Print Edition of The Observer for Monday, October 26, 2020

notre dame 45, pittsburgh 3 | monday, october 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Firing on all cylinders Irish crush Panthers to win 11th straight game behind balanced offense, defense, special teams

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

Irish senior running back Jafar Armstrong sprints through an opening created by the offensive line during Notre Dame’s 45-3 victory over Pittsburgh on Satuday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Armstrong has nine career rushing touchdowns, best among Notre Dame’s running backs and second only to Ian Book, who has run for 13 touchdowns in his career.

Notre Dame showed just what it needed to Inigo Yturralde Sports Writer

Amid an ongoing pandemic and an unsettlingly close encounter with Louisville, this game against the Panthers looks to be a serious momentum shifter for the Irish. I do not think that many people expected Notre Dame to look this good against Pitt. Notre Dame’s battles against the Panthers have been close and hard fought in recent history. I remember sneaking by with a 19-14 home victory just two years ago. That being said, this time, the Irish looked great.

A number of elements, ranging from Ian Book’s superb performance to Notre Dame’s elite options in the passing game, came together to make this game a statement for all of college football to witness.

This week’s AP Polls are sure to see YTURRALDE PAGE 3

By AIDAN THOMAS Sports Writer

Pitt has long been a dangerous opponent for Notre Dame. Twice, the Panthers have nearly ruined the Irish’s unbeaten seasons, both in 2012 and 2018. In the last six games against the Panthers, the Irish had won five, but they only notched one victory by more than a touchdown.

Coming off an underwhelming 12-7 win over Louisville, there was considerable angst amidst the Irish fanbase entering Notre Dame’s first road trip of the year to face the 3-3 Panthers.

As it turned out, the angst wasn’t needed. As head coach Brian Kelly said after the game: “We’re not interested in just winning football games,” he said “We’re interested in being a championship football team.”

For arguably the first time all season, the Irish (5-0, 4-0 ACC) looked the part of an undefeated and No. 3-ranked team. Notre Dame dominated in all facets of the game,

jumped out to a 28-3 halftime lead and never looked back, rolling to a 45-3 victory over Pitt (3-4, 2-4 ACC). 5th-year quarterback Ian Book was 1630 in just under three quarters of action, racking up 312 yards and 3 touchdown passes. He also notched 40 yards on eight carries.

Book spread the ball out, with graduate transfer receiver Ben Skowronek collecting two passes, both for touchdowns, for 107 total yards. Freshman tight end Michael Mayer was Book’s top target, with five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.

While the rushing game took a rare backseat to the aerial attack, sophomore running back Kyren Williams churned out 38 yards on 17 carries, often manufacturing yards after getting hit at the line of scrimmage against a Pitt defense ranked No. 1 against the run coming into the game.

Defensively, the Irish swarmed Pitt’s offense, finally breaking through with three interceptions after just one in their first four games.

Kurt Hinish was a strong

presence on the defensive line and spoke on the dominant effort.

“I’m very happy. We showed up and play loose today and played free,” finish said. “[Irish defensive backs] are tired of waiting for the ball to come to the receivers and they, you know, they’re just starting to take the ball now.

And that’s the mindset that we have”.

Notre Dame came into their first road trip of the year in need of a statement. The Irish were coming off an underwhelming 12-7 over ACC cellar-dwelling Louisville.

Despite being ranked No. 3 in the country, Notre Dame received a lot of criticism as not being on the same level as other top-five teams. Their offense, particularly the passing game, had been inconsistent and unable to take advantage of their defensive dominance with blowout victories. With their No. 7 rushing offense being tested against Pitt’s No. 1 rushing defense, it seemed the Irish would need their see VICTORY PAGE 2

Book beginning to click with receivers just in time

By AIDAN THOMAS Sports Writer

The passing game has been a much maligned part of the Notre Dame football roster this season.

Entering their clash with Pitt, the No. 3 Irish were averaging just 178 yards per game through the air, having leaned heavily on a dynamic running game to start their season with an unblemished 4-0 record. The frustrations certainly hit a new level last weekend, as Notre Dame struggled to do much against a porous Louisville defense, notching just 12 points in an ugly 12-7 win.

“Even last Saturday night, we were hanging out after the game, and I could just see the frustration on his face,” graduate transfer receiver Ben Skowronek said of fifth-year starting quarterback Ian Book. “This week he came in, just locked in every single day.”

Whatever Ian Book did see BOOK PAGE 3

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Insider

The observer | monday, october 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Victory Continued from page 1

passing game more than ever.

Meanwhile, the Panthers entered also desperately in need of a win. Pitt stumbled into Heinz Field on the heels of a 3-game losing streak. Two onepoint losses to NC State and Boston College preceded a loss to then-No. 13 Miami, leaving Pitt at 3-3 and desperately in need of turning around a oncepromising season.

The Irish came out looking like they wanted to make a statement on offense. They churned out 75 yards on 11 plays, converting a pair of third downs. After being backed up on a facemask penalty, Notre Dame recovered from a 1st & 21 at the Pitt 44 in spectacular fashion; Book ran for 10 yards on first down, and then hit graduate transfer receiver Ben Skowronek on a crossing route for 34 yards and the touchdown. Brian Kelly discussed the fast start and Notre Dame’s need to make a statement in this game.

“We need to play at an elite level,” he said. “It starts with playing at a level that allows you to suddenly play your best when you have to, but to have that ready to go because you are already playing at a high level.”

Despite the fast start for the Irish, Pitt responded by getting off to a somewhat promising offensive start. With redshirt freshman backup quarterback Joey Yellen in for the injured senior Kenny Pickett, the Panthers drove into field goal range on the strength of 11 and 22-yard passes on third down.

It was enough for a 45-yard field goal from Alex Kessman, cutting the Irish lead to four points.

However, that would be the only highlight for the Pitt offense. in eight ensuing drives from their offense, excluding a kneel-down at the end of the first half, Pitt punted five times and threw three interceptions, accumulating 99 yards in the half and a total of 162 yards on the day. They also were rarely on the field, as Notre Dame dominated the time of possession again, controlling the ball for a stunning 41 minutes of game time.

Notre Dame’s offense didn’t immediately capitalize on their defense’s dominant effort though, fumbling and punting on their next two possessions, but Ian Book eventually got the passing game rolling,

and the Irish met little resistance from there on out. The spark came on a huge 3rd and 14 play in the second quarter, as Book launched a deep pass to Skowronek down the left sideline. Skowronek went up and secured the contested ball, broke a tackle, and raced the remainder of the way for a 14-3 Notre Dame lead.

“Ben had not been healthy, but we knew what he was capable of,” Kelly said. “He went up and took the ball away and set a great tone for how we were going to be moving forward.”

Two possessions later, Notre Dame turned a Bo Bauer interception into a short touchdown drive, which Williams polished off with a 2-yard run around the right end, trucking a Pitt defender as he crossed the goal line. While the Irish would have likely been very content with a 21-3 advantage heading into the locker room, Pitt got strangely conservative and eventually found themselves facing a 4th

& 15 with 20 seconds to play in the half.

Notre Dame strategically used their final timeout of the half to force the Panthers to punt, and they were rewarded with sophomore Isaiah Foskey breaking through the Pitt blockers for a huge block. The ball rolled backwards into the end zone, and Foskey pursued and picked it up for the touchdown and a 28-3 halftime lead.

Any hope that the Panthers had for a quick turnaround to start the second half was quickly quelled, as the game went from teetering on blowout territory to a complete laugher within minutes. Pitt’s first three drives in the second half combined for 27 yards, ending in one punt and two interceptions. Consequently, Notre Dame responded to each of Pitt’s offensive efforts with scoring drives, putting up 17 points in their first three drives of the third quarter.

The first, a 14-play, 72-yard

drive, stalled out at the Pitt 3. The drive was highlighted by some tough running by Williams on 3rd down and a 41-yard completion from Book to Javon McKinley. Senior placekicker Jonathan Doerer knocked in the 21-yard field goal to push the advantage to 28 points. Both of Notre Dame’s final touchdown drives needed just four plays, with both starting inside Pitt territory. Ian Book capped off one with his third touchdown pass of the day, a 14-yard dot to Mayer, and junior running C’Bo Flemister bulled in from two yards out to account for the final score of 45-3.

With subs in, the rest of the game was a formality, as Notre Dame capped off a dominant defensive performance with three more forced punts, before the offense killed the clock with a final drive that drained the final 7 minutes and 52 seconds. Overall, the defense did not allow a drive of more than

43 yards, as the Panthers netted more than 30 yards on a drive just twice. Notre Dame has now allowed just 49 points in 5 games. That 9.8 points per game mark ranks sixth in the country.

While the 45-3 win over Pitt certainly isn’t the end goal for this football team, Kelly believed the performance was indicative of what they can accomplish.

“We needed to play fearless, we needed to play with great energy, and we needed playmakers. We saw all of those things today,” Kelly commented. “This is a very good glimpse of what this football team is capable of.”

Notre Dame will look to deliver another emphatic performance ahead of their Nov. 7th showdown with No. 1 Clemson.

They travel to Georgia Tech for a 3:30 Halloween kickoff.

Contact Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

Irish graduate student wide receiver Ben Skowronek celebrates his first touchdown during Notre Dame’s 45-3 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday at Heinz Field. The catch-and-run was Skowronek’s first touchdown since transferring to Notre Dame from Northwestern.

Play of the game

player of the game

Ben Skowronek catches a pass for a 73-yard touchdown

Notre Dame wide receiver ben skowronek

Near the beginning of the second quarter, Notre Dame was up 7-3 but had seen several drives fizzle out. The Irish were at third and 14 on their own 27, and instead of a safe, short completion, Ian Book launched a home-run ball to Skowronek, who used all of his six-foot-three frame to haul in the pass in front of two defenders, and then stay on his feat and run into the end zone.

Graduate student wide receiver Ben Skowronek only recorded two receptions during the game, but they were two of the biggest of the game. The first came on the opening drive of the game, as quarterback Ian Book found Skowronek for a 15-yard pass, and Skowronek ran nearly untouched into the end zone. The second was a 73-yard touchdown in the second quarter that cemented Notre Dame’s lead.

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Volume 55, Issue 29 | MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Campuses mourn tragic loss of students Community gathers to honor students

Two students killed, sophomore hospitalized

By CLAIRE RAFFORD

Observer Staff Report

Assistant Managing Editor

On Saturday night, hundreds of members of the tri-campus community gathered at a prayer service to honor the lives of firstyears Valeria Espinel and Olivia Laura Rojas, who died early Saturday morning after being hit by a car.

Espinel lived in Badin Hall and originally hailed from Guayaquil, Ecuador. She intended to study economics. Rojas, originally from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, lived in Cavanaugh Hall and was planning to study in the Mendoza College of Business.

A third Notre Dame student, sophomore Eduardo Jose Elias Calderon, was also hit by the car see SERVICE PAGE 4

CLAIRE RAFFORD | The Observer

The tri-campus community gathered Saturday to honor the lives of Notre Dame students Valeria Espinel and Olivia Laura Rojas. A third student is in the hospital due to injuries sustained during the accident.

Professor creates imaging method

News Writer

The annual Notre Dame Day broadcast, rescheduled after its postponement last April due to COVID-19, will take place tonight and Monday from 6:42 p.m. to 12:11 a.m.

Professor Scott Howard works with his research team, who recently found a new method to photograph cell activity in high-resolution.

By TRINITY REILLY News Writer

In 2016, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to a team who developed a highresolution technique to view the inside of cells. But their technique works best on cells in petri dishes, Scott Howard, professor

NEWS PAGE 3

of electrical engineering, said, and the challenge of looking inside the cells of a living organism remained.

Over the next few years, Howard and his team searched for a convenient – and cheap – method to get a high-resolution see IMAGING PAGE 4

SCENE PAGE 5

see ACCIDENT PAGE 4

ND Day promotes student groups, organizations

By MEGAN FAHRNEY

Photo ourtesy of Scott Howard

Two Notre Dame first-year students were killed and one sophomore was hospitalized after being hit by a car early Saturday morning on Ironwood Road, vice president of student affairs Erin Hoffmann Harding said in an email.

In a follow-up email, Hoffmann Harding said the two first-years who died were Valeria Espinel and Olivia Laura Rojas. Espinel was an intended economics major from Guayaquil, Ecuador, who lived in Badin Hall. Rojas was from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia and lived in Cavanaugh Hall, planning to study in the Mendoza College of Business, according to the email.

During the event, known around campus as ND Day, student groups and organizations compete to raise money through gifts and challenges. Students, professors, alumni and friends of the Notre Dame community may tune into the live broadcast to donate to their favorite groups, and

student performances and stories will be featured throughout the event.

Ellen Roof, director of alumni and parent giving, said she enjoys ND Day because the event allows every student group on campus see ND DAY PAGE 3

ND, University of Chicago conduct study on poverty

By SERENA ZACHARIAS Notre Dame News Editor

The number of people living in poverty has grown by six million people in the United States in the past three months, Notre Dame and University of Chicago researchers found in a recent study.

While the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill signed in March

VIEWPOINT PAGE 6

aided millions of Americans as the economy began to shut down, the benefits of the CARES Act have now run out, and more Americans are in poverty now than before the pandemic began.

Dr. James Sullivan, professor of economics, has been studying poverty measurements for over a decade with Dr. Bruce Meyer, a professor at the University of

ND w SOCCER PAGE 12

Chicago.

When the pandemic hit, they both saw an increased need to develop a method to measure poverty in a real-time basis. Sullivan said poverty rates were falling before the pandemic hit, but when businesses began to close in March, Americans saw a huge decline in see POVERTY PAGE 3

ND m SOCCER PAGE 12

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Students gathered to watch Notre Dame face off against Pitt at a game watch hosted by Morrissey Manor on South Quad Saturday afternoon. The Irish beat the Panthers 45-3 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and are currently ranked fourth in the AP football poll.

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Policy Paper Discussion virtual 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m.

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Hosted by Henry Olsen and Ruy Teixeira.

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3

Chefs reflect on ND dining during COVID-19

By IZZI BARRERA News Writer

Gregory Larson and Giuseppe Macerata, executive chefs for North Dining Hall and South Dining Hall respectively, are juggling much more than just ingredients this year.

Maintaining safety for the campus community and kitchen staff, while also being responsible for providing fresh food, is no easy task. However, the campus dining staff is working hard to make food for thousands of undergraduates while adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

For Macerata, cooking has always been a part of his identity. He grew up in family restaurants and has been a chef at Notre Dame for nearly 25 years.

Larson started working at Notre Dame in 2004 and worked his way up to the executive chef position.

He hadn’t always planned on cooking – it was a necessity at first and

ND Day Continued from page 1

an opportunity to better reach alumni.

“Really our role is to point alumni parents and friends to this platform and really let your student stories shine,” Roof said. “[ND Day] helps students increase the funds available to them, so they can do more each and every semester.”

One such opportunity, called the Notre Dame Family Challenge,

Poverty Continued from page 1

employment. Then, the CARES Act was signed.

“The benefits that came in through the relief package, more than offset the loss in earnings, and as a result poverty fell,” he said.

The data shows that the relief package sustained Americans through April, May and June, but then poverty levels began to rise.

“The recent rise in poverty rates completely wiped out the decline in poverty than we saw shortly after the pandemic,” he said.

While almost every demographic group in America saw a decline in poverty immediately after the pandemic began, there has been a much sharper rise in poverty in the last few months for Black people, children and less educated people than other groups.

“The impact of the pandemic is disproportionate — it’s not equal across groups — and it seems to be that some of the most vulnerable groups are bearing the brunt of the pain,” Sullivan said.

While the study does not directly look to explain why certain demographics of people have suffered the most during the pandemic, Sullivan mentioned how the pandemic has affected different sectors of the economy very differently. While online sales and home renovation stores have enjoyed a

became a hobby later. After realizing cooking was his passion, he completed culinary school before moving to South Bend.

The executive chef position at Notre Dame is centered around student life, Larson said. Dining on campus is an essential facet of residing on campus.

“Our primary focus is residential dining and making the students feel welcome and feel at home,” Larson said. “It’s about giving variety and keeping it interesting and making sure that happens.”

Larson and Macerata’s position also includes managing staff and maintaining safety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s not only food safety but physical safety and staff and things like that, and we are responsible for all of it,” Macerata said.

However, their roles as chefs on a college campus are unique in many ways. They don’t work in a typical kitchen environment

because they don’t serve typical customers.

“We’re given parameters and then we push the boundaries of the parameters,” Macerata said.

“We’re able to push the boundaries on food and the experience which is really cool. This industry is constantly evolving, so if we put our feet in the mud, we get stuck.”

However, cooking has more meaning than just combining ingredients to create dishes to the two chefs. Cooking is about creating relationships and bringing joy to students on campus. Larson finds fulfillment in creating food for students and being a part of the Notre Dame experience.

“We get to learn from the students,” Larson said. “That’s probably the most rewarding part, getting to see all these students for four years and watching what they do. At times it can feel thankless like any other job, but it also connects you to people that you

don’t get connected to in a normal kitchen environment. There’s always someone to meet and there’s always something to learn.”

The new protocols surrounding COVID-19 have completely transformed campus dining. In the past, students were able to serve themselves in a buffet style. Now, food must be boxed up and taken to go in a sustainable manner. In the beginning, Larson and Macerata received a lot of negative criticism.

“In the beginning of this, it was kind of nightmarish for us to be honest,” Macerata said. “We did a complete turnaround overnight. That’s one thing we learned. Here’s what we know today, tomorrow might be different. We didn’t do well right off the bat, but we never gave up. Every day we came back and kept trying and we kept adapting every single day and even hour by hour.”

Over the last few months, dining increased in efficiency and variety, while keeping COVID protocols

in mind. For example, the dining halls began to provide more inclusive options, like adding a vegan line and fresh desserts. The dining hall reopened for in-person dining with plexiglass shields on Oct. 5.

Larson and Macerata plan on adjusting as needed in the upcoming months.

“I don’t think we’ve stopped changing at all,” Larson said. “We’re still figuring out how do this the best way we can and get back to our identity as chefs. I think that we’re still uncertain about the future.”

At the end of the day, Macerata said it all comes back to serving students and bringing joy to the community.

“I don’t have a favorite dish to make, but I do have a favorite reaction. If I make something, and I see the customer smile,” Macerata said. “They’re genuinely truly happy and it doesn’t matter what it is.”

provides donors with a unique link to share with family and friends, and at the end of ND Day, those who have shared their link with five or more people are entered to win two tickets to a Notre Dame home football game in 2021.

Giving has been available on an ongoing basis on the ND Day website.

Roof said one of the community stories which will be featured during the day is about a Notre Dame parent who was the first woman to play in the NHL. “It’s a fun way for us to dig up some

of those creative and cool stories, just to highlight all the unique aspects of the Notre Dame family,” Roof said.

This year, ND Day takes place over two nights. In years past, there was one broadcast that lasted 29 hours. In light of the pandemic, donors will be sent a limited-edition Notre Dame face mask when they gift $5.00 of more.

The ND Day team still plans on holding ND Day 2021 this spring, though a specific date has not been chosen, Roof said.

Junior Isabelle Tonetti, co-Leader

of the Notre Dame Day Student Engagement Committee, said she has been working to engage students and make them aware of ND Day. On Thursday, the committee held a trivia night with a live performer to raise awareness for the event. The committee also planned on delivering Rise’n Roll doughnuts to each dorm on Monday morning.

Kerby said the ND Day team hopes to show the broadcast on Library Lawn, but if it rains, it will be shown in Duncan Student Center.

She encourages students to tune into the broadcast to celebrate ND Day. The broadcast schedule and leaderboard can be found on the ND Day website.

“I hope students think it’s really cool how much the ND family cares about all of these current student groups and all of the stories being shared in the broadcast because I think it is a sign of the unique nature of the ND family,” Roof said.

boom, smaller retail business have been hit the hardest.

The study uses monthly data on the distribution of family income, comparing the levels to previous years and to the official estimates of poverty to measure monthly poverty levels on a real-time.

Senior Josie Donlon, an

undergraduate research assistant in Sullivan’s lab, said she was surprised to learn that official poverty statistics in the U.S. are only published on an annual basis in September. Over the past few months, she said she has better learned how to use public data to create certain measurements they

are interested in.

“I never really thought that it was possible to get these measures almost ahead of time by being creative and using the available resources,” Donlon said.

Sullivan sees this research as essential as policymakers consider how they can best serve struggling

Americans in the pandemic.

“For deciding whether or not, or the extent to which, we should issue another round of federal relief, having this kind of information is critically important,” he said.

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Contact Izzi Barrera at ibarrera@nd.edu

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Service Continued from page 1

and remains in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon.

Fr. Pete McCormick, director of Campus Ministry, began the prayer service by addressing the tragic nature of Espinel and Rojas’ deaths.

“There is not a single one of us who planned to be here this night with heavy hearts,” he said.

“There’s not a single one of us that could have anticipated what this day and how this day was to unfold.”

McCormick thanked attendees for coming to the prayer service.

“When a situation with such

Accident Continued from page 1

The third victim, sophomore Eduardo Jose Elias Calderon, was sent to Memorial Hospital in critical condition. University President Fr. John Jenkins was at the location of the accident.

The crash involving the University students occurred around 4 a.m. A Toyota Sienna minivan struck the three students, and continued down the road after hitting the pedestrians before crashing into a house in South Bend in the 54000 block

Imaging Continued from page 1

view of the chemical processes that happen inside of cells.

“All good science kind of starts with some need or challenge that you’re thinking about,” Howard said. “And so we started with kind of the fundamental science and physics and derivations and theory and developed, this little missing picture about how it is supposed to work if we were to use

tragedy arises, this is how the Notre Dame family responds,” he said. “We come together with heavy hearts … with a belief that a God who transforms all things will transform even this.”

University President Fr. John Jenkins then offered the opening prayer to the service. Jenkins said the deaths of Espinel and Rojas leave many people reeling for answers and that faith can provide some comfort in this time.

“We don’t come for answers,” Jenkins said. “We come simply to let God’s grace begin to work in our hearts. The first installment of that grace is that we’re here together.”

Fr. Joe Corpora, who serves as

the chaplain for Latino students at the University, began his message in Spanish.

“Aunque todos nuestros hermanos y hermanas de América Latina hablan inglés perfectamente bien, quiero decir una palabra de español ahora.”

“Though all of our brothers and sisters from Latin America speak English perfectly well, I want to say a few words in Spanish now,” he said.

Corpora said the deaths of Espinel and Rojas bring a kind of pain that words cannot describe.

“Our minds can begin to understand what happened, but our hearts and our spirits cannot take it in,” he said. “It is too much too

sad, too tragic, too big for us to accept and understand what has happened. I wish that I could say some words to you that would make everything better. But there are not.

“There is only one thing that I can say that can make some sense to the mind and to the heart,” Corpora said, as he began to lead the community in a recitation of the Nicene Creed.

Vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffmann Harding delivered the Prayers of the Faithful.

“Our friends, Olivia and Valeria reflected the light of Christ,” Hoffmann Harding said.

“May God lead them gently through the waters of death into new life.”

McCormick then returned to offer the closing prayer to instruct the community on how to exit to the Grotto.

“This is the beginning of our time together as a community of faith, praying for our friends,” he said.

Attendees then processed to the Grotto to pay their respects and pray for Espinel, Rojas and Calderon, who is still in critical condition. Hundreds of candles illuminated the Grotto amid the cold October air, mourning the loss of two students, sisters, daughters and friends.

of Ironwood. There are no sidewalks in the area.

The driver was identified as Justin Cavallo, 25, of South Bend, Ind., according to a press release by the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. Cavallo sustained minor injuries, remained on the scene and cooperated with the police. The passenger in Cavallo’s care was identified as Rafik Tannir, 24, of South Bend, Ind. Tannir was uninjured in the crash.

Following the initial crash, a second vehicle driven by Darlene Holden, 54, of South Bend, Ind., struck Espinel lying in the

roadway. Holden was uninjured and remained at the scene.

Hoffmann Harding said the University would host a prayer service at 8 p.m. Saturday in front of Bond Hall, followed by a procession to the Grotto. The service was also streamed online.

“Please wear a mask and practice physical distancing as we pray for Valeria, Olivia, their families and all who loved them,” she said in the email.

Saint Mary’s President Katie Conboy sent an email the College community offering support to the University.

“Our hearts and prayers go

out today to the entire Notre Dame community as we learn of the tragic accident that resulted in death and injury early this morning,” she said. “Saint Mary’s College students, faculty and staff are here to support our Notre Dame family and each other as we grieve together. Our Health and Counseling, Campus Ministry and Residence Life staff are here for Saint Mary’s students. We stand ready to offer any of our resources to members of the tri-campus community as we join together in sorrow and solidarity.”

University President Fr. John

Jenkins expressed his condolences in a Saturday press release.

“On behalf of the entire Notre Dame community, I express our deepest condolences and pray that our students’ families and friends may find God’s grace and solace after so shattering a loss,” Jenkins said. “We also pray for a full recovery of our student who remains hospitalized as a result of the accident.”

According to the press release, the St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team (FACT) is handling the investigation. Toxicology results are pending.

these techniques.”

Howard started by looking at ways to create 3-D super resolution images using normal microscopes people have in their labs, he said. Then he started applying physics, he said.

“We kept looking at how you can use this simple approach, one that anyone can use with just a microscope,” Howard said. “And if you tweak it a little bit, you can actually extract out some really quantitative chemical information in addition to just the pictures.”

They ended up developing a technique called DeSOS, which is a combination of two techniques called blind deconvolution and stepwise optical saturation.

DeSOS can produce highresolution images of cellular processes inside the cells of living organisms – not just cells in petri dishes. It can even be used to create videos of those processes, also called 4-D images.

“We found that there was a whole direction of experiments and things that people really

haven’t been exploring yet,” he said. “And the consequences of these ideas were that you can get really high-resolution images, without requiring a lot of expensive components other people were using – and it was compatible with a lot of existing microscopes.”

Before DeSOS, most people were using a technique called fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), graduate student Xiaotong Yuan said.

But FLIM cannot effectively capture images of cells inside a

living organism. DeSOS, on the other hand, can, so it has the potential to greatly impact biology research, Yuan said.

Since developing this technique, Howard has collaborated with the Harper Cancer Research Institute and the Indiana University Medical School to use DeSOS in various research projects, including biochemistry and kidney research.

“A nice technology isn’t as important or impactful if you don’t had collaborators,” he said.

Yuan said she was drawn to Howard’s research because of its potential to help disease research, which she is considering pursuing once she graduates.

“For example, I just read yesterday that zebrafish have an extremely unique heart regeneration ability. If we can capture 3-D and 4-D images of that, it could be a great way to figure out how to treat cardiovascular disease in humans,” she said.

People have never been able to make 4-D images quite like the ones DeSOS can produce, Howard said. He gave credit to his team, especially Yide Zhang, currently a postdoc fellow at California Institute of Technology.

“We’re combining all of this understanding of devices and light, what goes on in the nanoscale and the quantum world to these medically relevant questions,” Howard said. “We can do a lot of things people haven’t done.”

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LIYA BLITZER | The Observer

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The observer | Monday, october 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

Are we really that different?

Veronica Navarro

Food for faith: what it’s like to be a Muslim at Notre Dame

Social Media Staffer

Renee Yaseen Outside the Lines

In April 2019, I submitted my deposit to commit to attending Saint Mar y’s College.

I loved my time at SMC. Walking around campus, I felt like I belonged. I loved being able to come to Notre Dame and then return to my quiet sanctuar y in Regina Hall. There were professors at Saint Mar y’s that changed my life, like Professor Say re. I made friends w ith other women who were passionate, intelligent and inspiring. I would have gladly spent the rest of my college career as a Saint Mar y’s girl.

But I always had a dream of attending Notre Dame. I applied to transfer after a little over one semester at SMC. This past summer, I made the sw itch and committed to ND’s sophomore class.

Throughout this semester, I’ve already v isited Saint Mar y’s at least four times. I love Notre Dame, but Saint Mar y’s w ill always hold a special place in my heart. In fact, I firmly believe that I w ill always be a Belle. That’s why I was extremely disappointed when I woke up this past Wednesday to a few of my Saint Mar y’s friends sending me a post created by the @ndchicks Instagram page.

The post was a part of a series where the account assigned characters from a few various telev ision series to Notre Dame dorms based on their personalities. On the most recent post from the series, the Instagram account assigned a character from the Vampire Diaries to “SMC” instead of a Notre Dame dorm. The description beside the character’s photo said “reformed part y girl that wants to find a husband.” This is how the @ndchicks Instagram page portrays Saint Mar y’s girls to their over 8000 followers.

I’m not going to pass judgement on the account or the account ow ner(s), because I think that this post was just a sy mptom of a larger issue: Belles are looked at as women who only chose Saint Mar y’s so that they could marr y a Notre Dame boy. I can tell you first hand, that isn’t why I chose Saint Mar y’s as a high school senior.

I chose Saint Mar y’s after attending their Meet Me at The Avenue event, where I saw the tight-knit sisterhood bet ween not only current students, but facult y and alumnae as well. I remember being separated from my family during a prospective students’ activ it y. W hen I finally returned, I told them that this is the place I wanted to go. I knew I wanted to be a Belle.

Furthermore, I knew that Saint Mar y’s would allow me to participate in clubs, organizations and activ ities at Notre Dame, like mock trial and even The Obser ver. I never wanted to attend Saint Mar y’s to “find a husband,” and even after I transferred, my education is still my priorit y, just like it is to ever y Belle I’ve ever met.

Attending Notre Dame doesn’t inherently make us any smarter, cooler or better than our sisters across the street. As a Notre Dame girl, I’m w illing to take the first step to end the “ND chick vs.

Belle” rivalr y, and that’s to admit that the only thing that makes me different from a Belle is the place I sleep at night. I encourage all Notre Dame women to take a trip to The Avenue and maybe even have a meal from the Noble Family Dining Hall. Smile at a Belle and ask her what she’s majoring in. Don’t cut yourself off from an entire campus full of amazing young women just because you’ve been told to.

ND chicks, let’s do better.

You can contact Veronica at vnavarr3@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Submit a Letter to the Editor: viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

I decided on Notre Dame after I attended a summer program here in 2017.

There, I went to my first mass, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. There was a paper booklet with music in it, and a group of friends by my side in the pew. W hen it came time to take the Eucharist, I was directed by my whispering neighbor to cross my arms.

Instead of giving me the Eucharist, the priest put his hand on my head, looked me in the eyes, and said very genuinely, “God bless you.” And then I left.

I remember feeling very happy that so many people would come together to worship God and be spiritually renewed in such a beautiful atmosphere. I heard the echoes of the choir singing as I left the Basilica and walked into the crisp night air.

That was when I knew this was the place for me: Renee Yaseen, Muslim.

I have witnessed things here at Notre Dame that I want for the Muslim community in the United States, and for my Syrian brothers and sisters: a boldness of spirit, a grandiosity of gathering, a sense of belonging. A proud declaration of identity. There was a time when Catholic immigrants to this country were like Muslim- and Arab-Americans now: deeply fragmented by ethnoreligious, doctrinal or sectarian conf licts, traumatized by war in their home countries, squandered by poverty and stereotypes and worst of all, deprived of opportunities to openly and proudly declare their identity. After two wonderful years here, I believe that the parallels in our histories contribute to the understanding and valuation of faith that we have in common. And as Arab and Muslim-Americans heal within ourselves and our communities the historical and ancestral reverbrations of centuries of war, genocide and colonization, I pray that we are someday able to unite in the way that Catholics from all over the world unite around the University of Notre Dame.

Yes, Notre Dame is Catholic. But more importantly to me, it’s a vibrant place for deep religious inquiry and scholarship. I was not deterred at all by Notre Dame’s Catholicness. On the contrary, I was drawn in by the tenacity with which it upheld its values.

There are very, very, very few places in the United States where a young person can study Islam in English, at the undergraduate level, with academic intensity and philosophical rigor — but Notre Dame’s theological library is incredibly rich and diverse. It helped me begin my own independent inquiry into Islam during my freshman year. Some rainy weekend, after a day of exploring, I called my mother in shock after discovering shelves of books written in Arabic on the 13th f loor. Hundreds, maybe thousands of books in the sweeping,

elegant calligraphy I recognized. Never before in my life had I had access to so much knowledge about my own religion’s history. I read a book on the role of suffering in Mu’tazilite theolog y. And another on taquiy yah (religious dissimulation in Islam). I have several more in my room that I’ve renewed multiple times. No one’s ever recalled them from me, which might say something about the interests of the rest of the student body, but more for me, I guess.

I was required to take two theolog y classes here. I took my foundations course with Professor Jeremiah Coogan and my developmental theo, “God’s Grace and Human Action” with Professor Joseph Wawrykow. Both were phenomenal. I was not only learning information about Christianity and its history for the first time, but I was also doing cross-analyses in my brain, trying to synthesize and compare each of my discoveries with my knowledge of Islam. For my efforts, I earned two A’s and a personal note from the theolog y department encouraging me to continue my studies in the discipline. For me, immersing myself in the intense study of a topic in someone else’s religion was equally rewarding as it was difficult and uncomfortable. I recommend it to everyone. Belief formation is hard intellectual and spiritual work. It takes time and constant attention.

I feel comfortable being Muslim at Notre Dame because I know that faithful people every where want many of the same things. They understand that faith feeds us. It makes life bright and paints the sky in ebullient colors. Even when they are different than me, I am glad to live and work among people of faith, wherever or whoever they are.

As a parting note, I’d like to share with you an insight from the Holy Quran.

“We have given a law and a way of life to each of you. Had God wanted, He could have made you into one nation, but He wanted to see who are the more pious ones among you. Compete with each other in righteousness. All of you will return to God who will tell you the truth in the matter of your differences.”

(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48) I believe that religious differences exist by God’s will. They do not exist so that we might see ourselves as better or more enlightened than those who are different than us, but that we may be humbled by how much we might learn from them.

Renee Yaseen is a junior who majors in international economics and Arabic. She’s currently on a gap semester doing lots of creative stuff and lots of un-creative stuff.

She can be reached via the chat on a shared Google Doc at 3 a.m., on Twitter @ReneeYaseen or by email at ryaseen@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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The observer | monday, October 26, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com

For the fall break we never had Sydni Brooks Everything is Fine

I would make the argument that the majority of us as students were concerned about the absence of a fall break in this school year. Fall break provides us with the time to catch up on the readings we are weeks behind on and recharge our social, physical, and academic batteries through relaxation. We are blessed to dine on home cooked meals that retain heat and possess seasoning, taking a break from the dining hall’s stealth fries and brown sauce. Though we were initially disappointed in not having this time to step back from our responsibilities, most of us were simply excited in the beginning of the semester to return to school, be with our friends and sit in a classroom with pants on instead of Zoom University. Simply happy to be back, I thought less of the lack of a fall break and more about tackling this wacky semester. I should’ve prepared myself better.

It feels like I haven’t had adequate sleep since Jimmy Carter was in office, and I have multiple assignments due in seven classes when I’m only enrolled in five. My diet consists solely of noodles and red sauce with a side of bagged apple slices from North Dining Hall, and I have had approximately 3.5 ounces of water since we started this shindig we call a semester.

Besides the academic difficulties, we continue to live in the middle of a pandemic, where citizens are losing their lives to this horrible disease.

We continue to recognize and fight the injustices against members of our community. We are still growing into adulthood, learning about ourselves, healing from trauma and walking along the intimidating paths of our success stories. We do

all of this while still maintaining good grades, social lives and healthy lifestyles with healthy relationships.

Sometimes we forget we don’t have all the answers and solutions to all of the questions being asked. We are currently the present and the future of this country and community, and we are expected to advocate for justice for everyone currently in our community and those who will belong to our community in the future, while simultaneously focusing on our personal goals to achieve our own definitions of success and happiness. We are supposed to lead the revolution while excelling in courses and obtaining career experience. As we feel these expectations weighing on us, we begin to make these expectations our own, further burdening ourselves with tasks we never asked for, but we must accomplish.

I think what we forget, however, is that we are human. Considering the quality of our lives are all we truly own, we can’t burn ourselves out through tireless work for the clout of walking through the presumed one-way street to a successful life. We spend these four years in college slaving away at our academics and extracurriculars only used to sculpt our resume and punish ourselves when we don’t do what we qualify as “enough.” Sure, saying you survived 14 weeks of college classes, clubs, exams, projects and papers without any breaks might sound like a tantalizing story, but does it really mean anything if you barely survived and never actually lived through it? Does it mean anything if you come out on the other side a shell of a person so consumed with accomplishing your academic and career goals the right way as opposed to the most healthy way?

Though the obligations of living and growing in this social and political climate as college

students can feel deprecating and taxing, there isn’t much we can do about our circumstances.

We’ve chosen to walk this path in life through college, and as difficult as it feels, we can only change our outlook on it.

I can yell up and down north quad that we should have been granted a fall break because I know several of us are hitting some dark patches without the time for recuperation, especially given the circumstances. But like I mentioned before, we can’t change the circumstances. We can, however, remind ourselves of the concepts that we can challenge ourselves to appreciate more. We are here and we are alive, even if we don’t necessarily feel like it all the time. We are functioning, breathing and working, and that is more than enough. W hile possessing the basic necessities of human life may seem like the bare minimum, and we as Notre Dame students pride ourselves on working at levels above average, we must remember there are plenty of people around us that are unable to sustain these qualities. We might not be having the greatest time, but we are having a time—we are still living in the space on earth provided for us. We are still hopeful and goal driven, and with the trying times before us, hopes, dreams and goals may be one of the few things stimulating us.

Sydni Brooks is junior at Notre Dame majoring in English with a supplemental major in pre-health and a minor in Africana Studies. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she has made Flaherty Hall her campus home.

She aspires to be a gynecologist to serve women from all backgrounds in the medical field. Sydni can be reached at sbrooks2@nd.edu or @sydnimaree22 on Twitter.

The views expressed in this Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Letter to the editor

Civility is hard for the oppressed A couple weeks ago, I attended a BridgeND event that emphasized the importance of civ ilit y in political discourse. After receiv ing similar emails from Fr. Jenkins and my rector, I decided to see for myself as to what this meant.

This BridgeND event began w ith an enlightening lecture about the histor y of voting rights, then was followed by a discussion between a progressive and a libertarian. This discussion, led by two white students from Catholic backgrounds, was probably productive for the two of them, but was devoid of any actual political discourse. If I, a biracial gay male at a mostly white catholic universit y, was a part of that discussion, I probably wouldn’t see the conversation going as smoothly.

W hile discouraging verbal warfare in political discourse is important, embracing civ ilit y makes it uncomfortable to say any thing outside of the status quo. It allows for my experience as an American to go unnoticed. It allows for those

who are complicit in oppression, whether intentional or not, to not be held accountable and learn from it.

For example, the idea of marriage equalit y was not discussed, but if it was, both parties could have peacefully walked away from the discussion. No matter what their v iews may be, they would have been feeling okay, because they do not have any stakes in the matter. Their right to marr y w ill never be infringed on regardless of what they say or who they vote for. Similar issues arise when discussing the histor y of police brutalit y against the black communit y. They w ill never fully experience the repercussions of deny ing the racial bias against BIPOC indiv iduals in this countr y. To hear the denial, silencing and rejection of the oppression faced by millions of Americans in political discourse is something that many Americans take rather personally.

Expecting them to remain civ il at the rejection of their oppression seems counterproductive. A

rejection of our experiences means to me that you don’t see me. I’m not going to agree to disagree on my right to marr y who I choose. I’m not going to agree to disagree that my life matters in this countr y. It’s all ver y personal to me, and many others on this campus.

I’m not say ing that we should silence those who have no stakes in the argument. Many of these ideas require opinions from ever yone to be exchanged for solutions to be produced. I’m just that say ing maybe the message should shift to listening to others who are different than you.

Talking to only like-minded indiv iduals from similar backgrounds is not political discourse; it’s reaffirming your ow n beliefs. Politics are intersectional; to avoid talking about ideas that are div isive does not do anyone any good.

Lito Moroña senior Oct. 22

Follow us on Twitter: @ObserverViewpnt

8

DAILY

The observer | MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Crossword | WILl shortz

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: You are overdue for a change. Let your imagination wander, and you’ll discover something or someone who will change your life. It’s time to search for information that will lighten your responsibilities and allow you the time to delve into something that offers enlightenment. Let go of the past, and tidy up the responsibilities that hold you back. Your numbers are 3, 11, 18, 25, 36, 40, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t put pressure on yourself or anyone else.

Work alone if you want to accomplish what you set out to do. Make sure your expectations are reasonable. Avoid interacting with people who are insensitive, contradictory or indulgent. A change of attitude will improve a meaningful relationship.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take control. Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. Initiate plans with someone you love. A personal change will encourage you to cut your overhead and share your expenses to reach a common goal.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Someone will misuse the information you share.

Protect your reputation and your position at all costs. Take an active role in a cause you want to help. Your ability to come up with great ideas and solutions will help you gain respect.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are sitting in a good position. Reach out to an old friend, or touch base with a relative who has more experience than you. The information you pick up will help shape the way you live. Romance is in the stars.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t make a move that isn’t necessary. Being impulsive will set you back. Channel your energy into updating your skills and taking on a challenge you can share with someone you love. Keep the peace, and you will bypass a no-win situation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Forge ahead. It’s time to put your experience, knowledge and skills to work for you. A lifestyle change will encourage you to spend more time doing the things you enjoy most with someone you love.

Embrace the unknown with enthusiasm.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep your life simple, your temper under control and your focus on your objective. Refuse to let someone interfere with your plans or dominate your life. Follow your heart and dreams, and take the path that leads to happiness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change will help you thrive. Look beyond the clutter in your life, and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Take heed of the advice offered, but adjust it to fit your current situation. Clear up emotional baggage.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick to what’s most familiar, and you will avoid a situation that is confusing or puts you in a vulnerable position. Making your residence more comfortable will help you feel less stressed about the future.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Consider your financial options and how best to bring in extra cash. Update your skills, apply for a license or pick up supplies that will encourage you to start a small but lucrative sideline. Take a unique approach to professional goals.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aim to do whatever it takes to lower your stress.

Don’t spend unnecessarily or make promises you can’t keep. You’re better off keeping your thoughts to yourself and refusing to give in to temptation. Take time to reflect and rejuvenate.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look for a unique way to bring about personal changes that will improve your life, meaningful relationships and financial future. Be straightforward with others regarding your intentions, and the input you receive will help you reach your goal.

Birthday Baby: You are intelligent, creative and persistent. You are passionate and secretive.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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SPORTS

ndsmcobserver.com | MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 | The Observer

Sports Authority

Sports Authority

Live and die by the chaos David Kramer Sports Writer

Sports champions fashion their success through sheer chaos. After centuries of what we endearingly call “organized” American sports, we find a refined sense of order on the field.

Professional coaching staffs rarely offer insight that even the youngest players have never heard; their role — an increasingly compensated one across the industry, I might add — directs players through the high caliber of chaos that defines major sports. Use of video, scouting and positioning simply boils down to a tried-andtrue remedy for the inevitable pandemonium that comes with freaks of nature from across the globe testing each other’s limits until time expires.

Everything that we know about sports decisionmaking, strateg y and norms revolves around the management and dilution of chaos.

Yet, in spite of the endless amount of research and modifications, our efforts to regulate chaos in sports have failed us time and again, and maybe they always will.

A mere uptick of chaotic energ y in sports can completely dismantle a season, even a lifetime of development for the briefest of moments. The madness of this weekend’s World Series Game 4 proved it.

The beloved battle for October reached an astonishing climax on Saturday night when Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips approached the plate at Globe Life Field. Down to his last strike against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, Phillips sliced a cutter into center field, a game-tying hit that sent consistent defender Chris Taylor charging. In a stroke of luck for the Rays, Taylor bobbled the ball in a terrible judgment call, undoubtedly standing no chance at cutting off the tying run. The aggressive mistake granted Rays second baseman Randy Arozarena an extra base as he bolted past third, tumbling to a full stop just feet past the bag.

Then the real chaos ensued. Regathering himself, Taylor sent a missile into his cutoff man, Max Muncy, who finished the relay with a quick throw to catcher Will Smith. Given Arozarena’s speed, Smith anticipated a close play at the plate,

9

mishandling the throw as he rushed the game-decisive tag. The ball haphazardly skipped to the back wall, leaving time for Arozarena to recover from his fall, sprint to the home plate circle and slide into victory untested.

This indisputably wild 8-7 end to a neck-andneck World Series matchup proves the insufficiency of chaos theory in baseball. The 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers, arguably the most well-rounded and dangerous roster in years, put on a Little League-caliber display of ill-tempered submission under pressure that places their championship push in serious jeopardy. In one moment, the best players in the world exuded order and discipline as they brilliantly struggled through their opponent’s seemingly endless bullpen weapons. In the next, all hell broke loose through a wildly unexpected instance of human error.

Even in their worst seasons, the Rays have loomed as the greatest force of chaos in 21st century baseball.

Call it sheer chance or happenstance, but their chaotic “spoiler” mentality and embrace of innovative analytics over the past decade have picked apart even the most tightly ordered teams when fans and coaching staffs alike have least expected it.

Take, for example, the final day of the regular season in 2011. In the unlikeliest of comebacks, the Rays overcame a seven-run deficit against the Yankees with six runs in the eighth inning and one dramatic Dan Johnson home run in the 9th inning. Just minutes after the Boston Red Sox fell to the Baltimore Orioles and left the AL Wild Card up for grabs, Evan Longoria punctuated the comeback win with a 327-foot homer down the left field line in the bottom of the 12th inning. The final? Coincidently, 8-7.

As October winds to a close, I invite you to embrace the Tampa Bay Rays as a staunch opponent of baseball’s criticism as a cutand-dry, painfully ordered sport. Embrace Brett Phillips and the heroes of mayhem as they play to prove that a tired, tired pastime can still chaotically surprise us.

Contact David Kramer at dkramer2@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Dolphins start Tua: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Thomas Zwiller Sports Writer

The Miami Dolphins didn’t play on Sunday — they had their season bye Week 7 — yet somehow, they were still one of the major storylines heading into the weekend. The reason?

Brian Flores and the Dolphins organization announced they would bench starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, (or as I call him, Fitzmagic) and start rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa. Flores said of the move, “We’ve seen a lot of improvement from Tua,” Flores said. “He’s gotten more comfortable … [and his] accuracy, decision-making has been good in practice.”

Fitzmagic originally came out as supportive of the changeup, but later in a press conference said that he was “heartbroken” by the move. While we’ll have to wait for Week 8 to see Tua take on the Rams to know if it was the right move or not, I’m here to tell you in advance why I think it’s not the right call.

The Dolphins are actually competitive While the Dolphins came into the season with relatively low expectations, FiveThirtyEight gave them a nine percent chance of winning their division, and a 20% chance of making the playoffs. FiveThirtyEight also believed they would go 6-10 and have a point differential of -69.

Since then, the Dolphins are expected to go 8-8 and have seen their expected PD rise to +44, which is a massive change. Their playoff chances have risen to 33%, and their odds of winning the division have grown to 17%.

The Dolphins are currently 3-3, which is only a game behind the division-leading 4-2 Buffalo Bills.

It’s also not crazy to think that the Dolphins could be leading the division; they lost to the Bills by only three points, just a FG in Week 2. That was when Josh Allen and the Bills were a hot team; they have since cooled off, whereas the Dolphins have only gotten better, winning three of their last four.

It’s a similar story with the Patriots; the Dolphins lost to them 21-11 in Week 1, when Cam Newton played like he was shot out of a cannon. Much like Allen, he and the Pats have played poorer than they did in that Week 1. Now that the Dolphins have seen Cam, I would expect them to play him a lot better than they did in Week 1. The Dolphins, as they currently

stand, could easily be a 4-2, leading the division or at least tied with the Bills. This season is far from lost — in fact, this season looks like it’s incredibly winnable for the Dolphins, why change it up?

Fitzmagic is playing well Fitzpatrick is an up-and-down QB for sure, he is the definition of a journeyman QB: he played for the Rams, the Bengals, the Bills, the Titans, the Texans, the Jets, the Buccaneers and finally the Dolphins. Fitzmagic currently has 1,535 yards and 10 TDs, which both ranked 13 in the NFL. His seven interceptions ranks 29th-most in the NFL, and his QBR of 80 ranks seventh. I also think his INT count is a little blown out of proportion; he has 10, yes, but in the last five games he has only thrown four, with the first three coming in his first game against the Pats. Where you can see how he is improving is his completion percentage, which is currently 70%, up from 62% last year.

These stats are resulting in wins; the Dolphins are competitive, and are above the Patriots in the standings. They are in the hunt for a wildcard spot, they are ninth in the AFC and trail the Raiders by a game. They could also win the division; they only trail the Bills by a game, which guarantees a home playoff game.

The Dolphins are competitive, so why change it up?

Tua time Tua played a handful of downs at the tail end of a blowout game against the Jets. He went twofor-two and got his team a total of nine yards. To be honest, he looked good, and it should give a lot of hope to Dolphins fans. That being said, that’s as much as Tua should be doing this year, a closer if you will. He should play garbage time in games, when he won’t determine the outcome of the game, to get him some real exposure. Even though he may be good in practice, practice and games are very different.

Had Tua played in the preseason this year, I might be a little more understanding, as he would have had real game exposure. Had the Dolphins waited till later in the year and the playoffs were firmly out of reach, I would also understand that a little more. But he didn’t play in the preseason, and the Dolphins are firmly in the hunt for the playoffs. I just don’t think he’s ready yet, and the Dolphins are rushing him onto the field.

Elite quarterbacks who wait

behind a seasoned veteran has been proven to play well in their second year when named to start under center. You need only look to Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers, both of who waited a year, studied under great QBs and then went onto win MVP awards and Super Bowls. You can also look at quarterbacks who started right out of the gates — Sam Darnold, Marcus Mariota or Mitch Trubisky — and see their careers have torpedoed. Baker Mayfield also started early on and, despite success as a rookie, has since declined and looks questionable. Data really shows that a QB benefits from time, time the Dolphins are simply forfeiting.

Projecting for Tua The fact of the matter is, despite what I or anyone else says, Tua will be starting for the Dolphins Week 8 against the Rams. Here is what I think is going to happen to Tua: I think he will struggle early on against the Rams. The Rams rank fourth in yards per game against the pass, only allowing 210 yards per game. The Rams have also picked off opponents four times and forced two fumbles so far this season, meaning they can force turnovers.

I think this will be a problem for Tua, and his real challenge will be defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Aaron Donald already has two forced fumbles, and 7.5 sacks, six QB knockdowns, and 19 QB pressures. This is going to make Tua’s life harder, and I think it will force him into a turnover or two. Joe Burrow (who I think is a reasonable comparison to Tua) currently has four touchdowns and six interceptions, and after looking fairly successful early on in the season, has regressed throwing, a pick in three straight games. I honestly think that Tua will follow a similar trend. He will struggle against the Rams, I think he throws at least one interception and will look better for three or four games, but as people figure out his tendencies, he will come back down to Earth.

Tua’s projected stat line: 12 TD, 10 INT, 65% completion, 2,500 yards For better or for worse, Tua is starting against the Rams. Good luck!

Contact Thomas Zwiller at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The Observer accepts classifieds every business day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame office, 024 South Dining Hall. Deadline for next-day classifieds is 3 p.m. All classifieds must be prepaid. The charge is 5 cents per character per day, including all spaces. The Observer reserves the right to edit all classifieds for content without issuing refunds.

10

Sports

The observer | MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Adams Continued from page 12

refers to a principle in statistics that, essentially, things always tend to revert back to an average despite the occasional instances where they go to extremes. It’s why there aren’t giants roaming the

earth, because even when two very tall people have children, those kids tend to be closer to average height than their parents.

Evidently, this principle applies to college football as well.

I’m talking about a very specific aspect of the game though: turnovers.

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

Irish graduate student cornerback Nick McCloud leaps to intercept a pass during Notre Dame’s 45-3 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Volleyball Continued from page 12

seven kills, and she and senior middle blocker Hannah Thompson had critical kills late in the frame to give their team the 25-20 win.

In the third frame, Notre Dame jumped out to a 9-5 lead, but the home team answered with four straight to knot it at nine. The Irish were on the edge of victory with a 22-16 advantage, but the Eagles came back and scored six straight to tie the game. Once again, Thompson and Meuth each scored a kill to hand the Irish a sweep with a 25-23 third-set victory.

Notre Dame’s dominance also showed in the stats sheet; they were significantly better in kills (50-30), assists (45-27) and digs (64-53).

The Irish looked to close their fall play with another win the next day. This time, it was freshman outside hitter Aubrey Hamilton who led the Irish offense, tallying a career-high 20 kills, with Niego right behind at 16.

In the first set, Notre Dame got out to a 7-2 start, but they

slowly let the Eagles back in the game, leading to an 18-18 tie.

The Irish turned a 4-0 run into a 25-19 victory in the frame, during which they held their opponent to under 10% hitting.

The next set was back-andforth, with several lead changes and momentum shifts. The game was tied at 22, but the hosts had three straight kills to take the set and even the game at one-all.

The next frame started out evenly, with the Eagles taking a 5-3 lead. However, the Irish clamped down and would not allow the Eagles to get more than one point in a row for the rest of the set. They scored the next five points, turning the deficit to an 8-5 lead and then taking seven of the next ten to go up 15-8. They kept the foot on the gas, and a service ace by Niego solidified a dominant 2511 win.

Both teams started the fourth quarter with streaks; the hosts jumped out to a 5-1 lead before the visitors went on a 5-1 run of their own to tie it at 6. Notre Dame got a five-point lead at 13-8, and they stayed in command to win decisively again, 25-16, giving them a 3-1 win on the night.

Remember how in a previous one of these columns I talked about how Clark Lea should have a statue built because of the way he coaches his defense, especially the way he has them go for the ball when they’re tackling? Well, you would have thought I was crazy the way they played the next couple of games.

I wrote that column after Notre Dame beat South Florida, at which point in the season they had two forced turnovers (both fumbles against Duke) and a blocked punt for a touchdown (against USF). They then had only one interception against Florida State and no forced turnovers against Louisville.

This all despite numerous opportunities in every game for defensive backs, especially graduate student Nick McCloud, to pick off passes.

At the same time, Kentucky was just torched by Auburn and Ole Miss while recording no turnovers. After that, Kentucky recorded nine interceptions in the span of two games and won by a combined score of 58-9.

Saturday, they forced no turnovers and lost 20-10, while Notre Dame finally managed to get a defensive groove going and pick off three passes of their own against Pittsburgh.

My point here is that the other shoe dropped. The pendulum swung back eventually. Nine interceptions in a two-game span is about as extreme as it gets, but now the Wildcats are averaging 1.8 interceptions and 2.0 turnovers per game, defensively. That’s a solid average,

you just wish it were a little more evenly distributed in terms of what makes up that average.

Notre Dame now averages 0.8 interceptions per game, which isn’t great, but it’s much better than the 0.25 they averaged going into the matchup with the Panthers.

I’d like to think that, since they didn’t travel to the extremes Kentucky did, nor are they getting the excessive amount of fumble they got last year, that around a 1.01.5 average is what we can expect from the Irish on a per game basis.

3. Don’t always listen to fans, but maybe sometimes Sports fans are generally crazy. The demands they make of their teams and players often border on the absurd. However, every once in a blue moon, the fan base can come to a collective consensus that is actually logical.

Case in point: when the strength of your offense is running the ball, you should run the ball, especially against a team whose weakness has been defending the run. Furthermore, in executing that strateg y, you should give the ball to the player who has proven to be your most consistent ball carrier, especially when your more explosive runners are injured and/or ineffective.

Somehow, though, these seemingly valid points go over the head of Kentucky offensive coordinator Eddie Gran. Contrast that with Notre Dame, who took

advantage of the Pittsburgh weakness of which basically everyone in the Irish fan base was aware: throwing the deep ball. And they did so with a quarterback at whom fans have been screaming for years to air it out.

Now, did the coaching staff intend to take deep shots because they themselves saw that as an exploitable area in game prep and not as an act of appeasing the fans?

Probably. But it’s more fun to think that the masses played a role in getting through their thick skulls, isn’t it?

Although I will say as a disclaimer that, like every other fan, there is always the possibility that I have no idea what I am talking about and there is something else going on with Gran and Kentucky. But for now, let’s just assume I and all the other fans who share my opinion are right.

That’s all for this week. I keep thinking I’ll run out of these but then UK gives me more and more material then I could ever want. Seriously, I don’t want them to give me this material because it means they are crushing my soul over and over again.

Oh well. Maybe they’ll give me a brief break with their next game. W ho do they play? Georgia? I guess I’ll see y’all next week. Until then, enjoy Halloween.

Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Observer File Photo

Former Irish middle blocker Kristin Baer jumps for a spike during Notre Dame’s 3-0 sweep of Valparaiso on Sept. 4, 2019, at Purcell Pavilion. The Irish finished their one-loss season this weekend at Boston College.

Sports

ndsmcobserver.com | MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 | The Observer

M Soccer Continued from page 12

junya kanemitsu | The Observer

Irish sophomore defender Mohammad Abualnadi controls the ball during Notre Dame’s 4-2 win over Seattle on Sept. 6, 2019, at Alumni Stadium. Notre Dame is now 5-8-4 all-time against Virginia.

W Soccer Continued from page 12

to get started as the cold and wet conditions made for a defensive showcase in the first half. Both teams combined for just one shot on goal, coming off of a Louisville free kick. Notre Dame was able to hold on to the 1-0 lead that senior midfielder Camryn Dyke gave them in the 69th minute. Dyke’s second goal in her career and her first this season came when a cross from Olivia Wingate was nearly intercepted by a Cardinal defender who mistimed her slide, arrived late and inadvertently touched the ball with her hand, setting up a penalty kick and the game winning goal for the senior captain.

Junior goalkeeper Mattie Interian made three crucial saves. The first came off a free kick in the first half, the second was a more impressive off-balance swipe and the third would seal the win for the Irish as a corner kick f lew right to her gloves as time on the clock expired.

The Irish did give up 13 penalties, but were able to pause with enough discipline to only concede just one yellow card in the game.

The Irish victory was much more than just a much-needed win. It was a must-win game for Notre Dame, who came into the day ranked eighth in the ACC. Only the top eight teams in the conference qualif y for the ACC championship tournament.

The win gave the Irish three additional points and just a

little more breathing room before they meet the topranked Tar Heels in North Carolina. The Cardinals will play host to the Tar Heels just three days before the Irish travel to Chapel Hill. This will be an important match for the Irish as they are currently tied with Louisville in

not allowing a single shot on goal by the Irish in the first 45 minutes.

The second half was a very different story as Notre Dame fired seven shots, finding the back of the net on the leg of junior forward Jack Lynn in the 54th minute. It was the third goal of the season for Lynn, all of which he has scored in the last three games. Junior midfielder Patrick Coleman was credited with the assist.

Notre Dame and Virginia played the rest of the second half scoreless, but it was not without its fair share of excitement. Both the Irish and Cavaliers had chances to claim the lead after the 80-minute mark, but big defensive plays on both sides kept the score level.

Additionally, six yellow cards were handed out in the last 30 minutes of regulation, with three going to each team.

Coleman, Lynn and freshman defender Paddy Burns were booked for the Irish.

The 133 fans in attendance were then treated to not one, but two overtime periods of free soccer. Following the first overtime, the Irish and Cavaliers were still stuck in a stalemate, but Notre Dame had chances to score the

points — 12 apiece.

Irish head coach Nate Norman was glad his team was able to bounce back after a bit of a lull.

“This was one of those gut check games, and I am very proud of the way our team responded,” he said. “It was a tough weekend last weekend,

11

decisive goal. The Irish recorded three shots in the first extra period, forcing Virginia redshirt freshman goalkeeper Alex Rando to make one save.

The Cavaliers only managed one shot in the period, but it was not on target.

Finally, in the 103rd minute, Notre Dame broke the deadlock. Sophomore defender Reese Mayer’s long throw into the box was def lected by junior defender Philip Quinton to senior midfielder Aiden McFadden, whose header def lected off a Virginia defender and into the back of the net.

The win propels Notre Dame into sole possession of second place in the North Region of the ACC. In the North they trail Pitt, the only undefeated team in the ACC. The Irish have the chance to close this gap when they visit Pitt in their next game Friday.

Notre Dame and Pitt played earlier in the season in an independent contest when the Panthers came away victorious by a score of 3-1. The game against Pitt is just one of three remaining regular season games for the Irish, who host Louisville on Nov. 6 before — ACC standing willing — beginning the ACC Tournament on Nov. 15.

With the loss, Virginia drops into a tie with Louisville for third place in the North Region.

we picked up some injuries in the week leading up to the game and we had a tough first half, but I loved our resiliency and response in the second half. I’m very proud to be a part of this team.”

Contact Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu

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erin fennessy | The Observer

Irish sophomore midfielder Erin Hohnstein winds up for a kick during Notre Dame’s 3-0 win over Syracuse at home on Oct. 4, 2019. After beating Louisville this weekend, Notre Dame is now tied for third in the ACC.

12

The observer | MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

nd volleyball | nd 3, bc 0; nd 3, bc 1

Squad ends fall with pair of wins Observer Staff Report

The No. 5 Notre Dame volleyball team finished up their shortened regular season this weekend, traveling to Chestnut Hill, Mass., and beating Boston College twice, winning 3-0 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. The Irish finished their season with a 6-1 record, all of them in the ACC, putting them second in the conference behind 7-1 Georgia Tech. By contrast, the Eagles finished at the bottom of the ACC standings, posting an 0-8 record.

The first game, on Friday, took place in Power Gym. Sophomore outside hitter Caroline Meuth had a teamhigh 15 kills, complemented by junior outside hitter Charley Niego and freshman middle blocker Lindsey Miller, who each had nine kills. Miller also showed off her 6-foot-four height with four blocks. Freshman libero

nd men’s soccer | nd 2, virginia 1 (2 OT)

Notre Dame outlasts Virginia in 2nd overtime

Hattie Monson had a gamebest 24 digs, and Meuth tallied 11.

The visitors started out aggressive, with the Irish winning the first four points. The Eagles then responded with four in a row of their own, capitalizing on two Notre Dame errors. After trading points back and forth, the game was tied at seven, but the Irish won five of the next six to force a Boston College timeout. The Irish kept pressing, extending their lead to 8 at 18-10. Niego had three straight kills to get them close, and they held off a late Eagles comeback attempt to take the first set, 25-17.

The second set was a more balanced affair, with neither team managing to string together more than four consecutive points or pull far ahead at any point. Meuth led the way for the Irish, posting see VOLLEYBALL PAGE 10

Observer Staff Report

Observer File Photo

Irish junior forward Tyler Shea vies for the ball during a 4-2 Notre Dame win over Seattle at Alumni Stadium on Sept. 6, 2019.

ND beats No. 13 Louisville, look toward No. 1 UNC

By JIMMY WARD

More takeaways for ND football Hayden Adams

Associate Sports Writer

see W SOCCER PAGE 11

see M SOCCER PAGE 11

COLUMN

nd women’s soccer | nd 1, louisville 0

The Notre Dame women’s soccer team will be returning home with a big upset victory over the No. 13 ranked Louisville Cardinals (4-3, 4-3 ACC). The Irish earned the much-needed win after giving up two consecutive losses at home to Wake Forest and Clemson, the final two home games of the season. Before those losses the Irish were ranked No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches poll but are now unranked.

The Irish (4-3, 4-3 ACC) now build some steam as they prepare for No. 1 nationallyranked UNC next Sunday.

The match against Louisville went the distance as defense was highlighted throughout, similar to the style of play the last time the Irish met the Cardinals last season, which saw a 0-0 double overtime stalemate.

This year’s game was slow

The Notre Dame men’s soccer team outlasted Virginia in double overtime by a score of 2-1 on Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The Fighting Irish (3-2, 2-1 ACC) won on an own goal in the 103rd minute of the contest, giving them their second-straight ACC victory.

Notre Dame had not played since Oct. 11 due to the postponement of their Oct. 18 game against Virginia Tech as a part of COVID-related precautions. That game will be rescheduled on a mutually agreed upon date later in the season.

Sophomore forward Alex Gunnarsson opened the scoring with a goal assisted by freshman midfielder Rafael Caipo in the 22nd minute for Virginia (1-2-1, 1-2-1 ACC).

The Cavaliers would take the 1-0 lead into halftime after

Sports Editor

Bet you thought you’d seen the last of these. Well no sir/ madame. I’m back and still lamenting Kentucky football cause the heartbreak never stops. Enjoy!

1. Aren’t you glad Notre Dame doesn’t lose to unranked teams?

ryan vigilante | The Observer

Irish junior defender Brianna Martinez heads the ball during Notre Dame’s 3-2 loss to Iowa on Sept. 15, 2019, at home.

Yes, it’s become a bit of a moral victory at this point, considering the Irish can’t seem to get over the hump against the top-tier teams of Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, etc. But it does in fact say something that the Irish have the second-longest winning streak against unranked teams — their last loss coming during the 4-8 disaster in 2016 — behind only Alabama, who hasn’t lost to one since 2007.

Meanwhile, Kentucky football is out here losing to the likes of Ole Miss at home and Missouri on the road. Ole

Miss. And. Missouri. Let that sink in.

Don’t get me wrong. Notre Dame’s system is great because it makes the most of their talent against teams that they are better than, but it then holds them back against more talented teams like the ones already mentioned. Even so, though, you don’t have to deal with the heartbreak Kentucky fans do.

And, at least for me, I’ll take the consistency and the confidence that their talent affords Notre Dame the capability of beating one of those teams over a meandering program that every now and then manages to pull of an astounding victory that matters little in the grand scheme of things, because it still doesn’t get them to a conference championship or major bowl game.

2. There’s this thing called regression to the mean…

Regression to the mean see ADAMS PAGE 10

Insider

Book Continued from page 1

differently this past weekend worked well against Pitt, whom he diced for 312 yards and three touchdowns in just under three quarters of action. Although he was just 16 for 30, Book completed a number of downfield passes, including a 73-yard scoring strike to Skowronek. The aerial attack had been a weak spot, particularly downfield, so seeing Book make those throws was extremely satisfying for Irish fans.

The performance was needed, as Notre Dame couldn’t do much on the ground against Pitt’s topranked rushing defense, and the Irish finally displayed a versatile offense that could win in different ways.

Despite passing the ball far more than in previous contests, Notre Dame still dominated the time of possession, notching a season-high 41 minutes of possession time. With the unfortunate news that junior wide receiver Kevin Austin had re-injured his foot, ending his season once more, it’s become even more pivotal that this oftcriticized group of receivers step up in his absence. Skowronek did so on Saturday, reeling in a pair of touchdown passes for a combined 107 yards.

Graduate student Javon McKinley also notched a pair of catches for 50 yards, one week after an extremely disappointing effort against Louisville, in which he caught just one of seven targets. Head coach Brian Kelly discussed the importance of every

Yturralde Continued from page 1

be filled with drastic rises and catastrophic drops. After all, Big Ten football is back. Everyone expects the likes of Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan to make a splash in the rankings.

With that, this week’s Irish performance in Pittsburgh proves that Notre Dame is far from removed from the playoff contention conversation.

Many people believe that Notre Dame is a regular season team. They claim that the Irish do alright against alright teams and then lose against great teams. Well, the level of play that we saw today at Heinz Field begs to differ.

Ian book, for the first time in a long time, looked confident.

The chemistry between Book and his offensive line was impeccable. Tonight we saw pump fakes, deep throws and reads on more than one option at a time.

I think that, from a confidence standpoint, this was Book’s best performance of the season. This game was a step in the right direction towards competing for Notre Dame’s first ever ACC Championship.

Complementing Book’s performance were a number of options on the passing front.

For starters, the Irish tight ends put on a clinic against the Pitt

ndsmcobserver.com | monday, october 26, 2020 | The Observer

receiver stepping up.

“We’re going to need to continue to see that from [Skowronek] and McKinley,” Kelly said. “We’re going to need to see it from all our wide receivers”.

Another encouraging trend on Saturday was Notre Dame sticking to the passing game, even with the game well in hand. They understand the importance of having an offense clicking on every level, and they know exactly what team is walking into Notre Dame SKyrentadium on Nov. 7.

At the risk of looking ahead, Brian Kelly and the Irish know exactly what task looms large, and what is needed on both sides of the ball. And given the struggles moving the ball through the air, there was a definitive game plan entering Heinz Field on Saturday.

“There’s this understanding with this group that everything they do now has bearings on who we are as a football team later in the season,” Kelly said. “We are looking ahead a little bit.”

Inside the locker room, there was never any real doubt between Book and the receivers on what the offense could accomplish. In a year when he lost his top three targets in the receiving game, Book has found a connection with the former Northwestern receiver in Skowronek, who praised Book effusively after the blowout victory.

“He’s just so accurate. So it was easy for me. I just had to get open.

He’s going to put the ball on me,” Skowronek said. “When we first started throwing together, we just clicked. I love him as a quarterback, and I think he’s a damn good football player.”

In the past three games, there have been two breakout games for Notre Dame receivers. Javon McKinley also notched 107 yards against Florida State, and Skowronek came through in a big way, after making his first catches for the blue and gold last weekend against Louisville.

Expect both of those players to complement each other in what is quickly becoming a very versatile offense for the Irish, with sophomore running back Kyren Williams catching passes out of the backfield, speedster junior receiver Braden Lenzy stretching the field (when he’s healthy) and freshman tight end Michael Mayer providing a big and imposing target.

This is an entirely new-look Irish offense, despite being in their third year with Book under center. Not only do they lean on the ground game more significantly, but this isn’t a passing attack similar to ones of years past.

This year, through five games, it’s becoming more apparent that there may not be one clear-cut top threat for the Irish. Rather, they have five or six, and each of them is a threat to break out at any given moment. Combine that with a quarterback who, while he doesn’t post the most gaudy statistics, is 25-3 under center as a starter, and the formula for a lethal passing game is there.

Skowronek affirmed this sentiment, saying, “I can’t wait to play with [Book] moving forward. He’s a hell of a football player, and he’s a winner.”

Contact Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu

Scoring Summary 1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

7

21

17

0

45

3

0

0

0

3

notre dame 7, pittsburgh 0

Ben Skowronek 34-yard pass from Ian Book (Jonathan Doerer kick)

10:08

remaining Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:52 elapsed

NOTRE DAME 7, pittsburgh 3 Alex Kressman 45-yard field goal

7:38

remaining Drive: 10 plays, 37 yards, 2:30 elapsed

2

notre dame 14, pittsburgh 3

Skowronek 73-yard pass from Book (Doerer kick)

10:37

remaining Drive: Four plays, 87 yards, 1:29 elapsed

Notre dame 21, pittsburgh 3

Kyren Williams 2-yard run (Doerer kick)

1:29

remaining Drive: Eight plays, 46 yards, 3:42 elapsed

Notre dame 28, pittsburgh 3

Isaiah Foskey 0-yard return of blocked punt (Doerer kick)

0:11

remaining Drive: Four plays, 6 yards, 1:18 elapsed

3

Notre dame 31, pittsburgh 3 Doerer 21-yard field goal

7:34

remaining Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 6:10 elapsed

Notre dame 38, pittsburgh 3

Michael Mayer 14-yard pass from Book (Doerer kick)

4:22

remaining Drive: Four plays, 49 yards, 2:01 elapsed

defense. Especially notable were junior Tommy Tremble and freshman Michael Mayer. These two big bodies helped remind everyone watching why people call Notre Dame “Tight-End U.” Both of these players did the little things right, whether that was blocking or receiving the ball. Their elite performances today will be a much needed confidence booster for a coming series of tough games.

Statement games, like this one, are huge in helping players form their in-game personalities.

Tremble, being a junior, played in the shadow of NFL Rookie Cole Kmet during his first two seasons with the Irish. Similarly, this is Mayer’s first season at Notre Dame. He is only now getting a taste of the sweet nectar that is winning college football.

Personally, I was quite skeptical about Notre Dame’s offense heading into this game, mainly because of how much we have been relying on our running game. Don’t get me wrong, Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree have been phenomenal the entire season. It is just that a championship-winning offense does not just run the ball.

This game silenced all of the doubts in my head. It is as if the Notre Dame coaching staff has some sort of master plan. Crazy, right?

Looking ahead to the games that come, it is going to be

essential that we learn to integrate both types of offense into our game — running and passing. This game against Pitt showed us what we are capable of. Now, it is a matter of putting the pieces together.

The Irish need to take this momentum and run with it.

Both sides of the ball played amazingly in Pittsburgh today.

It is important that Notre Dame keeps this going as they head into next week’s game against Georgia Tech. This game comes right before, what I am calling, the three games that will make or break the postseason. After Georgia Tech, the Irish will face off against Clemson, Boston College and North Carolina.

At this level of football, talent and skill are implied. These games are won on the mental front. If Notre Dame keeps operating with a superior mindset and attitude, they can go far in this year’s postseason. Matching up against Pitt was the ideal opportunity for many of the Irish’s pieces to finally click into place. I cannot wait to see how this Notre Dame side, now finely tuned, is going to look next weekend.

Contact Inigo Yturralde at iyturral@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

3

Notre dame 45, pittsburgh 3

C’Bo Flemister 2-yard run (Doerer kick)

2:42

remaining Drive: Four plays, 35 yards, 1:33 elapsed

statistics RUSHING yards 115 44

PASSING yards 319 118

total yards 434 162

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4

Insider

The observer | monday, october 26, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

Irish graduate student quarterback Ian Book scrambles to avoid Panthers redshirt senior defensive lineman Rashad Weaver during Notre Dame’s 45-3 victory over Pittsburgh at Heinz Field on Saturday. Book’s second touchdown pass of the game was his 62nd career passing TD, moving him into second place in program history past Tommy Rees (61).

dominating on all sides

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

Irish junior linebacker Shayne Simon blocks a pass attempt during Notre Dame’s 45-3 win against Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Quarterback Ian Book flashed his arm with two deep touchdown passes to wide receiver Ben Skowronek early in the game. The defense held the Panthers to a field goal in their first drive, and then held firm for the rest of the game. They only allowed Pitt two rushing yards in the first half, and defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey recovered his own punt block for a TD.

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

Irish graduate student wide receiver Javon McKinley tries for a contested catch during the win.

Irish graduate student cornerback Shaun Crawford tries to break up a pass during the Pittsburgh win.

CHARLES LeCLAIRE | USA TODAY Sports

Irish junior linebacker Bo Bauer runs at the quarterback during Notre Dame’s win over Pittsburgh at Heinz Field on Sunday. Bauer recorded his first interception during the game, returning it for 16 yards.