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The Holtz family has announced the passing of former Head Football Coach, National Champion, and College Football Icon, Lou Holtz. The Irish Tribune wishes to celebrate Lou Holtz's legacy by sharing an excerpt from a past article, which highlights his many accomplishments and astounding career with the Fighting Irish. Lou Holtz will forever be remembered as a beacon of joy and passion for Notre Dame fans and alumni everywhere. May he rest in peace. Lou Holtz’s relationship with Notre Dame didn’t begin on the field or in attending classes on campus. Instead, he was a longtime admirer and fan of the program. His admiration grew when he began his coaching career, and the hallowed head coach position at the University of Notre Dame became his dream job. After making a name for himself coaching the Arkansas Razorbacks for 7 seasons, Holtz was offered the top spot at the University of Minnesota, which he accepted with only one stipulation. He requested a clause in the agreement that would release him immediately from his contract if Notre Dame, and only Notre Dame, came knocking.  Thankfully for everyone, they did, and Holtz was officially named the next head coach at Notre Dame for the 1986 season. He inherited a struggling program, desperate to return to the glory of years past but struggling to find its footing. With everything stacked against him, Holtz arrived in South Bend with a new vision for the former powerhouse and immediately made his mark. He decided to remove the names on the back of player jerseys to foster a team-first mentality over individual accomplishments. Outside of a few postseason exceptions, Holtz’s nameless jerseys have remained a staple of the program’s tradition and were only the beginning of his contributions to its history.  The 1986 season was a baptism of sorts for Holtz, posting a 5-6 record. Despite the poor start, the season was encouraging, with 5/6 losses coming by single digits. These losses came against #3  Michigan (23-24), Michigan State (15-20), #2  Alabama (10-28), Pitt (9-10), #3  Penn State (19-24), and #8  LSU (19-21). In the final game of the season, Notre Dame stunned USC, mounting a 17-point come-from-behind 4th quarter victory, squeezing by the Trojans (38-37). While his first season was a losing one, the Irish fought several tough breaks, and Holtz managed to beat USC in his first go. Holtz’s second season was an improvement, with the Irish going 8-1 through their first 9 games, beating #9  Michigan at the Big House, #17  Michigan State, USC, and #10  Alabama. Despite starting strong, the Irish dropped their final 3 games, falling to Penn State in a (20-21) heartbreaker, a crushing (0-24) loss against Miami to end the regular season, and a (10-35) loss in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M. While most were left reeling from the late season collapse, Holtz again saw promise and potential in his squad, and Irish fans were left to dry their tears with Tim Brown’s 1987 Heisman Trophy. After only two years in South Bend, 1988 was when everything finally clicked for Holtz and the Irish. Notre Dame began the season as the #13  team in the polls and an underdog in their opening game against #9  Michigan. The Irish struggled mightily on offense, failing to score a single touchdown and forced to lean on their defense and special teams. Their only points came from an 81-yard Ricky Watters punt return for a touchdown and 3 field goals from walk-on kicker Reggie Ho. Down 2 points and the game on the line, Notre Dame’s fate hung on the leg of Ho as he lined up for his 4th attempt of the day and only 1:13 left on the clock. Just as they had all day, the Irish special teams rose to the occasion and knocked a 4th kick through the uprights to steal the game (19-17). After narrowly escaping disaster, Holtz and his squad responded by handily dispatching Michigan State (20-3) before crushing Purdue (52-7) the week after. Now in full stride, the Irish added wins against Stanford (42-21) and Pitt (30-20) to bring their record to 5-0 as they stared down the barrel of their biggest challenge yet. On October 15th, Jimmy Johnson and the #1  Miami Hurricanes arrived in South Bend to face off against the #4  Fighting Irish. The reigning National Champions brought plenty of hype and cockiness with them, but instead of intimidating Holtz and his squad, it fueled them. Just before kickoff, simmering tensions boiled over when both teams encountered one another in the tunnel, leading to an all-out brawl that only ended when police intervened. Miami’s opening drive ended with a fumble, allowing the Irish to strike first on a 12-play 75-yard touchdown drive. The Hurricanes responded quickly with a touchdown of their own, but an 80-yard drive ending with a Tony Rice touchdown pass put the Irish up once again. Only 4 plays later, Irish Safety Pat Terrell snagged a tipped ball and returned it 60 yards for a score, extending the Irish lead to 14. The Hurricanes scored 2 quick touchdowns in the final minutes of the 2nd quarter and levelled the score at (21-21) just before the half. Notre Dame’s defense came up big on Miami’s first play of the 3rd quarter, forcing a fumble to give the Irish offense a short field. They capitalized with a rushing touchdown and later added a Reggie Ho field goal to extend their lead to 10 as the 4th quarter began. A Miami field goal cut Notre Dame’s lead to 7, and a quick defensive stop gave them the ball back about halfway through the 4th. After marching deep into Irish territory, Miami’s drive culminated in a 4th & 7 red zone situation. They initially converted on a pass over the middle but controversially fumbled the ball on Notre Dame’s 1-yard line, just a yard shy of tying the game and their 7th turnover of the day. Shortly after the momentum swing, Tony Rice was stripped on Notre Dame’s 14, giving the Hurricanes yet another chance to decide the game. This time, Miami would capitalize on the turnover with a 4th down touchdown pass, drawing within a point of the Irish. Instead of kicking the extra point to tie, head coach Jimmy Johnson decided to go for the death blow and try for a 2-point conversion. Once again, Pat Terrell saved the day, knocking down a last-ditch toss to the back corner of the end zone, sealing the win for the Irish and snapping Miami’s 36-game regular-season win streak. The game became an instant classic, dubbed “Catholics vs Convicts”, and is still considered one of the greatest games in college football history. After knocking off the #1  team in the country, the Irish improved to #2  in the polls and would continue their campaign with wins over Air Force (41-13), Navy (22-7), Rice (54-11), and Penn State (21-3) before their final regular-season game against their biggest rival. #1  Notre Dame entered its annual contest with #2  USC, looking to cap off their season with a statement. For the first time in the rivalry’s history, both sides entered the matchup undefeated, but with the game in LA, Notre Dame was considered the underdog. The Irish jumped out to an early lead with 2 first-quarter rushing touchdowns, with one coming via a 65-yard Tony Rice scramble that gave him his 9th rushing score of the season. The score made Rice the first QB since Irish legend Paul Hornung in 1956 to lead the team in rushing. The Irish defense piled on, scoring on a pick-six, and forced 4 USC turnovers to put the Trojans away (27-10). The 11-0 Irish earned a shot at the National Title, heading to the Fiesta Bowl to face #3  West Virginia. Both teams entered the matchup at their peak; the Mountaineers were the best team WVU had ever fielded, and the Irish brought a #1  ranking into a postseason bowl game for the first time ever. Notre Dame stunned the Mountaineers by scoring twice in the 1st quarter, once via an Anthony Johnson rush with a missed PAT, and the second on a 45-yard field goal. West Virginia only managed 2 FGs in the 2nd quarter, while the Irish padded the lead with another rushing score and a 30-yard dagger from Tony Rice to The Rocket, sending the game into halftime with a lopsided (23-6) score. The Mountaineers put up their first touchdown in the 3rd quarter, while Notre Dame added a field goal to bring the score to (26-13). Both sides traded touchdown passes and 2-point conversions in the 4th, but the Irish defense stepped up like they had all season, and put the game out of reach with a late interception in WVU’s end zone. Notre Dame held on to beat West Virginia (34-21). This win gave Lou Holtz his first National Championship, the program’s 11th, and its first since 1978. Holtz joined Leahy, Parseghian, and Devine by winning it all in his 3rd season in South Bend, and he was awarded the Coach of the Year by three different presenters. The 1988 team is considered one of the greatest of all time, going undefeated, beating 10/12 opposing teams by double digits, and taking down the #2 , #4 , #5 , and #7  ranked teams at the end of the season. Following the 1996 season, Holtz announced his retirement from the game, finishing his time at Notre Dame with a .765 win percentage, a 100-30-2 record, and 1 National Title. In 11 seasons with the Irish, Holtz took the program to 9 bowl games, winning 5 of them, and posted only 1 losing season. He coached Notre Dame’s last Heisman Trophy winner (Tim Brown), 3 College Football Hall of Fame inductees (Tim Brown, Raghib “The Rocket” Ismael, and Chris Zorich), 10 all-Americans, and sent more than 70 Irish players to the NFL.  Holtz inherited a downtrodden program struggling to find its footing after the disappointment of Gerry Faust’s tenure and remains the most modern example of Notre Dame’s success and potential. The Irish owe their last National Title and Heisman Trophy to Holtz, and his mark on the program’s legacy continues to this day. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and the University unveiled a statue of his likeness on campus in the same year. Right until the end, Holtz remained ever-present in coverage of his beloved Fighting Irish and holds a special place in the heart of South Bend’s lore, forever stoking the fire of Notre Dame’s pride. .

On Tuesday, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) announced its 2025-26 regular season award winners and, once again, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo stole the show after earning her second ACC Player of the Year and third ACC Defensive Player of the Year awards. Graphics via Notre Dame Athletics Hidalgo becomes the first-ever ACC Women’s Basketball player to earn both POY and DPOY honors in back-to-back seasons. With back-to-back POY awards, she is now one shy of tying the record for the most ever in the ACC, most recently set by Elizabeth Kitley (Virginia Tech). Additionally, her three straight DPOY awards put her on track to tie Elizabeth Williams’s (Duke) record of four consecutive ACC DPOY honors.  During the preseason, many analysts and some fans expected a “down year” this winter following the losses of Olivia Miles, Sonia Citron, Maddy Westbeld, and many others. Irish Head Coach Niele Ivey and Hidalgo still managed to reach 20 wins and a top-five seed in the ACC Tournament. The Irish, undoubtedly led by their star PG, are playing their best basketball of the season entering postseason play, having won seven of their last eight games, including five straight to close out the season, highlighted by the season-finale upset at #10 Louisville. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! This season, the 5-6 junior from New Jersey went on to lead the conference in points and steals by a wide margin. Meanwhile, ‘Grand Theft’ Hidalgo was seemingly making history or breaking a new record in every game. Below, find the PG’s stats, accomplishments, and other notable items from this season: Stats: 25.2 Points per Game ; led ACC, 2nd-most averages 19.3 PPG  9 30-plus point games this season led the ACC 5.6 Steals per Game ; led ACC, 2nd-most averages 2.6 SPG, 83 more steals than the 2nd-most 36.1 Minutes per Game ; 3rd in ACC 5.4 Assists per Game ; 4th in ACC 83.4% Free Throw Percentage ; 7th in ACC, only player in the top-ten with more than 157 attempts 47.7% Field Goal Percentage ; 8th in ACC, only player in the top-13 with more than 407 attempts 1.7 Assist-to-Turnover Ratio ; 13th in ACC 6.3 Rebounds per Game ; 20th in ACC 3 games with at least 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals - the rest of the country has combined for 2 such games Accomplishments: Fastest player in ACC and Notre Dame history to reach 2,000 career points Broke Notre Dame career steals record Broke Notre Dame single-season steals record Broke Notre Dame career record for consecutive 10-plus point games (active) Broke Notre Dame career record for 20-plus point games Broke Notre Dame career record for 30-plus point games  Seven-Time ACC Player of the Week; most in a single-season, no other player won it more than once Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Single-Game ACC Records: 44 points ( vs Akron ) - most points scored by an ACC player this season; most points scored in Notre Dame history 16 field goals made ( vs Akron & at Stanford ) - most field goals made by an ACC player this season 16 steals ( vs Akron ) - set all-time DI record for steals in a game Owns six of the top eight games for most steals in a game by an ACC player this season ( 13 vs Bellarmine; 11 at SMU ) Notable Performances: 11/09/25 vs Chicago St. - 32 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 26 minutes 11/12/25 vs Akron - 44 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 16 steals, 27 minutes 12/11/25 vs Morehead St. - 26 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals, 1 block 12/21/25 vs Bellarmine - 30 points ( 76.5 FG% ), 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 13 steals, 22 minutes 12/29/25 vs Pitt - 30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals 01/01/26 at Georgia Tech - 26 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 8 steals 01/11/26 vs North Carolina - 31 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 steals, 1 block 01/22/26 vs Miami (FL) - 27 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 10 steals 01/25/26 vs Clemson - 30 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 8 steals 02/01/26 at Stanford - 37 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals 02/22/26 at SMU - 31 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 11 steals 03/01/26 at Louisville - 30 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame picked up an enormous win on Sunday, upsetting the 10th-ranked Louisville Cardinals on the road. With the Irish’s 65-62 victory, they have earned the 5th-seed in the ACC Tournament and enter the postseason playing their best basketball with five straight wins. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame (19-9; 11-6) faced a tall task on Sunday as nearly 11-point underdogs at Louisville (25-5; 15-2). With a win, the Cardinals would have completed a season sweep of the Irish and would earn a split of the regular season ACC Championship with Duke. Hannah Hidalgo spoiled those dreams, recording 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals in a big-time momentum win heading into the most important time of the season. With just four Notre Dame players scoring in the win, nine made three-pointers compared to seven from Louisville proved to be the difference. Louisville kicked off a low-scoring first quarter for both sides with an early 4-0 lead. The Cardinals held the Irish scoreless for the first 4:26 of the game before Hidalgo finally got the Irish on the board with a layup. Following another minute-plus stretch with no scoring, the Cardinals went on a 5-0 run capped with a three from Mackenly Randolph to take a 9-2 lead with 3:11 left in the quarter. After 3:44 of the Irish going scoreless, Malaya Cowles was able to hit a layup to cut the deficit to five with just under two minutes on the clock. With 1:14 left, Louisville’s Imari Berry converted an and-one opportunity to complete a three-point play that put the Cardinals ahead 12-4. The Irish were able to avoid complete disaster when Vanessa de Jesus nailed a three with 37 seconds left to tie the Irish’s season-low mark for scoring in one quarter with seven points. Louisville would lead 12-7 after one, as the Irish shot 3-14 from the field to open the game.  I do not know what flipped, but the second quarter was all Notre Dame, with the three-ball falling over and over again. After Louisville hit two free throws to open the quarter’s scoring, De Jesus and Iyana Moore buried back-to-back threes to immediately put the Irish right back in the game, trailing just 13-14 1:43 into the frame. Berry was able to make a mid-range jumper to extend Louisville’s lead to three, but Hidalgo responded in a big way for the Irish, going on an 8-0 run by herself, featuring a converted and-one opportunity and a three-pointer that handed Notre Dame its first lead of the game, 21-16 with 5:05 on the clock. Berry was able to knock down a three for the Cardinals, but the Irish responded with a big 10-0 run, with four points from Hidalgo and threes from De Jesus and Moore, to extend their lead to 31-19 with 2:54 left. Berry hit another three to cut the home squad’s lead to nine, but wouldn’t you know it, De Jesus responded with her third three of the quarter to maintain the Irish’s 12-point advantage. Following a couple of traded baskets in the final minute, including two made free throws by Hidalgo, Notre Dame entered the halftime break with a 36-24 lead. The Irish out-scored Louisville 29-12 in the second quarter, shooting 6-6 from three as Hidalgo and De Jesus combined for 21 of the team’s 29 points. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Top-ten ranked Louisville would not go away without a fight, though. They opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run to cut the Irish lead to 38-33 with 5:41 on the clock. The Irish were able to follow that up with a quick 5-0 run begun off a three by Moore that extended the Notre Dame lead to ten. With Hidalgo on the bench to catch her breath, Louisville took advantage of two Irish turnovers and converted back-to-back threes to cut their deficit to just four, 45-41, with 1:36 left. Unsurprisingly, Hidalgo immediately checked back in. In the final minute, Hidalgo outscored Louisville’s Tajianna Roberts 5-4, featuring a buzzer-beater three that sent the Irish into the final quarter with a 50-45 advantage. Hidalgo led the Irish’s offensive efforts in the third with a team-high seven points as just one of the three Notre Dame players to score during the frame. Hidalgo opened up the fourth quarter with a layup off a steal by De Jesus to put the Irish ahead by seven. However, Louisville countered with a 7-0 run that tied the game at 52 with 7:37 to play. Following a made shot by Moore that put the Irish back up by two, the Irish pulled Hidalgo from 6:52 - 4:44 with four fouls. The Cardinals took advantage, going on an 8-2 run during this stretch to take a 60-56 lead. When Hidalgo re-entered after the media timeout, she took over, pacing the Irish on a 7-0 run where she had five points as Notre Dame took a 63-60 lead with 2:10 to play. Following a shooting foul by Moore, Louisville was able to make it a 63-62 game with 54 seconds to play. At the 14-second mark, Hidalgo secured her fifth and most important steal, and the Irish’s upset victory. She would make a pair of free throws with nine seconds remaining to push the visitors’ lead to three, 65-62. Louisville would turn the ball over on the next possession after throwing the ball to the other sideline on a sideline out-of-bounds play. However, the Irish would give it right back after failing to successfully inbounds the ball, with De Jesus throwing the ball off Hidalgo’s ankles and out of bounds. Fortunately, Louisville’s potential game-tying shot came up short, and the Irish were able to lock down their biggest win of the season in their finale. Hidalgo led all fourth quarter scorers with nine points on 3-3 shooting from the field as Notre Dame led 65-62 with the buzzer sounding. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame wraps up the regular season with a 20-9 overall record and 12-6 in ACC play. The Irish will be the 5th seed in this season’s ACC Tournament and are set to face the winner of the 12/13 seed game on March 5 at 1:30 PM EST. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo : 30 points (9-13 FGs, 2-3 3FGs, 10-10 FTs) , 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, +15, 36 minutes played Vanessa de Jesus : 14 points (4-7 3FGs) , 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, +6, 36 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: LOU (41%) - ND (40%) Three Point Percentage: ND (47%) - LOU (32%) Free Throw Percentage: LOU (92%) - ND (91%) Bench Points: LOU (18) - ND (0) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball extended their win streak to four on Thursday night after defeating Syracuse 72-62 while celebrating the Fighting Irish’s seniors. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame (18-9; 10-6) welcomed Syracuse (21-6; 11-5) to Purcell Pavilion for the Irish’s regular-season home finale and Senior Night. The Irish celebrated the following eight players prior to the game: KK Bransford, Malaya Cowles, Vanessa de Jesus, Iyana Moore, Cassandre Prosper, Gisela Sanchez, Jordyn Smith, and Bella Tehrani. The Irish trio of Hannah Hidalgo, Prosper, and Cowles led the charge all night, combining for 56 of the team’s 72 points. While the three-pointer was not falling on Thursday, the Irish did a good job of winning in the paint, and their ability to finish on Syracuse’s mistakes was enough to give Notre Dame the victory. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The first quarter was a tightly-contested affair with no team able to separate itself by more than one possession. Syracuse’s Laila Phelia helped the Orange to an early 6-3 lead with a couple of quick buckets about 2:30 into the game. The Irish were then able to capitalize on some Syracuse mistakes, and a made layup by Prosper off a turnover put the Irish up 9-6 halfway through the quarter. The Orange then profited from a couple of Irish misses and regained a three-point, 16-13, lead with 1:28 on the clock. In the last minute, Hannah Hidalgo took over with back-to-back steals leading to layups for the Irish star. Bransford added on a last-second layup to give the Irish a 19-16 lead after one quarter. Hidalgo led the way in the first ten minutes with a team-high eight points and four steals. After Syracuse’s Phelia knocked down a quick jumper to open the second quarter, Prosper and Bransford led the Irish on a 6-0 run to put the home team on top 25-18 just 2:10 into the frame. The Orange were able to respond, though, putting together an 8-0 run, including two made threes, which put the visitors in front 26-25 with 6:26 remaining in the quarter. After some traded buckets, Hidalgo took advantage of a bad Syracuse pass and nailed her second-chance opportunity to put Notre Dame ahead 31-28 with 4:11 left. The Orange were able to retake the lead following a couple of Irish turnovers, holding a 32-31 advantage with 3:28 on the clock. The Irish defense locked down at this point, holding Syracuse without a point for the rest of the half. The offense was able to take advantage with a 6-0 run to close the quarter, with four points from Hidalgo, including a layup in the final seconds. Hidalgo and Prosper led the way offensively in the second, tying for a team-high six points, as Notre Dame entered the break holding a 37-32 lead. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame started off the second half on a 6-1 run in the first two minutes to extend their lead to 43-33. Both teams then went cold, with multiple turnovers by both sides, creating a 2:18 stretch with a Syracuse layup being the only made shot. Hidalgo was able to draw a foul and knocked down both of her free throws to regain a ten-point lead with 5:57 on the clock. The Orange then decided to make their second-half push. The visitors proceeded to go on a 7-0 run led by Phelia with four points, which cut the Irish lead to 45-42 with 4:14 on the clock. Hidalgo was able to hit a quick jumper to push the Irish lead back to two possessions, but the Orange were not finished. They then went on a 6-0 run with four points from Uche Izoje, but the mid-range from Phelia with 37 seconds left in the quarter was the shot that put the Orange in the lead, 48-47. Fortunately, Cowles was able to finish a clutch layup with nine seconds left to give the Irish a 49-48 advantage heading into the final quarter. Hidalgo’s six points and three steals led the Irish in a third quarter that saw the Notre Dame offense struggle. The Irish were able to carry the momentum from the Cowles lead-changing basket at the end of the third into the fourth with a 5-0 run that was capped with a big-time three from De Jesus that extended Notre Dame’s lead to 54-48 just 1:10 into the quarter. After a pair of traded baskets, Moore was able to come up with a clutch steal off of a bad Syracuse pass that led to a De Jesus mid-range make, pushing the Irish lead to 60-52 with 6:04 remaining. Following a Syracuse second-chance basket and timeout, Moore nailed a three to put the Irish up by nine, 63-54, with 5:13 to play. Both offenses then went cold again, failing to score for 2:07 before back-to-back-to-back possessions featuring baskets cut Notre Dame’s lead to six, 65-59, with 2:30 left. Coming off a timeout by Syracuse, Hidalgo was able to finish through contact and converted the and-one opportunity to put Notre Dame ahead 68-59 with 2:11 to play. Cowles was then able to make Syracuse pay for a traveling violation with a tough layup that extended Notre Dame’s lead to a game-high of 11 points. After a final-minute foul-fest, Notre Dame had secured a 72-62 Senior night win. Hidalgo’s offense led the way in the fourth, with a team-high seven points and four assists. Notre Dame improves to 19-9 and 11-6 in the ACC with just one regular season game remaining. The Irish head to Louisville (24-5; 14-2) for a big-time regular-season finale on March 1 at 4 PM EST. Coach Niele Ivey, Hidalgo, and co. will be seeking revenge on the Cardinals after they handled the Irish 79-66 in South Bend on January 15. Irish Stars: Hannah Hidalgo : 27 points (11-21 FGs), 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 steals, 1 block, +10, 40 minutes played Cassandre Prosper : 16 points (7-13 FGs, 2-2 FTs), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, +12, 36 minutes played Malaya Cowles : 13 points (5-8 FGs), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block, +7, 33 minutes played Key Team Stats: Field Goal Percentage: ND (47%) - SU (39%) Three Point Percentage: SU (20%) - ND (15%) Free Throw Percentage: SU (80%) - ND (75%) Turnovers: SU (22) - ND (15) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

While Jeremiyah Love seems to be a surefire top-10 pick, Jadarian Price's name will likely be called early on day two, or perhaps even at the end of day one. The question now becomes, where does he land, and what kind of player is that team getting? It seems likely that Notre Dame's former two-headed monster will be the first two running backs taken in the NFL draft. Like Love, Price has been incredibly productive and efficient in the snaps he was given at Notre Dame. Even while being second-string to Love at Notre Dame, Price has still caught the attention of every NFL scout, enough to have him considered as the second-best running back in the class. It is not only a glowing endorsement of the running back room Notre Dame had, but it also shows just how special Price is, even if he does not always get the same attention as Love. Price burst onto the scene at Notre Dame during the first game of the 2024 season. In that game, Price hit on the Irish's first big play of the season when he broke a run loose for 47-yards against Texas A&M. That play was the first in a long list of incredible runs by Price that all Irish fans quickly grew accustomed to during his career in South Bend. In that season, Price went on to run for 746 yards, seven touchdowns, and averaged just over six yards per carry. It was this unselfish, impressive, and pivotal season by Price that put Notre Dame's RB room on the map as one of the best in the country. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! In 2025, Price continued his excellent performance, making it clear that Notre Dame had claimed the title for the best RB room in college football. While it was tainted by a couple of costly fumbles, Price reinforced his consistent ability to run hard, break tackles, and find lanes to the second and third levels of the defense. Price's carries did drop a bit in 2025, but he still managed to finish with 674 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six yards per carry. Although Price might not have the other-worldly athleticism and burst of Love, Price has a lot of qualities that NFL teams would be lucky to have. First, Price has the perfect NFL body to survive in the fast, hard-hitting nature of the league. Standing at 5'11" and 210 pounds, Price has a stout build, making him a physical runner that is hard to bring down. With that size, Price still has the speed and acceleration to finish plays and find his way to the end zone. Secondly, Price has incredibly fast feet. Price became known at Notre Dame for his ability to navigate the line of scrimmage, bounce a run to the outside, and then beat defenders to the end zone. It was plays like this that displayed just how smooth and fluid a runner Price is. Lastly, Price projects to be an excellent and effective kick returner, which has become much more important due to rule changes in the NFL. Now that NFL teams return more kickoffs, an explosive returner like Price brings extra value to a player who is already getting high-pick considerations. Price is projected anywhere from the tail end of the first round to the beginning of the third round, giving him a lot of potential landing spots. While it is hard to pin down an exact spot that he could land, here are a few teams that could be looking to improve at the running back position this draft. Round 2, Pick 59/Round 3, Pick 69: Houston Texans The Houston Texans have some questions to answer this offseason when it comes to the running back room. While Joe Mixon is still under contract, there is some uncertainty about whether he will be a Texan next season. Mixon missed most of last season due to an injury. Injuries have been plaguing Mixon for years, and at his age, the Texans could stand to get younger and a lot cheaper at the running back position. That is why Price could be a viable option for them in the late second and early third. The Texans have already found success in their young running back Woody Marks, and with Price, they could form a young and talented room for years. In today's NFL, many teams look to accomplish success in the run game with 2-3 running backs. Neither Price nor Marks are "bell-cow" running backs, but they are both more than good enough to build a strong committee of runners in Houston. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Round 2, Pick 62: Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are in huge need of a running back after a very strong season that was ended in the AFC Championship. With such a strong team, it is now their job to reinforce their weaker positions to ensure they can make another run, hopefully this time ending in a Super Bowl. One position that they will give a lot of attention to is the running back position. RJ Harvey showed promise this past season, but J.K. Dobbins is set to become a free agent, making the Broncos incredibly thin at running back. Price could be an option for them late in the second round, which could bring some big-play ability to this offense. If the Broncos do not sign a running back in free agency, Price would pair nicely with Harvey. Harvey is a physical, bruising runner who chips away at a defense five yards at a time. While Price does have some of that, he is really looking to hit on a big play after making a defender or two miss. Big plays were a huge focus for the Broncos last season, as their offense would sometimes become bogged down. Price could come in and immediately be a difference maker in that role. The Texans and the Broncos are two of the main teams that could be looking to draft Price in the late second and into the early third, but any team could really be an option for Price. Teams are constantly making moves to get younger and cheaper at positions, especially at running back. Free agency will give a lot of insight into which team may still be looking to draft a running back. Price projects to instantly become a contributing part of the rushing attack and a dangerous return man. In the future, Price does have the potential and talent to be an established starter in the NFL. All of that makes him a coveted prospect in a draft that is weak at the running back position. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

CJ Carr’s 2025 season put two traits on tape: pre-snap command that expanded over time, and boundary/vertical arm talent that let Notre Dame stress defenses from the far hash. The arc shows up clearly when you evaluate points from the beginning, middle and end of the year—and if you look at how the offense asked Carr to operate before the snap and where the ball went after it. Photo by Maysum Hassanali The Early-Season Baseline: Pre-Snap Routine Under the Microscope Texas A&M became the early reference point because the conversation around Carr wasn’t only about his decisions but also about pre-snap information. Postgame reporting focused on a stance tendency that correlated with run versus dropback and gave the defense a cleaner pre-snap picture than Notre Dame wanted.  Quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli later acknowledged “tendencies,” described them as addressed, and framed it as a fix-and-move-forward item.  That week serves as a useful starting point. Carr still threw for 293 yards on 32 attempts against A&M. However, the offense had to spend part of the early season tightening the pre-snap operation—specifically, presentation, cadence consistency, and process—so defences received fewer tells before the ball was snapped . Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Arkansas: The First Game Where “Command” Shows Up on the Drive Chart and the Throw Chart Two weeks later, Carr’s trip to Arkansas marked the first game where the tape and the stat line both read “in control.” He went 22-of-30 for 354 yards with four touchdowns and no picks.  UHND’s recap framed it as “Carr in Control” and pointed to the late-half sequencing that buried Arkansas: a short TD to Jeremiyah Love, followed by a 35-yard screen TD to Jadarian Price right before halftime. From a quarterbacking standpoint, Arkansas is where the pre-snap layer becomes visible in the structure of the offense. You see more snaps where motion forces leverage and rotation tells, and you see Carr cash those tells quickly—screens into perimeter looks, intermediate concepts into favorable shells, and boundary shots when the corner’s leverage was inside or off, and safety depth invited it. Arkansas is also the cleanest single-game evidence bank for Carr’s arm talent.  Notre Dame very neatly packaged all 354 passing yards into a single “shortest to longest” compilation. And when you tag those throws, the recurring theme is stress: intermediate timing windows, movement out of the backfield, deep placement, and several opportunities to drive the football outside the numbers. The Season-Wide Profile Across 2025, he posted 63 completions of 15+ yards and 31 completions of 25+ yards. That’s enough volume to treat “medium-to-deep” as a defining trait rather than an occasional highlight, especially given the offense’s reliance on a 1A-1B run game with Love and Price.  It is surely something that Freeman & Co. will gameplan around come this fall.  The next step is locating where those gains live on the field. For Carr, the most translatable subset is throws outside the numbers—far-hash outs/comebacks, boundary hole shots, and vertical sideline work—because those throws compress the defense’s margin for error. When your OC trusts you with those reads, defenses play on their back foot. And those throws correlate with his developed comfort pre-snap: protection communication has to be clean, and the picture has to be understood quickly, because boundary concepts are timing concepts.  Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle November: The Late-Season Boundary/Vertical Throw Arrives with Efficiency Boston College offers a late-season snapshot where the volume is modest, but the damage is heavy: Carr was 18-of-25 for 299 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions. A review of the film shows many downfield throws, too, including a 44-yard touchdown to Will Pauling towards the seam and a 40-yard TD to Malachi Fields on a ball thrown with touch.   Those are the kinds of plays that show up when an offense, particularly Carr, Coach Guidugli, and Coach Denbrock are comfortable calling vertical concepts into the right shell and comfortable letting Carr execute with timing and placement. Stanford, two weeks later, adds another late-season “toolbox” indicator: 205 yards on 27 attempts with two touchdowns, no picks, and a long of 54.  The film value here sits in two categories: a deep completion that demands placement, and a handful of snaps where you can see pre-snap ID translate into post-snap answers—hot/replace throws, quick boundary access, or an intermediate concept triggered by a favorable leverage look.  We would have seen more of the offensive scheme at play had Notre Dame been encouraged to widen the scoring margin, but the Committee suggested that need not be the case. The Throughline: Expanded Pre-Snap Confidence Forces Defenses to Change Their Strategy The season’s pre-snap story starts with an early tendency that drew attention and a coaching staff that treated it as correctable.  It continues with a mid-September performance at Arkansas, where sequencing, tempo, and a wide menu of throws suggest an offense operating with clearer pre-snap information and Carr with more confidence.  By November, the late-season efficiency games feature an increase in strikes down-the-field and consistent explosive production at a rate supported by every situational stat available. That combination—pre-snap clarity plus a boundary-capable arm—shapes how defenses have to play Notre Dame in 2026. Corners can’t sit on the short stuff.  Safeties can’t cheat into the run fit without exposing the sideline. Pressure packages have to win quickly, or they turn into leverage throws and explosives.  And with the potential offensive line and Carr’s pre-snap read ability, pressure packages are a high-risk, high-reward wager for future DCs.  Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame secured their third straight win on Sunday, toppling the SMU Mustangs 88-63 in Dallas, headlined by another sensational performance from Hannah Hidalgo. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame (17-9; 9-6) entered SMU (9-18; 2-13) on a two-game win streak with the regular season’s end rapidly approaching. During the game, Hidalgo spent her 21st birthday doing what she does: Hooping. The Irish star finished the game with 31 points, 11 steals, and was just one rebound shy of a triple-double in the rout. As a team, Notre Dame’s 53% shooting from the field and 44% from three mixed with lockdown defense was too much for the Mustangs to handle. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! SMU kicked off a high-scoring first quarter with a 5-0 run initiated by a game-opening three from Ayanna Thompson. The Irish responded with a 7-0 run led by Cassandre Prosper to take a two-point advantage just over three minutes into the game. After a little back-and-forth, Hidalgo and Iyana Moore led the Irish on a 9-0 stretch that pushed Notre Dame’s lead to 18-11 with 4:04 remaining in the quarter. The two squads continued going at it for the final four minutes, with Notre Dame just outscoring the Mustangs 11-9 to secure a 29-20 lead heading into the second quarter. Moore had a big first 10 minutes, leading all scorers with an efficient 10 points, including two made threes across three attempts. Following a pair of made free throws by Hidalgo to open the second frame, SMU was able to string together a quick 5-0 burst capped by a three from Grace Hall, which cut the Irish lead to six, 31-25, just under two minutes into the quarter. The Mustangs refused to go away, keeping the game within single digits until the final two minutes. That is when Hidalgo turned up, swiping two steals and tallying a quick four points to give the Irish a 44-34 advantage heading into the half. Hidalgo entered the break with a game-high five steals and was tied with Moore for a team-high 12 points. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame shut down and erased any life inside of SMU’s Moody Coliseum in the third quarter, outscoring the Mustangs 30-15 in the frame that featured separate 8-0 and 9-0 runs by the Irish. Offensively, the visitors shot 11-14 from the field, including 4-6 from three in an impressive effort. Seven different players scored for the Irish in the quarter, with Hidalgo’s eight points leading the way. Hidalgo also recorded all five of Notre Dame’s steals in the third to give her a 20-point, 10-steal double-double through 28 minutes played. The Irish wrapped up the third quarter with a 74-49 lead following a dominant 10 minutes. The final quarter saw the scoring slow down a bit, but Hidalgo opened the first four minutes of the fourth on a 5-0 run by herself. Her layup off a shot clock violation by SMU pushed the Irish lead to a game-high 30 points, 79-49, with 6:32 on the clock. The Mustangs were able to close the game on a 14-9 stretch, but to no avail as Notre Dame locked up the 88-63 road win. Hidalgo scored 11 of the Irish’s 14 fourth-quarter points, shooting 5-6 in the frame. Notre Dame improves their record to 18-9 overall and 10-6 in ACC play with just two regular-season games remaining. Up next, the Irish host Syracuse (21-6; 11-5) for senior night at Purcell Pavilion on Thursday. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo : 31 points (11-18 FGs) , 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 11 steals, +28, 38 minutes played Iyana Moore : 20 points (8-13 FGs, 4-8 3FGs) , 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, +23, 38 minutes played  Gisela Sanchez : 10 points (4-7 FGs, 2-3 3FGs) , 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 19 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: ND (53%) - SMU (40%) Three Point Percentage: ND (44%) - SMU (43%) Free Throw Percentage: SMU (73%)  - ND (67%) Bench Points: ND (16) - SMU (4) Points in the Paint: ND (42)  - SMU (24) Steals: ND (18) - SMU (6) Blocks: ND (4) - SMU (2) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Jeremiyah Love is set to become one of the highest drafted Notre Dame players in recent memory after a legendary career at Notre Dame. With that career all said and done, where are potential landing spots for Love, and what does he project to be in the NFL? Photo by The Irish Tribune Love comes into the draft as the consensus No. 1 running back. This does not come as much of a surprise after the two dominant years at Notre Dame, where he made a name for himself with his explosive athleticism and dazzling footwork. During his time at Notre Dame, Love totalled 2,882 rushing yards, 594 receiving yards, and 42 total touchdowns. Love burst onto the scene during his sophomore year, quickly showing the entire country that he possessed a special ability to break a play loose every time he touched the ball. It was in this season that Love became known for his unique ability to hurdle almost every defender in front of him. Along with this, it was his jaw-dropping runs in the first and third rounds of the CFP that immediately made him a household name in Notre Dame lore. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Coming into his junior year, Love had a lot to live up to. He was a Heisman Trophy candidate and considered the best running back in the country. Love lived up to all the expectations and broke Notre Dame records on the way to the Doak Walker Award. While Love continued to show off his electrifying talent, he also proved that he had become much more than just his athleticism. He showed real growth in the nuances of the run game. He became a more patient, physical, and shifty runner. He showed a willingness to wait for blocks to develop instead of hitting the first opening he saw. It seemed he was more willing to grind an opposing team down with physical run after physical run, like the game against USC. He also showed a larger arsenal of moves to make defenders miss, like the spin move against Pitt that allowed him to break free for a long touchdown run. Along with all of this, he continued to prove his ability to impact the game through the air with his more than capable hands. All of these skill sets cemented his place as not only the best running back in the draft class, but one of the best players in the entire class. With all of his talent and impact as a true three-down back, Love is easily a top-five talent in this year's draft, but will likely go lower than expected due to his position. Running backs are not the most valued position that NFL teams are looking for, but Love's ability to impact a game won't keep him on the board for very long. Round 1, Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals This seems to be the earliest possible spot for Love to land in the draft. Running backs rarely go this early, but for a draft that lacks a lot of premier talent, the Cardinals could seize their opportunity to pick up the best offensive player that is not a quarterback. For years now, the Cardinals have struggled to find an elite offensive player to help score points. In 2025, the Cardinals ranked only 22nd in points per game, something Love could instantly change. As of now, the Cardinals have no real game-changer at the running back position. James Conner is the starter, but he has struggled to stay on the field during his time in Arizona. While Conner has been serviceable at times, Love would be an excellent change of pace back and someone who could also impact the offense in the passing game. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Round 1, Pick 8: New Orleans Saints The Saints at eight is a real possibility for Love in this draft. The Saints' offence has been centered around Alvin Kamara for years now, as he has been one of the most productive and impactful running backs in the league. With Kamara now being 30 years old and on the last year of his deal, it may be time for the Saints to look towards the future. There is hope for Saints fans that they have found something in rookie QB Tyler Shough. With Love, they could begin to solidify the future of their offense, giving Shough a target in the passing game and a workhorse in the run game. While Kamara may be one of the best receiving backs in the NFL, Love could seamlessly fill in that role for the Saints. This could be a significant advantage for the Saints, as they would not have to alter their offensive philosophy significantly. They continue to be an offense that centers around getting their running back the ball with space to work with. That is something that could make Love one of the most impactful rookies in the 2026 NFL season. Round 1, Pick 9: Kansas City Chiefs It is hard to imagine a world that Love makes it past the Chiefs at nine. During the Chiefs' recent reign over the rest of the NFL, they never truly had a difference-maker at the running back position. It was an offense centered around the spectacular play of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and even Tyreek Hill early on. Recently, the Chiefs have pivoted to a more defensive-focused mindset, with many teams starting to catch on to the passing attack. With no true RB1 to look to, the Chiefs' offense has struggled to keep up. Love could be the answer to their prayers. He would provide a more balanced attack to an offense that has solely relied on Mahomes' arm. Yes, Mahomes is currently recovering from a torn ACL, but Love would be someone they can lean on until they get him back in the lineup. When he is back in the lineup, defenses would then have to constantly worry about Love's explosive running and Mahomes' creativity in the pocket, a nightmare for any defensive coordinator. Along with this, Andy Reid is known to be one of the best and most creative play-callers in NFL history. This offense would thrive on Reid finding new and creative ways of getting Love the ball in space. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! 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Hannah Hidalgo’s 26-point night was more than enough as Notre Dame Women’s Basketball hammered the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Thursday evening in Winston-Salem, 78-54. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Coming off a resume-boosting win against NC State, Notre Dame (16-9; 8-6) kicked off a short two-game road trip with a road matchup at Wake Forest (13-13; 3-11). Ultra-efficient shooting and lockdown defense were keys in the dominant showing. Four Irish scorers reached double digits while four defenders tallied at least two steals.  The Irish started hot, kicking off the game with a 10-0 stretch featuring threes from Hidalgo and Iyana Moore. Wake Forest did not go away that easily at home, though, stringing together a 7-0 run led by Grace Oliver. Notre Dame closed the last four minutes of the quarter on a 6-2 run, with four points from KK Bransford, extending their lead to 16-9 heading into the next frame. Hidalgo opened up the second quarter with a three-pointer to push the Irish lead to 10. Oliver then led the Deacons on a 6-0 run, cutting the Irish lead to 19-15 four minutes into the quarter. Following some back-and-forth, Notre Dame maintained a four-point, 24-20, lead with 2:58 to play in the half. The Irish found their touch in these last two-plus minutes, draining three three-pointers in an 11-3 closing stretch. A made layup by Bransford gave Notre Dame a 35-23 lead at halftime. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Irish dominated coming out of halftime, outscoring Wake Forest 21-6 in the first 8:12 of the third quarter. A three from Sanchez extended the Irish lead to a game-high 27-points, 56-29. The Deacons were able to close the final one-plus minute on a 6-0 run, led by Emily Johns. Bransford’s team-high of six points in the quarter helped send the Irish into the final frame with a 56-35 lead.  Wake Forest opened up the fourth on an 8-4 run, including back-to-back threes that cut the Irish lead to 17 about 2:15 into the quarter. Moore knocked down her third three-pointer of the night with 6:35 remaining, which pushed the visitors’ lead back up to 22, 65-43. The rest of the game was back-and-forth, with Hidalgo’s six points in the final four minutes more than enough to hold off the Demon Deacons. Notre Dame’s 78-54 win at Wake Forest improves their record to 17-9 overall and 9-6 in ACC play. The Irish take their two-game streak into Dallas on Sunday evening for a date with the SMU Mustangs (9-17; 2-12). Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Irish Stars: Hannah Hidalgo: 26 points (10-20 FGs, 3-4 3FGs, 3-3 FTs) , 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, +26, 32 minutes played Iyana Moore: 11 points (3-7 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) , 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, +22, 29 minutes played Cassandre Prosper: 10 points (4-6 FGs, 2-2 FTs) , 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, +23, 29 minutes played Malaya Cowles: 6 points (3-6 FGs) , 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals, +27, 30 minutes played Vanesa de Jesus: 6 steals, +12, 32 minutes played Key Team Stats: Field Goal Percentage: ND (52%) - WF (40%) Three Point Percentage: ND (44%) - WF (24%) Free Throw Percentage: ND (89%) - WF (61%) Steals: ND (17) - WF (6) Blocks: ND (5) - WF (1) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Last year, we watched Xavier Watts, a Bronko Nagurksi Trophy winner, fall all the way into the third round of the NFL Draft despite his accolades and elite production. Watts would inevitably prove every team wrong for passing on him, as he was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year this past season. It seems like every year, Notre Dame has a few extremely talented players who slip in the draft, only to break out in the NFL. This year, two slept-on offensive stars will soon command NFL respect. Photo by Maysum Hassanali Malachi Fields - WR Fields is now surging up draft boards, but before the Senior Bowl, Fields was viewed as a day-three pick by the majority of analysts. Fields came to Notre Dame as a senior transfer by way of Virginia, bringing much-needed size to the boundary position and delivering immediately. Fields became a downfield specialist for Notre Dame, showcasing his excellent body control and hand strength to win 50-50 balls down the field. Standing at 6'4", Notre Dame often targeted Fields on shot-plays or when the defense would jump offside. It might almost be an insult to call Fields a 50-50 ball specialist, as more often than not, he would make an incredibly acrobatic play on the football. Fields finished his final season at Notre Dame with 36 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns, averaging an insane 17.5 yards per catch. Before joining the Irish, Fields boasted incredible production at Virginia, with two seasons of over 800 receiving yards against Power-4 competition. With a good combine that plays to his strengths, it wouldn't shock me to see Malachi Fields go very early in the second round. His floor as a receiver, plus his physical tools and experience, put him a leg up on a lot of other prototype boundary receivers in this year's draft. Whoever lands Malachi Fields will surely be getting a great return on their investment. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Jadarian Price - RB Gone are the days of having to play second fiddle for Jadarian Price. It's a narrative that's been beaten to death at this point, but one that still rings true. The fact of the matter is that Jadarian Price would have probably been the featured running back on 95% of college football teams this season. He just happened to be on the same team as one of the greatest running backs of this generation, which reduced his carries by a significant margin. Despite this, Price has absolutely dominated when the opportunities have presented themselves. Whether it be a routine carry that Price utilizes his signature jump cut to the outside, or a kickoff return in one of the season's biggest moments, Price made the most of every opportunity, which is part of the reason he's looked upon with such high regard. Price, like Fields, is a projected day two pick in this upcoming draft, with some people mocking him as high as the RB2 behind Jeremiyah Love. The upside to Price not being the featured back at Notre Dame is the amount of tread he still has left on the tires. Running back is one of the most physically demanding positions in football, and it averages one of the shortest pro careers as a result. A highly skilled player with not a lot of wear and tear is seen as a huge upside in draft circles. This past season, Price tallied 674 rushing yards on 113 carries, averaging just over 6 yards per touch, with 11 touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. For a back who saw roughly a third of the total carry count on the season, these are very encouraging numbers. Price brings an NFL-ready frame, with experience and the numbers to back it all up. He has all the makings of an NFL starter, and soon, he will get his chance to prove it. The teams that pass on Price will eventually come to regret it. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame and Villanova’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs are in the “final stages” of scheduling a historic 2026 College Basketball Season Tip-Off in Italy, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. Photos via Notre Dame Athletics While the official start date for next season’s start is November 2nd, the NCAA has granted “special clearance” for the two programs to play their doubleheader one day early on November 1st, "given the historic precedent of the games." The obvious reason this idea came to light is because of the two schools’ ties to Pope Leo XIV. Besides Notre Dame and Villanova being two of the most prominent private Catholic schools in the country, Pope Leo XIV, or at the time Robert Francis Prevost, is a 1977 Wildcats alumnus. Pope Leo XIV also grew up in the Chicagoland area, surrounded by Notre Dame’s heavy Midwest presence. Norlander reports, “The Pope's involvement in the event — if any — is unclear and very much to be determined, according to sources, though officials from both schools have been in contact with the Pope and people around the Holy See.” Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd and Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting in November.  Photo via Vatican Media Norlander also reported, “Villanova and Notre Dame worked in concert on arranging the game for months, sources said, with talks seriously materializing in the early fall. Paperwork has not been finalized, but both schools are moving forward with the expectation that one of college basketball's most ambitious scheduling ideas in recent memory will transpire on the first day of November.” Fox is set to broadcast both games from the afternoon in Rome, which is morning in the United States. “...The general plan is to have Villanova-Notre Dame lead into NFL coverage on Fox in the United States on that Sunday. The women's game is planned to air afterward on Fox Sports 1.”  Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! This matchup is believed to be the first men’s college basketball season-opener in a different country and the first-ever regular-season DI basketball games in Italy. Palazzetto dello Sport, translated to “Small Sport Palace,” will host the games in its 3500-seat venue. The arena was originally designed for the 1960 Rome Olympics and still stands following recent renovations in the past decade. Palazzetto dello Sport is located just 30 minutes from the Apostolic Palace, where Pope Leo XIV resides. This season, the Notre Dame and Villanova Men’s teams are heading in different directions. The Irish, under third-year Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry, are 11-14 and 2-10 in the ACC, albeit without their star Markus Burton. The Wildcats appear back on their way to March Madness after a disappointing couple of seasons led by Kyle Neptune. Now, with former Maryland Head Coach Kevin Willard in charge, Villanova sits at 19-5 and 10-3 in Big East play. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle On the Women’s side, the Irish and sixth-year Head Coach Niele Ivey are experiencing a bit of a setback this year with a 15-9 record, including 7-6 in the ACC. They will likely need to string together some solid wins this month, including in the conference tournament, to secure a spot in March Madness. However, there is reason for optimism with a strong 2026 recruiting class and a potential senior season from Hannah Hidalgo providing some future light for Ivey’s squad. Villanova is also led by a former player alumnus who was hired the same season as Ivey, Denise Dillon. After missing out on March Madness the previous two years, the Wildcats appear back on track, sitting at 20-5 and 13-3 in the Big East. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame is losing a lot of their 2024 production to either the NFL draft or the transfer portal. Luckily for the Irish, there is now room for their talented younger players to step up. Who will they be? Photo by Tyler Wong Aneyas Williams/Kedren Young - Running Back Unfortunately for Irish fans, gone are the days of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Together, they comprised one of the most dangerous backfields in Notre Dame history. With both now headed to the draft, it is time for others to take their place. As it looks now, Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young are in line to do just that. In 2024, Williams played a key role for the Irish on their run to the National Championship as a productive third-down back. During that season, Williams rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Through the air, he totalled 172 yards and came up with a key play in the Orange Bowl that set up Notre Dame for its first touchdown of the game. In 2025, Williams saw his opportunities dwindle due to the stacked backfield of Price and Love. Heading into 2026, Williams is now the most experienced player in the positional group and will likely have the chance to receive a bulk of the carries. Williams is a tough, physical runner with great hands that make him an ideal target coming out of the backfield. Those skills could have him ready to become an essential part of an offense looking to make a deep run in the CFP. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Like Williams, Kedren Young has also been patiently waiting for his chance to see real playing time on the field. During the 2024 spring game, Young showed flashes of his unique size and quickness. Those flashes gave many hope that he could be a productive part of the 2025 team. Unfortunately for Young, he would miss the entire season with an ACL injury sustained before the season's start. Although Williams may be in the lead role, Young could prove to be an effective change-of-pace runner in shorter downs. Standing at 5'11" and 240 lbs, Young is a bruising ball carrier with surprisingly nimble feet for his size. Although they may not have the explosiveness that Love and Price had, Williams and Young could certainly be the dynamic running tandem that Notre Dame needs in 2026. Micah Gilbert - Wide Receiver Wide receiver might be the most complicated position group on this Notre Dame team. It is a mix of talented freshmen, inexperienced 5-star transfers, and players who have been with the program for years but have yet to leave their stamp on the team. While it is still unclear who will see the most snaps, Micah Gilbert could be someone who takes the next step and becomes a productive member of the offense. Gilbert came to Notre Dame as an exciting 4-star prospect who possessed great size and speed, standing at 6'2". While he did not see many snaps his freshman year, Gilbert was able to find his way onto the field in 2025. Gilbert was not very productive during the season, but he did score the first Notre Dame touchdown of the season. Gilbert has all the physical tools needed to become a productive wide receiver for a team that is in need of someone to step up. Madden Faraimo - Linebacker Faraimo arrived at Notre Dame last year as a 4-star recruit and one of the most coveted linebackers in the country. As a freshman, Faraimo struggled to see the field, as he was the youngest in a group of very talented and experienced players. With that being said, he was still able to produce, totalling 16 tackles and two sacks. Heading into 2026, Faraimo may be needed to step up and become a key part of the defense. With Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa's ACL injury, defensive coordinator Chris Ash could lean on Faraimo to fill that hole in the middle of the defense. While KVA is expected to play in 2026, it is still unclear when, meaning Faraimo will need to be ready. Faraimo will likely receive first-team reps all spring and may see significant playing time to start the season. With that sort of development and opportunities, it would not be surprising to see a talented and athletic player like Faraimo take the next step. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!