Tyler Buchner
head coach Marcus Freeman leads players out of the tunnel during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring NCAA college football game on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Freeman turns attention to recruiting after 1st Irish spring

By John Fineran Apr. 26, 2022 02:14 AM 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

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

Notre Dame's Logan Diggs (22) runs past Georgia Tech's Quez Jackson (4) for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 04:21 PM EST

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) makes a touchdown catch ahead of Virginia defensive back Anthony Johnson (3) in the second half an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
No. 6 Irish hoping to avoid Yellow Jackets’ sting

By John Fineran Nov. 18, 2021 03:24 PM EST

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

Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) looks to pass the ball during the second half, of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Cavaliers look to end No. 7 Notre Dame's dominance of ACC

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 11, 2021 01:00 PM 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 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

Southern California safety Xavion Alford (29) breaks up a pass intended for Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Williams leads No. 13 Notre Dame past Southern Cal, 31-16

By John Fineran Oct. 23, 2021 10:57 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws against Southern California in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
USC at Notre Dame 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 09:07 PM EDT

FILE - Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) plays during an NCAA football game against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, file photo. Hamilton was selected to The Associated Press Midseason All-America team, announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
No. 13 Irish and struggling USC renew intersectional rivalry

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2021 03:49 PM EDT

Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Records meaningless whenever No. 13 Irish and Trojans meet

By John Fineran Oct. 21, 2021 01:36 PM EDT

Texas A&M wide receiver Demond Demas (1) gets away from Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: UGA joins No. 1 club; Tide slips

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 11, 2021 02:21 AM 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 running back Chris Tyree returns a kickoff for a touchdown as Wisconsin safety Travian Blaylock and Hunter Wohler pursue during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. Notre Dame won 41-13. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Virginia native Tyree leads No. 14 Fighting Irish vs Hokies

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 08, 2021 11:59 AM EDT

Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister (3) looks to pass in the second half of the Richmond Virginia Tech NCAA college football game in Blacksburg Va. Saturday, Sept. 25 2021. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
No. 14 Fighting Irish looking to get well against the Hokies

By The Associated Press Oct. 07, 2021 02:43 PM EDT