Not only were fans enthused, they were polite. BYU officials recently addressed its fans and studentbody, encouraging a show of good sportsmanship on all occasions. When the Irish took the field, there were no boos. When the Cougars arrived, it was almost like old times. A whole lot of love.

The Cougar band played the Notre Dame fight song well enough to make even a non-Irishman weep. Notre Dame apparel went on sale in the Cougar Den.

Not that BYU didn't have its own traditions. Before kickoff, members of the 1984 national championship team were introduced to an appreciative crowd. Then came the 2004 Cougars, down the tunnel and through a cloud of smoke.

At halftime, the national championship team was introduced again, and Edwards paid tribute to his team.

Talk about your ghosts.

It even worked. The Cougars went up 13-0 in the first half.

The defense gave the offense good field position nearly all night. Not even an injury to starting quarterback John Beck could break the spell.

Though the Irish drew within 20-10 in the third quarter, something was working in the Cougars' favor. Call it mysterious. Call it fateful. Call it LaVell. Early in the fourth quarter, in punt position, Matt Payne bobbled a bad snap. But he picked it up, sprinting toward the sidelines and kicking the ball, where it was downed on the Notre Dame 2.

But the biggest play was yet to come. On third down and eight from the BYU 25, Matt Berry connected with Todd Watkins for a 37-yard completion to end the suspense.

It was the right play at an opportune time.

Sound familiar?

Thus, after a turbulent off season, things were looking up for the Cougars at last.

No, it wasn't Joe Montana's Notre Dame the Cougars beat.

But this wasn't Robbie Bosco's BYU, either.

There are worse ways to begin than by beating a team so famous that everyone knows its fight song.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com