Jack Kiser won Mr. Indiana in 2018 after leading Pioneer High School to a perfect 15-0 record. During his senior season, Kiser also recorded 159 tackles, seven interceptions and six forced fumbles, as well as five fumble recoveries, while on offense he tallied 1,183 passing yards, 2,109 rushing yards and 62 total touchdowns.

It’s unlikely that Kiser will display his high school numbers on Friday night, but Kiser, who has strong family ties to Purdue, checked the Boilermakers off his list in September and the Notre Dame captain can officially claim the Mr . Get Indiana back with a win over Indiana.

And yes, Kiser probably noticed the significance of this game on the ground more than his teammates.

“No one is hiding it,” Kiser explained. “Everyone says Indiana is a basketball state, and when a matchup like this happens, people realize, ‘Hey, there’s more to Indiana than just basketball and basketball courts.’ If you look at the roster, there are a lot of players from Indiana on both sides. I’m very proud of it and know that this is a great duel.

Matchday takes place on Friday. The entire world will be watching the state of Indiana. And it’s really, really great to be a kid from Indiana.”

Kiser is aware of the strong ties in the Hoosier State, but also knows there are a lot of jackets that can be flipped, which makes this game interesting.

“I feel like when I grow up, you’re either a Purdue football and basketball fan or you were a Notre Dame football fan and IU basketball fan,” Kiser explained. “There will be a divide between Notre Dame and Indiana fans, but I think we have all the Boilermakers on our side.”

To make the moment even bigger, Notre Dame and Indiana will face off in the first Division I college football playoff game on a college campus as part of the 12-team playoffs, and it’s the only game of the night could create a special atmosphere.

“There has been a call to action and I think that call is real,” Kiser said. “This is an atmosphere where you have to be there if you have the opportunity to be there. Yes, it will be special. Eight o’clock on a Friday. When was the last time we played on a Friday?

“It will roll. I know that the students have already completed their final exams and that they are still holding on. Just be a part of it. I think it’s a big deal if you can be there, put your coat on, your hat on, hand warmers, wherever you are, but make sure you’re there and that you’re standing up. You definitely don’t get warm while sitting, right? So I think there has been a call to action and this will be something we haven’t seen before.”

Friday night will officially be Kiser’s last time playing at Notre Dame Stadium. The Indiana native played 66 games for the Fighting Irish, the most in program history, and with the emotions of the final day, Kiser will look to add a playoff win to the Notre Dame record book.

“During the defense in Virginia, we kind of talked about ‘guarantee one more,'” Kiser explained. “Last guarantee, but let’s guarantee that we want more. We took care of business on the track and guaranteed another one at Notre Dame Stadium.

“Honestly, I didn’t really think about it or put the emotion into believing that this was the last game at Notre Dame Stadium because I already did it right. But yeah, it’s the last game at Notre Dame Stadium, so we need to make sure everyone knows this is our home.”

As for the moment, Kiser knows it’s huge, but he’s keeping it simple.

“It’s the playoff atmosphere,” said Kiser, who won back-to-back titles as a junior and senior in high school with a perfect 30-0 record. “It gets me back to high school and playing in the state tournament, so it’s a big deal.”

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