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✦ TOP STORYLINES: NOTRE DAME VS. WFU BY LOU SOMOGYI SWAN SONG Emotions will be running high on Senior Day, especially for All-American line- backer Manti Te'o, who has been the gal- vanizing force as a leader and performer in one of the more memorable "Where did that come?" seasons in Notre Dame football annals. Last Dec. 11, Te'o announced that he would bypass a seven-figure contract in the NFL because he said no price could be put on running out from the Notre Dame tunnel one final time on Senior Day to honor his parents. He was moved during last year's Football Awards Show that in- cluded the parents of the seniors on video talking about the joy and pride of seeing their sons make it through four or five seasons at Notre Dame. In an interview with the Chicago Tri- bune, Te'o's father, Brian, said he had recommended to his son to turn pro, but was extremely moved by his response that money is not his driving force. "More than anything, he wanted to walk around that stadium one last time, whether it was in pads or on crutches," Brian Te'o said. "He said he would walk and give his final goodbyes. He couldn't see him- self declaring for the NFL and not having that opportunity to say goodbye to Notre Dame. From listening to him … that boy truly loves Notre Dame." The younger Te'o said he was in deep prayer in the days prior to the decision. "For me to leave my junior year would mean I'm not finishing something," he said. "I came here to do something. I don't really know what that is, but I know it was the right thing to come back." In his first game at Notre Dame, Te'o saw the Fighting Irish record a 35-0 shut- out of Nevada to open the 2009 season. A shutout is always difficult to achieve, All-American linebacker Manti Te'o passed on a chance to play in the NFL, despite his father's recommendation, and returned to Notre Dame for his senior season. PHOTO BY MIKE BENNETT/LIGHTHOUSE IMAGING ✦ PAGE 8