IRISH INSIDER THE STANDARD RESETTING
AFTER TWO YEARS OUTSIDE OF CONTENTION, NOTRE DAME’S SENIORS HAVE BROUGHT THE IRISH BACK INTO THE POSTSEASON PICTURE.
The best of Notre Dame’s 2024 Senior Day class
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Before this Saturday’s game against Virginia, the Notre Dame football team will recognize its 29 seniors for their contributions to the program. Many of them stuck around in South Bend through a coaching change and have helped bring Notre Dame back into the College Football Playoff conversation this year. Here’s a look back at the best moments members of this year’s senior class produced in blue and gold.
Kiser kicks down the endzone door
When graduate linebacker Jack Kiser led Notre Dame with eight tackles and two tackles for loss in his first career start in 2020, Irish fans sensed they had a high-caliber defender on their hands. Four years later, they’ve been proven right. Across six seasons in South Bend, Kiser has started 27 games, making 234 tackles, including a dozen for loss.
In 2021, Kiser became the rare defender to score two touchdowns in the same season. He first ran a 66-yard interception return back to the end zone in Week Four against Wisconsin, helping Notre Dame to a top25 blowout. Two months later, on Senior Day against Georgia Tech, he contributed to an Irish shutout with a 43-yard interception return to the house.
Evans scores gamewinning Gator Bowl touchdown
For a Notre Dame program accustomed to prolific tight end play, the 2022 Gator Bowl win against South Carolina featured a glorious transition of power. Michael Mayer had led Notre Dame throughout the previous
three years, setting the Irish record for receiving touchdowns earlier in the season. But with Mayer sitting out of the bowl game to prepare himself for the NFL Draft, the time came for current senior Mitchell Evans.
Evans had already become known for his “Mitch-aPalooza” tight end sneak plays, one of which resulted in his first career touchdown at UNLV.
But he hadn’t yet brought in a receiving score. That changed with less than 100 seconds to play in Notre Dame’s shootout bowl win, as Tyler Buchner hooked up with the current senior for the game-winning touchdown from 18 yards out. Evans’ role would expand into 2023, as he posted 422 receiving yards on 29 catches in eight games before going down with an injury.
Cross becomes one-man wrecking crew at Duke
After Notre Dame took its first loss of the 2023 season, a heartbreaker against Ohio State, graduate defensive lineman Howard Cross III made sure the Irish would return to the win column a week later. Playing in primetime for the second straight Saturday at Duke, Cross delivered a careerhigh 13 tackles with three and a half tackles for loss. After Notre Dame had taken a 21-14 lead late in the fourth quarter, Cross annihilated Duke’s chance at a response, ending the game with a strip sack.
The remarkable performance in Durham would earn Cross several honors, including Bednarik Player of the Week, Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week and Lott Impact Trophy Player of the Week. Now 60 games into his Irish career, Cross has 164 tackles, 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.
Watts has his breakout month
A Nebraska native who started his Irish career at wide receiver, graduate safety Xavier Watts made the move to the secondary in 2021. Starting out as a rover, playing a hybrid of linebacker and safety, Watts waited his turn behind the likes of Kyle Hamilton and Brandon Joseph. Then, in October of last year, he became a household name.
After picking off passes in road wins at NC State and Duke, Watts starred in Notre Dame’s Oct. 14 blowout of USC. In that game, he intercepted reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams twice, forced a fumble and returned another for a touchdown. In his next game against Pittsburgh, Watts would claim two interceptions again. He ended the season as the nation’s leader with seven picks, taking home the Bronko Nagurski award as the top defensive player in the country.
Collins’ crucial catch in College Station
Transferring from Clemson ahead of this season, graduate wide receiver Beaux Collins had already played against the Irish twice in his career. On Aug. 31, he suited up for the first time in a Notre Dame uniform as the team opened its 2024 season with a top-20 showdown at Texas A&M. Entering the Irish program with 1,290 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his three seasons at Clemson, Collins figured to contribute heavily in Notre Dame’s passing game. With the Irish needing a late score at Kyle Field, that’s exactly what he did.
With five minutes left and Notre Dame at its own 29, senior quarterback Riley Leonard spotted Collins in single coverage on the left sideline. He
threw a perfect back-shoulder ball, and Collins made a terrific, strong-handed catch to secure a 20-yard gain and get the Irish to midfield. The play would accelerate Notre Dame’s drive, which resulted in a go-ahead and game-winning touchdown.
Collins currently leads the Irish with 29 catches and 374 receiving yards on the season.
Leonard’s legs lead the way in Notre Dame resurgence
Riley Leonard arrived as a senior transfer from Duke this past offseason with question marks aplenty. He had spent most of his 2023 season on the shelf, and his injuries carried into the offseason and kept him out of spring practices at Notre Dame. But at the same time, his upside was undeniable, pointing back to his historic 2022 season with the Blue Devils. Two games into his Notre Dame career, that upside didn’t show itself much, as Leonard followed a conservative gameplan at Texas A&M and threw two costly interceptions against Northern Illinois.
Then came the Purdue game in Week Three. With Notre Dame 1-1 and likely needing to win 10 straight games just to reach the College Football Playoff, Leonard made sure the Irish didn’t waste any time. Running the football like a man possessed, he accounted for 100 yards and three touchdowns on the ground before the 66-7 Irish win hit halftime. Notre Dame has won six more games consecutively since that afternoon in West Lafayette, with Leonard rushing for 13 scores and passing for nine more on the season.
Bauman’s persistence pays off with first touchdown
In that Purdue game, Kevin
Bauman also brought in his first career touchdown reception, and it was a long time coming. The graduate tight end made his collegiate debut on Sept. 19, 2020, before suffering a fractured fibula in 2021, a torn ACL in 2022 and another ACL tear before the 2023 season even began. As a result, the New Jersey native played in only 12 games across his first four seasons.
But Bauman didn’t hang up his cleats. He kept pushing, getting to the point where he could play in a career-high seven games this year. In his first game back at Purdue, he hauled in an eight-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Steve Angeli, and his teammates absolutely lost it. They mobbed Bauman in the corner of the end zone, sealing the memory of a play he’ll likely never forget.
Mills, Clark bring the boom against Florida State
Two more graduate students stepped up in Notre Dame’s most recent beatdown of Florida State. Playing under the lights in South Bend for the first time this season, defensive tackle Rylie Mills delivered a legacy performance. Number 99 collected a career-high three sacks, doubling his total for the season and bringing his career count to 15.5. One of his takedowns in the second half forced the Seminoles into a passing situation, leading to the first interception of nickelback Jordan Clark’s Irish career. An Arizona State transfer, Clark has left his mark on Notre Dame both on and off the field, defending four passes this season while hosting his podcast, “The Irish Scoop.”
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
RICHARD TAYLOR | THE OBSERVER
Senior quarterback Riley Leonard runs away from RedHawk defensive linemen in Notre Dame’s 28-3 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Sep. 21 in Notre Dame Stadium. The Duke transfer has rushed for 609 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He has been prolific with his legs all season and is tied for third in the country in rushing touchdowns in 2024.
AccessABLE advocates
Club builds community, supports disabled students
By SOPHIE HANAWALT Staff Writer
Notre Dame’s AccessABLE club works to advocate for inclusion, as well as provide a campus community for students with disabilities and their allies, the club’s student leaders said.
Co-president and senior Jill Maudlin said she was encouraged to check out AccessABLE after reaching out to student recipients of the Matthew Swinton Endowment for
Excellence in Service to the Disabled to ask about accessibility at Notre Dame upon her acceptance. While Maudlin did not end up being a participant in the program, which supports students who need accommodations at admitted students’ days, she highlighted the impact of having student mentors and has helped out with the program throughout her time as a student.
Junior Meghan Ellis, vice president of AccessABLE, joined because she was looking
for a community on campus with others navigating similar experiences.
“I’m so lucky because we’re a small group but we have such a strong presence,” she said.
Senior and co-president Scott Patterson echoed this statement.
“I saw how in my own life knowing other people with disabilities was super helpful because they could help me navigate some of the academic
Senate elects council vice president, treasurer
By MAEVE GEISHAUSER News Writer
The Notre Dame student senate met in Mendoza 161 on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the upcoming week and vote on the nominees for junior class council vice president and treasurer.
Student body president Maeve Miller opened the meeting by discussing a variety of events supported by the student council. These announcements included the promotion of “Steps to Wellness Week,” which is celebrated by a RecSports yoga class this Thursday at 8 a.m.
in the Smith Center and a “Carnations & Journals” event this Friday at 2 p.m. in North Dining Hall.
Another event promoted was a Notre Dame Forum called “Election 2024: What Just Happened?” The talk, discussing the implications of last week’s election, will take place Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Hesburgh Center Auditorium.
Key panelists for the event include University president Fr. Robert Dowd, law professor Derek Muller, chair of the department of political science Geoffrey Layman and assistant professor of democracy and global affairs Laura
Gamboa. After acknowledging this variety of campus affairs, the senate focused their attention on the class council nominees.
The nominee for junior class council vice president, Akash Nooka, is a neuroscience and behavior major on a pre-med track from Nebraska, currently living in Sorin College. Nooka is a member of the Glynn Family Honors Program and has been appointed to be a peer advocate by the judicial council.
Junior class president Emma Vales, in her nomination of
College Democrats hosts election debrief
By MADYSON CASIANO Staff Writer
On Wednesday, the Saint Mary’s College Democrats met to discuss the outcome of the presidential election. The group leaders emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts, educating yourself in the political arena and the influence of women’s voices.
Many political clubs and intermediaries of the College
have been coordinating debriefs in the aftermath of the election.
“We knew we wanted to host something after the election, no matter how the results ended up being,” junior Kayli Zelinske-Mader said.
Sophomore Destiny MaganaStokes agreed and added that “we wanted [the debrief] to be an open dialogue for everyone, and I think that is a big reason College Democrats is a thing.
Lack of parking creates problems
By SOLEDAD CASTELLANOS Staff Writer
Parking has recently become a struggle for students with vehicles.
Some speculate an increased number of enrolled students, or an excessive allowance of cars this fall semester. The answer, however, is none of the above.
Returning students have found the “parking problem” to be a hot topic of conversation, sparking
widespread frustration over the lack of available parking spaces.
Sophomore Analycia Camarena shared her dissatisfaction with the current situation, voicing concerns about its impact on daily campus life.
“I feel like, for the amount that we paid to have our car on campus, the parking sections are nowhere near as big and close enough to our residents
Study abroad hosts festivities
By SYDNEY EIDELBES Staff Writer
We want to make sure that we have an outlet.”
Many members spoke out about their worries regarding the consequences of the election and their impression of the future political leaders.
To ease their concerns, club president Alli Jablonski decided to present an outlook of the future in order to supplement the conversations. Attendees were
On Thursday evening, the Saint Mary’s Study Abroad office and global studies department hosted their first-ever Ireland celebration. The second floor of the Student Center hosted staff, Saint Mary’s alumnae and current students for a celebration of Irish culture to promote the Maynooth study abroad program.
Saint Mary’s has offered a study abroad program in collaboration with Maynooth University since 1977. It is one of the College’s most popular study abroad destinations.
Jennifer Zachman, department chair for global studies and modern languages and cultures explained the purpose of the event to The Observer.
“We just wanted to celebrate the connection between Saint Mary’s and Ireland,” Zachman said.
The global studies department staff emphasized Ireland’s role as a gateway to Europe, and the many travel opportunities abroad for program participants.
Suzanne Dolembo, assistant director of global education expressed her appreciation for the
The celebration featured local Irish band Kennedy’s Kitchen as well as a special dining hall menu featuring traditional Irish cuisine.
SYDNEY EIDELBES | The Observer
Local band Kennedy’s Kitchen performs traditional Irish music at the student center during Study Abroad’s Ireland Celebration.
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QUESTION OF
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Karen Umeora freshman Ryan Hall “Figure
Wisdom Anni senior Knott Hall “Breakdancing.”
Maggie Rakonick senior Off-campus “Race-walking.”
Mary-Therese Lawler freshman McCandless Hall “Gymnastics.”
Anandini Mitra freshman Ryan Hall “Javelin throw.”
Dominic Russo sophomore Baumer Hall “Soccer.”
Keenan Hall holds a group prayer Sunday at 9 p.m. outside the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes for their weekly “section grotto” event. The hall’s eight sections gather to light a candle and pray before going to the Huddle Mart at the LaFortune Student Center.
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The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at editor@ndsmcobserver.com so we can correct our error.
Friday
‘Election 2024: What Just Happened?’
Hesburgh Center
Auditorium
12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. Panel discussion.
Concert: Notre Dame Symphony Orchestra Leighton Concert Hall
8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Works by Beethoven, Brahms and Elgar.
Saturday
‘Miracles with St. Thomas Aquinas’ Geddes Hall
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Lecture by Therese Cory.
ND vs Virginia ND Stadium
3:30 p.m.
Notre Dame football takes on the University of Virginia.
Sunday
ND vs Duke Purcell Pavilion
1 p.m.
Notre Dame volleyball faces Duke in conference play.
Concert: Symphonic Winds and Band Leighton Concert Hall
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Overtures, marches, and traditional works.
Monday
Vespers with Children’s Choir Church of Our Lady of Loretto
4:30 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Conducting prayer.
Happy Birthday ND Hagerty Family Cafe
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Decorate cupcakes and celebrate with more fun activities.
Tuesday
“Middle East and October 7” Hesburgh Center Auditorium 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Panel discussion.
Special Spes Univent Holy Cross College
TBD
SGA holds a special FriendsGiving event for the students.
GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer
Tour guides share passion for University
By VITTORIA DI MEO News Writer
Amongst researching the University, many prospective students’ first steps is booking an oncampus tour to view their possible new home.
Many students apply to be tour guides every year with different motivations. Senior Christopher Fountain said he applied to be a tour guide after connecting with the tour guide he had when he first applied to Notre Dame.
“I love the way he presented Notre Dame, and it made me want to go there. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve wanted to kind of give back to that and share my love of Notre Dame,” Fountain said.
Senior Joey Kositzke had always been involved in Notre Dame social life and had a couple of friends that were already Notre Dame tour guides. Kositzke said his friends spoke positively about the experience and encouraged him to apply as well.
“I knew that tour guiding would be a cool opportunity to connect
Debrief
encouraged to continue their education in politics by reading and viewing the news. In order to make a difference, they were reminded to contact their representatives and use their voices.
“A big focus of ours moving forward will be the midterms and focusing on women’s elections,” Jablonski said.
The club also spoke about their own future on campus. A couple of the group leaders were planning to study abroad, leaving the remaining members in charge of organizing events including a peaceful demonstration at an undisclosed time.
Jablonski will be one leader studying abroad in the spring. Throughout the night she reassured her members that College Democrats will not be ending.
“Regardless of the election results, we are still here. The election just ignited our passions further,” she said.
with future generations of students and also reflect on my own journey,” he said.
Sophomore Maya Tuviera said she loves the job, but found the application process quite methodical.
“I went through the application process; it was fairly rigorous, there’s several stages, but I still maintain that it’s my dream campus job,” Tuviera said.
Regarding the job itself, senior Allison Gentry said she was initially nervous on her first couple of tours, but eventually got used to it.
“In the beginning, it was definitely nerve-wracking for sure. I was really nervous on my first couple tours,” Gentry said. “But since I’ve gotten used to doing it now, I’ve really come to flourish in the in the role.”
Being a tour guide consists of giving tours both to families and high school groups. Fountain said the time commitment depends on how much you want to take on.
“It’s pretty much what you make of it. They’ll assign you every two weeks, they’ll send out a schedule, and you usually have two to three
The group hoped to look beyond the present and to continue pushing forward democratic initiatives.
Considering the inclusive intent of the debrief and addressing the strength of women’s voices, the group noted they are open to further relationships between College Democrats and College Republicans.
“We’ve actively tried to incorporate our events with College Republicans in order to encourage the dialog,” Magana-Stokes said.
“However, it has fallen through a couple times. But, we are not opposed to [continuing] and we want to keep that on the table.”
Magana-Stokes continued to advocate for women’s voices and made a call for more unity.
“Going to an all women’s college empowers women to speak their voices. That being said, with everyone’s voices empowered, it’s almost like people are talking at each other versus talking with each other, and that is not at all what we want to do,” she said.
Contact Madyson Casiano at mcasiano01@saintmarys.edu
tours every two weeks. Tours are probably about an hour and a half,” Fountain said.
Tuviera said her favorite thing to do is to make sure she tailors each tour to the specific needs of students and parents.
“For me, for example, during the info session tours, I’m aware of the fact that you’re also trying to convince the parents that it’s a good idea for their kids to be allowed to go here,” Tuviera said.
Fountain said one of the best parts of being a tour guide is the feedback from “the students who attend his tours.
“I got this email maybe a couple weeks after I gave one of my first tours, and it was from a high school student that I’d given a tour to a couple weeks before that. He said that he loved how I talked about engineering and faith life and the whole undergraduate experience,” Fountain said.
Similarly, Kositzke also mentioned how the best part of being a tour guide is student feedback and how there are certain topics he loves to mention.
Celebration
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
community in Maynooth.
“We’ve been sending students to Maynooth for over 40 years. It is a very welcoming, warm town,” Dolembo said.
Sarah Gallagher Dvorak ‘99, dean of enrollment management and marketing attended the program during her time at Saint Mary’s.
“I went back in 1996 … it changed my life,” she said. “I always say I learned more in that one year abroad than I think I learned in 18 years of a traditional education.”
Dvorak described the program’s long lasting impact on her life.
“It expanded my mind in so many ways, and it was the greatest thing I ever did.” Dvorak said.
They then opened the floor for alumnae and current students to share their experiences with the program.
Admission counselor Emma Beaudoin ‘20 attended the
“I love to talk about the Keenan Revue, my dorm’s signature event, because it’s the defining experience of my own Notre Dame journey,” Kositzke said. “I think it’s a super fun avenue to talk about all of Notre Dame’s quirky dorm traditions.”
Tuviera’s favorite part of the tour is passing by the Main Building.
“We usually walk under the golden dome and look up at the underside of the dome. There’s a mural painted by Luigi Gregori of the it’s personifications of Notre Dame’s core curriculum. There’s theology in the center, literature, music, poetry,” Tuviera said. “Then I always make the joke saying, ‘As you can see, the dome isn’t just a pretty face, she also has a lovely personality.’ And I always get chuckles from people.”
Being a Notre Dame tour guide also comes with its challenges. Gentry said one of the hardest parts of being a tour guide is fielding hard questions.
“I’ve definitely had a couple of times where it’s awkward if people ask about parietals. How do you
Maynooth program during her sophomore year.
“I love Ireland, and I had never been out of the country before studying abroad, so I was so excited to just go and experience everything,” Beaudoin said.
“I had a wonderful time in Maynooth. I made my best friends on that trip,” she continued.
Senior Mary McKenna expressed her love for her time in Ireland.
“Going to Ireland was the best experience ever; I wish I could go back,” McKenna said.
McKenna elaborated on how her experience has had a lasting impact on her.
”It taught me so much about myself and so much confidence and independence,” she said. ”I met so many great people, and it’s so easy to really immerse yourself in the culture, because everyone is so kind and welcoming.”
In Maynooth, students study alongside Saint Mary’s students as well as Irish and other international students. They are given
tell the truth but not make it sound bad? You kind of have to figure out what they want from this answer. Is it a parent saying, ‘Hey, you know, I’m really worried about my kid in this scenario,’ or, ‘Hey, I want my kid to have fun,’” Gentry said.
Likewise, Kositzke said he also had his fair share of awkward questions in tours.
“It’s always tough to field questions that we can’t answer directly as tour guides. There’s always families that press to know admissions information, and that’s never the most fun to navigate.”
Kositzke said he encourages other interested students to apply due to how rewarding it is to be a Notre Dame tour guide.
“It’s a very special opportunity to embrace your own Notre Dame journey, which you don’t get in many other spaces on this campus,” Kositzke said. “So, if you have any interest in this position — you’ll probably love it if you end up pursuing it.”
Contact Vittoria Di Meo at vdimeo@nd.edu
the opportunity to form lifelong friendships with students from all over the world.
Nancy Turner, an education professor and Kennedy’s Kitchen bodhran player, acted as a founding leader for the spring break Maynooth study abroad program for many years.
“I was lucky enough to take advantage of the relationship between Saint Mary’s and the University of Maynooth. We did a week-long trip for education students to look at schools over there, to experience a different culture,” Turner said. “I loved every second of my time leading those groups.”
Dolembo concluded the event by urging students to take part in study abroad programs during their time at Saint Mary’s.
“It’s really a great place to study, and a great place to make friends and learn about other cultures,” she said. “We really encourage you to consider it.”
Contact Sydney Eidelbes at seidelbes01@saintmarys.edu
building,” Camarena said. “I have two off-campus jobs and work really late, and so when I get back it’s already dark. Usually, all the parking lots are full, so I always have to make a far walk back.”
For commuting students, the price for parking passes is a baseline fee of $50, while on-campus residents can be expected to pay up to a registration fee of $200, according to the student handbook’s section of parking and traffic regulations.
According to the student handbook, any student were to be in
violation of these fees or other ordinances that the handbook states, the security team has full jurisdiction to ticket or tow the car at fault.
Senior safety executive Phil Bambenek agreed that the parking lot issue has been felt across campus.
“This year, we have about forty or forty-five additional cars on campus compared to the same time last year, and that really has created a bit of a problem,” Bambenek said.
“We don’t limit students bringing cars to campus, so it’s always a little bit of a roll of the dice to see how many kids come to campus with a car.”
Junior nursing student Sarah
Mae Markley said her clinical and shadowing experience has made having a car on campus a necessity, making the parking issue unavoidable for her.
“My car is currently parked in Opus Lot right now, but it’s still a pretty far walk from campus, and I don’t want to walk that far with the weather being this cold in my scrubs,” Markley said. “I use my car every day. So I have that issue almost every day, until there’s a day or two where God’s on my side, and I find a spot in Regina, just technically the closest.”
The distance between parking lots and residential buildings has also been a main complaint for car owners on campus.
“I see tons and tons of spots open near the dining hall on the other side of Regina and the Student Center. And can I just say that the closest lot is to a freshman dorm?”
The Student Center parking lots are currently labeled as faculty, staff and visitor parking lots. The second half of the Regina parking lot is considered faculty and commuter student parking.
Bambenek explained campus safety has taken additional measures to make parking more accessible to students this semester.
“We have made available parking in the grass areas, in the commuter parking area and are looking at some repainting of parking lots that will help expand a little bit of
parking. And second semester, with students going abroad, there’s always a drop off in terms of parking demand,” Bambenek said. “So we feel like it will get better, but certainly it is a problem that we are monitoring. We appreciate everybody’s cooperation [and] patience. It is a little bit of a trying time, and if they run into problems, they can always call campus safety and we’ll attempt to find them a space to park in.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been abridged. You can read the full version at ndsmcobserver.com
Contact Soledad Castellanos at scastellanos@saintmarys.edu
AccessABLE
and social pressures that come with being with disabled,” he said. He added that this sense of community was what prompted him to become a leader in the club.
AccessABLE’s meetings are often either dedicated to community building through games and activities or to advocacy work, Patterson shared.
Ellis described AccessABLE’s “cookies and complaints” meetings as some of her favorites, during which club members eat cookies and discuss both positive and negative experiences on campus.
“It’s a great way to help people feel like they’re not alone in their experiences,” she said.
One issue Ellis highlighted was how it can take a while for Notre Dame to respond when an accessibility feature of a building stops working, something both Ellis and Patterson noted.
“If there’s only one accessible entrance to such an important building on campus, it’s frustrating to know that these kinds of things don’t get prioritized like they should,” Ellis said, citing a time when the only accessible door button for entry into LaFortune Student Center took five days to fix. She added that both these buttons and elevators frequently stop working.
Ellis also shared that students with mobility scooters for temporary injuries often park them in front of accessible door buttons, adding that she has “over 100 photos” of instances where this has happened.
The club officer team tries to communicate these concerns to people in Sara Bea Accessibility Services, which assists Notre Dame students with accommodations and other needs, or other parts of the University, something Patterson said has had a real impact, leading them to streamline the process for reporting and fixing concerns. Sara Bea Accessibility Services did not respond to a request for comment.
Like all students in need of accommodations, Patterson shared he met with different consultants at Sara Bea Accessibility Services to go over his housing and academic needs.
In general, Patterson said professors have been understanding and accommodating. He also noted the inclusive attitude of the Notre Dame student body, saying, “one of the things I was very surprised about at Notre Dame was how willing to help the students are.”
In addition to accommodations, Sara Bea Accessibility Services partners with students on a number of advocacy projects, something Maudlin has worked to expand after noticing upon her arrival that Notre Dame was lacking in “any sort of advocacy or social justice work” for students with disabilities.
Maudlin noted the importance of the Accessibility Leadership Fellows program, housed in Sara Bea Accessibility Services, which she worked with to advocate for a ride service to assist students who use mobility devices in the winter
months.
She also touched on Sara Bea Accessibility Service’s efforts to develop student leaders, describing her participation serving as a mentor in their mentorship program, as well as opportunities for students like herself to assist with policy work, programming and communications. Maudlin acknowledged some limitations, however.
“Sara Bea does not have the manpower or the funding to do everything that they’re asked to do,” Maudlin said.
Ellis said she would like to see more of is spaces designed with more than just physical disabilities in mind.
“Notre Dame has come a long way in creating more accessible spaces in terms of physical disabilities, but I think we still have a long way towards thinking about accessibility for all disabled people … you can’t just have wheelchair accessible bathroom stalls and door buttons and think that you’ve created an entirely accessible space,” Ellis said.
Ellis added it can be difficult for people to understand the wide variety of disabilities enough to proactively design spaces with them in mind. She believes the work that AccessABLE and the Accessibility Fellows Program does helps to raise this necessary awareness.
Student government also plays a role in advocating for accessibility at Notre Dame, after Maudlin pushed for the addition of the department of disability advocacy. Since the department’s creation, Maudlin explained, students have worked to incorporate closed captions in the stadium, make Notre Dame’s social media presence more accessible, introduce virtual menus in grab and go, add an American Sign Language interpreter at large events such as welcome weekend, create an educational poster campaign and compile a residence hall accessibility report.
Contact Sophie Hanawalt at shanawalt@nd.edu
Senate
Nooka, said these commitments “demonstrate his meticulous work ethic that makes him the best fit for a position such as Vice President.”
The approval of Nooka was unanimously approved.
The nominee for junior class treasurer, Maggie Acosta, is a finance and pre-med major from Florida, currently living in Johnson Family Hall. Similarly to Nooka, Acosta
is involved with a variety of leadership groups, including her service as finance chair of the 2026 class council and secretary of Johnson Family Hall.
When briefly questioned on her fiscal policy during the meeting, Acosta said, “we [the junior class council] are pretty conservative. We have been allocating our money in a pretty reserved manner.”
Acosta was unanimously elected without debate or votes against her installment.
Before adjourning the
senate, there were a few more announcements made regarding campus events. Events included Acousticafe, which is a collaboration between the Notre Dame Student Union Board and O’Neill Family Hall. It will take place this Thursday at 8:30 pm in Hagerty Family Cafe. The last event introduced O’Neill Family Hall’s Blood Drive, which will take place Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Contact Maeve Geishauser at mgeishau@nd.edu
An Evening with
Phylicia Rashad
Join us for an evening with Tony-award winning actor Phylicia Rashad as she discusses her extensive acting career in films, TV, and Broadway. Film and television credits include: Jingle Jangle, Pixar’s Soul, Black Box, A Fall From Grace, Creed, Creed II, Creed III, For Colored Girls; This is Us (three Emmy nominations), Diarra From Detroit, Little America, The Crossover, The Good Fight, David Makes Man,
SPEAKER: Angela Moloney
Monday, November 25 7:30 p.m.
Why I protested Governor DeSantis
Last Friday, over 50 students gathered outside of Debartolo Hall to protest Governor DeSantis’ welcome by the University. We represented a coalition of students committed to justice and democracy: Solidarity ND, SCIA, SVP and the College Democrats. Together, we stood not just to oppose a politician, but to resist the dangerous currents that his brand of politics represents. Our protest wasn’t simply against DeSantis — it was a rejection of the University’s decision to host him and everything that choice symbolized. In a world where erasure has become a successful political strategy, our presence on the quad was a responding “no, it’s not.”
One of the many lives shattered by DeSantis was Maryann’s, who was just 17. She had dreams of becoming an OB/GYN, bringing life into the world, but those dreams were cut short. Days after Florida passed one of the most ruthless bans on transgender identities, Maryann took her own life.
The Governor’s actions weren’t just about denying gender affirming care — they were an attack on her very existence. By banning books, erasing trans stories in the classroom and silencing their voices in public life, his policies aren’t just “don’t say gay” — it’s a declaration that in his America, you cannot be gay, you cannot be trans.
By inviting Governor DeSantis, the University echoed that same message.
Maryann stood before a world that not only sought to silence her, but to deny her right to exist. Faced with DeSantis’ crushing hostility, she saw no future, no American Dream, where she could live unburdened by shame. Her death is a tragic reminder of the harm that DeSantis’ policies cause. But our response to her death must be more than grief — it must be outrage.
DeSantis’ attacks on the LGBTQ+ community are rooted in fear. The patriarchy, feeling its grip on power slipping, lashes out with laws designed to enforce antiquated gender constructs. DeSantis represents a dying worldview, one that cannot tolerate the
INSIDE COLUMN
freedom we embody.
Charlotte Clymer, an activist who fought before we were ready, reminds us, “we should hope that one day, they get as comfortable in their skin as queer people are in theirs.” Because only when they find peace within themselves will they be free from the lie that tells them our existence threatens theirs.
Governor DeSantis has also launched an assault on Black America, a cruelty unseen since Jim Crow. By manufacturing the “threat” of Critical Race Theory and DEI programs, he has turned Black progress into his political enemy. His efforts to erase Black voices and rewrite Black history follow a familiar pattern — this is how white supremacy has always operated: by excluding Black Americans from the story of America itself.
In Florida, you cannot say Black Lives Matter because DeSantis has made his message clear: to him, Black Lives Don’t Matter. By giving him a platform, the University has endorsed that message.
DeSantis’ visit to campus was evidence that white supremacy is being resurrected – but it is not a revival, it’s the same ideology that has stained the country since its founding — simply rebranded for modern politics.
After Tuesday, I realized that we are entering into one of the darkest moments in American history. The next four years will be defined by an onslaught of attacks on marginalized communities, inspired by DeSantis. But, in this dark moment, we cannot afford to retreat into passivity. I understood that DeSantis’ speech, right after the election, was a chance to prove that people concerned about dignity are still here. I wasn’t just protesting for people’s right to exist – I was protesting for everyone’s right to thrive, to live freely without fear. That is why we must continue to step out of the classroom, out of the closet and onto the quad.
Some argue that Governor DeSantis deserved to speak at the University because we need dialogue. They say that universities are spaces for open debate. I agree — dialogue and free speech should be paramount values on this campus (see: Occupation Free ND getting arrested). But dialogue requires a mutual recognition of humanity. Governor DeSantis’
policies don’t represent a difference of opinion; they represent a denial of identities. As James Baldwin once observed, dialogue is impossible when “disagreement is rooted in the denial of my humanity.”
To illustrate, imagine if the University invited an anti-Catholic radical who claimed that Catholics, by existing, were a danger to children, just as DeSantis claims about queer people. Imagine this person labeling all Catholics as “criminals,” like DeSantis has done with immigrants. Would we entertain a dialogue with someone whose core argument denies our right to exist? Would we let the University normalize this ideology? Of course not. Engaging in such a conversation would only embolden anti-Catholic hate, creating an echo-chamber where Catholic students are continuously threatened.
Yet, even in the face of such hostility, our response must be rooted in compassion, not malice. Many of the same forces that elected Trump are present here, on our own campus (hi rover!). Some of the people we pass in class every day helped put him in the White House.
It’s our responsibility to teach them — because they fear the loss of a world that has privileged them. So, we must help them see, by our protest, that our liberation is their liberation too.
I was proud to stand together, in resistance, to say Gay — I heard DeSantis doesn’t like it when you say that – but, most importantly, to say that no more people will be erased. As we enter into what is sure to be one of the darkest moments in American history, we fight even harder for a new country — a country where all of us, from the banks of the Rio Grande to the streets of Cleveland, every single one of us, is free.
Thank you to everyone who came to the protest; stay tuned for more.
Connor Marrott is a senior from Cleveland, Ohio. His writing has appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Cincinnati Enquirer. He serves on the board of SoildarityND and is always eager to discuss any and all ideas. You can contact Connor at cmarrott@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Notre Dame students win ‘best dressed’
McKenna Andrew
TikTok Social Media Manager
When compiling my college wardrobe, TikTok was my main source of inspiration. Most videos on my ForYou page emphasized comfortable clothes and athleisure, claiming college kids just rolled out of bed for class. Looking presentable seemed reserved for special occasions, nights out and game days. I packed my sweatpants, leggings, t-shirts and athletic shorts into my mom’s SUV and sorted them into my wardrobe on Welcome Weekend. I had a few nice outfits, which I figured I would wear for the first days of classes. Most students also looked put together, but I kept waiting for the day when lecture halls would be full of hoodies and pajama pants.
We are halfway through November, and that day has not come.
People here dress nicer than I expected. The dresses and polo shirts of an unseasonably hot September have turned into sweaters and quarter zips as the sun sets earlier and the wind picks up. Even amid the slow onset of the permacloud, students continue to dress unexpectedly formal. I had to bring back a bigger suitcase from fall break to have enough jeans, tops and sweaters to keep up. This is probably such a shock to me since I went to a public school with no uniform and a loose dress code. In high school, I would sometimes go to school in what I slept in, and it was normal. When I tell my friends things like that here, they are shocked. More people went to Catholic
school than I realized, where they wore a uniform or had a strict dress code. My roommate told me that she had worn a Catholic school uniform since grade school, and this was her first time dressing herself every day. I have only ever seen her wear jeans to class.
Maybe they are preparing themselves for post-grad life, a mystical place where flannel pants and your high school boyfriend’s hoodie are not acceptable office wear. This business casual mindset makes sense at a school like Notre Dame. Students here have high career aspirations, and with constant networking opportunities and questions about career plans, most kids will probably dress professionally. The abundance of finance majors doesn’t help either. I mean, how many times have you seen a Membroza in a suit during your theology lecture?
There are also many articles and studies about the science behind getting ready in the morning, and how it leads to success throughout the day and a more “awake” brain. At least that’s what the links my mom sends me say. A consistent morning routine reduces stress, boosts energy levels and improves productivity — getting ready coincides with all of these things. I’m not a psychologist (I’m a political science major), but I can get behind this idea that getting ready improves your mood and productivity. This must be why I constantly feel like I’m drowning in work — I don’t have a regular morning routine.
Or maybe it’s the TikTok-ification of college outfits. I mentioned earlier that my source of inspiration when packing was TikTok — the amount of college wardrobe videos on there is insane. College fit checks and “day in
my life” videos get millions of views. Lots of famous influencers got their start in college, posting videos about their daily outfits. Most Notre Dame students must be aspiring influencers, dressing nice to film themselves and hope to garner fame. It’s not to the level of Bama rush TikTok, but I can see how students here look nice to go viral.
This phenomenon of dressing nice could also just be peer pressure. I mean, everyone else looks good, so I probably should too. Peer pressure is probably why I continue to set my alarm earlier than necessary to look put together. And the funny part is, I don’t hate it. Dressing nicely makes me feel better about myself, especially when I’m in the brand-new environment that is college. It makes me confident to raise my hand in class and approach my professor after lectures or during office hours. I feel good when sitting down to have lunch with someone for the first time. Maybe I’m putting too much thought into this, but the fact that I was peer-pressured into looking nice isn’t necessarily bad.
This best dressed concept isn’t universal though — I definitely see kids in pajamas and hoodies in my lectures. It’s just less than I expected and threw me for a loop. It’s also quite possible that no one else has noticed this, and I’m just too observant and care what other people think. Either way, it’s not a bad thing we are such a fashionable campus, whatever the motivating reason is.
You can contact McKenna at mandre23@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Connor Marrott Lefty with a Laugh
Jackson Lang
Letters from The Wanderer
A love letter to eternity, pt. II
If you were on an airplane barreling back towards the earth, with no prospects of survival, what would you do?
To the one whom I have always loved dearest,
Greetings, darling. I hope you are ––––. At the time of our last correspondence, I was boarding an airplane bound for eternity. In that moment, I was under the impression that I had escaped my own death after discovering eternity within myself. When death’s shadow looms, the serf, the sage and the monarch all become one in the same; their worldly triumphs are cast into The Abyss; they can do nothing but collapse to their knees, crying out in utter desperation to the One who is greatest.
“He who loved himself became great in himself, and he who loved others became great through his devotion, but … ”
I boarded the airplane bound for eternity some time in late evening, just as the sun was readying to dip below the horizon. Stepping into the cabin, I nodded politely at the stewardess, then made my way past row upon row of tired travelers — some dozing off, others chatting quietly, a few staring blankly ahead. The flight was completely full, barring one seat in the very last row, next to the window.
I pushed up the shade, revealing a street-lit cityscape below, complete with dwarf-like houses, diminutive baseball diamonds and toy-sized cars. So far as I knew it, our plane had skipped through to another dimension; three-year-old me was now a colossal, omnipotent being, and the miniature world below, the plaything of my every youthful whim. My mother knew better:
“That’s perspective, honey. Everything looks tiny from up here.”
Oh, to be so blissfully naive, just for one more day. One more moment. Alas, I awoke from this nostalgic daydream as the plane’s back wheels were lifting off the tarmac, launching us irreversibly into the eternal. I glanced around the cabin; an older couple sat to my right — the wife leaning against her husband’s shoulder; the husband turning the worn out pages of some novel from time immemorial.
I recall thinking that neither had more than a decade left to live (likely less), yet they seemed perfectly happy. Not even the prospect of imminent death could’ve disturbed the contentedness with which they co-existe.Poetic, but hadn’t they heard the news? God was dead (keep in mind, darling, at this point in time, I was still wholly convicted in my atheism).
I turned back towards the window, resting my head against the cool pane, watching as we passed through the feathery blanket of clouds and into that layer of atmosphere
meteorologists call “the stratosphere” and romantic poets call “the place where gods do their divine bidding.” The cabin was totally empty, other than the older gentleman, who had been sitting to my right, and his wife, still resting on his shoulder, asleep. The man began to speak — softly, but with an air of wisdom.
“You don’t believe in God, do you?”
I collected my thoughts. “I believe in myself.” The man went back to his book, unsatisfied. I figured I’d explain further. “I believe in myself because, well, that’s all I can believe in. I can be sure of nothing else in this life — not the consciousness of another being, not an afterlife, or lack thereof, and certainly not God’s existence, but I can be sure of myself.”
Still, the man was quiet. Had he even been speaking to me in the first place? A long silence passed. Then, he broached the subject once more. “Do you fear death?”
Again, I paused. I wanted to demonstrate to this stranger my marked intelligence, my complex understanding of the human condition. “No,” I replied. “I once did, when I was young and immature, but I have since learned that we must accept death as inevitable and eternal. Once the possibility of anything religious has been dismissed, we can then lead lives of substance, without the distraction of some divine authority. As a man far wiser than me once wrote, ‘one must imagine Sisyphus happy.’”
The gentleman was still unmoved, lost amidst the pages of whatever fiction he so enjoyed. I grew frustrated. “We are all Sisyphus, are we not?! Condemned to this life which has no inherent meaning, no tangible end goal, and yet, unlike Sisyphus, we all must die! So what then are we to do, other than heroically embrace our fate as mortal beings, and lead lives of purpose nonetheless, however cosmically insignificant that purpose might be!”
Slowly, the man looked up from his book, then over at me. As he spoke, his lips hardly moved, if at all. “I believe you.” He went on reading.Confused and agitated, I again rested my head against the cool window pane and faded off into the beyond. I don’t remember how much time passed — an eternity, possibly. When I awoke, it was with a start, for the cabin had burst into a panic. Children cried, parents moved about frantically, attendants reassured worried passengers. The older couple to my right remained unmoved; they sat quietly, holding hands, praying. “What’s going on?” I repeated. “What the hell is going on?!”
As if queued by my confusion, the stewardess’ voice came through over the intercom, “The engines have failed. Please prepare yourselves to die.”
Darling, you cannot fathom the fright which seized my body at that moment. A wave of pure dread, sweeping from the furthest reaches of my mind to the darkest depths of my soul. This
was not The Abyss anymore, this was Death, and I was, for all intents and purposes, already gone. Never again would I behold your pretty face; never again would I listen to your tender voice; never again would I feel your gentle touch. My life was over, and it was over forever.
All hope had been lost, and so, with no other resort, I began to pray. I prayed and I prayed — Oh, darling, how I prayed! I prayed until I couldn’t pray anymore, then continued on praying. And eventually, after a lifetime of praying, I believed. I believed, for no other reason than that to not believe in this moment of sheer terror, when my life was mere seconds from its eternal conclusion, would’ve been the greatest of all irrationalities.
And with that, the flight was saved. Both engines roared back to life, and the stewardess came over the intercom once more, announcing that we would soon be arriving at our destination — eternity. The old man looked over at me, and I could’ve sworn a smile flashed across his wrinkled, yet enduring face. I lounged back in my seat, relieved. The stewardess wheeled the snack cart down the aisle, and I happily obliged her offer for airplane pretzels — they tasted far better than death.
Now, you might be thinking that I write to tell of this neartragedy. Hardly. I write you, darling, because this near-tragedy showed me with irrefutable clarity that non-belief is the most absurd of all concepts. Here’s why:
All of us, the whole of the human race, are passengers aboard a doomed airplane, barreling back towards the earth, with no prospects of survival. Think about it — is this not our condition? Just because we aren’t condemned to die in a matter of moments doesn’t make our fate any less certain. As such, the only logical choice, the only choice which doesn’t guarantee eternal and irreversible death, the only choice in accordance with the biological imperative to survive, really, is to put our faith into that which is highest, that which transcends the material, that which is eternal. If we do so, we may still die, but at least we’ll die having believed in eternity. And the way I see it, darling, in this vaporous, illusory life, all that really counts is belief.
“…but he who loved God became greater than all.”
With momentous faith, but possibly none at all,
Jackson is an aspiring philosopher and nomadic freespirit. He is currently wandering through an alpine meadow somewhere in Kashmir, pondering the meaning of life. If you would like to contact him, please send a carrier pigeon with a hand-written note, addressed to “The Abyss.” He won’t respond. (Editor’s Note: you can contact Jackson at jlang2@nd.edu)
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Detachment or discomfort
It’s easy to detach. It’s detachment to scroll past a clip of a socalled live streamer spewing inconceivably degrading attacks on women and chalk it up to a misguided young man and the algorithm’s emphasis on shock value. It’s detachment to disregard the comments referencing his sentiment across the internet, quoting this video as if it were some kind of decree, and go about your day without an unshakeable pang in your chest — it’s detachment to keep yourself unfamiliar with the progression that goes from disbelief to rage to confusion.
It’s detachment to read the above and feel compelled to tell me it’s my fault that I spend too much time online, that I should get off my phone and go touch some grass. It’s detachment to argue that this random display of asocial hostility holds no significance in our personal lives. It’s detachment to tell yourself it doesn’t matter because it doesn’t affect you.
It is easy to detach, and it is easy to turn your back when things get uncomfortable. But the discomfort is indelible.It’s uncomfortable that yesterday, I involuntarily came across a man on my screen, saying the words “your body, my choice,” and felt utterly paralyzed. It’s uncomfortable that just by mentioning the video, I’m apprehensive that his malice may reach me somehow.It’s uncomfortable that this morning, I overheard students discussing the clip and could feel the disconcertment in their attempt to place it along the scale from a trivial provocation to an outright
wrong:
“Just ignore it, it’s brain rot.”
“Paying attention to it just gives him more momentum.”
It’s uncomfortable how I’ve lost count of the amount of times strangers on the street feel authorized to comment on my appearance with clear cognizance of their vulgarity. No, what I wear has never affected this. It’s uncomfortable that a relative who otherwise always came across as so worldly and thoughtful once jokingly remarked that a man should never even get a drop of water on his hands as his place isn’t the kitchen. This joke was as unfunny and numbing as it was tired and unimaginative. It’s uncomfortable how I admittedly try to brush these kinds of things under the rug, but the twenty-something seconds of this video I sat through suddenly regurgitated all the things they had ever made me feel.
It’s uncomfortable how while life goes on, we wonder which of us choose to acknowledge these sentiments of discomfort and which of us decide they’re unimportant.
It’s uncomfortable that as I write this, I know all too well that some may read it and call it all an overreaction or displaced anger.
This isn’t about the live streamer or his video. It isn’t even about politics or reproductive rights.
It’s about how the tendency of passivity and the need for stimulation conflated to allow a video so spiteful to even gain enough traction to end up being viral, regardless of the reason, and what this reflects about, well, us. It’s about how in between the entertaining or informative content, these arguably “insubstantial”
channels have created an echo chamber of ideas and values that are, for better or worse, entwined with the landscape of discourse we are exposed to on a daily basis.
The internet and social media are still relatively new to us, and their impact on our societal fabric is only just beginning to become apparent. Never in societies past has it ever been so easy to gain a platform and spark mass reactions in all directions of extremes. Oftentimes we’re unwillingly positioned as an audience to megaphones amplifying the worst of human resentment and disconnect, leaving us face-to-face with the abhorrent, more now than we ever have been before.
This should be uncomfortable to think about. It should be unsettling. But we can be wary and we can be resilient, all at the same time.
Rapidly, overwhelmingly, we are fed all kinds of voices — whether they’re promoting constructive ideas or destructive ones. Our unease in the face of these voices isn’t, and shouldn’t be, a matter of ideology or a partisan agenda. The question isn’t whether these voices exist, but how we choose to engage.
I just think we should all sit in the discomfort sometimes, and see where that gets us, that’s all.
Reyna Lim is a senior studying Business Analytics. Occasionally coherent and sometimes insightful, she enjoys sharing her unsolicited opinions. You can contact her at slim6@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Reyna Lim The Overshare
Olemo Gordon Brian
The Double-Giraffe View
Dear comrade,
The function of leadership is imagination. It thus follows that we cannot afford leaders with eye problems. We should be even less entertaining of those with dark political imaginings; more wary of those who are ‘high’ on “the people.” If you can’t think differently and insulate yourself from parochial and popular pressures, then you have no business holding power.
I wrote the meat of this column on the one year anniversary of Oct. 7, but it somehow got stuck in The Observer’s system. Maybe that was a sign. A lot of things have changed since then: Sinwar, who I wrote about, was killed; we now know who will be in the White House next year; the situation in the Middle East has only escalated. My original thoughts have thus remained unchanged.
In Gaza, both the perpetrators of untold suffering and their enablers are still unrepentant. They have also refused to abandon that self-righteous zero sum logic that has long characterized our politics. Someone joked with me that we do not need the “International Relations” requirement for political science since what we are witnessing is a lesson enough in the realism of it all. One side says it is fighting for an end to decades long Western-enabled apartheid, another survival in a hostile region hell bent on its annihilation. We ask again: how does one win a war where every marginal victory only multiplies the vitriol and fuels the impetus for further resistance and revenge? Haven’t folks read the history of colonialism?
What’s happening in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan reinforces the understanding that power still securely resides with elites. The conceptions of people like Netanyahu, Putin, (I put Sinwar here in the original piece), Khamenei, Burhan, Hemedti and Biden (and soon Trump) of their societies and their historic roles are thus critical to the trajectory of our world. Our status quo unfortunately only attests to an abiding lack of imagination in these cycles.
It is tempting to say things like history will prosecute them for being myopic and sacrificing the lives of thousands on the altar of political righteousness. But history has never prosecuted anyone. We must unapologetically reject this caste. Both here in America and elsewhere, we should strive to relieve them of their burdens. We deserve leaders who are not married to ideas like “never again” at any cost. That logic, if universalized to every group that was once at the receiving end of untold suffering and oppression, would not make for a world we would want to live in.
This is why my young brother Jack Docherty’s recent extolment of Trumpian nativism, on behalf of College Republicans, was surprising. Trump’s win will not stop
Our world
us from addressing ourselves to the bankruptcy of such positions:
1. The utter disregard of history. America like Israel, for example, is not an eternal idea (yes, America is an idea) and that’s why it can and should be consistently contested. It is, to borrow from Benedict Anderson, an “imagined community” moreover with a deep scar of historical violence. Allusions to eternal “values” and “American tradition” as well as some national religious heritage must thus be treated as the illusions they are.
2. Such framings take for granted the question of power. It is obvious that if the people native to this land were able to form a constituency, arm themselves with a vindictive agenda and master comparable firepower, Jack would be writing either as a terrorist-revolutionary or a sorry invader. Think of black South Africans and Afrikaners, the Congolese and the Belgians etc. Just how far down the page of history do we want to scroll? Or should we read history in a manner that is politically convenient?
3. This rendition of the migration challenge is obscurantist. Migration, as hot a voting issue as many have made it appear, is of course the least of America’s problems. The scapegoating of immigrants as the source of all this country’s ills, a practice Jack terms “revolutionary,” is reminiscent of Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia. It is purely a distraction and diversionary tactics from a captured state whose remedy is a soul-searching that both camps have so far failed to master. To illustrate, as we deport the “violent aliens” en masse, what is the strategy to handle the violent citizens? Or did the latter learn violence and substance abuse from the former?
This column is not about migration. We can have a more focussed discussion of legal and illegal migration in any context (because it is not a uniquely American problem and therefore not “existential”) later. However, the point is that we should not be inhibited by our failure to imagine what a world of increasing intercourse could look like in this age that Achille Mbembe calls one of “planetary entanglement”. The prelude to such a conversation should not be fear — which is also a child of our current crisis of imagination.
The reality is that bombs are flying in the Middle East and in Sudan. The death toll and suffering continues. I’ve faithfully watched the unfolding of an election from the debates, panels here on our campus as well as on TV. There’s no end to dogmatic and tired pronouncements that do not move the needle of history forward. In these forums, the ordering of the world and America’s role in it are taken as a given. That’s why all Trump and Harris were fighting over was who could show greater support for the Israel state.
Laughable of course is what passes for “radical” or “revolutionary” politics in this country. The joke is only matched by those who pass for “Marxists” and “leftists.” The fact that such words are still incendiary and legitimate
campaign platforms 70 years after McCarthyism is emblematic of this imagination crisis. When I first came to Notre Dame, I often wondered why we do not have a DSA chapter here — even if purely for ideological purposes. I guess we are not too keen on class suicide or maybe we lack the imagination.
We must interrogate ourselves and honestly question our politics. To imagine a new world necessitates a rejection of the shackles of history. We can learn (from) history, but we shouldn’t drown in it. History is always being written by the bold and brave. This process requires a mind trained in the art of imagination. Leaders must always see new frontiers of the possible. They must constantly reject old categories and create new ones even at the risk of self negation. When we rehash what these old people have been saying for years, we only prove we are young only in name.
Some Hamas apologists used Fanon to justify Oct. 7. It’s only befitting that we close with him. In the task of imagining ourselves, our social relations and our world anew, Fanon is quite instructive. He famously closed off his “Black Skins, White Masks” with the pronouncement: “O my body, Make of me always a man who questions.” A man who questions – who questions even Fanon himself. We must question the status quo. We must question the ordering of this world we are itching to inherit. Marx said something about “The tradition of all dead generations weigh[ing] like a nightmare on the brains of the living.” We must free ourselves from those ghouls of history. In “The Wretched of the Earth,” Fanon exhorted:
“Let us reconsider the question of mankind. Let us reconsider the question of cerebral reality and of the cerebral mass of all humanity, whose connections must be increased, whose channels must be diversified and whose messages must be re-humanized.”
Reconsider. Rethink. Rehumanize. Our world cannot move forward if we keep recycling the same ideas. It may help us advance personally but it will not secure the future of our children.
Political imagination starts with individuals. It starts with the “new man” Fanon asked us to create and/or the “new creature” of the Bible. The man freed from history — from “old things”. It is then scaled through movements and principled organizations. The principle here being that of creating a man-centered society — one that places life before and above everything. The world is ultimately the one we make. If the vehicles for this exercise don’t exist, we can imagine and create new ones. To hell with fear!
Olemo Gordon Brian is a senior at Notre Dame studying political economy. He is deeply interested in Africa’s development and the emancipation of man. You can contact Olemo at bolemo@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Breaking up with forever
the heel on my everything loafers are destroyed; no wonder I need to replace them.
I loved that liminal space because, on Courtney Lane there was so much history and so much forever.
According to Snapchat, we can be best friends forever for $5.99. I don’t think we’d even have to do anything. I think we’d just have to pay $5.99, and then — eternity. The cost of forever, in this case, is the price of a cappuccino — and isn’t that just heaven?
Speaking of heaven, there’s this song I love called “in heaven all the first kisses last much longer than a night,” by quinnie. I used to listen to it all the time over the summer on the walk home from O’Shag to Crossings. I loved that walk home from O’Shag to Crossings, that liminal space between my work life on campus and my quiet life off of Twyckenham (with the quiet pond and my quiet room and my quiet fridge full of Trader Joe’s frozen food).
I loved that walk home in my beat-up everything loafers which clicked and clacked on the sidewalk (I wore those shoes to death, to every occasion — to work, to class, to the DH, to first dates, to darties). No wonder
I’d walk past Jordan Hall of Science (where that one guy kissed me that one time when I was a sophomore), past the Gug and the remnants of the tornup tennis courts (where Brooke, Haley, Kathe and I played last spring), across Twyckenham Drive, past Danny Boy (where Elizabeth, Grace, and I sipped the spiciest margs of our lives).
I loved that liminal space because every monument was steeped in memory, a memory I can’t shake, a memory that will never return in the same form, a memory I swear is forever.
And all the while, I was looking back on everything that mattered there, this past summer on the walk home, I was creating new things that mattered, new associations that mean something now.
These days, when I make the trek from campus to friends’ apartments or houses, I think about quinnie’s
songs like “in heaven all the first kisses last much longer than a night.” I think about the post-work quick turnaround to go to a Scubs game or a pregame or maybe just Brother’s or The Backer. I think about getting very very bad news this past summer and having to keep my head up, tears streaming down my face on Courtney Lane.
That very very bad news felt like forever, didn’t it? It always does. And I’m glad it wasn’t.
But I have to let myself stop being so attached to forever, even in its good forms. Of course, I wish it cost $5.99 to make the good things last forever — the first kisses, the friendships, the spiciest margs of my life.
But nothing lasts forever, and that’s actually a very good thing.
Kate Casper is a senior at Notre Dame studying English with minors in digital marketing and Italian. She strives to be the best waste of your time. You can contact her at kcasper@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Kate Casper Outsider Instincts
By JAYDEN ESPINOZA Scene Copyeditor
The week since the Recording Academy’s announcement of the nominees for the 2025 Grammy Awards has been full of mixed emotions from fans and spectators alike. Here’s what you need to know:
What we saw coming
To — hopefully — no one’s surprise, women are dominating this year’s awards ceremony, with Chappell Roan (nominated six times, including all major categories), Sabrina Carpenter (nominated six times, including all major categories) and Charli XCX (nominated seven times, including two out of four “Big Four” categories) all running victory laps after fueling the radio and each of our “For You” pages nearly all year. These first-time nominations mark significant turning points in both Roan and Carpenter’s careers, especially after leading some of the most in-demand tours of the year.
The same can be said for Charli XCX, whose inescapable “brat” album — and its subsequent remix album “brat and its completely different but also still brat” — remains one of the highest-rated projects of the entire year, fueling TikTok dances, brand collaborations, a collaboration tour with Troye Sivan and a resurgence of love for highlighter green and the Arial font.
Among some of this year’s most nominated artists is Taylor Swift, whose six nominations (three of which are in the Big Four) for “The Tortured Poets Department” struggle to break through the noise of the other artists she is nominated against. Should she win Album of the Year (AOTY) in 2025, however, she will continue her streak of being the most awarded AOTY recipient, a record which she broke in 2024 with “Midnights.”
“Surprising” snubs
Even though she received six nominations, it was shocking to not see Swift earn a seventh for “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.” The documentary was somehow not nominated for Best Music Film despite becoming the highest-grossing music documentary of all time, earning $250 million at the box office.
Upon nomination release day, there also seemed to be confusion among the masses as to why Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa were seemingly snubbed.
While Grande’s career is seemingly at an all-time high, with the “Wicked” premiere a week away and fans eagerly awaiting its release, there was some surprise at not seeing Grande’s name in any of the “Big Four” categories, though it did receive three nominations (Best Pop Vocal Album for “Eternal Sunshine,” Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “The Boy Is Mine” with Brandy and Monica and Best Dance Pop Recording for “Yes, And?”).
Some people are calling the Grammys the “Scammys” on the basis of Grande not receiving any major nominations. However, in a year with chart-topping albums and hits, Grande’s immensely emotional “kind of concept album” struggled to not sound like a side project she worked on while filming her upcoming film even with the help of catchy dance pop songs like “Yes, And?”
Unfortunately a similar sentiment could be shared by Dua Lipa for her third studio album “Radical Optimism” which was unable to garner any nominations for this year’s ceremony. Originally pitched as a collaborative album between her and Tame Impala, the album sounded more like leftovers from “Future Nostalgia” than anything else.
Examples like Lipa and Grande might be able to become beacons for fan culture to separate one’s personal favorite from the year’s best.
What to look out for in January
As previously discussed, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX are all major names to watch when the Grammys are televised, but this year still boasts major firsts and record-breaking announcements.
For first-timer Doechii, her four nominations make her the most-nominated woman at the 2025 awards, and it’s the first time a woman’s mixtape has been nominated for Rap Album of the Year. This recognition hasn’t gone unnoticed by Doechii, who shortly after posted to her social media accounts celebrating the history-making nominations on the tail of having the highest-rated rap album of the year and in the midst of touring for “Alligator Bites Never Heal”. Then comes Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” considered by some to be a thesis on American history and music. The album was introduced to the world as “a Beyoncé album” before a country album, and its awards surely reflect that, being one of the most diverse nominees in Grammys history, appearing across five genres/ categories (including three of the Big Four) with 11 nominations in total — tying with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” for most nominations awarded to a single album and artist at a time. As a result, Beyoncé secured her 99th nomination, officially becoming the most-nominated artist of all time.
The 2025 Grammys also mark a significant moment of inclusion for country artist Linda Martell, who in 1970 became the first Black woman to release a country album with “Color Me Country,” though she later quit the music industry as a result of the racist backlash she received, prompting Beyoncè’s inclusion of her on “Cowboy Carter.”
For those excited at the potential of seeing history made or their favorite artist winning, the 67th Grammy Awards will air on Feb. 2, 2025.
Contact Jayden Espinoza at jespino4@nd.edu
By MARGUERITE C.J. MARLEY Scene Copyeditor
The Catholic Church unveiled the mascot on Oct. 28 for its 2025 Jubilee, a celebration and reflection that marks 25 years since the extraordinary jubilee in 2000.
Luce, a pilgrim dressed like a Japanese manga character, instantly captured the imagination of many, becoming a popular meme and sparking lively discussions within the church.
Created in a captivating collaboration with tokidoki, a Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand known for its “kawaii,” or cute, clothing, Luce was designed to resonate with young people. This unique partnership has brought a fresh perspective to the Catholic Church and sparked a reaction I didn’t anticipate. The overwhelmingly positive impact of Luce’s design on young people has been evident, inspiring incredible fan art from Catholic and secular artists and instilling a sense of hope and optimism for the future of our Church.
It’s important to note that some people within the church have criticized Luce for ‘appealing too much to young
people’ and that ‘The church shouldn’t bow to popular art.’ This is a valid perspective, and it’s crucial to consider all viewpoints. However, it’s also important to remember that the church that brought us to the Sistine Chapel is no stranger to artistic controversy. When the Sistine Chapel was built, renaissance art was the popular style at the time, and Luce’s design reflects the art that resonates with today’s youth. Since the Jubilee is starting off in Osaka, Japan, it makes sense that the mascot would reflect that style of drawing. The church’s ability to adapt to the changing times is a testament to its enduring relevance.
Some have argued that Luce is taking the focus away from Christ and that the mascot should have been a saint or an angel. These concerns are valid, and it’s important to consider the potential impact of Luce’s design on the church’s image. However, I would argue that it would be even more heretical to dress an angel or saint in this cute anime style and sell merchandise featuring them. Luce’s design, while unconventional, is a reflection of the art that resonates with today’s youth and can serve as a bridge to engage them in the church’s activities.
As expected in the digital age, the message about Luce’s
role quickly spread across the internet, leading to some misconceptions. What was intended as ‘Luce is the 2025 Jubilee mascot’ was misinterpreted as ‘Luce is the new mascot for the Catholic Church.’ This misunderstanding led to concerns about the church’s direction and the potential replacement of traditional symbols. Let’s take a moment to clarify these misconceptions. Luce is not a replacement for any traditional symbols of the church but rather a unique representation of the 2025 Jubilee, designed to resonate with young people and inspire a sense of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming celebration.
Personally, I fell for this gambit hook, line and sinker. Luce is not just adorable; she’s captivating. I find her little raincoat and her blue hair endearing, and I’m excited to see how she continues to inspire our church community. I also think it’s fun, and I dare say the church should be able to have more fun. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar after all, and I hope that Luce will continue to engage and excite our church community and hopefully bring more people to the faith.
Contact Marguerite C.J. Marley at mmarley2@nd.edu
By ZORA RODGERS Scene Writer
“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman,” Malcolm X said in a 1962 speech in Los Angeles on the tribulations of Black women in America. “The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”
Arguably one of the most recent victims of this notion is Cynthia Erivo, the Emmy award-winning co-star of the highly anticipated film “Wicked” (to be released Nov. 22). “Wicked,” a film inspired by the 2003 Broadway hit, adapted from the 1995 novel, recounts the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the “Wizard of Oz” in a different light than the classic telling.
Erivo plays that witch, Elphaba, alongside Ariana Grande, who has been cast as Glinda, “the good witch.” Promotion for the film has been compared to that of Barbenheimer, with numerous marketing efforts and brand partnerships including Béis, Mattel and Conair to name a few. “Glicked”, the combined released of “Gladiator II” and “Wicked,” is projected to revive the lackluster fall box office.
But arguably the most attention has been garnered from Erivo’s fiery response to fan art. For context, the original image promoting the “Wicked” musical depicts both witches, Elphaba with her eyes covered and Glinda whispering in her ear. The poster for the film recreated this iconic photo but with Erivo staring down
the barrel of the camera and more of Grande’s face being displayed.
One fan, who goes by the X handle “midsommar,” edited the new poster to better resemble the original. The edit went viral, garnering 7.4 million views and attention from Erivo herself, who took immediate offense. She furiously took to Instagram: “Our poster is an homage not an imitation, to edit my face & hide my eyes is to erase me. That is just deeply hurtful,” Erivo wrote on her story.
Many people saw this as an overreaction. However, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Erivo said, “I’m passionate about it and I know the fans are passionate about it and I think for me it was just like a human moment of wanting to protect little Elphaba, and it was like a human moment. I probably should have called my friends, but it’s fine.”
While the fan most likely meant no harm, I would argue that this is yet another perpetuation of the erasure of Black women in history and entertainment. Black women have historically been diminished and erased, their contributions silenced under the yells of their counterparts.
Zora Neale Hurston, an African American writer during the Harlem Renaissance, was often silenced by other Black authors. “Mule Bone”, a play written by Hurston and Langston Hughes, sparked controversy over authorship that was never mitigated.
15-year-old Claudette Colvin, a dark-skinned woman, was the first person to refuse to give her seat up on a bus
and was arrested on March 2, 1955 — nine months before Rosa Parks.
The three organizers of #BlackLivesMatter are Black women: Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Ayo Tometi. The organization came to fruition following the murder of Trayvon Martin. They established 13 “guiding principles,” one of which was ensuring Black women were a priority and their voices were heard. However, their names are not well known, nor are the principles addressed, if at all, in today’s society.
The #metoo movement was started by Tarana Burke, a Black woman. However, the movement blew up in 2017 when actress Alyssa Milano tweeted it without crediting Burke, encouraging women to share their sexual abuse stories.
Beyoncé, the most decorated Grammy artist of all time, has yet to win Album of the Year — most recently losing to a white male, Harry Styles. Just three Black women have won AOTY in the 65-years the Grammys have been around.
From Hurston to Beyoncé to Erivo, Black women have been the subject of subjugation and appropriation in the media. Cynthia Erivo’s controversy is yet another example of a tale as old as time: a Black woman being silenced and erased, this time, physically. What may seem like harmless fanart actually possesses the power of erasure. So despite what the internet may think, it is, indeed, that deep.
ARIES
your facts straight, and keeping situations in perspective. Don’t jeopardize your health or let anyone talk you into making a physical change. Stick to what and who you know and do best. Be true to yourself and make physical fitness mandatory.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Reevaluate your lifestyle and consider what’s next. Check your options, get certified for whatever you want to pursue, or revamp your skills and apply them to something that motivates you. Change what you don’t like or are tired of doing and replace it with what makes you happy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Check the information you receive before sharing. Be discreet; it’s best to have everything in place and function before you share it with others. Put your energy into making things happen instead of talking about your dreams. Discipline regarding health and financial matters will be necessary.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Adjusting your routine will help you finish things on time. Pay attention to detail and only offer and spend what’s necessary. Showing others how efficient you can be will help you advance. Be direct; both business and personal relationships will improve with honesty and equality. Romance is favored.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Action speaks louder than words. Get things done, and head into the weekend filled with gratitude. There is power in knowing that you’ve done your best. An interesting suggestion will encourage you to address something that concerns you.You can make a difference to someone or something you care about.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Experience things firsthand and benefit. Getting information and feedback from a direct source will help you expedite your plans succinctly and encourage the best results. Someone close to you will overreact or exaggerate, or an estimate you receive will be overmarket value. Get additional quotes.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Fill your head with information. Sign up for a lecture or course, or let travel lead to insight and life choices you haven’t been exposed to. Today is all about expansion, gaining perspective, and considering what you want to do next. Follow your heart instead of letting someone make choices for you.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Be aware of what’s happening around you. Absorb information and consider every angle before signing up for something with hidden costs. Time is on your side; checking out all possibilities and weighing the pros and cons will ensure no one takes advantage of you. Listen and observe.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put an investment plan together, or use your skills or talents to bring in extra cash. Hard work will pay off if you refuse to let outsiders interfere or scammers take advantage of you. A chance to meet someone of interest or reconnect with an old friend is likely.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick to statistics, truth, and facts. Someone will make you look bad if you give them the chance. Do something honorable or help a cause that touches your heart. Host an event or do what you can to adapt your life and surroundings to accommodate your goals.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Explore what’s possible. Take the path of least resistance. If you make changes without proper prep, you will face setbacks and personal interference from someone you least expect. Leave no room for error before you present and promote what you have to offer. Choose your words wisely.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Problems with friends, relatives, neighbors, and those you live with will surface. Don’t share personal information or promise the impossible. Look inward and concentrate on self-improvement, personal gain, and decluttering. It’s time to make your life easier, affordable, and less entrenched with drama. Choose peace and love over chaos.
Birthday Baby:You are sensitive, creative, and disciplined.You are proactive and sentinel.
Irish travel to Georgetown for game three
By BEN HICKS Sports Writer
After starting the 2024-25 season with two convincing home victories, Micah Shrewsberry’s Notre Dame men’s basketball team will travel to the nation’s capital to face the Georgetown Hoyas in the first true road test of the year. Saturday’s contest is the return game of the two-year home-andhome series between the two prestigious Catholic institutions, after Georgetown came to South Bend a year ago, sneaking out of Purcell Pavilion with a 72-68 overtime triumph.
The Irish offense has been firing on all cylinders throughout the first
HCC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
two games of the campaign. The 89-60 opening-night victory over Stonehill and the 86-77 win over Buffalo represented the first time Notre Dame has scored 80-plus points in consecutive games under Shrewsberry. Facing a Georgetown defense that ranked in the bottom-10 nationwide a year ago, the dynamic Irish backcourt will aim to continue to push the pace and fill the stat sheet.
As many have expected, it has been preseason All-ACC First-Team selection Markus Burton leading the Irish charge thus far, as the sophomore guard has averaged 18.5 points per game and flirted with a triple-double last time out against Buffalo. Backcourt mate and fellow
sophomore Braeden Shrewsberry is also averaging 18.5 points per contest while shooting nearly 55% from beyond the arc. Perhaps the biggest surprise for the Irish has been the two-way ability of junior forward Tae Davis. The Seton Hall transfer has provided stout rim protection defensively on his second season at Notre Dame while adding 18 points per game on the offensive end, thanks in part to a career-high 27 against the Bulls on Monday night.
As a whole, the Irish offense has taken tremendous strides with their efficiency, as the team is currently shooting over 50% from the field while converting on nearly 38% of their three-pointers along with a solid 75% mark from the free throw
line.
Georgetown is also led by a second-year head coach, as Ed Cooley moved across the Big East from Providence two offseasons ago. Cooley’s first year in the nation’s capital was challenging, with the Hoyas finishing 9-23 and securing only two conference wins as he worked to rebuild the onceproud national program. Like Notre Dame, Georgetown is also 2-0 this season, with close victories at home over Lehigh and Fairfield. Freshman center Thomas Sorber is the anchor for the Hoyas, as he has averaged 22.5 points and 11 rebounds in his first two collegiate appearances. Junior guard Jayden Epps also adds 14.5 points per game
for Cooley’s bunch following his breakout campaign a year ago.
This will mark the 31st all-time meeting between Notre Dame and Georgetown, with the Hoyas leading the series 17-13. Notre Dame is seeking its first road victory against Georgetown since Feb. 27, 2010, when Ben Hansbrough’s 21 points led the Irish to a top-15 road win over the Hoyas.
Saturday’s game is set for a 1 p.m. tip-off inside Capital One Arena, and will be broadcast nationally on NBC leading into Notre Dame football’s 3:30 p.m. Senior Day clash with the Virginia Cavaliers.
Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
Saints claim a win at home against Goshen
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
After a 40-point win over Michigan-Dearborn, the Holy Cross women’s basketball team took a close, 86-83 win over Goshen on Wednesday.
While Goshen scored the first two points, the Saints responded with two free throws from senior guard Kayliana Hammel to tie up the score. While the two teams continued to go back and forth, jump shots from senior guard Jordyn Smith and sophomore forward Brooke Lindesmith helped the Saints gain the 6-4 lead. Goshen scored six unanswered points to regain the lead, making the score 10-6. Nearing the end of the first quarter, Goshen held a 10-point lead with a score of 20-10, but with three points from freshman forward Allie Caldwell and two points from junior forward Elizabeth Edmonds, the final score of the quarter was 23-15. Goshen scored the first three
points of the second quarter, extending the score to 25-15, but Hammel responded with two points and Caldwell added three to narrow the score to 25-20.
Throughout the quarter, Caldwell kept the score close as she added on seven points to bring the score to 36-29. Senior forward Grace Adams contributed five points to help the Saints to make the score and junior guard Audrey Tallent followed with a jump shot to make the score 4236. Hammel made a jump shot to round out the second quarter with a score of 42-38 favoring Goshen.
While Goshen held the lead going into the third quarter, Smith made two free throws to make the score 42-40, and while Goshen scored four more points to pull back ahead, Caldwell responded with a threepoint shot to make the score 43-42. While the two teams continued to stay within two points of each other throughout the quarter, Goshen pulled ahead in the middle of the quarter, putting up 12 points to take
a 61-53 lead. With a jump shot from freshman guard La’Bria Austin, a jump shot from Hammel and a free throw from Caldwell, the Goshen lead dropped to 62-58 to end the quarter.
While the two teams scored back and forth, Holy Cross started off the fourth quarter with four points made by Adams and a jump shot from Smith to keep the score tight at 67-63. Nearing the middle of the
WANTED
quarter, while the Saints were trailing 71-70, five points scored by Smith helped pull the Saints ahead by a score of 75-74. A jump shot and two free throws from Adams, a jump shot from Smith and a jump shot and free throw from Lindesmith extended the lead to 84-76. While Goshen made a brief comeback to narrow the margin of Holy Cross’ 86-83 victory, Holy Cross’ strong defense secured the win.
to: Rev. Steve Newton, CSC Executive Director auscpexdir@gmail.com or snewton4@nd.edu auscp.org 574-631-8285
Adams was a key player throughout the game for the Saints as she finished with a total of 26 points and eight rebounds. Caldwell and Smith also contributed as they both finished with 17 points on the night. The Saints now prepare to face off against Bethel on Nov. 16 starting at 1 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
indicate
GRAY NOCJAR | THE OBSERVER
Graduate transfer Matt Allocco dribbles up the court in Notre Dame’s season opening 89-60 victory over Stonehill on Nov. 6 in Purcell Pavilion. The two-time Second Team All-Ivy League selection transfers in from Princeton University and will look to provide an element of shooting to the Irish offense after a historically efficient 50/40/90 2024 campaign.
HOCKEY
Irish continue three-week gauntlet at MSU
By RYAN MURPHY Sports Writer
Jeff Jackson and the Notre Dame hockey team (5-5-0, 1-3-0 Big Ten) travel to East Lansing this weekend to take on the No. 4 Michigan State Spartans (7-1-0, 2-0-0 Big Ten) in their third conference series of the season. Puck drops at Munn Ice Arena are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16.
The Irish are coming off three consecutive losses (2-1 vs. Wisconsin, 2-1 in overtime at Michigan, 4-2 at Michigan) after starting the season 5-2-0. The Spartans, fresh off a 2024 Big Ten title and NCAA Tournament Regional Final appearance,
look even better this season, with their only loss in eight games coming to No. 2 Boston College. They recently swept Ohio State in a home series.
Last season, Michigan State defeated Notre Dame three of four times, including twice at Munn.
This will mark the second of three straight weekend series for Jackson’s group against top-five teams via the USCHO Poll, with four of those six games on the road.
The Irish picked up one point against No. 5 Michigan thanks to their overtime loss and will have to pull off an upset to top that mark this weekend at Michigan State.
The following weekend (Nov. 22-23), the Irish will finally
return home to host No. 3 Minnesota. No other school envies that schedule.
With junior Owen Say between the pipes, Notre Dame rarely fails to win the goaltending battle: however, the same could be said for Trey Augustine of the Spartans. Augustine has saved 174 of 185 shots across his seven starts this season – good for a .941 save percentage. The matchup in the crease is very even.
Michigan State possesses a clear edge offensively, with 3.25 goals per game (21st in NCAA) compared to Notre Dame’s 2.6 (35th).
The Spartans have scored 23 goals in their last five games (4.6 per game), which excludes a 5-0 beatdown on
Windsor in an exhibition game. The Irish have nine in their last five contests.
Isaac Howard (five goals, 10 points) and Daniel Russell (six goals, nine points) lead the way for the Spartans, while nine other players have four points or more.
The team has managed to churn offensively despite a struggling powerplay (3 for 22, 13.6%).
Defensively, Michigan State is using a balanced top six to try to fill the gap left behind by Artyom Levshunov (second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, now with the Chiago Blackhawks organization).
Four blueliners have a rating of at least +4, highlighted by Matt Basgall (four assists,
+7) and Maxim Strbak (five assists, +5). All seven defensemen who have dressed this year have a +1 rating or better. For context, the Irish have only four defensemen with a positive rating (senior Ryan Helliwell at +7, junior Axel Kumlin at +3, junior Michael Mastrodomenico at +2 and sophomore Henry Nelson +1) and two in the negatives (sophomore Paul Fischer at -4 and graduate student Zach Plucinski at -1).
Splitting this series would be a great result for Notre Dame. Anything better is terrific. Anything worse is expected.
Contact Ryan Murphy at rmurph22@nd.edu
JONATHAN KARR |
Sophomore forward Brennan Ali skates towards the corner
By MADELINE LADD Assistant Managing Editor
An ode to Notre Dame Stadium
It feels surreal this is my last Irish Insider-edition article for The Observer football beat, and that Saturday will be my final time in the student section at Notre Dame Stadium. For the past four years, I’ve held onto my student ticket, gameday gear, press pass and a love for the rollercoaster that has been ND football. From coaching changes and College Gamedays to unforgettable victories and heartbreaking losses, it’s been a packed few seasons.
Football has always been part of my life, thanks to my dad. Growing up outside of Philadelphia, we often found ourselves at Lincoln Financial Field on the weekends cheering on the Eagles or rooting for the Temple Owls, his alma mater. When I came to Notre Dame, I found a new layer of rich tradition that I hadn’t experienced before, quickly learning that standing in the crowd at Notre Dame Stadium isn’t just watching the game, but rather being part of a legacy.
But, I’ve had the chance to be more than just a fan these past few years. Writing for The Observer has given me the chance to see the game from many different angles. I’ve had the privilege of watching games from the panoramic press box, where my cheers may be silent but the excitement is still palpable. I’ve been down on the field, surrounded by the heart of each play. I’ve been up in the suites during Football Fridays, welcoming alumni back to Notre Dame. I’ve even spent time in the production truck, seeing just how much work goes into every game-day broadcast. Most often, you’d find me in the stands, another fan decked out in green blue gold. I still remember the first time I walked into the stadium for a home game, the energy and excitement of the crowd filled me with pride for my school. About a month later in Oct. 2021, I covered my first game for The Observer — an unfortunate home loss to Cincinnati. I remember laughing off jokes about being a “bad luck charm” but was
still thrilled to be starting the journey with the sports department. For the record, my luck with game outcomes in the press box has greatly improved from that day.
Since then, I’ve followed the team across the country, from the lights of Vegas to the plains of Texas, but nothing beats the feeling of coming home to Notre Dame. Game days here mean tailgates at Pole 20 rain or shine, celebratory touchdown push ups and singing the alma mater, arms
linked with friends. Each game day has been layered with family, friendships and moments I’ll hold onto long after graduation.
So, as I scan my ticket for my last home game on Saturday, I’m filled with gratitude. Thank you, Notre Dame Stadium, for letting me be a part of something that is bigger than myself. Thanks for reminding me that four years, while quick, are filled with plenty of moments that make them unforgettable.
Alright, enough with the nostalgia. I know, of course, this isn’t a forever goodbye to the house that Rockne built. I’m sure I’ll be back before I know it — perhaps even as soon as December? I’ll keep my parka handy just in case.
“For those who know Notre Dame, no explanation’s necessary. For those who don’t, no explanation will suffice” -Lou Holtz
Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.edu
2024 Dean’s Speaker Series Presents:
FELIPE FERNÁNDEZARMESTO
William P. Reynolds Professor of History, University of Notre Dame The Business of
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. • Fri., Nov. 15
Mendoza College of Business
Lecture is free and open to the public.
The Dean’s Speaker Series is sponsored by the Burns Family endowment.
GRAY NOCJAR | THE OBSERVER
An overhead shot of Notre Dame Stadium during halftime as the sun sets overhead. The Notre Dame band performs their traditional performance assembling to form the shape of the ND logo at midfield.
Matchup history: Notre Dame vs. Virginia
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
At 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Notre Dame and Virginia will meet for just the fifth time on a football field. The Irish will look to move a win closer to the College Football Playoff, while the Cavaliers will aim to play spoiler after upsetting Pittsburgh last weekend. In a head-to-head matchup that has become best known in the men’s lacrosse scene, here’s how Notre Dame has taken a 4-0 series lead.
1989: Notre Dame 36, Virginia 13 (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Here it is. The first of 445 consecutive games Notre Dame football has played without a national championship.
Week One of the 1989 campaign pitted the defending national
champion Irish against the only 10-win team in Virginia program history. Notre Dame looked plenty the part of its preseason pedigree, bolting out to a 33-0 lead at halftime thanks to five consecutive scoring drives out of the gate. Virginia would render the final score more respectable down the stretch, but the Irish still left the Garden State with a three-score win to start the season.
In the week that followed, Notre Dame moved into the AP Poll’s No. 1 spot and would remain there for more than two months. During their 11-game, season-opening win streak, the Irish toppled the likes of No. 2 Michigan, No. 17 Air Force, No. 9 USC, No. 7 Pittsburgh and No. 17 Penn State. However, a late-November loss at No. 7 Miami (FL) would kill off their run at a title defense, setting Notre Dame up for an Orange Bowl defeat of
Colorado.
2015: Notre Dame 34, Virginia 27 (Charlottesville, Virginia)
In 2014, Notre Dame entered a partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference by which it would schedule five schools from the conference every season. That brought on the resumption of the series and Notre Dame’s first visit to Scott Stadium a year later.
The Irish entered their Week Two trip to Charlottesville having crushed fledgling Texas in the season opener. But Virginia, a team that would go 4-8 in 2015, hung with Notre Dame, taking a 14-12 lead into halftime. Though the visitors pulled back into a 26-14 lead with a pair of touchdowns, momentum swung back to Virginia after starting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire went down with an ankle injury that ended his season.
Onto the field stepped backup signal-caller DeShone Kizer, who would eventually face the pressure of leading a game-winning twominute drill. With Virginia up 2726, Notre Dame needed only a field goal but struggled to move within range. Inside the final 20 seconds, the Irish had made it only to the Virginia 39-yard line. From there, Kizer uncorked a rainbow that dropped into the arms of wide receiver Will Fuller for a touchdown, stunning the home crowd.
After the seven-point victory, Notre Dame again maintained its case as a championship contender until the final week of the season, when an equally heartbreaking loss to Stanford put the Irish in the Fiesta Bowl at 10-2.
2019: Notre Dame 35, Virginia 20 (South Bend, Indiana)
Four years later, Virginia debuted at Notre Dame Stadium with its highest ranking since 2007. Off to a 4-0 start, the 18th-ranked Cavaliers squared off with No. 10 Notre Dame on the final Saturday of September, a week after Notre Dame’s primetime loss at Georgia.
The first half of this meeting played out similarly to the one contested in 2015, with Virginia carrying a 17-14 lead into the midway break behind terrific quarterback play from Bryce Perkins. The Cavaliers would keep their upset prospects alive with a successful onside kick to begin the second half, but their luck ran out after that point. Notre Dame’s defense — specifically its pass rush — went to town on Virginia, totaling eight sacks and forcing five turnovers. Ade Ogundeji took a fumble recovery to the end zone, while Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa brought one back inside the 10-yard line. Meanwhile, Notre Dame took control in the ground game, scoring three rushing touchdowns on the day through Tony Jones Jr. while limiting the Cavaliers to four second-half rushing yards.
In an 11-win season smeared by an ugly October loss at Michigan, Notre Dame would go on to defeat Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl. Virginia would win nine games for the first time since, you guessed it, 2019, losing in the ACC Championship game to defending national champion Clemson.
2021: Notre Dame 28, Virginia 3 (Charlottesville)
In another game dominated by the Notre Dame defense, the Irish went to Charlottesville in the midst of a weird season. They had started the year winning ugly against Florida State and Toledo before blowing out ranked Wisconsin in Chicago and losing to College Football Playoff qualifier Cincinnati at home. All the while, Brian Kelly couldn’t settle on a full-time quarterback between Jack Coan, Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne. Eventually, as Week One starter Coan returned to his role as the top option, Notre Dame began to win big — much like it’s doing now — en route to an 11-1 season.
This was win number nine for Notre Dame, which feasted on the absence of Virginia starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong. Nearly pitching a shutout, the Irish defense took pressure off of an offense that didn’t have its prettiest night. But Coan and company played effectively enough, the transfer throwing for three touchdowns en route to a 25-point victory.
Only 16 days after the final regular season game, Kelly bolted for the head coaching job at LSU, leaving current head coach Marcus Freeman to lead the Irish in their Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Notre Dame hits the road to face Lafayette
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
Coming off a big win over James Madison, the Notre Dame women’s basketball team now prepares to face the Lafayette Leopards on Sunday.
Last year, the Irish took a 96-42 victory over the Leopards. Graduate forward Kylee Watson started the first quarter strong for the Irish, scoring the first five points of the night with a layup, free throw and hook shot. Sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo followed by putting up four points alongside graduate forward Maddy Westbeld, who added on two points for the Irish to make the score 11-6.
Lafayette narrowed the
score to 11-8, but Westbeld responded with a layup to put the Irish up 13-8. Two points from then-senior forward Natalija Marshall and two points from then-graduate forward Becky Obinma put the Irish ahead 17-8. While the Leopards managed a layup of their own to make it 17-10, Westbeld scored another layup to finish the first quarter with a 19-10 Irish lead.
Lafayette opened the second quarter with nine points, but the Irish replied with a jump shot from Marshall, a jump shot from junior guard KK Bransford, a layup from then-graduate guard Anna DeWolfe, a layup from Westbeld and three points from Hidalgo to make the score 30-19. While two
more points scored from the Leopards created a 10-point difference, Hidalgo added three more points and Watson added a free throw to finish the second quarter with the Irish ahead 38-23.
Westbeld and DeWolfe started off the third quarter strong, both adding two points to bring the score to 42-23. Watson contributed eight points for the Irish and Hidalgo added on two points in response to the four points scored by the Leopards, making the score 52-27.
Westbeld kept the ball rolling as she added two points alongside a three-pointer from DeWolfe to make the score 57-29. Hidalgo kept being a leader on the court as she added on five points for Notre Dame for a 62-29 score.
A jump shot from Obinma and a layup from Marshall made the score 66-29 nearing the end of the quarter.
Lafayette hit the final shot of the quarter to make the score 66-31 Irish.
Sitting with a 35-point lead, the Irish headed into the fourth quarter ready to go as Westbeld put up three points and Bransford added on a layup to bring the score to 71-31. The Leopards put up four points but were no match for the Irish as Hidalgo responded with a three-point shot and two layups, Westbeld added a jump shot, DeWolfe added a threepoint shot, Marshall added on a jump shot and Obinma added on a layup to make the score 87-38.
As Lafayette responded
with two points, Marshall added on three points for herself alongside graduate guard Sarah Cernugal, who put up her three points of the night to make the score 96-40. Lafayette made the final two points of the Dec. 6 game, but the Irish took the 96-42 win.
Hidalgo led on the court for the Irish in the game last year, finishing with 26 points. Westbeld also was a team leader with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the night alongside Hidalgo who finished with six.
The Notre Dame women’s basketball team will face Lafayette on the road on Nov. 17, starting at 2 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
KEIRA JONES| THE OBSERVER
Senior guard Sonia Citron attacks the basket in Notre Dame’s 92-46 victory over James Madison University on Nov. 13 in Purcell Pavilion. Citron returns to an elite backcourt for the No. 6-ranked Irish, entering the season on the
Greathouse embracing the learning process
By NOAH CAHILL Associate Sports Editor
Stepping on the field as a true freshman, wide receiver Jaden Greathouse showed impressive flashes in his rookie campaign. Hauling in 18 catches for 265 yards and five touchdowns in only seven regular-season games, the four-star talent made meaningful contributions to a young Irish receiving corps. Following his productive start in a Notre Dame jersey, hopes were high that he might lead the group in 2024, especially amid the departure of fellow freshman Rico Flores through the transfer portal. While the sophomore has had his moments, he has yet to reach the heights that many expected he would in the preseason. Against Florida State, however, he put together his best performance of the season, reeling in five catches for 66 yards operating adeptly out of his preferred position in the slot.
Development is rarely linear for young talent yearto-year. Growing pains are expected for Greathouse, especially with the offensive infrastructure around him completely restructured, from the hiring of coordinator Mike Denbrock and wide receivers coach Mike Brown to senior transfer quarterback Riley Leonard throwing
the passes. But down the stretch as the Irish push for the postseason and beyond, there is no better time for Greathouse to shine.
Much of this relies on the coaching staff setting him up for success in the newlook offense and improving chemistry with Riley Leonard. That connection comes with time and reps, most of which we don’t see every day in practice.
Greathouse knows his greatest play comes when he lines up in the slot, and he was able to showcase that on Saturday, particularly on a fade route that has become a staple of the Denbrock’s passing menu.
“I like being matched up with nickels and just being in the slot operating with space,” Greathouse said. “We’ve been working on that route every day in practice. Every day in one-on-ones I’m asking for a slot fade. Just trying to constantly get reps at it, constantly improve, and I think that’s definitely been paying off in these games.”
Greathouse has shown he has the work ethic and growth mindset necessary to improve as a pass-catcher. Not only does he value mastering his craft in practice, but he has the capacity to be coachable while listening to a new set of voices. When asked about what new wide receivers coach Mike
Brown has brought to the table regarding preparation, he describes the lessons he’s learned.
“Just attacking leverage, understanding that we want to get as much outside as we can on that route,” Greathouse explained. “Being able to fight through hands and being physical at the catch point.”
On his longest grab of the night, the 26-yard fade ball, those details were on full display, a testament to the improvements he continues to make as the year progresses. The sophomore torched his defender on his way to the corner of the end zone before going airborne to snare Leonard’s pass at its apex with hands draped in his face, falling in bounds just short of the goal line. In an earlier play, his physicality showed up on film as he worked back to an underthrown ball to draw a pass interference penalty. Beyond the threat he posed downfield for the Seminole secondary, Greathouse also exhibited his playmaking ability with the ball in his hands, taking several screen passes in stride and making defenders miss after the catch.
When asked, he described why he’s able to be so successful working in traffic.
“I think just feeling the flow of the game, understanding how the defense
is moving, and then knowing what each of my guys are supposed to be doing and what their job is,” Greathouse said. “That helps me do my job even better, just knowing where my landmarks are, where I’m trying to get and then just being a playmaker overall.”
Greathouse’s five catches against Florida State tied his season high, a number he has matched only one other time thus far. It can be a challenge for any wide receiver to grow when touches are few and far between. However, Greathouse acknowledges the frustration when the ball doesn’t always come his way as part of the game and highlights his focus on the team’s success over everything.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes for this team to win,” Greathouse said. “My priority is team glory like [head] coach [Marcus] Freeman says. We’re just focused on making it to the national championship.”
He also knows the value of time and experience, and has seen it around him from the moment he stepped on the field as a true freshman. There’s no better example than a senior who has played college football for four or more years. With Notre Dame’s Senior Day game against Virginia on the horizon, Greathouse was asked what those relationships
have meant to him.
A smile quickly covered his face as he responded: “These guys are great, all of them,” Greathouse said. “Just building a relationship with them, taking me in as a young guys and showing me what the standard is here, what college football is like, and then how to balance it all off the field too. These seniors are some of my closest friends and so [I’m] definitely going to miss them, but we’ve got one more game to put on for them, trying to honor them.”
Taking stock of the season as a whole, Greathouse appreciates everything he’s learned so far. While it hasn’t been a perfect year for the sophomore, his talent and drive for improvement remain evident, and the week-to-week development clearly reflects that.
“It’s definitely been a learning process overall,” Greathouse said. “Just understanding the ebbs and flows of the game, understanding what my role is, understanding how I can help the team win in whatever way that is and just trying to be the best player I can be. Attacking every single day in practice with the best attitude and effort that I can and hoping that that translates to the games.”
Contact Noah Cahill at ncahill2@nd.edu
Keys to Victory: Notre Dame vs. Florida State
By ANNIKA HERKO Associate Sports Editor
Notre Dame is coming off one of the best games of football we’ve seen it play this season in Saturday’s 52-3 defeat of Florida State. The Seminoles managed only a field goal on their opening drive, and the Irish responded with a decisive 45 unanswered points. Even after losing a key starter on defense early, Florida State looked thoroughly confused by Notre Dame and struggled to move the ball against backups. Sophomore safety Luke Talich’s interception was a huge moment for him and the team, showing the depth of this team. The midweek termination of three Florida State coaches was not strictly due to their performance in South Bend, but it certainly didn’t help their case. Still, Notre Dame’s level of play needs to show up week in and week out — for all
60 minutes. The Northern Illinois game now seems far enough in the past, and this team is coming together well enough, that it’s starting to feel like a distant memory. But hopefully, it still serves as motivation, with Notre Dame facing a few more must-win games ahead.
No. 1: Change it up a little on offense
Former Notre Dame receiver Chris Tyree returns to campus this weekend, just with a different team. While I’m sure he and his former teammates are excited to see each other, there’s also added motivation to win. Also, you can be sure Virginia defensive coordinator John Rudzinski has been talking a little more to Tyree this week, trying to gain another edge over Notre Dame.
No. 2: Play like it’s the second half of the Florida State game
Virginia has struggled
offensively, though we all know how explosive Tyree can be. With 22 catches for 124 yards, he currently ranks third in receptions on the team, though he has yet to score a touchdown. Virginia’s offense has managed 25 touchdowns this season — compared to Notre Dame’s 42 — making this another game ripe for dominance on both sides of the ball. Although Virginia is in a better spot than Florida State was last week, they won’t relish the challenge of facing graduate defensive tackle Rylie Mills all afternoon, especially after his standout performance against the Seminoles.
No. 3: Win by a large margin
The College Football Playoff Committee has begun to release rankings. Notre Dame is currently No. 8, but because the ACC is in rough shape this year and its conference champion is guaranteed a
bye, at the moment Notre Dame would be the No. 9 seed. The ninth seed does not get a home playoff game. Notre Dame doesn’t just need to win out — it must keep demonstrating it can do so decisively. The SEC will make a strong case for teams like Georgia, Texas, Tennessee,
Alabama and LSU, arguing they deserve playoff spots despite losses to other top teams. Notre Dame needs to solidify its claim and counter those who believe a three-loss SEC team is more deserving.
Contact Annika Herko at aherko@nd.edu
KEYS TO VICTORY
MEGHAN LANGE | THE OBSERVER
Sophomore safety Luke Talich runs into the end zone in Notre Dame’s 52-3 domination of Florida State on Nov. 9 in Notre Dame Stadium.
GAME PREDICTIONS
Beat picks: Notre Dame vs. Virginia
By Observer Sports Staff
Noah Cahill
Ever since disaster struck in the home opener, Notre Dame has done everything in its power to prove that its loss to Northern Illinois was a pure anomaly. A dominant 52-3 win over Florida State extended the Irish win streak to seven and positioned them at No. 8 in the College Football Playoff rankings, meaning if the season ended today, playoff football would be played in Notre Dame Stadium. If they want a chance at returning to Notre Dame Stadium after this weekend, the last scheduled home game of the regular season, they will need to take care of business down the stretch. Heading into a matchup with a mediocre, 5-4 Cavalier team, Notre Dame opened up as 23-point favorites. With that said, the Cavaliers come into the game with positive momentum after handing No. 19 Pittsburgh its second loss of the season in a 24-19 upset victory. They sit in the middle of the pack statistically on offense, ranking 59th in total offense with 398.2 yards per game. Anthony Colandrea has been solid throughout the season, currently sitting just short of 2,000 passing yards with 12 touchdowns, but has faced turnover issues, throwing eight interceptions as well. Most of his passes go to Malachi Fields, who has hauled in a team-high 45 receptions for 665 yards and four touchdowns. Kobe Pace and Irish transfer Chris Tyree have also been involved for the wide receiver corps, while tight end Tyler Neville falls second behind Fields in receptions and yards for the Cavaliers. The backfield is run by a twoman committee of Pace and Xavier Brown, both of whom have eclipsed 400 yards on the season. Colandrea is also a threat with his legs, carrying it 104 times for 259 yards and two touchdowns on the year. The Cavaliers have more questions on the other side of the ball, their defense allowing just short of 400 yards per game, putting them at 98th in the country.
Look for the Irish to continue their growth in the passing attack against a Cavalier defense that is geared more toward defending the run. While the group stagnated somewhat against the Seminoles following multiple straight weeks of improvement, Leonard and the pass-catchers should be
in line for a good matchup to build on their upward trajectory, especially following a promising performance from tight end Mitchell Evans, who looked close to his best for the first time since his torn ACL sidelined him for the remainder 2023 season.
On Senior Day, I believe Notre Dame will come to play and leave no doubt in another resounding win.
Virginia 10, Notre Dame 42
Matthew Crow
Just one week ago, it looked like the wheels were falling off for Virginia. After a promising 4-1 start, the Cavaliers dropped three straight conference matchups and were staring down a brutal final stretch of the season that included matchups with three ranked opponents in their final four games. But after pulling off a shocking upset on the road against ACC frontrunner Pitt last weekend, the energy seems to be swinging back in Virginia’s favor. All of a sudden, those three losses — which came at the hands of top-20 opponents Louisville and Clemson as well as a surging North Carolina team — can be viewed in a slightly more positive light as the Cavaliers travel to South Bend with momentum on their side and a respectable 3-3 ACC record in search of a second consecutive high-profile win.
With that being said, I don’t see them giving Notre Dame too much trouble on Saturday. The Irish have been playing as well as any team in the country over the course of their current seven-game winning streak, with their nationally third-ranked scoring defense consistently dominating and their offense continuing to improve every week, which has translated to the scoreboard in the form of outscoring their last four opponents by a combined score of 183-37. Notre Dame’s defensive line was absolutely stifling against Florida State, racking up eight sacks and applying nonstop pressure to force a pair of interceptions and hold the Seminoles to just 88 yards through the air. I don’t see Virginia being the team to crack the code on this elite Irish defense, with the Cavaliers having struggled to find a rhythm offensively during the losing streak and even against Pitt, where their defense did most of the heavy lifting to make up for two interceptions and a limited rushing attack in the victory.
The Irish should come out of the gates firing on Senior Day and effectively quell any thoughts of another Virginia upset by halftime as they use their advantage on both sides of the ball to roll to a comprehensive, wire-to-wire victory before looking ahead to next week’s crucial Shamrock Series duel against undefeated Army.
Virginia 14, Notre Dame 48
Annika Herko
Notre Dame is a heavy favorite coming into this game. Virginia has had an extraordinary year, currently sitting at a record of 5-4 and seventh overall in the mediocre ACC. This will be the Cavaliers’ third game this season against a ranked opponent. They lost to then-No. 10 Clemson in October by three scores but went on to defeat then-No. 18 Pitt in Acrisure Stadium last week. Virginia could be coming into Notre Dame Stadium with some momentum after that win, but with how inconsistent its play has been this season, it’s hard to say what team will be showing up. The Cavaliers were only able to score 13 points against Maryland.
However, Virginia has a notable Notre Dame football alum coming with it. Chris Tyree will be making his return to South Bend. The running back turned receiver is the third leading receiver for the Cavaliers despite only having 22 receptions this season.
Virginia 17, Notre Dame 45
Madeline Ladd
Fresh off a dominant night game win over Florida State, the Irish face Virginia this Saturday with a different kind of challenge. It’s not that the Cavaliers aren’t a beatable team, it’s all about how the Irish win. It’s an emotional Senior Day and a CFP spot is at stake, and simply edging out the Cavaliers won’t cut it — they need to deliver a statement win in order to not drop in the polls. Coming off a road victory against a top-20 Pitt team, 5-4 Virginia has shown resilience but lacks the talent to keep up with a top-tier team.
The Cavaliers rely on the ground game, led by quarterback Anthony Colandrea and running backs Kobe Pace and Xavier Brown, but rank just 86th nationally in rushing offense. Former Irish receiver Chris Tyree makes his South Bend return this weekend with the Cavaliers. He hasn’t done much this season due to injuries but could explode at any time.
If Notre Dame’s front seven shuts down the run, it’ll force Colandrea into difficult throws to capitalize on his eight interceptions. Virginia’s offensive line has struggled, allowing 31 sacks (127th in the nation). The Irish will miss Howard Cross III this week but can expect Al Golden to put on extra pressure with his blitzes. Virginia’s defense ranks 118th against the pass, giving quarterback Riley Leonard and receivers Mitchell Evans and Jaden Greathouse the chance to shine if more involved in the pass game. The Irish need to
avoid the drops seen last week. Notre Dame should handle Virginia, but it will need an impressive win for the seniors, and especially for the CFP. Virginia 6, Notre Dame 45
Tyler Reidy
Will Virginia be the first team in almost two months to challenge Notre Dame for all 60 minutes? Last week’s Cavalier upset victory at Pittsburgh would suggest they could, but too many signs point in the other direction. Anthony Colandrea has operated as a respectable dual-threat quarterback this year, but his one touchdown and four interceptions in the last two games are off-putting. And while Virginia’s win in the Steel City was certainly a big one, the Cavaliers hadn’t won in more than a month before that. Then there’s Notre Dame, carving out a path of college football destruction during its seven-game win streak. The Irish haven’t won a game by less than 18 points since September, and I don’t see why their dominant play wouldn’t continue on Saturday. Riley Leonard has the Irish offense in the type of rhythm we’ve been waiting for, and Notre Dame’s defense remains perhaps the best in the country given what it’s lost to injury. Most importantly, Notre Dame does not mess around on Senior Day. The Irish haven’t won a home finale by less than three scores since 2017. With another terrific defensive performance, Notre Dame wins comfortably and heads back to New York at 9-1.
Virginia 10, Notre Dame 34
RICHARD TAYLOR | THE OBSERVER
Senior wide receiver Jayden Thomas fights off a cornerback after making the catch in Notre Dame’s 66-7 victory over Purdue on Sep. 14 in Ross-Ade Stadium, where the Irish bouonced back after the NIU upset.