The Cardiac Irish of Notre Dame

Usually the off week in the Notre Dame football season is one of boredom. Anxiously awaiting the next kick-off, starving for the tension and excitement that only a college football game can bring.

This week, however I just needed the rest.

The Notre Dame football team has certainly made fall interesting, and probably life-threatening for many Irish fans.

In fact, from this point on, the games should come with a disclaimer that viewers in poor health, those who are elderly, or have a heart condition would best avert their eyes.

Because the game is going to be close.

Over the first five weeks, Notre Dame has managed to see four games come down to the final play. Following a 35-0 cakewalk to open the season vs. Nevada, the Cardiac Irish arrived.

Solid on offense and a sieve on defense against Michigan and Michigan State, Notre Dame dropped a heart-breaker to the Wolverines with only 11 seconds left and needed an overthrow followed by an interception to prevent a second straight upset loss.

An injury to quarterback Jimmy Clausen allowed Purdue to hold a lead over the Irish until Clausen (like Lazarus) rose from the dead to lead a late touchdown drive and preserve the Irish season.

Still, the best was yet to come as furious finish against Washington reigns supreme so far this year.

Unable to cross the goal line in three of four first half red-zone trips and giving up a backwards-pass return for a touchdown, Notre Dame went into the half trailing 17-16.

After the Irish regained the lead in the third quarter, Washington quickly recaptured the advantage to enter the final stanza leading 24-19.

Following an Irish field goal to draw closer, the Huskies marched the field and were poised to deliver a knock-out blow, gaining a first-and-goal inside the Notre Dame 5 yard line.

The soft-all-day Notre Dame defense holds on three straight runs only to be flagged for an odd "roughing the center" penalty despite the fact that the center had blocked down to his right and was still standing at the play's end.

Unbelievably, the defense held again on three straight snaps from inside the one yard line and prevented a two-score advantage with only three minutes to play.

Trailing 27-22 following a Washington drive that took more than nine minutes off the clock, Clausen for the fourth consecutive week had to lead the Irish to a potential game-winning touchdown.

For the fourth consecutive week, he delivered, marching Notre Dame 63 yards in 1:44 and finding Kyle Rudolph for the second straight week. A questionable two-point conversion drive by Robert Hughes gave an all-important three-point advantage.

Irish lead 30-27.

For longtime Irish fans, a dreadful sight appeared on the scoreboard clock following the kick-off.

In 1993 Kevin McDougal led a furious comeback of his own to gain a 39-38 advantage on an upset-minded Boston College team, leaving 1:09. Boston College drained the clock en route to a deciding field goal to win 41-39 and knock the No. 1 Irish out of the National Championship.

A chill shot up the spine of anyone at that game, as the Huskies began their final drive. The Jake Locker-driven Huskies tore through the Notre Dame defense and split the uprights with :06 remaining to tie the score.

Notre Dame moved quickly into scoring position following a 22-yard catch by Golden Tate to open overtime, and needed only one more play to score the go-ahead touchdown.

The Washington attempt ended with a bone-jarring hit by Kyle McCarthy to separate ball from receiver and after eight lead changes, the Irish emerged victorious.

A collective deep breath taken by Domer Nation, many nitroglycerin tablets and Aspirin pills dissolved as the faithful collected themselves.

For a fan base, never has an off week been so appreciated.

For next come back-to-back games against No. 5 USC and always-tough Boston College. Back-to-back games that hold deeper meaning that wins and losses.

Win both, and the current No. 25 ranking raises much higher.

Win both and many questions about the direction of the program feel answered.

Win both and the Irish will be 6-1 heading into 4 "should win" contests.

Win both and the Irish beat two teams with winning records and one top ten opponent.

Lose and dark clouds continue to swirl around the Golden Dome, leaving lingering doubts that will no doubt make blood pressures in and around South Bend much higher.

With no more scheduled off weeks to catch our collective breath, I'm just not sure that it's safe.

Still, it will be fun!