Chris Tyree
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 head football coach Marcus Freeman holds a helmet while posing for a portrait with University president John I. Jenkins and Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick during a news conference Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at the Irish Athletic Center in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame formally introduced Freeman as its new football coach, a meteoric rise for the defensive coordinator. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
No. 5 Irish enjoy spirited workouts under new coach Freeman

By John Fineran Dec. 21, 2021 07:52 PM EST

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

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

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

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan heads to the locker room after an injury during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. Coan did not return to play. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
QB, line questions haunt No. 14 Irish ahead of Hokies clash

By John Fineran Oct. 06, 2021 01:37 PM EDT

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Desmond Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 02, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) tries to leap over Notre Dame's Clarence Lewis (6) and Houston Griffith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Notre Dame 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8), top, gets off a pass as New Hampshire defensive back Caleb Mead (24) pressures during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY: Pitt's Pickett accounts for 6 TDs

By The Associated Press Sep. 25, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan, right, scrambles away from pressure by Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
With QB Coan out, No. 12 Irish beat No. 18 Badgers 41-13

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 25, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame at Wisconsin 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm argues a call during the second half of an NCAA football game against Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Kelly has solutions for No. 12 Irish against visiting Purdue

By John Fineran Sep. 13, 2021 04:48 PM EDT

Toledo quarterback Carter Bradley (2) throws while playing Notre Dame in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Notre Dame's Coan throws winning TD after dislocating finger

By John Fineran Sep. 11, 2021 07:02 PM EDT

Fans tailgate before Toledo played Notre Dame in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Toledo at Notre Dame 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 12:25 PM EDT

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly gestures to his team in overtime of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
No. 8 Irish home streak on line vs. first-time foe Toledo

By The Associated Press Sep. 09, 2021 01:44 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

FILE - In this May 1, 2021, file photo, Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) looks to pass during the Blue-Gold NCAA spring football game in South Bend, Ind. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has seen the offense come together behind quarterback Jack Coan, a grad transfer from Wisconsin, and preseason All-American candidates in running back Kyren Williams, tight end Michael Mayer, center Jarrett Patterson and guard Cain Madden, another grad transfer.(AP Photo/Robert Franklin, File)
Friends, now foes in No. 9 Notre Dame-Florida State matchup

By Bob Ferrante Sep. 04, 2021 11:21 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2019, file photo, Notre Dame defensive back Kyle Hamilton looks on during an NCAA football game in Louisville, Ky. Hamilton was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble, File)
No. 9 Notre Dame travels to Florida State for season opener

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2021 07:35 PM EDT