Isaiah Foskey
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

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman watches spring NCAA college football practice on March 17, 2022, inside the Irish Athletic Complex in South Bend, Ind. Coming off an 11-2 campaign in 2021 that ended with a 37-35 Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State, there's a lot of newness around the Notre Dame football program of first-year head coach Marcus Freeman. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees returns on a staff which has eight new faces, including Freeman's successor at defensive coordinator in former college head coach Al Golden. There's also a battle for the No. 1 quarterback spot as sophomore Tyler Buchner and junior Drew Pyne duel to replace prolific passer Jack Coan. (Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune via AP)
New coach Marcus Freeman liking his first Irish spring

By John Fineran Mar. 28, 2022 04:29 PM EDT

FILE - Notre Dame defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman watches during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Navy in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Notre Dame is working on a deal to promote defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to head coach to replace Brian Kelly, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday night, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Notre Dame promotes Freeman, 35, to replace Kelly as coach

By John Fineran Dec. 03, 2021 09:24 AM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan prepares to throw a pass against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Notre Dame at Stanford 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 08:41 PM EST

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly leaves the field following an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 55-0. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 5 Notre Dame looks to keep playoff hopes vs. Stanford

By Josh Dubow Nov. 26, 2021 03:17 PM EST

Stanford coach David Shaw stands on the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against California in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
No. 5 Notre Dame looks to maintain playoff hopes vs Stanford

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2021 09:00 AM EST

Notre Dame's Kyren Williams (23) is tackled by Georgia Tech's Tariq Carpenter (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Coan, No. 6 Irish dominate Yellow Jackets in 55-0 victory

By John Fineran Nov. 20, 2021 06:01 PM EST

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 running back Kyren Williams (23) stiff arms a North Carolina defender for a 91-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 8 Notre Dame renews long-time rivalry with Navy

By The Associated Press Nov. 04, 2021 02:11 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) runs for a three-yard touchdown against Southern California in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 11 Irish prepare for night visit from North Carolina

By The Associated Press Oct. 28, 2021 03:08 PM EDT

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams runs against Southern California in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 11 Irish leery if Tar Heels go bump on Saturday night

By John Fineran Oct. 28, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) tries to leap over Notre Dame's Clarence Lewis (6) and Houston Griffith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Notre Dame 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

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)
With QB Coan out, No. 12 Irish beat No. 18 Badgers 41-13

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 25, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

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

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)
Purdue at Notre Dame 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 04:15 PM EDT

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)
Boilermakers hoping to be spoilers against Fighting Irish

By The Associated Press Sep. 16, 2021 01:30 PM EDT

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

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

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell arrives before an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
Notre Dame at Florida State 9/5/2021

Sep. 05, 2021 06:39 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