Rylie Mills
FILE - Then-Ohio State's linebackers coach Al Washington celebrates a win against Michigan after an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. First-year Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman knows success in the 2022 season will depend on how strong the Fighting Irish will be on the offensive and defensive lines. Al Washington is in charge of the defensive line. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FIle)
For new coach Freeman, Notre Dame success starts in trenches

By John Fineran Apr. 11, 2022 02:26 PM EDT

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 tight end Michael Mayer (87) avoids Virginia cornerback Nick Grant (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Coan's 3 TD throws lead No. 7 Notre Dame past Virginia 28-3

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 13, 2021 10:53 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly looks on during Notre Dame fall camp in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, file photo. No. 12 Notre Dame travels to Chicago this weekend to play No. 18 Wisconsin at Soldier Field. It is another chapter in the long history of connections between Chicago and Notre Dame athletics. The most famous coach in Fighting Irish history, Knute Rockne, was raised in Chicago. Dozens of Chicago natives have played for Notre Dame and a few have come home to play for the NFL's Chicago Bears. Current coach Brian Kelly has a chance this weekend to go ahead of Rockne as Notre Dame's winningest coach. (John Mersits/South Bend Tribune via AP, File)
Soldier Field showdown is another Chicago chapter for Irish

By Caroline Pineda Sep. 22, 2021 03:56 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'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