Julian Okwara
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 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 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 tight end Cole Kmet (84) receives debris thrown at him from the Michigan Stadium fans as he celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. Michigan won 45-14. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
No. 16 Notre Dame seeks to regain identity vs. Virginia Tech

By Tom Coyne Oct. 31, 2019 03:04 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) celebrates his 8-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 8 Irish need to win out and have help for playoff berth

By John Fineran Oct. 17, 2019 03:13 PM EDT

Washington head coach Chris Petersen, left, shakes hands with Southern Cal head coach Clay Helton after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Seattle. Washington won 28-14. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Old rivals meet when USC comes calling at No. 9 Notre Dame

By The Associated Press Oct. 10, 2019 03:33 PM EDT

Bowling Green quarterback Grant Loy (13) looks to throw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Book throws 5 TDs as No. 9 Notre Dame routs Bowling Green

By John Fineran Oct. 05, 2019 06:52 PM EDT

Notre Dame defensive lineman Julian Okwara (42) tacklaes Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
No. 9 Irish look for offensive consistency versus Falcons

By The Associated Press Oct. 03, 2019 02:20 PM EDT

Notre Dame defensive lineman Adetokunbo Ogundeji (91) runs a fumble he recovered in for a touch down while playing 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)
Correction: T25-Virginia-Notre Dame story

Sep. 28, 2019 07:30 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) leaps into the air for his fourth touchdown reception well ahead of coverage from Mississippi defensive back Keidron Smith (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 1 Clemson stops 2-point try to beat North Carolina

By The Associated Press Sep. 28, 2019 04:53 PM 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

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book throws in the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Top 10 showdown as Georgia hosts Irish between the hedges

By The Associated Press Sep. 19, 2019 01:41 PM 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 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 moves on from CFP loss against Louisville

By Gary B. Graves Sep. 01, 2019 12:09 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

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

No. 3 Notre Dame looks to stay unbeaten vs rival USC

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2018 10:00 AM EST
No. 3 Notre Dame (11-0, No. 3 CFP) at Southern California (5-6), 8 p.m. EST (ABC). Line: Notre Dame by 10½. Series record: Notre Dame...

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, Virginia Tech quarterback Ryan Willis (5) gets off a pass as Notre Dame defensive lineman Julian Okwara, left, closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. From a skinny high school recruit who didn’t play football until the eighth grade, to one of the fiercest and most disruptive pass rushers in the country, Notre Dame junior Julian Okwara has come a long way in a short period of time. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Time, talent and legacy help latest Okwara shine for Irish

By Todd Burlage Nov. 09, 2018 03:00 AM EST