Cole Kmet
FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly watches warmups before the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State in Orlando, Fla. Notre Dame heads to spring practice with question marks at various spots, but not at quarterback where Ian Book will be returning for the Fighting Irish. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Kelly pleased as Irish begin journey toward 2020 CFP berth

By John Fineran Mar. 05, 2020 03:45 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Book throws 3 TD passes, No. 15 Notre Dame beats BC 40-7

By John Fineran Nov. 23, 2019 06:16 PM EST
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Ian Book was coy after throwing three touchdown passes in No. 15 Notre Dame’s 40-7 victory over Boston College Saturday whether it...

Members of the Notre Dame football team sing at the end of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 21-20. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 15 Notre Dame visits Duke looking for late-season surge

By Joedy Mccreary Nov. 08, 2019 10:05 AM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) celebrates his 7-yard touchdown run with wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Book's late TD run helps No 16 Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech

By John Fineran Nov. 02, 2019 06:54 PM EDT

No. 16 Irish seek home rebound against red-hot Virginia Tech

By John Fineran Oct. 30, 2019 09:52 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Virginia Tech (5-2) at No. 16 Notre Dame (5-2), Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EDT (NBC) Line: Notre Dame by 17 1/2. ...

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh walks off the field at the end of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. Michigan won 45-14. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
No. 19 Michigan routs No. 8 Notre Dame 45-14 in rain

By Larry Lage Oct. 26, 2019 11:32 PM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) greet each other after their NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State won 48-41. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas State deals blow to No. 5 Oklahoma's title hopes

By The Associated Press Oct. 26, 2019 05:01 PM EDT

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) hands the ball off to running back Lyn-J Dixon (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Clemson slides to 4, but why now?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 21, 2019 02:23 AM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) celebrates his 8-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 8 Irish need to win out and have help for playoff berth

By John Fineran Oct. 17, 2019 03:13 PM EDT

Notre Dame wide receiver Braden Lenzy (25) celebrates his 51-yard touchdown run with Chris Finke (10) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 9 Irish ride Jones' 176 yards to 30-27 victory over USC

By John Fineran Oct. 12, 2019 11:23 PM EDT

Bowling Green quarterback Grant Loy (13) looks to throw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Book throws 5 TDs as No. 9 Notre Dame routs Bowling Green

By John Fineran Oct. 05, 2019 06:52 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) works in the pocket against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
TE Cole Kmet returns, big game a plus for No. 10 Notre Dame

By John Fineran Sep. 25, 2019 01:06 PM EDT

Notre Dame linebacker Shayne Simon (33) runs against Georgia defensive back Ameer Speed (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 23-17. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame loses another big game but gains some respect

By Paul Newberry Sep. 22, 2019 03:52 PM EDT

Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager (15) makes a catch for a touchdown against Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride Jr. (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 23-17. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
No. 3 Georgia holds off No. 7 Notre Dame 23-17

By Paul Newberry Sep. 21, 2019 11:56 PM EDT

Notre Dame's Robert Hainsey (72), Julian Okwara (42), Ian Book (12) and Tommy Kraemer (78) sing after beating New Mexico 66-14 after an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Kelly and No. 7 Irish look forward to trip to No. 3 Georgia

By John Fineran Sep. 15, 2019 09:43 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) hands the ball off to running back Tony Jones Jr. (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Kelly defends Book as No. 7 Irish get physical in bye week

By John Fineran Sep. 09, 2019 04:42 PM EDT

Notre Dame running back Jahmir Smith (34) is brought down by Louisville defensive back P.J. Mbanasor (1) and defensive lineman Amonte Caban (53) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. Notre Dame won 35-17. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Silver lining: No. 8 Notre Dame youth got time vs Louisville

By John Fineran Sep. 03, 2019 06:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame running back Tony Jones Jr (6), runs in a touchdown against Ball State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. There is no Dexter Williams in the backfield this season for No. 9 Notre Dame. Instead, the Fighting Irish will look to a stable of running backs to pick up the slack, including Tony Jones and converted wide receiver Jafar Armstrong. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Armstrong, Jones top horses in No. 9 Irish rushing stable

By John Fineran Aug. 21, 2019 05:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame wide receiver Jafar Armstrong (8) runs the ball against Clemson during the NCAA Cotton Bowl football game, in Arlington, Texas. Armstrong returns to the backfield for Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Irish hope to ride Book's arm to second straight CFP berth

By John Fineran Aug. 15, 2019 01:52 PM EDT