Drew White
FILE - Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell speaks with quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo. Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell talks about the opportunity the No. 7 Bearcats have to impress the nation when they travel to South Bend, Indiana, to face No. 9 Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Bearcats coming: Marcus Freeman, Irish defense on the spot

By Caroline Pineda Sep. 29, 2021 04:50 PM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame at Wisconsin 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

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

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

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

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea steps off the team bus before an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Vanderbilt is negotiating a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea to make the former Commodores football player its new head coach. Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press details of a contract were still being worked out but Lea was the school's top choice.(Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Syracuse at Notre Dame 12/5/2020

Dec. 14, 2020 12:41 PM EST

Notre Dame's Kyren Williams (23) scores on a one-yard against North Carolina during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
No. 2 Notre Dame rolling behind talent and quality depth

By John Fineran Dec. 01, 2020 04:57 PM EST

Notre Dame's George Takacs (85) gets past North Carolina's Tyrone Hopper (42) picking up 13 yards on a pass completion from quarterback Ian Book (12) and dive toward the goal line, but is stopped short during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
Book, defense help No. 2 Notre Dame beat No. 25 UNC 31-17

By Aaron Beard Nov. 27, 2020 07:10 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

Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins watches a Boston College point during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
No. 4 Notre Dame looks to avoid slip-up against Georgia Tech

By Paul Newberry Oct. 29, 2020 10:42 AM EDT

No. 7 Irish defense shows talent and depth, USF up next

By John Fineran Sep. 15, 2020 03:20 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A week ago, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was looking ahead to Notre Dame’s season-opening game against Duke and had a prediction. ...

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

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly watches warmups before the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State in Orlando, Fla. Notre Dame heads to spring practice with question marks at various spots, but not at quarterback where Ian Book will be returning for the Fighting Irish. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Kelly pleased as Irish begin journey toward 2020 CFP berth

By John Fineran Mar. 05, 2020 03:45 PM EST

Kelly: No. 14 Notre Dame focused on Iowa State

John Fineran Dec. 21, 2019 08:21 PM EST
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Brian Kelly need not worry that No. 14 Notre Dame isn’t focused on Iowa State, its opponent next Saturday in the Camping World Bowl. ...

Book throws 3 TD passes, No. 15 Notre Dame beats BC 40-7

By John Fineran Nov. 23, 2019 06:16 PM EST
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Ian Book was coy after throwing three touchdown passes in No. 15 Notre Dame’s 40-7 victory over Boston College Saturday whether it...

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) throws against Navy linebacker Tyler Pistorio (41) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 15 Irish close out home schedule against Boston College

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2019 04:17 PM EST

Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) makes a touchdown reception against Navy cornerback Cameron Kinley (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in South Bend, Ind.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Claypool catches 4 TDs as No. 16 Notre Dame rout Navy 52-20

By John Fineran Nov. 16, 2019 06:10 PM EST

Notre Dame running back Jahmir Smith (34) is brought down by Louisville defensive back P.J. Mbanasor (1) and defensive lineman Amonte Caban (53) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. Notre Dame won 35-17. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Silver lining: No. 8 Notre Dame youth got time vs Louisville

By John Fineran Sep. 03, 2019 06:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2018, file photo, Stanford wide receiver Trenton Irwin is stopped by Notre Dame safety Jalen Elliott (21) and linebacker Asmar Bilal during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame's second-year defensive coordinator Clark Lea has spent all spring, summer and preseason looking for replacements for graduated 2018 tackle leaders Te'von Coney and Drue Tranquill. In grad student Bilal and junior Drew White he may have found two of many. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
No. 9 Notre Dame has stacked deck of youthful linebackers

By John Fineran Aug. 27, 2019 02:42 AM EDT