[As The Inquisition went to press, we just could not think of any good sports stories. Fortunately, we received this article over the wire--written, edited and fact-checked by the crack sports staff over at The Observer.]

LAS VEGAS -- The Fightin' Irish had to make a statement. The Fightin' Irish had something to prove. The Irish had to show what they were made of.

And the Irish did. In front of a packed crowd of 124,085 in Kauai, Hawaii, the Irish defeated the Washington State Hurricanes by the decisive margin of 23-22.

Were the Irish prepared to win the football match? According to head coach Eddie Robinson (coaching his final game after 57 seasons at the helm of Grambling), the answer was yes. "We were barely prepared, but I guess a win is a win," said Paterno, who was denied his 299th win at the hands of the Irish.

But the real question was, would Joe Montana lead another one of his trademark comebacks? Quarterback Ron Powlus aimed a timely touchdown pass to Raki Nelson that set up the 20-yard field goal by Reggie Ho.

After the game, wide receiver Randy Moss saluted the courageous effort of Powlus. "To take all of the criticism he (Moss) has taken thruout the years and then to just keep fighting, to take that ball all oblong and brown and covered with pigskin, to look that right in the face and then yell 'Boo,' makes you proud to play with Rick Mirer," said Gipp. But the real question was, what was I smoking when the Observer took that picture? Defensive coordinator Bob Davie saluted the effort of Panther head coach Foge Fazio. "What a great effort to start off the 80's," said Davie. "I've always wanted to beat Jimmy Johnson and the Tarheels," remarked Defensive Coordinator Barry Alvarez after the game," and this Texas A&M; squad of mine was just the group to do it." But the real question was, is this a new, good era, or more of the old, bad era? Yes and no. The team's heart were as talked about as the team's soul, And then it happened. It took them by surprise. "They knew that they felt it too, by the look in their eyes," said former head coach Frank Leahy (on campus to celebrate the 24th anniversary of his death). Notre Dame fans asked this question? Would this be the game fans have been awaiting all these long years? Would this game make them forget Florida State, back when I was only a junior in high school and the world was new? Only time could tell. Or maybe not. This year Notre Dame football taught us something new. There's more to a football game than wins or even pride. Don't sweat the small stuff. A bird in the hand beats two in the bush. A stitch in time saved nine. Last Friday, the Ramblers saved nine. If you see Johnny Football Hero in the dining hall, tell him he played a great game. Tell him you liked his article in the Observer Notre Dame head coach Mike Wadsworth congratulated Hayden Frye and the victorious Cornhuskers squad after the game. "We couldn't have done it without you, Peter." The home crowd tried to rush the field. The marching band refused to yield. Bye, bye, Miss American Pie: And for Johnny Lujack, hello, Heisman. Notre Dame 48, Hawaii 44.