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MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. » The North Shore-South Bend connection went down from three players to one with the final play of Alabama’s 42-14 win over Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship game Monday at Sun Life Stadium.
And defensive lineman Kona Schwenke vows to return with resolve as a senior.
"The thing we feel bad about is we could have sent our seniors off with a national championship," said Schwenke, who played about 15 snaps but posted no stats. "But we’ll be back next year with a very strong team. We just have to work hard."
Schwenke said he will get to spend a few days home in Hauula before returning to Notre Dame when school starts again Monday.
Robby Toma said this might be the last time he and Manti Te’o are teammates, the end of a partnership that goes back to when they were young boys in Laie and continued through Punahou School and Notre Dame.
"It’s hard," Toma said. "I’ve played with Manti since I was a little kid. I’m proud to say Manti is my brother."
Toma, a wide receiver, was targeted for one pass, which fell incomplete Monday.
Te’o, who was second in the Heisman Trophy voting and the winner of seven major awards, is headed to the NFL.
Toma hopes for a shot at pro football, too.
He is playing in the Raycomm College Football All-Star Classic in Mobile, Ala., later this month, and plans to train in Atlanta.
Toma said he and the other Hawaii players were aware that people throughout the 50th state were rooting for them, some of them Notre Dame fans for a day, some of them now Fighting Irish faithful for life.
"Absolutely. It’s one of the best things about being from Hawaii," he said.
"I really felt it. Look at a guy like Shane Victorino. He has his own life, but he comes here to support three island boys."
Victorino, the Boston Red Sox outfielder from Maui, also went to senior day for Te’o and Toma at Notre Dame in November.
Toma said it was hard to watch his best friend have a difficult first half as Alabama built a 28-0 lead.
"It hurts a lot. He’s been the leader. When he’s had tough times he’s come up big," Toma said of Te’o.
"He brought that Aloha Spirit and brought this team together. We were ready for this, but Alabama definitely proved they’re the better team today."
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