Notre Dame fans fly south for title game

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WISH) - This weekend, local Fighting Irish fans headed south to see Notre Dame take on Alabama in the BCS national title championship.

Fans were seen sporting their favorite Notre Dame shirts at the South Bend Regional Airport.

Long-time friends Sue Kobek and Pat Primmer won tickets to attend the game through one of the University lotteries.

Primmer earned a master's degree from Notre Dame and Kobek works at the school. The pair traveled to Ireland earlier in the season to watch the team beat Navy .

Kobek says they are born and raised Irish fans. "It's been a wonderful season," she exclaims.

Merlyn and Kelly Bellinger also geared up to catch the "once in a lifetime game." They purchased their hotel and flight reservations over a month ago. But, they did not receive their tickets until Christmas. 

"Didn't sleep at all last night, just excited to get the trip going and bring home a championship," said Merlyn.

The Bellingers told WSBT that they had a few friends who did not purchase tickets to the game, but have plans to fly to Miami. "They just want to be close to the action," said Merlyn. Their friends had plans to purchase tickets in Miami or watch the game at a local bar.

Demand for Miami flights is so great that the average seat cost is just over $1,000 with Delta Airlines.