JOHN FINERAN
Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Records meaningless whenever No. 13 Irish and Trojans meet

By John Fineran Oct. 21, 2021 01:36 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — There will be no Heisman Trophy favorites on the field

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan heads to the locker room after an injury during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. Coan did not return to play. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
QB, line questions haunt No. 14 Irish ahead of Hokies clash

By John Fineran Oct. 06, 2021 01:37 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Coach Brian Kelly knows who No. 14 Notre Dame’s

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan, right, scrambles away from pressure by Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Coan's status for No. 9 Irish up in air vs No. 7 Bearcats

By John Fineran Sep. 27, 2021 03:42 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said quarterback Jack Coan

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Irish QB Jack Coan preps for rugged reunion vs Badgers

By John Fineran Sep. 21, 2021 12:14 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jack Coan admits it is going to be a little strange

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) runs in for a touchdown in front of Purdue linebacker Jalen Graham (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kelly ties Rockne as No. 12 Irish hold off Purdue 27-13

John Fineran Sep. 18, 2021 06:35 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No. 12 Notre Dame got big three big plays from two of

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly walks to a huddle as his team plays Toledo in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Notre Dame won 32-29. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
No. 12 Irish prepare for visit from long-time rival Purdue

By John Fineran Sep. 16, 2021 12:49 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No. 12 Notre Dame has looked shaky at times in its

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm argues a call during the second half of an NCAA football game against Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Kelly has solutions for No. 12 Irish against visiting Purdue

By John Fineran Sep. 13, 2021 04:48 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Brian Kelly knows that his Notre Dame team is a work in

Toledo quarterback Carter Bradley (2) throws while playing Notre Dame in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Notre Dame's Coan throws winning TD after dislocating finger

By John Fineran Sep. 11, 2021 07:02 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jack Coan has played in only two games for No. 8 Notre

Notre Dame kicker Jonathan Doerer (39), right, and Notre Dame holder Jay Bramblett (19) react after making the game-winning field goal in overtime of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
No. 8 Notre Dame host Toledo, eager to crank up run game

By John Fineran Sep. 09, 2021 01:38 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — While No. 8 Notre Dame was finishing off a 41-38

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly gestures to his team in overtime of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
No. 9 Irish have plenty of work and short week for Toledo

By John Fineran Sep. 06, 2021 05:27 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Coach Brian Kelly knows his No. 9 Fighting Irish need

FILE - In this May 1, 2021, file photo, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees talks with players during a timeout in the Blue-Gold NCAA spring football game in South Bend, Ind. The 2021 challenge for Rees is to improve considerably from last season’s scoring output of 33.4 points per game. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin, File)
No. 9 Irish opener at Florida State like 2019 at Louisville

By John Fineran Aug. 30, 2021 05:54 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — When No. 9 Notre Dame opens its season Sunday night at

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2021, file photo, Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) gains yardage after a catch as Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) moves in to make the stop in the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has seen the offense come together behind quarterback Jack Coan, a grad transfer from Wisconsin, and preseason All-American candidates in running back Kyren Williams, tight end Michael Mayer, center Jarrett Patterson and guard Cain Madden, another grad transfer. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
No. 9 Notre Dame out to score more points with new QB, line

By John Fineran Aug. 25, 2021 03:52 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — If No. 9 Notre Dame wants to get back — all the way

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) passes the ball during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Ind. (John Mersits/South Bend Tribune via AP)
No. 9 Notre Dame turns to graduate transfer QB Jack Coan

By John Fineran Aug. 18, 2021 02:42 AM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No quarterback since Tony Rice has delivered the goods

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Ind. (John Mersits/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Freeman has new aggressive plan for Notre Dame defense

By John Fineran Aug. 11, 2021 03:58 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Marcus Freeman believes the best thing he can do as

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees huddles with the offense during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Ind. (John Mersits/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Kelly: Irish prepared in case COVID numbers spike again

By John Fineran Aug. 07, 2021 04:13 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Brian Kelly welcomed a Notre Dame football team that is

FILE - This is an April 16, 2009, file photo showing then-Chicago Bears NFL football team member Marcus Freeman. Notre Dame is counting on new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to groom a hungry unit in hopes of another trip to the College Football Playoff and the school’s first national championship since 1988. (AP Photo/File)
Freeman seeking more disruption from Notre Dame defense

By John Fineran Apr. 22, 2021 02:41 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame is counting on its new defensive coordinator

Irish hoping offensive flexibility will produce more points

By John Fineran Apr. 07, 2021 01:13 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Getting to the College Football Playoff hasn’t been a

Notre Dame's two-headed spring QB race features Pyne, Coan

By John Fineran Apr. 03, 2021 07:44 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — There is competition once again in Notre Dame’s

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
Notre Dame seeking a jumpstart against Alabama in CFP semi

By John Fineran Dec. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EST
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Brian Kelly isn't holding back on one of the primary

Syracuse running back Sean Tucker (34) is tackled by Notre Dame linebacker Drew White (40) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson next for soon to be Lea-less Fighting Irish defense

By John Fineran Dec. 15, 2020 03:20 PM EST
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Clark Lea is on the way out at Notre Dame just as his