Daelin Hayes
Virginia quarterback Jay Woolfolk (16) runs out of the pocket for a gain against Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Defensive line has No. 6 Notre Dame sitting in first class

By John Fineran Nov. 17, 2021 04:01 PM EST

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

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

FILE - Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) fends off Clemson Tigers safety Nolan Turner (24) on his way to a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
With Lawrence back Clemson-Notre Dame meet for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 18, 2020 02:39 PM EST

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

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) passes against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Howell, No. 25 Tar Heels offense a challenge for No. 2 Irish

By John Fineran Nov. 24, 2020 03:01 AM EST

Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek (11) runs the ball in for a touchdown against Boston College defensive back Brandon Sebastian (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Kelly earns 100th win, No. 2 Notre Dame rolls past BC 45-31

By Kyle Hightower Nov. 14, 2020 07:28 PM EST

Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) celebrates after a touchdown against Clemson during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 4 Notre Dame sacks No. 1 Clemson 47-40 in double OT

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 08, 2020 12:00 AM EST

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) looks for a receiver during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Nov. 07, 2020 08:58 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) passes against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Big chance arrives for No. 4 Notre Dame with Clemson in town

By John Fineran Nov. 06, 2020 04:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame's Daelin Hayes (9) and cornerback Julian Love, right, tackle Ball State running back Caleb Huntley, center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. No. 4 Notre Dame heads into Saturday night's, Nov. 7, 2020, showdown against No. 1 Clemson allowing just 10.3 points per game. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Stingy Irish defense faces huge test from No. 1 Clemson

By Anthony Anderson Nov. 04, 2020 05:23 AM EST

Williams scores 2 TDs, Notre Dame stifles Georgia Tech 31-13

By Paul Newberry Oct. 31, 2020 07:02 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Notre Dame spent the past couple of weeks prepping for the biggest game of the year. Now, it's here. ...

File-Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly talks to players at the bench during the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. The 58-year-old Kelly begins his 11th season at Notre Dame when the 10th-ranked Fighting Irish, taking a one-year sabbatical from football independence to join the Atlantic Coast Conference race, open against league rival Duke Sept. 12 at Notre Dame Stadium. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
No. 10 Notre Dame shooting for ACC, national titles in 2020

By John Fineran Sep. 01, 2020 04:10 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) runs the ball while Duke safety Michael Carter II (26) chases during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Irish, Middies meet as ranked foes for first time since 1978

By The Associated Press Nov. 14, 2019 04:38 PM EST

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly watchs from he sideline as his team played Virginia in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Notre Dame won 35-20. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
No. 9 Irish seek more decisive Book against Bowling Green

By John Fineran Oct. 04, 2019 11:35 AM EDT

Georgia Louis Cine intercepts a pass in the end zone to persevere a shutout during the second half of an NCAA college football against Arkansas State NCAA football game in Athens, Ga. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Super showdown: No. 3 Georgia takes on No. 7 Notre Dame

By Paul Newberry Sep. 20, 2019 11:06 AM EDT

Georgia defensive back J.R. Reed (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP)
All-America Watch: Georgia's JR Reed relies on home lessons

By Paul Newberry Sep. 17, 2019 05:08 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) hands the ball off to running back Tony Jones Jr. (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
No. 7 Notre Dame entertains first-time foe New Mexico

By The Associated Press Sep. 12, 2019 02:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame wide receiver Jafar Armstrong (8) runs the ball against Clemson during the NCAA Cotton Bowl football game, in Arlington, Texas. Armstrong returns to the backfield for Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Irish hope to ride Book's arm to second straight CFP berth

By John Fineran Aug. 15, 2019 01:52 PM EDT

Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Kelly's Irish resume climb for first title since 1988

By John Fineran Mar. 01, 2019 05:02 PM EST