After suffering both heartbreaking and frustrating back-to-back losses against Miami and Texas A&M, Notre Dame went into the Purdue game with its back against the wall and in a must-win situation. Marcus Freeman has consistently done a great job coaching this team after adversity strikes, and he needed to do that again to avoid a 0-3 start to the season. Fans have been in an uproar lately, and rightfully so, even calling for DC Chris Ash's job after just two games, and Freeman needed this win to keep them from looking his way next. Photo by Notre Dame Athletics The game started with high hopes, as the defense had a good first series to get off the field. The offense stepped on the field, and CJ Carr immediately threw a strike to Malachi Fields for a 66-yard touchdown. This led many, including myself, to believe that today might be the turnaround we had been looking for. That was until the defense stepped on the field for their second series, and from then on, allowed Purdue to march up and down the field to the tune of 379 yards of total offense. It's very frustrating to watch this defense go from one of the best in the country last season to one of the worst over the course of one off-season. We all expected a drop-off after losing one of the nation's best defensive coordinators in Al Golden, but this amount of decline is absurd, to say the least. This team is way too talented on the defensive side of the ball to be playing like this. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle From poor tackling, missed assignments, lack of physicality, and flat-out looking lost out there at times, one wonders what has happened to this defense. Like everything else in life, it all starts at the top, and that being coaching and specifically the DC, Chris Ash. It just appears that Ash has been a bad fit for this team and defense, and ultimately, it has been a decision that has cost the team greatly. With that being said, I don't know exactly what happened, which only leads one to speculate, but the defense seemed to flip a switch late in the 3rd quarter and into the 4th quarter with a dramatic change in play calling and even intensity and energy in the players. It was so noticeable that it left many fans across social media wondering if Freeman had taken over the defensive play-calling. Did Ash just suddenly have an awakening? Did it just finally click for the players? or did Freeman really take over? That answer we may not ever get, but I certainly hope it continues into the next game, whatever it may be. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The good news in all of this is that the offense continues to shine and get better each week. Denbrock made it a point to feature the 1-2 Punch of Love and Price, and it paid off early and often for the Irish offensively against Purdue. But that begs the question, where was this during Miami and Texas A&M? CJ Carr continues to grow and become more comfortable and confident each week, which spells greatness for the future of this offense. Kenny Minchey was even able to come into the game and get some meaningful reps, which is always good to see for the backups as well as for the future of the program. With all this being said, the offense was never a concern in my mind, and I believe they can score as much as anyone in the country. It's such a shame that the defense can't say the same, and I'm not sure it will unless something dramatically changes - and fast. Marcus Freeman has little to no time to find that answer, as an SEC team in Arkansas on the road is just one week away. Will he have some answer by then? Only time will tell, but for his sake, the fans, and my own health and well-being, I sure hope he does. 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 @Bruce_Straughan on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame faces a steep hill ahead of itself, and it starts with a supposedly less stressful team in Purdue. Our staff gives their hard-hitting analysis, thoughts, and predictions for the Notre Dame vs Purdue matchup that Notre Dame hopes to mark as its first win of the season. Let's begin. The Analysis Starting with Liam Gaudet, Senior Editor at The Irish Tribune: This is a get-right game, not dissimilar to when the Irish faced Purdue last season. In a lot of ways, this game could determine the trajectory of the rest of the season, and with plenty of recruits in attendance, Notre Dame needs to put its best foot forward. The Irish offense will continue to hum along nicely, and I expect the playbook to be wide open this week. CJ Carr will likely set a career high in passing yards, as Mike Denbrock will continue to try and build the young signal caller's confidence. I expect the offensive line to take another big step forward after an improved game last weekend. We should also see some more looks for players like Jaden Greathouse and Will Pauling, who have been quiet to start the year. Jeremiyah Love dominated the Boilermakers last year, and he'll be eager to reintroduce himself to their defense. Expect to see him hit on a few home runs for the first time this season. The defense doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Leonard Moore injured his ankle last week, and honestly, he's the only player in this secondary who's pulled their weight this season. Chris Ash will attempt to simplify things, but this defense won't magically begin to play at a championship level after 7 days. There's going to be plays given up, but ultimately, the Irish talent will be too great for Purdue to keep things close. Still, expect some more frustration. The pass rush, which has been extremely disappointing, will need to start playing with some tenacity in order to keep things in check. There are roles that need to be filled on defense. Look for some players to step up and stake their claim this week. Liam Gaudet's Prediction: 48-20 Notre Dame wins. From the mind of Brenden Duffy, Associate Editor, Senior Staff Writer: Today marks just the second unranked opponent Notre Dame will have faced since November 16, and it could not come at a better time. New Purdue HC Barry Odom has his program heading in the right direction early in his tenure, but they still lack the talent to compete with the likes of Notre Dame. Some predictions for the game include the Irish pass rush showing up with at least five sacks and the offense combining for over 500 yards with a strong passing performance from Carr and a complementary run game with Love & Price. As hinted at above, I expect Carr to have a field day against Purdue safeties who have struggled in coverage. Let Carr loose in the first half and then finish the Boilermakers with the run later. Last year, Love and Price combined for 195 yards and 2 TDs on just 18 carries. With increased volume today, it will be fun to see the duo work against an improved, but still not great, defensive front from Purdue. Purdue QB Ryan Browne has had his share of mistakes this year, and it does not help when his OL is consistently overmatched. Last week, USC got to the QB 5 times. While the Irish pass rush has certainly struggled against good O-lines, they should be able to at least replicate what the Trojans' defense did. Getting pressure and forcing errors will be key for the ND defense. One of Purdue’s leaders is their RB Devin Mockobee. The Irish held the starting RB last year to just 2.1 yards per carry on 9 attempts. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mockobee have a solid game, but it should not be enough to give the Boilermakers a win. Brenden's Prediction: 48-14 Notre Dame will win. The Predictions & More Hear from Max Uretsky, Analyst for The Irish Tribune: It won't be perfect, but this game will give Notre Dame football a pulse again. Although Purdue is improved, it's unlikely they will be able to find enough offense against a hungry Notre Dame defense to really make this a scare. The nickel spot is still a glaring issue, but the Irish pass rush should be able to help the secondary out and find some footing against a less-than-stellar Purdue offensive line. Offensively, Notre Dame got back to what they needed to do last week in the ground game, and I looked for that to continue this week. Max's Prediction: 45-17 Notre Dame wins victoriously. From Liam Farrell, Associate Editor, Senior Football Writer: The defense and Chris Ash sputter again for most of the first half, with the secondary continuing to be torn apart. CJ Carr and Mike Denbrock keep the Irish in the game with another strong offensive performance that complements both the run and the pass beautifully. The return of Adon Shuler in the 2nd half will be the key to the defense in this one, as the Irish hold the Boilermakers to only 3 second-half points. Jeremiyah Love has his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, and Malachi Fields will haul in 2 TDs as well. Liam's Prediction: 38-24 Notre Dame wins. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle! Via Insider Bruce Straughan: Coming off two heartbreaking losses against Miami and Texas A&M, Notre Dame has put itself in a 0-2 hole to start the season. They have to now be perfect from here on out and run the table if they even want to be considered for the playoffs at this point. Even with a 10-2 record, they're not guaranteed anything. I believe we see a team this week on a mission and playing with a purpose. Marcus Freeman's teams are great at playing the underdog role and playing through adversity. I don't expect the defense to magically come out dominant, and I see Purdue taking advantage early and getting two TDs on this defense. I believe they settle in as the game goes on and then put the clamps on the Purdue offense. The Irish offense under Carr has been good but not exceptionally great, but they seem to be improving each week, and I expect to see more of that during this game. I think the Irish offense rolls and puts up a lot of points against this Purdue defense. Bruce's Prediction: 42-14 Notre Dame wins big. Lastly, from Noah Wehby, Writer at The Irish Tribune: After falling to 0-2 to start the year, I fully expect Notre Dame to play with some urgency against Purdue. Once again, the offense will look good. Purdue simply doesn't have the level of athletes to keep up with the Irish. Like their matchup last year, Love and Price are going to have big games, as they are just too fast and strong. Notre Dame's O-Line will give them all the necessary lanes they need to consistently move the ball. On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame will look good at times. Like I said before, Notre Dame's athletes should be able to overwhelm Purdue's offense. Hopefully for the defense, this game can work as a way to gain some confidence on that side of the ball. With that being said, I do think there will still be plays and drives where the defense still looks lost. Noab's Prediction: 45-24 Notre Dame wins. 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 @LucciAntonini 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 No. 24 Notre Dame Fighting Irish have put themselves in a rough position for playoff contention by starting 0-2 but are looking to get their first win of the year against their in-state rival. Photo by Purdue Athletics As disappointing as the beginning of the year has been, the Fighting Irish get another crack to etch their first win of the season against the Purdue Boilermakers. Last season when all hope was lost after the Northern Illinois game, the Irish were able to bounce back against the Boilermakers to the tune of a 66-7 victory. After going 1-11 last year, Purdue made the switch to Barry Odom to resurrect their football program. After starting 2-0, the Boilermakers stumbled against the USC Trojans last week, due to many self-inflicted mistakes. Here are three key storylines to look for in tomorrow's in-state matchup. Depleted Secondary The Notre Dame backend, which got torched for 360 yards against Texas A&M, will be put into a tough situation against Purdue. Captain Adon Shuler has to miss the first half because of a targeting penalty against the Aggies last week, and there are two other injury concerns for the Fighting Irish. All-American Leonard Moore is listed as questionable along with nickel Devonta Smith, who didn't play in the game against the Aggies after tweaking his ankle pregame. This will mean the Irish will have to lean on Tae Johnson to fill in the secondary along with Luke Talich or Jalen Stroman. In terms of the cornerbacks, Karson Hobbs absolutely needs to play better than he did a week ago in the nickel role, and if Moore is unable to play, true freshman Mark Zackery IV will be thrown into the fire. Purdue is quite talented on the outside as well, specifically with transfers Michael Jackson III and Nitro Tuggle who provide downfield speed for the Boilermakers. Purdue dropped back to pass 39 times last week, and with an injury riddled unit, the Boilermakers will undoubtedly be inclined to move the ball in the air, much like the Aggies did a week ago. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Pressuring the Quarterback Another key in this game lays on the defensive side of the football, which is to pressure the quarterback. The Irish did not have a single sack last week against the Aggies, and only have one all season long. The ability to only rush four and create pressure through that scheme has evidently not worked, so it is up to defensive coordinator Chris Ash to figure out a new game plan. There has been much discourse about the apparent struggles Ash has had while transitioning in this role, and ultimately, Ash is at the end of the leash only three games into this season. It truly is mind boggling the mismanagement of talent on this year's defensive roster and there is absolutely no reason as to why this unit is playing so poorly. Much of the struggles in the secondary have been because opposing quarterbacks have had plenty of time in the pocket. If the Irish can pressure the QB and play complementary defensive football, things can be trending in the right direction. This week especially, Notre Dame must be able to create havoc, as the Boilermakers' quarterback Ryan Browne has already thrown four interceptions this season. Energy and Concentration The first five minutes of this game should be able to tell you about the head coaching work of Marcus Freeman. Freeman has been known to get the most out of his players and find a way to motivate them to play at another level. In a similar way to last season, the Irish are at an all-time low with two heartbreaking losses crumbling this team's expectations and any potential wiggle room they could have down the line. This means that the Irish have to play absolute perfect football for 10 games in a row, but, as always, things need to be taken one game at a time. In this one, look at the body language of the players early on. Look to the sidelines and see where the energy level of this program is. If Freeman has his players locked and loaded, the energy and intensity should be the same as the Miami or Texas A&M game from the past two weeks. The Irish need to figure out a way to reset, block out the noise, and play to their true potential. This all starts tomorrow. 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 @ LiamFarrell_IT  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 via Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame, now 0-2 for the first time since Marcus Freeman’s inaugural season, seeks to get back on track on Saturday afternoon against a 2-1 Purdue squad that is completely different from the one that the Irish beat up on in a 66-7 route last year. Purdue enters week four already having surpassed their win total from a year ago. The Boilermakers picked up convincing wins against Ball State and Southern Illinois to open the year before falling 17-33 last week to USC in a game that featured a three-hour weather delay. New Offensive Coordinator Josh Henson seems to be finding his groove through three games. Henson joined Head Coach Barry Odom’s staff with the opportunity to call plays after serving as USC’s OC last year, where Lincoln Riley called the shots. Previously, Henson served as an assistant on Odom’s staff during his Missouri tenure.  Through three contests, the Boilermakers' offense has averaged 391.3 total yards per game with 271.7 coming through the air. If there is a pause for concern in the young season, it would be their red zone success with scores on just 10 of 15 attempts, including three crucial interceptions that occurred last week. Defensively, Purdue is led by their new HC Odom and DC Mike Scherer. Last year, the duo led a UNLV defense that finished first in the Mountain West against the run and 11th in the country in sacks. So far this season, things have been much better defensively in West Lafayette after finishing near the bottom in every key defensive statistic a year ago. Purdue’s lack of ability to force a takeaway, considering they have played a MAC and FCS program, should be noted. However, their pass rush production has been good, averaging three sacks per game, while the Irish have managed one total through two games. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Offense: Quarterback: Ryan Browne - After seeing limited playing time behind Hudson Card last season, the sophomore won this fall’s QB competition despite an interesting offseason. Browne transferred to UNC following last year; however, after the Tar Heels landed Gio Lopez, the Michigan native decided to go back to West Lafayette. This season, the 6-4 signal-caller has completed 63.6% of his throws for 786 yards and five touchdowns. Ball security has been an issue, and it was apparent in crucial situations during last week’s loss. Against USC, Browne threw three interceptions in the red zone, one of which was returned for a pick-six. If you take away the pick-six and finish one of those drives, Purdue would be down just two points against a now-ranked squad. The sophomore finished last week completing 24/39 attempts for 305 yards and a touchdown, in addition to the three picks. USC was also able to sack the QB five times. Browne is not much of a threat on the ground, especially one week after playing Marcel Reed, but he has rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts. His rushing score against USC was interesting, to say the least, as it came as a result of a failed reverse pass. Running Backs: Devin Mockobee - The featured back and one of the top returning players from last year is the six-foot senior. Mockobee, who wears number 45 to represent the amount of touchdowns he had in high school, has rushed for 230 yards and three scores with a fumble on 58 carries this season. In week two, the senior rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries against Southern Illinois. Mockobee is a tough runner with 194 yards after contact and 14 missed tackles forced. Through the air, he has added 66 yards on four receptions across four targets. He can be dangerous in open space, but he lacks elite top-end speed. As a pass blocker, the 202-pound back did not have the best performance last week when he allowed two sacks and three QB pressures on just 11 block attempts. Notably, about 60% of Mockobee’s rushes go to the right, specifically outside behind the tackle. Others to watch: Antonio Harris, Jaheim Merriweather Receivers: Michael Jackson III - Purdue’s starting slot-man is the former USC and Georgia transfer. Jackson leads the team in receptions with 14 for 149 yards and a touchdown. Across 17 targets, the six-foot, 205-pound weapon has just one drop. He has two solid performances in three weeks, recording six receptions for 72 yards and a score versus Ball State and then finishing with seven catches for 70 yards last week against USC. The senior is a short-yardage and yard-after-catch threat while also serving as the Boilermakers’ return man. EJ Horton Jr. - The well-traveled senior enters Purdue at his fourth school following stints at Marshall, West Virginia, and Florida Atlantic. Notably, Horton missed the entire 2024 season at FAU due to injury. This season, the 6-1, 190-pound wideout has hauled in 10 catches for 125 yards. He recorded season-highs last week when he finished with five catches for 70 yards in the loss against USC. Horton has just one drop across 16 targets. Nitro Tuggle - Another Georgia receiver transfer, the sophomore has left a troubled past in Athens for new beginnings in West Lafayette. Tuggle has recorded seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns this season. Last week, the 6-1 WR set season-highs with 69 yards on four catches including a score. Tuggle is, arguably, the Boilermakers’ top deep threat, but he has struggled with two drops on just 11 targets. Arhmad Branch - Last week, the sophomore was limited after being poked in the eye during the rain-delayed contest. Branch enters this week with two touchdowns on seven catches and a team-leading 167 yards. In week one against Ball State, the six-foot wideout exploded for 101 yards, including a 49-yard score on just three catches. Branch is shifty and has been sure-handed so far with no drops across 11 targets. Others to watch: Jesse Watson, Corey Smith Tight Ends: George Burhenn - Purdue’s receiving threat at tight end is the 6-5, 235-pound sophomore. Burhenn has seven receptions for 74 yards this season after being shut out in week one. He has one drop across nine targets. Burhenn serves much more as a receiving end compared to a blocking type. Others to watch: Christian Moore, Christian Earls Offensive Line: LT Joey Tanona, LG Jalen St. John, C Bradyn Joiner, RG Ethan Trent, RT Bakyne Coly - Notre Dame’s pass rush needs a tune-up game, and it appears they will get it this weekend. Purdue’s pass-blocking group ranks among the worst in the country, with six sacks and 34 QB pressures allowed on 114 dropbacks. Joiner is the only starter to have allowed fewer than five pressures this year. This group is not much better with the run either. One highlight on this Boilermakers line is the return of former Irish OL, Joey Tanona. Despite never playing a down at Notre Dame following a brain injury suffered in a car accident on his first day of spring practice, Tanona’s return will mark a full-circle moment for the man who was once forced to medically retire. The Purdue LT completed his comeback to football last year as a reserve lineman with the Boilermakers and has now started the first three contests of this season. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defense: Interior Linemen: Demeco Kennedy - The Boilermakers’ starting interior duo is a pair of sophomores who were high school teammates in Kentucky. Kennedy is a 6-2, 305-pound versatile defender, capable of lining up in different spots across the line. He has three tackles this season and recorded his first sack of the year last week against USC. Kennedy has one missed tackle. The well-rounded sophomore is solid against the run with one stop and decent against the pass with six pressures across 46 pass rushes. Jamarrion Harkless - The larger of the two tackles is the 6-3, 345-pound sophomore. Harkless has five tackles and 1.5 sacks on the year. He recorded his 1.5 sacks and two of his tackles in week one against Ball State. Like Kennedy, Harkless is also a solid run-stopper with one stop. He is a decent pass rusher with three pressures across 34 attempts. The sophomore has not missed a tackle this season. Others to watch: Josh Burney, Ian Jeffries Edge Rushers: CJ Madden - Purdue’s CJ duo off the edges starts with the 6-4, 275-pound former Georgia transfer. Madden has three tackles this year, all of which came against Ball State, and one miss. The junior has been decent against the run with one stop, but has struggled against the pass with just three pressures on 75 pass rush attempts. CJ Nunnally IV - One of the top pass rushes on Purdue is the 6-3, 265-pound Akron transfer. Nunnally has four tackles and two sacks; both sacks occurred against Southern Illinois. The senior has seven pressures on 36 pass rushes. He has been solid against the run with one stop. While rare, Nunnally can drop back into coverage occasionally. Others to watch: Breeon Ishmail  Linebackers: Mani Powell - Another UNLV transfer, this interior backer has recorded 16 tackles, two for a loss, one sack, and a pass breakup through three games. Powell was everywhere in week one when he finished with five tackles, including a sack, but he also had three missed tackles, his only misses so far. Last week, the 6-2, 230-pounder had a season-high seven tackles and a pass breakup against USC. Powell has been good against the run, leading the Boilermakers with 10 stops. The senior has struggled in coverage, allowing three receptions for 68 yards across five targets. When called upon as a pass rusher, he has been solid with five pressures on 22 attempts. Charles Correa - A Hawaiian native, this interior backer also comes with Coach Odom from UNLV. Correa, a 6-3, 230-pound sophomore, has a team-high 20 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pass breakup. Last week, he finished with a season-high 11 tackles and a sack, but did have three missed tackles in the loss to USC. Correa has four misses on the year. The sophomore has been decent in coverage, having allowed six catches for just 21 yards on eight targets. He is also decent against the run, with eight stops, but all of his missed tackles have come against the rush. Notably, on just 10 pass rush attempts, Correa has produced three pressures. Alex Sanford Jr. - Purdue’s cover linebacker is the 6-1, 232-pound Arkansas transfer. Sanford has five tackles this season. He has been solid against the run with one stop. In coverage, the junior has not been targeted across 28 coverage snaps. Sanford can shift to slot corner when needed. Defensive Backs: Tahj Ra-El - The senior Memphis transfer comes to West Lafayette as one of Purdue’s starting safeties. Ra-El has 17 tackles, including one for a loss, through three games. The 6-2 S finished with seven tackles against both Ball State and Southern Illinois. He does have four missed tackles, including at least one in each game. Ra-El has been decent against the run with three stops, but this is also where three of his missed tackles have occurred. The senior has struggled in coverage, allowing four catches on seven targets for 92 yards. Look for the Irish pass offense to target this safety. Tony Grimes - This 6’2 starting senior corner comes over from UNLV. Grimes has seven tackles, including a season-high of four which came last week. In general, the CB is solid in coverage, but he got burned by USC for 100 yards, including a 59-yard gain. In total, Grimes has allowed five catches for 119 yards on 11 targets. He has been solid against the run with three stops and one missed tackle. Hudauri Hines - Arguably, the Boilermakers’ top cover-man is this 6-1 sophomore corner. Hines has 10 tackles and a team-high two pass breakups. He recorded a season-high five tackles and a pass breakup last week. The sophomore has allowed five catches for 67 yards on nine targets this season. Hines has two missed tackles, both of which came against the run, where he has not had any impact so far this year. Myles Slusher - Another safety the Irish pass offense should target is the six-foot senior Colorado transfer. Slusher has 18 tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass breakup. Last week, he recorded a season-high 12 tackles and a pass breakup in the loss to USC. The senior did miss three tackles in the loss, bringing his season total to five. Against the run, Slusher has six tackles, including two stops, but does have three misses. In coverage, the senior has allowed six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. Slusher may come down to slot corner at times. Others to watch: Smiley Bradford, Ryan Turner 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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The Notre Dame alumnus turned late-blooming kicker has gone from obscurity to stardom, rewriting his story with every clutch kick. Graphic by The Irish Tribune Brandon Aubrey is the kind of story you almost want to fact-check before you buy into it, because it sounds too far-fetched to be real. Here is a man who once played center back for Notre Dame soccer, a man who was drafted into Major League Soccer, who left the sport and went to work as a software engineer, who trained alone on football fields at night until his leg was sharp enough to win championships in the USFL, and who now finds himself as the starting kicker for the Dallas Cowboys. If you told it around a table, it would sound like a tall tale stitched together from five different careers. Yet there he was on a Sunday night in Arlington, striding onto the turf with a game on the line, and striking the ball so cleanly that it carried sixty-four yards through the uprights as the clock hit zero. That kick came against the Giants on September 14th, and it was the sort of moment that lingers. The Cowboys had been on the verge of defeat, but Aubrey gave them life with a swing of his right leg that forced overtime and turned the stadium into a roar. Ten minutes later, in overtime, he lined up again and buried a forty-six-yarder that ended the game outright. The NFL honored him as the Special Teams Player of the Week, and it wasn’t the first time they’d done so. Through two weeks of the 2025 season, he has not missed a kick, six for six on field goals, six for six on extra points, the longest of them all a sixty-four-yard shot that felt like something out of a video game. This from a player who, not long ago, was working nine to five in an office, the sound of keyboards in his ears instead of the hum of a stadium. To understand how improbable this is, you have to go back to where it began. Aubrey grew up in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas, where his world revolved around soccer. He played for the Dallas Texans and won national youth titles, traveled to tournaments, and developed a reputation that earned him attention from major college programs. Notre Dame recruited him, and from 2013 through 2016, he was a dependable starter for the Irish. He was never the loudest player, never the one chasing headlines, but he was steady, disciplined, intelligent in his positioning. He earned First Team All-ACC honors as a senior and graduated with a degree in computer science, one of the more demanding fields on campus. That combination of athletic toughness and academic rigor is what Notre Dame has always valued, and it is also what would carry him through the twists that lay ahead. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Toronto FC called his name in the first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, twenty-first overall, and for a moment it felt like the kind of validation every kid dreams about, the dream that the years of youth tournaments and college seasons were building toward. He packed up for Canada and carried with him the hope that this would be the beginning of a long career, but professional soccer is an unforgiving place where rosters shuffle constantly and one season can decide everything. Most of his minutes came with the reserves, flashes here and there, enough to keep the door cracked, and then he tried again the following year with Bethlehem Steel in the USL. He saw the field, he fought for a place, but it never became permanent, and by the end of 2018, he was released. Just like that, the thing he had been chasing since childhood was gone. A lot of players would have let that be the end of it, the moment they hang it up and call it a career, but Aubrey had something else in his pocket — a degree from Notre Dame — and he leaned on it, stepping into the quiet rhythm of software engineering while the game he loved drifted into the rearview. Still, the idea never really left him. He kept thinking about what his wife had said that night on the couch, and after a while, he decided there was no harm in trying. His days were devoted to engineering, but once work was done, he’d drive to empty fields, carrying a bag of balls, and chase daylight until the sun went down. He studied tape, slowed down videos, tried to learn the rhythm of a position he had never played: the snap, the hold, the strike, all of it timed to a fraction of a second. There was no crowd, no coaches, no scouts keeping an eye on him, just the sound of his foot meeting the ball, over and over, and the belief that maybe he could turn this crazy idea into something real. That chance came in 2022, when the Birmingham Stallions of the newly reformed USFL gave him a shot. Aubrey took the job and immediately proved himself. He hit eighteen of twenty-two field goals as a rookie, then improved to fourteen of fifteen the next year while going perfect on thirty-five extra points. The Stallions won back-to-back championships, and suddenly the man who had once been a soccer player and an engineer was now one of the best kickers outside the NFL. In July 2023, the Cowboys called. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Trying out for Dallas is not the same as trying out anywhere else. The Cowboys carry a weight that goes far beyond football, and stepping into their camp means stepping onto a stage where every kick is magnified, every snap replayed, every mistake picked apart by thousands of eyes. This is the franchise that has called itself America’s Team for decades, and with that comes a spotlight that never dims. Kicker had become a sore subject for Dallas fans, the kind of position that inspired groans before games even started, and into that environment walked Brandon Aubrey, a twenty-eight-year-old with no NFL experience, and a background that sounded more like a curiosity than a résumé. He had to prove it with every swing of his leg, and by the time camp was done, he had. What followed was one of the finest rookie seasons a kicker has ever had. Thirty-six of thirty-eight field goals converted, forty-nine of fifty-two extra points, one hundred fifty-seven points in total, a Pro Bowl selection, and the trust of a fan base that had long been skeptical. The novelty of his story gave way to respect for his consistency. The second season confirmed it was no fluke. In 2024, Aubrey drilled a sixty-five-yard field goal, the longest in the league that year and a new Cowboys record. He was perfect on extra points and finished tied for second in scoring among kickers. He was not a sideshow anymore. He was elite. Now in 2025, he is showing that he has staying power. The sixty-four-yarder against the Giants did more than tie a game; it sent a message that Brandon Aubrey is the kind of player who changes the geometry of the field. His presence alters how coaches call plays, how defenses line up, and how the crowd feels when he jogs out with the game in the balance. In a league where one bad month can end a career, Aubrey has proven nothing but consistency under the brightest of lights. What makes his story resonate is not just the improbability, though that is striking enough. It is the way it embodies resilience and reinvention. Aubrey rebuilt himself at an age when most athletes are already defined. He took the discipline of his education, the steadiness he had honed as a defender, the technical eye of an engineer, and forged a second career in one of the most pressure-packed positions in sports. He did it without shortcuts, without pedigree, without anyone guaranteeing success. And he accomplished it through work and faith. For Notre Dame supporters, that is what makes the story feel so close to home. Aubrey may not have played football under the Golden Dome, but he was an Irish athlete all the same. He wore the crest, he lived the balance of books and practice, and carried himself with the quiet resolve that has defined so many who came through South Bend. His resilience, his refusal to walk away, his willingness to try again when the world thought the story was over; those are values Notre Dame fans recognize. So when he lined up for that sixty-four-yarder, it was more than just a kick. It was years of lonely practice sessions, nights spent chasing a dream with no guarantee it would lead anywhere, a wife’s belief spoken from the couch years earlier, and a man’s decision to see if he could change his life. It was proof that greatness does not have to follow a straight line, that ambition can take root again and flourish even when it seems too late. What Aubrey represents now goes beyond the numbers beside his name or the distances attached to his kicks. He’s proof that belief doesn’t fade just because the calendar moves on, that ambition can survive long after most people would have shelved it. His journey spans from Plano to South Bend, from the practice fields of Major League Soccer to the championship nights of the USFL, through office hours and keyboards, and ultimately to the biggest stage in American football. Each stop looked like an ending until it wasn’t. What he’s shown, more than anything, is that you can start over, that you can build something new from the pieces of what came before, and that sometimes the courage to begin again is the truest mark of a competitor. 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 @ thatconnorregan  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!

It is no secret that the Notre Dame defense has severely struggled to start the season, especially the secondary. Christian Gray is a big part of that secondary, and like the rest of his unit, Gray needs to improve quickly if Notre Dame wants to right their wrongs. Art by The Irish Tribune Last season, Gray burst onto the scene in his new role as a starting cornerback. Paired with Benjamin Morrison and Leonard Moore, Gray was the ball hawk defensive back who made that entire secondary a dangerous one to throw at, and it was apparent from the start. In the opening game against Texas A&M, it was Gray who jumped a slant route perfectly on fourth down to seal the game. As the season went on, Gray's role also grew due to Morrison's season-ending injury. This meant that Gray was going to see a lot of the other team's best receiver, and that is where problems began to show themselves. Against USC, Gray struggled for much of that game, as USC seemed to pick Gray out as a player who could attack. It worked for a while until Gray came up with the game-sealing pick-six. It was a highlight of the entire season due to its huge significance; Gray's interception delivered Notre Dame to the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Fast forward to the Orange Bowl, Gray came up big once again late in the game. With the game tied and Penn State with the ball, Gray jumped a route, resulting in an interception. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle That interception gave Notre Dame the ball and the field position they needed to win the game, another highlight of the season. That was the theme for Gray in 2024. He was a solid player who would get beaten from time to time, but he always seemed to come up with the big play in the clutch. It was almost like he made up for the plays he would give up with one big play that would win the game. Last year, with that amazing defense, that worked. The plays he gave up were situations the defense could get out of or survive. This year, that does not seem to be the case so far. Coming into the year, the expectation appeared to be that Gray was going to clean up the plays he always seemed to give up last year, while keeping that clutch playmaking that made him so special last season. So far, nothing has changed except that Gray has yet to make a game-changing play. He is still getting beaten consistently, usually for big plays. With Leonard Moore on the other side of the field, Gray was supposed to be the really talented number two who always had the chance to pick one off. As a whole unit, this has been the reality. This group appears to be talented with young players, but so far, it has been widely disappointing. But is all of it his fault? Firstly, it is important to realize who he was playing with last year. Whether it was Morrison, Moore, or Xavier Watts, Gray was surrounded by awesome talent, which only made his job easier. It is fair to say that a player like Watts probably masked a good amount of mistakes that the secondary made. It is also important to understand the change in defensive line play. Last season, Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III were able to bring pressure consistently, forcing the quarterback to throw hurried and inaccurate passes to Gray and company. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! This season, there has been little to no pressure. This means that Gray and this secondary are being asked to cover receivers for longer and defend accurate passes. Along with all of this, Gray is also having to deal with the change of a new coordinator. Al Golden was considered to be one of the best in the business, and Notre Dame has felt his absence. Now, with Chris Ash , Notre Dame is running more zone defense, which has only seemed to slow down a defense that prides itself on speed. Overall, Gray has been a disappointing part of a disappointing secondary. With the expectations of Gray and this unit coming into the year, many believed they would once again be one of the best. Instead, they rank among the worst in passing defense, a category they were top five in last year. Gray is a huge part of that. As an upperclassman, Gray was projected to be one of the leaders on this team, but he is still making the same mistakes last season, showing little to no progress from 2024. With 10 games still to go, Gray has plenty of time to change the narrative that is currently surrounding him. He is talented and has a real knack for getting his hands on the football, but Notre Dame needs to start seeing that form of Christian game real soon if they want to make the changes necessary to win football games. 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!

Art by The Irish Tribune When Notre Dame announced the hiring of Chris Ash, many Irish fans were underwhelmed; however, the trust Marcus Freeman earned during last season’s CFP run was enough to overlook the move at the time. Two games into Ash’s Irish tenure, and things are not going smoothly following back-to-back ranked losses where blame can be placed upon the defense. Perhaps some of the issue lies with the personnel, but regardless, there is enough talent on that side of the ball to be at least a top-25 defense. It is up to Ash and Freeman to best utilize the talent, which they have failed to do for two weeks. So, given this disappointing start to the year defensively, we checked in around the country on other newly hired Defensive Coordinators. It is important to note that Notre Dame’s strength of schedule is currently first, per ESPN. No other team in the country has had a tougher first two games in three weeks than the Irish. Again, it is early in the year, and things can change dramatically by the end of the season, but here we go. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Chris Ash, Notre Dame Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Wisconsin DC (2011-12), Arkansas DC (2013), Ohio State co-DC (2014-15), Rutgers HC (2016-19), Texas DC (2020), NFL Secondary Coach (2021-23)  Record: 0-2; 24-27 at Miami, 40-41 vs Texas A&M Defense Stats (National Rank): 34 PPG (tied-118th), 413.5 Total YPG (108th), 282.5 Pass YPG (126th), 131 Rush YPG (68th) Notes: As previously mentioned, Ash and the Irish did have to open with the toughest schedule in the country, but that should not faze a Notre Dame defense the way it has. As the season rolls on, these numbers will improve, but it will be interesting to see by just how much. In my opinion, they need to drastically improve to even begin defending Ash as a good hire. Tom Allen, Clemson Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: USF DC (2015), Indiana HC (2016-23), Penn State DC (2024) Record: 1-2; 10-17 vs LSU, 27-16 vs Troy, 21-24 at Georgia Tech Defense Stats (National Rank): 19 PPG (tied-53rd), 338.3 Total YPG (74th), 227.3 Pass YPG (94th), 111 Rush YPG (50th) Notes: Allen’s start at Clemson has not exactly been ideal. The defense has been okay, but the same questions are being asked about both the Irish and the Tigers. On paper, Clemson has the best defense in the country with future NFL stars littered on the field. They should be among the elite, but seem to be a middle-of-the-pack squad for now. Clemson has issues everywhere on both sides of the ball, so the microscope seems to be pointed directly at Dabo Swinney rather than Allen or OC Garrett Riley. Personally, I am not sure how much better of a hire Allen would have been compared to Ash. Tony White, Florida State Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Arizona State DC (2019), Syracuse DC (2020-22), Nebraska DC (2023-24) Record: 2-0; 31-17 vs Alabama, 77-3 vs East Texas A&M Defense Stats (National Rank): 10 PPG (tied-10th), 269 Total YPG (30th), 173 Pass YPG (tied-36th), 96 Rush YPG (tied-32nd) Notes: Both of the Seminoles’ new coordinator hires seem to be paying big dividends early after a tumultuous 2024. White is known as a great recruiter and had Nebraska’s defense in the top-20 of nearly every defensive statistic last season. The former UCLA Linebacker’s name is already coming up in the Bruins’ coaching search following the firing of Deshaun Foster. Blake Gideon, Georgia Tech Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Houston Special Teams Coordinator (ST) /Safeties Coach (S) (2019), Ole Miss ST (2020), Texas S (2021-24) Record: 3-0; 27-20 at Colorado, 59-12 vs Gardner-Webb, 24-21 vs Clemson Defense Stats (National Rank): 17.7 PPG (tied-45th), 337.3 Total YPG (tied-69th), 191.7 Pass YPG (tied-53rd), 145.67 Rush YPG (86th) Notes: I can not blame Notre Dame for not seeking out Gideon because they may as well have promoted Mike Mickens if you want a top-end secondary coach running the defense. Last season at Texas, Gideon was named the Defensive Backs Coach of the Year by Football Scoop after leading the country in interceptions and passing yards allowed per attempt. He had a direct hand in the development of Michael Taafe, Andrew Mukuba, and last year’s Jim Thorpe Award winner, Jahdae Barron. The Yellowjackets' defense has not lost a step since losing former DC Tyler Santucci to the NFL. Gideon, just 36 years old, has a long and potentially successful coaching career ahead of him. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Corey Hetherman, Miami Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: James Madison DC (2019-21), Rutgers LBs Coach (2022-23), Minnesota DC (2024) Record: 3-0; 27-24 vs Notre Dame, 45-3 vs Bethune-Cookman, 49-12 vs South Florida Defense Stats (National Rank): 13 PPG (28th), 279 Total YPG (38th), 204 Pass YPG (65th), 75 Rush YPG (15th) Notes: Last season, Hetherman had a Minnesota defense striking fear in opponents for the first time in years. The Gophers finished top-12 in points allowed, total yards allowed, rushing defense, passing defense, and interceptions. Through three games at Miami, he has the Hurricanes' rush defense playing at an insane level. The fact that Miami has faced Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Byrum Brown, and Alvon Issac and is allowing under 100 rushing yards per game is an outstanding feat. The Hurricanes’ ability to start fast has forced offenses to throw late more often in an attempt to come back. As the Notre Dame DC hiring process was mostly kept under wraps, I would hope they at least glanced at Hetherman for the opening. Shiel Wood, Texas Tech Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Army co-DC (2020-21), Troy DC (2022), Tulane DC (2023), Houston DC (2024) Record: 3-0; 67-7 vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 62-14 vs Kent State, 45-14 vs Oregon State Defense Stats (National Rank): 11.7 PPG (22nd), 230.7 Total YPG (15th), 189.3 Pass YPG (50th), 41.33 Rush YPG (tied-2nd) Notes: Since taking the job at Army, Wood’s defenses have finished top-35 in total defense each year. In his one year at Houston last season, he took a defense that finished 112th in total defense in ‘23 and turned it into the 26th-best defense by total defense. With Texas Tech being big spenders in the modern-day era of NIL, it will be interesting to see how long they can hold onto the 43-year-old before he inevitably earns a head coaching role. Jim Knowles, Penn State Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Duke DC (2010-17), Oklahoma State DC (2018-21), Ohio State DC (2022-24) Record: 3-0; 46-11 vs Nevada, 34-0 vs FIU, 52-6 vs Villanova Defense Stats (National Rank): 5.7 PPG (3rd), 224 Total YPG (tied-11th), 123.3 Pass YPG (14th), 100.67 Rush YPG (tied-37th) Notes: The idea of Knowles coming to South Bend after the Buckeyes fumbled contract talks with the top-tier DC was certainly a pipe dream. The Philadelphia native returned to his home state with the Nittany Lions, and they have cruised through their first three contests, allowing 17 total points. When Tom Allen departed Penn State to be closer to family at Clemson, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions got their big splash with Knowles, and it appears to be an upgrade so 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 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!

Coming off the heartbreaking loss against Miami in the opening game of the season, Notre Dame went straight into a bye week, which many assumed would be a great time for the coaching staff to evaluate the glaring issues they faced on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. In some ways, it looked better, especially offensively, with CJ Carr looking significantly more confident and comfortable. At the same time, the defense appears to be getting progressively worse from one week to the next. The bright side is that the offense seems to be fine and did its job last night. Anytime your offense puts up over 30 points on the board, you expect to win. Carr looked way more confident and comfortable in this game and has shown growth from game one to game two. He continues to make some mistakes, but that's obviously going to be expected. There were always going to be growing pains for a redshirt freshman QB in only his second start, but he has to clean up the mental mistakes. The offense itself is not a major concern to me at this point, and I believe they will only get better as time goes on. The ugliest part of all this is blatantly obvious, and it's the defensive side of the ball. The Chris Ash hire always seemed like a bad one to many, and his reputation has preceded him in this way of thinking. He's always been known as a hard-nose, stubborn coach with a track record that doesn't exactly scream "success". Two games into the season, and many fans have already seen enough and want a change at the position. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! It's hard to argue against a change, as this defense went from one of the best in the country last year to one of the worst in the matter of an off-season. Sure, they lost Al Golden, one of the great defensive minds in football, and veteran leadership like Jack Kiser, Xavier Watts, Rylie Mills, and Benjamin Morrison, but this team still has way too many talented players across the board to be playing like this. Giving up nearly 500 yards of total offense against Texas A&M last night is both inexcusable and ridiculous. There's no way to put it other than the defensive side of the ball is a disaster right now, with no identity whatsoever, and players looking lost all over the field. It's easy for people to blame the players, but the coaches are ultimately responsible for putting the players in a position to succeed. Chris Ash is not doing that, and the players don't look confident or comfortable in what they're doing as a result. I'm not really confident that Ash can make the changes needed in such a short period to salvage what's left of the season at this point. It will become extremely hard for observers to maintain any confidence in his system as it stands. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle This couldn't have started any worse than it has already, and after just two games, many fans are already calling for the defensive coordinator's job. If Marcus Freeman doesn't do something fast to turn this thing around, it'll be his job fans are calling for next. With playoff hopes seeming impossible at this point, it has now become a matter of evaluating talent for the future and righting the ship of any dysfunction so as not to lose this team or allow it to affect recruiting. Will they get this thing figured out between now and next weekend against Purdue? Nothing is impossible, but right now it doesn't look good. The only saving grace is that the remainder of the schedule gets a lot easier going forward, but if something doesn't change, that isn't going to matter. 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 @ Bruce_Straughan  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!

After another gut-wrenching loss, Notre Dame falls to 0-2 and is at risk of missing the CFP. With that, let's take a look at who performed well and who did not for Notre Dame vs Texas A&M. Art by The Irish Tribune Winners Jeremiyah Love & Jadarian Price After a very quiet game against Miami, Love and Price excelled against the Aggies. In week one, Notre Dame questionably did not look to their star running backs very often. That decision became a huge talking point coming into the game against Texas A&M, as they were the strongest part of last year's offense. In this game, they were featured heavily throughout the game, and their presence was felt. Together, they combined for 162 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while Love also tacked on 53 yards and a touchdown through the air. In a high-scoring game, Notre Dame's stable of running backs was its biggest weapon all night. Even in a loss, this was a good sign for Notre Dame going forward. Although A&M has shown signs of suspect run defense this year, they are still a solid SEC defense that could not seem to slow Love and Price down. Like last year, the running back room is still clearly the strength of this offense, as they will need to continue to feed the duo who can truly change a game. CJ Carr Once again, Carr looked in control for most of the game, especially considering it was only his second career start. Against Miami, Carr played a pretty good game, even leading Notre Dame down the field on a game-tying drive. In this game, Carr orchestrated a high-powered offense that was responsible for 33 of Notre Dame's 40 points. Carr finished the game with 293 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Carr was accurate, decisive, and collected for the entire night except for the one interception. On that play, Carr was caught between running and dumping it off to Price. As a result, he seemed to have panicked a little and overthrew his target into an Aggie defender. Carr had an answer for pretty much everything that was thrown at him, as he was consistently converting big third downs and finding his players downfield. Through two games, it is fair to say that neither loss is anywhere close to Carr's fault, as he has actually been one of the few bright spots on this team. Offensive Line After a very rough game against Miami, the offensive line unit looked much improved coming off the bye week. In week one, the offensive line looked incapable of getting any sort of push in the run game and lacked the ability to keep pressure off of Carr. This was not the case against Texas A&M. Instead, this offensive line was able to create gaps for Love and Price all game, resulting in 162 yards on the ground. In pass protection, they only gave up two sacks, not a bad number for 32 passing attempts. The main reason this unit is a winner this week is based on the improvement they showed compared to their lackluster performance in Miami. Losers Chris Ash There are a lot of places to start when it comes to Chris Ash. Last season, Notre Dame had one of the best defenses in the entire country, especially in the secondary. With a lot of returning talent, Ash has made this defense unrecognizable. Instead of the fast, aggressive, and chaos-inducing defense featured last year, this defense looks slow, lethargic, and reactive for the second game in a row. The choice to run many more zone plays than last season seems to be one that is not best-suited for the personnel. There were multiple times Aggie wide receivers were able to comfortably find the soft spots in the defense for big gains. In just one half, Notre Dame's secondary gave up 173 yards to just one receiver, Mario Craver. Craver ended the game with 207 yards, a total that was never seen with Al Golden. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle! Like week one, Ash's defense once again lacked the ability to apply meaningful pressure to the opposing quarterback. Against Texas A&M, the Irish pass rush recorded zero sacks. Although he did try, Ash was not able to dial up a blitz that got home. Instead, Texas A&M was able to pick up almost every blitz Notre Dame threw their way. When Notre Dame did get pressure, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed did not deal with it well, usually resulting in an inaccurate ball. The issue was that these plays were few and far between. This not only allowed Reed to comfortably find wide receivers, but the lack of sacks also never gave Notre Dame's defense favorable situations to be in. Lastly, the final play of the Aggies' game-winning drive is largely on Ash. The questions arise in two different areas. First, it is unacceptable that Reed was able to roll out. There needed to be more of a concerted effort to make sure Reed was not able to cleanly leave the pocket, whether that is with an edge rusher or linebacker. Neither happened, allowing Reed to buy himself more time and find a matchup he liked for the winning play. Secondly, Ash also allowed, potentially, his worst cover linebacker, Drayk Bowen, to be alone in single coverage with no one else around. It is that sort of bad positioning and personnel management that has so many Irish faithful frustrated through two games. Notre Dame Secondary (Excluding Leonard Moore) Although Chris Ash may be the root cause of many of the defense's struggles, the players are still to blame. As stated before, Notre Dame's secondary last season was one of the nation's best, even without Benjamin Morrison. This year, it seems like the unit, as a whole, has taken a huge step back. Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. To start, Christian Gray has been a liability to begin this season, and was again against Texas A&M. Gray's matchup, whether it was Craver or KC Concepcion, was consistently getting the better of him, as he carved up the defense all night. Gray was also responsible for a critical holding call that gave Texas A&M a clean set of downs at the end of the game. Gray may have had an even rougher night if Reed had been able to hit on a couple of deep balls he missed. Gray has always been a bit of a hot-and-cold player for this defense. The only difference is, now, he is not making the important plays to swing games like he did last year. He was not the only player who got picked on, however, as Karson Hobbs was also having a very hard time staying in front of receivers. For Hobbs, it was Craver who was getting the better of him, leading to 207 yards for Craver. Jalen Stroman also gave up a huge play early, which resulted in an 86-yard touchdown by Craver. On the play, Stroman simply did not play the route well and was beaten downfield. To make matters worse for Gray, he also missed a tackle on the big play to Craver when he blindly dove into a tackle. As a unit, they were nowhere near good enough against the Aggies, giving up 360 passing yards to a team with a QB who is most known for his running abilities. Notre Dame Defensive Line To go with bad secondary play, Notre Dame's defense was not much better. In week one, this unit struggled. With two weeks to prepare, it was expected that they would see improvement, especially in the pass rush, but it only seemed to have gotten worse. Against Miami, at least Traore showed promise. In this game, there is not much that they could hang their hat on. Reed dropped back to pass 37 times against the Irish and was not taken down once. Some of this can be attributed to Reed's mobility, but a lot of it should be blamed on the coaching and players. All off-season, excitement for the prospect of Traore, Bryce Young, Josh Burnham, and Jordan Botelho as edge rushers grew. So far, they have been almost non-existent. A group this talented should be able to generate some sort of pass rush. Along with this, the line, as a unit, has shown a general lack of ability to create negative plays. In the game against Texas A&M, Notre Dame only forced two negative plays compared to the Aggies' 10. This could be where the defense's problems start. Without predictable situations and long down and distances, it is very hard for a defense to get off the field. This is Notre Dame's current situation, and for their sake, it needs to be addressed and corrected. Do you agree with our list of winners and losers on the Irish's end of the stick? We'll be providing lots of reflection and analysis this week regarding the loss. 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!

Here's the latest for today's forecast ahead of Notre Dame vs Texas A&M: Notre Dame takes on Texas A&M at Notre Dame Stadium at 7:30 pm EST tonight. There has been notable rain in the South Bend area throughout today. Here is the latest we have on the upcoming weather for tonight's crucial matchup between the two ranked teams. Quick Summary Forecasts have improved and now show virtually no rain during the game window (7 pm - 11 pm ET). Winds are low at 5-6 MPH with gusts up to 13 MPH during the game. Expect temperatures in the upper 60s throughout the game. Hour-by-Hour Summary Hour Temperature Rainfall Winds 7-8 pm 72-70º Little to no 5 ESE 8-9 pm 70-68º None 5 ESE 9-10 pm 70-68º None 6 ESE 10-11 pm 68-66º None 6 ESE 11-12 am 66º None 6 ESE Notes • 7-8 pm rain expected to be in the first 30 minutes (before kickoff) • Wind gusts will range from 9-13 MPH • Sunset will take place at 7:57 pm • Expect mostly clear skies during the game • 5º "feels like" temperature drop expected at sunset   Be sure to follow @theirishtribune on social media for additional weather updates; we will keep you posted if any changes arise ( Facebook  / Instagram  / X   ) 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 @LucciAntonini  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle   here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame football is back at Notre Dame Stadium today. It's been a long two weeks for Irish fans after a disappointing loss to Miami to open the season. Questions have swirled regarding both sides of the ball, from playcalling to personnel choices, all has been asked. Today, the staff at The Irish Tribune gives you their analysis, predictions, and observations in what may be the toughest remaining game for Notre Dame in the regular season. Here's what we got for Notre Dame vs Texas A&M. Let's go! The Analysis Excerpt from Max Uretsky, Analyst at The Irish Tribune: I was a little back and forth on this game because I think some of the strengths of A&M are where I have concerns for Notre Dame, but ultimately, I think the home edge plays a factor, and the Irish make one more play than they do. I would be shocked if Notre Dame didn't feed Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price consistently and get back to what they do best. The offensive line will need to get a much better push in the run game, but they should settle in and find some success by the second quarter. I expect to see Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa or Jaylen Sneed used as a QB spy on Marcel Reed to keep him from doing damage with his legs, and I don't think he is the level of passer that can just stand in the pocket and dice up an Irish secondary that is going to be hungry to prove themselves after some missteps in the Miami game. Max Uretsky's Prediction: 27-24 Notre Dame wins. A deep-dive from Brenden Duffy, Associate Editor, Senior Staff Writer: In what some are describing as a “must-win” for the Irish, I expect Notre Dame to come out with fire and play a physical four quarters. Marcus Freeman’s squad needs to show improvement in nearly every aspect after a weak showing at Miami. My prediction revolves around the Aggies’ defensive lapses this season. Texas A&M’s first two opponents were able to break off some solid runs due to poor tackling. Allowing 22+ points to both UTSA & Utah St has raised questions about Mike Elko’s group. CJ Carr looked poised two weeks ago, and that should carry over to tonight’s home-opener. Jaden Greathouse & possibly Will Pauling could be in for solid performances against struggling slot CBs and a pass defense that has a tendency to leave underneath routes open. I also expect Notre Dame’s pass-blocking to perform better than it did at Miami. However, keep an eye on TAMU’s Cashius Howell, who recorded back-to-back-to-back sacks on the same possession last week. On the ground, the Aggies' defense has allowed 140.5 rushing yards per game. Irish RBs Jeremiyah Love & Jadarian Price should be in line for increased carries after a slow week one. Last season, the duo combined for 135 yards & two touchdowns in the victory at College Station. In some fashion, this is an early “prove-it” game for TAMU QB Marcel Reed. After seeing struggles last year as a passer, Reed has looked very impressive in this department so far this season. However, there is no question that this will be the biggest test of his young season. The Irish defense needs to get pressure on Reed early and often. That may be a challenge against an elite pass-blocking unit on the other side. In coverage, the Irish need to maintain Mario Craver & KC Concepcion, both of whom are capable of beating defenders in a variety of ways. On paper, Texas A&M has one of the best rushing units in the SEC with the dual-threat Reed, RB Le’Veon Moss, & a talented OLine. This aspect of the Aggies' offense has not exactly flashed yet, likely due to the staff wanting Reed to settle as a passer against weaker competition. But I would not be shocked to see them unlock this facet of their offense tonight in a primetime, top-25 matchup. Brenden's Prediction: 27-23 Notre Dame wins. The Predictions & More From Liam Farrell, Associate Editor, Senior Football Writer: Outside of last season, Marcus Freeman-led Irish teams have been accustomed to stacking losses. In this one, Marcel Reed is able to manipulate the Irish defense, but specifically, the linebacking core with his legs. On offense, the Notre Dame offensive line continues to struggle against premier athleticism. The Irish will fall behind early and resort to the air on offense, which will play right into Mike Elko's hand. Elko, after losing back-to-back seasons against the Irish, finally makes his former employer pay by sinking Notre Dame's playoff hopes in the third week of the season. Liam's Prediction: 23-17 Texas A&M stuns the Irish. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle! Some words from Insider Bruce Straughan: Marcus Freeman is a perfect 5-0 in the regular season coming off a bye week, and I fully see him continuing that perfect streak. If there's one thing about Marcus Freeman, it's that he knows how to make changes and game plan during a bye week. Freeman has a knack for preparing his team after a loss or as an underdog. With that being said, I think this game is a close one with Notre Dame pulling away late. Texas A&M is no pushover and would love nothing more than to come into Notre Dame Stadium and play spoiler. Make no ifs, ands, or buts about it, this is a must-win for the Irish if they want to make it to the postseason playoffs. Texas A&M gave up 203 yards rushing against UTSA, so Notre Dame's key to a win here is to run the ball early and often. I expect a big day for both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Bruce's Prediction: 24-20 Notre Dame will win. Hear from Noah Wehby, Writer for The Irish Tribune: This is a must-win for the Irish. With not a whole lot else on the schedule, it is critical that they get their signature win against A&M. Freeman is going to have his guys ready to go, especially in front of an awesome crowd. This game is going to be back and forth all game. A&M has the offensive line, running backs, wide receivers, and QB to hurt Notre Dame's defense, which looked shaky against Miami. With that being said, I do think the Irish defense will look much more in sync than it did two weeks ago. On the other side of the ball, this is going to be Love's night. Against Miami, much was said about his lack of touches. I think A&M is going to get a steady dose of Love, especially because the Aggies struggled to stop the run against A&M.  Love will be the difference for the Irish, but it will be a late 4th quarter drive by CJ Carr that wins the game. Noah's Prediction: 31-24 Notre Dame over A&M. According to Brady Burden, Social Media Assistant at The Irish Tribune: The Irish sit in yet another spot where it's do or die. Win or no playoffs. Obviously, they know that. The Aggie offense has weapons that do damage. Marcel Reed has thrown for several 250+ yard games, with 3 or more touchdowns. With 0 interceptions as well. With all that, I think Notre Dame's defense will be keyed in and ready to go. I see them creating several turnovers and Notre Dame Stadium coming alive. Switching to offense, CJ Carr will play efficiently. They find ways to get the ball to #4 and let him do this job. Irish escape with a close win and keep playoff hopes alive. Brady's Prediction: 42-38 Notre Dame wins close. Finally, from Connor Regan & Clayton Stohler, First & Gold Podcast Co-Hosts: Notre Dame has numerous advantages that make this game a must-win. They’ve had a bye week, are fueled by anger from a close road loss to Miami, and have home-field advantage. Additionally, this is the first Irish home game to feature alcohol sales, which promises an "elevated" atmosphere in South Bend. The Irish will undoubtedly run the ball aggressively, utilizing both Love and Price to establish their running game early. With a quarterback who is no longer a first-time starter, CJ Carr will have a much longer leash than he did in game 1, allowing the Irish to attack on both the ground and through the air more effectively than against Miami. Denbrock and Ash’s coordinating performances will assuredly improve over the Miami game, and they will make adjustments based on what didn’t work in week 1. The Irish defense will likely allow an early touchdown or two, but will then tighten up once they get a feel for A&M's offense and keep them to field goals as the game progresses. Sorry, Mike Elko, but you'll have to try again another time, Irish get the W! Connor's Prediction: 30-20 Notre Dame wins. A Special Thank You Thank you for reading this article and supporting our independent journalism. As a special thanks, here is an exclusive offer of 40% off any of our Tribune+ plans using code BEATAGGIES. This offer is only valid between 9/13/25 and 9/14/25. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the game! Subscribe to Tribune+ here. 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. (Don't forget: Code BEATAGGIES gets you 40% off until Sunday, 9/14) Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @LucciAntonini 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!

Even though No. 8 Notre Dame is entering their second game of the season, a must-win game against No. 16 Texas A&M has Irish players and coaches preaching the urgency of their home opener. Photo by Texas A&M Athletics Even in the newfound College Football Playoff format, an 0-2 start for the preseason No. 6 Irish would feel like a gut-punch to their playoff hopes. While there were seven two-loss teams that made the playoff a season ago, it would take a few things to happen for the Irish to get a postseason bid. With that being said, the importance of their week three matchup against the Aggies is immeasurable. If the Irish can get a home victory over a Top 16 team, there is no doubt that the confidence level for the program and fanbase will be back to its preseason expectations. However, the task in front of them is a daunting one. After Notre Dame's embarrassing loss to NIU last season, the Irish responded with a 66-7 thumping of Purdue, a team that would finish the year 1-11. Texas A&M is undoubtedly more talented than that Boilermaker team from a season ago. One thing will be certain: feed the Irish running backs more. As Marcus Freeman and Mike Denbrock successfully got CJ Carr acquainted with the speed of the college football, the offense can be opened up now. This should mean fewer quick passes behind the line of scrimmage and using the passing game as a downfield complement to a run heavy scheme. Freeman has always quoted Notre Dame of being an offensive and defensive line driven program, so it should make sense for the Irish to go back to their roots and lean on the run game behind an offensive line looking to bounce back from a poor performance against Miami. Here are three key matchups to look out for in Saturday's game under the lights. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Urgency Out of the BYE The biggest thing for Notre Dame in this matchup is can they make the changes necessarily. Can Mike Denbrock play to the strengths of his offense? Can the offensive line return to Joe Moore Award form? Can Chris Ash begin to integrate exotic pressures to heat up the quarterback? These three questions can very well determine the outcome of this game. In terms of Denbrock, the Irish need to get back to their bread and butter: the running back tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Then, through the run-centric identity, have CJ Carr pick apart a loaded box presented against the Irish with downfield shots out of play action sets. In terms of the offensive line, while Miami was still a top tier quality defensive line, Texas A&M is no cake walk either. The Aggies are especially talented through their athletes off the EDGE but have been hurt in the rushing game through their first two games of the season. On the other side of the ball, the Fighting Irish defense needs to do a better job of communicating. Too many times against the Hurricanes were players on different pages and being confused by the coverage calls. Much of this is growing pains and not having Jack Kiser or Xavier Watts on the back end of the defense, but captains Drayk Bowen and Adon Shuler need to have signature bounce back games. Marcel Reed's Improvisation Much of the national media makes note of Marcel Reed's throwing ability, or lack thereof, yet there is no question about Reed's athleticism. While Reed is skilled as a rusher, his improvisation outside the pocket will be one of the biggest X-factors in this game. With a better equipped receiver room, with KC Conception and Mario Craver, Reed's ability to extend plays can now be dangerous through the air. If Notre Dame is to have a QB spy on Reed, the task will either be filled by Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa or Jaylen Sneed; yet a rushing quarterback at the college football level is one of the most dangerous weapons a team could have. Just look at Riley Leonard from a season ago: the backyard football ability to make plays out of nothing with his legs can extend drives and be the difference maker in these close games. Keeping Reed in the pocket and getting pressure to him will be imperative for Ash as he's had two weeks to curate a game plan to contain the talented quarterback. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Can the Fans Be a Factor? The home opener being a night game under the lights following a national championship appearance against a Top 16 SEC program should be enough for Irish fans to bring plenty of noise. While the Miami loss followed by the BYE week has slowly halted momentum, the impact that Notre Dame Stadium can present could be historic. Last season, the first ever College Playoff game at a college campus had Notre Dame Stadium in a frenzy. Now, Irish fans will have to continue the level of pandemonium to create a true home field advantage. Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is extremely familiar with South Bend, as it will be his first time returning to Notre Dame since he was the Irish's defensive coordinator. However, there will be one change since the last time he was in Notre Dame Stadium, it will be the first time that Notre Dame Stadium will allow for the sale of alcohol for a Notre Dame game. While everyone should always drink responsibly, this could lead to Fighting Irish fans being louder than ever. 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 @ LiamFarrell_IT  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!