Frank Fleming's Golden Night
Frank Fleming had been a Notre Dame fan for as long as he could remember. Growing up in South Bend, Indiana, he was baptized into the Church of Touchdown Jesus and had faithfully followed the Fighting Irish through their triumphs and heartbreaks. On this chilly December night, Frank found himself in a state of nervous anticipation. Notre Dame was squaring off against Penn State in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, and the stakes couldn’t be higher—a win meant a trip to the national championship.
Frank had turned his living room into a shrine to the Irish. His green and gold jersey, a relic from the Lou Holtz era, was draped over his chest like armor. His Notre Dame pennant hung above the TV, and a bowl of pretzels sat untouched as his nerves robbed him of an appetite.
The game had been a rollercoaster from the start. Penn State jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, and Frank’s heart sank as he muttered, “Not again.” But Notre Dame clawed back. By halftime, the score was tied at 17-17, thanks to a spectacular pick-six by their star cornerback and a perfectly executed two-minute drill by their young quarterback.
As the second half unfolded, the tension only grew. Every play felt like a life-or-death moment. With five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Penn State broke the tie with a 60-yard bomb that left Frank clutching his head in despair. But Notre Dame wasn’t done. The Irish mounted a methodical drive, mixing power runs and precision passes to march down the field. With 30 seconds left, their quarterback found a receiver in the corner of the end zone to tie the game at 24-24.
Frank was on his feet now, pacing back and forth, his eyes glued to the screen. Penn State tried to mount a quick drive, but Notre Dame’s defense held strong, forcing a punt with 10 seconds left. That’s when it happened—a brilliant punt return to Penn State’s 35-yard line, setting up a chance for a game-winning field goal.
Notre Dame’s kicker, a freshman with ice in his veins, jogged onto the field. The stadium noise on TV was deafening, but Frank could only hear the pounding of his own heart. As the ball was snapped, the hold was clean, and the kick sailed through the air like a prayer.
The ball split the uprights as time expired. Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24.
Frank erupted, leaping off his couch and shouting at the top of his lungs, “YES! YES! WE’RE GOING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!” His neighbors, also Notre Dame fans, could hear his shouts echoing down the street.
He grabbed his old Notre Dame flag, ran outside, and waved it triumphantly in the cold night air. A few neighbors joined him, cheering and singing the Notre Dame Victory March. For Frank, this wasn’t just a game; it was a validation of years of loyalty and belief.
As he finally settled down, he looked at the TV, where the players were celebrating on the field. “One more game,” he whispered to himself, already dreaming of the championship. For now, though, he soaked in the glory of an unforgettable win, knowing this was a night
he’d never forget.