WAR IN THE TRENCHES
WITH INJURIES AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, NOTRE DAME CALLS UPON REINFORCEMENTS TO MAINTAIN ITS EDGE IN THE RUN GAME.
Coogan, Spindler step back into starting roles
By MATTHEW CROW Sports Writer
Entering the 2024 season, it was unusual for the inexperience of Notre Dame’s offensive line — typically one of the nation’s strongest and most battle-tested units — to be a major question mark for the Irish offense. Prior to the season opener against Texas A&M, the five starters up front had started just six combined games for the Irish, with freshman left tackle Anthony Knapp, sophomore left guard Sam Pendleton and junior right tackle Aamil Wagner all making their first starts against the Aggies.
Even more unusual is the fact that the Irish roster did feature an abundance of experience and high-level ingame performance just not in the starting lineup.
In 2023, senior Pat Coogan started each of Notre Dame’s 13 games at left guard, while graduate student Rocco Spindler started 10 games at the opposite guard spot. Both were key contributors for an Irish unit that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s best offensive line, and both helped serve as the backbone for one of the best offenses in school history, as Notre Dame’s 39.1 points per game ranked second all-time for the program.
Following the 2023 season, that loaded Irish offensive line saw a mass exodus, with star tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher each being selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft and center Zeke Correll transferring to NC State. After losing three key pieces on the line, it was natural for Irish fans to assume that returning starters Coogan and Spindler would be the clear-cut leaders of the 2024 unit, guiding the youthful lineman that would join them in the starting lineup.
But for a team that recruits and develops offensive line talent as well as Notre Dame, everything is earned and nothing is given, and after a long slate of practices through the spring and fall, Coogan and Spindler both found themselves on the bench as the Irish kicked off their season in College Station.
In today’s era of college football, especially, it would have been easy for either player to enter the transfer portal in search of greener pastures, knowing that players of their pedigree could step in as no-doubt, day-one starters for most programs across the country. Likewise, some players might have let the disappointment of losing out on their starting position
bleed into their attitude in the form of poor effort on the practice field or failing to support the younger teammates that took over their roles.
That was never a worry for anyone within the Irish program, however, a testament to the team-first culture that Notre Dame has built.
“It was pretty simple for me. My love for the University of Notre Dame is so much stronger than any individual honor, goal [or] accolade I could’ve imagined,” Coogan said about his mentality entering the season as a backup.
“Sure, it sucked, and there were some dark moments, but the pride of this University and the pride of this program especially the offensive line unit — I knew I had to be ready at any moment and helping [the new starters] out [brought satisfaction] for me as well. It sucked not being on the field, it really did. But everything happens for a reason, I’m a firm believer in that, and I just put my head down and told myself I was going to come to the building with a positive attitude every single day, and that’s what I did.”
That next-man-up mindset paid dividends for the Irish in their 66-7 demolition of Purdue on Saturday, albeit in unfortunate circumstances. In the first half in West Lafayette, junior right guard Billy Schrauth exited the game with an ankle injury. Shortly after, junior center Ashton Craig went down after injuring his knee.
For most teams, losing two offensive linemen in rapid succession midgame could prove disastrous, grinding the offense to a halt. But most teams don’t have players the caliber of Coogan — who stepped in at center — and Spindler — who took over at right guard — ready and waiting on the bench. The transition was seamless for the Irish, who would continue to dominate the Boilermakers on the ground, finishing the afternoon with 362 rushing yards and six touchdowns at a sky-high clip of 8.2 yards per carry.
Coogan discussed the preparation that enabled him and Spindler to transition seamlessly from not playing all season to stepping into the starting offensive line in a must-win road game. That preparation proved crucial, especially for Coogan, who didn’t miss a beat at center despite having previously only started at guard for the Irish.
“That’s kind of one of the best things about Notre Dame,” Coogan said.
“Everyone’s gotta be ready to roll and everyone’s talented enough to be ready to roll, so when I saw Craig go down unfortunately — and same thing as what happened with Rocco — it’s just like, I knew everyone had all the confidence in the world in me and all the confidence in the world in Rocco, so you’ve just gotta go out there and play ball. You can’t think of the what-ifs or the worries or anything, you’ve just gotta go play ball.”
Irish head coach Marcus Freeman had an abundance of praise for the play of his veteran lineman duo after entering the game on short notice, as well as for their strong commitment to the program.
“It was huge,” Freeman said about the play of Coogan and Spindler. “To start as many games as those two started and to not be the starter [now] and to be prepared and to be great teammates, I can’t speak any more highly of those two guys. They went in there and they got the job done, and it’s a [credit] to their preparation, their unselfishness, to their love for the team. Those two guys deserve a lot of credit for they way they prepared, the way they make the guys in front of them better and the way that, when they got their opportunity, they went in there and did their job.”
Senior quarterback Riley Leonard faced significant criticism after Notre Dame’s upset loss to Northern Illinois the week prior but responded in a big way against Purdue, carving the Boilermakers up for 112 passing yards, 100 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the
first half alone. Leonard attributed his success to the resilience of the Irish offensive line, highlighting Coogan and Spindler specifically.
“Up front, you get a couple guys that go down and the next guys just bounce back up, the next guys just come in and play their tails off,” Leonard said. “I’m super proud of them and have all the confidence in the world in whoever’s up front blocking for us.”
The Irish coaching staff’s confidence in the depth and talent across the offensive line will be vital for the remainder of the season, especially after it was announced earlier this week that Craig’s injury is season-ending and Schrauth is expected to miss several weeks. Luckily for Notre Dame, Coogan, Spindler, and the entire offensive line are always prepared to step up when called upon, helping to create openings for one of the nation’s top rushing attacks while providing crucial protection for a passing game still looking to find its rhythm.
When the Irish return home on Saturday to face Miami (Ohio) in hopes of securing their second straight win and first of the year at Notre Dame Stadium, it will be Coogan and Spindler manning the center of the offensive line, and the level of trust that their teammates and coaches have in them will be just as high as it was on Saturday when they were forced into action with no warning and rose to the occasion.
Later in the season, if Spindler returns to the bench when Schrauth recovers from
his injury, you can bet he’ll remain just as focused, supportive, and committed as ever—just like Coogan or any other member of an Irish offensive line known for its unwavering culture. As Leonard described it, their bond is “unreal,” adding, “the culture in that room is something I wish everybody could see.”
After all, Coogan, Spindler, and the rest of the linemen proved it throughout the season, and their commitment paid off when it mattered most — just when everyone was watching.
“Just how much they love their teammates and love Notre Dame,” offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said about what he’s learned about Coogan and Spindler during his first year with the Irish. “Those guys are a testament to hard work, commitment and what a true Notre Dame man looks like. They came to work every day, regardless of circumstance, and put the work in [that was] necessary, and I don’t think you saw much of a blip on the radar screen when those guys went in the game Saturday because of the preparation that they [put in] to be ready to go when their time came … It came on Saturday, and they were ready to go.”
Their opportunity may have come unexpectedly and under less-than-ideal circumstances, but the Irish are counting on them to stay ready against the RedHawks and in the weeks ahead — confident they’ll rise to the occasion.
Contact Matthew Crow at mcrow@nd.edu
RICHARD TAYLOR | THE OBSERVER
The Irish offensive line prepares for a snap during the 66-7 Notre Dame victory over Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana on Sept. 14. The Irish will have two new starters on the line this week.
University service dogs support students
The NDPD Comfort K9 program introduces new members Finn and Orla to the community
By PIPER BURROWS and ISABELLA PONCIROLI News Writers
The Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) Comfort K9 program has added two furry friends walking around campus: Orla and Finn. Their mission is to support all members of the Notre Dame community, including faculty, staff and students.
Orla, the 15-month-old fox red labrador retriever, was the first dog of the Comfort K9 program, arriving at Notre Dame in late 2023. She has a calm but lively personality and loves to play fetch on the soccer fields in the back of campus. Paul Foley, manager for the NDPD’s Outreach
& Engagement and Social Media, is the primary handler for Orla, with access control coordinator TJ Dockery serving as her back-up handler.
Finn, the 12-month-old yellow labrador retriever, is new to the University’s program this semester and is still undergoing training. He is calm, laid-back and enjoys belly rubs. Finn’s primary handler is officer Evan Drinkall, and his back-up handler is officer Stephanie Palmer.
The NDPD received both dogs from Top Notch Service Dogs, who started training the dogs at just eight weeks old.
Professor reviews U.S. foreign policy
By ELLA FLYNN and ANNIKA SINGH News Writers
On Thursday afternoon, assistant professor of geography and global studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Lisa Bhungalia gave a presentation at the Hesburgh Center for International Studies. The lecture, named after Bhungalia’s 2023 book “Elastic Empire: Refashioning War Through Aid in Palestine,” centered on the United States’ role in Gaza through humanitarian aid policy. It was the first of a
four-part series dedicated to American imperialism in the Middle East and North Africa, hosted in collaboration by the Kroc and Liu Institutes this academic year.
Bhungalia’s research stems from the proliferation of anti-terrorism law in the U.S. following the September 11 attacks. She has traveled to the West Bank “almost every year” since 2010 to conduct her research, interviewing Palestinians from many walks of life.
Introducing the lecture, Bhungalia said she’d focus
SMC alumnae share insight on life after college
By ISABELLA GONZALES News Writer
On Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saint Mary’s students gathered at Haggar Center’s Welsh Parlor for an alumnae panel titled, “Beyond the Avenue: Navigating Post-College Etiquette.”
Six alumnae appeared at the event to share what
they’ve found from their experience in their work environments that can help students navigate the world beyond Saint Mary’s College.
Before the discussion, students were given the chance to use a raffle ticket for a chance to win different prizes including but not limited to books such as “Leaders Eat Last” by
Simon Sinek and “Modern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top” by Dorothea Johnson and Liv Tyler. Jessica Brinker Foster ‘08 starts the conversation about post-college tips by talking about general etiquette in the workplace. Speaking from experience, she holds the positions
see ALUMNAE PAGE 4
By DAVID MURPHY and LIAM PRICE News Writer and Viewpoint Editor
Following Notre Dame’s Saturday mid-afternoon football game against Miami (Ohio), the dining halls across campus can expect a swarm of students and fans.
According to director of campus dining Luigi Alberganti, brunch options on football Saturdays are
offered on only one side of South Dining Hall in order to prepare for the post-game rush. The size of the incoming crowd is partially dependent on how the Fighting Irish play.
“If it’s a tight game, everybody comes at the same time. If it’s a game that is a little bit less exciting … you see the students and faculty drifting in before the game ends,” Alberganti said.
He also specified the influx
into the dining halls on game days is 20% greater than a typical day.
“Most of them, if not all of them, are alumni and people who feel nostalgic about the place that they grew up with, especially South Dining Hall (SDH), [which] is a special place,” he said.
Game day menus
Alberganti said the dining
PIPER BURROWS and ISABELLA PONCIROLI | The Observer
The Notre Dame Police Department’s Comfort K9 program is currently training labrador retrievers 15-month-old Orla (left) and 12-month old Finn (right) as support animals for students on campus.
ELLA FLYNN and ANNIKA SINGH | The Observer
Lisa Bhungalia gave a lecture about “refashioning” aid given to the Middle East as part of a series dedicated to American imperialism.
Assistant
Business
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.om
Sports Desk (574) 631-4543 sports@ndsmcobserver.com
Scene Desk (574) 631-4540 scene@ndsmcobserver.com
Photo Desk (574) 631-8767 photo@ndsmcobserver.com
Systems & Web Administrators
webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com
Policies The
James Kennedy freshman O’Neill Family Hall
“Brat.”
Blake Caven senior Dunne
“Chicken
Molly O’Malley freshman McCandless
Johnny Risley freshman Duncan Hall
“Ribs.”
Joe Muraski sophomore Duncan Hall
“Pulled
Koral Horstman sophomore McGlinn Hall
“Chick-fil-A.”
A
Today’s Staff
Corrections
Wednesday’s paper misquoted Rose Hewald in the photopoll about career week and said she was in the wrong dorm. Hewald is a resident in Lewis Hall and intends to go to graduate school. The Observer regrets these errors.
Former Observer editor returns to South Bend
By AYNSLEE DELLACCA
Saint
Mary’s News Editor
Web and Social Media Program Manager Martha Reilly joined the University of Notre Dame staff earlier this spring, marking her return to South Bend for the first time since graduating from Saint Mary’s College in 2018. Her position with Notre Dame allows her to focus on a range of topics of research, such as cancer discovery and space and humanities research.
Reilly thinks returning to South Bend is a “natural fit” for the post-graduate chapter of her life.
“Specifically at Saint Mary’s, I always felt really empowered and comfortable … so I do feel like being back in the area has been productive for me and a true comfort amid a lot of different transitions that obviously take place post-grad,” Reilly said.
Reilly graduated from Saint Mary’s with bachelor’s degrees in political science and English literature, which she believes trained her well for her work with Notre Dame.
“I feel like Saint Mary’s really trained me for breaking down information, which is a lot of what takes place in the research [communications] space,” Reilly said. From there, she earned her master’s degree at the London School of Economics in politics and communication and has since focused her career in public communications.
After graduating with her master’s, Reilly worked at the William & Mary Global Research Institute for three years, working as a senior communications specialist for her last one and a half years.
Reilly was involved with The Observer and served as the Saint Mary’s news editor in 2018.
During her first year at Saint Mary’s, Reilly felt drawn to The Observer after encountering the Saint Mary’s news editor at the time, Kelly Konya ‘15, at the involvement fair. Konya welcomed Reilly into the department with open arms.
“The community, specifically the Saint Mary’s office of The Observer, I would say is really what sort of piqued
my interest and made me fall in love with the whole process of writing and even just being comfortable talking to people … [It] was always just a fun, sort of, like real world project to have on the side,” Reilly said.
Reilly began working as a production assistant during her freshman year, designing pages for the print editions of the paper in addition to regularly writing articles. At the end of her junior year Reilly assumed her role as Saint Mary’s news editor.
“The leadership from the time I was a freshman throughout the entirety of my work with The Observer was really nurturing. I would say something specific to the Saint Mary’s element was just like that training and that sense of community that made me feel like, ‘Yes, we’re a part of this broader machine, and no one story can be told without perspectives from all the campuses to be truly representative,’ but it was also nice to come back here and have our department and be able to connect on like that specific level.” Reilly said.
Reilly explained how
during her time at The Observer, the paper was undergoing “an exciting direction” by covering internal administrative policies and how they fit into the tricampus community.
“The paper was just part of broader conversations, and I think that’s what, for me at least, always made it feel rewarding and purposeful. It was contributing to something that’s happening, but also … was probably a real reason that the department expanded so rapidly during my time here,” Reilly said.
Reilly specifically covered topics ranging from human rights activism to demonstrations against gun violence, climate change effects to inclusiveness on campus.
Stories on the Saint Mary’s community were what she enjoyed the most.
“My freshman year, I got to cover the Outstanding Senior [Award] who was Kaitlyn Rabach then, who was a former Saint Mary’s [news] editor herself … My interview with her was so special, and I remember after she reached out and was like, ‘You’ll go far in the paper.’ I feel like that sort of
motivation that is just so natural for us to give at Saint Mary’s and that empowerment is often,” Reilly said. Reilly felt “at the center” of campus with the writing opportunities The Observer gave her, which encouraged her to explore the College campus as a student.
“Whether you want to write about the new priest on campus or the spring performance, or whatever … I feel like being at The Observer, it just shows you everything that’s happening outwardly and makes you feel invested in it,” Reilly said.
Overall, Reilly felt her experience with The Observer combined with her education from Saint Mary’s College set her up for success in her career field.
“You know, I feel like Saint Mary’s, and The Observer more specifically, is all about those sorts of moments or encounters where it’s a specific person who makes you think differently, or you see someone like using the same tools and realize you can use them too,” Reilly said.
Contact Aynslee Dellacca at adellaca01@saintmarys.edu
Alumnae
of board member for the College Board of Trustees and vice president secretary of the board of directors for the Alumna Association. Foster specifically goes into detail about what manners and principles are.
Foster offered her own definition of what differentiates the two. She explains that manners can be simple such as saying “please” and “thank you” and one chewing with their mouth closed, adding “are nothing more than common sense and thinking of the other person first.”
At the same time, she defined principles as having consideration, respect and honesty towards others.
Alumnae Association board of directors member Jessica Zigmond ‘97 directed the conversation into how to network and build oneself up for a job interview. Zigmond spoke about her experiences with preparing for the interview in the section of the discussion called “Professional You.”
“It brings us a lot of joy to interact with the alumnae at Saint Mary’s,” Zigmond said.
Assistant regional superintendent for the Regional Office for Education in Bloomington, Illinois Molly Kahn Allen ‘01 spoke about how someone can build their presence at work. She shared her experiences about what one may be expected to do for the job, such as clarity of expectations and presence in professional settings.
She also talked about how one should be careful of how they talk about themselves. She continues that it’s important to not overshare and that “not everyone is entitled to your story.”
Leticia McDonald Hart ‘00, former member of the Alumnae Association Board of Directors, expanded on the discussion by emphasizing the importance of defining job needs and wants to guide a successful job search.
Hart also addressed the significance of research, whether it be the jobs themselves, the employers or salary trend.
“Seek out content creators that are in-line with career opportunities. It’s a good way to get out of your immediate circle,” Hart said.
Associate attorney for Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Nicole O’Toole Peterson ‘15 continued by talking about the interview
process. Peterson addressed how the process has become more about the resume and not just the cover letter, saying it should be specialized for each application.
Peterson stressed the importance of early networking, encouraging students to start building connections through LinkedIn and other platforms. She also highlighted the need for thorough interview preparation, including knowing what to bring, wear and say.
Eileen Gallagher Loranger ‘90, President of the Alumnae Association Board of Directors and the final speaker, addressed professional conduct after securing a job. She emphasized the importance of preparing for events, actively listening and seeking guidance when needed.
“You’re at this point where you’re walking into a completely new world … Give yourself the grace to know you’re just learning and becoming a better woman every single day,” Loranger said.
She finalized the conversation with her Aunt Eileen section, saying how important it is to know that “nothing ever stays the way it is … You think things might stay confidential and stay on the down low. But they don’t.”
According to Foster, if there is anything students should take away from the Beyond the Avenue event, it’s that “they have a whole network of alumnae to help them answer their questions and help them in any way possible.”
Contact Isabella Gonzales at igonzales01@saintmarys.edu
Dogs
“Top Notch picks the dogs, and then we tell them what we are looking for,” Palmer said.
At the start of the K9 program, Orla was chosen out of a litter of nine.
“They did a test with her and said, ‘Oh, she’s going to be a university dog.’ The other eight went to elementary school, so they figured she was the one that could handle university,” Foley said.
Orla started her training with her current handler at eight weeks old, while Finn had previously been training in a prison program before being adopted into the Notre Dame family.
“They actually brought three dogs in. Evan and I looked at them and said, ‘We really like this guy.’ He’s chill, he’s comfortable, he’s not skittish. It was between [Finn] and his sister, and we chose him,” Officer Palmer said.
The typical training for the K9 program can take anywhere from 12 to 14 months and consists of desensitization to large groups of people, loud noises and animals, including the notorious squirrels of Notre Dame’s campus. Both dogs have become accustomed to the police sirens riding around campus in the NDPD’s squad cars and frequently take rides in golf carts around campus.
“He was at the international student fire jam, and he fell asleep next to the speaker,” Officer Palmer said, accounting how well Finn is coming along in his training.
The average day of these canines is like any other dog. Orla starts off her morning with a walk, and then she heads to campus for work from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During the workday, she walks
around campus, attends certain designated events and enjoys lots of rest during her breaks.
According to Foley, after work, Orla “lies down on the floor. She chills. I do let her on my couch. I don’t let her sleep with me. She’s still in the crate right now.”
Following Orla’s shift, Finn’s workday starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. His day consists of following his handlers’ daily duties as police officers.
“We still have to answer calls, we still have to do traffic stops,” Palmer said. After work, Finn goes home to decompress with his primary handler.
Finn and Orla, as part of the K9 program, are meant to help students de-stress before exams, help faculty members decompress after work and offer emotional support to students who miss their dogs.
The NDPD is looking to expand its K9 program to assist and support students’ mental health with the stress of college life. They also aim to comfort members of the campus community who may have experienced a tragic loss, traumatic event or another crisis.
“They can go in, and this person might not talk to us, might not tell us what’s wrong, but they might tell a dog,” Palmer said.
Students can expect to see Orla and Finn at home football games, NDPD outreach events and on their daily walks around campus.
“They are here to help, so do not be afraid to say hi,” Foley said.
Contact Piper Burrows at pburrows@nd.edu and Isabella Ponciroli at iponciro@nd.edu
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
hall menus are designed and staff prepares ahead on game days to “adapt” to higher volumes, with North and South Dining Halls appealing to separate guest demographics.
“You have the option: if you want something relaxed and fun, go to North. If you want something more celebratory, you come to South,” Alberganti said.
According to Greg Larson, the senior executive chef of Campus Dining, SDH staff prioritize decorations and presentations to fit a “historic” theme, such as “Kentucky Derby” or “1970s Throwback” that celebrated the 1972 introduction of undergraduate women to Notre Dame’s campus.
On the other hand, North Dining Hall (NDH) staff focuses on preparing foods from an opponent’s local
area to produce a “tailgate experience.”
Larson called attention to this season’s Louisville game menu in NDH, which will feature pig shots: spicy sausages wrapped in bacon with cheese.
“Chef [Matthew] Seitz’s twist will feature a locally made (from Berrien County, MI) sausage wrapped in bacon with a charred jalapeno cheese spread served on a mini hotdog bun,” Larson wrote in an email.
The dining halls also use game days to experiment with creative menu options, which Larson said can become “so popular they become staples on the cycle menu.”
“In the spirit of game day, we also have some fierce competition between Chef Heriberto Hernandez from SDH and Chef Matthew Seitz at NDH to write amazing menus with exciting new options,” Larson said. “The culinary team at Notre Dame is a group of
very talented and driven professionals with competitive souls.”
Ways to plan ahead
To mitigate and avoid sitting in long lines, Alberganti recommended using the kiosks in the dining halls to place orders before entering.
“Everything is already in the works by the time you find a spot. And it just alleviates a little bit,” Alberganti said. “And the other thing is you don’t have to serve to get your own meal at the same time.“
Larson said Campus Dining, which serves over 2 million meals per year, is always looking for feedback.
“Game day is no different,” Larson said. “Most of the [dining hall’s] improvements start with either a suggestion from a guest or our own internal audit of the guest experience.”
Contact David Murphy at dmurph23@nd.edu and Liam Price at lprice3@nd.edu
on a “mode of war enacted from the interlacing of aid and counterterrorism law.”
She explained that Executive Order 13234, signed by president George W. Bush in the aftermath of September 11, “significantly expanded the power of the U.S. Treasury to target the financial infrastructure of terrorism, casting an ever-extensive net on who and what could be sanctioned by the U.S. government … It also broadened the scope of those targeted, from individuals directly belonging to Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), to those deemed otherwise associated.”
Bhungalia then connected this program to its impacts on foreign humanitarian aid, which is the main argument in her book.
“What that means is now,
basically, humanitarian actors, NGOs, and others could be prosecuted if they provide aid to FTOs or they operate in terrorist-controlled territories,” she said.
She went on to describe challenges this policy posed to aid groups and local governments in Gaza and the West Bank seeking foreign funding. For instance, Bhungalia described an initiative involving greenhouses aimed at reducing food insecurity in Palestine. To qualify for a greenhouse, individuals were required to navigate multiple stages of approval, she explained.
During her interview research, an interviewee explained to her a greenhouse could not be installed until the beneficiary was identified through an application process, passed both technical and social criteria, is vetted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), approved by a local committee and lastly approved by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a unit in the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Bhungalia explained in another example that Bethlehem elected a mayor who was affiliated with a group on the U.S. foreign terrorist organizations list. The U.S. therefore placed sanctions on Bethlehem to prohibit assistance for residents there. These events led to the termination of projects such as water and sewage systems repair in Bethlehem.
Another complicating factor, she added, is that “since 2007, Gaza has been governed by Hamas, which is a U.S. FTO, so no one receiving aid can be associated with civil authority.”
Following the lecture, graduate student in peace studies and history Francesca Freeman responded with questions for Bhungalia.
“Are humanitarian interventions that ultimately perpetuate war at less violent levels better or worse than a lack of intervention in which deteriorating conditions may lead to more revolutionary change?” Freeman asked.
Atalia Omer, professor at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Keough School of Global Affairs, finished off the conversation with thoughts on Bhungalia’s talk.
“It is nice that the United States is gifting roads and whatnot, but Palestinians want freedom, not false generosity,” Omer said.
Contact Ella Flynn at eflynn6@nd.edu and Annika Singh at asingh24@nd.edu
Grace Tadajweski Associate News Editor
I know that I am not alone in having considered what it would be like to live a solitary life, peacefully isolated from all. Maybe it was reading Krakauer’s “Into the Wild” in 10th grade English class and wondering if I would ever grow tired of the Alaskan wilderness. Or watching “Maleficent” in 2014, half-envious that I did not grow up in a thatched roof cottage surrounded by forest. Or skimming my fingers over the oversaturated pictures of Jane Goodall in my third-grade science textbook and wishing that I too was one with the chimpanzees. If not one of those three, maybe it was being so bothered by my zopen-mouth, gum-chewing coworker that I swore I could never tolerate another person.
Whatever the cause, whether out of admiration or annoyance, desire or desperation, the thought of immersing myself in nature, removed from humanity, has crossed my mind once or twice. But alas, the question remains. Would I be happy?
(Do not fret dear friends and beloved family. As you will come to find out, I will remain a part of human civilization).
If I had to sum up my independence in two words, I would use happily and stubbornly.
Why I cried last week
I’m running to the thrift store real quick … No, it’s okay. I’ll be back soon. (This is the happy independence).
No, thank you. I will carry my backpack into the house because I am very much capable of carrying it. (This is the stubborn independence).
I’m going to my room. (This is the happy-stubborn independence).
I’m happy to report that most times if I’m in an independent mood, it’s the happy one. I love to make my way back to random flower-filled meadows I passed when I was driving along an unfamiliar road. I love to go for slow, quiet walks around the lakes while wondering which I will spot more of — constellations or raccoons (I’m happy with either outcome). I love to drive home from work listening to the same song on repeat (because I know I’m the only one who would choose to listen to “Dead Mom” from “Beetlejuice” four times in a row).
My happiness during these instances of independence leads me back to my initial question. Would I be happy? If I were to consider these instances with a narrow mindset, the answer would be yes.
However (you guessed it), in order to consider these instances, I must look at the entire picture.
Would I be happy picking a bouquet from a stray field if I wasn’t coming home to place it on my cluttered kitchen
counter? To laugh about it being buginfested with my brother? To remember that my dad’s favorite flowers are tiger lilies?
Would I be happy strolling around the lakes if I wasn’t heading back to my dorm to tell my roommate that the air smells like cool autumn? To recount with my RA how many couples I saw? To dream up a hopeful backpacking trip with my quad mates?
Would I be happy blasting the same song in my car again if I knew I wasn’t going to hear my mom playing “Tiny Dancer” in the kitchen later that night? To dance with my friends in a common room to songs I haven’t heard since middle school? To watch my parents practicing their H-O-T-T-O-G-O dance?
On Friday, I attended Father Dowd’s convocation and inauguration ceremony. I wore my favorite, pale green Lyons shirt and sat with friends from my dorm. I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the ceremony. I had obviously never been to one of these, but I jokingly assured my friends that it would involve less standing than Mass.
I was excited. I had never seen Fr. Dowd in person until he entered Purcell, and I had never heard him speak until he began his address. I was not disappointed. His voice was kind, his smile genuine and his honor true.
Each of his thank you’s to his family, brothers and sisters in Holy Cross, late
mother and first-grade teacher rang with an undeniable sweetness.
As I beamed with tears sitting in the corner of my eyes, I became aware of how happy I was for the stranger standing before me.
With that, I knew my answer.
Joy is complex. While we can experience our own independent happiness, there is a different type of happiness made possible when shared.
I could not be more grateful that others share their lives with me, allowing me to celebrate and cry with them, listen and love them. Equally, I could not be more grateful that others allow me to share my life with them. Because I surely do not say it enough: thank you.
It would be a shame to never realize how much happiness can come from others, and it would certainly be a shame to live a life alone, deprived of a complexity that reminds us of the good in opening our hearts.
I was never actually determined to sail off the grid, but only now do I realize the strength that keeps me on it. Cherish those who keep you connected. Love those who bring you joy.
You can contact Grace at gtadajwe@ nd.edu.
The views expressed in this inside column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The Catholic dilemma in 2024
Sam Marchand College Republicans of Notre Dame
When we say to ourselves, “I’m Catholic,” what do we really mean? Is that purely a cultural identifier? An affinity group? A campus club we attend a weekly meeting for? The question we ask ourselves really isn’t a question at all. To be Catholic is to believe in the faith as articulated by Christ and held together over the last two millennia by the Catholic Church, surviving centuries of disunity, the threat of Islamic conquest, the birth of Protestantism, two major wars in Europe, the rise and fall of communism and an unquantifiable amount of persecution. That is to say, the Catholic faith is not compromising. The literal definition of the word “catholic” is to be “all embracing.” We can’t pick and choose which teachings of the church we accept and which ones annoy us, and we can see, from the model of the last two thousand years of history, that it is only when the church was able to solidify itself and remain unwavering that it was able to survive. This same attitude can now be applied to the binary choice we face in electing a President in November. As much as we may like to entertain ourselves with the fallacy that it isn’t a binary, that we can abstain or vote third-party and still be “participating,” this is functionally
a complete and total myth. That being understood, it is clear that, as Catholics, those who accept, live by and now vote by the complete teachings of Christ through the Roman Catholic Church, we have to pick between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. There is no other path.
In order to accurately chart which candidate is most in line with Catholic values, we have to break down the candidates by the issues. In a poll conducted by The Irish Rover of Notre Dame students, the economy was ranked as the most important issue. Catholic Social Teaching on the economy prioritizes the elimination of poverty and the raising of the overall standard of living. During the four years of Donald Trump’s presidency, median household income rose three consecutive years before COVID-19, rising more than $7,500 to over $80,000 — the highest in American history — and the largest one-term increase of any U.S. President. However, under the Biden-Harris administration, median income fell in both fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the only years that saw a decrease since the 2008 recession. According to Congress, the average cost of goods in the U.S. has increased more than 20%, and more than one-third of American families have been behind on their bills in the last year. Viewed from this angle, the expansion of American poverty and the destruction of our
economy indicate a clear Trump win in the Catholic economy vote.
According to The Irish Rover’s poll, abortion was the second most important issue to the average Notre Dame voter. The Catholic Church “affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion” and maintains it is “gravely wrong at every stage.” More than anything else, we must highlight the uncompromising nature of this position. The Catholic Church holds that human life begins at conception, and that the termination of that life constitutes murder, without exception. This is the adopted teaching of the Catholic Church, and we as Catholics are bound to obey it, especially at the ballot box. Although neither candidate lives up to the Catholic moral standard on abortion, we ultimately still have to make a decision. As articulated by Pope Francis last week, there is no candidate that truly meets the Catholic standard for the protection of the sanctity of life, but we can clearly see a moral victor in the abortion debate between Trump and Harris. During her tenure as the Attorney General of California, the Vice President supported stricter regulations on anti-abortion centers that sought to dissuade women from obtaining abortions, and over the last four years, has consistently opposed any and all restrictions on abortion access. Trump is far from an abolitionist on abortion, opposing a nationwide ban,
but he still is a far superior Catholic option compared to Harris’ carte blanche abortion-ism. Viewed from this angle, the proliferation of murderous abortion that has led to the killing of more than 63 million people indicates a clear Trump win in the Catholic abortion vote.
More than anything, the Catholic voter must remember who they are. They must remember the millennia of uninterrupted faith tradition they belong to, and the responsibility that gives them at the ballot box. More than anything else, we are Catholics. Do we vote based on hearsay allegations of Trump being a “threat to democracy” or his decades-old, crude comments about women? No, we are to vote in-line with the two thousand-year-old moral tradition we belong to, in universal defense of life and the ability to affordably and ethically live it. Without question, for Catholics in 2024, that vote is for Trump.
The College Republicans of Notre Dame have agreed, along with the College Democrats of Notre Dame, to write a biweekly debate column in The Observer’s Viewpoint section in the name of free, civil discourse in the 2024 election cycle. You can reach out to the College Republicans at creps@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
ELECTION DEBATE 2024
Notre Dame had political angst? Do
Redmond Bernhold
Born Reddy
Here’s what my friends and I remember from last week’s presidential debate: eating dogs, love letters to Kim Jong Un, a memed moment of hesitance and mere “concepts of a plan.”
The debate heightened the effects of the November election even more. Battleground states are highly contested, swing voters are deciphering the candidates’ performances and America’s youth remains politically energized.
According to youth voting research organization Tufts CIRCLE, 57% of American youth aged 18 to 24 are “extremely likely” to vote and an additional 15% are “fairly likely” to vote this November.
The Notre Dame student body is certainly filled with mobilized voters, wielding perspectives and political ideologies originating from many corners of the world. A plethora of beliefs — immersed in a spirit of educating the heart — is what distinguishes Notre Dame. In this way, pillars of Notre Dame’s Catholic mission statement energize the pursuit of the common good.
In this light, I ask the following: Has Notre Dame sustained being a microcosm of the nation’s political youth — a student body wrapped in idealistic chains, invigorated to vote and yearning
OBSERVER EDITORIAL
to pursue the common good from different political aims?
Seemingly, the answer is “yes.” We all believe our voices matter. We all desire a better society. We all are united by the tangible idea that we can participate in society’s advancement.
Common good
Notre Dame’s history is steeped in activism: most famously the Fifteen Minute Rule, decades of IsraelGaza demonstrations and several protests following US presidential elections. With these displays, opinions on what defines the ”common good” often vary along partisan lines.
So, here’s a more intriguing question: why should Notre Dame students emphasize this election more so than previous and future elections?
In short, what’s different about this 47-day sprint to election day is the electorate’s three-part concoction: loyal candidate bases, swing voters and highly involved youth.
According to the Notre Dame mission statement, the university’s aim “is to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice.”
However, in comparison to other generations, Notre Dame’s student dialogue and involvement in the election appear minimal during an otherwise unprecedented time of youth participation.
Prior elections
On election day 2000, The Observer reported that 68% of 18 to 24-year-olds did not vote in the 1996 presidential election. The national statistic, though high, came during an era when Notre Dame students were more demonstrative with their ideas.
As votes were being recounted two days later, students openly voiced their complaints on the news media’s jumping to conclusions and Florida’s time table. Then student body president Brian O’Donoghue said the individual is crucial for the electoral system.
“What an amazing time to be a student voter,” he said. “This is history right now.”
And history is in the making once again. It’s an “amazing time” to be a student voter now, when margins are slim and votes, especially those in battleground states, have immense potential.
“People at this point who are undecided, won’t vote at all or choose a candidate capriciously and there is no way that campaigns can predict that,” Sean Savage, a Saint Mary’s political science professor, said in The Observer eight days before the 2000 election. “The campaigns are most likely then to try to energize their base.”
Notre Dame students as a whole and as a part of presidential candidates’ bases aren’t as energized as they once were. Part of the 2024 election’s energy has most likely been transplanted online to the realms of meme culture and debate edits.
Uneasy state
At Notre Dame, little talk or action has sprung from recent events (except for some pro-Palestine demonstrations). For an unusual time in American politics, when Notre Dame students would have been vocal and active in years past, we aren’t.
While there may not be large sit-ins, riots or rallies regarding the election, it seems unusual that Notre Dame’s history of activism wouldn’t carry on in wake of recent events surrounding the election.
As Notre Dame students, we are naturally separated by our outlooks on life, but we are also united in the pursuit of a common good.
Ahead of November, the Notre Dame student body should consider using their votes as a means of sustaining a legacy of activism and political participation to foster change and justice — all sculpted by our ways of understanding and knowing.
Redmond (Reddy) Bernhold is a junior studying biochemistry and journalism. He originally hails from Minster, Ohio but calls Siegfried Hall his home on campus. When not writing, he explores South Bend coffee shops and thrift stores. You can contact Redmond at rbernho2@ nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Has Notre Dame learned from Charlie Weis era?
It’s been a rollercoaster start to the 2024 Notre Dame football season, with an impressive opener at Texas A&M and a blowout of Purdue sandwiching a frankly embarrassing loss to Northern Illinois. Marcus Freeman’s trio of losses against Marshall, Stanford and NIU in his first three years are reminiscent of losses that defined Charlie Weis’ tenure at Notre Dame: to Syracuse in 2008, Navy in 2007 and 2009 and UConn in 2009.
Freeman’s recent setbacks raise a pressing question: are these signs of an underperforming coaching staff, or expected stumbles for a third-year head coach? Fortunately for Freeman, his teams have demonstrated a level of resilience that Weis’ squads simply lacked. And even more fortunately for Notre Dame, the University has since avoided the costly error of Weis’ 10-year contract, signed just seven games into his first season, which burdened the University with nearly $19 million in payouts over the six years following his dismissal.
Speaking with Notre Dame fans, you’ll hear no shortage of opinions — calls to fire this coach or bench that player. While venting frustrations is part of the fan experience, it’s important to recognize the key distinction in how Notre Dame views student-athletes versus coaches, which rightly directs criticism of the program toward the coaching staff alone.
As former University president Fr. Jenkins emphasized in the New York Times in 2021, football players are not employees but student-athletes, and they are not compensated by the University for services rendered. Like other students, student-athletes can benefit from their talents, skills and image without being classified as University employees. Notre Dame’s decision to uncouple scholarships from an athlete’s injury or performance underscores its commitment to prioritizing the student-athlete experience. At the heart of these values is the recognition that, like all students, athletes are part of the University community, not just for their contributions on the field, but for their participation in the broader campus life.
Coaches, on the other hand, are highly compensated professionals, paid explicitly for their expertise and performance, and are not entitled to the same patience or support extended to studentathletes. According to the University’s 2023 Form 990, Marcus Freeman was Notre Dame’s highest-paid employee, earning $6.6 million — double the salary of any other university employee.
At a minimum, inconsistent performance should serve as a warning for the University to avoid committing to lengthy contracts that could backfire and cost millions, as it did with Weis. Some argue that Notre Dame should refrain from offering high annual
coaching salaries in football altogether. We disagree. Fr. Jenkins has correctly pointed out that football generates more revenue for the University than it consumes, helping to support many other varsity sports which couldn’t otherwise function. Coaches with high potential but inconsistent results should be rewarded in kind: high annual salaries with short contract duration. Charlie Weis’s short-lived success at Notre Dame reminds us that the allure of showmanship should never obscure reality; no playoff berth or first-round victory is worth the gamble of a decadelong contract, especially following a loss to NIU.
To Notre Dame’s credit, it seemingly hasn’t offered its first-time head coach a long-term contract. Reporting by Irish Illustrated and Football Scoop suggests Freeman’s first contract lasts five or six years. At the same time, Notre Dame purportedly signed both coordinators to longer-term four year contracts in its pursuit of experienced coordinators, breaking the previous three-year contract record that had only been offered to Tommy Rees and Al Golden.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s record-breaking four-year deal also made him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the country.
The return? Notre Dame ranks 112th in passing efficiency, and after three games, our starting quarterback still hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass. The
lesson? Lengthy, lucrative contracts increase the risk of saddling the program with high-priced, underperforming coaches, leaving limited options for an easy exit.
Notre Dame has ample opportunity later this season to demonstrate it won’t play down to the level of competition, with matchups against Miami (Ohio), Navy and Army. Freeman, Denbrock and Golden can still right the ship.
But even if Notre Dame fights its way back into playoff contention, the University’s leadership should remain mindful of the pitfalls experienced during the Weis era, a chapter that reminded us all that consistent on-field performance must come first before offering long-term job security.
Good coaches deserve fair compensation, but lengthy contracts can cripple a program and expose the University to unnecessary risk. With coaching salaries at the top of college football skyrocketing over the past decade, their performance should face greater scrutiny — not less — and contracts should be shorter in length. Perhaps, like the students they lead, coaches thrive best with the urgency that comes from knowing their time here is limited.
When Freeman leads the team to playoff success and proves the program belongs with a win or two, the University should reward him. Just be sure not to sign away another decade in the process.
A very green thumb
Moira Quinn Working Title
This summer, I gardened for the first time.
Before you ask, I’m not referring to TikTok’s favorite pseudonym for smoking marijuana. I’m talking about hands in the dirt, sun beating down on the back of my neck, harvesting produce … that type of gardening.
Like many rising seniors, I opted for a South Bend summer and lived in my off-campus townhouse with one of my roommates. Scavenging for a job, I ultimately landed a position as an intern at a local nonprofit called Unity Gardens, a free-pick garden open to the public with a goal to improve community building and community health.
Going into this experience, I was told and therefore assumed my daily to-do list would consist of planning and executing events, and while that was a sector of my job, it didn’t end up being what I did majority of the time. On the very first day, prior to my orientation, I spent the whole morning weeding, reseeding and wheelbarrowing soil back and forth with a boatload of volunteers and coworkers I had yet to formally meet. It was an interesting first impression to say the least.
Everyday, I was getting a full body workout by accomplishing what I found to be such complicated tasks. I felt overwhelmed and exhausted every evening, but over time I slowly but surely began to spend more time doing the things I was good at such as watering plants, assisting people pick their food and even getting to work a booth at the South Bend Farmers Market (fun fact: I really love farmers markets).
I felt like a sponge learning so much
Reyna Lim The Overshare
about how to garden properly and the importance of locally grown food. Harvesting produce one day and selling it to customers the next was so cool and inspirational. I mean who knew how embarrassingly excited I’d get over watching the carrots I planted grow. It wasn’t by any means something I anticipated happening, but nonetheless it did.
The opportunity I had to work for Unity Gardens couldn’t have come at a better time. Now that I no longer have a meal plan and am cooking for myself, I am grateful for the insight I received on how food is grown and sourced. Every Trader Joe’s run, I am scanning the ingredient lists and looking for some exciting recipe to make next, even though most nights I will admit to cooking up pasta. My gardening experience this summer was the first but most definitely not the last. I wish I had the outdoor space for a garden, but for now, maybe some house plants will do the trick.
Out of all things, I didn’t expect my summer internship to be my favorite part of the summer, but I am so glad that was the case and am grateful to have discovered a love for something new whilst also getting to experience South Bend outside the parameters of the tricampus community.
Moira Quinn is a senior at Saint Mary’s College studying communication. When she isn’t writing for The Observer, she can be found with friends, watching a good romantic comedy or missing her basset hound. You can contact Moira at mquinn02@ saintmarys.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Love
I once wrote about being “decisively nostalgic” in a previous column. Indeed, nostalgia could easily be a hobby of mine; I’d happily make it a profession if I could render a snappy line in my resume about pondering my past and present.
There must have been some pivotal moment in my early childhood involving a lengthy train ride and my janky MP3; a moment in which I realized I could stage my very own reenactment of some scene I’d seen on TV that morning of a thricedivorced woman looking out a window in deep introspection. I had nothing much to be nostalgic about at that point, but I knew I loved the dramatics. I was leaning into my “thought daughter” archetype before it even became the online term that recently emerged (for those not in the know, here is a Parents.com article that attempts to explain the youthful slang to parents in a delightfully awkward and clueless way).
Jayden Espinoza Scene Copyeditor INSIDE COLUMN
‘Oh, the places you’ll go’
somewhere is meant for me? So, I went out exploring.
I didn’t think that when Mrs. Hatchett gave me a copy of Dr. Seuss’ “Big Blue Book of Beginner Books” that it would become one of my most prized possessions. Nor did I think that, nearly twenty years later, as time faded the images and characters that I came to love, her cursive handwriting would stand to be as blue and bold as ever.
I also don’t think she expected that book to be the only thing I could remember her by. I couldn’t tell you how many times I met Mrs. Hatchett, or any conversation we had, but I feel her presence in the instances her grandson and granddaughterin-law (my Uncle David and Tía Andrea) bring her up, or when I stare at the book’s place on my bookshelf where — scuffs and scratches aside — it remains in the same condition she gave it to me in.
This connection to people and places that may not be directly in front of me has proved to be one of the most essential components of my ability to acclimate to Notre Dame’s campus as a first-year student and my continued effort to make Notre Dame my home.
Even now as a senior, I imagine her words of encouragement to be hints at the life she didn’t know I would have — where I’d leave California summers and beaches for Midwestern fall and calm waters on Lake Michigan. And while I know I always would’ve encountered Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” something tells me she led me to it.
I read “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” for the first time since elementary school during my first year at Notre Dame, in my twin XL, after telling myself I needed “one more break and then I’ll get to studying” one too many times. Instead of receiving childhood nostalgia as anticipated, I received a challenge: how will I know if
On this voyage I’ve found every pocket of campus and made room for myself to feel connected to the people I love, and to blend that with the love I’ve come to feel at Notre Dame. I hope you’re also able to foster this same love for Notre Dame, so that instead of drowning out the noise of campus on a game day, you embrace it the way it embraces you.
And in the moments when I know I need space to myself, I can feel at home when I close my eyes on St. Joseph’s Beach and hear the water coming into contact with the sand and, maybe for a second, the people in the distance sound like my hometown friends.
Or maybe I’ll sit by my window in the morning before my 8:20 a.m. classes. In those moments, I hear my grandma in the birds that sing outside my window, delivering messages from her orange home in California.
Sometimes, as Notre Dame families crowd onto campus each home game weekend, young siblings look like the two brothers I have in California, the ones who seemingly grow an extra foot in height every time I see them.
And, if I’m lucky, the sounds of people opening the doors to O’Shaughnessy’s Great Hall sound like my grandpa’s La-ZBoy recliner, the one that’s sat empty for almost three years. And I’m taken back to his living room, the one with the fish he loved like his own children.
I’m grateful for the home I’ve made out of Notre Dame. The home I’ve earned. As I brace for the remainder of my final year, I’ve come to hope I hear from it in the future.
You can contact Jayden at jespino4@ nd.edu.
The views expressed in this inside column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
thee, again and always
My columns have been filled with the melodrama of my excessive reflection — after a year’s pause from writing, I return to you in print, and I return with unprecedented volumes of wistfulness and sentimentality.
It’s well-founded, though, since somehow I am now a senior at Notre Dame. “Decisively nostalgic” never felt more fitting.
I came to Notre Dame with very little knowledge of the school in comparison to many of my peers. As an international student from a European high school background, I had minimal exposure to the university, its alumni network or sports. My decision to attend was largely based on the stunning videos I saw of campus and the acclaimed academics. I figured I would get to enjoy the “American college experience”, sitting around under a tree with my friends and wandering through ivy-covered buildings.
On freshman move-in day, the memory of my first car ride to campus from the
SBN airport is particularly vivid. I don’t know what I had imagined, but I was definitely thrown off. I had never been in the America midwest before, and I had spent my whole life living in major cities. I was just about zoning out watching the idle landscape go by when I caught my first glimpse of the dome. Between the leaves of the trees lining Notre Dame Ave and under the bright August sun, there it was, hints of glistening gold, and still to this day, one of my favorite views in the world.
Any details of Welcome Weekend past that moment are a haze in my memory. My serious lack of sleep the night before move-in did not help with the sheer amount of things I had to buy, haul and set up. Then came the endless orientation events, from passing around Post-Its to write down fun facts, to piling into the stadium for what I’m sure were very galvanizing speeches to decorating cupcakes in McGlinn Fields with our neighbors in Keough Hall. Somewhere in between, I sleepily introduced myself to
several girls who would quickly become my best friends for years to come.
As I snuggled into my lofted, twinsized bed in my McGlinn quad before the first day of class, my first impression of this place was that it was constant energy. I soon found out that this energy transcends the packed itinerary of freshman orientation weekend and was something that Notre Dame simply exuded (with the exception of the painfully cold Januaries when no one goes outdoors unless it’s necessary). Science says that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. This holds true for the pure energy that we all share at Notre Dame — a shared fondness for this place.
The full version of this story can be read online at www.ndsmcobserver.com
Reyna Lim is a senior studying business analytics. 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.
By MACKENZIE HORTON Scene Writer
Ringgggg!! My alarm blares in my ear and I jump out of bed in hopes of making it to class on time. I begin peeling through my clothes, trying to find something worth wearing. I move past my bright blue puffer jacket, a pair of pink pinstripe vintage Levi’s and my eyes fall on a Brandy Melville t-shirt. Ah! The perfect brand for staples and cute baby tees! But is it really so perfect? The brand I used to be obsessed with in high school is actually quite far from perfect. After watching the “Brandy Hellville” documentary this summer, I learned about just how unethical this brand really is, and I was never able to press pause on the effects it had on me.
The documentary starts out somewhat tame, explaining how Brandy Melville creates a community for girls to join. If you own a piece of clothing from Brandy Melville, you’re in, you’re cool and you’re accepted. The documentary showcases Brandy Melville as an “untouchable” brand, or maybe even cult, depending on how you look at it. As you may have guessed, this “exclusive” culture has some seriously toxic effects. The first is the diet culture that came from Brandy Melville’s infamous “one size fits all” phenomenon, as they took the idea of a “baby tee” quite literally. People began posting videos and diet routines to be able to fit into these very small pieces of clothing that would not fit average teenage girls.
This led to unhealthy eating habits and eating disorders among the workers and customers of Brandy Melville, only adding to the body image issues that are prominent in teenage girls’ lives. The Brandy Melville brand feeds the idea that we are not enough as we are and we must change the way we look to fit the “conventional” standard of pretty in today’s culture.
To this I say, “Unacceptable!” Why should our generation, one that is supposed to be pushing back against these types of criticisms, let big name brands tell us what to do?
Another notable part of this documentary is the unethical side to the Brandy Melville business model. To put it simply, business ethics quite literally do not exist here. In the documentary, secrets are revealed concerning the hiring process in which no actual questions are asked about ability to perform a job in retail, but rather girls are hired based on
their hair color, clothing size, and if they “fit the vibe of the store.” Former employees share allegations of sexual assault about CEO Stephan Marsan, snide remarks Marsan makes about the teenage girls he hires and strange requirements he makes for his workers, such as sending in pictures of themselves and their bodies when they clock in for work.
Lastly, but certainly not least, the documentary explains the issue of “fast fashion” and Brandy Melville’s role in encouraging teens to contribute to overconsumption and producing unethically created clothes. Part of the appeal of Brandy Melville is that the clothes sold are usually pretty cheap, and they encourage consumers to not buy just one, but many, many, many pieces.
Brandy Melville clothes carry a “Made in Italy” label. Marsan specifically places Brandy Melville factories in Italy as a creative way to avoid certain taxes and backlash from the public, as he knows their preconceived notions about sweatshops. Italy is a place believed to have some of the highest quality clothes, when actually, many sweatshops operate in Italy where workers endure horrible working conditions, and environmental factors are not taken into consideration. Once again, Brandy Melville’s secrets come to the surface, and we see just how much harm this business creates in today’s society and world.
After watching this film, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I had so many opinions about the world of Brandy Melville. Thinking about this documentary from a business-oriented perspective, one could take away just how successful this company really is, despite its obvious issues concerning work environment and business ethics. It is a multimillion dollar company that is growing every year, and thriving beyond belief. Promoting their brand is probably one of the easiest things Marsan has done. He created an Instagram page, an app that teenage girls live on, and posts photos of his workers in Brandy Melville clothing. In every post, he generates millions of likes and increases his multimillion person following. On social media, they grab the attention of their target market with little to no effort.
Additionally, their “one size fits all” clothing works in favor of their business as they are able to buy many different pieces of clothing in bulk since they do not have to get personalized sizes. This creates a very efficient business and removes a lot of obstacles for Marsan. Lastly, even after this documentary, Brandy Melville is generating so much
money. “Bad press is still press” applies very well here. Again, although Marsan has created a successful business, he has failed to promote a positive work environment and has added substantially to many of the social issues we grapple with today, in which the bad severely outshines the good.
Regardless, the opinionated side of me thought: “I’m never shopping at Brandy Melville again.” I simply cannot sit back and support a business that exploits my peers in the way this business does. It encourages toxic behavior that urges women to lose weight to fit into their tiny clothes, demeaning women if they don’t look like a Brandy Melville model. You are enough, and you do not need a brand to make you feel differently.
The fashion-loving side of me learned that fast fashion is a pressing issue. A new movement motivated by a “less is more” attitude and concern for environmental impact is that we should aspire to be minimalist in our fashion choices. However, this idea of sustainable fashion, promoted strongly in the film, is unrealistic for teen girls. The market does not exist. No teenage girl wants to spend 150 dollars on one sustainable top when they can spend less than 100 dollars on five tops at Brandy Melville. Instead of telling teenagers to just have a minimalist closet with three shirts and two pairs of pants, we should be encouraging something more attainable – a closet with staple pieces and a few accent pieces. Fashion is an art and should still be a fun way to express ourselves. We don’t want to take that away from people, but we should still be conscientious who we are buying from and the impact that fast fashion can have on the environment.
Brandy Melville is a very complicated brand, as the documentary shows. Interested in Business? Watch it. Interested in fashion? Watch it. Like scandals and drama? Watch it. Take it from someone who has never been passionate about documentaries before. After watching “Brandy Hellville,” you will think twice before stepping into a Brandy Melville store.
I am not saying that you must throw out every Brandy Melville piece you own. Rather, I am encouraging young women to be conscious of which businesses they are supporting and to avoid brands with unethical business practices, even if they promote popular products.
By MARGUERITE C.J. MARLEY Scene Writer
The highly-anticipated “Joker” sequel, scheduled for release in October 2024, has recently unveiled its second trailer, adding to the excitement.
The trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux” (because putting French in your movie title makes it art) gives us more of the original “Joker.” More slow dancing to songs from the ‘40s, more skinny Joaquin Phoenix, more over-saturated color shots and a lot of mob violence. The trailer is packed with so much overt symbolism. One shot they keep cutting back to has a cross in the background. Hopefully, they downplay that for the actual film since a Christ metaphor is perhaps the most obvious one you could go with.
The original “Joker,” released in 2019, made a significant impact on the film industry. A serious interpretation of the Batman canon, it garnered an impressive 11 Oscar nominations.
Critics largely spit on the original “Joker,”
with some calling it an artful take on a superhero film while others calling it a dangerous glamorization of an incel worldview that has led to a lot of actual world violence. Personally, I was a fan of the film. In the way that some people can’t look away from a trainwreck, I could not look away from the buck wild story that was “Joker.”
With the announcement of Lady Gaga stepping into the shoes of Harley Quinn, a character deeply intertwined with the Joker, the anticipation for her performance was palpable. The film seems to focus on the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn, a narrative that has been explored in various forms. Yet, the unique perspective of director Todd Phillips, especially considering the sympathetic portrayal of Joker in the previous film, promises an intriguing take, though I can’t imagine it will be one of the better ones.
The portrayal of Joker’s relationship with one of his victims, Harley Quinn, is a point of interest. The character of Harley Quinn, since her
inception, has been a victim of the Joker so portraying her as a Cher to Joker’s Sonny should at least be interesting.
In any case, the movie looks really good. I can’t wait to see Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn all over my Pinterest board. I will be sitting in the theater on opening night with a novelty popcorn bucket in hand.
I think Lady Gaga has yet to prove her acting chops. “House of Gucci” was a trainwreck I am yet to forgive. I still have PTSD from listening to her horrid Italian accent. She got a lot of buzz for ‘A Star is Born,’ but I’ve never really understood the hype around her as an actress.
As a morbid fan of the Joker franchise, I am eager to see how this film will address certain questions. Hopefully, this movie will answer, once and for all, the lingering queries about whether or not we live in a society. And whether or not women also live in a society.
Contact Marguerite C.J. Marley at mmarley2 @ nd.edu
By MAKENA MWATHI
Scene Writer
One question: were you rushing, or were you dragging? Today, Friday, Sept. 20, marks the tenyear anniversary of one of my favorite films: “Whiplash,” by writer-director Damien Chazelle and composer Justin Hurwitz. The duo also created the widely-acclaimed film “La La Land,” starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, which dominated the 2016 Oscars, winning six Academy Awards and kickstarting my love for musicals.
”Whiplash” is an intense psychological drama centered on the character Andrew Neiman, played by Miles Teller, an ambitious jazz drummer attending a prestigious music conservatory in New
City. Andrew is recruited to play as an alternate in a campus ensemble led by Terence Fletcher, portrayed by J.K. Simmons, the conductor of the Shaffer Conservatory Studio Band. Fletcher’s unconventional and abusive methods of conducting and interacting with his musicians ignite the story of Andrew’s passionate, gritty and sacrificial pursuit of musical perfection.
The film originated from Damien Chazelle’s successful 18-minute short film of the same name, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The story is loosely based on Chazelle’s own experiences with former band instructors during his time as a jazz musician.
“Whiplash” is a masterclass in cinematography, often giving the audience literal whiplash through
unexpected camera movements, fast-paced editing and an incredibly vibrant soundtrack composed by Justin Hurwitz. Chazelle and Hurwitz met as roommates during their undergraduate years at Harvard and have since gone on to collaborate on multiple successful projects. In 2014, “Whiplash” earned several awards, including three Academy Awards: best supporting actor, best film editing and best sound mixing.
For one day only, Whiplash is being re-released in theaters. If you’ve never had the chance to see this incredible film on the big screen, tonight at 7 p.m. at AMC South Bend 16 is your chance to experience the thrill of a lifetime. I hope to see you there!
Contact Makena Mwathi at mmwathi @ nd.edu
York
MARISSA PANETHIERE
Happy Birthday: Be open to learning and experiencing what people, places, and different lifestyles offer. Educate yourself and round out your routine to incorporate broader opportunities and pursuits. Choose to grow and expand your life experience, and you will find it easier to achieve what makes you feel vibrant and eager to live life to the fullest. Be the person you long to be and thrive. Your numbers are 7, 15, 26, 31, 37, 42, 45
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be receptive and try something new and exciting. Introduce yourself to groups and experts who can broaden your perspective and point you in the right direction to achieve your goals. Make relationships a priority and start conversations that help you address sensitive issues. Love is in the stars.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change you make will enhance your reputation or improve your professional pursuits. Don’t wait for things to come your way; embrace every opportunity with a positive attitude and high energy, and you’ll lower stress and gain momentum. Don’t hold back. Display your intellect and skills.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t revisit or open doors that lead to temptation. Discipline, strength, and courage will be your best friend when dealing with old wounds or obsessions. Take a deep breath, organize your thoughts, and make choices that help move you in a positive direction. Focus on love and health.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You may think you are doing enough to please everyone, but going above and beyond the call of duty will ensure you don’t miss out on an opportunity someone else wants just as badly as you. Leave nothing to chance and you’ll make your dreams come true.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t let anger set in when knowledge is your best resource. Have your facts and figures ready before you engage in a topic that can make a difference in how you move forward. A heartfelt display of honesty, integrity, and understanding will win favors and support.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Learn as you go, and you will be satisfied with your results. Trial and error will lead to interesting connections and opportunities that are sure to encourage you to think outside the box. Choose to socialize with people with as much to contribute as you do.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your best on display, and the response will be heartfelt. A chance to explore something foreign to you mentally, physically, or emotionally will be enlightening, tweak your imagination, and encourage new beginnings. Someone who challenges you will also interest you in many ways. Romance is favored.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pick up the pace and finish what you start. What you accomplish will make a difference in how others perceive you. A reliable reputation will encourage new opportunities. Join a group that addresses your concerns, and you will make a worthwhile connection. Share your thoughts.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Lose your inhibitions doing something that makes you happy. Your involvement will lead to people who share your zest for life and spark your enthusiasm to continue heading in a direction that excites you. Love and romance are on the rise. Personal gratification is within reach.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make alterations that add to your convenience. Clear the clutter and make room for something you want to pursue. Personal gains and growth are within reach if you follow your heart and do what’s best for you. Refuse to let someone’s negativity leave you feeling stressed or sick.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Financial opportunities are apparent. Broaden your horizons, socialize, network, and connect with people who offer insight into possibilities that can turn one of your attributes into prosperity. It’s time for a new look, vision, and direction that stimulates personal growth. Romance is in the stars.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Energy, discipline, and challenges that put you where the action is will pay off and keep you out of trouble. Refuse to let temptation take over. Don’t spend on indulgent pastimes that can be a risk to your health and emotional well-being. Choose wisely.
Birthday Baby: You are thoughtful, intelligent, and comprehensive. You are hesitant and melancholy.
Enclosed is $130 for one academic year
JUMBLE | DAVID HOYT AND JEFF KNUREK
SUDOKU | THE MEPHAM GROUP
Irish look to rebound against Chicago State
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Results-wise, Notre Dame
men’s soccer has dealt with a tough start to their six-game homestand. The Irish opened it last Tuesday with a 1-1 draw against Duquesne in which they outshot the Dukes 21-3 and led until the 86th minute.
On Saturday, the Irish fell 1-0 to Stanford, now the top-ranked team in the land, despite outshooting the shorthanded Cardinal 15-4.
Notre Dame could easily own a record of 3-1-1 or perhaps 4-0-1 four weeks into the season, but instead, it’s 1-1-3. The Irish have a chance to improve that mark this weekend against Chicago State (1-5-0).
Evaluating the Irish attack
The difficult schedule to start with has played a sizable role, but Notre Dame’s offense
hasn’t quite broken out in 2024. For just the second time in the last two decades, the Irish have scored six goals or less in their five games of a season. All six goals have come off the foot of different players, indicating balance but no predominant scoring threat among the Irish ranks.
That scoring threat may just be on the verge of waking up, however. Senior forward Matthew Roou, an All-ACC First Team selection and scorer of 10 goals last year, has done everything but finish over the past two weeks. He scored on a penalty kick in the season opener against Akron but does not have a point since. Still, Roou has put at least one shot on goal in every match while combining to attempt 11 shots in the last two games. Knowing Roou’s ability to score in bunches, seeing the ball hit the back of the net might set off a breakout that lifts up Notre
Dame’s offense.
Notre Dame could also have something developing with its freshmen in the midfield. Jacob Bartlett and Ian Shaul have earned increasing minutes with the season’s progression and are making their presence felt offensively. Bartlett, who scored the game-winning goal two weeks ago in the ACC opener at Louisville, has played the full 90 minutes in each of Notre Dame’s first two conference matches. Shaul, after not appearing in the season opener, has started each of the first two ACC games and has generated four shots in his last two contests overall.
In Notre Dame’s only previous meeting with Chicago State in September 2022, the Irish hung four goals on the Cougars. Any output level significantly below that mark this Friday would come as a surprise for a hungry Irish offense looking to spark a win at home.
Chicago State’s college soccer journey
Chicago State is still very much getting off the ground in the NCAA Division I ranks. The school’s men’s soccer program opened D-I play in 2020 and has bounced around since then. In 2021, the Cougars participated in the Western Athletic Conference. A year later, they moved to the Mid-American Conference, which promptly disbanded its men’s soccer league after the 2022 season. Last year, the Cougars played in the Ohio Valley Conference and are now a full member of the Northeast Conference.
Two years ago, Norris Howze took over Chicago State’s program and has overseen respectable improvement from his Cougars thus far. During his first season, the Cougars went 1-13-3 before jumping to 5-10-4 and winning three conference games in 2023. Chicago State is off to a 1-5-0 start this
season having defeated Detroit Mercy on the road back on Sept. 2.
Unsurprisingly, senior Danail Sergiev has led the Cougar offense, tallying three goals and one assist. The Hungarian-born forward now has 11 goals for his Chicago State career. Beyond him, only one additional Cougar, Hilary Odhiambo, has found the back of the net. Odhiambo, who scored twice last season, already has two goals this year. In goal, former junior college standout Lucas Fontana is in his second season as Chicago State’s primary keeper after pitching four clean sheets last year.
First touch for Notre Dame’s weekend-opening match against Chicago State at Alumni Stadium is scheduled for Friday evening at 7 p.m.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
Consistent Irish score historic win in Canada
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
For the first time in history, a Division One men’s collegiate golf tournament took place on Canadian soil this week. At the Öviinbyrd Golf Club, 10 teams gathered to compete in the two-day, 54-hole Canadian Collegiate Invitational between Monday and Tuesday. The event came down to the final day, as the Notre Dame men’s team surged past Missouri down the stretch to claim the team title.
Round one finished with Missouri (7 under par) and Kent State (6 under par) leading the pack. Notre Dame followed on third at
3 under par, just ahead of Michigan’s 2-under par score.
Sophomore Jacob Modleski paced the Irish on day one, shooting a 2-under-par 70. Modleski thrived in par-five scoring, finishing 4 under par on such holes with an eagle on the 516-yard 13th.
Freshman Mike Qiu used a strong start, playing at 5 under par through 10 holes, to slot in just behind Modleski at 1 under par overall.
Sophomores Rocco Salvitti and Chris Bagnall each concluded at even par to wrap up team scoring, with Bagnall notching an eagle on the parfive ninth hole.
Missouri really pulled away on day two with a team score of 15 under par to reach
22 under par overall. Notre Dame (-8) and Michigan (-9) also put forth quality rounds to remain somewhat close to the Tigers at 11 under par overall. Nate Stevens, who did not factor into team scoring during the first round, led the Irish with a 5-under par round. The junior birdied three consecutive holes on the front nine and played bogey-free golf from the eighth hole on. Modleski followed him at 2 under par, posting an eagle on the 13th hole yet again. Notre Dame once more did not have a teamscoring golfer shoot over par, with Bagnall and Qiu combining to go 1 under par.
Entering day three a hefty 11 strokes behind Missouri
on the leaderboard, the Irish needed some help to overtake first place. They received plenty of it. The Tigers carded four double bogeys and one triple bogey, opening the door for Notre Dame with an ugly round of 10-over par golf.
The Irish took full advantage by remaining consistent. They once again did not score an over-par golfer, shooting a round of 6-under to displace Missouri and claim first place at 17 under par. Stevens, who eagled the ninth hole, and Salvitti each posted a 33 on the front nine en route to 2-under par rounds. Modleski eagled yet another hole (the ninth) to finish at 1 under with Qiu,
who recovered masterfully from a rough start to play his final 16 holes at 4 under par. In terms of overall scoring, Michigan’s Hunter Thomson topped the individual leaderboard with a 14-under-par score of 202. Stevens paced the Irish in eighth place (-6), Modleski trailed closely behind in 11th (-5), Qiu took 14th (-2), Salvitti finished in 19th (-1) and Bagnall claimed 23rd (+1).
After their international victory, the Irish will take a week off before returning to play at the Windon Memorial Classic, hosted by Northwestern on Sept. 29-30.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
Belles extend momentum against Kalamazoo
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
After four sets on Wednesday, the Saint Mary’s volleyball team took the 3-1 win over the Kalamazoo Hornets. With this win, the Belles improved to 7-2 on the season.
In the first set, the Belles finished with an amazing, 25-9 victory over the Hornets. The Belles took advantage of seven errors made by the Hornets while committing no errors themselves. Overall, the Belles rounded out the set with a .500 hitting percentage.
The second set was very close, with the two teams going back and forth for the lead. The two were tied 24-24 near the end of the set, forcing the Belles to push more. After putting pressure on the Hornets and causing them to make 11 errors, the Belles gained a 2624 win over the Hornets, bringing the score to 2-0 in favor of the Belles.
Kalamazoo came back during the third set, taking the 25-14 win over the Belles, holding them at a -.029 hitting percentage.
Despite this pushback from
the Hornets, the Belles finished out the night with a 25-17 win over the Hornets after the two teams battled it out in the fourth set.
Sophomore middle hitter Caroline Carens led on the court with a total of 15 kills, and freshman outside and middle hitter Kalli Lewkowski finished out with 10 kills. Both Carens and Lewkowski finished with a hitting percentage at or above
.400. Additionally, sophomore setter Abby Reese rounded out the match with a high of 21 assists, and freshman setter Giuliana Graczyk finished with 19 assists. Senior outside hitter Cali Allen led with 19 digs. This week, Carens was named the MIAA Athlete of the Week for her help in the Belles taking the win over Manchester for the first time since 2018. Carens was also named to the
All-Tournament Team for the Manchester Invite. Over the last four matches, Carens has totaled 51 kills on the court, 13 blocks and a .433 hitting percentage.
The Belles now prepare to travel and take on North Central College in Naperville, Illinois this Friday at 8 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
After injury, Jordan Botelho passes the baton
By JOHN BAILEY Associate Sports Editor
For over 2,000 years, East Asians have enjoyed the communal dining experience of hot pot, cooking thinly sliced pork, kimchi and vermicelli in a simmering gochujang broth inside a large metal pot. Notre Dame graduate defensive lineman Jordan Botelho, like millions of others worldwide, loves hotpot for its convenience, comforting social experience and of course, slurping the broth at the end of the meal after it absorbed the diverse flavor profile of each ingredient. But heading into his fifth season with the Irish, Botelho traded tender, fatty pork belly for lean meats like chicken and salmon as part of his commitment to a “smarter” diet.
“They just opened a KPOT [Korean BBQ & Hot Pot with] all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue,” said Botelho, whose mother is Korean American. “I was eating there a lot, I had to give that up.”
This diet, combined with new strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow’s explosive exercise regimen, helped Botelho slim down 20 pounds over the summer to a leaner, twitchier 250 pounds. After returning from vacation for fall camp, defensive line coach Al Washington initially didn’t recognize Botelho after his drastic transformation.
“I was looking at a guy, and I didn’t know who the hell it was,” Washington said. “I got closer, and I was like, ‘Oh man!’ [Botelho] leaned out. He leaned out, and he’s in phenomenal shape.
He’s stronger than he’s ever been.”
A four-star recruit out of Honolulu, Botelho always had the athleticism and drive to thrive at the collegiate level but needed greater personal accountability to garner a consistent role within the defense. Disciplinary issues kept him from reaching his potential, having been sent home by coaching staff for poor off-the-field decisions during his freshman year.
Many stern conversations from then-defensive line coach Mike Elston would follow, keeping Botelho on the straight and narrow.
The strides Botelho made during the offseason to improve his conditioning and master defensive coordinator Al Golden’s demanding, NFL-style playbook demonstrated his long-awaited maturation. Botelho even overcame his notorious shyness to step into a vocal leadership role on defense, using his newfound public speaking skills to motivate teammates.
“He’s really a leader to the younger guys,” Washington said. “I think his maturation is a great story but also a reflection of his toughness. He didn’t wilt. He didn’t run. He stuck in there and believed in it, believed in his school.”
Believing he still had more to prove and could elevate his game to another level, Botelho exercised his COVID-19 eligibility extension to return as Notre Dame’s starting vyper, a hybrid linebacker-defensive lineman.
“I feel that last season, it was a great experience, but I feel like this season, I’ve
got a lot to prove,” Botelho said before the season. “So, I feel like that’s why I wanted to come back, so I can prove to everybody that I can play this game of football to a high standard.”
Through the first three games of the season, Botelho’s violent block-shedding and aggressive tackling produced 12 tackles, one sack and a team-high seven quarterback pressures. At the start of the second quarter against Purdue, the dynamic edge rusher brought down Boilermaker quarterback Hudson Card to force a punt, giving Irish fans hope that Botelho would finally record double-digit sacks this year. That hope was snuffed out just five minutes later when, attempting a speed rush around left tackle Corey Stewart, Botelho heard a pop and fell to the ground, immediately grabbing his right knee.
Though further testing would be required to confirm that pop as a season-ending right patella tendon injury, the entire Irish sideline immediately knew they had lost one of their leaders. Now, they needed to rally around him. After the Irish athletic trainers laid Botelho on the injury cart, he was surrounded by a swarm of golden helmets vowing to pray for him and play in his honor. Among them, Botelho’s backup Boubacar Traore.
“Definitely heartbreaking,” Traore said of Botelho’s injury. “He’s definitely in my prayers, too, but I told him, ‘I’m going to do it for you. Everything I do is for you from here on out.’”
The sophomore sensation
gave an inspired performance the rest of the game, racking up two tackles for loss and a sack. On the very next drive after Botelho’s injury, Traore intercepted Card’s tipped pass and took it 34 yards to the house, looking more like Deion “Prime Time” Sanders than a 6-foot4, 240 pound lineman.
An athlete among athletes, Traore possesses an elite combination of strength and speed. As Notre Dame’s new starting vyper, his burst firing off the snap lends itself to his great flexibility, allowing Traore to stay low, dip his shoulder to secure the edge against the offensive tackle and explode upward to drive him back. His agility helps him excel in back-side pursuits, a skill supplemented by his ability to change direction quickly and wrap up ball carriers in space. However, Traore can grow too dependent on his speed, leaving him at risk of being washed out by bigger, stronger, elite linemen the Irish could see in the College Football Playoff. To address this weakness, the young edge rusher said he has worked on his pass rushing technique with Washington and upper body strength with Landow.
“I definitely want to get heavier, like 250 [pounds],” Traore said. “I’m 242-243 right now, so 250-255 would be where I’d want to be.”
The onus for the defensive line to step up in Botelho’s absence does not rest on Traore alone. On the interior, senior defensive lineman Jason Onye said he knew he had to step up after Botelho exited last weekend’s contest.
Onye lacks the physical tools that make Botelho and Traore special players, but compensates with flawless technique, endless hustle and a deep understanding of the game. Though he didn’t see the field much during his first three seasons, Onye said he feels comfortable taking on a larger role this season.
“I always knew I could do it,” Onye said after posting a career-high 1.5 sacks against Purdue. “Coach Washington and Coach Golden challenged me after the A&M game to put better stuff on film. You have to train and practice, put the work in during the week so on Saturday, you’re confident regardless of what happens on the field. On the field, you can’t control what happens, but you can control your confidence.”
Junior defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka will step up from third-string to backup Vyper, though Golden may get creative and try freshmen standouts Bryce Young or Loghan Thomas at the position, moving them between the interior and edge to confuse defenses. Regardless of the defensive line rotation Golden chooses, he should know that every single one of them will hustle to their last breath to honor their injured teammate, practice or game.
“We’re as motivated as ever to play fast and do it for [Botelho],” Onye said. “We know if he was on the field he would be right there with us, so we’re motivated playing for him, playing the rest of the season out for Jordan. This is for you, bro.”
Contact John Bailey at jbailey9@nd.edu
Saints go 0-2 ahead of conference openers
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
The Holy Cross men’s and women’s soccer teams had a rough go of their Tuesday visits to Saint Francis (Ind.). The men took a 7-1 loss, falling to 3-4-1 on the season, while the women came short in a 2-1 game and dropped to 2-5 this year. Both teams will have to bounce back in their Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference openers on Saturday.
Coming off back-to-back shutout victories, the Holy Cross men utilized two different keepers during their game, but neither found much success. Junior Isaias Rubio made the start in goal,
making two saves while allowing a trio of goals. Saint Francis struck twice in the game’s first 16 minutes, as tallies from Jai Van Lim and Paul Scheifele created a 2-0 lead for the Cougars. Dominik Borucki, who had assisted on the opening goal, made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute.
Facing freshman goalkeeper Logan Kelly, Saint Francis opened the second half much like it did the first. The Cougars deposited three goals in the half’s first 15 minutes, as Scheifele, Mika Leib and Bryan Ramirez struck to double their lead. Holy Cross would finally pull one back in the sixty-seventh minute
when senior forward Ramon Gomez scored the first goal of his Saints career. Sophomore forward Isaac Contreras and sophomore center midfielder Nolen Sperring added assists on the only Holy Cross goal of the day. In the eighty-fourth minute, Christian Walter would finish the deal with the Cougars’ seventh goal of the game. Saint Francis finished the match with a 15-7 edge in the shot category, scoring at nearly a 50 percent clip on shooting attempts. The Holy Cross women’s team kept its match much closer but also never led the Cougars. Carlee Biddle started the scoring for Saint
Francis in the twenty-sixth minute, carving out a 1-0 Cougar lead that would carry into halftime. During the first half, sophomore goalkeeper Payton Ladson performed well in the face of significant Saint Francis pressure, making three saves against eight shot attempts. Her second-half replacement, freshman Madeleine Agee made two more saves but conceded a second Saint Francis goal in the fifty-first minute. Haley Roberson found the back of the net, extending the Cougar lead to 2-0. As the second half dwindled away, Holy Cross mounted a response that turned into a
ninetieth-minute penalty kick. Sophomore forward Miriam Iturriaga-Sanchez stepped up to the spot, drilling her first goal of the season and first career penalty-kick goal. With only 38 more seconds to work with after the tally, however, Holy Cross could not spin up an equalizer and lost by a goal.
On Saturday, both the Holy Cross men’s and women’s teams will open up their conference schedules at home against Governors State. The women’s match will begin at noon ahead of a 3:30 p.m first touch for the men’s side.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
HCC SOCCER
Irish head into home-and-home with Indiana
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Notre Dame volleyball has started a season with a 6-1 record twice within the past decade. The Irish did so in 2017 and 2020. Within the past decade, Notre Dame volleyball has reached the NCAA Tournament in two seasons. Which ones? 2017 and 2020.
The 2024 Irish are off to a 6-1 start once again, bringing a four-game win streak into this weekend’s home-and-home series with Indiana. Notre Dame enjoyed a successful two-game stint at Compton Family Ice Arena last weekend, defeating Colorado State and Northwestern inside the rink’s confines. For this weekend, the Irish will head back to their traditional home — Purcell Pavilion — to begin their final non-conference week of the season.
Schrader setting the court on fire
The multidimensional Irish weapon began her rampage two Sundays ago against Mississippi State, willing Notre Dame to a fiveset win with a 22.5-point triple double that featured a career-high 18 kills.
Schrader then passed that high watermark with 21 kills in yet another 22.5-point triple double last Thursday at Northwestern. A season high of 28 assists headlined a third straight Schrader triple double in the home opener before she fell just short with 12 kills, 16 assists and 7 digs last Saturday.
On Monday, the ACC bestowed upon Schrader its Setter of the Week award, recognizing her brilliance amidst Notre Dame’s hot streak. The stat sheet-stuffing setter currently ranks top-three among Irish players in hitting percentage (.389) and top-two in kills
Only five players in the entire country have three or more triple doubles at this point in the volleyball season. Phyona Schrader, Notre Dame’s senior setter is one of them. In fact, she is the only player in the ACC with a triple double this year — and she has three.
per set (3.33), assists per set (5.04) and digs per set (2.93). Her service aces per set (0.56) and scoring total of 116.5 leads the team outright.
Hoosiers come in on a winning streak of their own Indiana has won six games up to this point in 2024, the same as Notre Dame. The Hoosiers are 6-2 and on a three-game win streak after taking consecutive losses to top-ranked Texas and Miami (FL) two weeks ago. Most recently, Indiana played three matches in two days at home in Bloomington, defeating Chicago State (3-1), Southern Indiana (3-0) and Ball State (3-2). Unlike Notre Dame, which has knocked off Mississippi State and Northwestern, the Hoosiers have not yet beaten an opponent from a power conference this season.
Former Cincinnati transfer Avry Tatum stars for a Hoosier attack that ranks inside the nation’s top 35 with a .266 hitting percentage. Notre Dame, for what
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
it’s worth, also ranks inside the top 45 nationally. Tatum leads Indiana with 3.35 kills per set and a .387 hitting percentage after carrying the Hoosiers to their five-set takedown of Ball State with a career-high 25 kills. Her offensive supporting cast begins with Candela AlonsoCorcelles, who owns a solid 3.07 kills per set and 11 service aces, and Mady Saris, a more efficient swinger with 2.65 kills per set at a .270 hitting clip.
The young but highly-acclaimed Ramsey Gary will handle most of Indiana’s receptions. Gary, an AllBig Ten Second Team and Freshman Team selection in 2023, leads the Hoosiers with 3.94 digs per set. Look for the
combination of freshman Ella Boersema (1.04 blocks per set), Missouri transfer Madi Sell (0.86 per set) and Camryn Haworth (0.68 per set) to challenge Notre Dame at the net.
Despite their positions as in-state foes, Notre Dame and Indiana have not met on the volleyball court since 2003. Overall, the Irish are 7-4 against the Hoosiers and have won five of the last six matchups.
Notre Dame and Indiana will first square off at Purcell Pavilion on Friday at 6:30 p.m. before heading to Bloomington for a 1 p.m. start on Sunday afternoon.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
2024 Dean’s Speaker Series Presents: BYRON SPRUELL
The Dean’s Speaker Series is sponsored by the Burns Family
FOOTBALL
How can Notre Dame fix its MAC problem?
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Since the 2017 season, Notre Dame football has faced off against six different teams from the Mid-American Conference.
In three of those games — 2017 Miami (Ohio), 2019 Bowling Green and 2023 Central Michigan — the Irish played to expectations and won handily. In the remaining three games — 2018 Ball State, 2021 Toledo and 2024 Northern Illinois — the Irish played down to their mid-major competition. They either won in excruciatingly ugly fashion or, in the case of this season’s home opener, lost the game entirely.
Notre Dame has had close encounters against opponents from other low-level conferences, namely the Sun Belt’s Marshall in 2022, but the MAC seems to challenge the Irish more frequently than any other league. Using Notre Dame’s last eight seasons of MAC matchups, let’s break down what the Irish must do well to avoid a scare against Miami this weekend.
Score early and often
You might say, ‘Duh! Of course Notre Dame is more likely to win when it scores more points.’
Yes, that’s true. But in the case of MAC games, winning comfortably has come down to when the Irish score those points. Just look at their three blowout wins. Against Miami, the Irish racked up 28 points in the first quarter, 45 by halftime. In the Bowling Green game, they dropped 21 in quarter one and led 35-0 at the midway break. Last year’s Central Michigan saw Notre Dame score 21 points in the game’s first 16 minutes.
Now for the ugly games. Against Ball State, the Irish sluggishly led 14-6 at halftime and would go on to win 24-16. Two weeks ago in the 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, they received halftime boo birds for scoring only seven points in the first half. Even when the Irish outgunned Toledo by a 32-29 margin in 2021, they scored 18 of those points in the fourth quarter alone. Three quarters in, Notre Dame trailed that game by a score of 16-14.
Pulling away early isn’t just a matter of scoring on the opening drive. Notre Dame did that in all three of its ugly MAC games. To play to their full potential, the Irish must repeat scoring drives early and pile up the points before the RedHawks can feel even a semblance of comfort.
Defend the opening drive
If scoring on the opening drive hasn’t always helped, what about defending it? There has been a direct connection to the first drives of Notre Dame’s opponents and their ability to hang around in the game. Miami threw an interception to start. Bowling Green gained three yards on three plays out of the gate. Central Michigan went three-and-out right away. All three of them lost by at least 27 points in South Bend.
On the contrary, when the MAC teams land an early punch, Notre Dame tends to flounder in recovery. Ball State opened with a field goal that the Irish followed with four consecutive scoreless drives. Toledo made a field goal on each of its first two forays down the field. Northern Illinois blew open the Irish defense for an 83-yard passing touchdown just a few plays in. It happened recently against Ohio State and USC, two opponents of a much higher caliber. When Notre Dame’s defense makes a big play or two early in the game, the Notre Dame Stadium crowd raises its engagement level and makes life more difficult for the visiting team. Saturday’s crowd won’t rival those of last season’s two night games, but it can overwhelm Miami in a hurry if the
Irish start fast on defense.
Run the football and do it well
This style of play goes hand-inhand with the ability to put up points early. When you’re in the lead from the get-go and have no need for shot plays, it’s a whole lot easier to keep the ball on the ground. That’s exactly what the Irish did in their MAC blowouts, running for an average of 267.3 yards per game and badly outgaining their opponents. In all three of those contests, Notre Dame had a 100-yard rusher — Audric Estimé went for 176 yards against Central Michigan last year. In two of the three games, the Irish boasted four or more players with 30-plus rushing yards.
When they’ve played close with MAC schools, the Irish have had big problems in the trenches. In such games, they have averaged only 124 yards, less than half of their typical total in lopsided victories. All three of the strugglesome games have also featured the opponent either rushing for more total yards or more yards per carry than the Irish. Notre Dame didn’t come within a country mile of that happening in the three blowouts.
The rushing attack is clearly the number one facet of this year’s
Notre Dame offense. Using it to success should lead the Irish to a battering of Miami this weekend.
Win the turnover margin
This is perhaps the most blackand-white difference-maker for Notre Dame against the MAC. In the three blowouts, the Irish did not turn the ball over once while taking it away three times total. In the three uncomfortable games, they didn’t just turn the football over. They lost the turnover battle outright every time. Against Northern Illinois, a fourth-quarter interception from senior quarterback Riley Leonard served as the first of several death knells for Notre Dame.
Conglomerating these four Irish keys, you might notice something: this looks a lot like what Notre Dame did to beat Purdue 66-7 last week. You’re right! In that game, the Irish scored 42 points in the first half, didn’t allow Purdue to score at all in the first half, outgained the Boilermakers by 318 yards on the ground and won the turnover battle by a 2-0 margin. If Notre Dame can employ the same formula this week, it should breeze past Miami and get to 3-1.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
GRAY NOCJAR | THE OBSERVER
Northern Illinois defensive back Jashon Prophete stands over sophomore wide receiver Jaden Greathouse during the game between NIU and Notre Dame on Sept. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium. The 16-14 Irish loss to the Huskies was Notre Dame football’s most recent nerve-wracking game against an opponent from the Mid-American Conference in South Bend.
Keys to Victory: Notre Dame vs. Miami (Ohio)
By ANNIKA HERKO Associate Sports Editor
Riley Leonard needs to throw for at least two touchdowns
This is more a key to victory this season than a key to victory for this game. In all honesty, the Irish could probably beat the RedHawks all on the ground. However, USC, like winter, is coming. If the Irish manage to make it into the College Football Playoff, better teams are coming. They are going to look at the footage on Notre Dame, liken the Irish to Navy, a team that has in recent memory stuck with an offense focused on running the ball, and have a pretty effective idea of how
to stall the offense.
Senior quarterback Riley Leonard has now gone three games without a touchdown pass — a stat that’s sure to draw attention. Opponents will aim to force Notre Dame’s quarterback to throw, but if Leonard has NFL aspirations, he’ll need to showcase his dual-threat ability to impress scouts and coaches.
During his weekly press conference on Monday, head coach Marcus Freeman was asked about Leonard’s passing abilities. Freeman expressed full confidence in his quarterback, noting that throwing against Purdue wasn’t a major focus of the game plan.
“I think he was 11 of 16 in the first half and did a really good job of executing what we asked him to do. And so we’re not looking for stats. We’re not looking for how much we throw it [or] how much we run it. We’re looking for success against the opponent,” said Freeman.
Irish fans want Notre Dame to be successful against opponents but also want them to be successful long-term. Leonard needs to go out on the field on Saturday and throw for the end zone. Especially since his backup, fan-favorite junior Steve Angeli threw for two touchdowns in less time last week.
Leonard needs to throw for at least two this week — one
to prove he can do it and a second to prove the first was not an accident.
Notre Dame does not turn the ball over Looking at the stats of both teams, the only team capable of beating Notre Dame this Saturday is Notre Dame. Miami (Ohio) is a pass-heavy offense — the RedHawks have been out-throwing their opponents 291 yards to 182 yards per game, on average. They’ve struggled significantly in the run game, averaging just 32 rushing yards per contest. While they have yet to score a rushing touchdown this season, they’ve only committed a single fumble.
Cahill: Trust in Riley Leonard
In short, they’ve been playing uninspired, lackluster football. Notre Dame hasn’t shown a strong recent history of bringing energy to these types of matchups, which makes the RedHawks a potential threat. One of the few bright spots for Miami is that they’ve recovered all three fumbles by their opponents this season. While this hasn’t translated into points or wins, it highlights their potential to disrupt Notre Dame’s game plan.
And if there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that Notre Dame can’t afford any more disruptions.
Contact Annika Herko at aherko@nd.edu
By NOAH CAHILL
Associate Sports Editor
Riley Leonard was nowhere near good enough against Northern Illinois. There is no debating that. The senior quarterback completed 20 of 32 passes for a mere 163 yards and no touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions, including a backbreaker in the middle of the fourth quarter that set up NIU’s game-winning drive.
The exasperated Notre Dame home crowd, a fanbase not known for its patience, was not happy with Leonard and the team. The fans booed the Irish off the field at halftime and took to social media after the game calling for Leonard to be benched. They cited the Duke transfer’s inaccuracy and failure to throw a single touchdown pass in his first two games. With a proven backup in junior Steve Angeli sitting on the sidelines, why should the Irish ride with Leonard? As easy as it is to mount a case against Leonard after the way he started the season, the decision to bench him would do more harm than good.
Head coach Marcus Freeman brought in Riley Leonard from the transfer portal to lead his offense. On the field, his rushing capability translated well into new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s playbook. In his final year at LSU, Denbrock called the best offense in the country utilizing the explosiveness of Jayden Daniels, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy that season. While Leonard has not produced near the
level of Daniels, he managed 352 rushing yards and four touchdowns in only seven games with Duke. The season before, he finished with 636 yards and 11 touchdowns.
There have always been accuracy questions with Leonard, but it was the potential threat of his legs that enticed the Irish coaching staff. Against Purdue, despite throwing for only 112 yards once again without a touchdown pass, he dominated the game with his legs, rushing for 100 yards and three scores. That’s not to say that blowing out Purdue is something to call home about, but it reflects the key to this offense reaching its ceiling.
While Angeli has played well in limited time, leading Notre Dame to a Sun Bowl victory last season, he could not have done what Leonard did that game. For an offense built around Leonard’s dual-threat ability, inserting Angeli does not make sense, especially this early in the season. He puts a cap on this team’s ceiling while Leonard propels it.
The responsibility of captain is not taken lightly. While Notre Dame named four on the defensive side of the ball, only one was named on the offense. That was Leonard. The transfer was brought in for his talent, but also to be a leader for this team in the locker room. His gutsy, game-winning drive in College Station against Texas A&M exemplifies his intangible impact. He took an offense that had struggled all night down the field when his team needed it most. As devastating as the loss to
NIU was, this season would have a far different outlook if it led to 0-2 rather than 1-1. Thanks to Leonard’s heroics that game, the Irish still have life this season. That is the kind of performance that validates the work he had put in during the offseason not only on the field, but off of it as well. Sidelined for most of camp with an ankle injury, Leonard emphasized the importance of setting the culture and earning respect. When he finally got the opportunity to prove himself
in Week One, he took it. That is not something the rest of the team will just forget. They want to play for their captain. For the remainder of this season, Notre Dame has no margin for error. Every game has playoff implications. There is far too much on the line for a drastic change at the quarterback position. Riley Leonard provides a unique element to this Irish offense as a runner, one that is irreplaceable. But beyond what shows up on the stat
sheet, the Duke transfer has the respect of the locker room. His toughness in the face of struggles on the field and a number of injuries reflects his character. So I urge Irish fans not to press the panic button quite yet. The season is still alive, and Leonard is still the answer.
Contact Noah Cahill at ncahill2@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
RICHARD TAYLOR | THE OBSERVER
Senior quarterback Riley Leonard darts toward the end zone during Notre Dame’s 66-7 defeat of Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana on Sept. 14. Leonard rushed for three scores in the game.
Beat picks: Notre Dame vs. Miami (Ohio)
By Observer Sports Staff
Annika Herko Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 86
Miami is on an ugly twogame losing streak after falling to Cincinnati and Northwestern, who is barely better than Purdue in the Big Ten Power Rankings on ESPN right now. Through the first two weeks of the season, Miami has scored 22 points. While I hate to draw comparisons to Northern Illinois, this is another game on Notre Dame’s schedule that many think should be an easy win. However, the Huskies came into that matchup with over 700 yards of offense and a win the previous week. The Redhawks have no such momentum.
Notre Dame needs to get back in the College Football Playoff Committee’s good gracesl and that means running up the score as much as possible. The Irish already proved last week they are actually able and willing to do that, and there is no reason to suggest that is not the game plan again this week. Prediction: Miami 6, Notre Dame 55
Matthew Crow Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 87
Notre Dame’s dominant performance against Purdue was badly needed, and I’m predicting a similar outcome as the Irish seek their first home victory against Miami on Saturday afternoon. The RedHawks offense has struggled greatly during their 0-2 start, scoring just two total touchdowns, and I don’t expect much to change against an Irish defense that is the best they’ll face all season and should come into the game with a lot of confidence after limiting Purdue to just 162 total yards of offense and a single score with the game already out of reach.
Meanwhile, it’s always dangerous to put too much stock into a very small sample size against an overmatched opponent, but the Irish offense seemed to finally start to click against the Boilermakers after struggling greatly against Northern Illinois. Senior quarterback Riley Leonard and Co. still have yet to discover the downfield passing attack that many Irish fans have been waiting for, but the
combination of Leonard, sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love and junior running back Jadarian Price running behind a constantly improving offensive line and quick, efficient passes to Notre Dame’s deep stable of tight ends was enough to roll past Purdue and should be too much for the RedHawks to handle. It feels risky picking a comfortable Irish win against a MAC opponent, but the highly motivated, backs-againstthe-wall Irish aren’t the same team they were two weeks ago, and Miami isn’t Northern Illinois. Leonard and Love will each top 100 yards on the ground for the second straight game, and Notre Dame should control this matchup from start to finish.
Prediction: Miami 7, Notre Dame 52
John Bailey Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 88
Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame teams have proven they can overcome adversity, but can they handle success?
Coming off a dominant 66-7 victory over Purdue, the Irish are eager to sustain momentum and avoid past pitfalls where they let their guard down against an underwhelming opponent. This should be especially concerning after suffering an unexpected loss to Northern Illinois earlier this year. Now, another MAC team comes to town, looking to play spoiler yet again. With Miami struggling at 0-2 and averaging just 11 points per game, Notre Dame must assert dominance early to avoid another upset.
Notre Dame’s defense has shown resilience this season, ranking in the top 25 nationally in passing defense, allowing a mere 140.7 yards per game.
The RedHawks have struggled to find their footing offensively, managing only six points against Northwestern and 16 against Cincinnati. This dismal performance places them 133rd in scoring nationwide. If the Irish can maintain their aggressive defensive strategy, stifling Miami’s passing game led by quarterback Brett Gabbert, they can keep the RedHawks from finding any rhythm. With Gabbert’s inconsistency (two touchdowns, three interceptions), the Irish defense should look to exploit this further and create turnovers.
While Miami’s ground attack has been virtually nonexistent, Notre Dame has thrived
on the run this season. After racking up 362 rushing yards against Purdue, the Irish have demonstrated their ability to dominate on the ground, even amidst injuries to key offensive linemen. With Jeremiyah Love and Riley Leonard contributing significantly to the rushing game, Notre Dame will look to exploit Miami’s vulnerabilities. This approach should allow them to control the tempo and wear down the RedHawk defense.
A crucial aspect of this game will be Notre Dame’s ability to stay focused and avoid a letdown. The Irish have already tasted the bitter flavor of defeat against a MAC opponent and are aware of the importance of coming in with the right mentality. A disciplined performance will be necessary to ensure they do not take Miami lightly, particularly as the RedHawks are still a well-coached team capable of surprises.
Considering the current dynamics of both teams, a resounding victory for Notre Dame seems inevitable. This performance will not only serve as a confidence booster but also reinforce the team’s aspirations for a successful season as it pushes toward the College Football Playoff.
Prediction: Miami 10, Notre Dame 41
Noah Cahill
Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 88
Notre Dame produced a much-needed response against Purdue, improving to 2-1 after a 66-7 demolition of the Boilermakers. The question remains, however, as to whether the Irish can handle success. They have an opportunity to exorcise some demons with a second shot at a MAC school in South Bend. This time, they best not take it lightly.
Miami will be far from a cakewalk in Week Four. The RedHawks are heavy preseason favorites to take home their second straight MAC title and are hungry after opening the season 0-2 after losses to Northwestern and Cincinnati. Notre Dame will be one of their last tests before starting conference play. The younger brother of NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Brett Gabbert leads Miami’s offense and has thrown for 583 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games. Fifth-year senior and Michigan State transfer Cade
McDonald has already hauled in 16 receptions for 240 yards. However, the rushing attack is nearly non-existent for Miami, managing only 66 yards through two games. The turnover bug has bit Gabbert early on as well, the sixth-year senior throwing three interceptions already.
Look for Notre Dame’s defensive line to dominate up front and their elite secondary to get a couple of takeaways. On the other side of the ball, Denbrock and the offense must continue to feed Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Against Purdue, the Irish rushed for 278 yards… in the first half. I expect Leonard to remain heavily involved in the ground game after his three-touchdown performance in West Lafayette. While the blueprint to victory is clear, Notre Dame will have to execute shorthanded after three key injuries in last weekend’s game. Graduate vyper Jordan Botelho and junior center Ashton Craig are both out of the season, while junior right guard Billy Schrauth will miss multiple weeks.
With that said, I see Notre Dame pulling away after a cagy first quarter and earning its first home win.
Prediction: Miami 10, Notre Dame 45
Madeline Ladd Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 90
Notre Dame will look to keep its momentum rolling this weekend as it faces the reigning MAC champions, Miami. After crushing Purdue, the Irish are flying high, but they must avoid a NIU-like letdown. Miami comes in at 0-2, with losses to Northwestern and Cincinnati, but is no pushover. Led by sixth-year(!) quarterback Brett Gabbert, returning from a broken leg, the RedHawks can stretch the field with Gabbert’s deep ball. Their defense, particularly linebacker Matt Salopek (reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year), is a bright spot as they have allowed only 182 passing yards per game.
For Notre Dame, the key will be to dominate on the ground. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price can wear down Miami’s defense. Riley Leonard should lean on short passes to graduate wide receiver Beaux Collins and senior tight end Mitchell Evans to keep the offense balanced and efficient. Injuries have
impacted both lines, but the depth is there, with players like senior center Pat Coogan and graduate guard Rocco Spindler stepping up to the plate.
Defensively, Notre Dame’s front seven needs to pressure Gabbert and contain Miami’s limited run game. Sophomore vyper Boubacar Traore and freshman defensive end Bryce Young will need to build off last week’s strong performances. The Irish need to come prepared to play. Bottom line. No hangovers from Purdue. The team has to be locked in or disaster could happen again. Expect them to take control early and never look back. Well, I sure hope.
Prediction: Miami 9, Notre Dame 42
Tyler Reidy Record: 1-2
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 99
Which Notre Dame are we going to get? Many have called the 2024 season one of the weirdest three-week starts in program history. The team went from triumph at Texas A&M to complete failure against Northern Illinois (another MAC school) to annihilation last week at Purdue. Realistically, the Irish should land somewhere in between the extremes of the last two games, but anything could happen.
Miami, projected as one of the MAC’s top teams entering the season, has seriously struggled to move the ball so far. Picking Notre Dame’s defense to keep the RedHawks at a single-digit point total might appear an obvious pick, but I don’t think it’s that easy. I’ll give Miami 10 knowing the Irish still haven’t operated without Jordan Botelho on the defensive line in the game that isn’t already in hand.
On the other side, Notre Dame has had a lot to learn from the NIU game, but one message stands out above the rest for the offense. Run the football. Riley Leonard, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price emerged as a three-headed monster last week, and all three should receive doubledigit carries barring another massive blowout this week. The Irish will get back to their bread and butter in the ground game, move the ball much more consistently than they did against NIU and get to 3-1 with their first home win of the season.
Prediction: Miami 10, Notre Dame 48.