Thinking of making the trip to Provo this weekend and need a place to stay? We have you covered. With the Irish heading to Provo for the first time in more than two decades, The Irish Tribune spent several days in Provo and its surroundings ahead of the October 17th matchup with BYU, courtesy of Explore Utah Valley. We stayed downtown, toured the city and campus, and got a firsthand look at what awaits Notre Dame fans upon arriving in Provo. Whether you want to stay within walking distance of downtown, get as close to LaVell Edwards Stadium as possible, bring the whole family, or give yourself a little more room for a long weekend, these five hotels are worth considering when you make the trip west. Pricing note: Rates below are approximate planning ranges based on currently published 2026 rates and can change substantially by date, room type, and availability. Expect Notre Dame-BYU weekend to command a premium. Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center — Best Downtown Home Base General Price Range: roughly $165–$250+ per night Distance from LaVell Edwards Stadium: roughly 1.5–2 miles away Best for: Notre Dame fans who want downtown outside their front door. If you want my firsthand recommendation, this one is easy: it’s where we stayed. The Provo Marriott sits in the heart of downtown, directly across from the Utah Valley Convention Center, and it served as our home base while The Irish Tribune explored the area. That location became one of its biggest strengths. We could spend the day bouncing around Provo and Utah Valley, come back to the hotel, and still have downtown restaurants and businesses immediately around us rather than ending every night isolated beside an interstate. Photo via Marriott Hotels The hotel itself is a polished, full-service Marriott rather than a stripped-down place designed solely to give you a bed. Rooms overlook either downtown Provo or the surrounding mountains, and some even include kitchenettes. The hotel offers indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, a whirlpool, a fitness center, a concierge lounge, and an on-site restaurant, SLATE, serving locally inspired dishes with that Utah flair. Parking currently runs just $15 per night. What stood out to me, though, was exactly what I wrote after the trip: nine floors of rooms with a bird’s-eye view of both the city and surrounding mountains. That was my first real introduction to Provo's geography. You can look one direction and see the city beneath you, then turn toward mountains that seem to rise almost immediately out of it. For a Notre Dame fan who wants the road game to feel like an entire weekend rather than a commute to a stadium, this would be my pick. Stay downtown, explore on foot when you can, and make the hotel experience a hub for the trip rather than merely where you sleep. Hyatt Place Provo — Best Downtown Alternative General Price Range: roughly $145–$225+ per night Distance from LaVell Edwards Stadium: roughly 1.8 miles away Best for: Groups who want downtown convenience, more flexible room layouts, and breakfast included. If the Marriott is one downtown option, Hyatt Place gives Notre Dame fans another without sacrificing much of the location advantage. Photo via Provo Hotels The hotel sits at 180 West 100 North, essentially right beside the Utah Valley Convention Center and just a short walk from Center Street. LaVell Edwards Stadium is only about 1.8 miles away, making it convenient while still offering enough distance from the gameday craze on campus. The rooms are modern and practical, with Hyatt’s “Cozy Corner” seating area and sleeper sofas that give groups more flexibility than a conventional king-or-two-queens setup. Standard king rooms are around 315 square feet, while two-queen rooms can run around 365 square feet; larger configurations go considerably beyond that. Minifridges, coffee makers, blackout curtains and workspaces come standard – and may be needed depending on your gameday festivities! There’s also complimentary breakfast, an outdoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center, lobby dining and a market for grab-and-go food. That makes Hyatt Place particularly attractive if you’re bringing kids or splitting a room with friends and would rather not begin every morning by finding somewhere to feed a crowd. For the Notre Dame fan who wants downtown Provo without needing the full-service Marriott experience, this makes a lot of sense. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Provo — Best for Game-Day Proximity General Price Range: roughly $160–$250+ normally; football weekends can climb much higher Distance from LaVell Edwards Stadium: approximately 0.5 miles Best for: Fans who care most about BYU and game-day convenience. You came to Provo for a football game. This puts you about as close as you can get. SpringHill Suites sits on North Freedom Boulevard, and Marriott explicitly markets it as being within walking distance of BYU and its major events. Every room is a suite, with Marriott saying they’re roughly 25 percent larger than standard hotel rooms. Each includes a separate sitting area and pullout sofa, along with a small refrigerator and microwave. Complimentary hot breakfast, free parking, an indoor pool, and a fitness center add some useful football-weekend value, especially for families or groups piling into one room. This isn’t the choice I’d make if your priority is stepping outside and immediately wandering downtown Provo and taking in the city. It’s the one I’d look at very closely if your priority is minimizing the game-day headache or anchoring your trip around the campus experience. And make sure to book early! Football weekends can send rates considerably higher than an ordinary weeknight, and Notre Dame coming to town isn’t exactly going to reduce demand. Courtyard by Marriott Orem University Place — Best for Shopping, Dining and a Quieter Base General Price Range: roughly $130–$220+ per night Distance from LaVell Edwards Stadium: roughly 4–5 miles, depending on route/measurement Best for: Families and travelers who don’t need to stay in downtown Provo. Don’t let “Orem” scare you away from considering this one. You’re still right in the middle of Utah Valley, with BYU and Provo a short drive south. Photo via Marriott Hotels More importantly, this is a newer, modern Courtyard integrated into University Place, which gives it an advantage over downtown properties. Marriott says guests have more than 150 stores, 36 restaurants, and a movie theater within walking distance – not to mention Dreamwalk Park! Rooms follow the newer Courtyard formula: clean and functional, with large workspaces, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a coffee maker; select rooms also have mountain views. There’s an indoor pool and whirlpool, complimentary parking, EV charging, a fitness center, an outdoor patio, and the Bistro, which serves breakfast in the morning and dinner, beer, and wine at night. Unlike at SpringHill or Residence Inn, breakfast isn’t complimentary. This is probably the most distinct choice on the list. You’re trading the walkability of downtown Provo and immediate stadium proximity for easy parking, a newer property, and an enormous amount of food, shopping, and entertainment essentially attached to your hotel. For a family making a full weekend out of the trip—or anybody who likes having plenty to do without repeatedly fighting downtown traffic—that trade may be worthwhile. Residence Inn by Marriott Provo South University — Best for Families and Longer Stays General Price Range: roughly $190–$275+ per night Distance from LaVell Edwards Stadium: roughly 3 miles Best for: Families, groups, and fans turning BYU weekend into a longer Utah trip. There is a point on a three-or four-day trip when a hotel room starts feeling very much like a hotel room. Residence Inn is the option on this list designed specifically to avoid that. Photo via Marriott Hotels Every room is an oversized suite with a fully equipped kitchen, including a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop, with ovens available in some suites. Complimentary hot breakfast is served every morning, and the property also has an indoor pool, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary parking. The hotel sits south of downtown near I-15 rather than directly beside BYU, putting LaVell Edwards Stadium roughly three miles away. Current October pricing examples hover around $200 per night - before any Notre Dame-weekend premium. This is the one I’d point toward if you’re bringing the family, splitting a multi-room suite, staying several nights, or using the football game as the excuse for a much larger Utah vacation. Having an actual kitchen starts sounding considerably more attractive after you’ve eaten restaurant food for three straight days. 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!

The Fighting Irish set the tone for what would be an extremely dominant performance on the first play of the game, as Boubacar Traore came unblocked for the strip-sack on Davis Warren, which led to a score less than two minutes into the contest. They would never look back. Photo by USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect The Irish defense imposed its will early in the game, holding Stanford to just 86 total yards of offense in the first half. Traore would punctuate his incredible performance with an acrobatic interception later in the half, which would only slant the field further in the direction of the Fighting Irish. Jayden Sanders, filling in for the injured Leonard Moore, also looked the part throughout much of the game, as he broke up a few key Stanford passes, limiting the Cardinal through the air for much of the day. The emerging story once again became the rushing attack. After looking rather pedestrian to start the day, the Irish stayed patient and were able to find their explosive plays on the ground. Aneyas Williams saw a bulk of the carries in the first quarter, alongside Nolan James, who was able to find the end zone on the first offensive drive. Williams, despite carrying the ball 7 times in the first half, managed a total of 28 yards. Williams would make his mark through the air, as he hauled in a beautiful deep ball from CJ Carr for a staggering 70-yard touchdown. After James found the end zone to start the day, he would break off another chunk-play touchdown of 31 yards in the second quarter, finishing the half with a healthy 7.8 yards per carry. But once again, it was the freshman Jonaz Walton who brought the most juice. Pinned back deep on their own three, Walton exploded through a hole and took it 97 yards to the house, tied for the second-longest run in Notre Dame history. He would add a second long touchdown run of 40 yards later in the second half, and would finish the day with 13 carries for 181 yards and two scores; a Notre Dame freshman single-game record, and his second consecutive game with over 100 yards on the ground. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! CJ Carr was once again efficient after some early hiccups. On their second drive of the game, Carr went 0-for-3 and narrowly avoided a disastrous pick-6. He would pick himself up and find Greathouse in the red zone for his first touchdown pass of the day, before finding Williams down the field in the second quarter. Not too much was asked of the star quarterback in this game, and for his part, he made the correct reads and was efficient. He later found Elijah Burress for a 30-yard score, and would round out his day 14-20 for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Notre Dame finished the day in cruise control and would roll out the backups near the end of the third quarter. The Irish would go on to win the game 58-7, and now turn their focus to a top-10 matchup next weekend in Provo. 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 “Irish Wear Green” day, the Irish went full go right out of the gate against an overmatched Stanford Cardinal. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect In years past, games like this would cause Irish faithful to shudder. A big-time game the following week, an underwhelming opponent, rivalry or not; this had a trap written all over it until the first offensive play for the Cardinal. Defensive Lineman Boubacar Traore came off the blind side of Stanford Quarterback Davis Warren and applied a hit that blasted the football loose; Notre Dame would recover the ball. Conversely, Stanford would never recover from that, and Notre Dame didn’t stop going. The Irish running game that has been much maligned this early season (unjustly, as this writer has pointed out many times) put their pedals to the ground. This includes the fan favorite/expert scapegoat Aneyas Williams, who showed where he fits in the running back equation, catching a beautifully thrown ball by Quarterback CJ Carr on a wheel route for a 70-yard touchdown. Nolan James Jr. added a workmanlike effort of 73 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! This game could be looked at for one thing: the arrival of Jonaz Walton. Last week he was key in the rain in upending North Carolina, but this week was his star-making moment. Sitting at their own three-yard line, Notre Dame handed the ball to Walton, who in one move broke right and exploded for a 97-yard touchdown run (the longest for the Irish since Jeremiyah Love's 98-yard jaunt in a 2024 playoff game against Indiana). Walton would add a 47-yard touchdown run in the second half and finish with a freshman rushing record of 181 yards. Anyone discrediting the Irish, their schedule, or the lack of a rushing attack (finished with over 330 yards on the ground) is missing the main takeaway: this is one of the most consistent and improving teams in the country, week in and week out. The defense was its lockdown self; despite missing stalwart Linebacker Kyngstonn Villiamu-Asa and the nation's top Cornerback Leonard Moore, the Irish held Stanford to under 200 total yards and forced three turnovers. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle It was fitting that Stanford was wearing all white jerseys today (albeit with red numbers) on a day when some were thinking of a trap game; Notre Dame wearing green went full go and saw red. Seeing that red had Stanford waving the white flag of mercy early and often. Bludgeoning a rival by 50-plus points is the perfect way to go into Provo next week. Hopefully, the full go color of green travels with the Irish. 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 is one of the most simultaneously hated and respected programs in College Football. The Irish have seen increased vocal support in the modern era because of the program's strict adherence to tradition. In an era of NIL and conference realignment, Notre Dame has clung tightly to its independence from any conference and to the plethora of annual rivalry games on its slate. Photo Stan Szeto-Imagn Images Each rivalry tells a part of the story of who Notre Dame is today. However, the Stanford rivalry game has become somewhat of a "drag" in the Irish's yearly schedule. Is it time for Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua to consider dropping the Cardinal in favor of a more competitive opponent? The conception of this rivalry occurred on January 1, 1925, when the legendary four-horseman backfield of Notre Dame met Stanford and Coach Pop Warner in the 1924 Rose Bowl. The Irish defeated the Cardinal 27-10 to bring the national championship trophy back to South Bend for the first time. I remember the "Glory Days" of this rivalry in the mid-2010s, when Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey won two of three matchups against the Irish in 2014-2016. After McCaffrey left, the series' hype and anticipation dropped off the map, with Notre Dame taking six out of the last seven matchups (often in blowout fashion). Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Stanford seems to be an issue of importance in the debate on Notre Dame's controversial strength of schedule. Some claim that neither team benefits from the two-time-zone and 2,369-mile difference between the two schools, while others cite the importance of upholding tradition underneath the Golden Dome. 2018 was the last season Stanford achieved a winning record (not including a shortened 2020 season), after going 9-4 and delivering a Sun Bowl victory. However, in the last eight seasons, the Cardinal haven't even earned bowl eligibility. Furthermore, after the collapse of the PAC-12, the program joined the ACC and has not seen a winning conference record. With Notre Dame and the ACC's scheduling agreement, it's ensured that the Irish will take on the Cardinal some seasons, but some question whether the matchup should take place every year. A large basis for those wishing to terminate the rivalry claims that the matchup does little to nothing beneficial for Notre Dame's playoff chances. Tradition remains a vital factor in every decision the Notre Dame Athletic Department makes. However, at what point do logistics and cost override the sacred tradition for the Irish? Taking the players, coaches, and staff along with equipment across the country is a multi-million-dollar punch in the athletic budget. Is it worth the extra money for an easy win that does little to benefit Notre Dame in the postseason? With the series set to expire in 2028, I wouldn't be surprised if both administrations hesitate to keep this series alive. 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!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 5-0 and face a big-time matchup next week against BYU in Provo, which many consider the season's first true test. Photo by Stan Szeto-Imagn Images Before we get there, the Irish have some business to take care of with cross-country rival, the Stanford Cardinal. Although the rivalry doesn’t have the competitive juice it once did, this game is still a rivalry. It is enhanced by being the annual “Wear Green” game at the House that Rockne Built. The Cardinal come into this game 2-3 and are led by first-year Head Coach and former Cardinal player, Tavita Pritchard. The Cardinal are in the middle of a program overhaul. It can be said they don’t score many points (averaging 21 per game), but they make up for it by allowing 33.5 points per game. Offensively, Running Back Micah Ford is the focus of the Cardinal attack. He has 425 yards on 99 attempts and three touchdowns. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Avoid the Trap It’s well known that the Irish have a big game next week, and experts and so forth have already begun talking about the showdown with the Cougars. It is key for Notre Dame to ignore that noise and stay focused on Stanford. Stanford knows what Notre Dame is playing for, and there is no higher motivation than playing spoiler for a rival. The Cardinal also could jumpstart their season with a win. They will be playing with proverbial house money here. With Notre Dame being without a key starter defensively in Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Stanford could have designs to take advantage early. The Irish did show a lack of focus at times last week against North Carolina, allowing a season-high in points. They must stay focused on Stanford and take them out of the game quickly. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Rushing to Improvement Over the past three games, the rushing attack has shown marked improvement. This is a great sign, especially against a solid defense such as North Carolina's. Running Back Jonaz Walton was key last week with 23 carries for 120 yards; he was especially key on the game-clinching drive that took over 8 minutes off the clock. Against a questionable defense, Notre Dame should continue to improve upon this attack, especially with BYU on the horizon. This could be the game for Walton to solidify his status as RB1. For Aneyas Williams and Nolan James, they can continue to build confidence and show what they excel in for games down the road. Stay Away From Freak Occurrences The only way Stanford can stay in this game would be if Notre Dame goes completely against the grain. They would need to turn the ball over multiple times, the defense would need to have a meltdown, and the offense would have to be nonexistent. Crazier things have happened in college football, but that would be a lot of crazy in one game. Not to rip apart the Cardinal too much, but there is just way too vast a gap in talent. One of those three things could happen, maybe two, but Stanford would need all three. I feel we saw Notre Dame’s lack-of-focus game last week against North Carolina, and they still won by double digits. I do not foresee another lack of focus, and the Irish know they have to take care of business. My prediction: Irish win 52-10 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!

For as bad as the Stanford offense has looked this season, the defense may be just as disappointing. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Stanford General Manager Andrew Luck and Head Coach Tavita Pritchard brought in former USC Defensive Back Kris Richard to call the defense this season. The Cardinal Defensive Coordinator and DBs Coach made his name as a high-level NFL coaching assistant with the Seattle Seahawks. Richard was the DBs Coach during the prime of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” era from 2012-14, and was then promoted to DC from 2015-17. More recently, Richard served as the New Orleans Saints co-DC in 2022 and ‘23, and then the Jacksonville Jaguars DBs Coach in ‘24 and ‘25. Stanford Results (2-3) 37-27 win vs Hawaii 6-45 loss vs Miami (FL) 7-35 loss at Duke 34-27 win vs Georgia Tech 3-57 loss at Wake Forest Richard’s first five games as the Cardinal DC have not gone great, allowing at least 27 points in each contest and ranking last among Power Four conference teams in total, scoring, and passing defense. Below, you can find Stanford’s key defensive statistics: 458.8 total yards per game allowed (134th nationally; Last among P4 teams) 6.5 yards per play allowed (Last in the ACC) 38.2 points per game allowed (133rd nationally; Last among P4 teams) 26 TDs allowed (tied-134th nationally; Last among P4 teams) 299.8 passing yards per game allowed (137th nationally; Last among P4 teams) 8.28 yards per attempt allowed (Last in the ACC) 12 passing TDs allowed (tied-129th nationally; Last in the ACC) 3 INTs (tied-7th in the ACC) 159 rushing yards per game allowed (14th in the ACC) 4.7 yards per carry allowed (15th in the ACC) 14 rushing TDs allowed (tied-134th nationally; Last in the ACC) 50.8% opponent 3rd down conversion rate (133rd nationally; Last in the ACC) 3 fumbles recovered (tied-4th in the ACC) 0.8 sacks per game (tied-130th nationally; Last in the ACC) The Notre Dame offense should be able to put on a show for its annual “Irish Wear Green” contest. QB CJ Carr enters this week with a 71% completion rate for 1,197 yards and 13 touchdowns with just one interception. He has also added three rushing scores. Speaking of rushing, the Irish’s current triple threat at running back consisting of Aneyas Williams, Nolan James Jr., and Jonaz Walton has combined for 756 yards and seven touchdowns across 154 carries. Through the air, Carr has repeatedly found the duo of Jordan Faison and Micah Gilbert, who have combined for 43 catches, 739 yards, and six touchdowns this season. Below are some of the Irish’s key offensive statistics: 428.4 total yards per game 41.2 points per game (tied-15th nationally) 27 TDs (tied-13th nationally) 161.6 rushing yards per game 266.8 passing yards per game 9.5 yards per pass (tied-14th nationally) 14 passing TDs (tied-12th nationally) 1 turnover (tied-1st nationally) 0 fumbles lost (1 of 12 teams with no fumbles lost) 67% 4th down conversion rate (tied-23rd nationally) 2 sacks allowed (tied-3rd nationally) Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now we will preview the Cardinal defensive personnel by position group below: EDGEs Tevarua Tafiti The first player to highlight on this Stanford defense is the 6-2, 240-pound versatile edge rusher. Tafiti is in his fifth year with the Cardinal after originally committing to the program as a four-star recruit out of Waipahu, Hawaii. He notched three tackles in this matchup with the Irish a year ago. This season, Tafiti has 15 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and three PBUs across five games played, including four starts. He recorded a season-high eight tackles and an assisted TFL against Duke. However, his best all-around performance, arguably, came against his home-state Hawaii when he recorded two tackles, two PBUs, and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Cardinal win. Tafiti displays his versatility by occasionally contributing in coverage in a linebacking role. The former four-star recruit has been limited in terms of pass rush production, though, with just three QB hurries recorded this year. Omar Staples The bigger pass-rushing threat of this EDGE duo is definitely Omar Staples. The 6-3, 265-pound senior is in his fourth year at Stanford. Last season, Staples finished with four tackles against the Irish. The Oakland native has started all five games played this season, recording 14 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Staples had a nice outing in the win against Georgia Tech when he had three tackles and a sack. He also tallied a season-high of five tackles against Duke. Overall, Staples has been solid as a pass rusher and run stopper this season. However, I would imagine he would like to build more consistency in both of these aspects. The senior struggled against Miami and Wake Forest. Others to watch: Ernest Cooper, Gabe Kaminski, Adam Shovlin Interior Linemen Zach Rowell Another starting DL to keep an eye on this Saturday is Zach Rowell. The San Diego native is in his fifth year at Stanford and had one tackle against the Irish last season. This season, Rowell has 13 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one forced fumble across five starts. The 6-3, 275-pound DL has recorded at least one tackle in each game. He stood out against Hawaii when he finished the win with four tackles, one TFL, and a forced fumble. Forced fumble vs. Hawaii Rowell has been at his best against the run this year. He has good size, but his pass production has been limited to just one QB hurry so far. The fifth year really struggled against Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. Braden Marceau-Olayinka Stanford’s space eater on this line is the 6-3, 310-pound senior. Marceau-Olayinka is in his fourth year at Stanford after originally committing to the Cardinal out of Melrose, Massachusetts. He finished with one tackle and was credited with an assisted tackle for loss against the Irish last season. Through five starts this year, Marceau-Olayinka has eight tackles and 1.5 TFLs. The senior has recorded at least one tackle in each game and had his best performance against Georgia Tech when he tallied two tackles and one TFL. He possesses good size but needs to see more overall consistency to take his game to the next level. Others to watch: Connor Bachhuber, Kole Briehler Linebackers Matt Rose The heart of this Stanford defense resides in the team’s linebacker core, beginning with Matt Rose. The 6-2, 230-pound LB is in his fifth year with the Cardinal after committing to the program out of Brecksville, Ohio. Notably, Rose holds a unique connection to Notre Dame as his grandfather, Chuck Lima, played for the Irish in the 1950s. In last season’s matchup with his grandfather’s alma mater, the 2025 All-ACC Second Team LB finished the game with nine tackles. Rose has played in four games this season after missing last week’s game due to injury. I would expect to see the productive tackler suit up this Saturday. Through his four games played, Rose has racked up 38 tackles and four TFLs. He has at least six tackles in each game played, and tallied a season-high of 12 against Miami. The Ohio native impressed against Georgia Tech when he recorded 11 tackles and a season-high 2.5 TFLs in the Cardinal win. The experienced Stanford LB has been solid against the run this year and is a talented cover backer. However, he has been limited as a pass rusher and in terms of takeaway production this season. Rose’s recent injury may also be something to monitor throughout the game if he is not at 100%. Jahsian Galvan Another LB coming off an injury that I would expect to suit up Saturday is Jahsiah Galvan. The 6-2, 230-pound fifth-year is in his third season at Stanford as a former Northern Iowa transfer. Galvan came up with two tackles against the Irish in last season’s meeting. In addition to missing last week’s contest, Galvan also did not play against Duke. In three games played, the West Liberty, Iowa native has recorded 21 tackles. He has at least four tackles in each game played and tallied a season-high of 10 tackles in the win against Georgia Tech. Galvan is a physical, productive tackler. He has been good against the run this season, and stood out with five run stops against the Yellow Jackets. The former Northern Iowa transfer needs to get in the backfield more to impact the game, and he does have obvious health concerns if he does play this weekend. Others to watch: Sam Mattingly, Zach Johnson Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Backs S Jay Green The leader of the Stanford secondary is the 6-3, 215-pound fifth-year. Green is in his third season with the Cardinal as a former Washington transfer. Last season, the 2025 All-ACC Honorable Mention recorded a season-low one tackle against Notre Dame. Through five games played this year, Green has tallied 31 tackles and one TFL. He has at least two tackles in each game and recorded a season-high of 11 against Wake Forest. Green is a productive tackler who is willing to get involved physically. The former Washington transfer has good size, but his coverage production has lacked this year after leading the team in PBUs a year ago. S Darrius Davis The other starting safety to keep an eye on Saturday is Darris Davis. The 6-0, 200-pound junior is in his third year at Stanford after originally committing to the Cardinal out of Metairie, Louisiana. Davis recorded four tackles against the Irish last season. The junior DB has 19 tackles, two PBUs, and one interception in five starts this season. He has at least two tackles in three games, and tallied a season-high of seven tackles and one interception against Duke. Overall, Davis is a solid ball-hawking DB who is a productive, physical tackler. Interception vs. Duke DB Charlie Eckhardt Listed as a Safety on the Stanford roster, Eckhardt has been thrust into a corner role following the loss of starting CB Brandon Nicholson. The 6-2, 205-pound junior is in his third year with the Cardinal after originally committing to the program out of Centennial, Colorado. Eckhardt recorded one tackle for a loss against the Irish last season. This year, the junior DB has 22 tackles, one interception, and a blocked punt across five games played, including two starts. He has at least two tackles in four games, and tallied a season-high nine tackles and one interception against Miami. Interception vs. Miami Given the interception and a blocked punt that resulted in a safety against Hawaii, Eckhardt has some big-play ability. He is a productive tackler with good size, but really has no coverage production outside of the pick. Blocked punt vs. Hawaii Nickel Leroy Bryant Appearing primarily at nickel this year for Stanford has been Leroy Bryant. The Washington transfer is in his first season with the Cardinal. This season, Bryant has 17 tackles, one forced fumble, and one PBU across five games played, including four starts. The Fairfield native has at least one tackle in each game, and stood out against Hawaii and Georgia Tech. He recorded five tackles and one PBU in the win over the Rainbow Warriors and five tackles and a forced fumble in the win against the Yellow Jackets. Bryant is a physical, productive tackler with good size at 6-0 and 185 pounds. He has been limited in coverage production and did get exposed against Miami when he allowed two touchdowns and 70 yards across five receptions. CB Dre Pollard The final player to highlight on the Stanford defense who has really had to step up in Nicholson’s absence is true freshman Dre Pollard. The 6-1, 180-pound Las Vegas native committed to the Cardinal as a four-star recruit. Pollard has six tackles across five games played this season, including one start. He has at least one tackle in three games, and tallied a season-high of three against Duke. The freshman has displayed good tackling and physicality with solid size and length. Pollard has struggled in coverage this year as the young DB continues learning and developing at this level. Others to watch: CB Xavier Harmon, CB Lasiah Jackson, CB Cam Richardson, CB Lonnie McAllister III, CB Brandon Nicholson (starting CB likely out for the season after suffering a non-contact leg injury vs. Georgia Tech) 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!

Via Bob Donnan-Imagn Images As the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish were in a one-point game late into the third quarter last Saturday, many fans sat in both confusion and frustration. In a game that Notre Dame seemingly dominated, the score proved otherwise, and until freshman RB Jonaz Walton powered the Irish through a 17-play touchdown drive capped off on a CJ Carr scramble, box score watchers could doubt the Irish's national championship legitimacy. It's easy to compare Notre Dame to other elite teams in the country - it's human nature. You look at Miami's overpowering offense or the athleticism of Kirby Smart's defense in Athens. Others can buy the hype of Keelon Russell as if this is the year Kalen DeBoer has returned Alabama to their greatness under Nick Saban. However, as the week's go on, these teams lessen. Remember the LSU hype after Week One? Or people questioning how Ole Miss's offense could ever be stopped. Even Florida skyrocketed into the Top 10 and was drawing comparisons to 2019 LSU by a "national college football analyst" and a week later they lost by 28 points. With all of those examples, it's clear that it's easy to get mixed up into these national agendas being pushed out by major media entities that are incapable of releasing non-clickbait titles regarding the Irish. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Did they struggle against North Carolina? If you watched the game, you would say no. If you only look at the final score though, people can easily say that Notre Dame escaped with an 11-point victory in Chapel Hill. Well, yes, Notre Dame did win by only 11 points. Their fifteenth-straight win by double digits, all against FBS opponents, in fact. They also out-gained the Tar Heels by 190 yards. They held UNC to only 77 rushing yards, while running for 241 yards on a defense that averaged 123 rushing yards per game this season. While Notre Dame had blemishes, the 97-yard touchdown drive for Carolina before halftime and the kickoff return coming out of the break, the Irish played a complete game against a good coaching staff who had two weeks to prepare for this matchup. With a schedule that also gets heavy scrutiny from media-backed talking heads, it is tough to find points on Notre Dame's slate (outside of BYU, Miami, and SMU) where the Irish will be pushed. That is the whole criticism of not having a "difficult schedule," right? It only took a pair of fluke-like occurrences (the last time Notre Dame gave up a kickoff return TD was eight years ago), along with torrential downpour to put the Irish in that sort of situation with their backs against the wall. Notre Dame responded by outscoring UNC 16-6 after the kickoff return, proving they are more than one-dimensional offensively and found a budding star in the running back room. That is the main takeaway from this game in Chapel Hill. Forget the struggle of the defensive backs, specifically Adon Shuler in coverage. Remember the best rushing attack to date, along with the best performance by the offensive line. Look at CJ Carr's statline: 21/29 with five total touchdowns and no turnovers. He's elite and the key to unlocking something that hasn't been done in 38 years. The wide receivers will continue to develop, but the coaching staff can trust at least three different weapons, in Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, and Micah Gilbert, who have shown they can be impact players for this year's team. So if you are uneasy about the future of this team: just take a beat. The Irish are still rounding into form and are preparing for their first real test of a season that could be cemented in Notre Dame history. 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!

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Legends Trophy has lost a bit of its shine as Notre Dame enters this year’s edition of the rivalry matchup with Stanford, having won six of the past seven meetings and outscoring the Cardinal 296-121 during this time. Expect this domination to continue on Saturday when one of the worst ACC offenses travels to South Bend to take on one of the best defenses in the nation. Stanford Head Coach and offensive playcaller, Tavita Pritchard, is in his first season at the helm of the Cardinal. Pritchard has spent the majority of his life at Stanford, formerly playing QB for the Cardinal from 2006-09. He threw for 2,865 yards and 15 touchdowns in 31 games played before losing his starting role to current Stanford General Manager, Andrew Luck. Pritchard hopped right into coaching after his college days, joining the Cardinal staff as an assistant in 2010. He would spend 12 years as a Stanford assistant, serving in various roles including Offensive Coordinator, QB Coach, WRs Coach, and RBs Coach. Pritchard most recently served as the Washington Commanders' QB Coach from 2023-25, helping develop Jayden Daniels into the ‘24 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Through five games as the head man at Stanford, it will be interesting to see if Pritchard has any desire to hand off playcalling duties as his offense has averaged a lackluster 17.4 points per game and has been held to under a touchdown in three separate contests. Stanford Results (2-3) 37-27 win vs Hawaii 6-45 loss vs Miami (FL) 7-35 loss at Duke 34-27 win vs Georgia Tech 3-57 loss at Wake Forest Overall, Stanford has just struggled to move the ball. They do not turn the ball over and are capable of being a productive passing offense, but a mix of conservative playcalling and being outmatched in terms of skill has spelled a poor start to 2026. It also does not help when they are incapable of running the ball, evidenced by just one game with over 100 rushing yards and an average of under three yards per carry. Below, you find key Stanford offensive statistics: 336.6 total yards per game (16th in the ACC) 5 yards per play (16th in the ACC) 17.4 points per game (Last among P4 Teams) 10 offensive touchdowns (16th in the ACC) 247.8 passing yards per game (10th in the ACC) 5 passing touchdowns (tied-15th in the ACC) 6.84 passing yards per attempt (16th in the ACC) 88.8 rushing yards per game (135th nationally; Last among P4 teams) 2.9 yards per carry (tied-134 nationally; Last in the ACC) 4 rushing touchdowns (Last in the ACC) 34.2% 3rd down conversion rate (tied-13th in the ACC) 2 offensive turnovers (1 of 20 teams with two or fewer turnovers) As for the Notre Dame defense, they continue to hold the top-rated total defense in the country despite North Carolina’s pass offense being able to hit on a few big plays in last week’s Irish victory. This weekend, the Irish defense may be a bit shorthanded as CB Leonard Moore and LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa tend to their injuries and prepare for a big-time BYU matchup the following week. Regardless, Notre Dame’s depth is as strong as ever, and the defense should still be firing on Saturday. LB Drayk Bowen has a team-leading 24 tackles, one TFL, two PBUs, and returned a fumble for a TD. S Adon Shuler has come along the past couple of weeks, bringing his season totals to 22 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one interception, and one forced fumble. EDGE Bryce Young continues to dominate up front with 15 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Lastly, S Luke Talich has filled in nicely for the injured Brauntae Johnson, as he enters the Stanford matchup with 14 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick. Below are Notre Dame’s key defensive statistics and where they rank nationally: 216.4 total yards per game allowed (1st) 4 yards per play allowed (4th) 11.8 points per game allowed (7th) 58.4 rushing yards per game allowed (tied-4th) 2 yards per carry allowed (3rd) 1 rushing touchdown allowed (tied-3rd) 158 passing yards per game allowed (14th) 11 turnovers gained (tied-4th) 6 fumble recoveries (tied-2nd) 5 interceptions (tied-26th) 14 sacks (tied-20th) 2.8 sacks per game (tied-22nd) Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now, here is a position-by-position breakdown of the Stanford offense ahead of battle against Notre Dame on Saturday: Quarterback Davis Warren Stanford brought in Michigan transfer Davis Warren this offseason to compete for, and win, the starting job for the Cardinal. The Sixth-Year, 6-2, 200-pound QB has thrown for 1,207 yards with five touchdowns and one interception while passing at a 59% clip. Warren’s most impressive outing came against Georgia Tech, when he threw 22/36 for 396 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He flashed good arm talent consistently throughout this performance, completing 5/8 throws of 15-plus yards. However, Warren’s play has dipped on the road as he is a combined 37/62 for 287 yards with one touchdown and one interception across Stanford’s two away games. Warren can make plays when given time, but it can be a long day for the QB if he is under relentless pressure. The Manhattan Beach, California native was sacked four times last week in what was, arguably, his worst game of the season. He does a good job of limiting turnovers, and is capable of creating positive gains with his feet. However, it seems like we probably will not get the best version of Warren on the road against a top-rated defense. Running Backs Micah Ford The 2022-23 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year is in his third year at Stanford. Micah Ford, a 6-0, 225-pound junior RB out of Toms River, NJ, has rushed for 302 yards and accounted for all four of Stanford’s rushing scores across 82 carries. Ford’s four touchdowns are tied for the seventh-most in the ACC. He rushed for a season-high 99 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries against Hawaii. The workhorse RB has also contributed in the receiving game with 11 catches for 65 yards this season. Touchdown vs Hawaii Ford is a good downhill runner who ran for 560 yards after contact last season, despite not appearing against Notre Dame. However, his efficiency has been limited this season. The junior is averaging 3.68 yards per carry and has averaged under three yards per carry in three of his five games. He also has been limited in terms of making big plays consistently, with his longest rush of the season being a 28-yard carry. Most of Ford’s production is reliant on good blocking up front, and thus he had very poor performances against Miami and Wake Forest. Others to watch: Sedrick Irvin Receivers Jordan Onovughe The first Cardinal receiver to highlight is 6-2, 210-pound senior Jordan Onovughe. The former Colorado transfer is in his second year at Stanford. In high school, Onovughe was a part of the 2021 Mater Dei National Championship team as native of Pomona. Like Ford, Onovughe also did not play against Notre Dame last season. This season, Onovughe has recorded 10 catches for 98 yards in five games played. He has at least three catches in three games, and stood out against Georgia Tech when he tallied a season-high 55 yards on three receptions, including a clutch 30-yard reception on fourth down to help the Cardinal win. However, like his QB, Onovughe has not been as prominent on the road, with just one seven-yard reception against Wake Forest marking his only away catch after being shut down at Duke. The former Colorado transfer possesses good size and physical upside, but has been fairly limited this season with just a 6% target share. Caden High Stanford’s most productive receiver this season has been Caden High. The 5-10, 175-pound senior is in his second year with the Cardinal as a former South Carolina State transfer. Last season, High finished with four catches for 34 yards against the Irish. High has played in four games this season after missing the opener against Hawaii. During this time, he has racked up 17 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns. High’s three receiving scores are tied for the sixth-most in the ACC, and his 66.5 yards per game ranks 12th in the conference. The Atlanta native has at least two catches in each game played, including a season-high six receptions for 92 yards in an encouraging outing against Miami. High’s best game, though, came when he recorded a season-high 121 yards and two touchdowns on just four catches against Georgia Tech. He routinely showed off his big play and explosive abilities in the win. Georgia Tech game highlights Touchdown vs Duke Nico Brown The third Stanford receiver to highlight is Yale transfer Nico Brown. The 6-0, 190-pound senior joined the Cardinal this offseason following a 2025 First Team All-Ivy League campaign. Brown has 10 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown in three games played this season after missing the team’s first two contests. The Huntington Beach native has at least one catch in each game played, including a season-high of five receptions for 98 yards and a score against Georgia Tech. Brown displayed his big play ability against the Yellow Jackets when he came down with a 33-yard, fourth-down touchdown in the Cardinal win. Touchdown vs. Georgia Tech The senior transfer has solid size, good ball skills, and his 14.8 yards per catch are indicative of his potential impact. Others to watch: JonAnthony Hall, Atticus Joseph, Zion Robinson Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Tight Ends Benji Blackburn Warren’s favorite target this season seems to be his reliable, underneath option at tight end. Benji Blackburn is a 6-6, 265-pound junior in his third year at Stanford after committing to the Cardinal as a four-star recruit out of high school. The Miami, Florida, native recorded two catches for 27 yards against Notre Dame last season. This season, Blackburn has 20 catches for 159 yards in five games played. He has at least two catches in each game, and recorded a season-high seven receptions for 52 yards against Miami, his hometown program. The junior has great size but is not much of a big-play threat, averaging just eight yards per catch, and he is yet to find the end zone this year. It would be wise for Stanford to start utilizing Blackburn in the red zone. Others to watch: Chico Holt Offensive Line LT Niki Prongos The leader of this below-average line is Niki Prongos. The fifth-year is in his second season at Stanford as a former UCLA transfer. Prongos is a returning starter, having started all 12 games last year in his debut season with the Cardinal. The 6-7, 310-pound tackle led Stanford’s line in PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025. Remarkably, the Novato native did not even play high school football until his senior year. This season, Prongos has started the past two games after missing the team’s first three contests due to injury. He possesses elite size and length, complemented by good movement and athleticism. Prongos has struggled as a run blocker this season and can get out-muscled by stronger, more powerful edge rushers. LG Ziron Brown Brown is a 6-3, 310-pound junior in his third year at Stanford. The physical lineman originally committed to the Cardinal as a four-star recruit out of Waveland, Mississippi. Last season, Brown made three starts across 10 games played. This season, the junior has struggled in four starts across five games as he continues to develop and build more consistency. C Fisher Anderson Playing out of position recently has been the 6-7, 320-pound Fisher Anderson. The Franklin, Tennessee native is in his fifth year at Stanford after originally committing to the Cardinal as a four-star recruit out of high school. After starting 10 of 12 games played last season, Anderson has started all five games to open 2026. Naturally a tackle, the fifth-year has great size and good movement to go along with his frame. However, Anderson has struggled this season at center and does not appear to play very physically. RG Simione Pale Another guy who has struggled all-around this season is senior Simione Pale. The 6-4, 330-pound lineman is in his fourth year at Stanford after committing to the Cardinal as a four-star recruit out of Elk Grove. Pale has been a mainstay along the Stanford line recently, entering this season with 22 starts across his 23 games played. Pale has started all three games he has played in this year after missing the team’s first two contests. The senior has good size and power, but again, has struggled to find success this season. RT Kahlil House The final player to highlight on the Stanford offense is lineman Kahlil House. The 6-5, 300-pound junior is in his third year with the Cardinal after originally committing to the program out of Warner Robins, Georgia. After starting all 12 games played last season, House has seen his time reduced in three starts in the team’s first five games this year. This is due to his poor performances, as he is another piece of this unit who has not found their footing yet. Regardless, House does have good size and flashes solid athleticism. Others to watch: OL Josh Williams 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!

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect While Marcus Freeman is 5-0 for the first time in his career, Notre Dame fans still feel uneasy about this team and question whether they are as good as the preseason expectations had them out to be. Is it warranted? Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! It came as no surprise that Notre Dame was one of the most hyped up teams heading into the season. They had a Heisman candidate at quarterback, a talented offensive line returning, and nine starters back on an already star-studded defense. This level of talent caused Irish fans to raise their expectations of this team to a point they may have never had for a previous team. This is a strong sign for the program, as it is beginning to view itself as a true powerhouse in the sport that expects to win every game it plays. While these expectations can be good, the fanbase has begun to worry that this team may not meet them. To start, it is important to remember that Notre Dame is undefeated, which is hard to do no matter who they play. Think of the 2024 team; they lost in week two to Northern Illinois and still made it to the National Championship. It should serve as a reminder that Notre Dame has looked much worse than this and still found late-season success. Earlier this season, Oregon, another team with National Championship expectations, lost in a stunning game against Oklahoma State. A game like this proves that winning games can be hard no matter who the opponent is. Notre Dame learned that lesson a few years ago, and while they have not been perfect, they have managed to right their wrongs and stay undefeated. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Yes, it does feel like something is still missing with this team, as if they have not fully clicked. This may be what has worried fans the most. Across the country, some teams seem to already be in full gear. Miami, an upcoming opponent for Notre Dame, has looked unstoppable to start the year, led by their star duo of Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney. Alabama is another team that has looked really impressive through five games. They have found a star quarterback in Keelon Russell, which has led them to one of the best offenses in the country. Notre Dame has not looked quite as good as some of these teams, but it may not be due to a lack of talent. Notre Dame, while they have struggled to win as emphatically as some may have hoped, has shown aspects of why they can be a National Championship team. They just have yet to put everything together for four quarters. Take the game against North Carolina: the offense may have finally played their best game as a unit, but it was surprisingly the defense that struggled. Against Wisconsin, the defense was lights out, but the run game was still dormant. Every week, the team has shown the ability to continue improving in at least one aspect of the game. This can be seen as a good sign for a team that may still be waiting to peak. With the strongest part of the schedule ahead of them, Notre Dame may just peak at the right time when the moment calls for their best. The last part of the critical lens some have viewed this team through has to do with the lack of a superstar playmaker. Last season, Notre Dame had Jeremiyah Love, who was maybe the best playmaker in the country. With a player like him, Notre Dame and its fans had the confidence that he had the ability to make the big plays in big moments that win games. This season, Notre Dame lacks that kind of playmaker, which may create a divide between them and some of the other teams in the country. As mentioned previously, Miami has Toney, which immediately makes them an offense that can hurt a defense on any play. He has proven to be almost unguardable and will be a huge challenge for the Irish defense. Ohio State has Jeremiah Smith, who may just be one of the greatest wide receiver prospects ever. These kinds of players give teams a sort of superpower, attracting hype and attention that Notre Dame does not have. While it is true that Notre Dame doesn't have those kinds of players on offense, it is not necessary to beat teams with them. In 2023, Michigan won the National Championship without a true star on offense. Instead, they leaned into their physicality, toughness, and defense to beat opponents. They would suffocate teams until they eventually quit, a philosophy this Notre Dame team is capable of replicating and has so far this season. In some of these wins, Notre Dame has done nothing to look "pretty". Instead, they slowly build leads on teams with good defense and a methodical offense. It may seem like a team is in the game until you look up at the scoreboard and Notre Dame is up by 24. While this type of game does not grab national attention and is talked about all week, it wins games, which is exactly what Freeman and this team have been doing. 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!

When a collegiate football program is as legendary and historic as Notre Dame, having players not just make it to the National Football League, but succeed, isn't a surprise; it's expected. This season is no different, as the Irish have 47 players who are on an active 53-man roster. Each week this season, the Irish Tribune will showcase the top NFL performers who once excelled on Saturdays. Photo by David Brytus - Imagn Images Offensive Standouts Malachi Fields, Wide Receiver, New York Giants: Fields had a solid game, getting his highest yardage total in his rookie campaign with 52 yards on two receptions against the Arizona Cardinals. Fields also hauled in his first career touchdown reception off a 12-yard strike from Jameis Winston. The Giants would emerge victorious over Arizona, 36-24. Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals: Against the New York Giants, Love finished with 63 yards on 14 carries, which led the team. Love has silently become the lead back with 20 more carries this season than Tyler Allgeier. Coach Mike LaFleur did say Love is dealing with an ankle injury following the 36-24 loss. Michael Mayer, Tight End, Las Vegas Raiders: Mayer continued his breakout season against AFC West power, the Kansas City Chiefs. Mayer finished with eight receptions for 82 yards. The Raiders suffered their first defeat of the season, 30-27. Kyren Williams, Running Back, Los Angeles Rams: Williams continued his strong start to the season with 16 carries, 80 yards and two touchdowns. He also pulled in 10 receptions for 67 yards as the Rams defeated the Philadelphia Eagles with an epic comeback, 24-20. Williams is on track for over 1,200 yards this season. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Standouts Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Baltimore Ravens: Hamilton finished this week’s game with seven tackles, one pass defended, and a forced fumble. The Ravens defeated the Tennessee Titans 24-18. Cam Hart, Cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers: Hart had three tackles with one pass defended for the Chargers. The Chargers fell to 0-4 after losing to the Seattle Seahawks 30-23. Julian Love, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks: Love had five tackles with one pass defended for the Seahawks. Seattle defeated the Chargers 30-23. Benjamin Morrison, Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morrison continued his strong sophomore pro campaign with 11 tackles and two passes defended. The Buccaneers fell to 0-4, losing to the Green Bay Packers 17-14. Xavier Watts, Safety, Atlanta Falcons: Watts continued his strong start to his second season on Monday Night Football. He finished with eight tackles and half a sack as the Falcons moved into a first-place tie in the NFC South with a convincing 45-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints. 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!

Via Bob Donnan-Imagn Images CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No. 3 Notre Dame faced adversity, but snapped into form in the second half by relying on a strong rushing attack to put away the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Irish felt extreme pressure for the first time this season in an extended version of middle eight, as North Carolina stopped the Irish on 4th and goal, and then rattled off a 15 play, 97-yard drive to make it a one-possession game going into halftime. The Tar Heels opened the second half with a 98-yard kickoff return, but botched the PAT that left the Irish leading 21-20. How did Notre Dame respond? By leaning on what seemed to be the biggest weakness through the first four games of the season, the rushing attack. The Irish put together a 17 play, 75-yard drive that spanned 9:10 minutes and was punctuated with a three-yard rushing touchdown by CJ Carr. True freshman Jonaz Walton got the bulk of the carries, and finished the game with career-highs in rushing yards (120) and rushing attempts (23). Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Notre Dame defense followed the touchdown drive with a three and out, and the Irish got the ball right back and it ended in a similar result, an eight play, 68-yard drive that ended in a passing touchdown to Nolan James Jr. Carr accounted for all five of Notre Dame's touchdown drives, throwing for four and adding one on the ground. He finished 21-29 for 234 yards. Notre Dame's leading receiver was Jordan Faison who caught eight passed for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Jaden Greathouse also had his first touchdown of the season on a 12-yard back shoulder slot fade. The Tar Heels were able to surprisingly move the ball on Notre Dame's stout defense, as Carolina accumulated 285 total yards, including 208 through the air. UNC QB Billy Edwards finished with three touchdowns, but did throw two interceptions, one by LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and the other by S Luke Talich. Notre Dame's special teams operation had a really difficult day as well, as P Jasper Scaife dropped two snaps, one as a punter and the other as the holder on a PAT, and the Fighting Irish gave up the previously mentioned kickoff return. There's plenty to work on in South Bend, and if anything this game amplified that Notre Dame is far from a finished product, but the Irish were able to show their fight and their ability to control the game on the ground. Both are extremely valuable lessons that will pay off far past an early October game against Bill Belichick. 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!

North Carolina will need its top-25 scoring defense and the nation’s sack leader to show up big time on Saturday if they want a chance to knock off the 4-0 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images The Tar Heels' defense has been the strong suit of UNC through three games, limiting opponents to under 14 points per game and allowing just four total offensive touchdowns. UNC Results (2-1) 15-10 win vs TCU (in Ireland) 35-3 win vs ETSU 20-28 loss at Clemson While Head Coach Bill Belichick and Defensive Line Coach Bob Diaco have large influences over the defense, it is Belichick’s youngest son, Brian, who calls the shots. The UNC DBs and Safeties Coach was thrust into a playcalling role following former Defensive Coordinator Steve Belichick’s resignation on September 17th following an internal investigation into the program’s culture and conduct. Brian is in his second season with UNC following time as an assistant with the New England Patriots (2016-23), most notably serving as the Safeties Coach from 2020-23. Below, you will find key UNC defensive statistics: 312.3 total yards per game allowed 4.6 total yards per play allowed 13.67 points per game allowed (20th in the country) 4 total TDs allowed (tied-3rd in the country) 123 rushing yards per game allowed 189.33 passing yards per game allowed 1 passing TD allowed (tied-1st in the country) 6 forced turnovers 3.33 sacks per game (tied-9th in the country) As for the Notre Dame offense, they enter Saturday’s matchup as one of the most efficient units in the country. QB CJ Carr has a 70.5% completion rate with nine passing touchdowns and one interception, while averaging 240.8 passing yards per game. The Irish QB has also added two scores with his feet. RB Nolan James Jr. has impressed in his time this season splitting carries with Aneyas Williams. James has 197 yards and three touchdowns across 46 carries and has added nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns as a receiving threat. Also supporting Carr through the air has been the WR duo of Jordan Faison and Micah Gilbert, combining for 32 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns. Find some key offensive statistics through four games below: 416.8 total yards per game 6.6 yards per play (tied-33rd in the country) 42.3 points per game (17th in the country) 22 offensive TDs (tied-14th in the country) 141.8 rushing yards per game 275 passing yards per game (34th in the country) 10 passing TDs (tied-23rd in the country) 1 offensive turnover (tied-2nd in the country) 95% red zone scoring rate (tied-23rd in the country) Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now, we will take a look at the Tar Heels defensive personnel by position group: EDGEs Jaylen Harvey UNC’s top edge rusher in the absence of Melkart Abou Jaoude has been Jaylen Harvey. The 6-2, 245-pound redshirt sophomore is in his first season at UNC following two years at Penn State. Harvey originally committed to Penn State as a three-star recruit out of Quince Orchard High School in Maryland. Across two years with the Nittany Lions, he recorded 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and one sack in 16 games played, including one start. The explosive pass rusher has broken out through three games at UNC, with 10 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He had a season-high five tackles and one fumble recovery against TCU, and followed up this performance with a three-tackle, two-sack showing against ETSU. The Maryland native showcased his pass-rush skills in these games, tallying three pressures against TCU and four against ETSU. The next step in Harvey’s game is more consistently turning these pressures into sacks. The Penn State transfer did have a weaker performance in the loss to Clemson, finishing the game with just one tackle for loss. Harvey possesses a high motor and plays with good physicality. He did not have much starting experience entering 2026, and has not been much of a threat against the run this year. Donovan Hoilette Jr. After Abou Jaoude’s week one injury, Donovan Hoilette Jr. has been thrust into a starting role the past couple of games. The 6-4, 245-pound lineman is in his first year at UNC as a Graduate transfer from Richmond. Hoilette originally committed to Richmond out of Palm Beach Central High School in Florida. He would spend five years with the Spiders, making 16 starts across 40 games played. He finished his Richmond career with 103 tackles, 22 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, one interception, four PBUs, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick. Hoilette had his 2021 and 2024 seasons shortened, as he redshirted after appearing in four games in ‘21 and suffered a season-ending injury in the team’s second game in ‘24. He was able to bounce back strongly in 2025 with a First Team All-Patriot League-worthy season. Through three games at UNC, Hoilette has recorded five tackles, including two each against TCU and Clemson. Clearly, the grad transfer’s proven pass rush potential from Richmond has not translated yet. Hoilette does bring solid experience from his time at Richmond to this UNC DL room, and he offers more of a speed-rush option with good length rather than a pure physical threat. He did really struggle to set the edge against Clemson, a reason UNC is hoping for Abou Jaoude’s return as soon as possible. Others to watch: Melkart Abou Jaoude (missed last two weeks after suffering an injury vs TCU; UNC’s most impactful player in my opinion) Interior Linemen Leroy Jackson UNC’s top run defender this season has been 6-1, 300-pound Leroy Jackson. The redshirt sophomore is in his third year with the Heels after committing to the program as a three-star recruit out of Lee County High School in Georgia. Prior to 2026, Jackson had made 11 starts across 13 games played at UNC. During this time, the lineman tallied 37 tackles and one PBU despite playing in just one game in 2024 due to injury. This season, the Georgia native has 15 tackles and one sack. He had two tackles and a sack in the loss against Clemson, but had a season-high eight tackles in the win over TCU. Jackson does have good previous starting experience from last season, but is still developing as an all-around threat. His pass rush production has been limited in his UNC career so far. Xavier Lewis I suppose Jackson does not need to create that much as a pass rusher when his running mate is the nation’s leader in sacks per game. Sophomore Xavier Lewis has exploded out of the gates to begin the 2026 season, his second at UNC. After totaling just eight tackles last season in 11 games played, the Raleigh native has 17 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and six sacks through three games this year. Lewis has at least five tackles and two sacks in each game, and was named the 2026 Aer Lingus Classic MVP after posting a season-high seven tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and two sacks in the overseas win against TCU. Lewis is the epitome of a breakout star after entering the season with no previous starting experience. He is undersized, but uses his quickness to create pressure and elite pass rush production. Additionally, the sophomore has been good against the run, coming up with four stops against TCU. Lewis also possesses a good motor and is versatile enough to move across the line. Others to watch: Isaiah Johnson, Trey Giddens Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Linebackers Derek McDonald The leader of this defense wearing the green dot is Graduate transfer Derek McDonald. The 6-4, 240-pound LB spent his previous five years at Syracuse, where he originally committed to as a three-star recruit out of Atlanta, Georgia. McDonald was very productive during his time with the Orange. In 41 games played at Syracuse, including 29 starts, he totaled 173 tackles, seven TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one interception, four PBUs, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. McDonald redshirted in 2021 after appearing in just two games. Then, he unfortunately had his 2022 and ‘25 seasons cut short due to injuries. He did not play against Notre Dame last year. McDonald’s production has carried over through three games with the Heels, bringing 24 tackles and one PBU into Saturday’s matchup with the Irish. He recorded a season-high 11 tackles against TCU and then had 10 tackles and a PBU against Clemson. The grad transfer did leave a couple of tackles to be had against the Tigers when he had some misses due to lack of discipline. The Syracuse transfer does provide valuable starting experience for UNC from his time with the Orange. McDonald has been limited in terms of splash plays this season and can struggle in coverage occasionally. Peyton Seelmann Another productive transfer LB starting next to McDonald is Peyton Seelmann. The 6-1, 230-pounder transferred to UNC this offseason following two years at Richmond. Seelmann originally committed to Richmond out of Hanover High School in Virginia. Across 21 games played with the Spiders, including 12 starts, the LB recorded 129 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven PBUs, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He was named to the 2025 All-Patriot League First Team after leading his team with 120 tackles. This season at UNC, Seelmann has racked up 20 tackles and one forced fumble. He flashed against ETSU with a season-high 10 tackles and one forced fumble in the win. However, the junior did struggle against TCU. He finished the Ireland victory with just two tackles and allowed three receptions for 67 yards on three targets. Seelmann looked fine against the run against TCU and ETSU, but seemed a step slow in the loss to Clemson. He has showcased good instincts and has solid prior experience. It will be interesting to see if Carr and the Notre Dame pass game exploit Seelmann’s coverage abilities. Others to watch: Jonathan Agumandu Defensive Backs S Greg Smith III UNC utilizes a very versatile DB room, starting with Safety Greg Smith III. The redshirt sophomore is in his second season with the Heels as a former Florida transfer. Smith originally committed to Florida as a four-star, in-state recruit out of Sumner High School. The 6-4, 215-pound DB spent one redshirt season with the Gators, appearing in five games and totaling five tackles and one PBU. Last season, Smith transferred to UNC, where he made one start across 12 games played. He finished his debut season in Chapel Hill with 25 tackles, one interception, and two QB hurries. This season, Smith has 16 tackles, one TFL, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions. He recorded a season-high seven tackles, one TFL, one forced fumble, and an interception against Clemson. Interception at Clemson Smith has displayed good ball production, featuring range and closing abilities, this season. He has been physical in run support, but overall inconsistent against the run. He struggled in this aspect against TCU but looked better against Clemson. Smith is another guy on this defense that is still developing nicely, with limited starting experience entering this season. FS Peyton Waters The Tar Heels’ starting FS this year has been redshirt sophomore Peyton Waters. He is in his second year at UNC as a former Washington transfer. Waters originally committed to the Huskies out of Birmingham High School in California. The 6-1, 190-pound FS spent one year at Washington, making five tackles across 13 games played. Last season, Waters transferred to UNC, where he redshirted after making three tackles in four games played. The redshirt sophomore has emerged this season with 10 tackles, including at least three in each game. He had a season-high four tackles in the loss against Clemson. Waters possesses good range and physicality as a contributor against the run. He is clearly still developing with limited previous defensive experience, as evidenced by his inconsistencies in coverage. DB Coleman Bryson Redshirt Senior Coleman Bryson is one of the more versatile pieces in this unit, usually lining up at safety or as a big nickel. Bryson is second season at UNC as a former Minnesota transfer. The 6-2, 215-pound DB originally committed to Minnesota out of high school as a three-star recruit. Bryson appeared in 31 games with the Gophers, including eight starts. During this time, he racked up 54 tackles, one pick-six, and five PBUs. Bryson entered the portal and transferred to UNC last season, where he appeared in 12 games. He finished his debut season in Chapel Hill with 17 tackles and two PBUs. This season, the Waynesville, NC native has nine tackles and two PBUs. He recorded a season-high seven tackles and one PBU in the road loss at Clemson. Overall, he did struggle against the Tigers, though. He finished the loss with five missed tackles and allowed four receptions for 63 yards across four targets, including a touchdown, in coverage. Bryson has good size and is a physical tackler, but this can backfire as it did against Clemson. His coverage has also been inconsistent, as he looked good against TCU, allowing just one four-yard catch on two targets. CB Jaiden Patterson Starting at one of the corner positions will be the 6-1, 195-pound Jaiden Patterson. The junior is in his third year at UNC after originally committing to the Heels as a four-star recruit out of Mill Creek High School in Georgia. Patterson entered 2026 with 23 games played, including six starts. During this time, the CB recorded 36 tackles, two TFLs, one interception, and six PBUs. This season, Patterson has tallied 11 tackles and one PBU through three games. He had three tackles and one PBU in a solid showing against TCU. He also had a season-high six tackles at Clemson; however, he struggled in the loss. He finished the game with three missed tackles and allowed three catches for 55 yards in coverage across seven targets. This is someone Notre Dame should take advantage of in the pass game. DB Kaleb Cost The final player to highlight on this UNC defense is another versatile DB. Kaleb Cost, a 5-11 and 195-pound senior, has played outside corner, nickel, and safety this season. The Atlanta native is in his fourth year at UNC after committing to the Heels out of Sandy Creek High School as a four-star recruit. Cost entered the 2026 season with 22 starts across 37 games played, totaling 114 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, three interceptions including one pick-six, and 14 PBUs during this time. This season, the versatile DB has recorded 13 tackles, including a season-high of seven against Clemson. He provides good previous starting experience for this DB unit and is a good, physical tackler. Others to watch: Tre Miller 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? 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