SOUTH BEND — Local pubs are filling seats during the economic downturn, but owners say big wins on Notre Dame Saturdays make it easier.

The Notre Dame-Boston College game was on at Between the Buns and the crowd cheered the Fighting Irish on.

Over brews and the big screen, Mishawaka High School's class of 2000 reunited for a 10-year reunion.

"We're just getting together, seeing each other and having a good time," said Jay Phillips.

There was plenty of talk about their lives, exciting changes and the home team.

"They're playing their hearts out," said Phillips. "Jimmy Clausen is the man."

But after down-to-the-second cliff hangers and losses to two big rivals, life-long fan Winfield Chester wanted a victory.

"The season is going," Chester said. "Not bad but not phenomenally good."

Businesses want a victory also.

"There performance certainly dictates our business," said Jeff Morauski, owner and operator of Between the Buns on State Route 23.

As crowds watched the game, Morauski noticed it's busy this season, but previous years were a different story.

"Last year, two years ago were very rough," he said.

Then, there's the effects from the economic downturn.

Football fans at Linebacker say while it is crowded, they've noticed more empty spaces than usual.

Management from Linebacker says with so many people cutting back, Saturday game day is just one escape that's even better with a victory.