‘Highest of highs.’ How a Notre Dame football walk-on scored a touchdown in his last game

SOUTH BEND — Chase Ketterer knew he had one shot at the perfect ending.

Going in for his first play of the game in the waning moments of Notre Dame’s 40-8 Sun Bowl win over Oregon State in El Paso, Texas last Friday, the walk-on Notre Dame football running back from nearby New Carlisle, Ind. heard the play call in the huddle. He was taking the handoff.

Ketterer had one thing on his mind.

“There’s no way this is going to be my final play at Notre Dame,” Ketterer said, “and I’m not going to score.”

Commentary: Notre Dame football made this season and next matter in the Sun Bowl

Ketterer wouldn’t be denied.

In his last game for the Fighting Irish, the senior scored his lone career touchdown, a 6-yard burst to cap Notre Dame’s impressive win and his determined football career.

On the surface, it was just a late-game touchdown scored by a third-stringer. For Ketterer it was much more.

“I was saying to my parents that 40 years down the line, I might not remember the touchdown, but I’m going to remember everything that happened right after it,” Ketterer said. “The brotherhood is just awesome, and having those guys there for me and being so happy in that moment was awesome.”

As soon as Ketterer crossed the goal line with 2:45 left in the game, the celebration began. As he laid on the ground, offensive lineman Sam Pendleton screamed in his face. Once Ketterer stood up, the nine other players on the field mobbed him.

“Chase did his thing; I’m super proud of him,” fellow running back Jadarian Price said. “He was super excited. He couldn’t even do his celebration because everyone was mobbing him. It was awesome to see everyone excited and see a brother succeed.”

Ketterer said he planned on flashing the “WOPU” hand signal after he scored, which stands for the Walk-on Players Union.

“Honestly, even…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/highest-highs-notre-dame-football-090156894.html

Author : South Bend Tribune

Publish date : 2024-01-05 09:01:56

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