It is goodbye for the seniors on the Irish squad this Saturday at the stadium.

And just like in 2005, the Orange of Syracuse will provide the opposition in the final home game.

Back in that game, Notre Dame had to struggle for awhile but then kicked it into gear and got it going.

Brady Quinn threw to Jeff Samardzija for the touchdown as the Irish went on to win at Notre Dame Stadium and their final appearance in Charlie Weis’ first year. As the Irish got to make the victory lap and head out the tunnel as winners one final time.

On Wednesday at his press conference, Weis reflected on his senior class of this year and specifically on one guy who put on a lot of weight, gained a lot of speed, gained some strength and has become a great player.

“Well, David Bruton was a skinny little track kid,” said Weis. “He walked in here, and I thought if the wind blew he was going to knock over. I mean, seriously, he could… he was 180 pounds, maybe soaking he wet he might have been 180 pounds. You know, now he’s 210, runs like a deer, you know, he doesn’t run any slower than he did when he was 180, he’s jumping 41 inches vertical jump, running 4-5 on the 40, you know he’s going to have a nice long career on Sundays.”

Weis will be running the offense again against the Orange and USC, while offensive coordinator Mike Haywood deals with some personal issues.

And be sure to catch NewsCenter 16’s “Countdown to Kickoff” at 1:30 this Saturday, before the start of the Notre Dame-Syracuse game.