SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- On Friday night, at about 6:45, left tackle Jordan Black stood before the Notre Dame student body. It was the first pep rally of the season and nearly 8,000 students were screaming to welcome Black and his teammates. Black, a senior, was momentarily taken aback by the scene.

"It's been a long time since I've seen this place so rowdy," he said.

The crowd erupted. It was the perfect union between team and the student body.

Saturday, at 3:44, it was time for the Notre Dame players to once again face the student body. Having witnessed the first game in person of the new era, a sloppy, albeit thrilling 24-17 victory, the students stood and chanted: "Here come the Irish!" The team and coaches made their way to them. But after trading blows with Purdue in 82 degrees, and humidity to boot, neither the player nor the coaches could match the enthusiasm of the screaming throng.

Running backs and special teams coach Buzz Preston normally beams, sporting an ear to ear grin and a perpetual sense of upbeatness. But on Saturday afternoon, the pleasant face was drenched by equal parts sweat and relief. His star pupil, Ryan Grant, carried the rock with a sense of urgency, but his punt team gave up a 76-yard return for a TD. Torn by the details of the game, but pleased with the bottom line, he offered his take: "Hey, anyway you can get it done," he said.

Grant was anything but relieved. Still in uniform, wearing eye black, Grant had the best game of his young career with 96 yards rushing. But after his unit failed for the second consecutive week to score a touchdown, he was in deep thought. Leaning against a wall, he could only shake his head. "We're just so close," he said.

Never one to wallow in anything but passion, optimism and ambition, Tyrone Willingham made a speedy transformation. As he left the field Willingham, like his players, wore the effects of the game in his body language. He still wore his usual placid expression, but the normally fast paced walk was a tad slower. But true to form, he didn't stay that way for long. As soon as he hit the podium, the quick wit was back. He was asked a question: "Coach, would you be pleased with the same kind of performance next week against Michigan?"

After his trademark half-smirk, he replied: "Is it the same outcome? Then that would be a yes."

Alan Grant is a senior reporter for ESPN The Magazine.