Kyle Hamilton
FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
The Gap: Superpowers hoard talent, leaving ND, others behind

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 30, 2020 02:40 AM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. Lawrence was voted The Associated Press offensive player of the year for the Atlantic Coast Conference and was one of a league-best 10 Clemson selections to the AP all-ACC team. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool, File)
No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Notre Dame headline AP all-ACC honors

By Aaron Beard Dec. 21, 2020 12:31 PM EST

Syracuse running back Sean Tucker (34) is tackled by Notre Dame linebacker Drew White (40) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson next for soon to be Lea-less Fighting Irish defense

By John Fineran Dec. 15, 2020 03:20 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

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) passes against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Big chance arrives for No. 4 Notre Dame with Clemson in town

By John Fineran Nov. 06, 2020 04:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame's Daelin Hayes (9) and cornerback Julian Love, right, tackle Ball State running back Caleb Huntley, center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. No. 4 Notre Dame heads into Saturday night's, Nov. 7, 2020, showdown against No. 1 Clemson allowing just 10.3 points per game. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Stingy Irish defense faces huge test from No. 1 Clemson

By Anthony Anderson Nov. 04, 2020 05:23 AM EST

Williams scores 2 TDs, Notre Dame stifles Georgia Tech 31-13

By Paul Newberry Oct. 31, 2020 07:02 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Notre Dame spent the past couple of weeks prepping for the biggest game of the year. Now, it's here. ...

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) waves to fans after an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 4 Notre Dame, others look to end No. 1 Clemson's ACC run

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 28, 2020 11:54 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

FILE - Notre Dame's running back Kyren Williams runs through a drill during the team's first spring NCAA college football practice at the Irish Athletics Center, Thursday, March 5, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. With all the success Notre Dame has enjoyed its last three seasons, amassing a 33-6 record under coach Brian Kelly, it has been the inability to run the football successfully in big games that has curtailed the championship hopes of the Fighting Irish. No. 10 Notre Dame hopes to change that starting Saturday, Sept. 12 when Duke visits for the 2020 season opener. (Santiago Flores/South Bend Tribune via AP, File)
No. 4 Irish put winning streaks on line against Cardinals

By The Associated Press Oct. 15, 2020 01:02 PM EDT

Book, No. 7 Notre Dame run by USF 52-0 to extend home streak

John Fineran Sep. 19, 2020 06:18 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Ian Book ran for three first-half touchdowns and No. 7 Notre Dame won its 20th straight home game 52-0 against South Florida on...

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 quarterback Ian Book (12) throws a pass during the first half of the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. Head coach Brian Kelly has seen growth in the 6-foot, 208-pound Book since quarterbacks coach Tom Rees became the team’s new offensive coordinator prior to the team’s Camping World Bow victory over Iowa State. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
No. 10 Irish welcome Blue Devils in inaugural ACC campaign

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

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

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) celebrates his 7-yard touchdown run with wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Book's late TD run helps No 16 Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech

By John Fineran Nov. 02, 2019 06:54 PM EDT

Members of the Notre Dame football team sing at the end of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 21-20. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 16 Notre Dame rallies to beat Virginia Tech 21-20

By The Associated Press Nov. 02, 2019 05:12 PM EDT

Notre Dame's Robert Hainsey (72), Julian Okwara (42), Ian Book (12) and Tommy Kraemer (78) sing after beating New Mexico 66-14 after an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Kelly and No. 7 Irish look forward to trip to No. 3 Georgia

By John Fineran Sep. 15, 2019 09:43 PM EDT