Jarrett Patterson
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

FILE - Then-Ohio State's linebackers coach Al Washington celebrates a win against Michigan after an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. First-year Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman knows success in the 2022 season will depend on how strong the Fighting Irish will be on the offensive and defensive lines. Al Washington is in charge of the defensive line. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FIle)
For new coach Freeman, Notre Dame success starts in trenches

By John Fineran Apr. 11, 2022 02:26 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

Marcus Freeman listens 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)
Freeman aims for national title as he takes over No. 5 Irish

John Fineran Dec. 06, 2021 06:27 PM EST

Notre Dame wide receiver Avery Davis (3) celebrates his four-yard touchdown reception with quarterback Jack Coan (17) 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)
Notre Dame's o-line goes from question mark to strong spot

By Caroline Pineda Nov. 10, 2021 05:23 PM EST

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

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

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly walks to a huddle as his team plays Toledo in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Notre Dame won 32-29. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
No. 12 Irish prepare for visit from long-time rival Purdue

By John Fineran Sep. 16, 2021 12:49 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

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 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. 9 Irish have plenty of work and short week for Toledo

By John Fineran Sep. 06, 2021 05:27 PM EDT

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell arrives before an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
Notre Dame at Florida State 9/5/2021

Sep. 05, 2021 06:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, July 22, 2021 file photo, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Atlantic Coast Conference media days in Charlotte, N.C. Florida State is banking on improvement production from the Seminoles after spending the last nine months patching up holes at quarterback, on the offensive line, in the secondary and along the defensive line. Coach Mike Norvell he believes that production and leadership will come from a group of nine newcomers who transferred and are part of the Seminoles’ two-deep depth chart. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Revamped Florida State D-Line will be tested by Notre Dame

By Bob Ferrante Aug. 31, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2021, file photo, Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) gains yardage after a catch as Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) moves in to make the stop in the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. 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/Michael Ainsworth, File)
No. 9 Notre Dame out to score more points with new QB, line

By John Fineran Aug. 25, 2021 03:52 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrate after a missed Notre Dame field goal attempt in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Anderson was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Iowa State, Notre Dame highlight AP preseason All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 23, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) passes the ball 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)
No. 9 Notre Dame turns to graduate transfer QB Jack Coan

By John Fineran Aug. 18, 2021 02:42 AM EDT

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees huddles with the offense 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)
Kelly: Irish prepared in case COVID numbers spike again

By John Fineran Aug. 07, 2021 04:13 PM EDT

Irish hoping offensive flexibility will produce more points

By John Fineran Apr. 07, 2021 01:13 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Getting to the College Football Playoff hasn’t been a problem for Notre Dame. Staying in it has for Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish, who...

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
Notre Dame seeking a jumpstart against Alabama in CFP semi

By John Fineran Dec. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. Lawrence was voted The Associated Press offensive player of the year for the Atlantic Coast Conference and was one of a league-best 10 Clemson selections to the AP all-ACC team. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool, File)
No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Notre Dame headline AP all-ACC honors

By Aaron Beard Dec. 21, 2020 12:31 PM EST