Michael Jackson, Staff Writer

The 12-0 undefeated season that began in the Emerald Isle Classic September 1, 2012 was obviously going to be a part of this “Permission to Laugh.”  So if you are not interested in hearing about it some more, I don’t really care. During this past Thanksgiving Day weekend, I thought of the many things for which I am thankful. At the top of the list of people I am thankful for there are two individuals to whom I will be sending early Christmas presents. First, there is short-snapper David Murphy, and second there is placekicker Kevin Harper. This dynamic duo (in conjunction with the holder who actually did his job) delivered the kick that hung up in the air for what seemed to be forever during OT number 2 of the November 3 game against Pittsburgh. You three were looking to carbon copy the 1993 Boston College game winner about which I will say nothing further.

I am also quite thankful for the Notre Dame band, and in particular the lovely saxophone section. I cannot imagine what it would have felt like to watch some horrid football seasons like 2007, 2008, and 2009 without the laughter and family of the 380-strong Notre Dame band to make you not care so much. I never would have predicted that my desperate attempts to play a B flat major scale on the first day of sixth grade would have led to being a part of some killer halftime shows at some amazing venues, perhaps the best of which was Yankee Stadium in 2010. And to get to play that saxophone like saxophone superstar Sergio Flores just one more time on January 7, 2013, while wearing that blue and gold uniform is something for which I am extra thankful.  And of course, I must acknowledge Ken Dye for correctly predicting that we would play the victory Clog at every game this season.

All right, now let’s get to some more serious business. Never mind, who am I kidding? This is way too much fun and there’s no telling when the next set of student journalists (I use the term very loosely) will be able to fill the campus tabloids with tales of an undefeated season. Seriously, if you were alive for the 1988 championship season you have to be something like a quarter of a century old. Hopefully it does not take another 25 years to throw up that zero after the dash. And before I leave you with the item of business I would just like to state how much I enjoyed seeing Mark May in a leprechaun suit and how much more we have all enjoyed making Rick Reilly eat his words. And now for a message from this history books:

In 1987, The Irish beat Michigan State at home by scoring 31 points.
In 2011, the Irish beat Michigan State at home by scoring 31 points.

In 1987, The Irish finished the season with 8 wins.
In 2011, the Irish finished the season with 8 wins.

In 1987, The Irish lost their bowl game, a game they lead early on.
In 2011, the Irish lost their bowl game, a game they lead early on.

In 1987, the Irish lost their all-time leading receiver to graduation.
In 2011, the Irish lost their all-time leading receiver to graduation.

In 1988, the Irish beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3.
In 2012, the Irish beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3.

In 1988, the quarterback from ND was starting his 3rd career game against Michigan State.
In 2012, the quarterback from ND was starting his 3rd career game against Michigan State.

The starting quarterback from ND in 1988 was from South Carolina.
The starting quarterback from ND in 2012 is from South Carolina.

The coach of that 1988 team was in his third season as head coach.
The coach of the 2012 team is in his third season as head coach.

Both teams had at least one important player from the state of Hawaii (Te’o, Ho).

In 1988, after 3 games the Irish had scored 90 points.
In 2012 after 3 games the Irish have scored 90 points.

The 1988 team had given up 30 points in three games.
The 2012 team has given up 30.

Lou Holtz’s record after 29 games, 19-10.
Brian Kelly’s record after 29 games, 19-10.

The 1988 team beat one ranked team in the first three games–ranked 10th.
The 2012 team has beaten one ranked team in the first three games–ranked 10th

The Irish won in 1988…time to do it again in 2012! And if the Mayans are right, the world will end with Our Lady’s team on top.

Michael Jackson is fortunate to be a fifth-year senior in the Reilly Dual Degree program, and his friends from the Class of 2012 hate him for getting to stay for this football season. uNDefeated!