FLIP THE IRISH INSIDER CARDS
THIS YEAR, THE IRISH ARE ALL IN ON TURNING THE TABLES.
Marcus Freeman honored for philanthropy
By JOHN BAILEY Associate Sports Editor
Polished brown leather dress shoes softly clack against white speckled tiles as Marcus Freeman saunters to the front of the lunchroom at St. Adalbert Catholic School, handing out highfives to students and faculty along the way. Upon reaching the chestnut podium wrapped in a Fighting Irish banner, Freeman beams his signature smile and introduces himself to an eager audience. Trading in his blue and gold Notre Dame tracksuit for a salmon button up with gray slacks, Freeman extends a booming good afternoon greeting and asks the children what they did at recess. For a few hours, he can shed the weight that comes with leading one of college football’s most storied programs and focus on an even more important task — giving back to the South Bend community. Though the students’ frequent smiles and giggles make clear why he has the reputation of being one of the best communicators and motivators in the sport, he doesn’t connect with them as Coach Freeman, but rather as Marcus, a friend looking to make his beloved home a better place. As he begins to wrap up his talk, Freeman dips his chin, eyes sparkling as a smirk spreads across his lips.
“Raise your hand if you would like to go to a Notre Dame football game,” he says, with over 200 hands immediately thrusting into the air, fingers wiggling in excitement.
“Well, I have a little surprise for you guys,” Freeman continues. “We’re going to get every student in this building and your families tickets to the Blue-Gold Game.”
The students, clad in their red school t-shirts, explode into a buzzing, crimson wave of excitement, whooping, clapping and drumming their hands on the lunch tables to express their joy and gratitude. To remove any barriers that would prevent students from attending the game, Notre Dame’s corporate partner, Allstate, provided transportation, lunch, a campus tour and a reserved section inside Notre Dame Stadium to all St. Adalbert families.
When interviewed at the game just a few days later, one student said, “This is such a blessing and gift to our school. This is one of the best days ever, that I’ve ever had.”
A frequent guest at the
school, Freeman’s impact at St. Adalbert extends beyond this one visit. After becoming head coach, Freeman said he felt like Notre Dame football could do more to embrace the local youth, particularly those who never experienced the exhilarating atmosphere of game day at Notre Dame Stadium. Recalling his childhood in Huber Heights, Ohio, Freeman reflected on being unable to attend a college football game until he was invited as a high school recruit. This realization fueled his mission to give South Bend children the opportunity he never had — the chance to experience the magic of Notre Dame football firsthand.
“I remember going around and asking all the classrooms, ‘Who has ever been to a Notre Dame football game?’” Freeman shared. “There were several classrooms, and just a few kids raised their hands.”
When Freeman invited the St. Adalbert students to the Blue-Gold game, he gave them more than just tickets to a glorified spring practice. He gave them an experience that many could never afford and a reminder that they belong at Notre Dame just as much as anyone else. These tickets served as just one part of Freeman’s broader vision to ensure that Notre Dame, a globally renowned institution, remains deeply connected and committed to the local community.
“So many of our kids need help with financial resources. Tickets just aren’t something they could afford,” said St. Adalbert Principal Jenni Crain. “Our students come from a little bit of a different demographic. To see people who look like them in impactful positions doing things for them, that’s the key. Did you see our kids crying? Crying for this opportunity, it was so beautiful.”
A hallmark of his leadership, Freeman’s deep commitment to service inspired him to revive the “Cleats for a Cause” initiative with help from team captains like graduate linebacker Jack Kiser. Jerry Barca, a South Bend Saint Joseph graduate and current Notre Dame freshman studying neuroscience, designed the custom Under Armor SlipSpeed shoes worn during the Victory March before the Sept. 21 win over Miami (Ohio). He hand painted five different designs, each honoring one of the five local organizations benefiting from this program: the South Bend Center for the Homeless, the Boys & Girls
Club of Northern Indiana, the CASIE Center for Child Abuse Prevention, Cultivate Food Rescue and the Logan Center, which serves individuals with disabilities.
“Being able to have worked with a lot of those charities in my high school career, it just makes this more special,” Barca said. “It’s great to see how Notre Dame is a force for good and can lift up everybody in the community with it.”
Barca painted the finishing touches just two nights before kickoff and saved Freeman’s pair for last. He added “The Golden Standard,” one of Freeman’s coaching mottos, to the shoe and stitched the small remnant of a football onto the back panel.
“I thought he did a wonderful job,” Freeman said. “The hours he put into the designs for all of the players, I know that took a long time to do. We’re grateful for his hard work. I thought the product was excellent.”
After the Victory March, every member of the team signed their custom sneakers and auctioned them off with all proceeds split among the five charities.
“Each pair tells a story, personalized by the athlete, and it’s really cool to see how this has become something bigger than football,” Kiser said. “Each charity is tackling something vital, and we’re thrilled to give back in such a meaningful way.”
Freeman’s leadership has been instrumental in expanding “Cleats for a Cause,” but Kiser knows the team
must constantly reaffirm and improve its commitment to South Bend: “Coach Freeman says it all the time, ‘Find a better way. Challenge everything.’ That’s what we’re trying to do — not just in football, but in the way we give back to the community.”
Freeman and Kiser received recognition for their philanthropy when they were both named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for outstanding community service. Each season, Allstate names 22 college football players and one coach to the Good Works Team, celebrating the important balance between athletic achievement, academic success and a deep sense of responsibility to others. The first Notre Dame coach to receive this honor, it serves as an affirmation to Freeman’s vision and dedication to uplifting South Bend’s marginalized communities.
Since joining Notre Dame’s staff three years ago, Freeman has become a familiar face at several South Bend charities, schools and hospitals, always ready to lend a hand or a listening ear. His involvement with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana, where he visits patients and their families each week, brings hope to those facing some of their toughest days. Whether delivering lunches or playing games with sick children, Freeman’s presence serves as a reminder that community service lies at the heart of Notre Dame’s mission and Catholic character.
As Notre Dame’s Executive
Associate Athletics Director for Culture and Engagement JP Abercrumbie explained, “It’s about making sure that we take care of things right here in our own community. It’s an opportunity not only for us to be here and learn a little bit more about the experience on this side of town, but also for us to say, ‘Come in, come with us.’” Freeman’s award for community service is not just a recognition of his efforts; it’s a reflection of the culture he has built at Notre Dame. Alongside players like Kiser, Freeman has shown that being part of the Fighting Irish means more than excelling on the field. It means being a leader off of it — whether that’s by visiting local hospitals before home games or inspiring the next generation at schools across South Bend.
For Freeman and his team, a legacy of service is being forged every day, one charitable act at a time. From the personalized cleats auctioned for meaningful causes to the countless hours dedicated to mentoring local youth, Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame is not just winning on the field — they are igniting a powerful movement that champions and uplifts an entire community. Together, the Irish are building toward a brighter future for South Bend, proving that true victory lies not only in triumphs on the gridiron but in the transformative impact on the lives they touch.
Contact John Bailey at jbailey9@nd.edu
RICHARD TAYLOR | The Observer
Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman sings the Alma Mater along with members of the Irish Guard on the field after Notre Dame’s 28-3 takedown of Miami (Ohio) at Notre Dame Stadium on Sept. 21.
Gaza lecture emphasizes mutual trauma
Professor David Myers and scholar Hussein Ibish discuss Oct. 7 attack, spark backlash
By DAVID MURPHY News Writer
On Wednesday evening, UCLA professor David Myers and Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, shared their perspective of the lead-up to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and the Israeli response in Gaza.
Ibish, a contributor to Bloomberg and the Daily Beast and the author of “What’s Wrong with the One-State Agenda,” established the basis of the forum.
“This is not a debate between a Jew and an Arab. That’s not the point. The point is we are in a conversation … what we are doing here is a mutual discovery,” Ibish said. “[It] is not about trying to win an argument, but rather to get at something
deeper.”
Myers began with the founding of Israel in 1948. Myers, who also holds the Sady and Ludwig Kahn chair in Jewish history at UCLA, described the role of “collective trauma” as critical in perpetuating tensions in the region, commenting on the role the Nakba and Holocaust have played in the minds of the Israeli and Palestinian people.
“What we also see in this period is the clash of competing collective trauma,” Myers said.
Ibish added his own perspective on the role of the trauma, describing the extent of the Nakba and its impact on the Palestinian people.
“The Nakba is not just the displacement of 80% of the Arab population of the area
Sue Ryan offers career advice Study abroad applications open for 2025, 2026 terms
By SYDNEY EIDELBES Staff Writer
The Saint Mary’s College Future Business Leaders Club welcomed guest speaker Sue Ryan Tuesday to share her insights on communications, media relations and leadership.
Currently serving as the executive director of media relations at the University of Notre Dame, Ryan is the first female spokesperson in the University’s history.
As someone whose career path was hardly linear, Ryan told club members to have open minds about their professional pursuits.
Ryan started her journey in communications in the athletic department at Duquesne University, where she served as an associate athletic director from 1991 to 1997. From there, she got a job with the Big Ten Conference in Chicago and
see CAREER PAGE 3
By JULIET MULLALLY News Writer
Notre Dame’s annual Study
Abroad Week took place this week, with applications for summer 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026 programs opening on Sept. 1. The application window will close on Nov. 1 for semester programs and Nov. 15 for summer programs.
With more than 70 semester and academic year programs, over 30 summer programs and over 30 countries represented, the
goal of the week for Notre Dame was to promote these opportunities and help students find their best fit.
Speed info sessions were held to provide students with key information on semester programs, including eligibility, housing, courses and finances. Similar sessions were also offered for summer programs.
Some of the most popular programs — such as Ireland, Rome, Jerusalem, Athens and London — held specific information
sessions throughout the week. Additionally, events such as Advising on the Fly trivia night, a study abroad mixer and in-hall information sessions with senior fellows were offered to help students explore their options.
Identity panels, new to the program event list, were also organized by Notre Dame’s student government. These panels gave students the chance to hear from peers with diverse backgrounds
see ABROAD PAGE 4
CFAM outreach programs serve community
By BERHAN HAGEZOM News Writer
Beyond the Belle and Common Good Fellows are two cohort-based programs sponsored by Saint Mary’s Center for Faith, Action and Ministry (CFAM), where student site leaders guide volunteers in weekly service with a South Bend Community Partner. Sarah Neitz, assistant
HAIR SALON
director for justice and solidarity at CFAM, embraces the concept of radical hospitality — a core mission of the center — dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
“Radical hospitality is this idea of going above and beyond to be able to welcome people into spaces and includes ideas of inclusion and belonging,” Neitz said. “We’re a place where
you can talk about politics and religion and climate change, and so if you like those topics, CFAM is the place for you.”
Beyond the Belle student site leaders work with seven community partners weekly: Notre Dame’s Center for Civic Innovation, Center for the Homeless, Darden Elementary School, Dismas House of Indiana, La Casa de Amistad, St. Margaret’s House and Our
ON CHAPPELL ROAN
Lady of the Road with each volunteer cohort capped at five participants.
Common Good Fellows student site leaders work on essential day-to-day tasks from four community partners approximately eight to 10 hours per week: Dress For Success, For the Good, The Local Cup and St. Margaret’s House.
Junior Kaitlynn Rowe, a Beyond the Belle site leader in
the Center for Civic Innovation, helps tutor first to sixth graders on reading comprehension and mathematics. Her passion for community engagement, coupled with her volunteer experience at a hospice center this past summer, sparked her interest in working with CFAM.
“I think one of my favorite things so far with CFAM has
see CFAM PAGE 5
DAVID MURPHY | The Observer
From left to right, UCLA professor David Myers, senior resident scholar Hussein Ibish and Maura Policelli, serving as moderator, share an open discussion focusing on the dissension between Palestine and Israel.
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Students pose on a teeter totter with the flag of Howard Hall during the dorm’s signature fall event, Totter for Water. The event raises money for Engineers Without Borders and was on South Quad. The event started on Sept. 26 and lasts till Sept. 27. Want your event
Friday
Deans’s Speaker
Series
Jordan Auditorium
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fred Reocjer and customer capitalism..
Notre Dame vs Clemson Alumni Stadium
7 p.m
Men’s soccer takes on Clemson.
Saturday
Lecture: “St. Bernadette”
Andrews Auditorium
10:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Abigail Favale talks about St. Bernadette.
Medieval Combat
West Lawn of McCourtney Hall
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Fencing performance and basic instruction.
Sunday
Concert: Lotus Quartet
DPAC
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saxophone quartet: classical, jazz, pop.
Notre Dame vs Cal Purcell Pavilion
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Volleyball faces off against Cal (UC Berkeley).
Monday
Lecture: “Is This Translation?“
Room 1050 Jenkins
Nanovic Hall
3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Seamus Heaney talk.
Bengal Bouts Fall Practice
Stepan Center Arena
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Men’s boxing fall practice.
Tuesday
Notre Dame vs Trine Alumni Stadium
7 p.m.
Men’s soccer team takes on Trine in a match.
Lecture: “Immigration and Trump”
215 Debartolo Hall
7 p.m. - 8 p.m. CReps event..
NOCJAR
worked as an associate commissioner for six years.
“It was an interesting time when I was there,” Ryan said. “I was part of the first group that managed the first-ever Big Ten men’s basketball tournament.”
Not only was it interesting, Ryan said, but it was intense.
“When I worked in athletic communications, that’s a job that requires a 24/7 role, kind of like the role I’m in now,” she said.
She left athletic communications for a stint at Whirlpool, an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, and then started at Notre Dame in internal communications, where she was charged with informing faculty, staff and students about on-campus events.
“I moved from internal comms into media relations, and I’ve been in the media relations
role for 10 and a half years now, and have been the spokesperson for just over a year,” Ryan said.
Now her job focuses on protecting and promoting the reputation of the University, which involves communicating with outside media departments on both the local and national levels and building partnerships within the university and the community.
“When you see a faculty member from any university that is on a national news broadcast, somebody in their communications office is likely the one who made that happen,” Ryan said.
Ryan pivoted to offering advice to a room full of future job seekers. She encouraged students to think about their passions and the things they love and apply them to their careers.
“It gives you a passion for your work,” Ryan said. “It motivates you to be your best self
at work, and it really helps you kind of embrace and engage in your workplace when you can really believe in the mission and whatever’s happening in your day-to-day work.”
She also stressed the importance of managing people, which sometimes involves juggling accountability and compassion.
“To me, [that] means that we all have a job to do, and we’re there to get work done, [while] being there for your people, understanding where they’re coming from, understanding what’s happening in their lives,” she said.
Managing others can also involve managing oneself to keep personal and business life separate.
“If they can’t be their best self because of whatever’s happening in their personal life, that’s going to impact their work,” Ryan said.
At the same time, Ryan said recognizing individual
flexibility is a key component in a successful career.
“If change is hard for you, I would suggest that you … learn how to make change,” she said. ”People that have a hard time with change have a hard time in a work environment because things are always changing.”
Ryan ended her lecture by encouraging students to remember the bigger picture of their lives, as well as the larger context of their job and their place within the organization.
“It’s critical for everyone within your organization to understand the mission and the goals and the strategy of the organization,” Ryan added. “They really have to understand how their work connects to the organization’s bigger strategy, bigger goals, bigger picture and mission.”
Contact Sydney Eidelbes at seidelbes01@saintmarys.edu
that became the new state of Israel,” Ibish said. “It was the elimination of a whole society.”
The pair discussed internal politics in both Israel and Palestine just before Oct. 7, underscoring the impact of Israeli protests and the internal strife between the secular, Fatah-led Palestinian Authority and the Islamist Hamas.
“We both believe it is a moral imperative to condemn what occurred on Oct. 7,” Myers said. “There was no day that saw the murder of so many Jews since the Holocaust.”
Myers described the overwhelming Israeli response, noting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s desire to inflict “mighty vengeance” for the attack alongside the magnitude of destruction in Gaza.
“The scale of destruction has been massive,” Myers said. “Over 40,000 Gazans have been killed, which includes a huge number of children.”
Ibish also discussed Netanyahu’s and Hamas’ strategies and what they may mean for the future of the conflict.
“The best way to stay in power is to keep the war going,” Ibish said. “So [Netanyahu] is not likely to agree to anything that will end it now.”
On the topic of Hamas, Ibish reiterated that the group’s hijacking of the Palestinian cause was part of a grand strategy.
“Hamas wanted [this] from the beginning,” Ibish stated. “It wants to wave a bloody shirt every day and say, ‘We are the Palestinian national leadership, because we, and we alone, are fighting … for control of Palestinian land in Gaza.‘”
Though the discussion remained largely civil, the question of whether to use the term “genocide” emerged as a touchy subject. Eventually, several students stormed out of the room, disagreeing with Ibish and Myers’s decision not to use the term during their presentation.
Following the incident, Ibish explained their decision to omit the term.
“Whether the right word is genocide … I don’t know,” Ibish said. “But I have described [the conflict] in much more accurate terms, much more detailed and historical terms, than just throwing out the word genocide.”
For his part, Myers stressed the importance of dialogue and the consequences of the topic at hand.
“Over there, in Israel [and] Palestine, stakes are very high,” Myers said. “It is important to bring curiosity and genuine interest … as well as empathy.”
Contact David Murphy at dmurph23@nd.edu
government. These panels gave students the chance to hear from peers with diverse backgrounds who have previously studied abroad. Topics covered included race and ethnicity, first-generation low-income advocacy, disability access abroad and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
“The panels are a great way for students from diverse groups to understand what an international experience might look like for them, or how it might be different,” Robert Leis, director of study abroad at Notre Dame, said. “Increasing access and understanding is always going to be the goal.”
“We wanted students to talk to others who were in their shoes, learn from them, and know they’re not alone,” sophomore Bryn Dougherty said, who serves as the DEI disability advocacy director in the student government executive cabinet. “We also wanted to ease their minds about going abroad because it can be daunting, especially for a student with a disability or other barriers.”
Many students are eager to study abroad, and concerns about securing a spot in popular programs — such as Rome or London — are common. Leis advised students to be flexible and make the most of the many study abroad opportunities, including applying for multiple terms.
“Sometimes students feel they’re missing out by going abroad during the fall term, but years down the road, you won’t look back at your semester abroad as missing football season. You’ll see it as a powerful stand-alone experience,” Leis said.
He also noted that there are many more options than students realize. Those who are open to studying in less traditional locations, such as Southeast Asia or Africa, may have a better chance of securing a spot and standing out on applications for graduate schools or jobs.
Assistant director of study abroad James Keating emphasized the importance of specificity in applications.
“The more specific you can be about what classes, internships, research opportunities, etcetera that your desired program offers and how these fit with you academically, personally and professionally, the stronger your application will be,” Keating said.
While students are encouraged to think about how a program fits them, Leis also suggested considering what value they can bring to their host location.
“I think students should always consider how they’re going to positively influence the environment they are in,” Leis said.
Even if students don’t get their top two choices for a semester abroad, they still have options. Summer programs are available, and additional openings will be announced in the spring. Leis encourages students to explore
those options as well.
Notre Dame ranks second nationwide for student participation in study abroad programs among doctorate-granting universities, with 77% of students going abroad. This high level of interest may be due to the positive experiences students have each year.
Senior Haley Hotz who is majoring in Spanish and marketing studied in Santiago, Chile last fall. She and 12 other students were immersed in the language and culture, speaking entirely in Spanish.
“I had never been to South America, and it’s scary going somewhere where everything is brand new,” Hotz said. “If you’re debating studying abroad at all, just do it. It’s the best decision I’ve made in my time here.”
Hotz is still in touch with her group from Chile, and they recently reunited with their program director during Study Abroad Week.
Junior Lauren Engates participated in the Rome summer film, television and theatre program after her freshman year.
“I had an awesome time. I learned a whole new level of independence and was able to immerse myself in a different culture. I also met one of my closest friends, and we still get lunch together every week,” Engates said.
Leis emphasized how these experiences serve as a starting point for ongoing cultural exploration and self-reflection.
“I hope students realize studying abroad is the beginning of a pathway, not just a program. You are exposed to a bunch of new external ideas and are forced to confront your own internal culture,” Leis said. “It’s not just what students learned when they went abroad, it is how much more there is to keep learning by continuous immersion and engagement and new awareness.”
Contact Juliet Mullally at jmullally@hcc-nd.edu
Roundtable discusses disinformation, election
By ELLA NOVAK News Writer
This Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Digital and Public Humanities (DPH) department hosted a roundtable discussion on disinformation. The event was hosted by Kristin Kuter from math and computer sciences and librarian Catherine Pellegrino, and moderated by the DPH program coordinator and English professor Sarah Noonan.
According to Noonan, the discussion topic was chosen “in part because of the election coming up, and also just because, in order to have any sort of civic discourse … you have to have some understanding of how to establish a shared set of facts.”
Kuter spoke first and focused on the way people use statistics to spread disinformation. She said humans tend to prefer to graphics over statistics, but we should still be wary of both. She emphasized that you should look for missing information like absolute numbers and check the reliability of the source.
Pellegrino took what she called a more humanistic approach, discussing the way professional journalists fact check information. She used a strategy developed by Mike Caulfield which called for a journalist to “SIFT,” or stop, investigate the source, find better and wider coverage and trace the claims.
She said whenever you come across new information online the most important thing you can do is stop to evaluate the source and investigate
it by means as simple as a Wikipedia search. Pellegrino also emphasized that falling for disinformation is human nature and you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you do end up falling for it.
Founded in 2022, the DPH minor is a relatively new program at Saint Mary’s College designed to implement a projects-based approach to the humanities discipline.
“We’ve designed the [minor] so that students who are in humanities disciplines can gain the skills required to do humanities focused jobs outside of the university, such as working in museums, working in libraries, working in nonprofits,”
Noonan said. “On the other hand, STEM and business students … will benefit from this minor as well, because they’re given a chance to work in humanities disciplines.”
Noonan continued with an example about how students were tasked with designing an exhibit for a local artist’s work.
“They think about how to organize that material in order to make sure that it tells a story as the kind of viewers walk through the exhibit, so that it trains students in project development and exhibit curation,” Noonan said.
Contact Ella Novak at enovak01@saintmarys.edu
been about trying to not create such a power dynamic between universities and communities, and I think that’s so important, especially within the tri-campus community when we have all of these resources. Not just going into these sites and just kind of shoving resources at people, and instead, actually trying to engage with the people around you,” Kaitlynn Rowe said.
Rowe believes community partnerships are an essential part to balancing this dynamic, who aim to directly assist and support underserved areas and populations within South Bend.
Darden Elementary School empowers its K-5 students by improving their reading skills before they enter middle school and offering them opportunities to interact with undergraduate volunteers pursuing diverse goals. LaCongia McKinney, the family and school specialist at Darden, is intentional about exposing students to a range of future pathways they can achieve through hard work and dedication, including interactions with undergraduate volunteers.
“We have the students come in; they go to the classrooms and assist with maybe some small groups, or maybe as little as two kids, or just a student that’s in need of help and extra assistance,” McKinney said.
Working with children is an important aspect within St. Margaret’s House, which serves as daycare center in downtown South Bend with the overall mission of providing a safe space with necessities available to women and children below the
poverty line and in financial hardship.
Cathy Hall, the director of marketing, believes every woman should have the opportunity to shape her own destiny, supported by community resources, regardless of her socioeconomic background.
Hall mentioned how Saint Mary’s has had a “very long relationship” with St. Margaret’s and how there are a variety of transformative experiences and service opportunities for volunteers.
“We have a lot of Saint Mary’s students who are involved, which is so cool, and we have a couple of interns right now who actually do their work study hours here,” Hall said.
Motivation to help those who are economically disadvantaged is shared by Our Lady of the Road, a ministry of the Saint Peter Claver Catholic Worker community in South Bend. The organization provides those who are unhoused with accommodating services such as a laundromat, cafe, dining room and showers along with serving breakfast primarily by volunteers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning to anyone in need. The service is in collaboration with other homeless service providers for the rest of the week, with Beyond the Belle volunteering with the routine breakfasts every Friday morning.
Jonathan Schommer, the executive director at Our Lady of the Road, said volunteering “can be an experience of encountering somebody with a different life experience and background.”
“My experience, and I know a lot of folks, is in these conversations with people who are in a very different
state of life, there’s so much learning and wisdom a student can really gain and grow from in these conversations and interactions,” Schommer said.
The sentiment of creating connections between volunteers and the people they serve is shared by Matthew Kaczmarek, the program director of Dismas House, which provides transitional housing for men and women who were previously incarcerated and builds a supportive family community focused on rebuilding. Through its partnership with CFAM, the organization offers residents a weekly Tuesday dinner, where volunteers prepare a variety of meals and join the residents for a shared dining experience.
“We define a supportive community as characterized by students and returning citizens living together in a family setting with a spirit to open and participate in decision making with an emphasis on the common good. We’re a unique place where college students, returning citizens and volunteers come together to create a community,” Kaczmarek said.
Neitz believes that through CFAM, volunteers are not only given the opportunity to give back to the community but also find a pathway to discovering their own identity and place in the world.
“I think we have people who come to CFAM from really different walks in life, and often are looking for different things as they engage in our programming. So I always hope that people are able to grow on the journey that they’re on as they come to CFAM,” Neitz said.
Contact Berhan Hagezom at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
University Hair Stylists reopens
By SOPHIA TRAN Staff Writer
Almost everyone needs a haircut once in a while. At the University of Notre Dame this service is met by the University Hair Stylists, a business tucked away in the basement of the LaFortune Student Center.
Hair stylist Zak Emmons is the latest owner of the family business that opened in 1979.
“At the time, my dad was working off-campus cutting hair and he happened to cut a gentleman named Bob Watkins. They told my dad, ‘you know … they want somebody to come and run a salon on campus.’ And so that’s what he did,” Emmons said.
The salon serves up to 20 clients per day, from undergraduates to faculty members. Emmons works alongside seven other stylists to provide a variety of services including standard haircuts, perms, colors and waxing. He noted many students come in for cuts before dances, career fair week and senior portraits.
Some students come in with more concerns than others, worrying about getting their hair cut at a new salon.
“There’s one kid a few years ago,” Emmons said. “He’s trying to describe his haircut, but then, he said to me, ‘I just don’t want it to look like a loaf of bread.’ I think I was able to succeed. I did not make his hair look like a loaf of bread.”
Emmons’ hair salon has
also worked with students to cut hair for a cause. In the past few years, Emmons and his team have worked with St. Edward’s Hall to help with their Mullets Against Malaria fundraiser.
“[The students] come into the salon, and we do a bunch of mullets,” Emmons said. “But, there’s always one kid who has to get what they refer to as a ‘Skullet’. It looks really ridiculous and terrible, as you can imagine.”
Freshman Peter Escamilla had heard of the hair salon from other students and decided to give it a try. He expressed his appreciation for the hairstylists’ flexibility.
“[The hairstylists] weren’t rushing me through,” Escamilla said. “When I asked them to cut back my hair a little shorter, they were really happy and they didn’t act annoyed or anything. I would recommend it.”
Other long-time clients shared positive reviews about the salon. Michael Pries, associate dean of social sciences, is a regular client at the salon.
“I’ve been coming here for at least ten years, because I get a great haircut every time from Zak,” Pries said. The salon is more than just a place to get a trim; it’s also home to many good memories for both the clients and the hairstylists. Emmons still remembers cutting Fr. Hesburgh’s hair and he noted that Hesburgh loved to converse about fishing while sitting in the barbershop. In the future, Emmons said he hopes that he can have the chance to give Marcus Freeman a trim.
“We’re different from a lot of salons,” Emmons said. “You meet people from all over the world. The people that I work with, I’ve worked with, for a couple of them, for 27 years. They do become my family and you grow up with these people.”
As Emmons and his team of stylists continue their work, Emmons said he is looking forward to meeting more clients and providing them with the best service.
“We see people from every continent and all different hair textures and hair types,” Emmons said. “If there’s something that we can’t do, we’ll surely tell you, but we can take care of a lot of different people. I hope they know that they’re welcome here.”
Contact Sophia Tran at stran2@nd.edu
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Thomas Dobbs Assistant Managing Editor
One of the most remarkable achievements of the 20th and 21st centuries has been the swift and transformative rise of women in political, economic and social spheres. While women’s progress is rightly celebrated — and can be furthered — data shows that many boys and men are falling behind. The issue falls under growing scrutiny, with proposed solutions ranging from raising teacher salaries and recruiting more male educators to expanding trade schools and delaying kindergarten entry for boys to account for their slower brain development.
Importantly, advocating for greater support and attention for our nation’s young men doesn’t equate to blaming their struggles on the progress of women. Such thinking is not only inaccurate but also counterproductive, as it fuels political extremism and deepens polarization.
Alternatively, men can — and should — learn from women’s success. We’ve long emphasized to young women that opportunities are within reach, and we’ve understood the importance of strong female role models. Yet we’ve fallen short of applying the same focus to young men.
Nationally, boys and men face numerous challenges. Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with ADHD and less likely to finish high school. At first glance, this might seem like a problem that doesn’t affect us directly, especially at a place like Notre Dame, where male and female students are nearly equal in number. While campuses like ours appear balanced, the broader picture is stark: nationwide, men now comprise only 40.5% of college students, and male enrollment in community colleges plummeted by 14.8% in 2020 alone.
It’s tempting to attribute these struggles to laziness or
Jackson Lang
Letters from The Wanderer
Bridging the gap
to suggest they stem from resentment over women’s advancement in the workplace, but such oversimplifications ignore the deeper, more systemic challenges men face. Boys are often raised in fractured families, with 40% now growing up without their fathers — double the rate in 1980. As a result, many boys miss out on key male role models, making it harder for them to envision success, both academically and personally. The struggles faced by many men can create a self-perpetuating cycle, and the impact is felt far beyond the classroom in the form of declining workforce participation, rising suicide rates and “deaths of despair” caused by suicide, overdose and alcoholism.
Beyond family structure, men also face cultural and social barriers. The ingrained perception of masculine stoicism makes it harder for men to seek help — many are reluctant to share personal struggles with friends or view therapy as a viable option. Conversely, it’s implicitly understood that female RAs at Notre Dame assume greater responsibility for maintaining culture and bonds between residents.
However, this challenge doesn’t have to be met with pessimism. Gender equality isn’t a zero-sum game — helping young men doesn’t take away from the progress women have made. Research encouragingly shows that male teachers and role models can significantly improve boys’ outcomes. And you don’t necessarily need to change your career path to make a difference — we can start making that difference right now.
As leader of Big Brothers Big Sisters at Notre Dame, where I am also a mentor myself, I see firsthand how boys can thrive when given the right support. These boys — many from single-parent homes — are eager for guidance, connection and mentorship. In South Bend alone, over 100 children are waiting to be matched with mentors and the number of unmatched young boys is over double the number of unmatched young girls.
While I of course welcome all Notre Dame students to serve as Bigs, Notre Dame men in particular can contribute to lessening the disparate access to mentorship that young boys face. Spending just a couple of hours every week or two is a small commitment at first, but it is one that has blossomed into one of my most rewarding — and memorable — experiences in college.
A commitment to mentorship also aligns with the broader values of the Notre Dame community. As members of a campus with a strong “pro-life” ethos, we should extend that commitment beyond birth. Being pro-life encompasses improving the lives of young boys and men, many of whom are struggling in ways society has overlooked. Whether it’s mentoring, advocating for better education access or simply offering support to the young men around us, we can each contribute by demonstrating through our actions — not just our words — that every life holds inherent value.
Lastly, my call to action ties directly into Fr. Dowd’s vision for Notre Dame. In his inaugural address, Fr. Dowd emphasized “building bridges” between communities and expanding the University’s engagement with the world. I applaud the many who are already involved in local organizations, but there is room for many more to contribute. For anyone seeking to build a bridge to the local community, I extend to you an opportunity to help realize Fr. Dowd’s vision by becoming a Big.
The disproportionately high number of boys on the waiting list at Big Brothers Big Sisters doesn’t have to be a story of unmet needs. In fact, it gives me hope — boys are taking the initiative to seek guidance. Now it’s our turn to step up and be there for them.
You can contact Thomas at tdobbs@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this inside column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
A letter from underground
meaningless thing of all — money, for money’s sake.
To anyone willing to lend a sympathetic ear, This is my confession: I despise life. I have few friends, little motivation and struggle to find enjoyment in anything. Worse yet, all of this is my own doing — I’ve dug this hole myself, and I have no desire to claw my way back out. I am past the point of frustration and instead look upon my situation with a kind of bitter apathy. For months now, I’ve been waiting helplessly for someone to reach out their hand, and in doing so, yank me from this gloomy pit — a friend, a mentor, possibly a romantic partner.
Can you blame me? I possess none of the traits that the doers of this world have been blessed with. I do not have a strong will, I am not particularly confident — nor funny — and the traces of the intelligence that I do possess only serve to heighten my self-awareness which in turn heightens my disillusionment about the world. To second the words of a wise, yet similarly despairing man from Petersburg, “I am eking out my days in my corner, taunting myself with the bitter and entirely useless consolation that an intelligent man cannot seriously become anything, that only a fool can become something.”
It’s now 2 a.m. I reflect on life and realize that I am the very person I once swore never to become — I am average, and worse yet, I don’t believe that I possess the agency to change that. In a sense, my life has already run its course, because I have resigned to my fate as a substandard human being. In no long while, I will walk across the commencement stage with a meaningless degree, use that meaningless degree to land an even more meaningless job and use that even more meaningless job to acquire the most
But such is life, and who am I to change it? I am not writing this letter to evoke pity, although if you feel so inclined, then by all means, look upon me with heartfelt commiseration. In fact, I’ve come to find an indulgent comfort in self-pity, particularly because it requires no effort on my part — I simply choose not to better my unfortunate circumstances, then reflect on these unfortunate circumstances with intense melancholy.
I guess that’s all for now. Come and rescue me if you wish, but of course, I already know that you won’t — and why would you? I would likely reject your benevolence anyway, for I’ve grown quite fond of this apathetic state in which I wallow.
But, what if …
… what if I could change? No, I shouldn’t bother. But, what if? What if I heeded those words of Truth, spoken by a lowly carpenter ages ago? What if I accepted life’s burden, and in doing so, bore the full weight of my cross? What if I visualized the person I’ve always secretly envied — the confident person, the outgoing person, the honest person, the person unflinching in the face of judgment — and did everything in my power to become that person?
What if I embraced myself — not the parts that led me to this wretched place, but the parts that make other people smile, laugh or enjoy my company? What if I realized that one day, I will depart from this life forever, but until that day arrives, I hold this pen in these weak, trembling hands of mine, and as such, can author my story however I wish? What if, in about five hours’ time, before the sun rises, I get myself out of bed — ignoring every instinct that tempts me into doing otherwise? What if, after getting out of bed, I slip on sneakers and walk outside into the biting autumn air? What if, despite a pounding heart and a fettered
conscience, I put one foot in front of the other, slowly at first, and then with increasing rapidity? And what if I break into a jog, and eventually, a full-on run? No, it can’t be done. It can’t be done! How foolish of me to think myself capable of such herculean efforts?! Me, seizing control of my life? Impossible. Ridiculous! Let me explain what will transpire instead: upon waking up, I will realize that all of this senseless rambling — about truth, honestly and self-acceptance — has been the irrational designs of an escapist mind. If I do get myself out of bed, slip on my sneakers and walk outside into that biting autumn air, I will be capitulated by doubt, and subsequently sign off on the unconditional terms of my surrender to life.
Who am I to be a runner? Moreover, who am I to exist in a state other than numbing mediocrity? In choosing to run, I would be choosing a path of self-actualization, and people such as myself have little interest in such pursuits. My fate was transcribed onto my heart long ago, and as such, I am condemned to die without ever having taken that decisive first step. But what if … ? What if I did it anyway? And what if I never, ever, ever looked back?
With hope,
T.W.
— October 26th, 2022
P.S. I’m never looking back.
Jackson is an aspiring philosopher and nomadic freespirit. He is currently wandering through an alpine meadow somewhere in Kashmir, pondering the meaning of life. If you would like to contact him, please send a carrier pigeon with a hand-written note, addressed to “The Abyss”. He won’t respond. (Editor’s Note: you can contact Jackson at jlang2@nd.edu)
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
I survived Notre Dame on crutches
This was supposed to be my semester of walking. The sidewalks were finally cleared of scooters, I had fresh new kicks equipped with arch-support inserts and a great new schedule close in proximity and diverse in location. But my days of walkable glory were numbered. And it was all thanks to one single band of tissue called the plantar fascia. After enduring the pains of plantar fasciitis for months, I believed I was invincible. That was not the case. Instead, I learned that ignoring plantar fasciitis for months has repercussions which came in the form of a partial tear in my plantar fascia.
To cure the throbbing pain in my foot, my doctor recommended a new procedure called a platelet-rich plasma injection (yes, it was as thrilling as it sounds). Sticking a needle in my heel came with a side of three days on crutches. While three days may seem like no big deal, it turned into the longest 36 hours of my college days. Thus, I spent three days feeling sorry for myself.
When I was younger, I always secretly wished I was on crutches. Maybe that desire was still buried inside me because, before the procedure, I wasn’t dreading the crutches. That lasted all of five minutes. The crutch walk from St. Liam Hall to Flaherty proved too much, and by the time I finally reached my dorm room, I collapsed on the couch and declared myself incapable of attending my next class. Being on crutches also makes the dining hall nearly impossible. I had no free hands to carry my plate. As a result, I didn’t go to the dining hall for three days straight. While, for most students, a prolonged absence from the DH sounds like paradise, I am an avid lover of the dining hall. With each passing meal I didn’t eat at NDH, the further I fell into despair.
Instead, during my usual lunch hour, I sat on my couch watching episodes of ‘Seinfeld’ and eating pretzels that made me thirsty. Unfortunately, I was too weak to crutch myself to the water fountain. Crutching anywhere outside the confines of my room seemed like the biggest task ever, so I skipped anything that was not absolutely necessary. The harsh reality of life on crutches at ND set in as I began the trek to my first class. As I crutched out of my dorm, the (relatively short) distance from Flaherty to DeBart felt enormous. I stared at the vast amount of sidewalk in front of me with fear. I began crutching as fast as humanly possible using a unique technique I invented which included an extra single-footed hop in between crutches. I was flying down the sidewalk, kicking up dirt in my path.
That lasted for all of ten seconds until my arms got too tired to continue. I stood there, mere feet away from my dorm, in utter defeat. The hot sun was beating down on my shaking arms. I felt hopeless. Thus began a cycle of crutching superhumanly fast for 10 seconds, followed by a 20-second break. Due to the inefficiency of my methods, the halfmile walk took me a total of 21 minutes. By the time I got to my classroom, I was a mere fragment of my previous self.
Needless to say, I wasn’t looking my best. Unfortunately, being on crutches tends to attract a lot of attention. During the times I couldn’t avoid leaving my room, I was consciously aware of the looks of concern and pity I received. By the end of the first day, I was tired of answering everyone’s questions, but also got annoyed when someone didn’t ask me what was wrong. It was a lose-lose situation. I felt like a B-list celebrity who is so over the paparazzi, but deep down understands that’s the only thing keeping them relevant.
My short stint on crutches also illuminated the slow walker problem on campus. Slow walkers come
out in hordes with a single goal: to get from point A to point B as slowly as possible. No matter how close they’re cutting it to being late, they refuse to pick up their feet and walk like they have a purpose to live. The existence of slow walkers is something I have been aware of since the moment I set foot on campus, but being on crutches illuminated the extent of the problem.
I am an extremely fast walker, maybe even too fast. I had no choice. Growing up with a fast walker for a father, I had to learn to walk fast from a young age. Otherwise, I would have gotten left behind in the grocery store to freeze in the produce aisle. So I always assumed I was somewhat unfairly critical of slow walkers due to my overly speedy gait and suppressed fear of getting left behind. But on crutches, I was slow as a snail. So why, at my slowest, was I still finding myself stuck behind slow walkers? And these slow walkers were not Notre Dame class of ‘68 graduates taking a stroll down memory lane, but youthful, able-bodied students who, if this were the 1940s, would have been drafted for the army. As my travel times quadrupled, so did my anger when encountering a slow walker. Thankfully, my three days on crutches came to an end. In the days since, I’ve spent my time basking in the freedom of the outside world, jumping for joy every time I enter the dining hall and walking at unusually fast paces to DeBart. But the memory of my three days on crutches keeps me humble with each step I take.
Allison Abplanalp is a junior finance and accounting major. If she could change one thing about the English language, she would make “a lot” one word. Her least favorite month is March because every year she is devastated when she fails to pick the perfect March Madness bracket. You can contact Allison at aabplana@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
McGlinn’s intramural football misconduct
Football season, along with a serious rise in alcohol-related car accidents, has begun once again! Hurray! Football weekends are a time for all of us to fill our bellies, spill them in the parking lot and enjoy Riley Leonard’s reign at Notre Dame. But what does campus do during the weekdays? Study? No! To feed their insatiable desire for pigskin, students and fans are entertained by a league turned ruthless and injurious due to the unsportsmanlike conduct of McGlinn Hall in Notre Dame women’s flag football.
“McGlinn Hall has caused irreparable psychological and physical damage in the women’s league at Notre Dame this year,” Charlie Knutts, chair of the discipline committee for RecSports, said. “If their unsportsmanlike behavior continues, severe disciplinary action may be necessary.” The committee is also calling into question the continuance of McGlinn’s potential to play in the interhall competition next season.
What has happened to cause the situation to get to this point? According to the concussed Alexandra Turpin, who suffered three fractured ribs in last week’s game against McGlinn, “I ate all the fancy soaps in the bathroom.”
A staff member at South Bend’s Memorial Hospital clarified.
“Her concussion is serious,” she said. “She refuses to listen to the doctors and she won’t stop babbling about wanting to run a post route.”
After this disturbing evidence, I began to question the legality of McGlinn Hall Football. I went undercover, posing as a mustached custodian
named Jeb Alls, in order to further my research. What I found was shocking.
Enticed by the prospect of a championship game in the varsity stadium, McGlinn Hall (otherwise known by their football team name, The Saintly Shamrocks) is willing to do whatever it takes. When I questioned McGlinn’s coach, Fedel Celis, about his team’s dangerous tactics, he became irate and said, “it’s not my fault we know how to win, Carl. If you’re gonna McPlay us, you’re gonna McDie. If you’re lucky, you might only get McConcussed.” Fedel, who is currently appealing a suspension for spiking the opponents’ water jugs with estrogen pills, continued, “Our team has a mission to play in the varsity stadium, and we stick to it. We ain’t gonna let nothing slip through the cracks here. So when we score and we’re up by forty in the fourth quarter, mark my words, we’re gonna go for two every single time.”
It doesn’t stop there. Multiple players on McGlinn’s football team have committed enough penalties to warrant expulsion from the league. Sophomore wide receiver Maddie Zitella, founder and president of the inclusion and acceptance initiative on campus, is averaging more taunting penalties than touchdowns per game. “I would moss a senior citizen if I could,” she said after a heated 42-3 victory against Lewis Hall. Zitella had four receiving touchdowns and ninety yards worth of penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Her teammate, Lilly McKibbon, has racked up three targeting fouls, resulting in multiple ejections throughout the first four games. When asked if this put her team in jeopardy, she became hostile and said, “what kind of candy a*s question is that? ‘Offensive Pass Interference’ is my middle name,
and we’re still out here hospitalizing chicks and winning by fifty.”
After McGlinn’s gut wrenching game last Saturday, I interviewed one of their opposers. “Lilly and I are in harmonia together, and we have a blast,” Nora Evans, a resident of Lewis Hall, said. “But when I played against her last week, instead of pulling my flag to mark me as down, she clotheslined me and spat in my face.”
To which Lilly responded, “It doesn’t matter who you are. If you run a slant route across the middle, I’m taking off your head. But Nora does have a great voice. If I didn’t damage her larynx, I’m looking forward to singing with her on Sunday.”
I found McGlinn’s behavior appalling and potentially criminal. At one point I observed one of their defensive backs throw multiple elbows, deck a sidelined substitute and chuck a rock at the ref - all in the same play. And I thought to myself, “my God, these people are crazy, and this is only practice.”
Thomas Boles, the sophomore coach of the Ryan Hall team, asked, “How is McGlinn allowed to play us? Their coach is suspended, and there is an ambulance required for every single one of their games!”
Ryan Hall prepares to face McGlinn this Tuesday. “We’re gonna get murdered, and I’m not talking about the scoreboard,” said the Ryan Hall quarterback. “I’m calling in sick.”
“I have been Heaven’s substitute to recompense the good. Now the God of Vengeance yields me his power to punish the wicked.” To join J. Rudolph, Esq. in his quest to dismantle the deep state and find out who really killed JFK, reach out at jrudolp3@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Allison Abplanalp
Under Further Scrutiny
Joe Rudolph
Written & Directed by Quentin Tarantino
A collection of (fake) emails to (real) people.
Abigail,
I know you hate it when people greet you by your full name, but I can’t help it. Sometimes I think about how different life would be if your nickname was Gail instead of Abbey, but that’s beside the point. We FaceTimed for a brief moment the other day, but I still wanted to write as I hope Nashville has been everything and more. I plan on booking my flight sometime this week and am so excited for October. Have you run into any famous country stars, or found yourself signing some variation of a record deal? If not, I’ll love you just the same.
Emma,
I finally bought that Salt and Stone perfume and already misplaced it. Hoping and praying it is tucked away in your room somewhere alongside a few other miscellaneous items I cannot seem to find. Please text me a good time to come and pick everything up. In other news, what should we be for Halloween? Is it too early to be thinking about
You’ve got mail
that sort of thing?
Grandma,
This season of Dancing with the Stars might just be my favorite one yet. I’ve been voting for Joey and Jenna, but Stephen and Rylee are my second favorite couple and I really want them to add the pommel horse to one of their routines. Also, mom gave me the jar of sloppy joe sauce you bought for me and I am going to make it sometime very soon, just waiting for the weather to cool off.
Minnie,
Doubt you will read this, as you are in fact a canine, but wanted to tell you that I love and miss you and would bring you to school if I could. However, that’s just not in the cards. I also know you too well and you’d definitely not have a chair by a big window to gaze out of and people watch.
The lady from FedEx,
Thank you for being so kind to me yesterday when I went to make a return. You actually made my entire afternoon and I really appreciated our short interaction. I bought a pair of jeans in the wrong size which is why I had to stop by, and am now looking forward to getting the correct size of
jeans in the mail soon because it is getting colder. I’d tip you if I could, I’m so serious.
Dad,
I’m looking forward to senior dads weekend with you. I got our matching shirts for the bar crawl, and hope you know that you need to wear it. They weren’t cheap. Also, the tweet you sent in the family group chat yesterday made me laugh. I’ll call you soon.
The stranger in Trader Joe’s on Sunday, Thank you for the super kind recommendation on where I should get my sourdough bread. I cannot wait to buy and try it soon. Hope you are well.
Me,
Set a reminder to wear your retainer, take your meds, read a book for pleasure, go on a walk and stop DoorDashing so much. Get it together, girl. I say this with so much love.
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.
College Democrats: a Christian conscience
It is no secret that Donald Trump’s words and actions do not reflect Christian character. From being found civilly liable for rape to having sympathy for violent hate groups, to spreading misinformation that contributes to racist rhetoric, to paying hush money to his mistress while he was in his third marriage, the list goes on. Especially egregious is his complete disrespect of God.
Despite Jesus’ firm rejection of those who use the Lord for financial gain — in John 2:16, Jesus scolds those selling goods in the temple, urging them to “stop making my Father’s house a marketplace” — Trump has made over $300,000 by selling the “God Bless the USA Bible.” The “only Bible endorsed by President Trump,” according to its website, has signed copies selling for $1,000, as opposed to its regular $60 retail price.
Though these actions reveal Trump’s un-Christian behavior, many Republicans attempt to protect themselves by saying that their vote is for “policy over character.” Trump’s policies, however, still fail to adhere to a moral, Christian compass.
In Matthew 19:16-30, Jesus says to his disciples, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Yet Trump’s economic plan for 2024 reflects policies that only serve to benefit the rich. Research shows that top executive salaries and corporate earnings had drastic increases, while workers earning less than $114,000 saw “no change in earnings” as a result of Trump’s 2017 tax policies. Trump promises to reduce inflation by increasing tariffs, enacting mass deportation, and influencing interest rates. This not only has no grounding but will likely cause inflation to spike and unemployment rates to rise, as well as costing working-class families upward of $4,000 annually.
In Matthew 10:5-15, Jesus calls on us to “cure the sick” and to give “without payment.” Yet Trump
promotes policies that will strip Americans of lifesaving healthcare and medications. He vows to end the Affordable Care Act while providing no semblance of an alternative — Trump risks leaving millions without healthcare. 135 million people with pre-existing conditions would lose protections, over 40 million people (including 2 million children) could become uninsured, and racial disparities in healthcare would worsen if Trump were to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
In Matthew 25:31-46, when Jesus says, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” he praises those who embraced and gave respect to the foreigner. Yet Trump’s platform calls to not only “seal the border” but promises the “largest deportation operation in American history.” Not to mention, Trump was responsible for separating over 5,000 children from their parents as they attempted to cross the southern border. Jesus calls us to be sympathetic to and care for the immigrant, but Trump fans the flames of hatred that turn into violence with no remorse, while refusing to care for people seeking help.
Jesus calls for the protection of children in Matthew 18:10-14, saying, “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones.” Yet Trump continues to endorse actions that will and have harmed children. He persists in blocking gun control policies, such as limits on assaultstyle rifles and strengthening background checks. Not only is gun violence the leading cause of death for children in America, but it is proven that gun reform laws would lead to fewer gun deaths in the United States. Additionally, a second Trump term could return us to what the Children’s Defense Fund once called a “war on America’s children” for its stripping of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan.
Trump may proclaim to uphold Christian values, but his actions and policies reject much of what Jesus preached. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, on the other hand, promotes policies that align with the
teachings of Jesus.
As Jesus teaches us to care for those in need, Vice President Harris will make housing more affordable with a $25,000 credit for first-time homebuyers and will enact a federal ban on price gouging for food and groceries. As Jesus teaches us to care for the sick, Harris will expand healthcare for all and reduce prescription drug costs. As Jesus teaches us to welcome the stranger as we would him, the Harris White House will create an attainable pathway to citizenship, while keeping our borders safe. As Jesus cared for children, Harris will expand the Child Tax Credit to bring more children out of poverty.
It is the values that I have learned through Christianity that have informed my position as a Democrat — they capture the essence of how Jesus Christ taught us to live. Not selfishly or judgmentally, but with an eye toward justice and in line with his most essential message of loving thy neighbor.
As Trump said at the June gathering of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, “go and vote, Christians, please,” I say the same. But I implore you to make the decision that will most align with what Jesus Christ has truly called us to do — protect the poor, the sick, the immigrant, the children. Do not allow yourself to become twisted in the virtue-signaling falsities proclaimed by Trump that only serve to drag us down as a nation and corrupt the name of Christianity.
Trista Brantley senior co-president of
the College Democrats
The College Democrats of Notre Dame have agreed, along with the College Republicans of Notre Dame, to write a bi-weekly 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 Democrats at cdems@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Moira Quinn Working Title
ON CHAPPELL ROAN
By PETER MIKULSKI Scene Editor
I am, by no means, a Chappell Roan scholar. I listened to the album, and I even liked it, but it sounds so much like early Lady Gaga to me that whenever I turn it on, I find myself wishing I was just listening to “The Fame” instead. She also has some musical tics that really get under my skin, like how she never lets the music and lyrics breath — there’s always something budding in, e.g. the “play the f*cking beat” ad libs on the track “Femininomenon.” Nevertheless, I like her. She’s able to evoke the girlin-cookie-monster-pajama-pants, the girl-who’slived-with-grandma. It’s warm, it’s cozy, and it’s essentially midwestern.
Speaking of “midwestern,” I got into a bit of a debate with Scene writers Andy Ottone and Ayden Kowalski about whether “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” [by the way, what other popstar is referencing Edward Gibbon!?] counts as a concept album. Their verdict was a firm “no.” Still, I think the lyrics of its songs are meant to be taken as pertaining to a single female protagonist other than Roan herself — so although there’s no plot per se, there’s enough thought put into character (enough “concept” of character, if you will) that I think it might be called a concept album in good faith.
I’m reminded of how Mitski used to say that when men write great ballads, they’re called great storytellers, but when women write great ballads — for whatever reason — people assume they’re speaking from personal experience. I wonder if the hesitation to think of “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest
Princess” as a concept album is a side effect of that same phenomenon, a conception of female artists as “feelers” rather than “thinkers.”
Nevertheless, I think Andy and Ayden might have been on to something when they argued that character alone a concept album does not make — you need plot too. Take Lana Del Rey as an example. In some real sense, Lana Del Rey (the character and the persona) is very different from Lizzy Grant (the human being/the performer herself). Does that mean every Lana release is a concept album, though?
Another thing I like about Chappell Roan is that you really feel the lack of media training in her career and the absence of a social media manager on her team. You can tell she doesn’t have to check with anyone before hitting “post” on TikTok, I mean. She’s sort of like a white, liberal Azealia Banks in that way — a type of celebrity we don’t get much any more.
The recent controversy she’s sparked, i.e. her irascibility on the red carpet and her comments about the election, hasn’t phased me at all. Chappell Roan simply embodies a “rock star” mode of fame that the Zoomers just aren’t used to. The millennials couldn’t quite handle it either: they demonized Courtney Love, and perhaps the only reason they tolerated Amy Winehouse was because she died before she could wear out their nerves.
People these days claim to want “authenticity” from their celebrities (remember how much attention Jennifer Lawrence was getting for saying inane, “cool girl” stuff about pizza), but ironically, they only want it at the surface level. When Chappell Roan gets genuinely ticked-off at a paparazzo, even
though it’s a real reaction, audiences get mad — they claim to want authenticity, but when they actually get it, they hate it.
Chappell Roan feels reactionary in that — despite all the negative press, despite all the pressure from consumers — she can’t help but be authentic.
I think we should look at her politics in light of that fact. People these days claim to want “authenticity” from their celebrities, but if that “authenticity” is incongruous with Democratic talking points about how we should “vote blue no matter who” and how “democracy’s on the ballot,” they’re actually quite opposed to authenticity.
Audiences used to have a notion of “the artistic disposition.” Celebrities weren’t expected to issue fatwas on public policy, because we understood that the skillset which makes one a good artist is very different from the one which makes you a good statesman. (There were, of course, celebrities like Sinatra and Fonda who went out of their way to involve themselves in politics, but they were exceptional cases.)
Now, mobs on Twitter beckon celebrities to “speak up.” That creates a minefield for artists like Roan who are genuinely authentic and don’t bother with social media managers. They heed the siren call and are inevitably smashed against the rocks because they’re essentially unorthodox — the rockstars and true artists tend to be.
Modern ideas about the celebrity’s duty to “use their platform” seek to transform the rock star and the true artist into a dogma peddler. Chappell Roan is either too smart or too stupid to fall for it.
Contact Peter Mikulski at pmikulsk@nd.edu
MARISSA PANETHIERE | The Observer
By JACK HORTON Scene Writer
Fun fact — when the NBA announced its expansion to Miami in 1986, the team took a fan survey for potential team names. While the “Miami Heat” eventually won, a surprising contender emerged from the survey: “Miami Vice.” Sports teams often draw inspiration from city landmarks or alliterations, but a TV show? It might be unusual, but the survey shows the widespread appeal of this NBC show following its two-hour pilot episode from Sept. 16 1984.
“Miami Vice” stars James “Sonny” Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) as undercover cops who battle drug lords and organized crime in Miami, Florida. When critics watched the pilot, they were amazed that it appeared on broadcast television because it was shot like a film. Additionally, Crockett and Tubbs’ relationship mirrors the rise in high-concept buddy cop films after “48 Hrs.” with Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. This concept continued throughout the 1980s (with “Lethal Weapon” and “Running Scared”) to the present day (“Bad Boys: Ride or Die”). Another crucial element of the show’s success is executive producer Michael Mann, one of the most influential neo-noir filmmakers. Mann directed the noir film, “Thief,” and continues to specialize
in this genre with films like “Manhunter,” “Heat” and “Collateral.” The pilot episode features tone, noir conventions and music that dissolved the barrier between television and film in a way still seen today.
The show’s opening minutes reveal the stark contrast in styles between New York and Miami. Tubbs starts in the dark, gloomy alleyways of New York before the show cuts to the vibrant Miami scene where the audience sees an eyepopping explosion of color expressed in cars, pools, clothes and flamingoes. As the opening credits end, Crockett stands at a street corner in a bright white suit. This is an odd choice for an undercover cop, but it illustrates how the highly-stylized Miami lifestyle spills into a grizzly cop’s fashion choices.
In addition to the stylish opening scene, this episode applies multiple conventions of traditional noir films. First, for character conventions, both detectives’ lines between good and evil remain unclear as they face uncertainty about doing things “by the book” or by “justice at all costs.” Tubbs, for example, could be viewed as a detective or criminal throughout the first half of the pilot. Both characters are haunted by their past (death of former partners) in flashbacks, a staple in noir storytelling. The show also used cinematographic conventions of noir filmmaking, such as the rejection of three-point lighting, low-angle shots and
functioning lights within the shot. The show’s use of these character and cinematographic conventions brought noir filmmaking into broadcast television.
“Miami Vice” follows traditional noir conventions, but one original characteristic of the show is how it weaves popular music into broadcast television. Today’s audiences must understand that 1980s episodes were made for broadcasting and thus faced less scrutiny than today’s prestige TV. Imagine it’s 1984, and “Miami Vice” is playing on your home television screen. The TV set is on, but you might be reading a magazine, playing Dungeons & Dragons or working out. However, when a scene plays a popular ‘80s song like Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, or Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long (All Night)” over its action, you’re drawn back into the plot. Interestingly, NBC’s entertainment division head, Brandon Tartikoff, dubbed Crockett and Tubbs “MTV Cops” because they had so many scenes with contemporary music. The show’s use of recognizable music hits for quick-cutting, MTV-esque sequences effectively drew audiences back to the screen and away from distractions.
This is an abridged version of the piece. Read the rest at ndsmcobserver.com.
Contact Jack Horton at jhorton6@nd.eduContact
By AYDEN KOWALSKI Scene Copyeditor
Video certainly hasn’t killed the radio star. One of the largest radio stars of the century, Taylor Swift, anchors the eleventh highest grossing movie in the United States in 2023 — her own concert film of the culturally monolithic Eras Tour. It seems that concert films, simulcasts, and even live album debuts are increasingly powerful presences in the American media landscape, particularly at its streaming frontier. And with reflection on these concert films and streams and other live music media, it’s clear that the benefits they offer to streamers and audiences alike aren’t going away anytime soon. It’s logical, in fact, for the radio star to become the video star.
While Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” film is the most high-profile concert on video recently, hip hop has had its share of filmed concerts in recent years. Amazon released both a concert film for Kendrick Lamar’s “The Big Steppers Tour” and livestreamed his recent Los Angeles concert “The Pop Out” both on Prime Video and Twitch. Max hosts an excellent concert film for The Weeknd’s 2022 shows at SoFi Stadium, and this December, Netflix will debut a holiday variety show with Sabrina Carpenter performing cuts from her Christmas album as well as other, unspecified seasonal material. Streaming services seem particularly interested in live and recorded performances from star artists, and it
makes perfect sense. Shows with such stars appeal to younger target audiences while featuring content that is too adult for broadcast networks to host, thus allowing streaming services to position themselves as the less censored viewing conduit of the future. Additionally, for live concerts, streamers don’t necessarily have to pay for the physical concert and can market the pre-sold intellectual property in the shows — the public characters of the artist personas. The audience wins, too, as there is great joy in entering into the world of a concert, even if through a screen, and this probably doesn’t cost as much as attending the concert would these days.
A closely related phenomenon is the live album debut, whose main proponent in recent years has been Kanye West. Starting in 2016, live events showcasing his albums, termed “listening parties,” have become central to his vision. The most famous instances of this are his 2016 hybrid album premiere and fashion show at Madison Square Garden and his 2021 showcases of drafts of the album “Donda,” though he has done it for a few other albums as well. The “Donda” listening parties were particularly successful in garnering attention and excitement for the record and were genuine spectacles with moody, stadium-size visuals that matched the aim of the album. Staged both for a live and livestream audience, the possibilities for listening parties as a rendering of an album’s world and narrative are still unbroached, though no other mainstream artist is committing as intently to the form as Kanye did with “Donda.”
deployed two listening parties for her newest record, and Drake, Beyoncé and Frank Ocean have debuted their albums live through different means — Drake using radio stations to debut “More Life” and “Her Loss,” Beyoncé introducing “Lemonade” through a stunning accompanying film on HBO and Frank Ocean showcasing the ephemeral “Endless” during a livestream of him building a wood staircase.
Are concert films and live album debuts just the flavor of the times or a growing staple in our media diet? While it’s impossible to say with certainty, I think both are here to stay. Concert films and simulcasts will continue to be an easy sell for streaming services. As for the live album debuts or listening parties, they exist secondarily to the album they introduce, so they will never be the audience or record label’s focus. But they are still an attractive offering for an artist’s more fervent fans and an effective promotional vehicle, so I believe they will continue, and I hope that artists in the future will recognize the untapped potential of the live listening party format. The appeal of both forms, in my opinion, is both simple and instinctual: they satisfy our innate desire for live, communal experiences, to be at the center of culture as we create it. And, of course, watching these at home is far less expensive, both in terms of time and money, than trying to get to these cultural wellsprings in person.
Contact Ayden Kowalski at akowals2 @ nd.edu
Billie Eilish
Happy Birthday: Look at life with curiosity and discover unique alternatives and lifestyles that offer comfort. Be open and receptive to suggestions, but don’t be a follower when your happiness depends on taking the initiative to live and do things your way. Put your energy into things that matter and take a pass instead of arguing or trying to change others; focus on personal growth and gain instead. Your numbers are 4, 12, 21, 27, 32, 41, 44.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make plans; socializing will lead to exciting ideas that spark your imagination and introduce you to people, places, and pastimes that encourage growth. Don’t let someone’s negativity or anger stand between you and doing what makes you happy. An opportunity to travel or learn something new will enlighten you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep busy and avoid emotional turmoil. Putting too much effort into trying to change someone will be futile. Look inward and concentrate on personal gains and providing for yourself. Protect your emotional and physical wellbeing and strive for independence and opportunities. Put yourself first.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Sign up for something that interests you, and you’ll find an outlet that stimulates your mind and encourages you to engage in events and activities that promote learning new skills and developing unique friendships. Please don’t settle for less; making your dreams come true is up to you.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Stick to basics and take care of necessities. Refuse to let anyone push you into an argument or make decisions. Focus on what’s essential and prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Broaden your circle of friends by attending a social or networking event.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Communication will lead to exciting options. Gravitate toward those who can offer information and guidance. Getting the lowdown on something you may want to invest time and money into will help you make a better decision. Express interest, but only donate or spend what you can afford.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Conversations will likely only partially represent what’s possible. Immerse yourself in situations that allow you to see results firsthand. Knowing and seeing is believing and will give you the confidence to take the path most appropriate. Engineer and manifest what you want, and don’t look back.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your energy into finishing what you start, doing a stellar job, and walking away from any situation you face, knowing that you did the best you could. Stretch your imagination, and discover something you enjoy doing that will generate extra cash. Opportunity is within reach.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay attention to what your body tells you. Listen to the signs and signals and approach health and well-being holistically. Advocate on your behalf, and you’ll find the path to personal and professional success. Leave nothing to chance or in someone else’s hands. Romance is favored.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Embrace unfamiliar territory, offers, or people instead of fearing or running away from change. Invest more time in learning and discovering what’s available. You don’t have to sign up for something, but you need to find your options and consider which prospects align with your goal.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a close look at your financial, medical, or legal situation and dissect any joint or shared deals that come your way. Partnership problems require an ironclad agreement before you enter the wring. Invest more time and money in yourself. Romance is on the rise.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Spend more time reviewing what you have and want to invest more time nurturing. A medical and financial plan offering security and stabilization will ease your mind. Attend informative events and socialize and network with people who can provide sound advice. Protect against illness or injury.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Step into the limelight and express your thoughts. The feedback you receive will be eye-opening and pave the path to promising alternatives. Focus on health, wealth, and personal well-being. Set yourself up for success and quickly say no to anyone tempting you with indulgent behavior.
Birthday Baby: You are curious, talkative, and entertaining. You are creative and determined.
JUMBLE | DAVID HOYT AND JEFF KNUREK
Irish head into ACC play aginst No. 3 Stanford
By TYLER REIDY
Sports Editor
Last season, Notre Dame volleyball jumped out to an 8-2 start, riding high through their first week of conference play. However, on the 27th of September, the Irish ran into No. 5 Louisville and picked up loss number three in just three sets. From there on out, Notre Dame lost 12 of 15 matches to finish the season at 11-15.
Four weeks into the season, Notre Dame enters this weekend at a similar crossroads. The Irish are 7-2 and face No. 3 Stanford on Friday, which, of course, is the 27th of September. Cal also awaits on Sunday, as Notre Dame begins its 2024 ACC schedule by hosting two of the conference’s newest members. Will a difficult test early in league play put Notre Dame behind the eight ball again, or will the Irish use it as a launching pad for their best year under Salima Rockwell?
Schrader remains on a roll
Much of Notre Dame’s earlyseason success can be attributed to the continued maturation and step forward of senior setter Phyona Schrader. From last year to this year, Schrader has
jumped from 1.897 to 3.294 in kills per set, from .209 to .371 in hitting percentage, from 0.91 to 5.00 in assists per set, from 0.026 to 0.471 in service aces per set and from 2.256 to 4.132 in points per set. She ranks topfour among Notre Dame players in every relevant statistical category, leading the Irish in kills (112), assists (170), service aces (16) and points (140.5).
With brilliance down that many avenues comes a heap of triple-doubles, and Schrader already has five of those. Last weekend, as Notre Dame split with Indiana, she notched two of them – including one in a three-set match – to pay off her ACC Setter of the Week recognition from the previous stretch of games. Even if Schrader does it all on Friday, Notre Dame might not have enough to defeat Stanford, but she can certainly pull the Irish closer.
Stanford seeking a return to the volleyball mountaintop
There’s no denying Stanford’s excellence as a women’s volleyball program over the last three decades. The Cardinal have claimed nine national championships – including three between 2016 and 2019 – and have reached the NCAA
Tournament semifinals a total of 23 times. However, although the Cardinal have won the Pac12 regular-season title in each of the last two seasons, they haven’t found much postseason glory. Each of Stanford’s last two seasons, which both played out with only one conference loss, came to an end in the NCAA Regional Final. As the third-ranked team in the nation, head coach Kevin Hambly and Stanford want more in year one as ACC members.
Like most top volleyball programs, Stanford has played a grueling non-conference schedule to reach an 8-1 start.
The Cardinal have scored big wins against No. 18 Minnesota, No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 24 Marquette, No. 6 Texas and No. 11 Kentucky. Stanford’s only loss of the season, a highly respectable one, came at the hands of current No. 2 Nebraska in Lincoln. The gauntlet continues this weekend for the Cardinal, who will make the trip to No. 5 Louisville on Sunday after battling Notre Dame.
Looking at Stanford’s
numbers on the season, the first item that stands out is the Cardinal block. Stanford ranks dead last in the ACC by a considerable margin with only 1.58 blocks per set. However, much of that can be attributed to the effectiveness of Stanford’s attack leaving opponents with minimal opportunities to counter. Otherwise, the Cardinal do a little bit of everything well, as Lizzy Andrew and Sami Francis rank top-10 in the ACC for hitting percentage, Kami Miner ranks second in assists per set, Jordyn Harvey ranks second in aces per set and Elia Rubin ranks third in points per set. Historically, the Cardinal hold a 7-1 series lead over the Irish, but the teams have not met since 2011.
Cal looking to continue improvement under Jen Malcom
After reaching the NCAA Tournament for the 12th consecutive season in 2013, Cal volleyball went into quite a rough patch. Heading into this season, the Golden Bears have finished with a losing campaign
in eight of the last 10 years, cycling through five full-time and interim head coaches during that stretch. Now, on the heels of a nine-win improvement in 2023, Cal is heading in a better direction under first-year head coach Jen Malcom.
The Golden Bears have followed up a 16-15 season with an 8-4 start to 2024. They are, however, 0-4 against Power Four opponents and will enter South Bend after going through the wringer Friday at Louisville. Cal has surrendered the most kills to opponents in the ACC and has endured a great deal of roster turnover from their resurgent 2023 season. Xuemeng Li leads the Golden Bears in scoring (204.5 points) and kills per set (4.14).
Notre Dame has not met Cal since 2008 and leads the alltime series 3-1.
The Irish will face Stanford at 6:30 p.m. on Friday for Irish Wear Green Night before taking on Cal at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer
Freshman middle blocker Grace Langer rises for a swing during Notre Dame’s 3-1 defeat of Colorado State at Compton Family Ice Arena on Sept. 13. Nine games into her college career, Langer has 19 kills, 10 digs and 28 blocks to her name. She and the Irish have their most difficult test of the season to date awaiting on Friday in the form of No. 3 Stanford.
Belles keep their momentum up with 3-1 win
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
Winning its third game in a row, the Saint Mary’s soccer team took the 3-1 win over the Hiram Terriers.
Freshman defender Isabella Kreydich made an impressive start for the Belles, scoring her first collegiate goal in the 22nd minute to give her team an early lead. Kreydich kept the ball rolling later in the
ND WOMEN’S SOCCER
first half, as she scored her second goal of the night helping the Belles pull ahead to a 2-0 lead over the Terriers.
The Terriers responded early in the second half, with Bella Simmons netting their first goal at the 51:23 mark, closing the gap to 2-1. However, the Belles remained undeterred, with senior midfielder Mary Kaczynski sealing the win with a goal at 75:31, securing
a 3-1 victory for the Belles. Saint Mary’s dominated throughout the match, outshooting the Terriers 20-9 and 11-4 in shots on goal. Kreydich led the team with five shots, sophomore midfielder Magaret Slove tallied four and Kaczynski added three shots. Senior goalkeeper Riley Lindsey kept the Belles safe on defense, having a total of three saves while facing nine shots.
Now 5-3 on the season, the Belles now prepare to play back at home as they get ready to face the Kalamazoo Hornets to open up Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) play. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Coming off of a win, the Hornets now hold a 3-6 record for the season. Ellie Andrews leads the team with a total of 12 points, 26 shots and 14 shots on goal. Andrews also has a .538 shot on goal percentage and a .154 shot percentage.
The upcoming match against Kalamazoo will also serve as the Saint Mary’s soccer team’s annual Morgan’s Message game, aimed at raising awareness for studentathlete mental health.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
Irish finish in 1-1 draw with NC State at home
By BEN HICKS Sports Writer
The No. 13 Notre Dame women’s soccer team returned home to a packed Alumni Stadium on Thursday night, as they welcomed the North Carolina State Wolfpack to town for an important ACC clash in the annual “Irish Wear Green” game.
Coming off an impressive road victory over a top20 Virginia Cavaliers squad in Charlottesville, the Irish looked to continue their unbeaten streak, having earned at least a share of the spoils in every match since the opening night defeat against now-No. 1 Michigan State. Thursday’s match marked the first home ACC contest of the season for the Irish, but they were quickly in for a battle with a seemingly inferior NC State group, who entered with a measly 3-6-1 record following two home ACC defeats.
Irish control possession, but NC State strikes first
Following a slow offensive start from both sides, Irish freshman forward Annabelle Chukwu fired off the first chance of the evening off a nice cross from fellow freshman midfielder Grace Restovich. Chukwu’s leftfooted attempt from about six yards out was turned away by the Wolfpack backline, who stood up strongly throughout the first half despite Notre Dame dominating possession.
Despite the early Irish control, it was NC State who opened the scoring on its first shot of the match. Freshman midfielder Mana Nakata served in an outswinging corner which found the head of the unmarked Taylor Chism, who made no mistake to give the Wolfpack momentum and the 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. The goal was also the first time the Irish conceded with sophomore keeper Atlee Olofson between the sticks this season.
Despite outshooting the Wolfpack 11-3, the Irish offense was held at bay for the remainder of the first period, and Notre Dame trailed at the intermission for just the second time all season.
Experienced Irish find equalizer
The Irish were nearly granted a penalty in the 49th minute when Restovich was brought down with mild contact towards the top of the 18yard box. Referee JC Griggs took an extensive look at the play through VAR, but he eventually decided that the contact was minimal, and the Notre Dame threat subsided. Notre Dame continued to attack on the front foot throughout the first 20 minutes of the second half, headlined by a strike off the foot of junior midfielder Leah Klenke that soared just wide of the right post. Some of NC State’s defensive momentum simmered when Chism, the team’s defensive leader and lone goal-scorer of the match,
exited in the 67th minute with an apparent lower leg injury.
The Irish wasted no time to find the equalizer in Chism’s absence. Junior midfielder Laney Matriano served in a nearly identical outswinging corner as NC State’s opener in the first half, but this time it was Notre Dame senior captain Sophia Fisher who slotted it home to level the match at 1-1. It was the first goal of the season and sixth all-time for the midfielder from Scottsdale, Arizona. Fisher last found the back of the net in the top-10 win over Clemson at Alumni Stadium last Oct. 26.
Matriano nearly gave the Irish their first advantage of the night in the 81st minute, but her right-footed strike from roughly 20 yards out was deflected into the post by junior goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas for her eight save of the evening.
NC State was held without a shot for the entirety of the second half, but the Irish
were only able to make good on one of their 19 shots. While the unbeaten streak will stay intact for at least one more match, Notre Dame certainly expected a better result than a 1-1 home draw against NC State.
What’s next
Currently sitting in a tie for sixth place in the middle of the ACC standings, the Irish will face an extended break before returning to Alumni Stadium. Following a bye, the homestretch of the conference calendar begins next Saturday, Oct. 5, as the Irish will make the journey to Upstate New York to do battle with conference dweller
Syracuse, a match that will be aired on ACCNX at 1 p.m.
The road trip will continue the following Saturday in Louisville, as the Cardinals will search for a marquee victory against Notre Dame to solidify their spot in the NCAA Tournament field of 64.
Head coach Nate Norman’s side will then return home for four of its final five matches to be played in the concluding two weeks of the regular season, the first of which being a date with California back at the friendly confines of Alumni Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 17.
Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
FOOTBALL
Keys to Victory: Notre Dame vs. Louisville
By MADELINE LADD Assistant Managing Editor
Riley Leonard — step up and deliver Notre Dame’s senior quarterback needs to put together a complete performance, both in the air and on the ground. The slow start he had in the first quarter against Miami (Ohio) can’t happen again — Louisville is too strong a team to give any early opportunities. Last week, Leonard got in his own head and missed easy throws. Once he settled in, however, he showed his potential with a deep shot down to graduate receiver Beaux Collins for a touchdown. This week, he has to take it further: read the defense, trust his mechanics and make the necessary throws to keep Louisville
from loading up to stop the run. This game will be tight, putting an even bigger spotlight on Leonard. He needs to shine.
Be ready to play
The inconsistency under Marcus Freeman has been well-documented. No need to revisit the rollercoaster ride, we’ve all seen it. But now, the Irish have to come out ready to face a talented Louisville team with the season on the line. A second loss will likely knock them out of the College Football Playoff race, and it will only intensify questions about Freeman’s leadership. This is also a revenge game — last year’s blowout in Louisville still stings. The Irish must be locked in from the first snap, as Louisville matches up well in terms of athleticism
and will be looking to capitalize on any weakness.
Defense — stop the run
Notre Dame’s defensive line has been too porous against the run. Defensive coordinator Al Golden may be relying on a ”bend but don’t break” philosophy, but giving up 75-plus rushing yards in the first half to a Miami team ranked 110th in rushing is simply unacceptable. Graduate defensive lineman Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III have been MIA this season, and that has to change. They need to step up, stiffen against the run and put pressure on Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough. Louisville has quality receivers including Alabama transfer Ja’Corey Brooks and Chris Bell, who ranks second in the ACC in
yards per catch. While junior Benjamin Morrison and sophomore Christian Gray are shutdown corners, they will need help with the loss of junior Jaden Mickey.
Offensive line — hold the line
Notre Dame’s offensive line is battling injuries, down three starters. While graduate right guard Rocco Spindler and senior center Pat Coogan have experience, the line needs to gel quickly to keep Louisville’s preseason All-American Ashton Gillotte in check. Penalties like false starts or holding calls cannot happen, and the line must fire off the ball to create the running lanes needed for sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love and junior running back Jadarian Price. Keeping
Leonard comfortable and confident is key, as he has a tendency to scramble too early if he doesn’t trust his protection.
Run the ball (and not just Leonard)
Love and Price have emerged as one of the best running back duos in the country, yet they’re underutilized. Love averages just 11 carries per game, and Price 6.5. That needs to change. Notre Dame must pound the ball, control the clock and lean on its most dynamic offensive weapons. By establishing the run, the Irish will take the pressure off Leonard and open up more opportunities for the passing game.
Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.edu
Reidy: Do the Irish have home-field advantage?
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Three weeks ago, as Notre Dame football got underway with its brutal home loss to Northern Illinois, former Irish quarterback Malik Zaire took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice some concerns. However, he didn’t call out the team (although he would plenty of times as the game continued). Instead, he expressed his frustrations with the Notre Dame Stadium environment.
“ND must rank last place in toughest places to play in college football. We give no intimidation factor to teams just all the motivation they need to play amazing vs us lol,” the post read.
I certainly wouldn’t call Zaire a stereotypical hater by any stretch. He made starts as the Notre Dame quarterback just under a decade ago. He knows the expectations and pressure attached to the program well, loves the team and is locked into Irish football every week. If he has something negative to say about the program, it’s coming from a place of genuine care.
Anyway, Zaire’s post generated 237,000 impressions and stirred up quite a conversation among Notre Dame football fans. Some Irish supporters shared their tales of being asked to sit down or cheer less vehemently at games — something I as merely a student cannot speak on. Others lamented the combination
of senior citizens, “wineand-cheese” elitists and academic-minded students occupying the stadium’s rows. A few defended the crowd, claiming the lackluster stadium atmosphere was a consequence of the team’s poor performance.
The discussion has continued throughout the season’s first month, with numerous stadium-related forums appearing on message boards and social media posts. It’s a legitimate talking point as No. 15 Louisville comes to town for the annual Irish Wear Green game. Will Notre Dame actually have a legitimate home-field advantage in its biggest home game of the season on Saturday, or will Louisville walk into The House that Rockne Built and play comfortably like Cincinnati, Marshall and Northern Illinois recently have?
Obviously, plenty has changed inside Notre Dame Stadium within the last 10 years alone. Gone are the days of tiny scoreboards, the band crowding in behind the north end zone and the late Sergeant Tim McCarthy’s puns about driving home safely. The Campus Crossroads project brought in a massive videoboard along with press box and luxury seating attachments atop the stadium bowl, creating a more updated traditional feel for the venue in 2017. From my perspective, though, I don’t believe the stadium experience changed all that much. Not until 2021. As full-capacity crowds
returned to South Bend after the 2020 pandemic season, Notre Dame introduced several items to up the ante of fan engagement. The season opened with three consecutive “Irish Wear Green” games (although the team wore blue) in hopes of a more unified gameday crowd. Third-down hype music became a staple, as did the much-debated usage of the Vengaboys’ “We Like To Party” after defensive stops. Later in the season, nightgame light shows joined the 1812 Overture at the end of the third quarter.
Most of those developments have carried on into 2024, although the “Irish Wear Green” now appears just once per season. An inhouse DJ and on-field host have entered the picture more recently to fire up the fans.
With all of these elements in play, it’s easy to see how the stadium can have a bit of an identity crisis during low-level games like Northern Illinois and Miami (Ohio), which have started this year’s home schedule. With their team a fourtouchdown favorite on both occasions, Irish fans didn’t show up to those games expecting to play much of a role in the outcome. And why would they? Penn State’s Beaver Stadium isn’t setting any records for noise when Delaware pays a visit. Nor is LSU’s Tiger Stadium when Troy occupies the visiting sideline. Afternoon home games against mid-major programs aren’t meant to
function as fearmongering madhouses, but rather as celebrations of the superior program’s success.
That’s what can make a bad first quarter from Notre Dame so unbearable in terms of stadium experience. When you’ve spent the whole day feeling confident that the Irish will roll, there’s a whiplash effect when you find they’re trailing a MAC school after 15 minutes of play. Some might argue that the team isn’t performing well because the crowd isn’t behind them enough, but let’s be real. If Notre Dame needs maximum fan support to beat a directional university, that’s a team issue. And on most days, the team itself needs to be enough of an intimidation factor to spook lesser programs. When Ohio State, USC or Louisville inhabit the opposing sideline, that’s where the crowd must step in.
On Saturday, I believe it will. Notre Dame Stadium, barring the occasional south-end-zone takeover from a Georgia or Cincinnati fanbase, does not miss when it comes to big games. The place was rocking for Clemson in 2022 and both Ohio State and USC last season. I understand that those were night games against much more established programs and this is an afternoon game against upand-coming Louisville, but I still feel that the environment will deliver.
Just look at Notre Dame’s 2022 “Irish Wear Green” game against Cal. That was
a September afternoon game against a program irrelevant since the Black Eyed Peas ruled the charts. Plus, it followed the Marshall loss that put the Irish at 0-2 and out of both the AP Top 25 and the College Football Playoff race in Marcus Freeman’s first head coaching season. I still remember feeling impressed by that day’s atmosphere given the circumstances. I fully acknowledge that Notre Dame Stadium’s current environment is far from perfect, especially for afternoon games. The Notre Dame day-game fanbase — composed typically of successful alumni, traveling groups and a small but passionate student body — is not an easy one to appeal to all in one swoop. Factor in what the team and its visiting recruits are looking for, and it can get awkward at times.
But there’s a palpable sense of urgency heading into this weekend. With an Irish revenge win against Louisville, we can begin to seriously entertain our postseason hopes again. With a Notre Dame loss comes another season of aggravating, below-expectations football.
The Louisville game means a lot, and I have faith that when the rubber meets the road on Saturday, the Notre Dame faithful will treat it as such.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
FOOTBALL COLUMN
Irish, Tigers set for College Cup Final rematch
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Just under 10 months ago, the 2023 Notre Dame men’s soccer team left the Lynn Family Stadium pitch in Louisville with its memorable College Cup run over. On the opposing sideline, Clemson celebrated its second national championship in three years. The Tigers had ended Notre Dame’s season for a third consecutive time, doing so on the grandest of college soccer stages.
Now, as the heat of ACC play cranks up in late September, the two conference foes collide for the first time since that decisive Monday night in Kentucky. While Friday’s upcoming match between the Tigers and the Irish has a lot — perhaps too much — to live up to, it poses plenty of unique storylines.
At 3-1-3 near the season’s midway point, Notre Dame enters with something to prove. The Irish are currently unranked and receiving no votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. They outplayed No. 2 Stanford two weeks ago but didn’t find the result to show for it in a 1-0 loss at home.
Meanwhile, Clemson comes in at 5-1-2 and would like to reassert its former position as the team to beat in the ACC. The Tigers formerly held that claim but gave it up to Stanford in a 3-2 home loss to the Cardinal on Sept. 6. Clemson also carries a bad taste in its mouth from its last road match, a 2-2 draw against a lowly Holy Cross team that has losses to Sacred Heart, Massachusetts-Lowell, Stonehill and Bryant.
Tracking the Tigers
Like Notre Dame in goal, Clemson entered the 2024 season with a massive positional departure to replace up front. While the Irish lost TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year Bryan Dowd to the MLS ranks, Clemson dealt with the same as 2023 Hermann Trophy winner Ousmane Sylla moved on to the professional scene. Last season, the Senegalese superstar led Clemson by a mile in goals (13), assists (10) and points (36). He scored the game-winning goal in the aforementioned College Cup final.
But he’s no longer a part of the picture, and Clemson’s attack is still rediscovering
its identity without him. The top three returning Tiger scorers — Alex Meinhard, Nathan Richmond and Tyler Trimnal — have combined for just 12 points. Senior Joran Gerbet has stepped up to match his 2023 numbers already and lead the team with nine points. Virginia Tech transfer Misei Yoshizawa paces the Tigers with four goals but doesn’t offer the same propensity for assists that Sylla did. Overall, the Clemson offense started strong with 13 goals in its four matches but has tapered off with just five tallies in its last four.
Nevertheless, the Tigers can take comfort in the stabilizing force they have in goal. Junior keeper Joseph Andema has carried on as the full-time starter after shouldering all 23 Clemson matches in last year’s championship season. He posted respectable numbers then and has been slightly better this season despite several key losses on Clemson’s back line.
Roou and the Irish heating up at the right time
Five matches into the season, Notre Dame resided in a similar position to Clemson offensively. The Irish had piled up six goals from six different players and lacked a true goal-scoring identity.
However, with help from a couple of non-conference tune-ups at home, that has changed during the past week. Notre Dame posted six goals against Chicago State on Friday and three against Detroit Mercy on Tuesday, balancing out some tough luck early in the season.
“At the end of the day as a coach, you always want them focused on performances, but results are always good because that’s the goal,” Notre Dame head coach Chad Riley said after Tuesday’s 3-1 win. “But for me, it’s more about the performances and them taking confidence from those.”
At the forefront of Notre Dame’s offensive turnaround is none other than former All-ACC First-Teamer Matthew Roou. The senior forward enters the Clemson match with a hat trick in back-to-back games, ballooning his season scoring total from one goal to seven in a week’s time.
“It’s a huge confidence boost. Once the goals start coming, it just gives you
a little extra confidence to keep going and getting more,” Roou said. “[It’s] not like I wasn’t playing bad in the games before, but it was just chances missing by a couple of inches, and it’s great to just feel confident again and feel like you can carry it forward into Clemson, which is a huge one. We owe them one this weekend.”
A brief history of Notre Dame-Clemson
Over the last four years, the Notre Dame-Clemson matchup has evolved into one of the premier non-traditional rivalries in men’s college soccer. The Irish and Tigers have met in each of the last three postseasons and have combined to occupy three of the last six College Cup final spots.
Back in 2021, after Roou and Notre Dame defeated Clemson on the road during the regular season, the two sides met again in the
College Cup semifinals. Both teams scored in the opening 21 minutes but went silent for the next 89, forcing overtime and, eventually, penalty kicks. In the shootout, Clemson went five for five and advanced to what would become a third national championship crown in program history.
Two years ago, the Irish and Tigers did not see one another during the regular season but immediately collided in the postseason. At the end of a down year for Notre Dame, the first-round ACC Tournament matchup went the way of Clemson by a 3-1 score. The Tigers wouldn’t do much with the 2022 campaign either, though, departing the race as a one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament.
Last season, both teams returned to championshipcaliber form, and so did their battles on the pitch. On night one of ACC play in the regular season, Notre
Dame outlasted Clemson at home by a score of 3-2, overcoming two 44th-minute Tiger goals with a masterful, game-winning free kick by Daniel Russo just after halftime. At that time, both teams occupied the fringes of the national rankings. Three months later, they had survived as the last teams standing and squared off in the College Cup final. Despite 15 shots from Notre Dame, Clemson hung on for a 2-1 victory.
Heading into Friday, both Clemson and Notre Dame wield eight men who took part in last year’s national championship match.
“We’re just excited to prove ourselves against a good team at home in front of our own crowd,” Riley said. Friday’s contest, which will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU, is set to kick off at 7 p.m. inside Alumni Stadium.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
MOLLY DRINAN | The Observer
Sophomore forward Jack Flanagan controls the ball during Notre Dame’s 1-1 draw against Duquesne at Alumni Stadium on Sept. 10. Flanagan and the Irish attack have kicked into gear over the past two games.
Cahill: Turning point or final blow for the Irish?
By NOAH CAHILL Associate Sports Editor
Saturday’s matchup against No. 15 Louisville marks an inflection point in Notre Dame’s season. Heading into 2024, with the expanded 12-team field and a manageable schedule, it was always playoff-or-bust for the Irish. Many within the organization had even higher aspirations, to host a playoff game in South Bend on the third weekend of December. But after a shocking upset loss to Northern Illinois in Week Two, the entire outlook on the season changed. Notre Dame now risks being eliminated from playoff contention entirely before the beginning of October. Every game is already a must-win. If Louisville kills Notre Dame’s lingering playoff hopes for the second straight season, a very long two months lie ahead. A win, however, could mark a turning point.
Head coach Marcus Freeman has proven throughout his tenure that he can get his team to respond. The issue has always been handling success and creating unnecessary adversity to overcome. Last season’s loss against the Cardinals was a perfect example. Freeman’s squad had just ground out a tough win against No. 17 Duke on the road following a devastating defeat to No. 6 Ohio State in the previous week. But rather than carrying the momentum of the win forward, they fell
COLLINS FEATURE
flat against Louisville, suffering a deflating, 33-20 loss. Freeman made several in-game lineup configurations on the offensive line that spelled disaster only two weeks after an inexcusable error on the game’s final play, fielding only 10 men against the Buckeyes on their game-winning touchdown run. This season has been a similar story, coming up with a program-defining win against Texas A&M in College Station in the season opener, before turning around a week later and getting outplayed by Northern Illinois on home turf. Which Notre Dame will we get? That is a tough question that remains a struggle to answer in Freeman’s third year. Suffering a loss this weekend will bring up even tougher questions for Notre Dame’s head coach. Despite rattling off a pair of victories to right the ship after NIU, the Irish have looked far from convincing in doing so. Even in a 66-7 rout against Purdue, they failed to ignite the passing attack, with senior quarterback Riley Leonard throwing for only 112 yards. The more concerning performance came last week, however, only managing 28 points against a lackluster Miami (Ohio) defense. The score does not reflect how hard those points were to come by. Leonard looked shaken after missing multiple layup-line throws, and the running game was shut down in the first quarter, held to only 23 yards.
Struggles persisted in the second quarter, and Leonard’s inaccuracy through the air led to further defensive emphasis on a predictable rushing attack. The Irish looked far too one-dimensional. Special teams execution was sloppy, highlighted by a muffed punt from sophomore wide receiver Jordan Faison and a fumbled snap on an attempted field goal. Had Miami capitalized on Notre Dame’s mistakes, the score could have looked a lot different.
The offense showed signs of life just before halftime, thanks to Leonard’s legs, as he powered in his fifth rushing touchdown of the season. He then led a twominute drill to perfection closing the half, connecting with graduate wideout Beaux Collins on a sideline shot to extend the lead to 14-3. A Notre Dame crowd that had been chanting junior quarterback Steve Angeli’s name alongside boos of frustration for Leonard breathed a collective sigh of relief. It was the senior transfer’s first touchdown pass of the season. But even after that moment, the Irish never truly pulled away. Leonard’s second rushing touchdown of the day and sixth of the season, coming on fourth and short at midfield, would later ice the game for good, but not after more drives fell flat for the offense. Despite the comfortable scoreline, no one left the stadium with optimism about the team’s direction on that side
of the ball.
With the current state of the offense, and no margin for error remaining, why should anyone have hope in this Notre Dame team? The defense. For all the shortcomings the Irish have had with the ball in their hands, the guys on the other side of the ball have played at an elite level all season. This is a national championship-caliber unit, and it has proven it through four weeks. It ranks in the top 15 in opponent points per game and yards per game, sixth in opponent passing efficiency, second in opponent completion percentage and have forced 1.5 turnovers per game. It made a statement against Texas A&M in Week One and helped Notre Dame avoid disaster against Miami, holding the RedHawks to three points despite the offense surrendering them numerous opportunities. Leaning on this group, the Irish are capable of grinding out the necessary wins on this schedule.
On the other hand, the doubts about Leonard are justified. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: he sets the ceiling for this team. Angeli may be the safer and more reliable option at this moment, but for a team with this high of aspirations, the offense needs to be more. Leonard has shown his incredible dual-threat ability, something that Angeli does not have in his repertoire and never will. Leonard, on the
other hand, has shown flashes of his talent as a passer. He’s always had the pedigree with his arm, it is just a matter of putting it together with timing, accuracy and consistency. If he can succeed in adding the much-needed dimension to Denbrock’s offense, sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love has the potential to become a superstar, with junior Jadarian Price providing strong support as his backfield partner. The group has the tools to succeed. They just need to put it together.
I can’t come on here and say that Notre Dame belongs in that group of contenders right now. The Irish have not proven to be on that level. And yet, if they survive until the USC game with only one loss, everything is still on the table for this team. The matchup with the Cardinals presents itself as the largest obstacle ahead. A win here could mean everything. Freeman described his memories of their last matchup as going to therapy. On Saturday, his team must exorcise those demons and make it to the bye week with something still to play for. If they do, I believe it could be the moment they look back on with a playoff berth in December.
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.
Beaux Collins ready to face another ACC foe
By ANNIKA HERKO Associate Sports Editor
Much of conversation this past offseason centered around senior Riley Leonard’s decision to transfer from Duke to start at quarterback for Notre Dame. And, while the news will always primarily follow the quarterback, another
ACC transfer has had huge impacts on the Irish this season.
In his three years at Clemson, graduate wide receiver Beaux Collins had 91 receptions, 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns. All of this was despite several injuries throughout his career at Clemson, including a separated left shoulder inflicted on him by
the Irish during the classic game in 2022 that ended with Notre Dame students storming the field.
Collins’ arrival in South Bend added a lot of experience to the wide receiver room. Senior Jayden Thomas had the most receptions with 46 over his two years with the Irish. Sophomores
Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison gave Notre Dame fans a lot to cheer about last season, but even they only combined for 587 receiving yards out of the 3,065 that Notre Dame had all season.
Despite being in the ACC with Louisville when he was with Clemson, this Saturday will be the first time Collins actually takes the field against the Cardinals. Clemson defeated Louisville the week after losing to Notre Dame in 2022, but Collins was still injured. Still, after the game against Miami (Ohio), the leading receiver for the Irish was excited by the challenge posed by the Cardinals.
“Oh yes, it’s a big one, Louisville. They’re always gonna bring their best. They’re a team I have a lot of respect for just growing up watching Lamar [Jackson] and all that. They bring in players just like we do here. [They] have good guys there… but I feel like as long as we handle our business [and] execute, we’ll be just fine,” Collins said.
Leonard has, of course, been under a lot of scrutiny recently for being a run-first, pass -econd quarterback. Collins has the distinction of being the only player for Notre Dame to have caught a touchdown pass from Leonard.
The catch came at a pivotal point in the game on Saturday, putting the Irish up by two scores over the RedHawks. And quieting (at least for a little bit) some of the concerns about Leonard and the Irish passing game.
With all of the talent that Collins and the other receivers bring, it’s hard to fault anyone frustrated that they are not getting the ball more often. Still, Collins has seen teams that click and those that just haven’t and still feels very positive about what Notre Dame is doing.
“I feel like we’re pretty close, man. There’s just small things here and there,” he said. “We come in on Mondays, rewatch the film and things like that, see what to correct. When we go to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, we really look to fix… the small details, whether it’s penalties or… things like that. And I feel like we’re pretty close. As an older guy, I know what it looks like, and I feel like we’re right there.”
One of the keys to victory for Notre Dame this weekend has to be getting the ball to No. 5 on offense. Irish fans hope they can do that early and often in the game.
Contact Annika Herko at aherko@nd.edu
RICHARD TAYLOR | The Observer
Graduate wide receiver Beaux Collins runs into the end zone to finish off a 38-yard touchdown reception during the second quarter of Notre Dame’s 28-3 defeat of Miami (Ohio) at Notre Dame Stadium on Sept. 21.
Football beat picks: Notre Dame vs. Louisville
By Observer Sports Staff
John Bailey Record: 3-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 108
After Scott Satterfield toiled in mediocrity with continuous .500 seasons a la Jason Garrett, head coach Jeff Brohm came in and immediately altered the Louisville program’s direction.
The Brohm family is Louisville royalty, with Jeff and his brothers playing football for the Cardinals and his father serving as a coach and mentor in the Louisville football community for decades. This passion for the Derby City on its own means nothing, but his brilliant football mind gives Brohm the skills needed to help his alma mater reach the sport’s pinnacle.
Brohm aggressively attacked the transfer portal behind the university’s NIL collective and financial support of a newly energized fanbase, producing a top-two portal class in both 2023 and 2024. Former Oregon and Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough has led the Cardinals to an undefeated start while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes, averaging over 11 yards per attempt and tossing eight touchdowns with zero interceptions. His quarterback rating of 197.11 ranks third among players with more than 60 attempts.
Shough could not have drawn up a better start, but Purdue quarterback Hudson Card also looked near-perfect before taking on the formidable Irish defense. Through three games, the Louisville offensive line has allowed just two sacks. Notre Dame will need to double this total on Sunday in order to win. Shough crumbles under pressure. A consistent pass rush speeds up his internal clock and makes him force throws that result in turnovers, having thrown 17 interceptions over 22 games the last four years.
Sophomore vyper Boubacar Traore will build off his breakout performance against Miami (Ohio) and have another big game against the Cardinals. But Traore can’t do it alone and will need graduate defensive lineman Rylie Mills to generate consistent pressure, something he has struggled to do for four quarters this season. If Brohm chooses to lean on the ground game with running backs Don Chaney and Isaac Brown, senior Jason Onye and graduate student Howard Cross III will step into more important roles as the team’s best run stoppers. The Irish defense will carry Notre Dame to victory as it has all season, with senior
quarterback Riley Leonard making big-time throws to put the game away in the fourth quarter and silence his critics.
Prediction: Louisville 17, Notre Dame 24
Madeline Ladd Record: 3-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 110
Here we are again. A loss to Louisville, and the season is effectively over. Dramatic? Hardly. The entire goal was to cruise through what seemed like a straightforward schedule and secure a spot in the newly expanded playoffs. Now the team is on the line in each game. Louisville is an undefeated squad eager to repeat last year’s dominant win over the Irish. With its playoff hopes on the line, Marcus Freeman’s team must rise to the occasion as it has in previous high-pressure moments — namely, USC last season and Clemson the year before. However, after a sluggish and mistake-filled start last week against Miami, Irish fans are rightfully anxious.
Louisville’s defense returned seven starters, including AllAmerican defensive end Ashton Gillotte who tormented Sam Hartman last season. Their secondary, led by safety Devin Neal and cornerback Quincy Riley, will challenge a Notre Dame offense that’s struggled with consistency. An injury-riddled Irish offensive line will need to step up to protect Riley Leonard and establish a ground game against a defense holding opponents to just 2.5 yards per carry.
On the other side of the ball, Louisville’s run game faltered last week, but they remain a threat through the air with quarterback Tyler Shough and Alabama transfer Ja’Corey Brooks forming a dangerous duo. With Notre Dame’s secondary depth limited due to junior cornerback Jaden Mickey’s intent to redshirt, containing Louisville’s passing attack will be crucial.
The Irish need to bring the same intensity they showed against Texas A&M, while Leonard must build on his progress in the passing game after tossing his first touchdown last week. Getting more touches for sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love and junior running back Jadarian Price and maintaining the stout defensive effort is key. If the Irish can put together a full 60 minutes of solid football, they will prevail.
Prediction: Louisville 17, Notre Dame 31
Noah Cahill Record: 3-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 112
The feeling of deja vu sets in as the Irish prepare to face Lousiville with their playoff hopes on the line. This year, however, the context is far different. Notre Dame was supposed to be on cruise control after overcoming Texas A&M on the road in Week One. Instead, it must win a game against a formidable No. 15-ranked Cardinals team to keep its season alive.
Louisville has opened up the season 3-0 and comes off a solid 31-19 win against a frisky Georgia Tech team that the Irish will also face later this season. The other two games should be taken with a grain of salt, however. After facing FCS school Austin Peay and former FCS school James Madison in the first two weeks, the Cardinals rank 143rd in strength of schedule thus far. With that said, they have taken care of business, winning those two games by a combined 111-14. Their 502.3 yards per game rank top 15 in the country, doing most of the damage through the air. Through three games, seventhyear senior quarterback Tyler Shough has thrown for 850 yards and eight touchdowns without recording a single interception. Ja’Corey Brooks leads the ACC in yards per game with 99 and has hauled in two touchdowns.
The matchup of Notre Dame’s elite secondary with Brooks and the explosive Cardinals passing attack will be the story of the game. If the Irish backline holds up, I expect moving the ball will be a challenge for Louisville. From there, the offense will, similar to the Texas A&M game, need to do just enough in highleverage moments. While it was far from pretty against Miami, Notre Dame flashed the first signs that the downfield passing attack might be unlocked, particularly through graduate transfer wideout Beaux Collins, who has emerged as the alpha in the Irish wide receiver room. Collins leads the team in receptions with 16, yards with 176 and is tied for the team lead with his one touchdown catch. If Denbrock can find a way to get him and the other wide receivers involved, it will set up the Irish to continue their dominance on the ground, feeding carries to Love and continuing to involve Leonard in the run game.
I see a tense and low-scoring affair, similar to the season opener at A&M, but I believe the Irish defense controls the game and Notre Dame pulls it out by the skin of their teeth.
Prediction: Louisville 21, Notre Dame 24
Matthew Crow Record: 3-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 115
Following two straight Notre Dame wins by a combined score of 94-10, it’s time to find out if the post-Northern Illinois resurgence from the Irish is the real deal, and Saturday provides the perfect opportunity to do just that in the form of a crucial top20 matchup at home. I’m not expecting a high-scoring affair in this one. Louisville’s offense, led by star transfer quarterback Tyler Shough, has impressed during the Cardinals’ 3-0 start but might come back down to earth a bit against an elite Irish defense that has yet to give up multiple touchdowns in a single game this season. Meanwhile, Notre Dame seems mostly content to rely on a run-heavy gameplan, and the Irish certainly have the talent in their backfield and across their offensive line to succeed with that strategy.
The lead-up to this game feels eerily similar to last season, when an undefeated but largely untested Louisville took down a one-loss Notre Dame squad. For me, the outcome of this season’s rematch will likely come down to whether the Irish can cut out the sloppy miscues that have plagued them over the last few weeks in the form of turnovers, penalties and costly special-teams errors. It will take a 60-minute dogfight, but I expect Notre Dame to clean things up and come away with a narrow, hard-fought victory that puts it squarely back in the College Football Playoff conversation, led by a third consecutive 100-yard rushing outing from quarterback Riley Leonard.
Prediction: Louisville 20, Notre Dame 24
Annika Herko Record: 3-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 116
We all know what happened last year. A 33-20 loss to Louisville and a game that when you watched it didn’t even look that close. Without a doubt, this was a game that was always circled on Notre Dame’s schedule. With the Cardinals just one spot ahead of the Irish in the rankings, the stakes of this game are even higher.
Louisville has been off to a strong start so far this season but this will be the first real test for them as well, as their first three games were against Austin Peay, Jacksonville State and Georgia Tech. Through these games, the Cardinals are 18th in the nation in the passing game and 15th in scoring after scoring more than
45 points in every game. It should prove a good challenge for the Irish defense, which has yet to allow more than 16 points in a game so far this season.
Prediction: Louisville 17, Notre Dame 27
Tyler Reidy Record: 2-2
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 126
Notre Dame has to have this one. Plain and simple. Exiting the College Football Playoff conversation by September’s end would seal a massively disappointing season for the Irish. Losing those playoff hopes in two straight years to a Louisville program that, yes, has improved under Jeff Brohm but should never beat Notre Dame in backto-back tries would only amplify the sting. Marcus Freeman’s teams always seem to show up for the big games, and this week’s is perhaps now a more impactful one than the season opener at Texas A&M.
Just like last year, Saturday will present a tight, low-scoring game at halftime. Both teams have plenty to offer on defense and won’t concede much early on. How does Notre Dame create separation? You can probably see this one coming, but activate the passing game. Despite holding Georgia Tech to 19 points last week, Louisville conceded a handful of shot plays through the air and over 400 total yards to the Yellow Jackets. Either Riley Leonard’s downfield connection with his wideouts, which showed signs of life last weekend, or a Mitchell Evans breakout game must come to fruition.
But that’s just half of the equation. My under-the-radar difference-maker for this game is Notre Dame’s front seven. Louisville, with its rotation of four to five different running backs and tight ends, will throw a hodgepodge of looks at the Irish. And with Tyler Shough, a seventh-year senior quarterback who has seen it all the college level, manning the system, the Cardinals could very well make a business trip out of their short venture north.
They won’t.
Playing in a truly energized Notre Dame Stadium for the first time this season, the Irish defensive line will make a couple of crucial plays late to decide the game. Notre Dame’s offense will benefit from a turnover or two in prime field position and do just enough. The Irish pull away late and avoid any difficult conversations entering October.
Prediction: Louisville 17, Notre Dame 28