Jafar Armstrong
FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 file photo, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema gets choked up as the senior players are introduced before the start of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. It's going on 40 days since Bret Bielema was announced as Illinois' football coach, and since then he's assembled a staff, met returning players, recruited new ones, convinced a top player to pull his name out of the transfer portal and made the rounds getting to know administrators and alumni. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
New Illini coach Bielema says he doesn't want to wait to win

Jan. 27, 2021 05:02 PM EST

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...

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

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. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Book plans to return to quarterback Irish in 2020 season

By John Fineran Dec. 30, 2019 01:49 PM EST

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)
Book throws 4 TDs, No. 15 Notre Dame routs Duke 38-7

By Joedy Mccreary Nov. 09, 2019 10:54 PM EST

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. 15 Notre Dame visits Duke looking for late-season surge

By Joedy Mccreary Nov. 08, 2019 10:05 AM EST

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

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) throws a pass in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Kelly, No.16 Notre Dame facing red-hot Virginia Tech

By John Fineran Nov. 01, 2019 01:10 PM EDT

Notre Dame offensive linemen Robert Hainsey (72) and Liam Eichenberg (74) celebrate after defeating Southern California in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame and Michigan aim to resume rivalry after a break

By Larry Lage Oct. 25, 2019 03:23 AM 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

Notre Dame running back Avery Davis (4) makes a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 52-0. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC's Helton under microscope heading to No. 9 Notre Dame

By John Fineran Oct. 11, 2019 02:12 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) works in the pocket against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
No. 10 Notre Dame puts playoff hopes up vs No. 18 Virginia

By John Fineran Sep. 27, 2019 12:57 PM EDT

Notre Dame linebacker Shayne Simon (33) runs against Georgia defensive back Ameer Speed (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 23-17. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame loses another big game but gains some respect

By Paul Newberry Sep. 22, 2019 03:52 PM EDT

Notre Dame's Avery Davis (4) celebrates his 59-yard touchdown reception with Tony Jones Jr. (6) 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)
Winding path firms up for Notre Dame RB Avery Davis

By Todd Burlage Sep. 18, 2019 04:13 AM EDT

Notre Dame safety Jalen Elliott (21) celebrates an interception against New Mexico in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Book throws for 5 TDs as No. 7 Notre Dame routs New Mexico

By John Fineran Sep. 14, 2019 06:21 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

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)
Kelly defends Book as No. 7 Irish get physical in bye week

By John Fineran Sep. 09, 2019 04:42 PM EDT

Notre Dame running back Jahmir Smith (34) is brought down by Louisville defensive back P.J. Mbanasor (1) and defensive lineman Amonte Caban (53) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. Notre Dame won 35-17. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Silver lining: No. 8 Notre Dame youth got time vs Louisville

By John Fineran Sep. 03, 2019 06:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame running back Tony Jones Jr (6), runs in a touchdown against Ball State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. There is no Dexter Williams in the backfield this season for No. 9 Notre Dame. Instead, the Fighting Irish will look to a stable of running backs to pick up the slack, including Tony Jones and converted wide receiver Jafar Armstrong. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Armstrong, Jones top horses in No. 9 Irish rushing stable

By John Fineran Aug. 21, 2019 05:33 PM 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