Entering year four of the Micah Shrewsberry era, the Notre Dame Basketball program seems to carry an awkward, tense aura. REUTERS/Remo Casilli Eternal City Tip-Off All eyes will be on Shrewsberry’s squad on Sunday morning when his Fighting Irish tip off the 2026-27 college basketball season with the Villanova Wildcats at 9:30 AM EST in Rome, Italy, in the Palazzo dello Sport, host of the 1960 Summer Olympics Gold Medal Game. This historic game came together through Notre Dame and Villanova’s collaboration to bring “two of the nation’s preeminent Catholic universities for competition.” Formerly Big East rivals, the Irish and Wildcats have not met since 2016, when Josh Hart dropped a career-high 37 points in a comeback win for, at the time, number-one-ranked Villanova at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. The two sides enter this season projected to go on separate paths. Notre Dame is expected to finish bottom-three in the ACC according to the conference’s preseason poll, which would mean another conference tournament miss for the Irish under Shrewsberry. As for Villanova, they have been picked to finish third in the Big East and received votes in the preseason AP Poll. Some players to keep an eye on for Villanova are Guard Tyler Perkins, the team’s leading scorer from a year ago; transfer Forwards Kwame Evans Jr. and Devin Royal; and freshman Center Luigi Suigo, who will be back in his home country for this matchup. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Roster Breakdown Following a 13-18 2025-26 campaign, Coach Shrewsberry’s squad underwent some major renovations, mostly via the portal. Below is a refresher on who is gone, who remains, and who is new to the program this winter: Who is Gone Markus Burton → Indiana Jalen Haralson → Tennessee Cole Certa → Clemson Ryder Frost → George Washington Garrett Sundra → James Madison Sir Mohammed → Penn Kebba Njie → no eligibility remaining Carson Towt → no eligibility remaining Matthew MacLellan → no eligibility remaining Who is Still Here Brady Koehler Braeden Shrewsberry Tommy Ahneman Logan Imes Brady Stevens Luke Devine Who is New Braeden Smith - Gonzaga transfer Bryce Ruglass Dortch - Rutgers transfer Devin Brown - Davidson transfer Ethan Roberts - Penn transfer Logan Duncomb - Winthrop transfer Yoro Diallo - UVA-Wise transfer Jonathan Sanderson - Freshman Nick Shrewsberry - Freshman Gan-Erdene Salongo - Freshman Jake Burow - Freshman Coach Shrewsberry’s response to the following question at this year’s ACC Media Day best encapsulates what he hopes for this group, and the program overall: Q: “You guys (Notre Dame) have a record nine straight home games from the end of November after you get back from your Rome trip until the beginning of January. What are you hoping is the product put on the court for your home fans in that month?” A: “Yeah, that's big. And you know…you look at the schedule, you see those home games, it's a chance for us to really build some momentum. And we've talked about with our team this year, our theme is built by believers. And the guys that stayed believed in what we were doing. The guys that came in really believed in what we were talking about and believe that they can help Notre Dame. We need some believers with us at the Joyce Center when those nine games come…We play Vandy, we play Ohio State, we play TCU. Like come and join us. Believe in what we're doing and…that place will get rocking if you do it the right way, man…We want to help it get there. We need some believers on the court in our locker room. We need some believers in those stands with us, too.” Projected Starting Five When asked on October 14th, Coach Shrewsberry offered the following rotation, the same one I offered in an article on June 1st: PG: Braeden Smith SG: Braeden Shrewsberry WG: Ethan Roberts PF: Brady Koehler C: Logan Duncomb First off the bench: PG Jonathan Sanderson, C Tommy Ahneman Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Micah Update With a 41-56 overall record through his first three seasons in South Bend, there is no doubt Coach Shrewsberry’s name will be one to monitor all year as a likely hot-seat candidate. While I certainly don’t think Micah is the second-coming of Coach K, he does not exactly receive the help warranted to compete in the ACC from his bosses. In an article posted by CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander and Isaac Trotter on October 21st, the two broke down every major conference program’s roster values for this upcoming season into seven tiers. Embarrassingly, Notre Dame is listed in the lowest tier, the $5-7 million range. They share tier seven with the likes of Boston College, Georgia Tech, Washington, and Colorado. Notable teams listed in tiers above the Irish include Northwestern, DePaul, and Butler. Expectations/Goals For those outside of the Notre Dame circle, most expect the Irish to miss the ACC Tournament once again in 2026. The reasons are valid given Shrewsberry’s track record, the roster turnover, and the lack of money poured into the program. The goal should be fairly simple this season: show improvement. This will be Shrewsberry’s oldest roster in his time at Notre Dame, featuring six fourth- or fifth-year seniors, all of whom will play vital roles this year. We will see if this plethora of experience proves helpful for the Irish, but they need to put a legitimate product on the court for fans to start trusting this team “built by believers.” 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!

Photo by Eric Canha-Imagn Images Survive and advance is one of the most overused sayings in sports vernacular. Today exemplified the phrase's outdated nature. Notre Dame beat their rival Navy, 35-13. On the surface, this looked like a dominant Irish victory, but that's a bit misleading. For the first half, Notre Dame was dominated and bullied by Navy. The Irish allowed the Midshipmen to have the ball for 23:33 while giving up close to 200 yards defensively. This allowed Navy to take a late first-half lead, 13-7. The Irish would regain the lead on a Nolan James Jr. 52-yard touchdown scamper to go into the locker room up 14-13. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Leaning on the running game, and some electric receptions by Jerome Bettis Jr., the Golden Domers would score the next 21 points en route to the victory. For some, that is good enough. A 20-plus-point victory is something many teams strive for heading into November. However, awaiting Notre Dame is something harrowing, frightening, and possibly season-derailing as the Miami Hurricanes approach South Bend. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle On the injury front, LB Drayk Bowen and DL Francis Brewu were injured in the first half and did not return. LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and CB Leonard Moore did not play today, as the injuries have piled up at an alarming rate. That main question coming out of this game, however, was: how did this team come out so lifeless and uninspired? Having a two weeks to prepare for this exotic Navy offense, Notre Dame was out of sorts. For all of those that are just saying it was a just bad half, the time for optimism is over. Miami will be coming into South Bend with an offense that has been a wrecking ball of scoring. Fortunately, there are seven days for the Irish to find their early season mojo. The attacking defense (especially the rush defense), punishing offense, and wearing teams down to a nub before blowing them away will have to remerge for the Irish in November. Because if it doesn't, the team's quest for the College Football Playoff will likely be over. 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!

Via Eric Canha-Imagn Images FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- After a weary first half, the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish snapped into shape to defeat the Navy Midshipmen 35-13. Notre Dame took a one-point lead into the halftime break after losing the time of possession battle 23:33-6:27. The second half was a different story. The Irish outscored Navy 21-0 while out gaining the Midshipmen by 223 yards (279-56). CJ Carr finished the day 19-29 with two touchdowns, including a 22-yard touchdown pitch-and-catch to Jerome Bettis Jr, the first of his career. Bettis led the receiver room with six catches for 78 yards, while Jordan Faison added 46 yards on four catches. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! On the ground, Nolan James Jr. led the way for the Notre Dame running backs as he finished the day with 107 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns, and averaged 11.9 yards per carry. True freshman Jonaz Walton also logged a touchdown run for the Fighting Irish and finished the day with 51 rushing yards. As in typical fashion against the physical, clop-blocking Navy identity, the Fighting Irish got a bit banged up in this contest. Drayk Bowen, Francis Brewu, and Micah Gilbert all left the game due to injury, with their status unknown for next week's big matchup. The Irish were already without Leonard Moore, Brauntae Johnson, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, and DJ McKinney, as the injuries are piling up for Notre Dame as the schedule flips to November. It will be interesting to see how healthy Notre Dame will be in their matchup against Miami next week, but in terms of this week's test, the Irish were still able to grind out a 22-point victory against a clock-chewing Navy team. 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!

Rob Gray-Imagn Images With Miami looming next week, Notre Dame cannot afford to overlook Navy. Coming off a disappointing performance against BYU, the Fighting Irish have a golden opportunity to get back on track, build confidence, and prove they can dominate on both sides of the ball. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Notre Dame will once again hit the road to head to Gillette Stadium to take on the Navy Midshipmen in Foxborough, Massachusetts. For the Fighting Irish, this game entirely rides on what they bring to the table. Navy has struggled this year, and they do not seem to present any real challenge to Notre Dame. It is up to Notre Dame to take care of business early, denying any possibility of a "look-ahead" with Miami in town next week. As it is a rivalry game, Notre Dame needs to get off to an early start and put the game away early. Navy can be a tricky team to play and never fails to bring the toughness needed to present problems. Luckily for the Irish, this is probably the weakest Navy team they've seen over the past few years. Standing at 2-5, Navy has struggled to find the formula against teams they have had success against in the recent past. A lot of those struggles come from their struggling pass defense. In three of their five losses, they have given up over 300 yards in each game. In those games, they also gave up a staggering 11 passing touchdowns, a clear sign that this Navy secondary has areas to expose. Navy's suspect defense bodes well for CJ Carr and a Notre Dame offense still searching for answers. After the BYU game, it is clear that this offense still has a lot of work to do. A game like this may be exactly what they need to find their footing. To start, Carr may be able to use this game to gain some of his confidence back. BYU was a low moment in Carr's career, so a chance to play well against a struggling secondary could be beneficial. Navy will likely give Carr chances to hit on big plays downfield, so it will be up to him to make the plays he failed to make against BYU. On the outside, this is just as big of an opportunity for the Irish wide receivers as it is for Carr. In Navy's most recent game, a North Texas wide receiver tallied a whopping 209 receiving yards. A game like that should have Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, and Micah Gilbert salivating to get on the field. Faison and Gilbert have been consistently productive all year, and Saturday should be no different. The most interesting player to look out for will be Greathouse, who seems to have finally gotten into the groove of the season. While it was not pretty for many Notre Dame players, the BYU game may have been Greathouse's best performance of the season, totaling eight catches for 125 yards. It will be crucial for Greathouse to continue his production with the Miami game right around the corner. There has also been a lot of talk about the wide receiver rotation in recent press conferences. Many fans have asked to see the depth of this group, as the BYU game featured a heavy dose of Faison, Greathouse, and Gilbert. Navy could present a great opportunity for players like Elijah Burress, Jerome Better Jr., and Mylan Graham to see more of the field. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensively, Navy always presents a unique challenge for any opposing team. As many know, they specialize in a triple-option run game that keeps defenses on their toes with multiple running options. Luckily for the Irish, the players are accustomed to playing Navy every year, and they have already seen this type of offense this year with Rice. Marcus Freeman's defenses have always played Navy well. Whether it's his defensive mind, his recruiting, or his preparation, his teams always seem up to the defensive task. On Saturday, it will be about stopping Navy QB Jackson Gutierrez. While he does not present many threats as a passer, Gutierrez is an incredibly dangerous runner, operating this triple-option offense. In seven games, he has already totaled 1,057 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. To add to those impressive stats, he is also averaging just under six yards per carry, proving that this offense can be very efficient on the ground. To slow down this rushing attack, it will be up to the Fighting Irish front seven to bring the speed and discipline needed to stop it. When there are multiple running options, it takes the discipline needed to follow your assignment, not the ball. Along the defensive line, they will need to get early penetration through the middle to disrupt inside run schemes. Together, both the linebackers and defensive line can win this game simply by stopping the run, but Navy never makes it easy to do so. There will likely be no real test for the Notre Dame secondary, putting a large emphasis on this talented Notre Dame front seven. 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!

Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is set to host the 99th edition of the historic Notre Dame-Navy rivalry. Michael Caterina-Imagn Images This Saturday, the Fighting Irish will be looking to avenge their defeat from two weekends ago, when they fell in a top-10, road upset at BYU. Notre Dame, 6-1 and ranked sixth in the AP Top 25, enters the matchup with Navy on an eight-game win streak against the Midshipmen in the storied rivalry. Navy Offense Navy, led by Head Coach Brian Newberry, is on pace for its worst finish in the four-year Newberry era. After going 5-7 in his first season in 2023, the Mids put together back-to-back 10-plus win years in ‘24 and ‘25. A step back was certainly expected after the departure of key offensive personnel, including Blake Horvath, Eli Heidenreich, Alex Tecza, and Brandon Chatman. Navy Results (2-5) 42-15 win vs. Towson 30-38 loss at Florida Atlantic (FAU) 20-24 loss at UAB 9-14 loss at Air Force 34-26 win vs. Tulsa 34-38 loss at UTSA 39-49 loss vs. North Texas (UNT) Navy continues to rely on its unique option attack on offense, averaging 5.71 yards per carry (8th in FBS). They have found success in the red zone this year, scoring on 91.3% of their trips inside the 20 (tied-28th in FBS). The Mids have also been solid in late-down situations, converting 42.3% on third down and 64.7% on fourth. Both of these numbers rank within the top five in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Lost fumbles are going to occur in this run-heavy offense, but eight this season is currently tied-133rd among all FBS teams. Also, the Mids have caught secondaries sleeping this season multiple times with an average of 9.6 pass yards per attempt (tied-8th in FBS), especially with the emergence of Junior QB Jackson Gutierrez. All of this contributes to Navy’s 421.7 total yards per game, fourth in the AAC. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Quarterbacks Jackson Gutierrez The 6-0, 207-pound junior has really emerged this season in the wake of Braxton Woodson’s ankle injury, which has hampered him since the team’s loss at FAU. Gutierrez has played in all seven games this year, making four starts, including each of the past three contests. The San Antonio native is 32/64 passing for 692 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. He has attempted at least seven throws in each start, and threw two touchdowns each against FAU and UTSA. Gutierrez threw a season-high 140 yards at Air Force across 7/15 passing with one touchdown. On the ground, the junior’s 124.14 rushing yards per game ranks fourth in FBS. Gutierrez has rushed for 872 yards and 12 touchdowns on 149 carries this season. He has at least seven carries and 31 yards in each game. He also has a rushing score in six of seven games, including four multi-rushing touchdown contests. Gutierrez really popped against Tulsa and North Texas, where he finished with over 200 yards and three scores in each game. He really showed he can do it all against UTSA when he hauled in a 63-yard reception from Woodson in a double QB formation. 56-yard touchdown vs. Tulsa Touchdown drive at UTSA 63-yard reception at UTSA Notre Dame got a brief look at Gutierrez during last year’s matchup with Navy when he was 0/2 passing but added 37 yards on seven carries via the ground game. This year, I would expect the Irish to get an extended look at the dual-threat. Gutierrez is an explosive runner with good speed who is dangerous once he gets into open space. The Irish will need to keep an eye on the QB near the goal line, as he is a legit scoring threat in close. As mentioned earlier, he has caught defenses sleeping with his arm. Gutierrez is averaging 10.8 yards per attempt and owns the longest pass in Navy history after throwing a 92-yard touchdown to TE Jordan Collins. However, his overall accuracy is inconsistent, and he has struggled in obvious passing situations. In fourth quarters this season, typically when the Mids are attempting to mount a comeback, Gutierrez is a brutal 11/29 passing. Additionally, he has had some ball security and decision-making blunders, including two lost fumbles in the Mids win over Tulsa. Braxton Woodson Braxton Woodson should be likely to get a share of the workload at QB on Saturday as he continues to play through an early-season ankle injury. The 6-3, 215-pound senior has played in five games this season, including three starts. While he has been playing through it, Woodson’s play has taken a downswing since sustaining the injury against FAU. This season, he is 9/23 passing for 144 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. He really struggled throwing against the Owls, going 3/11 passing for 47 yards with an interception. Woodson has had a bit more success rushing the ball this season, compared to passing. He has rushed for 384 yards and five touchdowns across 49 carries. The Altamonte Springs, Florida native impressed in the season-opener against Towson when he rushed for 200 yards and three scores on 23 carries. He has at least three carries in each game played; however, he failed to produce at Air Force, rushing for just three yards on his three carries. 38-yard touchdown vs. Towson In last season’s meeting with the Irish, Woodson was 3/8 passing for 22 yards while he added 101 yards and a touchdown across 23 carries. Woodson, when healthy, is an explosive, efficient ball-carrier. He is averaging the eighth-most yards per carry in the FBS with 7.84, and he flashed the wheels on his 48-yard scramble score against FAU. The senior QB possesses good size and plays with good physicality as he serves as another goal-line threat for this offense. However, Woodson has struggled greatly as a passer this season, especially on anything over 10 yards. 48-yard touchdown vs. FAU Weapons Snipe Michael Barrow One of the more versatile pieces of this offense is junior Michael Barrow. The 5-7, 190-pound Snipe hails from Grand Prairie, Texas. Barrow has made six starts in seven games played this season, rushing for 439 yards and one touchdown across 81 carries. He has at least six carries and 39 yards in each game, and rushed for a season-high of 107 yards against Tulsa on 14 attempts. 4-yard touchdown vs. UNT As a receiver, Barrow has contributed seven receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown. He has at least one catch in five games, including a 15-yard touchdown last week and a season-high two catches and 16 yards against Tulsa. 15-yard touchdown vs. UNT Barrow is an effective rusher averaging 5.5 yards per carry; however, he has not flashed the big-play potential, with his longest rush being a gain of 24 yards. He is also a reliable receiving threat when needed. Barrow does have some ball security concerns with two lost fumbles to his name this season. RB Vic Listorti Listed at running back is the 5-11, 205-pound senior out of Pasadena, Maryland. Vic Listorti has five starts across seven games played this season, with 42 carries for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He has at least three carries in each game; however, he has been held to just 20 yards on seven attempts across Navy’s last two contests. Listorti rushed for a season-high 81 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the Mids’ season-opener against Towson. 7-yard touchdown vs. UAB The senior RB has also contributed four receptions for 72 yards as a pass-catcher. Listorti has at least one catch in three games, including a season-high two receptions at FAU. His longest reception of the season came via a 39-yard grab at UAB. Listorti received his only touches of the year in 2025 during Notre Dame’s blowout over the Mids when he took three carries for 17 yards. He is another effective runner in this offense, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Listorti is valuable as a short-yardage, power back. The senior lacks explosiveness, with limited yards after contact, and he struggles to force missed tackles. He has also lost two fumbles this season, something to monitor on Saturday. Listorti does offer upside as a productive pass-catcher, averaging 18 yards per reception. Snipe Charles Robinson Another versatile Snipe featured in this offense is junior Charles Robinson. The 6-0, 191-pound weapon out of Knoxville, Tennessee, has started all six games played this season after missing the Mids’ season-opener. Robinson has 11 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown this year. He has at least three carries in three games, and recorded a season-high four carries and 34 yards last week against UNT. As a receiver, Robinson has posted 10 catches for 85 yards and one score. He has at least one catch in four games, including a season-high four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown at FAU. 7-yard touchdown vs. Tulsa Robinson serves as another efficient ball-carrier for this offense, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also flashes his versatility as a rusher, receiver, and punt returner. In general, Robinson’s workload has been somewhat limited this season; however, he remains a presence for the Mids. WR Truman Brasfield If Navy looks like they are dropping back for a deep shot, odds are it is going to Truman Brasfield. The 6-1, 197-pound freshman has played in every game this season. On just four catches, the Corvallis, Oregon native has 174 yards and two touchdowns. His receptions are as follows: a 39-yard catch, a 68-yard touchdown, a 58-yard touchdown, and a nine-yard snag. An obvious big-play threat, Brasfield’s 43.5 yards per catch makes him someone Notre Dame will need to keep an eye on all afternoon. 68-yard touchdown vs. Tulsa TE Jordan Collins And if the deep ball is not going to Brasfield, it is likely intended for sophomore Jordan Collins. The 6-3, 236-pound TE out of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has four starts in seven games played this season. Collins has hauled in six receptions for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He has at least one catch in four games and recorded a season-high two touchdown receptions for 117 yards at UTSA, including the longest pass in Navy Football history. 92-yard receiving touchdown at UTSA Like Brasfield, Collins offers clear big-play potential with 35.3 yards per catch and touchdowns on half of his catches. He also added a 64-yard receiving score in the Mids’ road loss at FAU. Others to watch: WR Luke Hutchinson Offensive Line LT Sean Crowley Navy returned its starting LT from a year ago with Sean Crowley. The 6-4, 293-pound junior out of Glen Arm, Maryland, has started all seven games this season after starting all 13 contests in 2025. Crowley is a good run blocker, who is reliable with good experience in this system. He possesses good size but does struggle as a pass blocker. LG Matt Tomaszewski A young piece on this line that struggled this season is sophomore Matt Tomaszewski. The 6-3, 296-pound lineman out of Clifton Park, New York, has played in five games this year, including starts in the past three contests. Tomaszewski is still developing with limited experience; however, he does have good size and plays with good physicality. C Cam Nichols The leader of this line is senior Cam Nichols. The 6-1, 305-pound Center out of Charlotte tallied 18 starts across 21 games played in 2024 and ‘25. After beginning the season at LG, Nichols has spent the past three games in the middle, flashing his versatility. Nichols is a plus run blocker who is praised for his reliability and past experience. RG Hoke Smith II Another valuable piece of this unit is senior Hoke Smith II. The 6-3, 317-pounder out of Birmingham, Alabama returned this year after starting 12 of 13 games in 2025. This season, Smith has started all seven games and, in general, has played solidly. He has good size, physicality, experience, and is a smart and reliable player. RT Malcolm Johnson Navy’s starting RT is sophomore Malcolm Johnson. The 6-6, 292-pound sophomore out of South Jordan, Utah started seven games as a true freshman in 2025. Johnson has started all seven games this season, proving to be a reliable piece for this line. He has good size and length; however, his overall play has been inconsistent this season and could cause trouble for the Mids on Saturday. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Navy Defense The Navy defense has been a tale of two stories through seven games this year. The run defense is currently allowing 109.3 yards per game and 3.11 yards per carry, both of which lead the AAC. However, the pass defense’s 259.9 yards per game allowed has been the main thorn in the Mids’ side, ranking 13th in the AAC and 123rd among FBS teams. Additionally, they have failed to come up with big stops, allowing 29.1 points per game and a 44.4% third-down conversion rate, both of which rank 10th in the AAC. Finally, they are just one of two FBS teams that have yet to recover a fumble this season. EDGEs Aiden Lyczek Navy’s premier EDGE this season has been junior Aiden Lyczek. The 6-4, 268-pounder out of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, has tallied 36 tackles, eight TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and two PBUs across seven starts this season. Lyczek has at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high of nine, and 1.5 TFLs last week against UNT. The junior recorded a season-high 2.5 TFLs and one sack, in addition to five tackles, at UTSA. Lyczek is a capable backfield disruptor and an effective pass rusher who can also block passing lanes. He has also been solid against the run this season. Nolan McCamy Another potential backfield disruptor that has emerged in recent weeks is senior Nolan McCamy. The 6-2, 212-pound EDGE out of Covington, Georgia, has played in six games after missing the Mids’ season-opener, recording four starts, including in each of the past three games. This season, McCamy has 20 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, and one PBU. He has at least two tackles in four games, including a season-high seven tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack in last week’s outing against UNT. McCamy also flashed at UTSA when he finished the game with six tackles, one sack, and one PBU on the road. The senior has been a solid contributor against the run this season; however, his pass rush is a bit inconsistent. Interior Linemen Griffen Willis On the interior, Navy’s Griffen Willis serves as a valuable run defender. The 6-1, 280-pound lineman out of Austin, Texas, has recorded 25 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, and two PBUs in seven starts this season. Willis has at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high five tackles with one TFL and one PBU against Tulsa. He flashed at FAU when he finished the game with a season-high 1.5 TFLs and one sack, in addition to his four tackles. In last season’s meeting with the Irish, Willis recorded three tackles. This year, the Texas native has looked very good against the run, capable of filling gaps and occupying multiple blockers. He is also an experienced, smart player. However, Willis’s pass rush production has lacked this season, and he is relatively undersized for an interior lineman. Xavyer Arrington Next to Willis this season has been junior Xavyer Arrington. Hailing from Vero Beach, Florida, the 6-0, 279-pound lineman has tallied 14 tackles and 2.5 TFLs across seven starts this season. Arrington has at least one tackle in six games, including a season-high of four at UTSA. Arrington recorded one tackle in last year’s Notre Dame-Navy matchup. The junior DL is a good run defender; however, he is also undersized for the role, and his overall production has been limited this season. Others to watch: Chris Herock Linebackers Coleman Cauley The strength of this defense lies within its LB duo of Coleman Cauley and MarcAnthony Parker. Cauley, a 6-1 and 227-pound senior, has 58 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and two sacks in seven starts this season. The Macon, Georgia native has recorded at least five tackles in each game, including a season-high 11 tackles at Air Force. Notre Dame should remember Cauley from last season’s meeting with the Mids when he finished the game with a team-leading eight tackles. Clearly, the senior is a very productive and reliable tackler, averaging 8.3 per game this season. He is a good run defender and a capable pass rusher when needed, but his coverage has lacked, a theme amongst this Navy squad. MarcAnthony Parker Next to Cauley will be 2025 All-AAC Third Team LB MarcAnthony Parker. The 6-0, 218-pound junior out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, finished with a season-low two tackles against Notre Dame in 2025. Through seven starts this season, Parker has 49 tackles, six TFLs, four sacks, and one PBU. He has at least four tackles in each game, and flashed at UAB when he recorded a season-high 10 tackles and three sacks in the road loss. Parker also played well on the road at FAU when he finished that game with nine tackles, two TFLs, and a sack. Parker poses as a very good pass-rushing threat, but he has been a bit inconsistent in this aspect outside of the UAB performance. The junior LB is another productive tackler who is solid against the run but can struggle in coverage. Others to watch: Will Miller Defensive Backs S Giuseppe Sessi The leader of this Navy DB room that has struggled in 2026 is senior Safety Giuseppe Sessi. The 5-11, 204-pound DB out of San Antonio has tallied 42 tackles, one interception, and two PBUs across seven starts this season. Sessi has at least one tackle in each game, including a season-high nine tackles and one PBU at UTSA. He also flashed against UAB when he recorded six tackles and an interception in the game. Sessi finished with seven tackles in Navy’s matchup with Notre Dame a year ago. The senior is a reliable tackler who possesses good speed and toughness complemented by a high football IQ. Technically, Sessi’s ball production has improved since last season, but his coverage is still far too inconsistent to pose as a threat. Additionally, he has not been as disruptive in the backfield this year as he likely expected coming into the season. S Aaron Rose Defending the backline with Sessi this season has been junior Safety Aaron Rose. The 6-2, 194-pound DB out of Windsor Mill, Maryland, has started six of seven games played this season. In this time, Rose has 25 tackles, two TFLs, and one PBU, including at least two tackles in six games. He recorded a season-high seven tackles and one TFL at UTSA, and also had a solid performance against UAB when he finished with four tackles and a PBU. The junior possesses good size and length, but has struggled in coverage like his counterparts. Rose is a solid tackler, though. CB Phillip Hamilton Navy’s most reliable CB, who is naturally a Safety, has been Phillip Hamilton. The 5-10, 175-pound junior out of Fort Worth, Texas, has started all five games played this season, with games missed against Towson and UAB. During this time, Hamilton has recorded 20 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one interception. He has at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high seven tackles and one TFL at UTSA. The Texas native snagged his interception against Air Force, where he finished the game with four tackles. Interception at Air Force Hamilton finished last season’s game against Notre Dame tied with a season-low two tackles. He is a capable ball-hawk as evidenced by his three interceptions in 2025 and offers good versatility for the somewhat shorthanded Navy DB core. The junior has been decent against the run but has struggled in coverage as an undersized DB. CB Irabonoise “Ira” Oniha Opposite of Hamilton will likely be senior CB Ira Oniha. Hailing from Silver Spring, Maryland, the 6-1, 183-pounder has made three starts across six games played this season. He did not play against UTSA. Oniha has made 18 tackles and one interception this year, with at least two tackles in five games. He recorded a season-high six tackles against Towson, and played well last week with four tackles and an interception against UNT. Oniha finished with two tackles, including a TFL, in last year’s meeting with the Irish. He possesses good size and length and plays with good physicality against the run. However, after leading the Mids with seven PBUs in 2025, Oniha’s production and general coverage have dropped considerably this year. CB Sean Martin Freshman Sean Martin has been thrown into the fire this season, cracking this Navy CB rotation early and often despite his poor play. The 5-10 and 195-pound DB out of Dunnellon High School in Florida has made two starts in six games played this year. He has tallied just four tackles, including a season-high three at UAB. If Martin is matched up one-on-one at all on Saturday, that is the matchup Notre Dame QB CJ Carr will look to exploit. 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. 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As summer breezes give way to fall winds, the sports season shifts too. The pads still pop on the gridiron, but another sound can be heard: basketball hitting the hardwood. Photo by Jim Dedmon - IMAGN Images The Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team is set to begin a season of high expectations this Sunday in Rome as they take on the Villanova Wildcats. Fresh off a run to the Elite Eight, the Irish look to build upon their first appearance in the round of eight since 2019 and go further. 2025-2026 Season Recap Notre Dame finished 25-11 and surged with a late-season push. That surge was ended in the Elite Eight by rival and national powerhouse UConn, 70-52. They were led by senior all-world guard Hannah Hidalgo. Hidalgo averaged over 25 Points Per Game (PPG) and 5.3 Steals Per Game (SPG) and is the lone returning contributor for the Irish (Leah Macy returns after missing last season due to injury). Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! New Additions The cupboard is not bare for Notre Dame. Head Coach Niele Ivey built a stellar recruiting class that includes two McDonald's All-Americans, Guard Jenica Lewis and Forward Jacy Albi. These two will be looked at as contributors quickly. Joining them are four-star forwards Bella Ragone and Amari Biles. Ivey didn’t stop there; Notre Dame added Louisville Forward Anaya Hardy and former All-Ivy League Guard Madison St Rose. These additions should help the Irish in two areas they struggled with last season: interior defense/rebounding and perimeter shooting. Season Schedule The Irish will be tested throughout this season. The season starts against perennial NCAA Tournament participant Villanova. They will also compete in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament with Davidson, Florida, and West Virginia. Other key non-conference matchups include the yearly matchup against UConn, a Sweet Sixteen rematch on the road versus Vanderbilt, a road tilt against USC, and national runner-up South Carolina. Benefiting Notre Dame is that UConn will be played at home and South Carolina is a neutral-site game. Conference play doesn’t get any easier. It's playing in arguably the toughest women’s conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Notre Dame is pegged to finish fourth by many outlets, with last season's Elite Eight participant, the Duke Blue Devils, projected to finish at the top of the conference. North Carolina and Louisville are also projected to finish ahead of the Irish. Notre Dame will have a chance to prove them wrong. They play Louisville twice (including the final game of the regular season), Duke and North Carolina once. Those four games will go a long way if Notre Dame can capture the conference title. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Season Prediction Notre Dame’s success this season will rest on Hidalgo. As she goes, the Irish go. She is the best two-way player in the nation, and as shown, she can handle the workload. The key will be whether the younger additions provide enough support. In exhibition games, the Irish have shown a faster tempo and better shooting. If that continues into the regular season, the Irish will be a force to be reckoned with. There will be some hiccups along the way. With a very difficult non-conference schedule, Notre Dame will have some growing pains. However, much like last season, those pains will make them better for late-season battles, including a second-place ACC finish. I feel Notre Dame is primed to make the Final Four. They have Hidalgo, and the additions will only make it harder to defend her. This will serve Notre Dame well and give Ivey her best finish thus far as head coach. Final prediction: 22-8 regular season, second in the ACC, Final Four participant 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!

While Notre Dame's defense has looked good throughout the 2026 season, the BYU matchup exposed fundamental problems that North Carolina hinted at and that have been brewing for two seasons now. Photo by Rob Gray - IMAGN Images To start the season, Notre Dame's defense came in with the expectation that it would be one of the best defensive units in the entire country. It has Leonard Moore, one of the best safety duos in the country, a talented linebacker group, and an experienced front with key portal additions. When it comes to their troubles, it does not stem from a lack of talent. The 2026 Notre Dame defense has a problem with its philosophy, and it started last season. Before Chris Ash arrived, Al Golden was in charge of a defense that led Notre Dame to a National Championship appearance. In that season, Golden built a defense that was unapologetically itself. There was no doubt in that group about what they wanted to do. They specialized in intense man-to-man coverage that rarely deviated from that philosophy. Yes, that did make the defense predictable, but it left its players with little to think about. With talented players free to act on their instincts, it created a defense that was fast, violent, and overwhelming for opposing offenses. It seemed to be a perfect marriage for the type of football Marcus Freeman and Golden wanted to play at Notre Dame. That unison built a unit that Notre Dame fans expected to see every year, but that changed when Golden left for the NFL. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! When Ash arrived, the assumption was that he would do everything he could to preserve what made that 2024 defense so special. Instead, it was clear from the start that things had changed. In 2025, the Irish opened the season against Miami and Texas A&M. In those games, the defense did not play to the standard that it had set in 2024. The players looked slow, confused, and lacked the violent play style they were known for. With a preference to play more zone defense, the players looked too worried about playing their area to make the play that was right in front of them. On the defensive line, there looked to be no real urgency to apply pressure to the QB with unique blitzes, something Golden was great at doing. All of this led to an uninspiring start to the season for the defense. To give Ash credit, the defensive performance did improve as the season went along, but the weaker schedule may have had something to do with that. This season, with one of the most talented Notre Dame defenses in recent history, many believed the growing pains of a new defensive coordinator would be a thing of the past. While the defense had played well, BYU exposed all the same problems this defense had early last season. In a big game, the defense once again played conservatively with a group of players that are built to play fast. BYU's running back, Preston Rex, said following the win against the Irish that Ash's defense was "a little bit vanilla, a little bit conservative." Notre Dame fans felt it too. It starts with the secondary that is touted as one of the best in the country. The group is made up primarily of cover corners that thrive in tight man-to-man defense. They all have great size, length, and speed that make them elite at staying attached to receivers, making it hard for QBs to throw around them. Unexplainably, against BYU, Ash opted to sit back in zone coverage, inviting BYU QB Bear Bachmeier to pick the Irish defense apart. In zone, the Notre Dame secondary once again looked slow, unreactive, and struggled to get aligned before the snap. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Along the defensive line, the problems only got worse. In Provo, the defense rarely brought pressure to Bachmeier, a QB who has struggled when made uncomfortable. Bachmeier is a good QB who is accurate when given the proper time to throw. Under pressure, he has a tendency to chuck risky passes, giving the defense a chance to capitalize. This should have been an invitation for Ash to consistently dial up his best blitzes, but he rarely did. Instead, the defense looked content to continuously sit back and try to cover receivers for long stretches of time. For this, the entire defense struggled. Overall, the BYU game exposed Notre Dame's desire to have it all on defense. They want to be an aggressive defense that causes negative plays and turnovers while containing the ability to mix up coverages in zone. During Ash's tenure, they have yet to have that balance. Under Golden, there was no balance, but it worked. They did exactly what they were good at and forced opposing teams to change their game plan instead of their own. In his most recent press conference, Freeman addressed this very thing, revealing that he, too, may notice the subtle change in thinking that has taken place. He talked about the defense needing the ability to win plays regardless of what the offensive play-call is. If Notre Dame is in man coverage and BYU is calling man-beater, it just means that the defense needs to play better man, not just immediately switch to zone coverage. The idea is to make the other team adjust to you, not the other way around. Against BYU, Notre Dame was adjusting to the Cougars, and Freeman knows it. With the Bye week, these fundamental problems may have been addressed, but only time will tell. The Fighting Irish play Navy this week, where any changes to the defense will most likely be insignificant. The real test will come a week later against Miami, who has the highest-powered offense in the country. There, Notre Dame will see if their defense is finally up to the task of stopping a great offense in a big game under Ash. 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!

While Saturday night in Provo, Utah, was a calamity of errors for the entire Notre Dame football team, the performance of CJ Carr was possibly the most disappointing given the opportunities that were presented. Photo by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect It all began with the expectations Carr had coming into this season. Whether it was the Heisman hype, the talk about his control of the offense in spring camp, the competitiveness coaches raved about, or the reports coming out of the Manning passing camp, Irish fans expected Carr would be his best in the big moments. Last Saturday was that big moment. And while the stat line shows nothing inherently poor, he didn't play well enough to win a tough road game. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! On the first drive of the game, Carr showed early signs that it was not going to be his night. Carr was able to put a solid drive together, getting Notre Dame in plus territory after BYU scored on the opening drive. Unfortunately for the Irish, they would have to match BYU's touchdown with a field goal after Carr missed a wide-open Jordan Faison for a touchdown. Faison was left unguarded on a seam route to the end zone. Carr did well to recognize the open man, but he completely missed the throw. As it became a theme all night, Carr put too much on the ball, overthrowing Faison by several yards. It was the start of a pattern of the Notre Dame offense having to settle for field goals in scoring opportunities, which is a major reason they lost this game. The play that everyone has pointed to as a perfect encapsulation of Carr's performance is the botched spike attempt at the end of the first half. Down 21-10 after a rough start to the game, the Irish had a chance at the end of the half to regain some momentum and cut the lead to one score. The offense did a good job of moving the ball quickly down the field for a touchdown or even three points. Before the fumble, Carr was off again on a throw to Jack Larsen in the corner of the end zone. Larsen was able to create some separation, but Carr overthrew him on what would've been a touchdown. Just a couple of plays later, Carr would then fumble the snap on the spike, denying Notre Dame any chance at points before halftime. A BYU defender later admitted to simulating a fake "hut" which may have confused Carr, leading to the fumble. Whether that was the case or not, Notre Dame fans expect a seasoned starter at QB, with first-round buzz, to have more composure than that on the road in a big-game environment. Mistakes like the one Carr suffered are often the difference in these sorts of games, and it was on Saturday night. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Faison missed throw and the fumbled spike are getting a lot of the attention as it relates to Carr's performance, but Carr was simply off the entire night. Carr is known for being surgically accurate, poised, and intelligent from the pocket. On Saturday night, Carr was consistently missing throws, forcing plays that weren't there, and making bad reads. Even when passes were caught, Carr was making catches harder than they needed to be for receivers. He seemed adamant about looking for an explosive play to open the game up instead of taking what the defense was giving him. Some of these decisions are ones that led to Notre Dame's deficiencies on offense. They settled for a field goal on the missed throw to Faison. They scored zero points at the end of the half after moving the ball inside the 10-yard line. In the second half, they once again settled for a field goal after special teams stopped a fake punt inside BYU territory. After that, they failed to capitalize on a BYU turnover, settling for a field goal for a third time. This is where Notre Dame lost the game. The offense, led by Carr, had plenty of chances to reduce the BYU lead and even build a lead, but the offense failed to execute. This has become a pattern in big games, and it simply won't cut it. By the end of the game, Carr went 27-49 for 261 yards and zero touchdowns. Against the eighth ranked team in the country on the road, he was just not good enough - but he was obviously not the only problem on the night. In games where the defense is not at its best, or the other team is playing really well, it is the star QB who is expected to put the team on their back. Instead, it looked like the moment may have gotten to Carr, leaving him jittery all night. Carr and the Irish offense have one final chance in an upcoming matchup against Miami to dispel the narrative surrounding their big game woes. Whether or not they can exorcise those demons will remain to be seen. 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!

On Saturday, October 19th, Notre Dame and BYU competed in a primetime battle in Provo, Utah. When the dust finally settled, the Irish faithful had more questions than answers. Photo via Rob Gray-Imagn Images The lead-up to the game sparked witty and fiery trash talk over social media, with both sides showing their passion for the two programs. The game did not disappoint and even concluded in chaos, thus adding yet another thrilling chapter to the Mormon vs. Catholic rivalry. The Fighting Irish lost to the Cougars 24-28 after QB C.J. Carr threw an incomplete pass in the red zone. However, the game itself was full of controversy. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The first half concluded when Carr's attempt to stop the clock with a spike resulted in a fumble. Irish fans knew this type of mistake is atypical of the usually collected and coherent QB and didn't seem fathomable to ever occur in such a major matchup. It turns out the presumption of the Irish faithful was accurate, with BYU DL Justin Kirkland admitting to having yelled "hut" on the play in a now-deleted podcast clip (which was recovered and reported by The Irish Tribune). This is a gross violation of the rulebook and, if called, would have resulted in a penalty. Although Coach Marcus Freeman and Irish Center Ashton Craig argued and pleaded with the referees, it was to no avail, as the Irish hit the locker room to end the half. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman confronts the referee after C.J Carr spiked the ball, via Rob Gray-Imagn Images However, as infuriating as the final play of the first half was, the real argument was over the final play. With just four seconds on the clock and eight yards to go, Carr rolled out of the pocket to the right and threw a spiral intended for WR Jaden Greathouse. Greathouse was unusually unprepared to make a play on the ball, which was later explained by obvious interference on Greathouse as he reached for the ball. Even Matt Austin (ABC rules analyst) noted that defensive pass interference "likely occurred". However, the absolute most infuriating and blatant mistake by the officiating staff also occurred on the last play. As the ball hit the ground, the game clock behind the end zone clearly displayed a 0:01 timestamp. This was reviewed by officials and the replay staff (while Cougar fans stormed the field), and it was decided that the original call for the game being over was correct. Photo via ABC Furthermore, the BIG 12 (which gained BYU in 2023/2024), released a statement regarding the clock controversy. "Following the Big 12's review of the final play of Saturday's Notre Dame-BYU game, it was determined that time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground and the play was incorrectly cleared by the replay officiating crew. The Conference will conduct a complete review of its end-of-game officiating process in advance of next week's games."- Big 12 Conference This marks the second instance this season in which officials made a clearly incorrect ruling on the game clock (the first being the Western Michigan/Michigan contest). This is perhaps the most damning indictment of the referee's performance, and is perhaps the most consequential, as the extra second would have allowed Notre Dame another chance to score in the red zone. However, the game is over. Nothing can be done to change the outcome or the loss that now plagues Notre Dame's playoff resume. Irish fans can complain and shake their fist at the horrendous officiating, but even that won't change the result. Nobody respects a fanbase that constantly complains about calls and refereeing. At the end of the day, Notre Dame Football didn't play up to the standard of their program. They left doubt. Going forward, into next week, into Navy, and then at home against Miami and SMU, one thing is evident; The Fighting Irish have to "Leave No Doubt" to the question of whether they should be in the playoffs or not. 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!

Rob Gray-Imagn Images “Then I will get on my knees to pray that we don’t get fooled again.” - Won’t Get Fooled Again, The Who “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice shame on me. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.”- President George W. Bush Belief is fickle. You can believe in something, someone, tangible or not, and be let down. That care, and the inability to walk away, keeps us from turning cold and unwilling to abandon that belief. That is what being a fan of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football is: believing that faith and loyalty will eventually be rewarded with championship glory, only to have your heart ripped out consistently and constantly in the most painful ways possible. Saturday night in Provo, Utah, the heart of Notre Dame faithful was ripped out again. In the first half, it looked like another big game meltdown. The Irish were just out of sorts, conceding a 21-10 lead to the Cougars. In the second half, they gave hope they would get that long-wanted, top-ten road win. They chipped away at the BYU lead, even taking control 24-21. The Cougars would retake a lead late that they never relinquished, beating Notre Dame 28-24. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Cue the detractors, cue the cries of fraud, once again cue the heartache and disappointment of the Irish. What stings about this is not the obvious defensive pass interference in the end zone on the final play, or that there was a second left on the clock when the ball hit the turf; it was everything that was there for the taking. Notre Dame could have been ranked number one in the country; they could have made major strides to a playoff berth and, for a time, ended all the calls about preferential treatment, being overrated and not winning big games. Instead, it’s the same old story: Notre Dame didn’t get it done when it mattered most. In short, they fooled us again. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle This team fooled us, bamboozled us, and hoodwinked us into thinking this year would be different. That this team was one of the best Notre Dame squads in decades. That the talent was so overwhelming that there was no chance they would miss the playoffs. Now, they sit at 5-1 heading into a bye week filled with the same old Notre Dame criticisms, fair or otherwise. There is still time to right the ship. They do have a bye week to get over this loss. In three weeks, a potential top-ten showdown at home against Miami and another opportunity to give a fanbase thirsting for a reason to believe to do just that. However, this question should and will remain: Do we get fooled again? 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!

Via Rob Gray-Imagn Images PROVO, Utah -- No. 2 Notre Dame falls to the No. 8 BYU Cougars in an ugly, mistake-ridden game that puts the Irish in a must-win situation for the rest of the season. The Fighting Irish played a tale of two halves in this game, as the Notre Dame defense struggled mightily in the first half surrendering 21 points to the Cougars. The Irish were without key impact player Boubacar Traore for the entirety of the game after a bone-headed decision led to a targeting penalty and an ejection from the contest. Due to this, the Irish defensive front was unable to create any pressure on Bear Bachmeier, who torched the Fighting Irish for 224 passing yards, along with two rushing scores. Offensively, CJ Carr had one of the worst games of his career, missing two open receivers, Jordan Faison and James Flanigan, for easy access touchdowns, along with an extremely costly fumbled spike attempt before halftime that erased a Notre Dame scoring chance. He finished 27-49 for 261 yards. The Irish also didn't capitalize on BYU's mistakes. A muffed punt by BYU and a weird decision to run a fake punt gave Notre Dame two opportunities to score touchdowns on drives that started in Cougars territory. The Irish settled for three points both times. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Jaden Greathouse was the Irish's leading receiver, and played his best game since the 2024-25 playoff run, hauling in eight catches for 125 yards. Nolan James Jr. led the rushing attack for Notre Dame accumulating 77 yards and a touchdown run. Jonaz Walton added a touchdown of his own in the fourth quarter to give the Irish the lead. Following Walton's touchdown, the Irish got a crucial interception from Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders. After the Sanders' pick, Mike Denbrock played it extremely conservative, which resulted in a three-and-out and the BYU offense to head back out there. On that drive, the Irish were beat mostly when playing zone coverage and on an imperative 3rd & goal from the six yard line, Chris Ash sent an all-out blitz that didn't get home. The Irish suffered the consequence. With the game in the balance, Carr led the Irish down the field and set up a game-deciding play, a 50/50 jump ball to Greathouse, that fell incomplete, as the Irish left Provo with a loss and their season in jeopardy. A crushing loss and an agonizing familiar feeling that Notre Dame fans know all too well returns once again in a season that was supposed to be different. 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!

Marcus Freeman is set to take the Fighting Irish under the lights in Provo, Utah, marking their first real test of the season in a game that could shape Notre Dame's season. Photo by USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect With College Gameday in town, a 7:30 EST kickoff, and No. 2 Notre Dame playing at No. 8 BYU, there is no shying away from the fact that this is a massive game for both teams. For Notre Dame, this is the exact opportunity that the team and its fans have been waiting for this season. The Irish have yet to be challenged this season, leaving the entire country eager to figure out just how good this team is. For BYU, the program seems motivated to finally prove that they have elevated from a good team to a team that can beat anyone in the country, especially a team that elected to decline an invitation to play them in last year's Pop-Tart Bowl. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle For the Irish defense, it starts with limiting BYU's star QB Bear Bachmeier. He is the engine that makes this Cougars' offense run, especially with their running back room being as depleted as it is. Bachmeier is one of the toughest playmakers to stop in the country, as he is a constant threat to beat defenses through the air and on the ground. Through the air, he has been efficient all year, getting the ball to his tight ends and playmakers in space without turning the ball over much. In five contests, he has thrown for just over 1,000 yards, eight touchdowns, and just one pick. Bachmeier's legs are what really make him hard to beat, however. It starts with his ability to manipulate the pocket and extend plays when he needs to. Notre Dame will surely try to get pressure, but the question will be whether they can successfully bring him down. On designed QB runs, he is a big, physical runner who is capable of breaking multiple tackles, so the Irish linebackers and defensive backs will have to be ready to tackle in space. This season, Bachmeier has accounted for 239 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The threat that Bachmeier presents is going to put a lot of the defensive responsibilities on the Notre Dame linebackers. While the defensive line is busy stopping the run and applying pressure and the secondary is stopping the pass, the linebackers will have to be the ones to stop Bachmeier. Whether it's Jaylen Sneed or Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame's ability to spy the QB and limit the amount he runs will be crucial to their success. Luckily for Notre Dame, BYU's star running back LJ Martin will miss this game due to injury. Martin was a huge part of their success last season, running for 1,300 yards. This season, he was averaging a staggering 7.8 yards per carry before the injury. This is a huge loss for the Cougars, as Martin was the staple of a physical offense. Even without Martin, that physicality is not going anywhere. BYU's offense relies on getting their physical playmakers out in space. They have willing blockers at wide receiver and talented pass-catchers at tight end. With all of this, they want to match their opponent's speed with size and strength and force smaller defensive backs to tackle in space. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! On the offensive side of the ball, CJ Carr's plate is going to be full as well. The Cougars' defense loves to get after the QB in unique and creative ways. Not only do they blitz often, but they do a great job of disguising the pressure, making it hard for opposing QBs to identify. Carr has been great this season at being able to make checks at the line to alter the play call or protection, which will be critical in a game like this. BYU defensive end Tausili Akana ranks third in the Big 12 in sacks, making him a player the Irish will need to look out for. Overall, BYU ranks high in most defensive categories. This will, without a doubt, be the toughest test for a Notre Dame offense that has played a bit inconsistently at times. Carr will have to be sharp, and the revitalized run game will have to show up against a defense that excels at stopping the run. Lastly, Notre Dame will have to be ready for a raucous crowd and a team motivated to prove a point on the biggest stage. Provo is known to be a deceptively tough place to play, and when Notre Dame is in town, it will surely be at its best. The players of BYU will also have more to play for. BYU is in a similar boat to Notre Dame. They also believe they were unjustly left out of the CFP last season, causing them to go on their own "leave no doubt" campaign. On the Notre Dame side, this will be an adjustment game for them. BYU will be the first team that tests them physically. Notre Dame will have to be ready for that change of pace before it is too late. All in all, BYU will have the environment, the players, the coaches, and the motivation to beat Notre Dame if the Irish do not bring their best. Either way, Provo, Utah, is the site of what looks to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the season thus far. 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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