With less than one minute on the clock and Duke ahead by one point, Notre Dame’s offense was in position for a field goal attempt. Instead, Audric Estime burst through the Blue Devil defense for a game-winning 30-yard touchdown. Starting deep in Irish terrritory, Hartman led the offense on a 95-yard drive to victory, moving the Irish to 5-1 for the season.
For suicide awareness week, the Student Government Association (SGA) at Saint Mary’s organized a walk to the Grotto, displayed banners and posted to social media with quotes from students.
Students marched one by one from Le Mans Green to the Grotto at Notre Dame on Tuesday to light candles and pray in honor of people they lost to suicide.
Katie Hunter, a senior at the College who is one of the presidents of the Residence Hall Association, said suicide awareness week was held because September is suicide prevention month.
“We wanted to promote the idea on campus of not being alone,” Hunter said.
Wednesday at 6 p.m., students joined together to sign a banner to promote suicide awareness. “SMICKS MATTER” was written
on the banner in big, bold and blue letters. The banner had hundreds of signatures and positive affirmations.
Students gathered for a campus ministry pop-up session Thursday.
Carrie Badertscher, ecumenical chaplain with the Center for Faith, Action and Ministry (CFAM), explained the sessions.
“On Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., we have what we call the ministry pop-up, which is located in the Common Good Lounge on the second floor of the student center,” Badertscher said.
Badertscher said the discussions at the pop-ups are wide-ranging.
“We talk about lots of things from issues with roommates or favorite movies they’ve watched or football games or classes … This is also a place where we talk about faith,” she said.
According to Badertscher, CFAM is a place for students to come and go as their schedules allow.
“It is a place for students to come
By MAGGIE EASTLAND and GABRIELLE BEECHERT Editor-in-Chief, Assistant Managing Editor
Tamara Kay, the sociology and global affairs professor suing The Irish Rover publication, and her legal team will have more time to prepare for a Nov. 29 hearing, according to a court order issued last Thursday.
After a legal skirmish over briefing deadlines, a judge granted Kay’s legal counsel and The Irish Rover more time for discovery, the formal process of exchanging information between parties, following a hearing last Wednesday.
When Kay filed complaints of defamation against The Irish Rover student newspaper in May, the
Rover’s legal counsel filed a motion in July to dismiss the case under Indiana’s anti-SLAPP Law, which is designed to protect First Amendment rights.
Kay’s legal team asked for an additional 30 days, through Sept. 11, to respond to the Rover’s motion to dismiss.
see ROVER PAGE 2
The University celebrated Hesburgh Library’s 60th birthday during an open house in the new Beth and Lou Holtz Family Grand Reading Room on Wednesday evening.
according to library staff.
Camille Martinez, an event specialist for Hesburgh Libraries, was responsible for coordinating the open house. She said the event featured appetizers, a photo booth and a brief welcome from Alicia Bates, an advisor to the Hesburgh Library dean K. Matthew Dames.
on the library’s history and former University President Fr. Theodore Hesburgh.
Guests received a “60th anniversary commemorative mug — our way of saying thank you to the campus community for your inspiration and partnership,” she said.
Around 700 Notre Dame students, faculty members and alumni attended the occasion,
Martinez added that during the event, the two floors of the reading room showcased a digital exhibit
Some students attended the
see CARE PAGE 4 see LIBRARY PAGE 4
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For anyone wondering how many hot dogs they could eat in one sitting, Knott Hall’s new signature event provided a place for students to find an answer. The first annual Knott Dog Eating Contest materialized on South Quad Friday with students serving hot dogs in support of a good cause.
Anthony Travlos, Knott Hall copresident, talked about the origins of the event.
“Our big thing for the presidency this year was we wanted to put Knott on the map,” Travlos said. “The event has really raised a lot of people’s spirits and that’s what we’re all about. We’ve raised at least $1,000, so
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The Friday before that deadline, Kay’s legal counsel filed a motion to stay, or pause, briefing deadlines. The Rover’s defense objected to the motion and Wednesday’s hearing addressed the matter.
The hearing included debate over Indiana trial rules, as The Irish Rover’s attorney, James Bopp, argued that Kay should have already filed an affidavit and that the court has no discretion to grant the plaintiff additional time for discovery.
Kay filed the original civil suit in response to two articles published by the Rover in October 2022 and March 2023. The first article said Kay was offering abortion access to students and the second article quoted Kay speaking on a Notre Dame College Democrats panel. Kay claims both articles contained defamatory information.
The initial hearing regarding the motion to dismiss was
we’re super happy about it.” The contest was organized with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana in mind. At zero cost to the families it serves, the charity offers families, whose children are in the hospital for a prolonged stay, a place to get a good night’s sleep and a hot meal just steps away from the hospital.
Since opening more than two decades ago, the organization has served thousands of families with their 15,000-square-foot house, which boasts 20 bedrooms, according to the organization’s website.
Dressed in a hot dog costume, Knott Hall junior Patrick Divis said he was feeling good after competing and added that he was excited about the event’s purpose.
originally scheduled for Sept. 27, but that hearing was then allocated to hear Kay’s motion to stay that requested more time for discovery.
During the Sept. 27 hearing, Kay’s legal counsel, Kimberly Jeselskis, argued for more time due to an illness in her family. Jeselskis was retained as Kay’s counsel on Aug. 2. Shortly thereafter, she said her mother’s cancer treatments and other casework prevented her from looking into Kay’s case.
“The first time I had a chance to sit down and start digging into this matter was the last week of August. Then there was the holiday. I had another medical appointment to attend to with my mother regarding her chemotherapy regimen,” Jeselskis said. “I can’t probe factual issues without taking depositions of the authors of the articles and at least doing some sort of limited discovery and that’s why the motion to stay was filed.”
The Rover’s legal team argued for dismissal of the case, pointing to the failure of Kay’s legal team to
“I got five dogs down, but that doesn’t really matter at this point,” Divis said. “It’s for charity, it’s for a good cause and it was great to see the whole dorm out here.”
To compete, students could pay $5 and see how fast they could eat 15 hot dogs. If people didn’t want to compete, they could pay $5 for unlimited hot dogs.
For every hot dog eaten as part of the competition, Knott Hall donated an additional $3. After costs, all proceeds were donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana.
While few were able to get near the goal of 15 hot dogs eaten, freshman Elwin Serrao ended up with an impressive
file for discovery when they could have. Bopp also argued that his clients are full-time students.
The court agreed that Kay and her legal counsel could have conducted discovery at any point after the motion to dismiss was filed in July. Although Kay and her legal team were mistaken that they needed a court order for discovery, the court allowed more time because of Jeselskis’ “unawareness” of the motion for summary judgment and “because she was caring for her cancer-stricken mother while managing a busy caseload,” according to the Sept. 28 order.
Judge Cristal Brisco of St. Joseph Superior Court treated the motion to stay as a motion for alteration of time because Kay’s counsel was unaware of the motion for summary judgment required by Indiana’s anti-SLAPP law and faced other personal obstacles. Brisco exercised a provision that allows the court to alter time limits for cause, according to Indiana Trial Rule 56I.
Both sides will have the opportunity to conduct discovery,
seven hot dogs consumed.
“I wasn’t even planning on competing, but I ended up with seven hot dogs,” Serrao said. “I feel kind of bad right now after eating all of that, but it was for a good cause.”
The event also drew crowds from plenty of dorms outside of Knott Hall. Fisher Hall freshman Bobby Munhall said it was great to get outside on a nice day and eat a dog for a good cause.
“I honestly had no idea this was happening, I just saw it on my way to the dining hall and figured I’d check it out,” Munhall said. “I think that’s what’s great about Notre Dame — there’s always stuff going on.”
The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at editor@ndsmcobserver.com so we can correct our error.
Overlooking the St. Joseph River and marking the center of campus, Our Lady of Holy Cross will serve as a place of reflection, inspiration, hope and prayer. It will feature sculptures, quotes from the Bible and connection to a new plaza and walkway. This site will be completed in October and formally dedicated to the Virgin Mary in May of 2024.
This project was initiated by the new Holy Cross President Marco Clark, who had a vision to “invest in areas that really provided both indoor and outdoor spaces for our students
to further deepen their prayer lives, their spirituality and to create encounters with Christ,” he said.
This desire became a reality when Charles and Elizabeth Kitz gave a generous donation for a holy outdoor site dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Dr. Marco Clark and the committee behind the site’s design said they gained inspiration from the Holy Cross motto “Ave Crux, Spes Unica,” which is a Latin expression meaning “Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope!”
They also said the space’s patroness, Mary, maintained hope and faith despite the magnitude of her pain and sacrifice in losing and witnessing the suffering of Jesus.
“We hope that it will be a space that will help students or anybody who comes to visit our
campus, [who] might be dealing with their own troubles, anxieties, [and] difficulties, that they’ll be reminded of Mary’s sorrows and then ultimately the hope of the cross,” Clark said.
The project consists of three parts: a walkway, a plaza and the sacred space itself. The currently unnamed walkway will be lined with prayer benches, illuminated trees and flower beds that flow through the center of the campus.
Quotes from the Bible will be distributed along the course of the walkway, inviting visitors to learn and reflect. This will lead guests to the plaza, where outdoor masses will be held, and the sacred space, which will be located slightly below the plaza itself.
The sacred space will feature three sculptures by artist Miklós
including up to 15 requests for production, five interrogatories, five requests for admissions and three depositions. Kay’s legal team plans to depose and question the two authors of the two articles named in the defamation complaint. The Irish Rover plans to depose and question Tamara Kay and ask her to produce emails sent about the signs and the letter “J” on her door. Discovery must be completed by Oct. 27, according to the order. Over the next two month, both parties will collect more evidence through discovery and file briefs to prepare for a Nov. 29 hearing on The Irish Rover’s motion to dismiss. The court will then issue a ruling by early January, within the deadlines set forth in the anti-SLAPP law. To prevent a dismissal in that hearing, Kay and her legal counsel will have to prove there is a probability they will prevail in the suit.
Contact Maggie Eastland at meastlan@nd.edu and Gabbrielle Beechert at gbeecher@nd.edu
Simon that depict the story of salvation history. One will resemble the tree of good and evil. Another will depict Jesus’s crucifixion on the cross. A sculpture of Mary will be in the center.
“It’s not only a beautiful space to pray and reflect in, but it’s also a beautiful space to learn and to come closer to Christ by learning more about salvation history, the salvation that Christ brings through the power of the cross,“ Dr. Marco Clark said. “I frankly just couldn’t be more proud … and honored to contribute to the continued recognition of our lady who brings us to the cross, our only hope.”
An opening ceremony for Our Lady of Holy Cross will be held next May.
Contact Ava Warford at awafor2@nd.edu
SomosND: Hispanic Heritage Kick-Off Event
Friday, 9/15 at 12:00 pm Bond Hall Quad
Documentary Film Tijuana: Ciudad de Migrantes
Monday, 9/18 at 7:00 pm 104 Bond Hall
Success Stories of Hispanic Alumni of ND
Wednesday, 9/20 at 8:00 pm Register for Zoom webinar
The Prose & Poetry of Fred Arroyo & Luivette Resto
Wednesday, 9/27 at 6:45 pm
Eck Visitors Center Auditorium
Artist Talk with Carlos Barberena
Monday, 10/2 at 12:30 pm 315 Bond Hall
Art Exhibit by Carlos Barberena
October 2nd – January 20th
Galeria América @ ND, 315 Bond Hall
Sunday, 10/8 at 2:00 pm Patricia George Decio Theatre, DPAC
Tuesday, 10/10 at 5:30 pm 205-207 McKenna Hall
Latino Studies Majors/ Minors Study Break
Wednesday, 10/11, All Day 315 Bond Hall Scholars Lounge
For more information, visit latinostudies.nd.edu
and dwell. A place of belonging where we talk about lots of things,” Badertscher said. “It’s a judgment free zone, so you can bring your true authentic self and not feel like you have to shape-shift to be somebody to walk into the space … We recognize that perhaps we’re more alike than we are different and in this space we seek unity and not uniformity. We recognize the diversity and wonder of each person and allow them to be fully present, to be fully known and fully loved for who
they are.”
Nora Clark, a Saint Mary’s freshman, said she enjoyed the outreach activities at the CFAM pop-up.
“It’s really fun getting to help pastor Carrie make snacks for outreach programs,” Clark said. “It’s super cool, getting to interact with girls from all different areas of study and all different years.”
Badertscher said the pop-up is her favorite time of the week.
“I see students connecting with each other in the space that perhaps would not have connected outside of the space,” she explained.
Sarah Peabody, a sophomore at the College, said the pop-up was
yearlong, 60th anniversary celebration framed by these two significant dates.”
important to her.
“I started coming last year as a freshman because some of the RAs in my building would be involved with it,” Peabody said. “There is nothing better than being done with class for the day and finding these people.”
Peabody also complemented the work of Badertscher.
“I really value the work that pastor Carrie has invested into this event and I really hope that we can keep it going for years to come.”
To conclude the week, the SGA hung the banner students signed Wednesday right across from the dining hall on Friday evening.
Caitlin Sizemore, a Saint Mary’s junior and resident assistant, spoke about her takeaways from the week.
“As an RA, I think caring about residents is something that’s very close to my heart … letting people know that they have one person that cares about them, sometimes it’s all we need,” Sizemore said.
Hunter added that she would have liked to have suicide awareness week during her first year.
“My first year was really hard … I think if I had seen something like this event my first year, it just would have given me another boost,” Hunter said. “I guess that was my intention going into it — to reach
those people who are struggling and let them see people do care.”
According to Hunter, it’s easy to feel so much pain in a moment and not realize that there are going to be breaks.
“There are going to be moments where you feel better and I think just being there to remind them that they matter and things will change is a big thing,” she said.
Contact Amelia Bostetter at abostetter01@saintmarys.edu, Samantha Gebert at sgebert01@saintmarys.edu and Sophia Waddell at swaddell01@saintmarys.edu
celebration out of happenstance, including Natalie Ceonzo, a freshman who lives in Flaherty Hall.
“I noticed the event on my way to study, and so I sat down, ate a meal and made a friend,” Ceonzo said.
Tara O’Leary, a member of the library’s executive leadership team, said the open house was one of many anniversary celebrations which will be held throughout the school year.
“The building opened on Sept. 18, 1963 and was dedicated on May 7, 1964,” O’Leary said. “To honor this important University milestone and acknowledge the work that students and scholars do within its spaces, Hesburgh Libraries is planning a
The present-day building, originally known as Memorial Library, was established in 1963 under the direction Hesburgh, who helped raise more than millions toward its construction. Upon Hesburgh’s retirement in 1987, the library was renamed in his honor.
“I wanted in 1963, and still desire today, for the Memorial Library literally to stand for the future of Notre Dame as a place of unmatched intellectual achievement, free inquiry and providential contributions to mankind,” Hesburgh said in an interview for Words of Life, a book written about the 50th anniversary of Hesburgh Library. “Let the Library be a place on this campus where that hunger for truth will
keep getting stronger, supporting freedom and justice around the world, inspiring excellence and prodding us to bigger dreams.”
The construction of the Beth and Lou Holtz Family Grand Reading Room began in October 2022 and was completed this August, just ahead of the start of the academic year. Holtz was the last Notre Dame football coach to win a national championship in 1988. His wife Beth died in June 2020.
In a private ceremony attended by Holtz, University President Fr. John Jenkins dedicated and blessed the reading room.
The space is composed of tables installed with charging ports and offers more than 250 seats, including more than 60 soft seats for individual study.
Jessica Kayongo, a subject
Librarian who was chair of the Hesburgh Library renovation steering committee, said the reading room also boasts an improved working atmosphere.
“Users can anticipate a dramatic change in the look and feel of the former spaces on the first and second floors,” Kayongo said. “The open spaces, atrium and new stairwell will allow natural light to flood throughout the entire space. On the south end of the second floor is a large fireplace [and] 100 pendant lights hang at different heights, creating a beautiful focal point in the center of the room.”
Kennan Hall resident Daniel Sheng said the reading room was a well-designed environment to study.
“The lighting isn’t too harsh, the large windows provide a natural
backdrop and the quiet atmosphere helps me focus,” he said.
Ceonzo added that the lighting and design of the reading room were incredibly appealing.
“I also can appreciate how loyally the students who use the room stick to the no talking policy,” she said.
After six decades as a campus staple, Kayongo said that the prospects for the future of the library are only bright.
“The Hesburgh Library and its world famous Word of Life mural still stand as a symbol of academic excellence and the pursuit of truth both on Notre Dame’s storied Indiana campus and with scholarly communities around the world,” she said.
Contact Gray Nocjar at gnocjar@nd.eduZach Bryan’s new surprise EP, “Boys of Faith,” definitely got one thing right: the album is nothing short of a religious experience. The EP follows closely on the heel of Bryan’s self-titled fifth album, which was released in late August. “Boys of Faith” was first teased on Bryan’s social media with a picture of Noah Kahan, one of the features on the five-track EP, and Bryan’s dog, Jack, in the studio. The photo itself generated an understandable amount of buzz from the music community about the possibility of a collaboration between the two artists, who first appeared onstage together in early August at the Hinterland Music Festival in Saint Charles, Iowa to close out Bryan’s set with his hit song, “Revival.”
Bryan added to fan’s excitement when he released two demos on Sept. 17, the much-anticipated song featuring Kahan and its unanticipated counterpart featuring indie-folk artist, Bon Iver. It was in this post that he first hinted at the name of the still unconfirmed EP, ending his heartfelt caption by thanking Bon Iver and Noah Kahan, “them boys of faith.” Less than a week later on Sept. 22, without any
advanced notice, Bryan released the EP on all streaming platforms.
The album solidified Bryan’s already apparent lane within the country genre. The 27-year-old’s music has always had a stripped-down feel, separating it from the commercialized aspects of the genre and introducing a vulnerability and depth that never fails to resonate with listeners. With the addition of Kahan and Bon Iver, the EP takes a distinctively folk approach. However, the remarkably familiar feeling of the album shows just how comfortable Bryan is pursuing the intersection between folk and country.
The five-song collection packs no less of a punch than the artist’s longer studio albums. It perfectly reflects the environment he described producing the tracks in.
“Locked myself in a studio all week, wrote myself through a notebook, walked around with people I love in the city then went campin, felt restful and hopeful, thankful for breathin no matter the day, just grateful,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
It is the perfect mix of city and country, with the energetic combination of the drums and fiddle in “Pain, Sweet, Pain” and the slow thrumming of the bass guitar in the EP’s title-track “Boys of Faith.”
But more than that, the most notable thread running through the album is the message of hope that Bryan references in his songs, summarized in the closing lines of the EP, “Pain, sweet pain, let’s learn somethin’ from it / I see the top, brother, and I might just summit.” The tracks, while unique in their composition and skillful lyricism, reveal a complex layering of anticipation and escapism: they focus on the chase. There is an acknowledgment of the benefits of space, between people, between places, with lines like “Don’t come back, lover, I’m proud you’re under the skyline” in “Sarah’s Place” and a disregard for such distance in the conclusion of the song, “Plane tickets have gotten awfully expensive / But I got mine for the price of a Gibson” (anyone who listened to that line and didn’t have it stuck in their head for days afterward has my utmost respect).
“Boy’s of Faith” is the perfect folk-country soundtrack for fall. The EP leads listeners on a journey through life’s ups and downs, and it encapsulates a feeling many college students identify with: simultaneously yearning for something lost and feeling at peace away from it.
Contact Ashley Hedge at ahedge@nd.edu
By NATALIE ALLTON Scene WriterMitski’s seventh studio album, “The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We,” dropped earlier this month. It follows plenty of controversy in Mitski’s career — not from herself, but from her fans. During her tour for last year’s album, “Laurel Hell,” Mitski asked in an X (formerly known as Twitter) thread that concert-goers put away their phones and instead connect with her performance on a face-to-face level. The backlash to that request was so heated that the Tweet has since been deleted. Mitski’s fanbase has consistently tried to box her into a commodified version of herself, a “sad girl indie” mannequin. Despite this, Mitski perseveres in her career, and I’m so glad that she does. “The Land Is Inhospitable” is, from a technical perspective, her best album to date.
In writing “Inhospitable,” Mitski presses rewind on her own sound. “Laurel Hell” was a synthy dancepop whirl that built on the industrial soundscape of 2018’s “Be the Cowboy,” but “Inhospitable” is closer in sound to her third album, 2014’s “Bury Me at Makeout Creek.” The album’s production is softer and smoother than ever before, with instruments that aren’t acoustic but feel that way under Mitski’s precise and mellow crooning. The sound isn’t quite
as raw as “Makeout Creek,” with its angry unplugged guitar and blown-out screams — but that’s not a bad thing.
The feel of this album is different from any before. Part of this is due to the vast difference in Mitski’s attitude towards her own instrumentals. She uses instruments the same way — contrast the crushing drums at the end of “The Deal” to the wall of guitar at the end of “Townie” — but gone are the days of compressed guitar tuned to open D and plucked in arpeggiated chords. “Inhospitable” features a 17-person choir and a full orchestra, which opens previously unexplored doors in Mitski’s songwriting.
Part of this tonal leap comes from the internal tonal dissonance of the album itself. Mitski is at peace. She is uncomfortable. She is in love. She has been replaced. She is one of many. She is the object of desire. She is a traitor. She is the king of the land. Even her use of genre shifts at any given moment, pulling inspiration from rock, folk, country, gospel and orchestral music. “Heaven,” the album’s second single, begins sounding like Alan Jackson and ends sounding like Alan Menken. Every song seems to bend the convention of what instruments are meant to fit where, leaving an abstract and ethereal collection of tracks that sonically go where they need as they
need. There’s a dominant sense of movement in the lyrics and instrumentals. The narrative is not cohesive, and yet it coheres.
Mitski’s lyrics are as textured as ever. In my review of “Laurel Hell,” I said her lyricism was “best approached like sung poetry.” That remains true; her metaphors are tightly packed and aching to be teased apart and turned over and over again. Don’t believe what Genius tells you; there is no single correct interpretation of her words. Like all great art, the meaning lies not in the tongue of the one that speaks it but in the ear of the one that hears it. Is the album about heartbreak or sadness or loneliness? Could be. Is it about labor and the sacrifice of monetizing art? Perhaps. Is it about identity, the idea of growing up between and across cultures? Maybe. It could be all of these. It could be something entirely different.
The biggest crime against “Inhospitable” is to try to pigeonhole it firmly in a box — a box of genre, a box of meaning, a box defined by Mitski’s previous work. “Inhospitable” is Mitski at her creative peak, exploring musical and narrative angles entirely new to her and vastly unlike anything else being put out today. Allow yourself to get lost in what she has to offer you.
Contact Natalie Allton at nallton@nd.edu
What do you think of when you think of the ocean?
Hold that answer for a second. It means something, I promise.
The first time I saw the Atlantic, I was headed to a funeral. My brother, father and I piled into a black rental car in Miami to drive down the Overseas Highway — a 113-mile stretch of sea bridges connecting the Florida Keys. The ceremony was on the water. I remember our faces stung with salt and ashes melted into the waves. Some small part of me still believes my uncle lives on in a fish’s belly or in the soft glow of a bioluminescent creature. But mostly, I remember the cold, unforgiving line that separated sea from sky.
It is impossible for me to think of any large body of water without thinking of the horizon — the single, thin line separating the cosmos above from the infinity below. The two bodies never touch, not really, not in a way that matters. Even though they look so similar, the two bodies are separate entities and couldn’t be more different. A great divide.
What you associate with the ocean might be more revealing than you think. I stole the question from a TikTok personality quiz I took back during the pandemic. When you answer the question “What do you think of when you think of the ocean?” with something along the lines of “The ocean is beautiful but scary,” you’re secretly revealing what you think about love. Do you think it’s accurate? Maybe I’m putting too much validity into a silly quiz I took three years ago, but I think the question generates surprisingly insightful answers.
When I asked my brother about the ocean, he had two answers.
Recently, he said “I think we should try to figure everything out about the ocean. But, to an extent, I feel like we don’t have a right to know everything. Like, have you ever heard about how eels evolved? It’s not just …” He went on like that for a while about eels.
Three years ago, before all the ex-girlfriends and the broken heart, when my brother was sixteen, he paused briefly to consider the question. “I think of happiness and the beach,” he said. “I think of Lake Michigan and our summers there.”
In truth, I agree with my brother. When I think of the ocean, I think of Lake Michigan. The horizon exists there too, but it’s a little easier to conceptualize. If you strain your eyes from the Indiana side of the lake, you can see the hazy Chicago skyline at sunset. With a reference point, somehow the scope becomes less intimidating.
In the summers of our childhood, we would regularly embark on the annual family reunion trip to the Michigan City
shores of Lake Michigan. We have twelve cousins, all in the same age range, who would run wild in the beach community. Those summers were some of the best memories we have. We would catch frogs, run barefoot down the middle of the street, sing songs at the top of our lungs, gamble and stay up way past our bedtimes. There was little-to-no parental supervision. It was heaven.
My brother has not been to the shores of Lake Michigan in four years. Last summer, I was lucky enough to visit our old stomping grounds for the first time since the pandemic. The week was different this time. All of us had jobs now or school to attend or significant others to see. The rental home was only half-full.
It rained our last day on the beach. My aunt (Kathy) was determined to soak up the rest of her hard-earned vacation and convinced my cousins (Holly, Grace and Mary Kate) and my other aunt (Moe) to hunker down underneath our tent to wait it out. Other beach-goers were not as brave and scurried to pack up their umbrellas and towels before the rain hit. Within ten minutes, the beach was completely empty — except for us.
As it started to pour, naturally, the conversation turned towards family. I pestered Kathy and Moe with questions. Is it weird talking to all of us as adults? Did you like us better when we were kids? What were you like when you were our age? What is it like having married kids? Apparently having adult children is fantastic because you “can make [them] carry the beach chairs.”
Kathy turned the topic of conversation to in-laws. She swirled her glass of rose casually as she listed each of her siblings’ spouses and how they enriched her life in some way or another. You see, love compounds and compounds and compounds. Love radiates and spills over to all the people who love the people you love. And maybe that’s exactly what family is supposed to mean.
When the rain eased, my cousins and I sprinted out from underneath the canopy onto the wet beach. Our hair was standing up on its ends from the electricity in the air (or “The wind!” which was what we told Mary Kate). We grabbed hands and spun briefly, just our connection keeping our centrifugal forces at bay. We blindly dove into the waves for an impromptu baptism, fearing nothing — not thunder, nor lightning, nor rain. It was like seven years washed off of our backs. Suddenly, we were girls again: twelve, laughing with abandon, tipping our faces back towards the sky.
Love is a funny thing. It keeps surprising me. I realized under certain — perhaps even perilous — conditions, I could always be wrong. I looked up and noticed, with all the rain, there was no horizon.
You can contact Claire at clyons3@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this Insidee column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
My name is Anhtuan Doventry. You may know me as Anhtuan Do, if I attended school with you from 1998 – 2002.
From the ages of 12 to 42, I was suicidal; that includes my four amazing years at Notre Dame. To be completely honest, I started thinking about suicide at such a young age, I didn’t know that people didn’t constantly think about ending their own life.
A bit about me: I grew up in a Vietnamese-Catholic family. Like most of you, I was a high achiever. After Notre Dame, I started out in consulting which included a stint at Deloitte. I then went on to take a company from near-bankruptcy to the Fortune 500, now I run tech for a groundbreaking company.
Yet all of that time, I thought I wasn’t worthy of this world. In January of 2023, eight months ago, the world aligned for me to get help. As I did, I started to tell my story. When I did, people started sharing their stories. It helped some seek help. It helped us connect on a more real level. It helped normalize mental health just a bit more.
I used achievement as a coping mechanism. I used busyness as a coping mechanism. Anything to keep me from listening to myself.
For those who knew me at Notre Dame, you knew I filled my days to the brim. I made sure every second was taken up so all I could do was go to sleep when I returned to my dorm. I didn’t want any time to listen to my head.
There was only one spot on campus where I felt peace. Last week, leading up to the Ohio State game, was the first time I returned after my therapy. I spent 30 minutes on a bench in God Quad under the trees. I had my Jimmy John’s sandwich and I watched many of you walk through campus.
I debated about whether or not to send this in. Then, I thought of the dozens of you I saw walking around that Wednesday afternoon. I thought maybe one of you feels the way I did when I was a student. Then, I imagined my younger self picking up a copy of The Observer, sitting at South Dining Hall and opening it up to see this letter. I would’ve cried. I hoped the younger me would’ve made my way to the University Counseling Center and asked for help.
So I write this letter for you. I’ve never met you in my life. I’ll likely never meet you. I’ll never know what you went through, but I know how it feels to believe you’re not worthy.
You — more than anyone else — need to know that you belong. So find a safe place to feel what you need to feel. Process it, and then please, please, please go find help. Our tri-campus has so many resources, please go connect with them or anyone about it.
Be open to the help because you’re worth it. You just have to believe it.
I do.
Love always,
Anhtuan Doventry Class of 2002 Sept. 25[Editor’s note: If you or a loved one are expressing suicidal thoughts or tendencies, please call the suicide hotline at 988. To get connected with Notre Dame’s University Counseling Services, visit the third floor of Saint Liam’s Hall or call them at 574-631-7336. Schedule an appointment with Saint Mary’s Health and Counseling Center at 574-2844805. Schedule an appointment with Holy Cross Counseling Center at 574-239-8383 or via email at counselingservices@ hcc-nd.edu.]
The views expressed in this Letter to the Editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
When I decided to start a column at The Observer during my freshman year of college, I remember staring at the question on the application asking what the title and nature of my proposed column would be. While columns can be as broad as personal musings, I knew I wanted to follow a central thread of thought throughout my writing. I naturally thought about the act of writing itself. As such, I centered my column around the world of literature. While books are integral to most of my articles, I also attempt to connect the literary content to contemporary events to make it applicable to a wider audience.
The first column I wrote was in response to headlines I had seen during COVID-19 about a surge of demand for media focusing on pandemics. I analyzed some literature, such as Giovanni Boccaccio’s “The Decameron” and Emily St. John Mandel’s “Station Eleven,” to see why people were drawn to these seemingly analogous pandemic narratives.
I have also written a response piece to Notre Dame’s ranking in the U.S. News & World Report in 2022 and connected it to the literary genre of dark academia, commented on the surge of book-banning policies and connected Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” to the 2021 NCAA women’s basketball weight room disparity.
In short, even when talking about contemporary issues, I constantly reference books and writing itself.
I am likely influenced by the types of books I consume. Many of my favorite kinds of books feature the love of storytelling in the narrative. Young Briony Tallis of “Atonement” is a budding author whose craft arguably creates the form of McEwan’s novel. For many
years growing up, “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak was my favorite book. It follows the protagonist Liesel’s comfort in literature while living in Germany during World War II.
Books centered around books can be the result of the protagonist being an author himself (e.g. Paul Sheldon in Stephen King’s ”Misery”) or the protagonist being a bibliophile (e.g. Amory Blaine in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “This Side of Paradise”).
Even in the non-fiction genre, texts such as “The Library Book” by Susan Orlean have gained lots of traction in the publishing world. The book features a fire that occurred in 1987 at the Los Angeles Public Library.
While I enjoy reading these kinds of books, there have been critiques towards the debatable oversaturation of this theme in the market. A recent article argues that this trope is “done to death” — referencing in particular King’s works, as well as Ian McEwan, Louisa May Alcott, etc.
Author Chris M. Arnone argues the trope is done merely because “it’s easy, not because it’s the right or best or only option,” except for when the book demands the main character to be an author for the type of critique it is making (e.g., R.F. Kuang’s novel “Yellowface” which explores racism and authorship in the publishing industry). The writer as a protagonist is a character who requires no further research nor meticulous characterization. The inner dreams and goals of the fictitious writer are blended with the real-world scribe.
The platitude of “write what you know” seems to have an asterisk when it comes to writers penning stories about writers. The roadblocks and fears that many characters face in book-centered tales can be viewed as “projections of their creators’ anxieties,” like Victor
Frankenstein’s monster who can be read as the corporeal projection of the creator’s own grotesque nature.
While this projection of the author onto the protagonist may be true, does that necessarily make the writing lazy? Is writing about writing self-referential or merely self-indulgent — a form of egocentrism that is celebrated amongst the ivory tower of publishing?
In addition, books that contain many allusions to other books can become elitist and create barriers for people who are not as actively engaged in the literary scene. It takes the novel, an arguably accessible form of knowledge and narrative, and places it in a hard-toreach place. Furthermore, these considerations make me question to what extent it is in the layperson’s domain to critique the methodology of a novelist’s characterization.
It may seem trite to focus a column on this niche consideration. However, in light of rising discussions of different forms of representation in literature, as well as my own column’s literary focus, it makes me question how this form of narrative either flourishes or falls short. While I won’t attempt to stake a claim to the solution in the short space of this column, the paradox lends itself to asking: what is the purpose of the novel? Why do we tell the stories that we tell?
Elizabeth Prater is a senior at Notre Dame double majoring in marketing and the Program of Liberal Studies. She is interested in the cultural implications of analyzing classics and literature under a contemporary lens. When she isn’t writing, she loves playing the violin, hiking in the Pacific Northwest and offering unsolicited book recommendations. Elizabeth always appreciates hearing from readers, so feel free to reach out to eprater@nd.edu or @elizabethlianap on Twitter.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Paltrow. Verrett was also featured in an episode of a Netflix reality show called Bling Empire.
Often when we think about royal marriages, we have a certain stereotype in our head.
The stereotype tends to be modeled after the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer — a traditional affair with a lavish ceremony watched by millions. It’s a conventional alliance that (at least, on the surface) seemed like a perfect fit for such a historic and traditional institution like the British royal family.
However, in recent years, the image of a royal family has been changing. As royal families enter the modern age, older traditions and conventional ideals of a royal marital arrangement are being left behind.
The newest example is the engagement between the Norwegian princess Märtha Louise and Hollywood self-professed spiritual guru Durek Verrett; this is certainly not your typical royal duo.
During their tour of Norway in 2019, they made waves in Norwegian culture due to their unconventional beliefs. Märtha Louise claimed she can talk with angels. Likewise, Verrett claims he can communicate with spirits. He also claims he practices ancient medicine and has a medallion to dispel negative energy.
Verrett’s alternative beliefs have drawn controversy to his name. For instance, his book ”Spirit Hacking” suggests cancer is a choice. He sells a $222 ”Spirit Optimizer” medallion which ”will assist you into being your best version of your higher self” on his website. The shaman also claimed that he had come back from the dead and recovered from a month-long coma by ”burning” his soul. Alongside his commercial work, Verrett is a spiritual mentor to many public figures such as the actress and businesswoman Gwyneth
Even given her fiance’s more extreme eccentricity, Louise stated ”I am probably the one in Norway who has received the most criticism of all.” Louise is no stranger to criticism from Norwegian media. She believes the paparazzi drove her ex-husband Ari Behn to suicide in 2019.
It is no surprise Louise’s new relationship has been met with its fair share of criticism from fans of the royal family.
”The royal family is meant to be a unifying force,” historian Trond Noren Isaksen said. ”The problem is that Martha Louise and Durek Verrett are exactly the opposite: controversial and polarizing with suspicions of charlatanism.”
Despite public opinion, Louise’s father King Harald V said in a statement to the Associated Press the royal household was “delighted to welcome” Verrett into the family.
After a two-year engagement, King Harald V and Queen Sonja announced on Sept. 13 the unorthodox couple finally set a wedding date. Their wedding will take place on Aug. 24, 2024 at Hotel Union in the scenic Geiranger Fjord, rather than the royal family’s conventional Oslo Cathedral venue.
”The Geiranger Fjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and represents Norway’s rich culture and natural beauty,” the princess and bride-to-be posted on Instagram. ”We are incredibly happy to be able to celebrate our love in Geiranger’s beautiful surroundings.”
Märtha Louise has had an interesting career in the royal household.
In 1990, the Norwegian Constitution changed to allow the first-born child of the royal family, regardless of gender, to take precedence in the line of succession.
Since this law was passed after Märtha Louise’s birth in 1971, her younger brother Crown Prince Haakon will succeed as King, even though she is the eldest child of King Harald V and has an ancestry tracking back to Queen Victoria.
In November 2022, the Royal House of Norway announced Louise was ”stepping away” from her royal role to more freely pursue her interests and alternative beliefs without being affiliated with the crown. A statement on behalf of the Norwegian King and Queen reads ”the King and Queen wish to thank Princess Märtha Louise for the important work she has carried out in her official capacity for several decades. She has performed her duties with warmth, care and deep commitment.”
Despite officially stepping back from her royal duties, she retains her title and is included in family events. Her husband-to-be, however, will not gain a royal title when they are married. Märtha Louise and Verrett will not be ascending the throne any time in the future, but it is an interesting idea to pose what it would have been like to have had such an alternative couple inherit the Norwegian crown.
Their marriage mirrors other unconventional royal marriages in recent years, most notoriously Prince Harry’s marriage to actress Megan Markle. These new, younger and unorthodox couples demonstrate how royal families in Europe are being challenged and changed. Perhaps the future of these traditional institutions might not be so traditional after all.
Lucy Carrier-Pilkington is an international exchange student from London, England. She is currently a junior studying history, political science and journalism. You can contact her at lcarrier@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Notre Dame cross country got their first taste of postseason-caliber competition Friday morning. The Irish hosted several nationally ranked teams for the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational at Burke Golf Course. Both Notre Dame sides staked their claims as being among the best teams in the country. The Irish women earned a runner-up finish, while the men claimed the title.
Irish women battle with defending champion Wolfpack
Few teams have managed to compete with the NC State women over the past few seasons, as they have claimed back-to-back national titles over the past two years. One of those teams was last year’s Notre Dame squad, who came within four points of upsetting NC State at the 2022 ACC Championships.
This season, the No. 1 Wolfpack are again the team to beat, and Friday represented the first of
several opportunities the No. 4 Irish will have to challenge them throughout the regular and postseason. Notre Dame came up short — finishing in second place with 53 points to NC State’s 44 — but showcased their ability to keep up with the Wolfpack.
The Irish received a major boost with the season debut of graduate student Olivia Markezich, an All-American and the team’s top returning runner. Markezich was held out of the National Catholic Invitational on Sept. 15 as she continued to recover from a long summer of racing, but she showed little rust while earning a sixth-place finish Friday.
Just ahead of her in fifth was Siona Chisholm. The junior has enjoyed a breakout season while leading the Irish in both races that she’s competed in. Prior to Saturday, she also took first place at the National Catholic Invitational earlier in the month. With Notre Dame now back at fullstrength, Chisholm and Markezich make up a formidable top duo
conversion and Marist Liufau’s following fumble recovery.
that few teams in the country can match.
The rest of the Irish’s top group was just as strong, with the team putting five runners in the top 17 out of a competitive field of more than 130 athletes. Graduate student Andrea Markezich and freshman Grace Schager finished just seconds apart in 12th and 13th. Senior Erin Strzelecki rounded out Notre Dame’s scorers with a 17th-place finish.
Despite the impressive showing, the Irish still fell to NC State. The Wolfpack placed a pair of runners in the top four and added a third finisher in ninth. With their final scorers coming in at 14th and 15th, they were able to create the separation needed to narrowly push past Notre Dame. No. 22 Alabama finished in third with 73 points. Those three teams were a class ahead of the competition, as no other team scored less than 150.
The men’s race was just as competitive, with a trio of top teams — No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 27 Alabama and Florida State — grappling for the team title. Like the Irish women, the men’s team saw several top runners compete for the first time this season. Their return proved a difference-maker, as Notre Dame picked up a hard-fought victory.
After claiming the individual title at the National Catholic Invitational, senior Josh Methner was at the front of the pack again Friday. Racing against several of the elite runners in the country, Methner secured a low stick for the Irish with a sixth-place finish. Sophomore CJ Singleton was next to cross the line for Notre Dame in 13th.
The Irish continued to score top placements with sophomore Ethan Coleman (16th) and senior Carter Solomon (24th), both of whom were racing for the first time this fall. Coleman impressed in his first competitive cross country race at
the collegiate level after a redshirt freshman campaign. Solomon, the individual ACC champion and an All-American performer last fall, is expected to be at the front of the pack for the Irish as the season goes on.
Needing a strong fifth runner to secure a victory, the Irish turned to Tyler Berg, a graduate transfer from Columbia. Berg crossed the line shortly after Solomon in 28th place, sealing Notre Dame’s team score at 87. That was enough to push them past Florida State’s 95 and Alabama’s 114 for a home-course win for the Irish.
After a two-week break, Notre Dame will be back in action for their final regular-season meet, the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational, on Oct. 13. The Nuttycombe field will feature a majority of the nation’s top teams and will provide the Irish with a preview of what they will face as they move toward the postseason.
Contact Matthew Crow at mcrow@nd.eduDuke basketball and getting to see where all the magic happens. We even got the chance to compare my feet to that of players whose size 18 feet model engulfed our size 7 and 9 shoes. A true fan-girl moment. A few pictures later and we were on our way to the press level, where we enjoyed another barbecue meal.
We headed down onto the field prior to the game, in which we scoped sizable groups of Irish fans among the sea of blue. We stayed on the sidelines until a few minutes before kickoff, watching as the Irish warmed up for the fight against the Blue Devils that ensued. Afterward, we made it back to the press box for the team entrances, noting how much Duke likes their pyrotechnics. Even the moon showed out for us, ascending above the stadium as the teams took the field.
Late in the fourth quarter, we rushed down to the field to catch the final few moments and be able to fully convey our emotions while free from the press box’s nocheering rule. We witnessed Hartman’s instantly-iconic 4th-and-16 play and his successful look to junior running back Audric Estimé from the very same end zone where the touchdown occurred. We could even hear Hartman’s immediate call for what would become the Irish’s successful two-point
Put simply, it was awesome. The energy was infectious as the crowd erupted in a “Let’s Go Irish” chant and the players enthusiastically ran off the field as we viewed Hartman and Freeman’s post-game onfield interviews. We couldn’t help but think about how we were on the reverse end of this very outcome last weekend against the Buckeyes. But, this just made being there for this victory all the sweeter. There was no short of celebration from the players, either. The song “SkeeYee” could be heard from the Notre Dame locker room in celebration during the postgame press conference as we struggled to hear the remarks from head coach Marcus Freeman. After a late night of writing, we headed to the airport Sunday morning where we helped a former Domer locate her lost phone and made various other alumni connections. Notre Dame truly is everywhere.
All in all, we both agree that this has been our favorite Observer trip to date. Between the thrilling matchup, beautiful views and extensive exploration, Duke did not disappoint. One thing is for sure though, the Irish will always keep us on our toes no matter where we are.
Contact Emily DeFazio and Madeline Ladd at edefazio@nd.edu and mladd2@nd.edu
Though the Notre Dame women’s soccer team entered Saturday still in a good position in the ACC standings, there was a lot at stake. That isn’t usually the case against an overmatched team like 2-6-4 Louisville, unlikely to make noise in one of college soccer’s top conferences. But the Irish have to win games in their current stretch. Saturday’s contest kicked off a three-game homestand, all against unranked ACC opponents. That’s the calm before the storm of playing the top two teams in the country back-to-back on the road.
Those games against North Carolina and Florida State will be daunting and vital. For now, though, all the Irish can do is get to that stretch in as good of shape as possible. After conceding a late goal for a disappointing draw against Pitt, Notre Dame bounced back as emphatically as possible,
beating the Cardinals 3-0.
That score, while convincing, doesn’t capture the extent of Notre Dame’s domination. It took less than four minutes for the Irish to strike. Freshman forward Meg Mrowicki took a feed from graduate student midfielder Kiki Van Zanten and turned in her fourth goal of the year. It was the start of a big night for Van Zanten. She would eventually tally twice in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Before that could happen, the Irish had to deal with some first-half frustration. Through 45 minutes of play, shots were 14-2 in Notre Dame’s favor. But the Irish had just the Mrowicki tally to show for their domination. Louisville keeper Erynn Floyd did her best to keep the Cardinals in it, making several aggressive, highlight-reel saves on just about every type of shot possible. Her best came on an impressive denial of Irish freshman forward Charlie Codd
streaking down the left side late in the half. She oneupped herself by getting up to make a one-handed leaping stop early in the second half as well.
But eventually, her heroics couldn’t hold up. Mrowicki snuck a shot through the legs of Floyd only to clank the second post of the night. This time, the rebound kicked out in front where Van Zanten was first to the spot to put the Irish up 2-0. About 15 minutes later, Van Zanten drew her second penalty of the season.
Like her first, Van Zanten made no mistake, securing the Irish victory. Freshman goalie Atlee Olofson, making her third consecutive start, stopped each of the two shots sent her way.
The Irish return to action at Alumni Stadium on Thursday against Boston College. The match starts at 7 p.m. and is available to watch on ACC Network Extra.
Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.eduHappy Birthday: Keep your circle small and your personal information a secret. Protect against injury, illness and temptation. Look inward and address issues that will encourage personal growth. Prioritize warding off drama, chaos and nonproductive situations with individuals who don’t fit certain criteria. Discard, reboot and prepare to move on with less baggage. Your numbers are 8, 14, 23, 25, 37, 46, 48.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Tread carefully, look before you leap and stick to what you know and trust. Change may tempt you, but you aren’t likely to get an accurate picture without a thorough investigation. Put more time and effort into self-improvement.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Believe in yourself and what you can do to achieve contentment and happiness. Use intelligence and change what you don’t like. Disconnect from manipulative individuals who try to take advantage of you. Reconfigure your approach to life.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pick up the pace and do your part. Engage in events that encourage getting fit and eating healthy. A lifestyle change that helps you say no to temptation and distances you from poor influences will help you strive for a better future.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Call on those you trust to help. Use your voice, stand up for your rights and make a difference. Choose a path that’s conducive to your standards and financial standing. Be blunt and say no to those trying to infiltrate your space.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Slow down, note what’s happening and put things in perspective before you act. Focus on home, peace of mind and protecting your emotional wellbeing from anyone eager to take advantage of you. Get the facts, run the numbers and say no to pushy people.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consider your options and get moving. Give thought to situations that offer you a spotlight to share your thoughts. Discussions will provide food for thought and encourage you to make adjustments that, in turn, will make your life easier. Put an end to any negativity or poor influences you encounter.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your energy to good use. Reach out and help others, and you will receive the same time and respect regarding burdens you can’t handle alone. Let your actions be your calling card and your insight be your ticket to better relationships and days ahead.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll encounter people and propositions that aren’t reliable. Ask questions, and don’t hesitate to say no or walk away. Protect yourself and your reputation, stick to the truth and do what’s best for you. Stabilization requires you to take control.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen more and say less. Protect what’s yours from those trying to take advantage of you. Follow up on any offer you receive to ensure it isn’t prefabricated to pique your interest. Simplify your pursuit of happiness, and you won’t be disappointed. Focus on self-improvement.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make domestic changes to suit your needs and to protect against anyone trying to take advantage of you. Anger won’t solve problems, but actions to ensure you and your possessions are safe will put your mind at ease.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make the necessary health, financial and legal arrangements to ease your mind. Look for a unique approach that will sideline anyone trying to compromise your plans. A change someone makes will be telltale regarding their intentions. Do what’s necessary to avoid letting someone manipulate you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Revisit old ideas and plans. With an update and amendment, you’ll find a direct route to someone or something you want to pursue. An open mind will encourage growth and a unique approach to what’s possible. Helping others will increase your profile.
Birthday Baby: You are dedicated, intelligent and impulsive. You are innovative and enthusiastic.
No. 11 Notre Dame snuck out of Durham, North Carolina, with a 21-14 victory over No. 17 Duke after a thrilling final 30 seconds.Though the Irish came out on top, they were far from perfect. Following the devastating Ohio State loss, Notre Dame hoped to come back with a vengeance and dominate Duke in prime time. Instead, it was an ugly battle until the end, coming down to the final seconds. For the majority of the game, the Irish defense played lights out, but the offense — especially graduate quarterback Sam Hartman — lacked momentum. Sloppy penalties on both sides of the ball plagued the Irish.
The Irish missed out on several key opportunities to put the game out of reach against the underdog Blue Devils. However, at the end of the game Hartman pulled through, put the team on his back and converted a near-impossible fourth and 16 scramble. Junior running back Audric Estimé then hammered the final nail in Duke’s coffin on a 30yard touchdown run to cap the game-winning 95-yard drive.
Notre Dame’s defense sealed the game with a strip-sack of Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, recovering the fumble and closing out the win. The Irish were able to get the job done when it mattered most and extend their ACC regular season win streak to 30 games.
Luck of the Irish better late than never
The game clock read 2:35 as the Irish began their final drive at their own five-yard line in a desperate attempt to recapture the lead. Hartman looked to junior tight end Mitchell Evans for a 19-yard reception and a crucial first down on third and 10. Freshman wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. continued the momentum with a 24-yard reception. Hartman’s next few pass attempts were unsuccessful. And an offensive pass interference call on sophomore Tobias Merriweather set the Irish up for a daunting fourth and 16.
The Duke crowd roared in anticipation of securing a signature victory. Instead, the veteran quarterback scrambled for 17 yards to give the Irish an unfathomable first down.
The Irish appeared to run a play to set up a game-winning field goal, but Estimé burst through the Duke defense for a 30-yard score to put the Irish on top himself. Hartman then connected with Flores for the two-point conversion, putting the Irish up by seven. The subsequent Duke drive was cut short on a strip-sack by the Irish defense. Graduate student defensive lineman Howard Cross III forced the ball out and graduate student linebacker Marist Liufau jumped on it.
In a win reminiscent of Ohio State’s stunner last weekend, the Irish made it count when it mattered most. Despite the evident cleanup needed, head coach Marcus Freeman came away proud of the team and their persistence.
“We were on the opposite sides this week — we had the chance
to execute and we did,” Freeman said. “I’m proud of us. And yeah, there’s a lot of cleanup but there’s always a lot of cleanup but, you know, for those guys to keep believing, it’s a great feeling to coach for them.”
Though pivotal, the excitement in the dwindling moments of the game was not reflective of the entire matchup. The Irish were lackluster on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the team was unable to establish a dominant run game and felt the absence of key receivers junior Jayden Thomas, junior Deion Colzie and freshman Jaden Greathouse.
“Obviously with injuries to three guys now in that room, we didn’t have much depth,” Freeman said. “What you see through the course of the game is that you can’t rotate wideouts — they get tired. I’m so proud of the gutsy performance they had out there. For Rico to catch that two-point conversion, they continue to battle, but we were thin and we need those guys to get back next week.”
The Irish tried out a variety of ways to fill gaps. A gutsy fourth and 4 fake punt turned into a 34-yard pickup for freshman running back Jeremiyah Love, helping the offense groove on the first drive of the game. Estimé’s six-yard rush granted the Irish the game’s first touchdown moments later. The offense went relatively quiet from there on out. Evans was an exception, though, leading the way with six receptions for 134 yards.
“Obviously, our room had to step up, some of the running backs,” Evans said. “I think we all kind of did that and closed in on different kinds of blocking roles than kindofwhatwe’vedonebeforeinthe past and executed.”
Hartman did not have his usual efficiency in the pocket. It was his worst game of the season statistically, as he finished 15-30 for 222 yards without a touchdown. However, he quelled doubts with his gamewinning plays in the final seconds.
“When Sam Hartman’s your quarterback, you have a lot of faith — he’s been in those moments,” Freeman said. “He’s not a first-time quarterback, this moment wasn’t too big for him. I don’t wanna give credit to one person but the plays he made on that series were huge.”
Defensively, the Irish played great and were able to apply the pressure needed to keep the Blue Devils at bay, though not much more. Duke reached the end zone two times, although they had a myriad of other close calls. The Irish were fortunate Duke kicker Todd Pelino’s leg proved untrustworthy, as he missed two makeable field goals in the first half. The Irish defense made a big play early when senior safety Xavier Watts picked off Leonard deep in Duke territory. But the offense stalled, forcing the Irish tosettleforafieldgoaltomakeit10-0.
The Irish defense began to tire as play went on. Duke scored their first touchdown near the end of the third quarter on a one-yard run by Jordan Waters. The Blue Devils struck again to move in front on a wideopen three-yard reception by
Jordan Moore. As the crowd roared in Wallace Wade stadium, the Irish seemed to fade. But after the offense went three and out, the Irish defense regrouped and gave the offense one last shot to change the course of the game. They made the most of it.
“The defense, man, Coach Golden, man, I wanna buy him a Ferrari or something,” Hartman said. “He kept us in this game and that defense was playing their hearts out and gave us the chance to see the last play of the game get the stop. Just surreal. So proud.”
Penalties plagued the Irish on both sides. The Irish garnered a total of 12 penalties for 70 yards, many of them unforced false starts or offsides. Despite the win, Freeman understood the Irish have plenty of room for improvement.
“What we can’t do is let the outcome cloud our eyes from the mistakes we’ve made,” Freeman said. “We have to be sure we’re as aggressive at attacking our mistakes as we were last week. The feeling of victory can make us ‘alright, yeah, yeah we know we can do something different,’ but we have to continue to attack everything we do and figure out why we weren’t as successful as we wanted to be.”
It certainly was not a blowout. But the Irish made a statement tonight as an elite team with their nail-biter of a win, on the road, against a top-20 opponent. They proved they can execute with their season at stake.
“Great teams find a way to win when it matters most,” Freeman said. “They find a way to execute when it matters the most.”
Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.eduIf you ever need a laugh, I highly encourage you to check out the “Notre Dame Football News” Facebook group. It really has nothing to do with news – more so just random fans giving their opinions on everything related to the Irish. Some want coaches fired after a dropped pass or a three-andout. Others wish Charlie Weis still coached the Irish. Bottom line – there’s an incredible diversity of viewpoints. However, I’m shocked at the almost unanimous consent that the ACC referees somehow fix games featuring Notre Dame.
For reference, most Notre Dame games are officiated by ACC referees. When a non-ACC team visits South Bend, the visiting team tends to bring referees from their conference. Last week’s game against Ohio State featured Big Ten referees.
The Irish have been susceptible to penalties this year. This weekend, the Irish committed eight pre-snap penalties. None of these were controversial. Marcus Freeman blamed crowd noise. Duke’s stadium, which sits around 40,000, was not very loud. However, these presnap penalties are black and white. You can’t blame the officials here.
More of a grey area exists in regard to holding and pass interference penalties. So far this year, the Irish have committed 320 yards in penalties, putting them at 107th of 130 FBS teams. There are teams in worse situations, however. Fellow College Football Playoff contender Washington has accumulated 471 yards in penalties, most coming on pass interference calls.
Why would the ACC fix games?
Notre Dame’s not alone in being penalized frequently. However, Irish fans
frequently lament that the team is treated differently or unfairly. As proven above, the data doesn’t prove that point – at all. But let’s dive deeper into the question/conspiracy theory: why would the ACC fix games so that Notre Dame would lose?
Some fans would point to the referee’s critical error last night. In the fourth quarter, the Irish punted the ball. Initially, the side judge spotted the ball on the Duke one-yard line. However, a minute into the TV timeout, after the replay showed on the stadium video board, the referees decided to review the play, resulting in a touchback, placing the ball at the 20. Two problems occurred here: referees aren’t permitted to use the video board as justification to go to the headsets; second, this specific play was not eligible for a video review. The ACC owes Irish fans an explanation and apology.
Nevertheless, I have absolutely no reason to believe that the officials working the game would risk their career and future to appease ACC executives. If word got out that an ACC executive tried to tamper with the match, the league would collapse overnight. Forget Clemson or Florida State leaving, match-fixing would kill the league like nothing else.
More so, we live in a digital age. Word about something like this would get out. The ACC has 12 crews and 35 auxiliary officials. Additionally, there are huge replay teams. One person would need to anonymously report their findings. That’s all it would take. We haven’t heard anything yet and we never will. There’s no bias here.
The ACC wants its full-time members to win games, but exposure alone is enough of a reason to play Notre Dame. Notre Dame games
do wonders for TV ratings. Stadiums see huge jumps in attendance. Duke’s attendance on September 16th against Northwestern was 18,141. Against Notre Dame, 40,768. The ACC agreed to its scheduling arrangement with Notre Dame knowing that its teams would most likely lose their bouts with the Irish. However, the financial benefits for these schools are so great that they’re willing to take a loss.
Notre Dame fans will continue to complain about ACC officiating as the Irish head to Louisville for a primetime matchup. Until then, all the Irish faithful can hope for is that Marcus Freeman can succeed in eliminating pre-snap penalties at practice. If the Irish take care of business, no officiating decision will prevent the team from winning.
Contact Jake Miller at jmille89@nd.edu
Graduate student defensive lineman Howard Cross III arguably had the game of his career this past Saturday in Durham, North Carolina against No. 17 Duke.
The Paramus, New Jersey native has been with the Irish for five seasons and has been a consistent defensive presence in all six matchups this season. This game, though, Cross broke out. He was a disruptive force, especially when the Irish needed him most. Cross was responsible for the clinching strip sack that turned the ball loose from the hands of Duke quarterback Riley Leonard and into those of senior linebacker Marist Liufau. This would end the game and allow the Irish to claim their thrilling 21-14 victory.
“It’s ecstatic, there’s really no other feeling like it,” Cross said. “That’s what every guy in my position chases, is that feeling of everybody looking at you, everybody so proud of what you’ve done. It just goes to show what we’ve worked on. I couldn’t have done what I did without the rest of my D-line.”
OBSERVER ON THE GROUND
Though they were not able to be as explosive against a motivated Duke offense, the defense — led by Cross — was able to keep Leonard at bay despite his mobility. It was the practice that paid off, according to Cross.
“Like with any running quarterback, as I’m sure we are going to see a lot for the rest of the season, we practiced all week,” Cross said. “In the game there was nowhere for him to go because we had eyes on him wherever he could’ve gone.”
Cross led the defensive charge with a career-high 13 tackles, three of them solo and 3 ½ of which were for a loss. This game also marked the second in his career where he finished with double-digit tackles. Cross had 33 total tackles at the end of last season. He currently sits leading the team with 35 after this game just halfway into the slate, showing the improvement he’s made this season.
He also played the entire game while dealing with a sinus infection. Cross humorously remarked “I’m not going to touch anything,” at the post-game press conference.
“I am not going to lie to you, I have a really bad sinus infection,” Cross said. “There were like three or four plays I was like, I can’t breathe, like I don’t know what’s going on, but I just kept going, and I looked at my dad in the stands which I do every game. All I saw was keep moving, if you want to feel better run it out.”
He embodied the defense’s ability to power through, to execute when it mattered. Cross’ two forced fumbles — his first pair of the season — were difference-makers with regard to the outcome of the game.
“That’s how great defenses are made,” Cross said. “When the chips are down, and you don’t really know what’s going to happen, what are you going to do with the hand that you have? We went out, we played our hearts out and when it mattered, we made the stop.”
Cross will prove beneficial as the Irish prepare for the second half of their schedule, especially with oppo
nents like No. 9 USC on the horizon.
Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.edu
This weekend in Durham, N.C. was marked by College GameDay, beautiful campus vistas, Carolina barbecue and a near-heart-attack-inducing match between Notre Dame and Duke. The Irish’s lastminute 21-14 victory over the Blue Devils in Wallace Wade Stadium was a thrill to watch in person and a fitting end to a wonderful day. Read along to hear what The Observer sports staff was up to this weekend in Bull City.
After a brisk 1.5-hour flight from South Bend on Friday afternoon — thank you United direct flights — we arrived in a sunny Durham just in time for dinner. Upon checking into the hotel and settling in, we parted ways to spend time with family and friends in the downtown
area. The city adopts an industrial charm, with the Burt’s Bees warehouse and energetic night scene taking top marks. The night brought plenty of festivities for us with a delicious tapas meal, a lively Notre Dame pep rally and an exciting mechanical bull ride — a 10/10 experience, I may add.
The next day, we were up and at ‘em early and arrived at ESPN’s College GameDay on Duke’s Abele Quad, upon which we had to confirm we were in the right place.
Though the unmistakable Home Depot orange was nestled underneath the towering Duke Chapel, the fan environment and crowd numbers were lackluster compared to the infectious energy present on Notre Dame’s Library Lawn last Saturday. We quickly were able to sift through the sea of blue and work our way up to the front of a fence, playing
our cards right to get a frontrow seat to watch hosts Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard run a portion of the show.
Comedian and guest picker Ken Jeong entertained the crowds as we maneuvered our way to the front of the crowd.
A Lee Corso Irish jig helped round out the morning when all other pickers bestowed favor upon Duke. We headed around back to see some of the hosts hop in their vehicles, even watching Lee Corso get out of his car to kiss a doting fan on the cheek. Get it, Lee. From there, we headed into downtown Durham for some authentic Carolina barbecue.
To our surprise, the downtown area was not as crowded with fans as expected. We quickly got a table and enjoyed our lunch outside, with some hushpuppies and seasoned fries stealing the show. After
a filling lunch, we gathered at Duke Gardens, 55 acres of landscaped and wooded areas right on Duke’s campus. Walking around, you could easily have convinced us we were in some forested paradise and not directly adjacent to an American university. We walked around for a few hours, passing by lakes, flowers and Asian-style architecture as we admired the natural beauty of Duke and learned about the garden’s history. We even stopped at a hut that looked straight from a story book, getting popsicles to round out our visit, deftly fighting off bees in the process.
Following our tour of Duke Gardens, we walked extensively around the campus, especially enjoying a tour of the cavernous Duke Chapel. It reminded us of the basilica at Notre Dame, but with a much more rigid and gothic
aesthetic. This colder, gothic feel is how we would best describe the campus at Duke. Students seemed more subdued and we even saw quite a number of students hard at work as we peeked our heads into the library. Where’s the school spirit?
We headed further through the campus to the athletic complex in preparation for the game, where we observed several tailgate lots with blue and white tents. A decent crowd surrounded these areas, though it was certainly not how the Irish do Saturdays. On the way, we checked out Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of the famous, championship-winning Duke basketball team. We entered the stadium through a free tour offered by Duke volunteers, learning the rich history of