Siemian See more stories Maps Notre Dame Stadium University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USASo no not everything went to according to plan even as the day moved inexorably to the No. 14 Irish's 28 6 victory over middling Temple. It was emphatic enough even if it got there the hard way a decent way to palate cleanse at last following January's national title game defeat.
It's a strong start receiver TJ Jones said. As a whole we showed we can be great this year and we're definitely on the right pace.
The offense was all right indeed once again behind Tommy Rees amassing 543 yards overall. Of that 346 was Rees' career best passing total including three touchdown tosses. The defense surrendered just its 14th rushing touchdown in 31 games but held Temple to that one score in three red zone trips.
But the offense produced two Rees to DaVaris Daniels touchdowns in the first five minutes and couldn't nearly match that efficiency thereafter. It didn't help that kickers Nick Tausch and Kyle Brindza botched one field goal attempt apiece. And the defense was responsible for seven of nine penalties on the day.
We always talk about starting fast said Rees who also hooked up with Troy Niklas on a 66 yard score. We kind of slipped up there a little bit in the second quarter. We had some missed opportunities. But I'm really proud of the way the guys kept chugging along. We kept moving forward and it worked out.
Coach Brian Kelly ideally wanted a clean opener. First the Irish coach this week signed a new contract through 2017 announced after the victory. Then he got a little cleaning up to do before a demanding September arrives.
To win at the BCS level you have to take care of the football Kelly said. We took care of it. You have to keep the points down on defense. We continue to do that.
A lot of good things happened and we'll look to build on that. We're going to have to play better in all phases against Michigan next week but we're going to enjoy this victory.
Maybe spottiness was predictable. Just enough pieces returned from 2012 to supercharge expectations and just enough newness existed to preempt utter domination in all facets from the jump.
Notre Dame is on a winning streak again. If and when it ends is anyone's guess after Saturday.
There are obviously things to be corrected safety Matthias Farley said but to come out that way is very encouraging.
bchamilton tribune.com
Twitter ChiTribHamilton
Twitter ChiTribHamilton
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