Kevin Austin
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

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) avoids a tackle attempt from Virginia defensive back Elijah Gaines (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Notre Dame at Virginia 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 09:51 PM EST

Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates after his team scored a safety during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: When does head-to-head matter?

By Ralph D Russo Nov. 08, 2021 03:11 AM EST

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) runs against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 8 Irish ride Coan's arm, defense to 34-6 win over Navy

By John Fineran Nov. 06, 2021 07:05 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan throws against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Navy at Notre Dame 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 05:11 PM EDT

Notre Dame wide receiver Avery Davis (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina , Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Williams has 91-yard TD run, No. 11 Notre Dame beats NC

By John Fineran Oct. 30, 2021 11:28 PM EDT

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) attempts to elude Virginia Tech defensive lineman Amare Barno (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Doerer makes late FG, No. 14 Irish beat Hokies 32-29

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 09, 2021 11:32 PM EDT

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) catches a pass in front of Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Notre Dame at Virginia Tech 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 09:43 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)
Coan's status for No. 9 Irish up in air vs No. 7 Bearcats

By John Fineran Sep. 27, 2021 03:42 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

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 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

Fans tailgate before Toledo played Notre Dame in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Toledo at Notre Dame 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 12:25 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 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

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

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 problem for Notre Dame. Staying in it has for Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish, who...

Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek (11) celebrates as he goes in the end zone past Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. Woods (25) for a touchdown after making a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 4 Notre Dame passing game picking up with Ga Tech next

By John Fineran Oct. 29, 2020 02:05 AM EDT

Coastal Carolina players celebrate after place kicker Massimo Biscardi (29) kicked the go-ahead and eventual game-winning field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette in Lafayette, La., Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Kieu)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Who's best or rewarding success?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 26, 2020 02:43 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Notre Dame players greet fans as they enter the stadium before an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, in South Bend, Ind. In a quirk this season, No. 5 Notre Dame enjoys a greater home-field advantage than most of its opponents: As of now, the Fighting Irish are slated to play in front of only one crowd bigger than their own, which is limited to about 10,000 people because of the pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
No. 4 Irish seek tighter defense vs struggling Louisville

John Fineran Oct. 15, 2020 01:57 PM EDT