Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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the fifth quarter lou somogyi A Spirit That Must Keep Its Fire D uring Alabama's 42-14 rout of Notre Dame for the national title, it was easy to get caught up in the physical. The size, the strength, the speed were all tangible evidence of Alabama's football superiority. Still, there are plenty of programs with all of the above that find ways to consistently lose (see USC, 2012, or even Notre Dame to lesser foes in recent years). Leadership, With the game well in hand in the fourth quarter, a heated exchange chemistry and other in- between All-American center Barrett Jones and quarterback AJ tangibles have to be as- McCarron demonstrated Alabama's competitive fire and drive for persessed, too. fection — something the Irish need to emulate. photo by bill panzica Nothing manifested better why the Crimson Tide have a all three? Soon-to-be millionaire Jones dynasty — with no end in sight — was about to get his third national title than an intangible moment with 7:03 at his third different position. McCarleft and Alabama possessing a four- ron was about to become the first QB touchdown lead. to lead his team to back-to-back chamWith All-American center Barrett pionships in the BCS era and would Jones making calls for the line and have Miss Alabama waiting for him quarterback AJ McCarron making in a few minutes. Saban was about to different reads for a quick snap, Mc- join the elite company of Frank Leahy, Carron called a timeout and got into Bear Bryant and John McKay as the a heated exchange with Jones, his only four-time national title winners in roommate, prompting a shove from major college football history … Jones. Seconds later, Alabama head Yet all that was on their minds was coach Nick Saban raged at an official the current situation, a focus strictly about the delay of game penalty that on the here and now, and what you resulted from the exchange. can control. Think about it: How much better "We're both perfectionists," Jones could life have been at that time for said in the postgame celebration, long