Blue and Gold Illustrated

Sept. 9, 2013 Issue

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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under the DOME By Lou Somogyi P erforming much better in home games has been a priority under head coach Brian Kelly. From 2007-11, Notre Dame was a pedestrian 17‑16 at home. Finally, last year, Notre Dame finished unbeaten at home (6‑0) for the first time since 1998, and only the second time since 1990. Even during the glory years under Lou Holtz from 1988‑93, Notre Dame had a better record on the road (34‑4, .895) than at home (30‑5‑1, .847). The frustration of home losses to teams such as 2-8 Syracuse in 2008, Navy and Connecticut in 2009, Tulsa in 2010 and South Florida in 2011, among many others, led to a lot of introspection by Kelly and Notre Dame's hierarchy on what steps can be taken to enhance optimum performance at home. Inside Notre Dame Stadium, some of the changes included add- Mass Deployment Team's pregame service moved to Friday In order to give his team the best possible chance of victory on Saturdays, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has tweaked some pregame rituals since joining the program in December 2009. Photo courtesy notre dame media relations ing recorded music over the loudspeakers to keep the atmosphere livelier, or even adding night games for the first time since 1990. Outside the edifice, tweaks in the Friday luncheons, pep rallies or having "down time" before the game, etc., were gradually implemented. Last year, instead of having the team walk over to Notre Dame Stadium after the private Mass

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