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Volume 56, Issue 23 | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Mass remembers students Community honors Valeria Espinel and Olivia Laura Rojas one year after crash By ALYSA GUFFEY Notre Dame News Editor
The Notre Dame community filled the Basilica of the Sacred Heart Sunday night for a one-year memorial Mass to honor and celebrate the lives of Valeria Espinel and Olivia Laura Rojas, two students who died after being struck by a car on October 24, 2020. Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, Espinel was an intended economics major, while Rojas was planning to study in the Mendoza College of Business and hailed from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Both were first-year students in the class of 2024.
The Mass was organized by the Badin and Cavanaugh Hall communities, where Espinel and Rojas lived respectively. To honor the Latino heritage of Espinel and Rojas, the Mass was celebrated in both English and Spanish. A live stream was available for the Espinel and Rojas families to join the service as well. Fr. Bob Dowd, assistant provost for internationalization, presided over the Mass while Fr. Joe Corpora, who serves as chaplain for Latino students at the University, delivered the homily. After reading from the Gospel of Mark, Corpora expanded on the story of
Lecture addresses lead crisis
Bartimaeus, a blind man who wants to see Jesus. He explained how the story is not just about being blind. “The Gospel also invites us to think about what makes it difficult for us to see ourselves as God sees us, to think about what makes it difficult for us to experience the love and the mercy of God in our lives,” Corpora said. He went on to say humans fall into a trap of thinking they are never “good enough.” “We’re always looking to be good enough — good enough for our family, good enough for our roommate, for our friends, for our team, for the world around us, good
enough to be at Notre Dame,” he said. Yet, Corpora said, God made humans “wholly good.” Corpora then addressed the congregation in the Basilica who were gathered for the one-year anniversary of Espinel and Rojas’ death, saying that no one understood why the tragedy happened. Corpora said he suspected that if their families and friends addressed Jesus, they would say they “want to know why this horrible accident has happened.” Corpora expressed that he could not answer that question.
Shots were heard southeast of Eddy Street Commons early Sunday morning, according to a safet y information alert sent to the campus communit y Sunday. The incident occurred shortly after the 2 a.m. closing of Brother’s Bar at Eddy Street Commons.
see MASS PAGE 5
see SHOTS PAGE 3
Saint Mary’s News Editor
The Saint Mary’s Department of Religious Studies hosted the third installment of the lecture series “Wonderfully Made,” Tuesday evening in Stapleton Lounge. The event was co-sponsored by the Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO), Sexuality and Gender Equality (SAGE) and the Office for
Research associate Juan Esteban Baus speaks about the region’s chronic lead crisis during his “Lead Free by Three” lecture. By RYAN PETERS
Associate News Editor
Global health research associate at the Eck Institute for Global Health and the St. Joseph County Department of Health Juan Esteban Baus detailed his efforts to develop and implement a system of monitoring and evaluation for elevated blood lead levels in St. Joseph County in a lecture in Jenkins and Nanovic Halls on Oct. 14.
NEWS PAGE 5
As a result of the Flint, Mich. lead-contaminated water crisis from 2014 to 2019, a 2016 Reuters investigation found almost 3,000 areas with lead poisoning rates higher than Flint. One of those locales was South Bend, IN. Elevated blood lead levels can impact children’s development. For this reason, Baus’ main goal is to implement a system of see LEAD PAGE 3
VIEWPOINT PAGE 8
Observer Staff Report
SMC hosts lecture on menstrual justice By GENEVIEVE COLEMAN
RYAN PETERS | The Observer
Shots reported near Eddy St.
the Common Good (OCG). BAVO coordinator Liz Coulston began by introducing the night’s speakers — religious studies professors Molly Gower and Stacy Davis. Coulston also discussed the initiative started by BAVO and the OCG with the goal to place menstrual products in all restrooms on campus. “You might have noticed a couple of baskets in the student
center, a couple in Le Mans and Angela,” she said. “We are hoping to put initiatives together to have various departments and groups on campus sponsor a basket so that people can take something when they need either in case of [an] emergency or if that’s where you might not be able to put your money. ” see LECTURE PAGE 5
Gift establishes historic preservation center Observer Staff Report
University trustee Fritz Duda, his wife Mary Lee and the family’s foundation gifted $30 million to establish a historic preservation center in the school of architecture, the University announced Friday morning. “Fritz and Mary Lee have been wonderful supporters of Notre Dame for decades,
SCENE PAGE 13
particularly with regard to our School of Architecture and the University’s development projects in the nearby community, and Fritz has provided valuable leadership on our Board of Trustees,” University President Fr. John Jenkins said. The center will be named the Michael Christopher Duda Center for Preservation, Resilience and Sustainability — in memory of the Dudas’ son,
FOOTBALL PAGE 20
who died in 2019 at the age of 38. Michael graduated from the school of architecture in 2005, where his interests in historic preservation grew. After graduation, Michael practiced architecture in California and eventually returned to his home state of Texas where he earned a master’s degree in business administration. He then joined his see GIFT PAGE 3
BO BAUER PAGE 20
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Freshly carved jack-o’-lanterns sit in front of Pasquerilla East Hall on Mod Quad in preparation for Halloween this coming weekend. Students are preparing for the holiday by planning dorm events, thinking up group costumes and stocking up on sweet treats.
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Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Catholic Mass in Swahili Coleman-Morse Chapel 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. All are welcome.
“Kill the Messenger” 206 McKenna Hall 11 a.m. - noon Lecture on mosquitocidal vaccines and drugs.
Lecture: “Asian Americans in an AntiBlack World” Online 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Join the Klau Center.
“Jullan of Norwich” Geddes Hall 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Saturdays with the Saints lecture on prodigal healing.
Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m. - noon Masks required. All are welcome.
The Oedipus Project Watch Party Dahnke Ballroom 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Actors read Sophocles’ “Oedipus”.
Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Basilica of the Sacred Heart 5:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Tickets required.
Glee Club Fall Concert Leighton Concert Hall 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free for students and $8 for non-students.
“Phosphorous, Food and Our Future” 101 Jordan Hall 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Lecture on phosphorous.
Organ Recital: Jonathan Hehn ‘10 Basilica of the Sacred Heart 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. No tickets required.
News
Gift Continued from page 1
family’s real estate business before starting his own, the Briar Cove Development Co. In 2011, Michael was appointed to the board of the Texas Historical Foundation in recognition of his love for architecture and Texas history. Jenkins expressed condolences to the family and thanked them for their “cherished friendship.”
ndsmcobserver.com | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | The Observer
“We mourn with them the loss of Michael and celebrate his life with this extraordinary gift,” Jenkins said. The center will be housed in the school of architecture but will serve the entire campus in matters related to the center’s objectives, according to the press release. In addition, the gift will support expansions of the school’s urbanism curriculum, new faculty lines and financial assistance for graduate students, and it will sponsor national and
international conferences as well. Fritz Duda said he and his family are pleased to further the legacy of Michael through the historic preservation center. “The mission of this center will pave the way for new watermarks and a greater calling for Notre Dame,” Fritz said. “This is a future that resonates with the life passions that had their roots in his educational experience at the University [Michael] loved.”
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Lead Continued from page 1
monitoring and evaluating elevated blood lead levels so children are “lead free by three.” “Lead’s abilit y to mimic calcium is what impacts the body,” Baus said. “It can go through the blood brain barrier and then affect all neurons in development particularly so that it causes neurodevelopmental and physiological delays in children and has a lasting impact. Hence why testing when they’re children is the most critical time to do so.” South Bend has experienced problems w ith elevated blood levels primarily through lead exposure through paint, Baus said. Up until 1978, lead was an additive in house paint and as a result children and adults were exposed v ia paint chipping and paint dust. Baus said 65% of homes in St. Joseph Count y were built before 1978 and nearly 80% of South Bend homes and apartments were built before 1980 and thus likely contain lead paint, according to the South Bend government. Baus said this issue extends far beyond St. Joseph Count y as roughly 24 million homes in the U.S. contain deteriorated leadbased paint. Baus said from 2005 to 2015, less than 10% of children in St. Joseph Count y were tested for elevated blood lead levels. A n elevated blood lead level is currently defined by the CDC as five micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. St. Joseph Count y’s reference level for lead testing is currently 10 micrograms per deciliter. Baus said he and other researchers are working
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on lowering the St. Joseph Count y level to five. Medicaid requires that children be tested for lead. Baus said because a significant portion of the St. Joseph Count y population is on Medicaid and so few children are being tested for lead that there is a “large” population of children in St. Joseph Count y that should be tested but are not receiving tests. W hen Baus looked at the data from 2015 to 2020, however, he said the testing rates for unique children in St. Joseph Count y has been increasing. Baus attributed this increase primarily to communit y health workers deployed by the department of health and the Notre Dame Lead Innovation Team (LIT) at-home testing kit which allows families to test at home. Baus said the Department of Health has partnered w ith “anchor institutions” — such as daycares and churches — in the census tracts deemed the highest risk to r each out to children in the communit y and test them. Baus and the communit y health workers hosted a summer lead testing series w ith these anchor institutions where they created partnerships w ith the organizations and tested children that were w illing for free. Communit y health workers have recently increased the amount of testing for children, improved the qualit y of testing — Baus said venous blood draws are more accurate than capillar y tests, or finger pricks — and the compliance rate for children for which they have completed home v isits, Baus said. He said the compliance rate for home v isits was prev iously less than 10% but they have seen a compliance rate above 60% in 2021 through the month of August so far. “Communit y health workers have had a pivotal role in increasing testing throughout the count y,” Baus said. “They have stepped into a role where no one was prev iously.” Contact Ryan Peters at rpeters5@nd.edu
Shots Continued from page 1
According to the alert, the South Bend Police Department (SBPD) reported the shots and a resident of 900 Tw yckenham later reported hearing the shots. The alert encouraged anyone w ith information regarding the incident to contact SBPD.
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Students travel to Appalachia fall break By KATHERINE ROSS News Writer
Students in the one-credit Appalachia seminar hosted by the Center for Social Concerns took part in an immersive trip to the Appalachia region over fall break. A total of 140 participants were spread out across 13 different sites in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Adam Gustine, director of the Social Concerns Seminars program, said the trip focused on how students could use Catholic social tradition to engage with social issues within the area and members of the community. ‘“I think one of the highlights is the way that students get a chance to not just lend a hand, but learn from folks on the ground, and [about] ways that people are
Mass Continued from page 1
“I don’t understand either,” Corpora said. “I cannot make sense of it.” Believ ing that God has control over ever y thing and has a watchful eye does not explain ever y thing, Corpora said. “It does not explain the tragic deaths of two young women, full of life and energ y and enthusiasm and love,” he said. Corpora touched on a
trying to build flourishing communities in all kinds of different creative ways across the entire region,” Gustine said. The program is fully immersive and focuses on connecting with the community while learning about issues regarding labor, the economy, sustainability and more. “I think it’s a great space to join with your peers and ask important questions about the world and our role in it,” Gustine said. “It’s a great opportunity to get out of the Notre Dame bubble and learn from people who are attempting to make the world better in their community.” Senior Casey Leimbach said that, to her, this trip was a way to connect with a previously unknown region while learning
quote from the French priest John Baptiste, who w rote, “A ll that I know of tomorrow is that Prov idence w ill rise before the sun.” He explained that in response to questions regarding tragedies in life, Jesus would respond that “God’s prov idence w ill rise tomorrow before the sun does.” A lthough the Notre Dame communit y has already experienced the loss of Espinel and Rojas, Corpora said that the communit y Paid Advertisement
how to make positive change in communities. “The entire goal of the seminar is to learn about Appalachia and to overcome some of the misconceptions and generalizations that [people] had going in,” Leimbach said. “How is that their home? What sort of things do they wish that they could see change in their home? And how could we possibly learn and bring that back to our own communities?” Leimbach visited the West Virginia site and said that her group met with partners in the community to work on different projects together while engaging in fruitful conversations with local laborers. Sophomore Martha Castellini was a first-time participant in the program and left the week with
w ill continue to grieve; but w ith faith, they w ill grieve “as people w ith hope.” People who knew Espinel and Rojas said they were “best friends.” After the Mass, Cavanaugh rector Jo Cecilio described how on the first day she meat Rojas, she thought Rojas and Espinel were related. “The way they acted around each other, they were family,” Cecilio said. Contact Alysa Guffey at aguffey@nd.edu
her expectations exceeded. “I found that I had a deeper appreciation for a part of our country that I knew nothing about before,” she said in an email. Castellini also traveled to the West Virginia site over break, which focused largely on the economy of the region and its dependency on coal mining. She said that the trip revealed new connections between labor and politics, pointing out the intersection of voting for a certain political party and prospective job availability within the r egion. Castellini highlighted the harmful effects of coal mining on the environment of the region and members of the community. “We saw a coal mine that was operating in a residential area and were told the people there
Lecture Continued from page 1
Gower began the first of the two talks by overviewing how historically, Christianity has considered menstruation a process that made the body impure, especially in Old Testament texts like the Book of Leviticus. However, she noted the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke include the story about the hemorrhaging woman who was cured by Jesus — a change from earlier Biblical texts. “On the one hand, interpretations place this story in the context of the purity codes — reading the story as a moment in which we see the Christian movement considering itself, experimenting with its identity and trying to differentiate itself all in relationship to Jewish practice,” Gower said. This difference of interpretation is based on whether an individual believes that the hemorrhaging woman touched Jesus’s clothing, like in Matthew and Mark, or if she touched Jesus himself, as distinguished in Luke. According to Gower, this contact with Jesus has significantly affected thought about how menstruators can engage with the Eucharist. Gower then addressed conflicting views by Church leaders about menstruators’ place in the church. At one time, Pope Gregory the Great was the authority on whether individuals could worship while they were menstruating. “He responded emphatically when Augustine of Canterbury asked him if a woman could properly enter a church while menstruating and whether she could receive Communion at these times,” she said. “Gregory observed that a woman must not be prohibited from entering church for this natural flowing cannot be [controlled].” Gower described the clear connection between menstrual blood and the blood of Christ through examining historical sources. “Drawing on ancient pagan sources, medieval Christian theologians worked with menses as a
will definitely have health problems when they’re older,” she said. Leading up to the trip, students participated in on-campus preparation classes. After completing the trip, the students will continue to gather as a class until November 15, reflecting on their experiences and what they learned. “It could be a really cool new experience, get you outside of your comfort zone. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about [the seminar],” Leimbach said. A series of seminars are being offered in the spring semester, with some immersion trips over spring break. Contact Katherine Ross at kross7@nd.edu
kind of sacred or magical material for human generation, inspiring life and offering form to the unborn,” she said. Gower continued by speaking about how Mary typically is not associated with menstruation because of her celebrated virginity. “It seems to me that this is a missed opportunity to talk about and perhaps pray about marriage, what it means to be human, what it means to be a woman,” she said. Davis then asked the audience what they learned in school about menstruation and used the concept of intersectionality to emphasize that menstrual equity needs to occur for all who menstruate, including transgender men. She continued by acknowledging that accessing menstrual products is an issue, individuals should also be aware of conditions like primar y dysmenorrhea — recurring painful periods and secondar y dysmenorrhea which could be a sign of endometriosis, which take years to diagnose. “We got to have more education about what is considered a normal cycle and what is not,” she said. Davis encouraged the audience to take their bodies seriously and know their family histor y, which are key factors to earlier diagnosis. Davis also noted issues with access to menstrual products for people of lower socioeconomic status. “Part of the problem is that because tampons and pads are not considered medical supplies, they are ta xed in most states, including this one,“ she said. “W hat really got me is that in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which [distributes] food stamps, you can’t buy tampons or pads.” A longer version of this story is available online. Contact Genevieve Coleman at gcoleman01@saintmarys.edu
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NEWS
The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Senate receives miNDful training, new orders By BELLA LAUFENBERG Staff Writer
Notre Dame’s student senate convened Wednesday on the second f loor of the LaFortune Student Center to receive miNDful training and to discuss new e lection orders during its last meeting before fall break. After senate was opened with a prayer from student body vice president Matthew Bisner and announcements, the senate welcomed Paige Jackson, assistant director of diversity, education, outreach and assessment for Notre Dame’s multicultural student programs and services (MSPS), to lead a miNDful training workshop. MiNDful, standing for Microaggression Intervention at Notre Dame, is a recently launched training program similar to the GreeNDot program. The goal of the course is to give the Notre Dame community the ability to identif y and intervene when they encounter racial microaggressions on campus or elsewhere.
Jackson led the group through the training course by first introducing them to implicit biases and microaggressions. She said microaggressions can be either intentional or unintentional and that the miNDful training program should be used in learning situations where the aggressions were unintentional. Other wise, purposeful racially motivated insults should be reported right away, Jackson said. “I want to highlight that racial microaggressions can be unintentional and intentional. They can be conscious or unconscious; they can be visible or invisible,” she said. She showed the senate members several examples of microaggressions, including assuming persons of color are affirmative action admits or tokenizing them for admissions materials, to highlight that these actions can harm students even if the statements were not intended to do so.
Jackson said she encouraged students to take the RAVEN approach to intervening when they are in a potentially harmful situation: Redirecting the conversation, asking probing questions, values clarification, emphasizing your own thoughts and next steps. Another strateg y Jackson said she recommended is directing the person toward resources to address how their comments could be perceived as hurtful. Oncampus resources can include MSPS, the Gender Relations Center and diversity.nd.edu among many others. After Jackson concluded her training, the senate attended to new business. Junior Judicial Council president David Haungs introduced two new orders. “The election code moves Article X V, the elections section, into its own body of legislation,” Haungs said. “The other order is to shorten the time window during which allegations can be made, gives the Senate Paid Advertisement
the ability to make meaningful appeals decisions and standardizes the process for releasing information pertaining to allegations.” The senate also heard from Student Union Treasurer senior Meenu Selvan about her nomination for the president of The Shirt
Project and from Baumer Hall senator sophomore Daniel Schermerhorn about how he intends to draft an order to address the lack of housing for Gateway students. Contact Bella Laufenberg at ilaufenb @nd.edu
The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
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Inside Column
When breath becomes air Carolina Jimenez Viewpoint Copyeditor
There’s a very slim line between the dioxide humans breathe and the one that mingles around in the atmosphere. When we are born, we become a creature that captures the O2 with a simple pump from our lungs and turn it into life. However, with life, with that breath, comes a price that disguises itself in many responsibilities and pressures. We are born into a linear non-stop highway with many road symbols that dictate a phase that we must complete. We need to go to high school, college, and get married, plus a career.
It seems like life isn’t as spontaneous as birth. But that’s the thing of life — we never know what is going to happen. I thoroughly believe I will graduate Notre Dame with a neuroscience and behavior degree and go to medical school to finish a career in cardiology. After, I will get a home in Miami, have two kids, maybe get a horse. But, this is not a given, and I’ve come to accept it. The thing is thinking of where we are headed — our future — brings a lot of anxiety. So, you come to terms with the fact that you don’t know what’s coming. Peace is only obtainable if you let go. I do not know what I will become, I think I know, but I don’t. All I know is that I am human, and live like humans do: One second at a time. I can only prepare for what’s expected to come, which lies in plans for goals. I have faith enough in myself that I will take a path
that will leave me satisfied with myself. I think I can have faith in myself, which leads into who will I become. I think this allows me to see with more clarity my future path and the possibility of it happening. So, at this moment, I might be very adamant in a long fruitful career in the field of medicine; but who knows where I’ll end up. That is, I am the one who knows me best. My instinct will lead me to take the most advantage of my four years here that hopefully will be to go to medical school. But, life changes, so I can’t say with certainty I know who I will become, but that it’ll be worth it. You can contact Carolina at cjimene4@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A revolution of love I recently consoled one of my dear friends as he sat crumpled on the carpet, shedding tears of shame and hurt, telling me how he wanted to end his own life. A young man, who since he was a little boy, has been taught that God rejected him, poisoned by a perversion of the love of God. It is something that he carries with him in the deep recesses of his bones every single day. The closest person to a saint I’ve ever met is my grandma, Carol (known as Moo) — a sassy, sharp, loving, loudmouth lesbian from rural Washington. Moo moved to Seattle and spent the 90’s running the “Chicken Soup Brigade,” a community-based agency whose volunteers provided home chores, transportation, and meals for people living with and dying with AIDS. She spent long days and nights washing the feet of the marginalized, witnessing to their human dignity and serving as a shoulder to lean on when they had no one else to turn to as they were dying. Moo has been in a long marriage with my godmother, Tiffany (Nene). To say that Moo or Nene do not have or deserve the full love of God or God’s people is an abomination. An abomination reflected in their experiences and my friend’s as he sat dejected on the floor. My grandmas are an example of what I hope for every single one of us: a life enmeshed in deep social bonds with others, a love that is deeper than the deepest ocean and a life grounded in an intrinsic identity as a beloved child of God. Seekers of the Kingdom. I’ve seen the Catholic Church I love so dearly pushing people out of its love. I’ve seen Jesus kidnapped by a revolution of exclusion disguised in adherence to ”Catholic values.” And, here, I’ve seen how the University I love more than just about anything else has at times turned its back on LGBTQ+ individuals in our Notre Dame community. “Venite Ad Me Omnes” — meaning “Come to Me All” — adorns the bottom of the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue. An image reflected and literally tattooed on my godmother’s back reflecting her intense love of the sacrifice of Jesus. Sacrifice and Love. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus has come to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is for all — especially those on the margins, the people whom power is oppressing and religion is missing. However, this call is not heeded by some on our campus or by University policies themselves. Many queer folks on
this campus are left bearing the brunt of a revolution of exclusion and hate that is antithetical to Catholic values. A revolution of exclusion marked by the steady torrent of articles by “catholically oriented groups” attacking the people/creation of groups meant solely to support LGBTQ+ folks, close friends being called slurs while simply walking back to their dorm and those attacking queer people’s inherent identities as beloved children of God. When I think of who Jesus would be on this planet right now, I don’t think of those living in ivory towers of judgment, but instead of those bringing oceans of love to all the people they encounter. Notre Dame is making significant and exciting progress in some areas: Campus Ministry offers groups to discuss queer identities and Catholicism, ARC (Alumni Rainbow Coalition) is in as a new alumni group after decades of fighting and the recent change in the discriminatory harassment policy makes it so that we can state firmly that homophobia/transphobia are not tolerated when directed at students. However, this progress does not erase the long path to inclusion and belonging we still have ahead. Notre Dame is failing our students, not because we lack incredible humans acting in good faith to steer our University towards justice, but because of our continued reverence to malignantly mistranslated interpretations of the bible founded on exclusion of difference. No matter the good faith of actors in the Church and Notre Dame at large, if we do not inject love into our systems and create structures that affirm the inherent human dignity of all LGBTQ+ people we are failing our mission. We are ensuring an environment where more people like my friend think of ending their life, where people like my friend feel alone in their fight for their faith. As Martin Luther King Jr. was discussing the work of creating a beloved community in the United States, he said, “We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization.” Here at Notre Dame, we have that same opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into our veins. It’s just a question of whether we seize that opportunity. Reflecting on the love of Our Lady, the University should seize the opportunity to call more queer and transgender
folks into the love of Jesus. Seize the opportunity to not just promise LGBTQ+ individuals (especially faculty, and staff) they will not be discriminated against by University policies/hiring, but to enshrine it in our non-discrimination clause. Seize the opportunity to create a housing situation that truly affirms the human dignity of transgender and nonbinary students on campus. These are not radical changes. Notre Dame Student Government compiled a wealth of data over the past couple months comparing Notre Dame to nationally ranked universities and other Catholic/Holy Cross schools. In fact, Notre Dame stands alone in the top 50 schools in the United States in not including sexual orientation and gender identity in our nondiscrimination clause. Even the majority of Catholic schools in the US (and the majority of Holy Cross schools) include sexual orientation and/or gender identity in their non-discrimination clause. With Gender Affirming Housing options, the data is even worse. I worry every day as there are so many people like my friend who think of ending their lives because of a hatred they’ve been fed — a rejection of their human dignity by institutions meant to spread love. To those attempting to gate-keep the Catholic faith and the Catholic Church from LGBTQ+ people, there is a revolution of love marching toward you. For those not seizing the opportunity to bring our queer siblings into the fold, there is a revolution of love knocking at your door. To queer and transgender students on this campus, there is a revolution of love backing you up. I look to people who make that revolution: Marty Kennedy and all the folks working on LGBTQ+ Domers documenting LGBTQ+ history on this campus, an Observer Editorial Board that firmly stands their ground, Prism (and the soon-to-be ARC) for creating spaces of safety, the embodiment of Christ’s mission in saint-like queer Catholics like my grandmas and the overwhelming number of students who subscribe to “Venite Ad Me Omnes”. The revolution of love will win because God is love, and love always wins.
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Dane Sherman sophomore Oct. 23
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The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
I just wanna feel this moment Sydni Brooks Everything is Fine
I’ve never really been the biggest fan of Halloween, but this year I couldn’t be more excited for the holiday. I have several costumes, planned my hair styles for each one, and have thoroughly prepared myself for the weekend ahead. None of this is at all because I enjoy the sentiments of the holiday, or that I love dressing up as things other than myself. I am most excited about spending my last Halloweekend with my friends in college, since I won’t be able to relive these moments again. These moments of recognition that my college experience is coming to a close continue to re-center the importance of this year, and I am constantly worried about how best to experience them. I want to make these memories count, but how do I best do that? People always say to live in the moment and that the best way to experience life is to be present when things are happening. However, I think some of us are so focused on the fact that we have to make these memories count that we miss the gravity of the experience all together. We want each moment to count so much because they are our last, that we prohibit ourselves from enjoying them. Sometimes we are so focused on how best to remember the most influential or fleeting moments of our lives because we again know they aren’t going to last and they are only temporary. However, when we become consumed with preserving the moments for later, we miss the importance of the moments while they are happening. We came to college constantly reminded of how
the moments we experience here will be the best we will ever have, and instead of simply being in the moment, we frustrate yourselves with the task of making sure we are making the most of every second and persevering it for our future selves. But when we look back on our college experience, we might only be reminded of how we tried to make every moment count as opposed to letting the moments make themselves. We run ourselves dry by overcommitting ourselves to events so that we can experience everything, and we frustrate ourselves sometimes when the events don’t go the way we planned them to. Our senior memories of college are occupied with us trying to make the most and the best memories instead of just letting them happen. While energies run high with the stress of finding a job, taking entry exams and all of the other endeavors after graduation, we need to make the effort to truly enjoy the rest of the time that we have here, and not focus on the implications of after. We shouldn’t be adding more expectations to our already long list of things to accomplish by adding requirements to our experiences. Furthermore, the things that are the most unexpected in our experiences are the things that usually end up being the most memorable, and trying to prevent them from happening might also deplete the possibility in our experience. If the plans you originally made didn’t work out, maybe they weren’t meant to and a better plan is waiting to commence. The relationships we have built here are also being strengthened by the last experiences we have allotted to us while still on campus. These people have helped us grow from fresh college students to worldly young adults and the life we have shared
with them will forever impact us. In four years, we have built bonds with people who have become our greatest friends, and it is only by chance and time that we might be able to keep these friendships throughout the years. We want to make the most of the last few moments we have with each other that are dedicated to celebrating friendship, but if we focus too much on life after these moments or hoping the memories are as good as possible, we again lose sight of truly enjoying ourselves with our friends. If we focus on making all of these experiences perfect and as memorable as possible, will they really ever be memorable? I know we are still in our first semester, but the time still feels like it is ticking away from us quickly, and before we know it May will be knocking at our doors. It feels like we must include every event possible to make this year worthwhile, especially after having two years that sometimes feel extremely incomplete due to COVID. Not only do we have to make senior year memorable because it is our last, but we also have to make up for the lost moments of our college experience due to the pandemic. In doing so, we should make these moments memorable because they are memorable, and not because we feel we must. Senior year isn’t running away from us too quickly for us to make each moment truly special. Sydni Brooks is a senior studying English and gender studies. She hopes to continue her work in writing and editing in her career advocating for women’s health issues. She can be reached through her email sbrooks2@nd.edu or @sydnimaree22 on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Entertainment, enlightenment or escape? Ellie Konfrst Butterfly Effects
There’s a picture of me from when I was young that my mom loves to show to whomever she can, from Facebook friends to any of my friends who come to visit. I’m probably about two or three, asleep in my bed, surrounded by at least a dozen books, some open and some closed, all sprawled out around me as if forming a nest. Apparently, I used to do this a lot as a kid: fall asleep buried in my favorite books. As I grew up, I largely maintained my love of reading. I got in trouble in elementary school for reading books tucked behind a math textbook, I spent my middle school years buried in the worlds of YA dystopias, and I loved my high school English classes for teaching me that books had lessons beyond the words on the page. I went through phases, of course, but always found my way back to the books I loved. When I got to college, however, I found myself paralyzed — I had never had so much assigned reading for school before. I usually try to read before I go to sleep, but after drowning in homework for hours, I couldn’t bear to touch my bookshelf. For my first two years of college, my unpredictable yet consistent commitment to reading had vanished. I still loved perusing bookstores, talking about books and thinking about reading, but I just never really made time for it. In March of my sophomore year, right before COVID-19 pandemic began, I wandered around a bookstore and picked up a novel: George Saunders’ “Lincoln in the Bardo.” I had no idea when I was actually going to read this, but I’d heard great things and was excited about the prospect of reading for pleasure again. Little did I know, I would soon have an abundance of reading time. With no school, no homework, and no plans for three weeks, I devoured “Lincoln in the Bardo” and finally turned my attention to my ever-growing tobe-read shelf. I won’t lie and say I spent all day every
day reading — I spent my fair share of time on Tik Tok — but I was reading again. I finally felt like I had time for it, and more importantly I found in books what I couldn’t find anywhere else: an escape. I’ve always found the concept of escapist literature funny, mostly because I was never exactly sure what it meant. A quick Google search tells me it is “fiction that provides a psychological escape from depressing and grave realities of every day.” It’s generally limited to genre fiction, and is distinct from classics that deal with serious subject matter. But what is it about escapist books that really feels like an escape? If it’s truly the experience of escaping to a different world, then contemporary romance books can’t be escapist. If it’s providing a joyous, loving story distinct from the “grave realities” of our world, then dark horror or sci-fi novels couldn’t make the cut. After I finished “Lincoln in the Bardo,” an experimental novel about the death of Abraham Lincoln’s son, I read a collection of Stephen King’s short stories, then Truman Capote’s true crime epic “In Cold Blood,” then Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, “Wild.” I then tackled John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” which I somehow never read in high school, and then V.E. Schwab’s contemporary romance “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.” These books traverse genres and deal with subject matters both light and dark, yet they all provided me an escape. I found an escape in the horrific story behind “In Cold Blood,” the tragic misadventures of the Joad family in “The Grapes of Wrath,” and the star-crossed romance at the heart of “Addie LaRue.” I certainly cannot speak definitively for everyone who reads, but for me, every novel is an escape. One of my favorite parts about diving into a new book is getting situated within a story and living in a new world, whether that world is in a galaxy far, far away or blocks away from my childhood home. The unique beauty of reading is the way it forces you to pay attention and forces you to be consumed. It’s entertainment just like TV or movies, but it doesn’t do any of the work for
you. You can’t mindlessly scroll Twitter while reading a book, and you can’t plan out your next vacation in your head. All novels force you to pay attention, and as a result force you to briefly forget your life and live someone else’s. In the same way you can argue that all fiction is escapist, you can also argue that none of it is. Good literature consumes you, but it doesn’t let you forget yourself either. The best novels, regardless of genre, are ultimately about what it’s like to be alive, something we are all grappling with all the time. Sure, “Lincoln in the Bardo” transported me to a 19th century graveyard, but in doing so I couldn’t help but think about the grief consuming our society at large. The “Grapes of Wrath” is about people living a life entirely different from my own, but as I read I formed the kernels of my eventual senior thesis, centered around poverty in rural America. Even as books magically transport you to a new world, they cannot help but speak to you in some way, as a human being. It’s the real beauty of literature that it manages to do both. As I’ve rediscovered my childhood love of reading, I have found books to be an invaluable escape from and an insightful guide to navigating the most volatile, unpredictable times of my life. Whether you’re reading this as an avid reader, a lapsed one, or someone who never reads for fun, I encourage you to pick up a new book and just see where it takes you. Whatever you find in those pages, I promise you it’s worth your attention. Ellie Konfrst is a senior studying political science with a minor in the Hesburgh Program for Public Service. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she’s excited people will once again be forced to listen to her extremely good takes. You can find her off campus trying to decide whether or not she’ll go to law school or bragging that Taylor Swift follows her on Tumblr. She can be reached at egloverk@nd.edu or @elliekonfrst13 on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
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I am a hypocrite Claire Miller Better Everyday
For the past month or so, like many other Americans, I have been closely following along the story of Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old woman who went missing in September and whose remains were recently found in the area of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. News coverage has been focused mostly on Gabby’s fiancé, Brian Laundrie, who at the time, was accompanying her on a cross-country trip. Just last week, Laundrie’s remains were found in a Florida park. Gabby Petito’s case, and the widespread news coverage of it, has caught national attention, ranging from national news coverage to hundreds of TikToks and Instagram posts. If you google “Gabby Petito,” there’s about 104,000,00 results and “Brian Laundrie” leads to about 24,700,000 results. TikTok is flooded with videos ranging from updates about her case to theories of what could have happened. However, the story of Gabby Petito is, unfortunately, nothing that the world hasn’t seen before. Gabby Petito is one of many missing persons cases in which the individual is found deceased every year, and like millions of other women, presumed to be a victim of domestic abuse. So why has this case caught so much national attention, particularly among young adults? One explanation I can offer is that the story of Gabby Petito is a testament to what many women fear the most: To be in an abusive and toxic relationship that escalates to a fatality. Even worse, Gabby may have died at the hands of someone she loved and trusted. Brian Laundrie was Gabby’s fiancé, not someone random she just met at a bar. Another explanation could be what is known as “missing white woman syndrome,” which is the idea that news and media coverage covers the missing person cases of
young, white, upper-middle class women at a much higher degree than missing person cases involving people not fitting those descriptors. There is also an argument that this public reaction is simply an extension of the cultural fascination with true crime stories in America. There’s an obsession and popular trend of following crime stories as they unfold, like with Petito’s, or discussing them to egregious lengths, like with the Crime Junkie podcast. Search “true crime” on Netflix and there’s countless documentaries that delve into the real stories of crimes and the people who committed them. There is not enough space in The Observer to list all the TV shows, movies and documentaries that come to my mind. I believe the fascination with the Gabby Petito case is likely a combination of all three explanations I offer, each of which pique public interest. But what about my own choice to write a column about Gabby Petito? Let me be clear, I could have written about several other topics and have been given the creative freedom to do so, but I specifically chose to write about Gabby Petito. Given my personal feelings towards the American “true crime” culture, I am a hypocrite. In short, I find the grip that American true crime has on pop culture to be quite dehumanizing. The coverage of true crime for entertainment purposes builds too much sympathy for the people at fault, and capitalizes on the trauma and tragedy of others, and I fear that it is a matter of time before there is a documentary about Gabby Petito on Netflix. So by writing and publishing this article, I’m feeding into the true crime culture that I seek to condemn. I am giving the case attention that it might not otherwise have, even if it’s only amongst my extended family that routinely read my articles. However, rather than to entertain, my intent is to do exactly what the Gabby Petito case has done to me: To evoke conversation, find the truth and ultimately
find my role in relation to her story. Engaging with stories of true crime, ones that did not gain national attention, have evoked change within myself. Last summer, I worked at the criminal district attorney’s office in my hometown and came face to face with both the victims and perpetrators of some of the most heinous crimes you can imagine. I will never forget observing a case involving the continuous assault of a child under the age of 14: Sitting across the room of the victim and listening to her share the details of the abuse she endured. Watching the prosecutors handle her case with extreme caution and sensitivity, while not sacrificing their demand for tough justice, was inspirational. It also forced me to reflect on what kind of work I want to do in the future and how I can bring about justice for other children like that young girl. At worst, this case will do nothing but become a popular crime documentary or series on Netflix, one that capitalizes on the misfortune and tragedy of Gabby’s loved ones. At best, the Gabby Petito case will inspire some people to go into law enforcement or investigative work, or to become more outspoken about domestic violence issues, and will bring about justice for other women like Gabby Petito. There is power in sharing stories, but with this power comes great responsibility to produce journalism that is productive, insightful and generally good for those who encounter it. My wish is that other journalists, filmmakers, news reporters and all those who engage with true crime share this intention. Claire Miller is a junior majoring in political science, with a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship. She is a proud resident of Flaherty Hall and the state of Texas. She can be reached at cmille45@nd.edu over email. The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Pandemic culture war Krista Akiki The Lifestyle Nomad
I have noticed that in the past couple of months everyone around me seems to speak of the pandemic in the past tense. This is particularly true within the Notre Dame bubble. We’ve all been ecstatic at the idea of a normal semester. But we seem to forget that this situation does not mirror itself across the country and much less across the world. More than half the world remains unvaccinated, so the coronavirus has plenty of opportunity ahead of it. Furthermore, it is the nature of viruses to mutate — every time they copy themselves inside an infected person, there’s a chance to make a mistake with the genetic code. A mistake that helps a virus survive and spread. “We’ve seen a stage of rapid evolution for the virus,” said Dr. Adam Lauring, a virus and infectious disease expert at the University of Michigan. “It’s been harvesting the lowhanging fruit.” This pandemic has always been a collective issue; in my eyes at least, we all have a duty to make our communities safer and to minimize transmission rates in any way we can. This is one of the reasons why I didn’t really think twice about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. However, recent debates over vaccine mandates have served as a reminder that coronavirus precautions remain highly politicized and pose an operational predicament for some businesses. I currently have the amazing opportunity to spend the semester in the Bay Area as part of Notre Dame’s Silicon Valley Semester. Here in San Francisco, a countywide mandate has been in place since late August. The mandate requires residents to show proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to enter gyms, restaurants, bars and other indoor venues. “Vaccines remain our best tool to fight this disease
and come out of the pandemic,” said the San Francisco Department of Public Health. “Vaccination is particularly important in a public indoor setting where groups of people are gathering and removing their masks, factors that make it easier for the virus to spread. That is why San Francisco requires proof of vaccination for indoor dining.” Despite a high rate of compliance from private business in the Bay Area, some have tried to fight the mandate and have fueled what many call a “pandemic culture war.” In fact, In-N-Out would rather let health inspectors close its prime and only location in San Francisco than make customers show picture ID and proof of COVID-19 vaccination to dine indoors. “As a company, In-N-Out Burger strongly believes in the highest form of customer service and to us that means serving all customers who visit us and making all customers feel welcome,” said Arnie Wensinger, the chain’s chief legal and business officer. “We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government.” In-N-Out’s refusal to mandate indoor masks and the subsequent closure of some of its locations by San Francisco health officials last week has set off a flurry of debates on social media platforms like Twitter. In-N-Out was praised for “protecting freedoms” and “actually having principles.” “I’ll take a double-double with a side of freedom” tweeted @clintpowell. Republicans praised an In-N-Out spokesperson for calling San Francisco’s COVID-19 restrictions “unreasonable” and “invasive” and for refusing to be the “vaccination police.” Let me tell you one thing: After 10 minutes of scrolling through the tweets, I was doubled over in laughter rubbing my stomach. This seemed like a whole lot of BS to me. Jokes aside, this disaccord and disconnect between those who choose to be vaccinated and those who choose not to could easily and quickly escalate into a pandemic culture war. Unresolved, these confrontations seriously threaten to undo years of workplace culture improvement efforts. These rising debates over vaccinations will
multiply conflicts between business, customers and health departments and eventually exacerbate cultural polarization. Kearney makes an important point in their most recent statement; “As with any conflict, culture wars strip away the superficial civilities and conventions we create to indemnify ourselves from direct confrontation. But, the rules of engagement we’ve learned from COVID threaten to outlive the disease itself. Leaders can’t afford to let workplaces collapse into collections of ‘us and them’ factions.” When the world is facing a pandemic that has affected and will keep affecting every single one of us, you can’t just sit on the sidelines. If there is any remote chance that I could be making this situation worse, more dangerous even, to people around me, how can I just sit idle and turn down a way to truly go back to normal? I don’t know about you, but I have definitely felt safer knowing that all the diners around me were also vaccinated. I was more at ease and definitely more comfortable taking my mask off to eat or enjoy other indoor activities. As Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco’s health director, said “COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future and vaccinations will be key to keeping the city open. The vaccines are our armor. They are our life jackets, our parachutes. They are our way out of his pandemic.” Krista Akiki is a junior living in McGlinn Hall, majoring in business analytics and minoring in computing and digital technologies. She grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and moved back to the U.S. to pursue her undergraduate degree. She loves learning new languages, traveling and of course trying new foods. She craves adventure and new experiences and hopes to share these with readers through her writing. She can be reached at kakiki@nd.edu or @kristalourdesakiki via Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Love thee, love all October is LGBTQ+ Histor y Month in the U.S., a time to consider and celebrate the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community throughout its fight for acceptance and liberation. This month has marked a number of events celebrating belonging across the tri-campus, including promotional events for University alum Greg Bourke’s memoir “Gay, Catholic, and American,” a celebration of National Coming Out Day in Baumer Hall and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Saint Mar y’s new LGBTQ+ Center. The histor y of the LGBTQ+ community on our tri-campus is powerful — rife with administrative obstacles and hard-won successes — and it is one that deser ves recognition. We applaud our schools’ administrators and student leaders for their work to make this histor y known. However, the Irish Rover’s Oct. 13 publication of “No Man Can Ser ve Two Masters” disrespected this histor y and denied dignity to current members of the LGBTQ+ community on our tricampus. In response to a recent series of efforts from the University community to recognize and affirm its LGBTQ+ members, the opinion piece calls upon Notre Dame to end its “adherence to secular standards set by the LGBT movement,” calling these acts of inclusivity “erosive.” Overall, the piece condemns the University’s inclusive initiatives — such as allyship training, respect of pronouns and the extension of employment benefits to same-sex couples — on the grounds of their “opposition” to Church teaching. This kind of rhetoric has no place on our tricampus, nor does it promote the Irish Rover’s mission of “preser ving the Catholic identity of Notre Dame.” Instead, it alienates important members of our community and actively ignores the Church’s teachings of respect, compassion and non-discrimination. The LGBTQ+ members of our tri-campus are not only welcome and loved, but they also play an important role in maintaining our schools’ vibrant Catholic community. This is a fact — and not one that should be up for discussion. Caring for our LGBTQ+ students does not make our campus “too secular,” nor does it unalign our actions with the Catholic mission of our University. Taking care of our neighbors and fellow humans is a Catholic act — an intrinsically Catholic one, in fact — on top of being the right thing to do in the face of over whelming social
inequities. LGBTQ+ youth and young adults are 120% more likely to experience homelessness, up to 2.4 times more likely to struggle with mental illness and two to seven times more likely to attempt suicide in comparison to their straight and cisgender peers. However, these numbers are known to decrease significantly with access to spaces and efforts that affirm individuals’ sexual orientation and gender identity. Creating a campus culture that fosters belonging and respect for LGBTQ+ students is not only a tenet of the Catholic faith; it is a necessity for saving lives. It is our duty as good neighbors and as a Catholic university to ensure the mental and physical well-being of ever y member in our community. Additionally, for students and staff of the tri-campus who identif y as both LGBTQ+ and Catholic, Notre Dame and its Catholic mission belong to them just as much as anyone else. W hile there is still progress to be made for LGBTQ+ representation and accommodations at Notre Dame, we appreciate the ways the University has sought to make campus more welcoming, such as its decision to extend marriage benefits to same-sex couples in 2014 and its official recognition of Pride Month in June of this year. W hile Notre Dame is a Catholic university, it is also an institution with ethical responsibilities to the students and employees it ser ves; therefore, such decisions should not have to be debated. And as part of the ongoing fight for full LGBTQ+ equality on campus, we encourage Notre Dame to continue in its pursuit of equitable and affirming causes. After decades of advocacy in support of updating the University’s equal employment guidelines, the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity to the non-discrimination clause is a simple change that is long overdue. Additionally, transgender and gender-nonconforming students should be provided access to gender-affirming housing on campus — having these students live in residence halls that do not ref lect and affirm their gender identity forces them into situations of discomfort, intense dysphoria and even physical danger. As a student-run newspaper ser ving all members of Notre Dame, Saint Mar y’s and Holy Cross, The Obser ver strives to act as a safe space and an affirming platform for our tri-campus LGBTQ+ community — whether you work on our staff, write for us, submit letters or just read our content from time to time, we want you to know you are a valued and important part of our community.
As student journalists, we recognize the power of words, and we do not tolerate hateful and discriminator y language. We hope our publication can continue to uplift LGBTQ+ voices and assist in efforts toward equity on our campuses. If you’d like to submit a Letter to the Editor about LGBTQ+ issues on our tri-campus, our inbox is always open. To the LGBTQ+ members of The Obser ver, whether you be writers, copy editors, photographers, social media strategists, editors or graphic designers: Thank you for your invaluable contributions. The paper wouldn’t be complete without you. And to those who may join us, you’re always more than welcome in our office. To the LGBTQ+ members of our community who are not out: We stand with you as well, and we are so grateful for your gifts, talents and presence on our tri-campus. Remember that coming out is a choice that belongs entirely to you — it is never an obligation, and you don’t owe it to anyone. For those interested in learning more about the powerful histor y of LGBTQ+ activism at Notre Dame and Saint Mar y’s as we continue our celebration of LGBTQ+ Histor y Month, we highly recommend exploring LGBTQ ND, a project organized by Notre Dame senior Marty Kennedy which documents 20th centur y LGBTQ+ student activism by compiling articles from over 50 years of Obser ver archives. Furthermore, the LGBTQ+ Domers project regularly shares historical information through their Instagram page ahead of their upcoming book. If you’re searching for community on the tricampus, there are a number of clubs and safe spaces dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ students and allies: PrismND and the Gender Relations Center at Notre Dame, as well as the Sexuality and Gender Equity Club (SAGE) and the LGBTQ+ Center at Saint Mar y’s. Many of these organizations’ events are open to Holy Cross students as well. Despite the many resources currently available, we hope we can all continue to make our tricampus a safe and welcoming space for all. No matter your school, your faith tradition or how “out” you may be, being LGBTQ+ at a Catholic institution is an act of braver y. We’re proud of you for being here. You’re always welcome in our tri-campus. Editor’s Note: A previous version of this editorial incorrectly stated the SAGE Club at Saint Mary’s had been introduced in October. The club was established August. The Observer deeply regrets this error.
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The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
And that’s a wrap on the 2021 Chicago International Film Festival By AIDAN O’MALLEY Scene Editor
Last Sunday, “King Richard” (starring Will Smith as the father of Venus and Serena Williams) played at the Music Box Theater in Wrigley v ille as part of the 57th annual Chicago International Film Festival. As the credits rolled, not only did the film celebrate the 25th anniversar y of the Black Perspectives program — it also signaled the end of the 2021 edition of the fest. The 12-day event screened 89 films and 10 collections of shorts across multiple competitions. On Friday, CIFF honored the best of the fest w ith an online awards ceremony. The festival’s top prize, the Gold Hugo, was presented to “Memoria,” starring Tilda Swinton and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The film is Weerasethakul’s English-language debut and follows one woman’s quest in the jungles of Colombia to uncover the source of a sound only she can hear. Like “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” and “Cemetery of Splendor” before it, the film is sure to be another slow, pensive and mystical work from the acclaimed Thai auteur. But good luck seeing it. Another award winner was Japan’s Ryusuke Hamaguchi, who took home the Silver Hugo for “Drive My Car” as well as the Silver Q-Hugo (in the Out-Look Competition for LGBTQ+ films) for “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.” Meanwhile, Kasper Tuxen won Best Cinematography for his work on “The Worst Person in the World,” which Scene reviewed just last week. The Audience Award will be announced in the coming days on the festival’s website. For my own personal closure, I’ve decided to finish my coverage of CIFF by definitively ranking ever y film I saw. But before I dive in, here are
some I couldn’t catch: “Flee,” an animated documentar y about one man’s escape from Taliban rule in Afghanistan; “The Hand of God” by Paolo Sorrentino; Audrey Diwan’s “Happening,” which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival; “Parallel Mothers” by Pedro A lmodóvar; and “Passing,” the directorial debut of Rebecca Hall. Other films like “The French Dispatch,” “Dune” and “The Last Duel” opened in theaters mere days after their screenings, so I don’t feel bad that I missed them, too.
Wales in Pablo Larraín’s spiritual sequel to 2016’s “Jackie.” W hile the film doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor, it’s handsomely made and beautifully performed.
5. “C’mon C’mon” “Beginners” and “20th Centur y Women” w riter-director Mike Mills turns his attention from parents to children in this compassionate film starring Joaquin Phoenix. Similar to “Spencer,” it’s not as good as Mills’ prev ious work, but that’s a damn high bar.
1. “The Worst Person in the World” The final film in Nor wegian director Joachim Trier’s “Oslo trilog y” follows a woman (the impeccable Renate Reinsve) on the brink of 30 who doesn’t know what she wants. Hilarious and heart-rending in equal measure, this “anthem to restlessness” calls Greta Ger w ig to mind. But it’s so much more than that.
6. “Cow” Andrea Arnold makes her documentar y debut in this film about the life and times of a dair y cow, told from the cow’s perspective. Arnold’s craftsmanship is unmatched, but there’s a contradiction at the heart of the film that’s hard to shake.
7. “Belfast” 2. “The Power of the Dog” Jane Campion’s assured return to feature filmmaking stars a deliciously w icked Benedict Cumberbatch as a farmhand in 1920s Montana who preys on the w ife and child of his brother. A psychosexual drama disguised as a Western, Campion has fashioned a deliberate thriller about the shifting nature of masculinit y.
3. “Petite Maman” “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” mastermind Céline Sciamma returns to the festival w ith a sweet, short, but soulful examination of the deep bonds formed bet ween mothers and daughters.
Sure to w in Best Picture for all the w rong reasons, this w ildly uneven autobiography from Kenneth Branagh doesn’t know how to strike a good balance bet ween its oppositional tones.
8. “Mayor Pete” A las, the documentar y about loyal son of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg, comes in last on my list. The film is never boring, but it’s also never stimulating; it’s a puff piece that offers little insight into the life or the campaign of the presidential hopeful. And w ith that, my work here is done. I’ll see you at the mov ies.
4. “Spencer” Kristen Stewart stars as Diana, Princess of
Contact Aidan O’Malley at aomalle@nd.edu
ROB YOUNGSON | Focus Features
KASPER TUXEN | Oslo Pictures
TRUDY BUCK | Lilies Films
TOBIN YELLAND | A24
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The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Chicago Film Festival: ‘Belfast,’ ‘Cow’ By AIDAN O’MALLEY Scene Editor
“Belfast” One of this year’s Gala Presentations is “Belfast,” the new film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The 60-year-old actor turned filmmaker has had a long and accomplished career: he’s made several Shakespeare adaptations, most notably “Henry V” and “Hamlet”; he’s starred as Hercule Poirot in multiple Agatha Christie mysteries; he’s directed countless blockbusters including “Cinderella” and “Thor”; and most recently, he collaborated with Christopher Nolan on films like “Dunkirk” and “Tenet.” For all this and more, Branagh accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award at last night’s premiere. “Belfast” is a semi-autobiographical film inspired by Branagh’s experiences as a child during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. At the Toronto International Film Festival, “Belfast” won the prestigious People’s Choice Award, which has launched it squarely into the Oscar race. In fact, the last time the winner of the People’s Choice Award wasn’t at least nominated for Best Picture was a decade ago — expect to hear a lot more from “Belfast” in the future. At a Q&A after the film, Branagh reflected on how his experiences in quarantine encouraged him to write. “Staring into the silence,” Branagh said, “I think that led me to this.” Branagh also described the first screening of the film, to his siblings, after their parents passed away. “My brother actually said to my sister, ‘What do you think mum and dad would have thought about this?’” Branagh said. “And she said, ‘Well, they’d have approved of the casting.’” This is a reference to the little boy’s parents in the film, played by Jamie Dornan (yes, from “Fifty Shades of Grey”) and Caitrona Balfe. But neither actor should be reduced to their looks; both deliver strong and subtle
By JUSTIN GEORGE Scene Writer
Halloween Essentials is a weekly column in the month of October by Scene Writer (and Resident Spooky Boi) Justin George. Celebrate the season with his horror movie recs. It’s cold outside, the leaves are changing and Halloween is in a few days ! This time of year, nothing hits quite as nice as a good supernatural horror film. Ghosts, demons, w itches and the liv ing dead populate this list, so beware if you’re afraid of things that go bump in the night. If you don’t like scar y stuff, go watch Disney’s “Trick or Treat” or something. I can’t tell you how to live your life. “Hellraiser”- 1987 Supernatural sadomasochists, a cosmic Rubik’s Cube and lethal liaisons. In his directorial debut, Clive Barker pulls no punches and creates a film that is uncompromising in its gore and subject matter alike. This film features amazing practical effects designed by Bob Keen, one of which is arguably the most amazing (and disgusting) sequence I have ever seen. This is not a film made for your family mov ie night. “Hereditary”- 2018 Ari Aster’s debut feature is one of my favorite horror mov ies. It’s a brilliant study of grief, generational trauma and ancestral sin. Seeing this in theaters was an unforgettable experience. This is
performances. So do Ciarán Hinds and the ineffable Judi Dench as the little boy’s grandparents. Branagh also commented on the film’s cinematography and how his lifelong love of cinema and theatre factored into the story. These two themes collide when Branagh includes footage from a movie or a play in “Belfast” — in a film that is (literally) black and white otherwise, the screen suddenly explodes with color. He also spoke about singer-songwriter Van Morrison’s contributions to the film’s soundtrack, like a soulful saxophone theme. The five-time Oscar nominee was so gracious at the screening, it actually pains me to say that other than the aforementioned elements, I didn’t enjoy “Belfast” at all. The film is barely more than 90 minutes but it’s frequently dull, and Jude Hill (the child playing “Buddy,” a fictionalized Branagh) is terribly over-directed, as if he was instructed to act as cute as possible in literally every take. The question at the heart of the story is simple: What does it mean to be nostalgic for The Troubles? How do you rationalize the wonder of childhood with the horrors of reality? It’s a fascinating contradiction that Branagh barely pokes at. Instead, he wildly seesaws between the grossly saccharine cheesiness of “the good times” and the ultra-realistic trauma of “the bad times.” Were there any, like, normal times? This lack of nuance hollows the film and creates an artificial feeling that’s hard to shake off. Whatever. This will probably win Best Picture. Shamrocks: 2.5 out of 5
“Cow” Presented in both the Documentary and Women in Cinema programs (and available both theatrically and virtually) is “Cow,” Andrea Arnold’s documentary debut. While the jump from narrative to nonfiction filmmaking might seem like a hard left for other directors, Arnold’s films have always existed just to the side of
one of those films that stays w ith you long after the credits roll. There is nothing “fun” about this film — it’s t wo incredibly bleak hours. “Hereditar y” is not a scar y mov ie; it is utterly horrif y ing. “It Follows”- 2014 W hat’s scarier than an unstoppable demon? An unstoppable demon that gets passed from person to person like chain mail. This modern classic focuses on a group of teenagers who are stalked by a shapeshifting S.T.Demon that follows them and kills them unless they transmit it v ia sex w ith another person. “It Follows” is a masterclass in suspense and features one of the scariest supernatural antagonists on this list. “The Evil Dead”- 1981 Want low-budget grindhouse filmmaking w ith a splash of physical comedy? Sam Rami’s first feature has you covered. Gallons and gallons of blood f low in this splatter classic starring Bruce Campbell. This masterclass in guerrilla filmmaking showcases what a bunch of kids can do w ith a 16mm camera, some Karo sy rup, food coloring and a cabin in the woods. Equal parts grotesque and comedic, “The Ev il Dead” is essential v iewing for any horror fanatic. “The Blair Witch Project”- 1999 Speaking of low-budget horror, this foundfootage masterpiece is not for the faint of heart. Despite never appearing on screen, the Blair Witch’s presence permeates the film, creating an oppressive atmosphere that becomes almost
documentary. “Fish Tank” was a 21st century homecoming for the British social realism of the 1960s, while “American Honey” took Arnold to the States in an epic deconstruction of the American dream. “Cow” — not to be confused with Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow” — is about just that. The film follows a cow, or really two, a mother and daughter. Shot over the course of four years in rural England, we watch not only a day in the life of a dairy cow, but a lifetime. In the opening scene, Luma (the mother) gives birth to her calf, and within minutes the two are separated — so soon, in fact, that Luma’s placenta is literally still hanging out of her. The film is presented with no interviews, narration or non-diegetic sound of any kind. We hear only the mooing of cows, the shuffling of hooves and occasionally Billie Eilish or Kali Uchis over the loud speakers. Furthermore, the film is shot using handheld camerawork exclusively at a bovine eye-level; the faces of individual farmers are often obscured, reinforcing the modern mechanization of the industry and the systemic problems that result. This minimalist approach proves quietly devastating — in the absence of melodrama or “talking heads,” all we’re left with are the images, and they speak for themselves. My only qualm is that I’m not convinced the film justifies its own existence. That’s a pretty big qualm, so allow me to explain. At multiple points throughout the movie, Arnold’s camera gets so close to the cows that they literally collide. After the second or third crash, I realized that to Luma, the documentary crew was no different from the farmers that manhandled her and her calf. The film is, in its own way, a form of exploitation. A part of me thinks Arnold is actually aware of this — she easily could have edited out the literal bumps along the way — but even if she is, it’s an idea the film never fully tackles. Regardless, Arnold makes such an attempt at empathy here that I’m willing to absolve her. Shamrocks: 3 out of 5 Contact Aidan O’Malley at aomalle@nd.edu
unbearable by the time the film enters its finale. Not follow ing any traditional stor y structure and featuring raw, largely improv ised performances, “The Blair Witch Project” feels more real than any other horror film I have ever seen, which makes the film’s final minutes all the more devastating. “Trick ‘r Treat”- 2007 Few films so accurately capture the feeling of Halloween, and of the few that get it just right, “Trick ‘r Treat” does it the best. This is an antholog y film w ith each of the stories taking place, and overlapping, over the course of one Halloween night as a small tow n celebrates the holiday. W holly entertaining and a ton of fun to watch w ith friends, “Trick ‘r Treat” is a modern Halloween classic. “A Tale of Two Sisters”- 2003 Kim Jee-woon’s “A Tale of Two Sisters” is one of the best ghost stories I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. This film follows a young woman haunted by her mother’s mysterious death who returns to her family home after a stint at a psychiatric hospital. Her father ignores her and her stepmother instills fear, which makes the woman feel that she needs to protect her younger sister. A study of repression, guilt, grief’s lasting effects and the death of childhood innocence, “A Tale of Two Sisters” is guaranteed to scare the liv ing daylights out of you and ruin your entire day. Contact Justin George at jgeorge3@nd.edu EMMA KIRNER | The Observer
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The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
By CLAIRE LYONS Scene Writer
After two years of radio silence, Japanese-American singersongwriter Mitski has triumphantly returned to the public ear with a new single and tour announcement. In 2019, Mitski ended her 5-year streak of non-stop touring and deleted her social media to take a break from music indefinitely. Nearly two years later, her accounts were reactivated to announce the release of a new single, “Working for the Knife,” and new tour dates in North America and Europe. The single and new tour had virtually no publicity. A teaser for the single was posted a day before the video’s release on October 5th. Two weeks later, the music video for “Working for the Knife” has nearly 2.4 million views on YouTube. Mitski’s North American and European tours were announced on the same day as the single’s release. Nearly four days later, the North American tour tickets sold out as soon as they were available for purchase. It’s safe to say that fans can’t get enough of Mitski. While her sound has evolved from devastating ballads to angsty punk-rock to energetic pop, what unites Mitski’s discography (and avid fan-base) is her brilliant lyricism. NPR calls her the “poet laureate of young adulthood” as she effortlessly captures the whirlwind of anger, yearning and selfdoubt that comes with growing up. Her songs are romantic, typically revolving around an undefined subject that Mitski
By ANNA FALK Scene Writer
“Dune” has been one of the most anticipated movies of the year with all of its forces lining up for greatness. A star-studded cast. A budget of $165 million. A score conducted by Hans Zimmer. Almost a year’s worth of excitement building due to delays from the pandemic. And fortunately, it has lived up to its expectations. Before I watched Villeneuve’s adaptation, I sat down with Frank Herbert’s novel in attempts to better grasp an understanding of the “Duneiverse” and its intricacies. As the first book is roughly 800 pages in certain editions (mine included), I was only able to make it through about ¼ of the novel. However, Herbert’s world-building and storytelling abilities have left me utterly speechless. I cannot possibly begin to fathom the amount of work that went into creating this masterpiece, and despite its sometimes sluggish intricacies, it shows such a unique sophistication and depth that I’ve rarely seen before in any kind of fiction novel. The plot of this universe follows a duke’s son named Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). His father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), has been assigned by the Emperor to rule over the planet of Arrakis (also known as Dune) and its main export, spice, a powerful substance that is essential for various aspects of interstellar life. Throughout both the book and the movie, the interactions between issues like religion, ecology,
obsesses over, adores and sometimes hates. On the surface, her discography seems dedicated to a lover but songs like “I Will” and “Geyser” are actually dedicated to herself and her work as a songwriter. Mitski has been praised over and over again for her songwriting abilities. After self-releasing her debut and sophomore albums in college, she garnered critical acclaim with the release of her third album, “Bury Me at Makeout Creek.” The release of her fourth album, “Puberty 2,” in 2016 solidified her as a lyricism powerhouse — a songwriter that is here to stay. With her growing popularity, she was invited on tour with alt-rock band The Pixies and pop idol Lorde in 2017. Her latest album, “Be the Cowboy,” was named 2018 album of the year by prestigious music magazines like Pitchfork and Vulture. Mitski has a reputation to uphold and she didn’t disappoint with this new single. The “Working for the Knife” music video opens with the sound of Mitski’s spurs clinking as she begrudgingly walks to a performance hall. Donning a black cowboy hat, reminiscent of her “Be the Cowboy” album, she starts to sing and takes a drag from an imaginary cigarette. She moves in a heavily choreographed way — inspired by the post-war Japanese Butoh dance — and jerkily removes her cowboy hat. Mitski is no longer “being the cowboy,” a performance persona that she crafted for her latest album. Now, the question is: Who is she? What will this new era of Mitski look like? She whirls and stamps around the empty chairs of the
auditorium, lamenting “I always knew the world moves on / I just didn’t know it would go on without me,” a devastating reference to her time out of the spotlight over the past two years. She wails and wishes she was “making things too ... but nobody cares for the stories [she] had.” Her lyrics describe her endless devotion to “the knife” which she works, lives and dies for. The knife, dangerous yet powerful, alludes to her addiction to creativity, the craft of songwriting and fame. After the song ends and we hear the applause from an imaginary crowd, the viewer is left to hear her awkwardly pounding her feet and panting as her dancing turns from structured to manic and wild. She throws herself onto the floor, harming herself and smiles genuinely for the only time in the video. Even without the presence of a crowd to perform for, Mitski still has a masochistic obsession with her work. Breaking her hiatus, Mitski will sing for millions of fans on tour and inevitably work for the knife.
technology and politics (to name a few) are discussed. Within it all, there is also the issue of Paul’s place in the universe, as many believe him to be (among many other names) the Muad’Dib, or the messiah. In comparison to the novel, I believe that the film was very faithful to its source. This movie only covered about half of the book’s content (a sequel will finish off the content of the first book), and so my limited knowledge of the plot carried me a good way through the film. Despite some understandable changes in the plot events a nd t he showcased cha racter prof iles, I found t he f ilm to be a wonder f u l v isua l representat ion of t he book’s happenings. In a n inter v iew w it h t he Los A ngeles Times, director Denis Villeneuve ex pla ins t he cha nges he made to better suit mov ie audiences. In my experience, directors who ma ke mov ie adaptat ions of books ca n somet imes ta ke creat ive liber t ies in t he w rong direct ion, but I do not believe t his about Villeneuve. Some of t he cha nges he made involve t he emphasis of t he fema le cha racters’ complex a nd interest ing stories, st rea ming stor y-lines for t he sa ke of audiences, a nd even holding back t he interact ions of cer ta in cha racters so t hat t hey might have a bigger spot light in a ny f uture insta llments. W hile fa ns of Herber t’s novel may be upset at some of t hese cha nges, t hey show t he breadt h a nd int imacy of Villeneuve’s k nowledge rega rding t he content a nd his audiences.
As in-dept h as t his f i lm goes into t he world of “Dune,” audiences unfa mi lia r w it h t he stor y ca n st i l l enjoy t he beaut y of t he cinematog raphy, t he qua lit y of t he actors’ per forma nces (despite t he deceiv ing lack of Zendaya in t his insta l lment), a nd t he sweeping crescendos of Hans Zimmer’s score. While the film provides an aesthetic feast for the eyes, it’s not impossible to get lost in the immense details of the plot that can, at times, overwhelm the visuals and dialogue. After watching the film, I have found myself diving deeper into the “Duneiverse” and the beauty it presents. While I have found a great interest in Herbert’s worlds, some may not. Despite this, I believe that “Dune” stands as a strong and powerful example of the wonders of science fiction in film. Future installments have just been green-lighted, and the success of the film points to good news for fans.
Contact Claire Lyons at clyons3@nd.edu
“Working for the Knife” single Artist: Mitski Label: Dead Oceans Favorite Tracks: “breadwinner,” “justified” If you like: Phoebe Bridgers, Fiona Apple, Frank Oceant
Contact Anna Falk at afalk@nd.edu
“Dune” Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac Director: Denis Villeneuve If you like: “Star Wars,” “Ender’s Game’’
MAKAYLA HERNANDEZ | The Observer
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Classifieds
The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Crossword | Will Shortz
Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Make adjustments that will set you up for a better future. Take care of financial matters by reducing your overhead and letting go of things you no longer need. Use your space wisely, and you will encourage productivity and a clear passage forward. Don’t let gullibility or vulnerability be your downfall. Size up situations, take control and do what’s best for you. Your numbers are 9, 16, 20, 27, 29, 34, 46. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Focus on what you need to get what you want. Prepare to negotiate with finesse and show you are qualified to take on whatever comes your way. Don’t be shy; speak up and make things happen. Self-improvement is favored. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Uncertainty and indecisiveness are the enemies. Check every angle, and consider the pros and cons. Take advantage of an opportunity. A baby step is better than no step at all. Feel your way through to victory. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pay attention to detail. Set high expectations, and do whatever it takes to finish what you start. An opportunity to advance is within reach and dependent on what you plan to master. Add skills to your qualifications, then forge ahead. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Engage in something that offers a challenge. A creative endeavor will come with a price; before you begin, consider what you can afford, and you’ll find a way to stick to a budget and still accomplish what you set out to do. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Approach people you can count on for assistance and worthwhile suggestions. Discussions will help you take action and get the ball rolling. Opportunity and rewards are within reach if you set your course and follow through. Romance is on the rise. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be a good watchdog. Stay on top of facts, and verify information when someone tries to lead you astray. Put your effort into whatever makes the most sense, and you will find it easier to get things done on time. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pick up the pace, gather information and set a path that will encourage you to expand your mind. Look for efficient ways to run your life and home. Map out a plan that includes loved ones, and you’ll reach your objective quickly. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t ignore a problem you encounter with a friend, relative or peer. Address matters quickly, and go about your business. Make changes at home that are affordable and will help you maintain a steady income. Use your skills, knowledge and experience consciously. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen to your heart, but don’t ignore the facts. Be proactive; question anyone who tries to mess with you. Recognize what you want, and you’ll develop a plan that will help you expand your interests. Personal improvement is favored. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take the liberty to investigate situations or suggestions that don’t feel right or lack substance. Your best path forward is to trust in your abilities and use your skills to your benefit. Don’t allow others to take care of your responsibilities. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take a timeout, and adjust your budget to fit your lifestyle. Rearranging how you delegate funds will encourage you to set your priorities straight and enjoy what life has to offer. Love, romance and personal gain are favored. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be honest with yourself and others. Having a realistic plan in place will help you bring about positive changes to how you live and do things moving forward. Call on those who offer encouragement and hands-on help.
Sudoku | The Mepham Group
Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek
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Thomas: Coan makes adjustments for victory Aidan Thomas Sports Writer
On his first drop back pass of the night, Jack Coan delivered the ball to a receiver just 2.4 seconds after the snap. In completing his first third-down pass of the night, he needed just 2.5 seconds. Later in the drive, Coan gained 24 yards on a three-play series in which no play took longer than 2.1 seconds to develop. The football looked like a hot potato in Coan’s hands with how quickly he was whipping passes to his receivers. Running a new high-tempo offense we have seen very little of under Tommy Rees, Coan put together a masterclass performance, and the refreshed Notre Dame offense is offering hope that the ceiling for this 2021 team may be higher than just about anyone thought after a shaky start. Graduate student quarterback Jack Coan looks down the field during the Irish’s 31-16 home win against the Trojans on Oct. 23. If one could have foreseen the results from the first half of Notre Dame’s schedule and
handpicked a bye week for which the Irish could maximize the opportunity, it’s hard to argue they would have picked a different week than the one originally slated into their 2021 calendar. After a crushing home defeat to Cincinnati that virtually ended playoff hopes, Notre Dame was able to garner some momentum with a gritty road win at Virginia Tech. That win energized the banged-up Irish who got some much-needed rest over the bye week. However, the bye week was about more than just rest. The offensive inconsistency that had plagued the Irish throughout the season had already led to a loss, and if it were to continue, it almost certainly wouldn’t be the only negative result by the end of the season. After picking Coan as the Irish’s quarterback for the 2021 season, largely quelling a quarterback debate that has raged on since the spring, Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees went to work designing a new style to optimize their offensive flow. And on Saturday, the Irish rolled out their new-look, up-tempo offense against USC. In arguably
their most complete effort of the season, the Irish punted only once all game and torched the Trojans both through the air and on the ground, steadily adding on points for a 31-16 victory. Although it took longer than many — including Kelly — would have liked, the adjustments were finally there and the improvement was palpable. With the exception of a handful of package plays for freshman Tyler Buchner, this was Jack Coan’s show — the first time he’s played a full game since beating Purdue over a month ago. And finally, the play-calling catered to Coan’s skillset, allowing the Wisconsin transfer to display the talent that earned him the starting job in the first place. Throughout the season, Coan’s best moments have come in high-pressure situations — specifically, he has led a pair of game-winning drives against Toledo and Virginia Tech, operating the two-minute drill offense to near perfection. The play-calling in those situations was somewhat limited — as any hurry-up offense is — and the emphasis was on fast-developing routes that allowed Coan to get rid of the ball quickly. The success Paid Advertisement
in those situations made many, including myself, wonder why the Irish didn’t build more of their offense around that style. But on Saturday, they finally did. And the result was the most stress-free win of the season, a comfortable fourth straight victoryintherivalryseriesthatkept Notre Dame Stadium rocking all the way through the final buzzer. A statistical breakdown of Coan’s drop backs painted a pretty clear picture. On the day, Coan was 20-28. On plays when the ball came out of his hand in 2.5 seconds or less, Coan was 17-19 for 160 yards. His two incompletions were an interception and then a drop on an open slant route in the first quarter. On plays where Coan held onto the ball for longer than 2.5 seconds? He was 3-9 for 29 yards and took his only sack of the night. Those numbers could be broken down even further into smaller intervals. When he threw in under two seconds, Coan was 7-7 for 72 yards. On only four occasions throughout the night did Coan hold onto the ball for over three seconds — and on those four plays he threw three incompletions and took a sack.
However you break it down, Coan was at his absolute best with this new high-tempo Irish offense. There was no offensive stall for multiple quarters that quieted any momentum generated by the defense. There was just one punt, one turnover, one sack and one negative run play (excluding kneeldowns) through four quarters. From a play-calling standpoint, this may have been Rees’ magnum opus at this point in his career. For the first time in 2021, the secondyear offensive coordinator looked like he knew how to best utilize the talented pieces of his offense, and he worked over the USC defense all night. A 31-point showing may not raise any eyebrows or jump off the page, but anyone inside the stadium could tell you it was the best and most consistent the offense has performed all season. Up until this game, the Irish’s season felt like one of those jump-scare movies, where you’re constantly waiting for the next scare or disaster to befall the characters. They were pulling out gritty wins — sans the one defeat — but no game against any see THOMAS PAGE 19
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sports
ndsmcobserver.com | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | The Observer
FANTASY CORNER
Observer Fantasy Corner Week Five: Strategizing Lineups to Win Big By SAM OUHAJ, GEHRIG SMALSTIG, J. J. POST, JOHN KALEMKERIAN, JAMISON COOK Sports Writers
Week Seven of the NFL was out of this world. Between position players throwing touchdowns and plenty of games that turned into shootouts, there was a tremendous amount to unpack. We only have 10 more weeks left and fantasy is just getting started. Let’s break down who to start and who to sit! Sam Ouhaj Must Start: Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers After JuJu Smith-Schuster was placed on IR for the rest of the season, Diontae Johnson has become the new number-one wide receiver in Pittsburgh. The former third-round pick out of Toldeo in 2019 has quietly been averaging 18.4 points and is getting almost nine receptions per game. While Big Ben’s play has been abysmal, Johnson has not been heavily affected, which is a good sign. When the Steelers return from their bye, Johnson will be going against a decimated Browns team that may or may not have Denzel Ward. This is something to watch, and if there is no Ward this week, play Johnson with confidence. Must Sit: Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints. Normally Alvin Kamara is a starter every week. However, in order to save your team this week, do not play Kamara. He will be going up against the number one run defense in Tampa Bay and in previous years, Kamara has looked terrible. The Tampa Bay run defense is currently allowing 3.4 yards per carry and have only given up three rushing touchdowns on the season. While Kamara is still valuable
Trojans Continued from page 20
would go down with a pinched fat pad after making a tackle in the red zone as the Trojans quickly forced their way downfield after a quick pass from Slovis to arguably the top wideout in the country in Drake London. But the defense would not be derailed without its star and captain. Junior vyper Isaiah Foskey would come up clutch soon after Hamilton had made his way into the medical tent as the end of the first quarter came to a close, rattling Slovis to the point that he would open the second quarter throwing a pass that would be broken up by graduate student defensive end Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. Graduate student linebacker Bo Bauer would haul down the tipped ball and return the ball 79 yards to the edge of the Trojans’ goal line. However, the Irish offense was
as a receiver in PPR leagues, that just does not do enough for me to feel safe starting him. Avoid Kamara at all costs this weekend. Who To Pick Up: A.J. Green, WR, Arizona Cardinals (Owned in 37.2% of leagues) John Kalemkerian Must Start: Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers Mitchell has clearly established himself as the lead back in Kyle Shanahan’s run-heavy scheme, garnering 17+ carries in three of the four weeks he’s been active this season. Last week he eclipsed 100 yards rushing and found the end zone in a rainy SNF matchup with the Colts. This week he gets a Bears defense that has been generous to RB’s this season, letting up an average of 122 rushing yards per game. Expect Mitchell to deliver starting value again this week. Must Sit: Julio Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans. Name recognition is the only reason Jones is still being started weekly in over 50% of leagues. The supporting production just hasn’t been there all season to justify a start from him. The former Falcons superstar is averaging under 4 catches per game and has yet to find the end zone through the five weeks he’s been active, scoring doubledigit PPR points just once. Facing an exploitable Colts secondary in Week eight is certainly a plus, but the Titans rely so heavily on MVP front-runner Derrick Henry and their ground game that Jones is unlikely to see any significant target volume. It’s best to leave him on the bench this week. Who To Pick Up: Kalif Raymond, WR, Detroit Lions (Owned in 5.9% of leagues)
Must Start: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts Pittman continues to make big plays down the field and Carson Wentz continues to love throwing the ball deep. Additionally, the Colts will be desperate for a big division win against a Titans team that sports a top-tier offense and a lackluster defense. This should provide an outstanding game script for Pittman, who is finally starting to see the fruits of his talents and target share. Really, the Colts seem to have a clear number-one wide receiver for the first time since T. Y. Hilton had a healthy season. Going forward, I expect Pittman to continue to produce in that role. Must Sit: Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Football Team. Through Week Five, Gibson looked like he was trending towards the feature back kind of season that people expected out of him. The truth is, his flaws have caught up to him quickly. Gibson only racked up 8 points in each of the last two weeks. On top of that, he plays a limited role in the offense due to his own injury and the production of teammate JD McKissic. He simply doesn’t have the touchdown upside or receiving floor that you want out of an RB1. He might even slip below RB2 status soon. All that being said, he looks to be facing a nightmare matchup against the Broncos defense this week and should likely ride the bench until he sees a better matchup or a better snap share. Who to Pick Up: Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens (Owned in 19% of leagues)
had drafted has finally been unlocked. After a slow start, failing to post more than 10 points in three of his first three games, Pitts has broken out in his last two games. Against the Jets, he exploded for 9 catches, 119 yards, and a score. Then, against Miami, he posted 7 catches for 163 yards. With two more favorable matchups against a slumping Panthers team and a weak New Orleans secondary, Pitts should keep up the production as the season continues. Must Sit: Mike Davis, RB, Atlanta Falcons. For many fantasy owners, Davis projected as something of a high floor-low ceiling sleeper pick. As a backup, Davis shined in the time he got on the field while he replaced running Christian McCafferty. At face value, Davis signed on to have near-complete control of the backfield in Atlanta. Through the first few weeks of the season, that proved true enough. He consistently received 13-15 rushes as well as a few targets and would reward fantasy owners with about 10-13 points, which is plenty serviceable. And then Cordarrelle Patterson happened. The Falcons haven’t bothered splitting Davis and Patterson into much of a committee. In their last two games, they’ve simply doubled Patterson’s rushes (who carried the ball 14 times against the Dolphins) and cut down on Davis’ (who only rushed 4 times for 10 yards this week). Who To Pick Up: Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys (Owned in 49.9% of leagues)
Smalstig
J.J Post Must Start: Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons It looks like the generational talent everyone thought the Falcons
Jamison Cook Must Start: Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans Cooks had a monster performance in terms of volume a week ago. The Texans receiver posted
tragically unable to take advantage of the prime field position and was forced to settle for a field goal — Doerer was able to boot it in form 21 yards on this occasion. The Irish defense would use their “Bend, but don’t break” mentality as they carried a 17-3 lead into the locker room. Drake London would prove a force to be reckoned with in the day, but the real battle would be won in the trenches. London finished the day with 15 receptions on 20 targets, good for 171 yards of offense and well over half of Slovis’ 299 pass yards. Where the Trojans were able to find an attack in the air, the Irish were able to keep it on the ground, pounding the trenches as well as mixing in some passing to keep the defense honest. Junior wide receiver Kyren Williams finished the night with 25 carries for 138 yards. He also recorded the longest rushing attempt on
the night during a 38-yard rush. He was also a threat through the air, hauling in all six of his targets for 42 yards en route to putting another shamrock on the Jeweled Shillelagh. The win over the Trojans improved head coach Brian Kelly’s record over USC to 8-3. It also puts him in the discussion of Notre Dame greats in another right. With the win, Kelly is the first Notre Dame head coach since Lou Holtz to win the rivalry game against USC by more than two touchdowns twice. It was also only the third time since 2000 that the Irish have defeated the Trojans by a margin of more than 14. Although the Trojans were able to come within striking distance of the Irish as the game ticked into the final quarter, it was far too little too late. And though a late score helped pad the final outcome, the demeanor the Irish played with
at home and coming off their bye week is one that has not been on display at all this season. The feel of the late-October South Bend football air was perhaps a catalyst in helping this team find their identity. After the game, Kelly complimented his running back who had to play without his right-hand man in sophomore Chris Tyree. “Kyren Williams ran with an attitude,” Kelly said of his running back. Williams was awarded the game ballforhiseffortsandflaunteditinto his press conference, putting it on full display for all to see but quickly exclaiming that credit is owed to the offensive line who helped him downfield. For Williams, he said he realized this game was going to be a good one for the Irish right from the jump. When asked if there was a moment when he knew the
Gehrig
nine catches for 89 yards on a whopping 13 targets. It was a return to the level of targets that Cooks was seeing at the beginning of the season, an encouraging sign for his managers. Whether it is Davis Mills or Tyrod Taylor under center for the Texans, it seems that Cooks will see a lot of balls thrown in his direction. This, paired with the matchup with the pass-happy, high-scoring Cardinals, provides excellent boom potential for Cooks this week. Make sure Cooks is in your starting lineups this week, as the 17.4-point projection in PPR leagues seems a little low for me. Must Sit: Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears. Allen Robinson is an unbelievably talented wide receiver. He is just on the wrong team. Robinson does not have more than 63 receiving yards in a game yet this season. Week two (the only week in which he caught a touchdown) was the only week he scored double-digit fantasy points. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it is Andy Dalton or Justin Fields taking snaps for the Bears; Robinson just cannot find a way to involve himself. It has been a massive disappointment of a season for Robinson managers. I don’t see it turning around anytime soon, especially in this run-heavy offense. Stay away from Robinson going forward unless something drastic changes. Who to Pick Up: Ricky SealsJones, TE, Washington Football Team (Owned in 41.7% of leagues) Contact Sam Ouhaj at souhaj@nd.edu, J. J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu, Jamison Cook at jcook22@nd.edu, Gehrig Smalstig at esmalsti@nd.edu, John Kalemkerian at jkalemke@nd.edu
running game was going to fall into place, he was quick to reply. “From the first run,” Williams said. “Even before the game, I knew what I had to do; I knew the mindset. I just knew from that whole week of practice that this is gonna start clicking — we’re going to start moving together and as you see the game go on those 2-yard runs turn to 5, those 5 turn 10, 10 turn 12 ... Now you’ve got the defense on their heels: how are they gonna stop the run, how are they going to stop the pass? It’s just playing complementary football which is huge for me.” And huge it was to finally silence one of the biggest critiques of the Irish this season — their lack of complimentary football — as they took down the Trojans of Southern California 31-16. Contact at
Jimmy Ward wward@hcc-nd.edu
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Sports Authority
Zwiller: Insights into NFL Week Seven Thomas Zwiller Sports Writer
Game: Chiefs 3, Titans 27 Chiefs Reaction: The Chiefs will miss the playoffs. In the preseason, I never, in my wildest dreams, thought we would be here. However, the Chiefs are 3-4 with only one win against an above .500 team. Their worst loss came last weekend against the Titans, a game in which Derrick Henry had more passing touchdowns than Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are third in the AFC West, and they trail the Steelers, Patriots and Colts for the seventh wildcard spot. Can the Chiefs miss the playoffs? Result: Not an Overreaction My NFL projections model ZLO currently has the Chiefs sitting at 8-9, which is good enough for third in the AFC West. But do not just take my word for it: FiveThirtyEight has the Chiefs finishing with a 9-8 record and only a 43% chance to make the playoffs. Titans Reaction: The Titans are the best team in the AFC. The Titans are currently 5-2 holding a 34-31 win against the Bills and now a 27-3 win against
the Chiefs. Derrick Henry has reinserted himself into the MVP conversation after a slow start. Are the Titans the best team in the AFC? Result: Overreaction Do not forget: this is a team that lost to the Jets. I understand they were missing their wide receivers, but that defense gave up 24 points to a Jets team that averages 12.8 points per game. The Titans’ offense is good, but their defense prevents me from saying they are the best team in the AFC. The Bills were a fourth-down conversion away from winning that matchup. Game: Falcons 30, Dolphins 28 Falcons Reaction: The Falcons can make the playoffs. The Atlanta Falcons started the season 1-3. Since going to London and taking on the Jets, they have been 2-0. The Falcons are 3-3 in the NFC South, where they should beat the Panthers twice and possibly split with the Saints. Their remaining strength of schedule ranks 23rd. The Falcons competition for the spot, the 49ers and the Vikings, appear to be struggling. The 49ers lost a crucial game to the Colts this past Sunday, and the Vikings are approaching the more challenging half of their schedule.
Do the Falcons have a shot at making the playoffs? Result: Overreaction Let’s slow down for a second. The Falcons’ last two wins came against teams that are a combined 2-11. Add in their other win against the Giants, and it is 4-16. The Falcons have a chance to be .500, but this team is not good enough to make the playoffs. FiveThirtyEight gives them just a 19% chance at the playoffs and their average record is 8-9. ZLO has them with a chance of making the wildcard but falling short with a record of either 8-9 or 9-8. Dolphins Reaction: Trade Tua for Deshaun Watson The Dolphins are now 1-6 and on a six-game losing streak. Their last two losses are particularly tough, a 23-20 last-second loss to the Jaguars in London and a 30-28 lastsecond loss to the Falcons. Fellow second-year quarterbacksJoeBurrowandJustin Herbert have looked fantastic, while Tua has seemingly lagged. All the while, Deshaun Watson sits completely available for trade. All the Dolphins need do is send away a minimum of three first-round draft picks. Paid Advertisement
Result: Overreaction First, it needs to be said: Deshaun has 22 civil lawsuits alleging either sexual assault or sexual misconduct. In my opinion, that is reason alone enough for teams not to trade for Deshaun. The NFL needs to place Watson on the commissioners’ exempt list as soon as possible. The longer he is not on there, the more problematic. That fact aside, I do not understand why you would trade away Tua. In the last two games, Tua has played well, throwing for six touchdowns, three interceptions, and 600 yards on a 75% completion percentage. Furthermore, acquiring Watson does not save the Dolphins season. It might help in the future, but the Dolphins are still 1-6. The best course of action, in my opinion, is to continue to evaluate Tua and see what you have. He has essentially played three games this season. That is not an adequate sample size. Game: Colts 30, 49ers 18 Colts Reaction: The Colts will make the playoffs. Way back in February, I wrote a column detailing the trade of Carson Wentz from the Eagles to the Colts. I explained how I thought Wentz could make the
Colts a playoff-caliber team. Wentz is projected to throw 25 touchdowns to two interceptions and close to four thousand yards at a 64% completion percentage. In February, I said that Wentz would go 25-6 throwing at 65% and have 3750 passing yards. He is on track for my projections, but the Colts are not. They sit at 3-4 but have won three of their last four. They currently sit tenth in the AFC. Could they sneak into the playoffs? Result: Not an Overreaction The Colts are by no means a lock for the playoffs, but I genuinely think they have a chance. FiveThirtyEight gives them a 50% chance of making the postseason and a 19% chance of winning the AFC South. Their average simulated record is 9-8. ZLO is a little less optimistic; it has the Colts finishing at 8-9 and eighth in the AFC. The Colts face the Jets, the Jaguars twice, and the Texans, which feels like four automatic wins in their remaining schedule. They also face the Buccaneers, the Titans, and the Cardinals, see ZWILLER PAGE 19
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Belles prepare for senior night vs. Thunder Mannion McGinley Sports Writer
Wednesday, Oct. 26, the Saint Mary’s volleyball team will take on Trine at home. This will be the Belles’ final home game of the season. For seniors Allison Thornton, Claire Hennessey and Hannah Stacy, (a middle hitter, setter and outside hitter respectively) this will be their last regular-season home game ever. Head coach Denise Van de Walle could not believe that the end of the season and the end of the girls’ tenures had crept up on the team. “Very excited about senior night,” Van de Walle said. “The fact that this is the last home match of the year doesn’t seem possible.” Throughout the year, and their collegiate careers in general, Van de Walle has been able to rely on all three of her senior players.
“All three of them start and generally play all the time,” Van de Walle said, “Claire has been setting this fall, Alli has been in the middle position and Hannah has been on the right. All three have been contributing since day one and it’s been great to have them on the team. All three have brought senior leadership to the team.” Thornton has played in 42 matches for 118 sets. In those sets, she’s had 80 kills averaging 0.68 kills per set. This season, however, Thornton has seen that number jump to 0.75. Hennessey has played in 69 matches over her four years and takes on the role of captain this season. She has taken to the court in every game possible over her four years thus far. In 226 sets, she served 47 aces, completed 46 kills and 769 assists. Stacy took to the court in 65
matches, 169 sets. With 239 kills, she averaged 1.41 kills per set thus far in her career. Stacy recalled her four seasons and everything the team has been through to get where they are now. “It’s definitely full of highs and lows,” she said “But it has been an overall great experience and I have met some of my closest friends through volleyball. The best memories were going to Emory over fall break in 2019 and going to the Atlanta aquarium.” In the good and the bad, Stacy felt they all came into their own and because they’re all so close, she was able to grow. “I think I have grown as a leader,” Stacy said. “Especially this year as a senior. We have faced a lot of setbacks, like our 2020 season being canceled due to COVID, but we got through it together and made us a closer-knit team.”
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Stacy has a specific goal for the game tomorrow, especially, as Van de Walle mentioned, the season hasn’t been everything the team hoped for. They head into their final home game 7-12. “The season hasn’t gone like we thoughtitwouldbecauseofinjuries. That was a big factor throughout the fall. Plus, not having our players in-season last year hurt us. We are behind the rest of the teams in the league for that very reason.” Rather than the MIAA conference dictating the Belles would not play sports last fall due to COVID-19, Saint Mary’s made its own decision not to play. Those factors combined with injuries left the Belles a bit behind the eight-ball. Because of that, Stacy wants to make a statement in her final showing. “We want to come out with a win
and secure a spot in the conference tournament. And I want to enjoy the last time playing on our home court with Alli & Claire,” Stacy said. “We are all so supportive of each other and really rely on one another to keep our chins up and keep each other motivated. We are super close and that’s what makes it so fun playing with each other.” The two teams have seen each other once already this season, which lit a fire under the Belles. “We look forward to a rematch with Trine,” Van de Walle said. “They won the first one back in September, we want this one.” Having seen the Thunder before though, Van de Walle and the Belles know what to expect. “I expect the Trine team to be very competitive,” Van de Walle said, “I think they have a dynamic setter in [Jacqueline] Baughman who does a really good job for them. She’s been setting for a long time and can be hard to read. They also have strong pin hitters, especially [Olivia] Jolliffe. When we played them the first time we weren’t at full strength. This time we should be. It will be a good match.” Catch the game at 7:00 pm, live on the Saint Mary’s Belles Youtube channel. Contact at
Mannion McGinley mmcginl3@nd.edu
Zwiller Continued from page 18
which feels like three automatic losses (to be fair, I think they have a shot against the Titans, but I still favor the Titans). That puts them at 7-7, with just two games being the differencemakers: the Patriots and Raiders. The Patriots game, in particular, seems to be the game that could dictate the AFC seventh seed. Contact Thomas Zwiller at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu Paid Advertisement
Thomas Continued from page 15
opponent felt comfortable. But on Saturday night, for the first time we got a look at the Notre Dame c o a c h i n g staff at their best, finally putting their players in the best position to win, as well as the players executing at a high level. For the first time, the product that Notre Dame put out on the field looked sustainable. A major bowl game seems realistic, an 11-1 record even more so despite a handful of tricky games in the coming weeks. As the Irish moved to 6-1 on the year, a game finally ended without there feeling like a debate. Yes, I still like Pyne as the starter, but much of the issues I’ve seen with Coan became lessened with a better offensive scheme. Coan proved he can be the guy for this offense. He just has to get the ball out of his hands in under 2.5 seconds. Contact Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu
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The observer | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Football | ND 31, USC 16
On defense: Bauer responds to the challenge Jimmy Ward Associate Sports Editor
ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer
Irish graduate student linebacker Bo Bauer shores up against the Trojans during Notre Dame’s night game against USC Saturday.
Heading into Saturday night, almost no one was raving about graduate student linebacker Bo Bauer’s ability to haul down interceptions. But that’s exactly the spot he found himself in just moments after losing his teammate junior safety Kyle Hamilton to a knee injury. Hamilton had just made a tackle as USC crossed into the red zone, and for the first time of the night, the Irish defense was on its heels. As Hamilton was making his way into the tent, junior defensive lineman Isiah Foskey made a huge play, stripping USC’s junior quarterback Kedon Slovis in the backfield. The Trojans were able to recover the fumble and gain most of the lost yardage back on second down to set up a pivotal third and eight from Notre Dame’s 12-yard line. Notre Dame’s pass rush blanketed the quarterback in navy uniforms as pressure from graduate student Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and senior twins Jayson and Justin Ademilola
forced a hurried pass from Slovis to be tipped and fall right into the arms of Bo Bauer. Bauer was in the right place at the right time, and it paid off immensely in this game for the Irish, as it flipped the script and gave the Irish some breathing room as opposed to looking at a tied ballgame. Even though Bauer didn’t have enough in his tank to take the interception back to the house — and was taken down by none other than Slovis himself — and despite the Irish offense not being able to capitalize on the prime field position, the play proved to be a momentum swinger as the wind was most definitely taken out of USC’s sails. They were now forced to stare down a twoscore deficit on the scoreboard for nearly the rest of the game. The moment Kyle Hamilton went down on the sidelines, a major test started for this Irish defense, and they answered the bell. Bauer may have been the one who was able to make the big play at the opportune time, but their work was not done for the rest of the night, and playing complimentary football as a unit is what helped rally the Irish to a steady win over the Trojans
in a big rivalry game in front of a host of recruits, their families and current and former Irish NFL stars. Bauer would finish the night tied with Tariq Bracy, DJ Brown and JD Bertrand for most tackles with seven. Though he wasn’t able to outpace USC’s starting quarterback, his outlook after the game was still positive, he was especially complimentary of the atmosphere in the stadium. “We’ve got the greatest fans in the world. They show out when we need them,” Bauer said in his postgame press conference. “I love to have our fans there and I thought the lights were cool.” Bauer realizes that while a win over a rival might be sweet, the season is not anywhere close to being over. As reality begins to sink in with the diagnoses of Kyle Hamilton, his Irish defense must step up again in the face of challenge and adversity. “We’re treating this second half as a new season,” he said. “Trying to establish high levels of execution and everyday we just try to be great responders to what’s in front of us because at the end of the day those are the people who inherit trophies.” Contact Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu
Football
Irish maintain momentum to beat Trojans Jimmy Ward Associate Sports Editor
On a brisk Saturday night in South Bend, the Fighting Irish hosted the unranked Trojans in the 92nd edition of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry. The Irish were able to get out to a fast start in the game despite not being able to draw blood on their first drive, an effort that consumed nearly 4:30 of clock and saw the Irish stomp down the field for 74 yards in 10 plays. Graduate student placekicker Jonathan Doerer would miss the 36-yard field goal. It was the Notre Dame defense that would really provide the spark early on as the Trojans’ first drive resulted in a quick three and out. A quick sack from senior defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola on the first play from scrimmage for the Trojans made the Irish defensive presence felt right away. Trojan junior quarterback Kedon Slovis was pressured all night as his offensive line failed to provide him adequate protection. Graduate student Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa got the
hurry on third down to force the Trojan punt early. After driving the ball almost 75% the length of the field and coming up empty, the Irish would finally start to piece together drives that would begin to yield results. On the next drive quarterback duties would be split by graduate student quarterback Jack Coan and true freshman Tyler Buchner. Coan led the Irish into Trojan territory but it was Buchner who would maintain the moment where they had stalled on their last drive. Buchner would only sub in for two plays but his contribution would certainly not go unnoticed as he completed a pair of passes good for a combined 24 yards. Knocking on the Trojans’ door, Coan would finish the job, finding graduate student wide receiver Avery Davis in the end zone to put the Irish on the board 7-0. The dynamics of the game would change drastically on the next defensive possession for the Irish, though it lasted a measly 0:16. Junior star safety Kyle Hamilton see TROJANS PAGE 16
ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer
The Notre Dame Irish battle the University of Southern California Trojans Saturday, Oct. 23. Notre Dame emerged victorious with a score of 31-16. The Irish face the University of North Carolina this Saturday.