Michael Mayer
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

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Oklahoma State cornerback Korie Black (4) knocks the ball away from Notre Dame wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New coach, old pain: Notre Dame unravels in Fiesta loss

By David Brandt Jan. 01, 2022 05:20 PM EST

Oklahoma State running back Jaylen Warren (7) runs against Notre Dame during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
No. 9 Oklahoma State beats No. 5 Notre Dame 37-35 in Fiesta

By John Marshall Jan. 01, 2022 05:16 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Coan finally got a chance to don the Irish blue and gold in his final college season. He gets a chance to cap his season in a major way at the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Fiesta Bowl pits No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2021 12:45 PM EST

Western Kentucky defensive back Kahlef Hailassie (12) intercepts a pass to Middle Tennessee wide receiver Izaiah Gathings (2) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Bowling Green, Ky. (Grace Ramey/Daily News via AP)
Middle Tennessee and Toledo to match up in the Bahamas Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2021 04:35 PM EST

Notre Dame's George Takacs (85) celebrates with Michael Mayer (87) after catching a touchdown pass against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
No. 5 Notre Dame beats Stanford 45-14, awaits playoff fate

By Josh Dubow Nov. 27, 2021 11:22 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan prepares to throw a pass against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Notre Dame at Stanford 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 08:41 PM EST

Stanford coach David Shaw stands on the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against California in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
No. 5 Notre Dame looks to maintain playoff hopes vs Stanford

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2021 09:00 AM EST

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

The Notre Dame offense celebrates after tight end Michael Mayer, second from let, scored a touchdown against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
No. 6 Irish welcome Yellow Jackets for home season finale

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 05:31 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

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) avoids a tackle attempt from Virginia defensive back Elijah Gaines (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Notre Dame at Virginia 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 09:51 PM EST

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)
No. 11 Notre Dame has star TE Michael Mayer back healthy

By Caroline Pineda Oct. 27, 2021 04:44 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

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

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