So, this is something the band plays? Not trying to start any arguments here, but I'm having a heck of a time coming up with what song you're thinking of...
Maybe any further description? Granted, hard to describe an instrumental piece... does it start with the drumline alone? Or Is it really short?
Other band people, maybe help me out here?
I think he might actually be talking about warm up #7.
Either way there isn't a set "third down stop cheer" The reason whatever tune you are talking about is selected is likely because of the volume factor. In key defensive situations we try to pick the loudest (everybody playing) cheers we have so it frequently seems we have it set as for a specific situation.
That is why the band seems to play every 3rd and short what I have seen referred to by non band/music types as that 'scale cheer'. It's basically a chord progression. The staff has been looking for something better for those big down plays. I've personally brought it up with the director and he agrees we need something else. The problem is it's surprisingly hard to find something that is really loud, and short enough to fit in between downs. If anyone has any suggestions that fit those two and arrange well into marching band instrumentation I'd be happy to pass them along for consideration.
The benefit of the cheer that I think you're talking about as the 'gladiator' one is that Everyone in the band plays as loud as they can and it can be cut off at the last second.
And yes the noise of the band is more effective than the crowd. Examples:
-I talked to Mike Gundy after the game this year and he made a comment about us.
-We once got Chase Daniel to turn around out of his huddle and glare at the drum major.
-Our own athletic dept. Asked we not play when we're on that half the field during offense (which is the reason horn guy now plays first down most the time)
It's hard to tell from the stands just how loud the marching band is but when you're in front of them on field level it is a factor. Especially since they were moved down in front of Jacobsen.
As for a victory song:
The pep band plays celebration after Hilton wins. What would you guys think of that? Right now we play fights first and the team sings it by the students. That is one of those traditions that has started and I don't see that changing, but then there is a period between Fights and the alma mater (which is a great alma mater) where we could put a 'victory' tune.