Jordan Botelho
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

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 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 kicker Jonathan Doerer (39), right, and Notre Dame holder Jay Bramblett (19) react after making the game-winning field goal in overtime of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
No. 8 Notre Dame host Toledo, eager to crank up run game

By John Fineran Sep. 09, 2021 01:38 PM EDT

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly 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)
Freeman has new aggressive plan for Notre Dame defense

By John Fineran Aug. 11, 2021 03:58 PM EDT

FILE - This is an April 16, 2009, file photo showing then-Chicago Bears NFL football team member Marcus Freeman. Notre Dame is counting on new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to groom a hungry unit in hopes of another trip to the College Football Playoff and the school’s first national championship since 1988. (AP Photo/File)
Freeman seeking more disruption from Notre Dame defense

By John Fineran Apr. 22, 2021 02:41 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...