Benched

Chapter 6: first D1 game

It was my first D1 college football game. We were in South Bend to play the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. "Here come the Irish!" The announcer said and the fans, a majority of them Notre Dame fans, cheered loud. Stanford went out next, with a few cheers from our fans who traveled halfway across the country. I walked out to midfield for the coin toss. 4 huge Notre Dame players in dark blue jerseys walked towards us. I looked up at one with the number 13. "I'm better than you. We're gonna go right through y'all" I growled at him. Another guy with the number 99 said, "you really think you can handle us?"  "Alright, break it up," the referee said.

Stanford elected to receive the ball. "Blue 80! Blue 80! Hut" I yelled. A Notre Dame defender came flying and hit me from behind. I didn't even know he was coming. I slapped my helmet. I had gotten sacked. 2 and 17. We lined up again. Just as I released the ball, I got hit hard by two linebackers. The pass was incomplete. "Call roughing the passer!" I yelled at the referee. He didn't do it. "Whatever," I mumbled. Running back Peyton got the ball but only for a short gain. I walked over to the bench and sat down as the punting unit went on the field. The punt sailed high into the air and was caught and returned a good number of yards. That same guy who I got heated with went out to the field. He was the Notre Dame quarterback. "Green 19! Hut!" He hit number 88 for a first down. They were moving downfield fast. The running back ran into the end zone for a touchdown. "Touchdown Irish!" The announcer said. The stadium went wild. The extra point was good. It was 7-0 Notre Dame. On our next drive, I threw a pass intended for Luke but a Notre Dame safety leaped in front of him. Interception. I grew more frustrated. The possibility of being replaced by our backup quarterback, Tanner, was growing. Notre Dame scored again by a wide open catch by another running back.  14-0. We faced a 4th down. I was sure we would convert. I kept it but was swarmed by this Notre Dame defense. They kicked a field goal for a 17-0 lead. It was the end of the first quarter. Coach was growing frustrated with me. I heard him telling Tanner that he should warm up. 'Why do I keep getting replaced by boys?' I wondered. The second quarter started and we finally scored a couple of touchdowns for a 17-14 game. Notre Dame scored again on a pick six. I ran trying to tackle him but was thrown hard on a block. The teams traded scores. By halftime it was 24-17 Notre Dame. I threw two more Interceptions in the third quarter and Notre Dame scored on both of them. Stanford had the ball. I ran but was pounded by a defensive end. The next play, I was sacked again. Coach Davis finally had enough. He called a timeout and told me I was done. I was so mad. Why are all the boys suddenly better than me? I clenched my fists as Tanner threw a touchdown to Chase. "Nice job son," Coach said to Tanner. He smiled. The final score was 38-24 Notre Dame. I walked silently into the locker room to change and go back to the hotel.

News articles about the game were everywhere. "Emma Clark throws 4 interceptions, gets sacked 10 times in first D1 game. Two picks, one returned for a touchdown, by star safety, reigning DPOY, and NFL prospect Xavier Watts, one by his fellow star Benjamin Morrison and the 4th by rising young player Christian Gray. Defensive linemen Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III led the way, both racking up 3 tackles for losses, 4 solo, and 3 sacks. Fellow linemen RJ Oben also racked up 3 sacks. Linebacker Jack  Kiser added the final one. On offense, quarterback Riley Leonard had a great night, going 17-23, 254 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tight end Mitchell Evans, returning from a season ending injury, showed everyone that he is stronger than ever. Running back Jadarian Price ran all over: 112 yards and a touchdown. Fellow running Jeremiyah Love added a rushing touchdown of his own. Wide receiver Jaden Greathouse lived up to his name, catching 8 passes for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. The speedy Kris Mitchell scored his first Notre Dame touchdown. Emma and her defense said she could handle them. Well they certainly proved her wrong." One article said. The next morning, we flew back to California.