To Miami's Mike James, Notre Dame game is personal

By Tim Reynolds

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, Oct. 2 2012 4:30 p.m. MDT

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2012, file photo, Miami running back Mike James (5) runs against Bethune-Cookman defensive back Tim Burke (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Miami. The last time the Hurricanes played the Irish, his mother's funeral coincided with kickoff. James said Notre Dame didn't see his best that day _ but vows the Irish will when the teams meet in Chicago on Saturday.

Wilfredo Lee, File, Associated Press

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Summary

Miami running back Mike James will never forget the first time he got to play against Notre Dame. Not the date. Not the time. Not a single detail.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami running back Mike James will never forget the first time he got to play against Notre Dame. Not the date. Not the time. Not a single detail.

And that has nothing to do with football.

It was Dec. 31, 2010. The Hurricanes and Fighting Irish met in the Sun Bowl, a game that started simultaneously with the funeral for James' mother, Elgusta James, who died 11 days earlier in a car crash.

James went to the bowl game after family members convinced him that's what his mother would have wanted. Miami lost 33-17, and James had only 14 yards on four carries.

On Saturday night, Miami and ninth-ranked Notre Dame play in Chicago. James describes it as the "biggest game I've ever played," for obvious reasons.

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