USC at Notre Dame: Taking in the sights

From 'Touchdown Jesus' to press-box fare, one reporter?s day in South Bend, Ind., to see the Trojans battle the Fighting Irish.

There it is: ?Touchdown Jesus.? You can see the top portion of the mural from inside Notre Dame Stadium. Click through the photos for more images from a game-day Saturday in South Bend, Ind.

TEXT AND PHOTO BY MICHAEL LEV, THE REGISTER

SOUTH BEND, Ind. ? This is what college football is all about.

Cool, crisp autumn air. Fall colors. Irresistible smell of barbecue. Classic college campus. Classic college rivalry.

They aren't the national-title-contending powers they once were, at least not at the moment, but USC and Notre Dame are still iconic names in college football. They still bring out the passion in their rabid fan bases. When they get together, whether here or at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, it's still the place to be.

One of the many perks of my job is that I get an all-expenses-paid trip to see those games and experience that environment.

The latest meeting came with a twist: It was Notre Dame's first nighttime kickoff since 1990.

What was it like being there?

CLICK THROUGH THE PHOTOS FOR A GUIDED TOUR OF THE NOTRE DAME CAMPUS ON GAME DAY AGAINST USC.

Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com

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