College football fans noticed a ‘spooky’ coincidence from the movie Rudy after Notre Dame’s 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday.
The 1993 biographical sports film was an account of the life of Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger, who overcame plenty of adversity to fulfill his dream of playing football at Notre Dame.
After Thursday’s game, a fan posted a frame from the movie in which the names Riley, Jeter, and Mitch were written on the blackboard.
Fans immediately connected the list to Mitch Jeter, who won the game for the Fighting Irish with a 41-yard field goal, and quarterback Riley Leonard.
‘There is no shot this is real,’ one fan insisted.
‘Don’t make me watch it to confirm,’ another added.
A Notre Dame fan shared a grab from the 1993 film on social media, leaving others stunnedÂ
Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter is lifted up by teammate Pat Coogan after the winning field goal
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard returned from a potential concussion for the win Â
Many commenters were stunned, with one Colts fan describing the connection as ‘spooky’
‘If I watch the movie again and this isn’t real I’m gonna end up hating the movie,’ a third chimed in.
A fourth fan pointed out ‘a few things here, that’s crazy. Riley, Jeter and ND beat USC on November 30 to get into the playoffs. exactly 50 years after this date. wow.’
Meanwhile a fifth highlighted how the bigger picture shows the names were listed under USC’s defense in a scouting report.
‘These were real players on the 1974 USC Trojans Defense…. Art Riley Gary Jeter Dale Mitchell,’ the user wrote.
The eerie connection aside, Notre Dame and its fans have plenty to celebrate. They are one win away from their first national title since 1988.
Leonard finished with 223 yards passing, including a key 10-yard dart to Jaden Greathouse to convert third-and-3 on the last drive. Leonard also had 35 yards rushing and passed and ran for a score each.
His impressive finish came after he shook off a hit late in the second quarter that sent him to the medical tent to be checked for a concussion. He came back and led the Irish on four scoring drives in the second half, including the last one.
Notre Dame will face Ohio State in the CFP national championship game on January 20.
