There was a lot of hype surrounding today's Notre Dame-Stanford matchup, especially because ESPN's popular pregame "College GameDay" show was live on campus this morning.
The show, which highlights a different college game each Saturday, was set up in-front of the Hesburgh Library near the stadium.
People started camping out near the set on Thursday.
By showtime more than 500 Irish students and fans showed up to be a part of the GameDay experience.
For 28 hours, since Thursday night, Notre Dame junior Kristian Hila waited outside in the cold and rain to be one of 300 fans allowed into the exclusive "pit" area behind ESPN's College GameDay set.
"We thought it would be one of those lifetime opportunities to enjoy the experience, College GameDay doesn't come around often," said Hila.
In fact, the last time the show was at Notre Dame was 2005.
Hundreds more fans lined up outside the "Pit" area still hoping to get their chance at 15 seconds of fame.
"They'll be able to see us from here. We got here at 7 o'clock yesterday evening camping out."
And what did these overly excited fans do while they waited all night for the show to start?
"We threw the football, played some board games and slept," said Anibal Torres, a freshman at Notre Dame.
Darby Mountford and her friends camped out since Friday, with someone saving their spot, while everyone took turns going to class and getting something to eat.
"We had some snacks, played music and hung out and made signs."
"What's your sign say?" asked WSBT Reporter Denise Bohn.
"We heart Manti," responded Darby with a big smile.
ESPN showed a poignant tribute to Manti Teo during the program, touching on his remarkable strength and poise this season after losing his grandmother and girlfriend on the same day, just prior to the Notre Dame-MSU game.
Behind the GameDay set, fans held hundreds of signs, many funny, like one that showed former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, turned sports commentator, with a golden crown on his head. Others were clever like one that read "I haven't showered since the last time Notre Dame gave up a touchdown.” Most took jabs at Stanford, with one large sign saying, "If a Tree Falls in a Forest Is It Still Relevant?" The "s" in “Falls” was a Standford logo and the "n" in “Relevant” the Notre Dame logo.
The “Tree” is in reference to Notre Dame running back Cierra Wood.
And when the camera's finally started rolling, and the ESPN talent including Desmond Howard, took the stage, the fans went wild.
Especially Hila, who got a front row spot to see all the GameDay action.
"It feels awesome! The energy is really exciting, even though we've been out here for so long," said Hila, who plans on taking a nap Saturday afternoon before the game starts.
This is the 8th time at ESPN has had their College GameDay program live here at Notre Dame and fans hope it's not the last. They say it's one of the largest turnouts they've ever seen.
The show, which highlights a different college game each Saturday, was set up in-front of the Hesburgh Library near the stadium.
People started camping out near the set on Thursday.
By showtime more than 500 Irish students and fans showed up to be a part of the GameDay experience.
For 28 hours, since Thursday night, Notre Dame junior Kristian Hila waited outside in the cold and rain to be one of 300 fans allowed into the exclusive "pit" area behind ESPN's College GameDay set.
"We thought it would be one of those lifetime opportunities to enjoy the experience, College GameDay doesn't come around often," said Hila.
In fact, the last time the show was at Notre Dame was 2005.
Hundreds more fans lined up outside the "Pit" area still hoping to get their chance at 15 seconds of fame.
"They'll be able to see us from here. We got here at 7 o'clock yesterday evening camping out."
And what did these overly excited fans do while they waited all night for the show to start?
"We threw the football, played some board games and slept," said Anibal Torres, a freshman at Notre Dame.
Darby Mountford and her friends camped out since Friday, with someone saving their spot, while everyone took turns going to class and getting something to eat.
"We had some snacks, played music and hung out and made signs."
"What's your sign say?" asked WSBT Reporter Denise Bohn.
"We heart Manti," responded Darby with a big smile.
ESPN showed a poignant tribute to Manti Teo during the program, touching on his remarkable strength and poise this season after losing his grandmother and girlfriend on the same day, just prior to the Notre Dame-MSU game.
Behind the GameDay set, fans held hundreds of signs, many funny, like one that showed former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, turned sports commentator, with a golden crown on his head. Others were clever like one that read "I haven't showered since the last time Notre Dame gave up a touchdown.” Most took jabs at Stanford, with one large sign saying, "If a Tree Falls in a Forest Is It Still Relevant?" The "s" in “Falls” was a Standford logo and the "n" in “Relevant” the Notre Dame logo.
The “Tree” is in reference to Notre Dame running back Cierra Wood.
And when the camera's finally started rolling, and the ESPN talent including Desmond Howard, took the stage, the fans went wild.
Especially Hila, who got a front row spot to see all the GameDay action.
"It feels awesome! The energy is really exciting, even though we've been out here for so long," said Hila, who plans on taking a nap Saturday afternoon before the game starts.
This is the 8th time at ESPN has had their College GameDay program live here at Notre Dame and fans hope it's not the last. They say it's one of the largest turnouts they've ever seen.
