Fighting Irish win battle of the fans

Fighting Irish win battle of the fans describes the atmosphere surrounding Notre Dame’s matchup in Miami at Sun Life Stadium and how fans, celebrities, and media figures drew attention to the game. Parking lots opened at 1:30 p.m. for country artist Luke Bryan’s concert and were nearly full by 4:30 p.m., while Porta-John lines stretched for hundreds of people. Outside the stadium, ticket prices reportedly ran around $800–$1,000, while the average online price was $1,899, down from a Dec. 1 average of $2,975, according to TiqIq.com. The article notes Irish fan Bruce Callahan of Coloma, Michigan, who said he missed two home games since 1970 and described helping others as part of a “social experiment.” It also highlights the presence of Vince Vaughn, Jon Bon Jovi, Regis Philbin, and ESPN figures before kickoff. Ultimately, Notre Dame fans were said to have won the noise battle, outnumbering Alabama’s supporters by about 60–40.