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After the NIU loss, I wrote an article explaining that Notre Dame needed a mentality change. Now that we are only one week away from Notre Dame playing in the National Championship, the question has to be asked: What exactly has changed? Photo by The Irish Tribune My original assessment of Notre Dame playing down to their opponents was correct, and it had plagued Notre Dame for decades. Looking back at it now, it really feels that the loss to NIU was a blessing in disguise. It was the gut punch that woke this team up and motivated them never to feel that humiliation of losing to an inferior team again. Not only did it wake the team up, but it also made Marcus Freeman a better leader and helped him turn the corner to great success. It lit a fire in Marcus Freeman that Notre Dame fans had been craving for decades. After the NIU game, the Irish went on a tear and destroyed teams in front of them with a no mercy mentality that Irish fans could have once only dreamed of. Marcus Freeman lit a fire under this team, as they are currently on a 14-game winning streak and scoring an average of nearly 40 points a game. He has instilled in them a never give up, next man up, no excuses attitude that has landed this team in the National Championship game. He took full responsibility for the loss, and brought this team together, helping them form a bond like we haven't seen in decades. They play for each other and not for themselves while totally buying into and believing Freeman's system. It is absolutely amazing what Freeman has done to get this team to believe in him and each other after that painful loss. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here One of my gripes for as long as I can remember was the lack of a "hostile environment" from the home crowd at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame fans impressed me when they packed Notre Dame stadium for their first ever home playoff game against Indiana. It was a packed house, and Irish fans made as much noise in that game as I can remember for a very long time. For the first time in a long time, I saw a crowd come together and back this team like the old days when I was a child. It is refreshing to see that stadium rocking, and getting back the true "home field advantage." Another thing I pointed out in my previous article was that Irish fans over the years had been selling their tickets for a money grab, and allowing opposing fans to takeover Notre Dame stadium and neutralize the home field advantage as in years past, the greatest example being the Georgia game a few years ago. This was something that Notre Dame fans did not allow to happen for the Indiana game, and it was exciting to see all the green and very little red. This in part was a huge factor in Notre Dame restoring the "hostile crowd" effect for the opposing team. But my biggest complaint of all was the University not taking it seriously about truly wanting to win another National Championship. This is something that was very evident since Lou Holtz left town back in the 90's. But this all changed when new AD Pete Bevacqua and newly appointed President Rev. Robert Dowd burst onto the scene. They finally opened the checkbook and put the funds behind the program that it needed to be successful. As with anything you buy in life, you get what you pay for. The new administration had no hesitation to pay for what they feel will lead this football program back to it's former glory. This was evident when they recently extended Head Coach Marcus Freeman to a new 4 year deal which is rumored to be worth around $10.7 million per season. Regardless of the contract extension, it's quite obvious that Bevacqua and Rev. Dowd are fully on board to do what it takes to get Notre Dame back to where it once was. They even said this much on several occasions when asked about what they envision for the future of Notre Dame Football. "In closing, everyone associated with Notre Dame, whether it be the fans or the coaching staff, need to be held accountable for these mentioned failures. When the two come together, Notre Dame will win a National Championship again." That quote was my final conclusion for the article I wrote after the NIU game calling for a mentality change at Notre Dame. I truly believed it at the time, and it seems the two have finally come together after many decades, and Irish fans are enjoying the fruits of the two. Marcus Freeman, the administration, and the fanbase made a lot of changes to get to this point and they all deserve a ton of credit. After watching many decades of dysfunction plaguing this program, it's a breath of fresh air and a great joy to watch this all unfold before our eyes. Regardless of the outcome of this game, (obviously everyone wants Notre Dame to win it all) Notre Dame has turned a corner toward getting this program back to it's former glory that Irish fans have been begging for for decades. Not only are they currently playing in a National Championship a week from today, they also finally broke the curse of winning a New Year's game since the 1990's. Doing so by beating Georgia (SEC Champions) and one of the best football programs at the collegiate level this past decade. With all being said, I tip my hat to Marcus Freeman, the administration, and the fanbase as a whole for all they've done to get here. So rejoice Irish fans, and welcome to the new era of Notre Dame Football. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women's Basketball team won another game to continue the nine-game winning streak this Sunday in a win over Clemson, 67-58. The Irish won their ninth game in a row, and sit at 14-2 (5-0 in ACC play). Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Liatu King led the Irish in scoring with 23 points. King shot 10-14 from the field, and brought down eleven rebounds for the Irish to record a double double. Olivia Miles had 17 points, and Maddy Westbeld had 8 points. Miles shot 5-12 from the field. Westbeld shot 3-9 from the field, while providing a much needed spark off the bench. The Irish took an early 10-6 lead at the 4:13 mark in the first quarter. Miles had the hot hand with six early points, and the Irish brought Westbeld off the bench early as she made a layup that was assisted by Miles. At the end of the first quarter mark, The Irish held onto the lead and led 17-11 after multiple solid defensive possessions and a Cassandre Prosper jumper at the buzzer which extended the Irish lead to six. Clemson went on a nice run and Notre Dame’s lead was quickly falling as the Irish led, 21-18, at the 4:53 mark in the second quarter. Notre Dame came out of the official media timeout hot and Sonia Citron swished a three. The Irish continued to gain momentum as they headed into the half with a 30-22 lead over the Tigers. The Irish were playing solid team ball and almost every shot that they made had an assist. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here The Irish and Tigers traded baskets as the Irish held onto a 36-29 at the 6:11 mark in the third quarter. Notre Dame was shooting the ball well as they were taking many solid jumpers that they were able to get open looks on. The Irish continued taking good shots, but the Tigers were able to respond and were not going to go away without a fight. Notre Dame headed into the fourth quarter with a 47-41 lead over Clemson. Clemson would go on to make it a three point game at the 7:24 mark in the fourth quarter until King made a nice jumper which was assisted by Miles. Notre Dame went on to go on a 6-0 run to put the Irish ahead 55-46. The Irish and Tigers traded baskets and the nine point gap maintained. The buzzer sounded and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish had beaten the Clemson Tigers, 67-58. The Irish did not shoot the ball incredibly well today, but they were able to play as a team and make their shots when needed. Notre Dame played solid defense as Clemson shot 33.9% from the field. King and Miles each had double figures for the Irish in the victory. Notre Dame earned a solid road victory to keep the win streak going, and they will look to continue the win streak at home against the No. 13 ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday, January 16 at 6:00 PM EST on the ACC Network. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame's legendary comeback in the Orange Bowl against Penn State was the Fighting Irish's best victory of the season. Here are the key takeaways from Notre Dame's historic semifinal win. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics No. 7 Notre Dame's cathartic 27-24 victory over No. 6 Penn State was the perfect embodiment of the culture Marcus Freeman has created at Notre Dame. "Choose hard" and "Team glory" have been the two mantras that Freeman has preached all year, and especially after the Irish's sole loss of the season to Northern Illinois. In the semifinal game against Penn State, his team certainly had to adopt the two sentiments he had been emphasizing throughout the entirety of the season. Here are the key takeaways from Notre Dame's Orange Bowl victory. Next Man In Notre Dame entered the "Final Four" as the most injured team, and that trend continued in the semifinal. LT Anthonie Knapp left the game with a high ankle injury, and RG Rocco Spindler left the game with an injury, as well. Not to mention Riley Leonard leaving the game late in the second quarter as the Irish were desperately starved for points. The "next man in" mentality worked as backup LT Tosh Baker and RG Charles Jagusah performed admirably, even exceeding the play from the previous starters. Steve Angeli replaced Leonard to run the two-minute drill, as he led the Irish downfield in a drive that resulted in field goal, which cut the deficit to one score before halftime. Somehow and someway, the Irish have been able to overcome all the injuries that their starters have endured throughout this lengthened college football season. Many believed Benjamin Morrison's midseason injury would end Notre Dame's championship hopes, but Leonard Moore has stepped up with All-American-level play. Rylie Mills' injury in the playoff's first round was expected to be one the Fighting Irish's defensive line couldn't overcome. Gabriel Rubio and Donovan Hinish debunked that theory, as well. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Mitch Jeter: Mr. January It's fitting that the biggest question for Notre Dame fans entering the playoff push—Mitch Jeter's recovery from his groin injury and the field goal unit's reliability—has now become one of the team's greatest strengths. I was at the Coliseum when Jeter missed a 27-yard chip shot in the season finale against USC. I also saw Jeter go 0/2 in the week prior on a cold, frigid night in the Bronx. However, since the playoffs began, Jeter has transformed into one of Notre Dame's most trusted weapons. His game-winning 41-yard field goal against Penn State was the biggest example of this, and he will certainly be needed in the national championship game where points will be at a premium. Mike Mickens' Secondary Zero catches. Zero yards. That was the stat line from Penn State's wide receiving unit in the Orange Bowl against the nation's best secondary. Leonard Moore, Jordan Clark, Xavier Watts, Adon Shuler, and Rod Heard were all phenomenal in their coverage against both Penn State's wide receivers and the mega threat that is Tyler Warren. Then, there is Christian Gray, who for the second time this year, saved Notre Dame and single handedly flipped the outcome of the game. First, it was the 98-yard pick six against USC that sunk the Trojans' comeback hopes. This time, the interception with 44 seconds left on a poor decision from Drew Allar was ultimately the difference that propelled the Irish to the national championship game. In a game next week where it will be a strength-on-strength matchup, the Irish's DBs vs Ohio State's WRs, coach Mickens' unit must once again show up to the occasion. Notre Dame's Aerial Attack Most of the chatter after Notre Dame's Sugar Bowl win against Georgia was the Fighting Irish's lack of a passing threat. Riley Leonard finished that game with only 90 passing yards, and Notre Dame's receiving core was extremely disrespected. Entering the Orange Bowl, it was clear offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock wanted to get more done in the air, and they found success through many different targets. Jaden Greathouse became Notre Dame's first 100-yard receiver this season and recorded a career high seven catches for 105 yards. Mitchell Evans also returned to his form from last season and had five catches for 58 yards. Aneyas Williams, the freshman running back for the Fighting Irish, had five catches of his own for 66 yards. Ultimately, Riley Leonard finished the game 223 yards and a passing touchdown. While Leonard did have two interceptions, he showed the capability of finding success throwing downfield. These were the key takeaways from Notre Dame's victory over Penn State that propelled the Fighting Irish into the national championship. It was one of the greatest victories I have seen in my lifetime for the Fighting Irish. They have done the hard part, navigating their way to the national championship game. While they are perceived to be severe underdogs in the matchup against the Buckeyes, anything can happen when the lights are the brightest, and when players are on the biggest stage. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Irish hockey split their weekend series with the ninth-ranked Michigan Wolverines in South Bend. We recap the high-scoring affairs here: Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Michigan entered the weekend 12-7-1 including a sweep of Notre Dame in Ann Arbor in early November. The Wolverines also own notable ranked wins against St. Cloud State, Western Michigan, Ohio State, and a sweep of Boston University.  Notre Dame entered 6-13-1 coming off a series with Penn State which featured a shootout win for the Irish in ‘The Frozen Confines’ at Wrigley Field. Friday Result: (3-5, Loss) Friday night’s high-scoring game featured all eight goals occurring within the first 40 minutes of the contest with four goals each in the first and second periods. Notre Dame took advantage early taking a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes. Irish forward Cole Knuble sniped in his eighth goal of the year  tha nks to the Wolverine goalie losing his stick earlier in the play. Fellow forwards Hunter Strand and Blake Biondi were credited with assists on the game-opening score. Following a Michigan interference penalty, the Irish struck again less than two minutes after Knuble’s g oal. Biondi connected on the power play goal  aft er finding himself wide open in front of the net and beating the opposing goalie. His seventh score of the year was assisted by forwards Justin Janicke and Knuble.  After the Irish took a two-goal lead, the Wolverines flipped the game with five consecutive scores in nearly a 20-minute span.  Just over 12 minutes into the game and with about ten seconds remaining on a Michigan power play, following a hooking call on Biondi, the Wolverines’ Mark Estapa scored his first goal of the season to cut their deficit down to one.  Under four minutes later, Michigan’s Kienan Draper tied the game at 2-2 following his first of a two-goal night. Both offenses were firing on all cylinders as they each tallied 12 shots in the first period, including two goals apiece heading into the second.   Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Just over three minutes into the second period, Michigan’s Philippe Lapointe snuck one past Irish goalie, Nicholas Kempf, after a great assist from Ethan Edwards to give the Wolverines a 3-2 lead. The Michigan onslaught did not end as about five and a half minutes later Draper added his second goal of the night, extending the lead to 4-2. This would end up being all that the Wolverines needed to come out with a victory on Friday. However, they added another goal to make it a 5-2 game about 12 minutes into the period. A great power play set from the Wolverines allowed Edwards to connect on his second score of the year. Irish defenseman Paul Fischer was assessed a slashing penalty, allowing for the Michigan man advantage.  The Irish finally responded with under three minutes remaining in the frame. Defenseman Ax el Kumlin put the moves on a Michigan defender before finishing his fourth goal of the season . Fellow defenseman Ryan Helliwell and Knuble were credited with assists on the goal that made it a 5- 3 game.  Offensively, Michigan dominated the second period, outshooting the Irish 14-6. Kempf was forced to do too much as the Wolverines' offense exhibited their speed and prowess.  In the third period, the Irish played very well, outshooting Michigan 13-7. Notre Dame just could not beat Wolverine goalie, Logan Stein, as they pulled Kempf for a man advantage for nearly four minutes to close the game. Both teams played mistake-free hockey in the final frame, guaranteeing the Wolverines their 5-3 victory.  Key Player Stats: Cole Knuble (ND): 1 goal on 7 shots, 2 assists, +2 Blake Biondi (ND): 1 goal on 5 shots, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot, +1 Kienan Draper (UM): 2 goals on 3 shots, +2 Ethan Edwards (UM): 1 goal on 4 shots, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot, +1 Mark Estapa (UM): 1 goal on 2 shots, 1 assist, 2 blocked shots Key Team Stats: Shots: UM (33) - ND (31) Power Play Success: UM (2-2) - ND (1-1) Faceoffs Won: ND (32) - UM (28)  Saturday Result: (7-4, Win) Saturday night was more of the same with high-scoring action all game, this time with the Irish coming out on top. Notre Dame goaltender Owen Say led the way with 37 saves as the Irish offense outscored the Wolverines in each period thanks to a Justin Janicke five-point night which included a hat trick.    It took a little bit for the offenses to come alive, but it was Michigan’s Evan Werner who struck first, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead about 12 minutes into the game. Werner’s eighth goal of the year was a result of a Notre Dame turnover in their own zone. Notre Dam e’s Janicke responded just over a minute later with a breakaway, shorthanded goal . The forward pu t the moves on Michigan goaltender Cameron Korpi following a Wolverine turnover to tie the game at 1-1. About four and a half minutes following his goal, and under three minutes to play in the perio d, Janicke set up Paul Fischer for his first score of the season  right in front of the net. Forwards Janicke and Danny Nelson were credited with assists on the goal that gave t he Irish a 2-1 lead. They would hold on to this lead for the rest of the period. Owen Say’s 14 saves and the successful penalty kill which included a shorthanded goal were among the highlights of the first twenty minutes. The second period featured an offensive explosion from Notre Dame containing three goals in 32 seconds.  Hu nter Strand got the outburst started  about five and a half minutes into the period when he redirected defenseman Jimmy Jurcev’s shot right in front of the net to give the Irish a 3-1 lead. Jurcev and Blake Biondi were credited with assists on the goal, marking the defenseman’s first collegiate point.  15 seconds l ater, Janicke beat Korpi with a backhander  in front of the net thanks to a great pass from forward Brennan Ali. Ali and defenseman Henry Nelson were credited with assists on Janicke’s second goal of the night. Following this goal which gave the Irish a 4-1 lead, the Wolverines changed goalies from Korpi to Friday night’s winner, Logan Stein. The Irish did not treat Stein kindly from the jump, getting one past the netminder just 17 seconds after entering the contest . Danny Nelson finished a backhander  to exten d the Notre Dame lead to 5-1, and this would end up being the eventual game-winner. Ali and Janicke were credited with assists on Nelson’s first goal after winning gold at the World Juniors for Team USA.  Michigan would respond about nine minutes into the period with two goals in 32 seconds. The Wolverines’ William Whitelaw added a slap shot, power-play goal with Knuble serving a minor roughing penalty to cut their deficit to 5-2. 32 seconds later, Philippe Lapointe snuck one past Say to make it 5-3 over halfway through the contest. All five second-period goals occurred in this nearly four-minute span. During the last ten minutes of the frame, Say played well and Stein appeared to be more comfortable in the net. Both teams were getting testy with five roughing penalties assessed to the two sides in this period.  About eight minutes into the third perio d, Strand added his second goal  of the night to give the Irish a 6-3 lead. Knuble and Biondi were credited with assists on Strand’s sixth goal of the year.  With about eight minutes remaining in the game, Michigan added another power-play goal to make it a 6-4 game. As time expired in the contest, Janicke added another goal to secure his hat trick and a 7-4 victory for Notre Dame. We will see if this ranked victory can carry the 7-14-1 Irish to success at Minnesota next weekend. Key Player Stats: Justin Janicke (ND): 3 goals on 4 shots, 2 assists, 1 blocked shot, +5 Danny Nelson (ND): 1 goal on 4 shots, 2 assists, +6 Paul Fischer (ND): 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot, +1 Owen Say (ND): 37 saves, 4 goals against Key Team Stats: Shots: UM (41) - ND (29) Power Play Success: UM (2-3) - ND (0-1) Penalty Minutes: ND (10) - UM (6) Blocked Shots: ND (14) - UM (7) Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

After being dominated for the entirety of the first half, Notre Dame sustained Penn State's initial blows and walked-off the Nittany Lions for a 27-24 victory in the Orange Bowl. Photo by The Irish Tribune MIAMI-- No. 7 Notre Dame was put into a situation tonight that they hadn't been in all year: they trailed by multiple possessions. For the entirety of the first half, No. 6 Penn State was dominating the Irish on both sides of the ball. The Nittany Lions were winning the line of scrimmage, and were moving the ball with ease, both in the rushing game and aerial attack. After Penn State extended their lead to 10 points on a 15-play, 90-yard drive, Notre Dame had its back against the wall. On top of that, starting quarterback Riley Leonard had to go through concussion protocol and RG Rocco Spindler left the game as well, as the Irish were attempting to go through the two-minute drill. LT Anthonie Knapp had already exited the game with an ankle injury. Through all of the adversity, backup quarterback Steve Angeli came in seamlessly and threw for 44 yards on 6/7 throwing. Angeli's efforts resulted in a Mitch Jeter field goal that put the Irish back within one possession, and gave Notre Dame hope heading into halftime. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Coming back from halftime, Leonard emerged, and the Fighting Irish found a new physical self. After rushing for only 15 yards in the first half, Notre Dame rushed for 43 yards on their first drive after the break, which was capped by Riley Leonard's three-yard score to tie the game at 10-10. After exchanging a few empty series, Notre Dame mustered a 10-play 71-yard score that was emphasized with this ridiculous Jeremiyah Love 2-yard rush (video below). Video via ESPN College Football When it seemed as though Notre Dame took away all of Penn State's momentum, the Nittany Lions answered with a touchdown drive of their own, and then forced Riley Leonard to throw his second interception of the night. After regaining possession, Drew Allar threw into quadruple coverage and Jack Kiser appeared to come down with a game-changing interception, but that was negated with a pass interference call on Adon Shuler, a questionable one at that. Penn State then capitalized with a touchdown of their own and regained the lead in the fourth quarter. After the momentum gut punched they endured, the Irish never blinked. Jaden Greathouse beat his man at the line of scrimmage, broke the safety's ankles, and galloped into the end zone to tie the game on a 53-yard touchdown with 4:38 remaining. Penn State and Notre Dame both punted the ball, and the Nittany Lions had the ball with 38 seconds left. Then Christian Gray, the scapegoat for many of the secondary's problems, came away with another game-defining interception. The Irish took advantage and converted a first down to set up Mitch Jeter with a 41-yard field goal with seven second left. Jeter drilled it. After struggling with a groin injury all year, Jeter truly is a postseason player, much like the one that played shortstop in New York, and drilled the game-winner with confidence. Notre Dame is heading to the national championship. Marcus Freeman rewrote the direction of the season and willed the Fighting Irish to Atlanta. The game wasn't perfect by any stretch, but when Notre Dame had its back against the wall, the Irish never flinched. Through the improbable loss and the next-man up mentality, Notre Dame will be playing for its first national championship since 1988. It was truly an all time classic victory in South Beach. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions meet tonight at the Orange Bowl with a trip to the National Championship on the line. We preview the Nittany Lions’ elite defense here: Photo by The Irish Tribune Penn St enters this game 13-2 on the year, with losses to Ohio State and then Oregon in the Big Ten Championship. Here is how the Nittany Lions have fared this season: at West Virginia (34-12, Win) vs Bowling Green (34-27, Win) vs Kent State (56-0, Win) vs Illinois (21-7, Win) vs UCLA (27-11, Win) at USC (33-30, OT Win) at Wisconsin (28-13, Win) vs Ohio State (13-20, Loss) vs Washington (35-6, Win) at Purdue (49-10, Win) at Minnesota (26-25, Win) vs Maryland (44-7, Win) vs Oregon (Big Ten Championship, 37-45, Loss) vs SMU (CFP First Round, 38-10, Win) vs Boise State (Fiesta Bowl, 31-14, Win) As hinted at above, this defense is elite. The Nittany Lions are allowing 288.8 total yards and 15.8 points per game, both of which are at least the seventh-fewest among all FBS teams.  One reason for this success, specifically their points allowed, is because of how well the defense plays in the red zone. Penn St is currently allowing opponents to score on just 68.4% of their drives inside the 20, the fourth-lowest percentage among all FBS teams. This could be a key to the game as Notre Dame’s offense has struggled, at times, inside the red zone, scoring on just 81.8% of their red zone trips, tied for just the 87th-best percentage in the country. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here The Nittany Lions have been solid against the pass this season, entering the Orange Bowl allowing 187.9 passing yards per game, seventh-fewest in the Big Ten and 27th among all FBS teams. The ball-hawking secondary leads the Big Ten in interceptions (18) which are tied for the fourth-most in the country (with Notre Dame). Additionally, Penn State’s four defensive touchdowns (all pick-sixes) lead the conference and are tied for the fifth-most in the nation. Opposing passers are averaging a 117.32 passing efficiency, the 25th-lowest in the country. Let’s preview the key players in this secondary: The first of two safeties to highlight is senior Jaylen Reed. The versatile defender, who can also play slot corner or linebacker, recorded 77 tackles including six for a loss, four passes defended, two interceptions, and a sack in 26 games played across the past two years. This season, Reed was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team after leading the team in tackles. He has 92 tackles including six for a loss, three passes defended, three interceptions including a pick-six, two and a half sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery this year. The senior has at least three tackles in each game. He has 11 games with at least five tackles, including two games with a season-high of ten (vs Bowling Green and at Minnesota). Reed is an elite pass-rushing safety with 11 pressures on just 37 pass-rush snaps. He is a good run-stopper but struggled last week versus Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, the best back in college football. The senior is a solid tackler with 16 misses, including three last week. Reed has struggled in coverage this season, having allowed 28 receptions for 326 yards and four touchdowns on 34 targets. The other safety to keep an eye on is redshirt junior Zakee Wheatley. Before this season, he recorded 51 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 26 games played across the past two years. This season, Wheatley has totaled 79 tackles, four passes defended, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. He has at least one tackle in each game, including a season-high of ten at Wisconsin. Last week vs Boise St, the junior had an interception and fumble recovery. He is another good run-stopping safety. In coverage, he has been solid, allowing 16 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns on 28 targets. Wheatley is a bad tackler with 19 misses this year including nine in the past three games. At the cornerback position, Penn St is loaded with talented depth including six players who could impact the Orange Bowl’s outcome starting with sophomore A.J. Harris. He is a Georgia transfer who had eight tackles in seven games played last season in Athens. This season, Harris was selected to the All-Big Ten Third Team after compiling 45 tackles including four for a loss, four passes defended, and an interception. He has at least one tackle in 13 games and ten games with three or more including a season-high of seven versus Oregon in the conference championship. Harris has been great in coverage this year, having allowed 25 receptions for 249 yards and a touchdown on 43 targets. He has been solid against the run, and as a tackler with eight misses this season including two in each of the past two games.  Another solid corner is redshirt senior Jalen Kimber, a former Georgia and Florida transfer. Last season at Florida, he recorded 23 tackles, five passes defended, and a fumble recovery in 12 games played. This season, Kimber has 35 tackles and two passes defended. He has at least one tackle in 13 games including a season-high of six (vs Oregon and Boise St). The senior is a great tackler with just one miss this year. In addition, he has been good against the run. Kimber has struggled in coverage this season, having allowed 22 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets. Redshirt sophomore and former Mississippi State transfer Audavion Collins is a third wide corner to keep an eye on this week. He has 25 tackles, a pass defended, a sack, and an interception in 12 games played this season, including at least one tackle in ten games. Collins’s best game of the year occurred versus Washington when he had five tackles and a sack. The sophomore is another great tackler with just one miss this season. Also, he has been good against the run and is solid in coverage, having allowed 12 receptions for 158 yards on 21 targets. The last true wide corner to highlight is sophomore Elliot Washington II. This season, he has recorded 23 tackles, six passes defended, and an interception in 13 games played. He has at least one tackle in ten games, and his best game of the season occurred at Wisconsin when he had five tackles and a pass defended. Washington has been great against the run and as a tackler with just one miss this year. He has also been good in coverage, having allowed 13 receptions for 157 yards on 29 targets. The next two cornerbacks are primarily slot corners, starting with sophomore Zion Tracy. He has 33 tackles, two interceptions including a pick-six, and a sack this season. The sophomore has at least one tackle in 14 games, including a season-high of give versus Washington. Tracy’s 31-yard pick-six versus Ohio St  was th e Nittany Lions’ lone touchdown of the game. In addition, he picked up his second interception of the year last week versus Boise St. Throughout the year, Tracy has been solid against the run and in coverage, having allowed 23 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown on 37 targets. The sophomore has struggled with tackling, with 13 misses on the year including six in the past three games. The final secondary player to highlight is fellow slot corner, junior Cam Miller. Last season, he had 24 tackles including four for a loss, three sacks, three passes defended, and an interception in 13 games played. His three sacks ranked second among all FBS cornerbacks. This year, the junior has recorded 26 tackles including four for a loss, four passes defended, and a sack. He has at least one tackle in 12 games, including a season-high of five versus Bowling Green. Miller excels against the run and is a good tackler with four misses on the year. He has also been solid in coverage, having allowed 28 receptions for 286 yards and a touchdown on 44 targets. Where Penn St prides themselves the most is against the run with a great rushing defense. They enter the Orange Bowl allowing 100.9 yards per game on the ground, the eight-fewest in the country. For what it is worth, Notre Dame rushed for 193 yards versus Indiana, the top-ranked rush defense in the country who held opponents to under 81 rush yards per game this season. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in tackles for loss per game (7.4), which is the ninth-most among all FBS teams. We preview the key players in this front seven: What Indiana does not have is a defensive end named Abdul Carter. The junior, right-side edge rusher is a sure-fire top-ten pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Carter entered this season with 104 tackles including 17 for a loss, 11 sacks, nine passes defended, three forced fumbles, and an interception in 26 games played the past two years. Additionally, he was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten in ‘22 and the First Team in ‘23. This year, Carter was named, again, to the First Team All-Big Ten in addition to being a Consensus All-American. He was also awarded Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as he has 63 tackles including 22 for a loss, 11 sacks, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles on the season. Carter’s 1.4 tackles for loss per game leads the conference and is fifth-most among all FBS defenders. Also, his 0.73 sacks per game ranks 15th in the country. The junior has at least one tackle in 14 games including 13 games with three or more. His best game of the season occurred versus Illinois when he tallied seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defended. Carter has had four multi-sack outings this year. Last week, he played 18 snaps before exiting with an apparent shoulder injury. He is currently listed as a game-time decision for the Orange Bowl but expect him to suit up even if he is not at 100%. The elite pass rusher has 58 pressures on 322 pass rush snaps this year. He has been great in coverage, when needed, and is good against the run. Carter is an average tackler with ten misses this season. If anyone on the Penn St defense is going to wreck this game, it has to be Carter even if he is not completely healthy. Notre Dame’s offensive line has been tested the past couple of weeks and that does not stop in Miami. On the other side, Penn St features junior left-side edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. He entered this season with 43 tackles including ten for a loss, six and a half sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception in 26 games played across the past two years. This season, Dennis-Sutton has recorded 36 tackles including 11 for a loss, six and a half sacks, three passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The junior has at least one tackle in 13 games including a season-high of six at USC and then versus Boise St. He has combined for ten tackles and two and a half sacks in the past two games, noticeably getting hot at the right time. Dennis-Sutton has been good against the run and as a pass rusher this season with 41 pressures on 296 pass rush snaps. However, he is a bad tackler with eight misses this season including four last week and two in the Big Ten Championship.  The first of three interior linebackers to highlight is redshirt junior Kobe King. He entered this season with 100 tackles including ten for a loss, three passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and one and a half sacks in 26 games played over the last two years. This season, King earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors as he recorded 88 tackles including nine for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble. He has at least one tackle in each game, including ten games with five or more. The junior had a season-high of ten tackles versus Oregon in the conference championship. He enters the Orange Bowl with eight tackles in each of the past two games in addition to a forced fumble versus Boise St. King is an elite run-stopper and good tackler with 12 misses on the year including three last week. He has been good in coverage, having allowed 22 receptions for 283 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets. The all-conference linebacker is also a good pass rusher with 16 pressures on just 61 pass rush snaps. Another interior linebacker is sophomore Tony Rojas. Last season, he had 22 tackles including four for a loss, a forced fumble, and an interception in 13 games played. This year, Rojas has recorded 56 tackles including six for a loss, four passes defended, three interceptions including a pick-six, and a sack. He has at least two tackles in 13 games, including a season-high of eight versus UCL A. The sophomore’s pick-six  oc curred versus SMU in the first round of the CFP. Rojas has lots of potential and is already elite in coverage, having allowed 25 receptions for 195 yards and a touchdown on 37 targets this year. He is also a good pass rusher with 13 pressures on 45 pass-rush snaps. Throughout the year, the young backer has struggled against the run, but ironically, did well last week versus Jeanty. He also struggles with tackling as he has 18 misses on the season. The third interior linebacker to watch for is redshirt junior Dominic DeLuca. He entered this season with 58 tackles including seven for a loss, four passes defended, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions including a pick-six in 26 games played across the last two years. This season, DeLuca has recorded 38 tackles including four for a loss and three interceptions including a pick-six in 14 games played, including at least one tackle in 12 games. He suffered an injury in the second half of the Kent St contest and missed the following game versus Illinois. The junior’s best performance of the year occurred versus SMU when he had five tackles, two interceptions includin g a 23-yard pick-six , a nd half of a sack. DeLuca has been great as a pass rusher when needed, totaling eight pressures on just 28 pass rush snaps, and he has been good against the run. He has struggled in coverage, having allowed 16 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown on 20 targets. Also, he struggles with tackling, as he has 11 misses on the year. Up front, Penn St features three solid defensive tackles starting with junior Zane Durant. Last season, he had 17 tackles including six for a loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery in 13 games played. This year, Durant has recorded 39 tackles including ten for a loss and three sacks. He has at least one tackle in 14 games including a season-high of five versus Ohio St and then at Minnesota. The junior tackle has been good against the run and as a pass rusher this year with 27 pressures on 337 pass rush snaps. Durant has struggled with 12 missed tackles including four across the past three games. The second tackle to highlight is redshirt senior Dvon J-Thomas. He entered this season with 56 tackles including nine for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 39 games played across the last three years. This season, the senior has 34 tackles including four for a loss. He has at least one tackle in 13 games including a season-high of five and half of a sack versus Oregon in the Big Ten Championship. J-Thomas excels against the run and is also a good pass rusher with 11 pressures on 238 pass rush snaps. Like Durant, he has struggled with nine missed tackles this year including five in the past two games. The final player to highlight on this Nittany Lions defense is senior tackle, Coziah Izzard. He entered this season with 47 tackles including 11 for a loss, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles in 33 games played across the last three years. The senior has been good against the run and is a solid tackler with just two misses on the year. Izzard has struggled as a pass rusher with seven pressures on 172 pass rush snaps. With a date to the National Championship on the line, these two teams will be going to war tonight in the Orange Bowl. It should be a great game, featuring two battle-tested squads who both think they can win this game. Who comes out on top? We find out tonight in Miami. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame is only one win away from a trip to the National Championship—something they haven't accomplished in over a decade and haven't won in over forty years. Art by The Irish Tribune Liam Farrell - Associate Editor, Senior Football Writer Score Prediciton: 27-10 Notre Dame The Notre Dame pass rush gets to Drew Allar early and rattles the Penn State quarterback. In a game where Notre Dame must take control early, the Irish defense forces an early turnover and turns it into points. The Notre Dame rushing attack is far more explosive than it was against Georgia and Jadarian Price breaks a run similar to his touchdown scamper against Texas A&M. On the other hand, the Penn State offensive line struggles to move the ND front and Singleton and Allen can’t find perimeter rushing gaps. It will be close throughout before Notre Dame pulls away with the game in the late third quarter. My bold prediction for this game is that Kris Mitchell will have Notre Dame’s longest-receiving touchdown catch of the season. Clayton Stohler - First & Gold Podcast Co-Host Score Prediction: 27-10 Notre Dame Outclassed from start to finish. Penn State is a good team with an elite coordinator duo. It has individual talent in Edwards, Singleton, Allar, and Warren that command respect on offense. Abdul Carter is a freak of nature. But ultimately, it won’t be enough because Penn State lacks something ND doesn’t. Killer instinct. It will be on full display as ND plays cleaner than they did in the first 2 games of the playoffs. Namely on offense. The o-line wakes up, Jadarian Price and Mitch Evans with the strongest showings in their respective seasons. It’s an all-out whooping with zero mercy on the menu. ND punches their ticket to the title game in emphatic fashion. Use code " IrishTribune20 " to get $20  off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Brady Burden - Social Media Intern Score Prediction: 35-24 Notre Dame The Irish continue to assert their dominance on the defensive side of the ball, forcing multiple turnovers that result in scores for the Notre Dame offense. Despite the injuries, Freeman has the guys ready to go for another big-time matchup, walk away as Orange Bowl champs, and head to the National Championship. Noah Wehby - Writer Score Prediction: 24-21 Notre Dame In a way, this game may be more difficult than the one against Georgia. Notre Dame’s offense will need to be more efficient than the one that was on the field in the Sugar Bowl because of Penn State’s ability to put up points. Neither Love nor Price broke a big run against Georgia, so Notre Dame seems due for an explosive run. Defensively, it will all be about stopping the Penn State ground game that has caused so many problems for other teams. Notre Dame will be up to the task with their physical and stout front. Overall, the game will be decided by the turnover margin which Notre Dame will win with an interception or two. Peter Mulroy - Associate Editor, First & Gold Podcast Host Score Prediction: 28-17 Notre Dame   On a night where both teams’ emotions will be running as high as they have in quite some time, expect this game to be another good one.   Two top-flight defenses who possess strong leadership at the QB position and incredibly gifted running games will make for great entertainment, but in the end, it’s my belief that Marcus Freeman’s unit -- guided by the support of coordinators Al Golden and Mike Denbrock -- will lead the Irish to their first national title berth since 2012.   Despite Jeremiyah Love being banged up -- like everyone else this time of year -- look for the electrifying sophomore to pace the ND backfield alongside running mate Jadarian Price, while Riley Leonard continues to make plays, particularly as it relates to extending drives with his legs. Defensively, following a brilliant performance against Georgia, the Irish will keep the physicality high as they look to stop Penn State back Nick Singleton in a similar fashion to the way they shut down UGA’s ground attack last week in New Orleans.   As mentioned earlier, no one comes into this game 100% healthy, and while the Nittany Lions might be a bit “healthier” on the first line, the Irish are deeper. Even though Cooper Flanigan is gone for the remainder of the season, Love and Howard Cross III are good to go for this one, and that’s huge. The Irish have supported their injured at a high level all season. They’ll do it again tonight.   Simply put: Notre Dame will be too much in a battle between two historic programs. Brenden Duffy - Associate Editor, Senior Staff Writer Score Prediction: 24-21 Notre Dame Run the damn ball. This will be the key for both teams. Given their success against IU and UGA, it is hard to imagine the Irish run game will be stopped tonight. The key on defense for ND will be putting pressure on Allar. Like most QBs, this is when he is at his worst. The Irish will likely need one or two Allar mistakes to win this game and I expect that to occur. Connor Regan - Long-Form Writer Score Prediction: 27-23 Notre Dame Both teams boast elite defensive units, but unlike the Georgia game, both offenses will find it easier to score points. This time, Love and Price will shine and deliver a more balanced offensive performance than against Georgia. This will be Notre Dame’s most complete offensive display in the playoffs so far. Expect a signature Price breakaway score and a couple of passing touchdowns by Leonard. Notre Dame’s defense will find a way to disrupt Allar and shut down Tyler Warren, forcing Penn State’s offense to rely on the ground game. Ultimately, the Nittany Lions won’t have enough firepower to overcome the Irish. They’ll settle for a few field goals on stalled drives early on and won’t be able to mount a significant comeback through the air. This game will be even closer than Notre Dame-Georgia, but the Irish will manage to stay just out of Penn State’s reach the entire game, culminating in a narrow victory. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame punch their ticket to the 2025 National Championship game. Max Uretsky - Analyst Score Prediction: 24-17 Notre Dame The Irish are playing with a different kind of fire right now and I think that continues this week. I was not overly impressed with the Penn State victory over Boise State. They benefited from two fumbles, three interceptions, and two missed field goals and still didn't really pull away until late in the game. Notre Dame will not do them those same favors. Both teams will look to lean on their run game against talented fronts but the Sugar Bowl proved ND knows how to find ways to pick up yards when necessary even when the rushing attack isn't picking up the huge yardage they are accustomed to. The ability to get consistent pressure on PSU quarterback Drew Allar will force him into some bad throws that ND will take advantage of and use to flip the field. Mitch Jeter continues his hot kicking streak with a couple of late second-half field goals that seal the game and send Notre Dame to the National Championship! Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

One of the biggest stories surrounding Notre Dame all year has been the injuries this team has continued to fight through. It started before the season began, and has continued throughout the season all the way to the playoffs, where Notre Dame's depth has truly shined. Photo by The Irish Tribune The first injury of many to come happened in fall camp, when Charles Jagusah tore his right pec. This injury left a hole in the most important spot on any offensive line; the left tackle. The offensive line coming into the season was already young and inexperienced, but with the injury, they would turn to a true freshman, Anthonie Knapp, to fill in. Knapp's season has been a little up and down, but he has been able to step up and provide quality play for this Notre Dame offense. His play this season even awarded him a spot on the Freshman All-American team. Knapp came to Notre Dame as a three-star tackle who seemed destined to wait his turn behind Jagusah, but ever since he was thrust into this new role, he has been a solid piece for an offense that ranked third in the country in points per game. As the offensive line finished their stint of injuries, it marked the beginning of a long list of injuries the defense had to sustain all year. In the game against Purdue, senior edge rusher Jordan Botelho also suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Botelho was set to be a big part of what the defense wanted to do this year, but that was unfortunately cut short. His injury meant that redshirt freshman Boubacar Traore and junior Junior Tuihalamaka were set to receive more snaps. Traore was off to a hot start to start the season with three sacks and a pick-six. Tuihalamaka was relatively quiet all year, except for an interception at the goal line against Miami (OH) - until Notre Dame faced off against Georgia in the biggest game of the year. In that game, Tuihalamaka was a force, resulting in a sack and a fumble recovery, which set Notre Dame up for their only offensive touchdown of the game. It was one of many plays made in big moments this season by depth players. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Soon after Botelho went down for the year, Notre Dame's VYPER position was hit again when Traore suffered his own misfortune with yet another ACL tear. With Botelho and Traore both out, defensive coordinator Al Golden looked to true freshman Bryce Young to take his place. Young has been most effective on special teams, where he has been a game-wrecker all year with three blocked punts. His first solo sack came in one of the biggest games all year against Indiana. His talent and athleticism even caught the eye of Georgia Head Coach, Kirby Smart, who marveled at his impressive length and athleticism. A short time after this, Notre Dame's defense would see their most detrimental loss, Benjamin Morrison. Morrison, a junior, had been starting at cornerback ever since his freshman year. In those three years, he made a name for himself for being one of the best corners in the country and a projected first-round pick. Not only did Notre Dame lose a multiple-time All-American, but they also lost a team captain. In his place, true freshman Leonard Moore stepped up. Moore, only a three-star coming out of high school, was not meant to see significant playing time, but Morrison's injury and Jaden Mickey's departure changed all of that. Since then, Moore has been asked to play every down, sometimes against the other team's best weapon. Moore has thrived in his role, constantly posting impressive PFF grades and even making it on the Freshman All-American team. With the hit to the secondary's depth, Rod Heard II and Jordan Clark have also been huge contributors to a unit that has been consistently one of the best in the country. Another impactful injury happened just a few weeks ago against Indiana in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Notre Dame lost another team captain, Rylie Mills. Mills has been a star over the past couple of years as a defensive tackle. Mills had a dominant 2024 season with 37 tackles and 7.5 sacks along the interior. Mills' injury couldn't have come at a worse time in the season. Following the Indiana win, Notre Dame was set to take on the SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia has always imposed a tough, physical brand of football, a style well-suited for Mills. Instead, Notre Dame's defense would have to rely on Donovan Hinish and Gabriel Rubio. Together, with the help of the rest of the defense, they only allowed 66 rushing yards the entire game. As a perfect summary of the importance of depth on this team, Hinish made the game-sealing sack to secure their win versus Georgia. Overall, this team has seen numerous other injuries throughout the season that have left players out for weeks at a time. Whether that be Jordan Faison, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Billy Schrauth, or others. As the injuries kept piling up, this team continued to adapt and keep moving forward, a true testament to the coaching and the culture that Freeman has built. The further this team continues to go, the harder these injuries will hit, but this has also given the other players a chance to step up and perform at a high level - something they haven't shied away from. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

It may be Miami, but the 2025 Orange Bowl will host a Snow Bowl reunion between the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Photo by The Irish Tribune Although the series dates back to 1913, this is only their 20th meeting and their second matchup in the postseason. They faced off four times between 1913 and 1928 before taking a nearly 50-year hiatus. That break ended when Dan Devine and the Fighting Irish beat Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions 20-9. Following that postseason game, the programs signed a 12-year home-and-home agreement that began in 1981. During this stretch, 5/12 games were decided by a single score, and the series was cemented as a modern rivalry that the broader college football audience grew to anticipate. While several excellent games were played, one stands out above the rest. It was a below-freezing November day in South Bend, with light flurries coming down and a full-on storm threatening. The Irish limped into the game, with QB Rick Mirer sick with a stomach bug and Jerome Bettis with a tweaked ankle. Penn State struck first, rushing for a TD, but had their extra point blocked, earning them only 6 points for their efforts. The Irish offense struggled to get the ball in the end zone, settling for 3 points each quarter and turning the ball over twice. PSU’s QB Kerry Collins put the Nittany Lions up 16-9 with 4:25 left in the 4th. A 4th FG wouldn’t help the struggling Irish offense, and a touchdown would only tie the score at 16: the Irish would need to score their first touchdown of the day and follow it with a 2-point conversion to win. After a 4-minute 61-yard drive, the Irish sat on the Penn State 3-yard line. It all came down to this - on 4th down with only 25 seconds left, down 7, Rick Mirer tossed a floater over just over the line to Bettis for a touchdown, bringing the Irish within 1. Penn State knew what was coming, and Holtz lined his offense up for a 2-point conversion. As Mirer dropped back, his pocket began collapsing under the pressure, forcing him to scramble outside. While being chased by two defenders, nothing appeared open, yet he tossed a prayer off his back foot, holding the game’s fate in his hands. The ball sailed to the back corner of an empty end zone, only to be met at the last second by a diving Reggie Brooks, who reeled it in to put the Irish up 17-16 and steal the game. The miraculous come-from-behind win would go down in Notre Dame history and be dubbed the “Snow Bowl.” After more than a decade of yearly clashes, the series took another hiatus that lasted until 2006, when a 2-game home-and-home agreement was scheduled. The Irish stole the 2006 game at Beaver Stadium, 41-17, before the Nittany Lions won 31-10 at Notre Dame Stadium in 2007. Since then, the two haven't met in either the regular season or postseason and the series sits deadlocked with a 9-9-1 tie. The winner of this matchup has a chance to take the series lead and move one step closer to the ultimate goal - a National Championship. Both teams have fielded similar criticism over the last 20 years: "Oh, they never play anybody," "They haven't won a Title since the '80s," "They're not a powerhouse anymore" but here we stand - with both Notre Dame and Penn State on the precipice of greatness, one win away from a shot to restore their program to its former glory and silence the doubters. Which team wins the "Miami Snow Bowl," and which falls short of the big dance? Let's take a look. H ere’s everything you need to know ahead of Thursday's game. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Penn State James Franklin began his head coaching career at Vanderbilt, where he went (24-15) over three seasons before taking the Penn State job in 2014. After back-to-back (7-6) seasons, Franklin and the Nittany Lions broke through in 2016 with an impressive 11-3 record and a trip to the Rose Bowl. For the next 3 years, Franklin led PSU to (11-2), (9-4), and (11-2) seasons, winning two of three major bowl appearances. The team's success took a hit in 2020 and 2021, going (4-5) and (7-6), respectively, before rebounding. After an (11-2) record and a win in the Rose Bowl, the 2022 Nittany Lions finished at No. 7 in end-of-season polls, tying Franklin's highest final ranking at Penn State so far. 2023 wasn't quite as successful, but PSU finished (10-3) and a Peach Bowl appearance. Franklin began the 2024 season with a combined (88-39) record over 10 seasons in College Park. Penn State kicked off the 2024 season with a solid road win over West Virginia, but responded the following week with a less-than-impressive home opener, scraping by Bowling Green 34-27. After a BYE week, the Lions responded with an expected yet confident 56-0 win over the MAC's Kent State. They went on to beat No. 19 Illinois and UCLA by two scores each before facing Lincoln Riley and unranked USC. This was the first true scare of the year, but Penn State snuck away with a (33-30) OT road win despite ranking No. 4. After beating Wisconsin on the road, No. 3 Penn State welcomed notorious rival No. 4 Ohio State to Beaver Stadium. It was a tightly contested game. It was a close, defensive battle, with only three total touchdowns scored and only field goals exchanged in the 2nd half. Ultimately, the Buckeyes were able to stifle any Nittany Lion comeback and took the game 20-13. It was Penn State's first loss of the season, but it showed how competitive they could be against an elite opponent despite their close calls against unranked teams. PSU rallied with big wins over Washington and Purdue before hitting the road for Minnesota. Once again, the No. 4 Lions struggled against an unranked opponent and narrowly avoided the upset, 26-25. By this point, Penn State was 10-1, but lost their premiere matchup with OSU and nearly lost three one-score games against unranked opponents. Their 44-7 win over a mediocre Maryland team the following week did little to quiet critics who thought the Nittany Lions were overrated, but the following week provided an opportunity. Finishing the regular season with 4 straight wins earned PSU a BIG 10 Title game against then No. 1 Oregon. Despite a 13-point 4th quarter, the Ducks were able to outlast Penn State and secure the Title and an undefeated season. The loss was disappointing, but inspired far more confidence in Franklin's team with an impressive offensive performance, exceeding their showing against OSU. They ended the year (11-2), the first team of Franklin's tenure to record 11 wins in the regular season, and earned the 6th seed in the bracket, just above 7th seed Notre Dame. They drew ACC runner-up SMU in round 1 of the playoff and easily dispatched them 38-10, thanks to an overwhelming defensive performance. They racked up 3 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for defensive touchdowns, along with nearly 200 yards on the ground between Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Penn State then went on the road to face Mountain West Champion Boise State in the quarter-finals. Like the SMU matchup, the talent difference was palpable. The Nittany Lions stifled Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos offense, holding him to 3.5 YPC and 0 touchdowns while stealing 3 interceptions and a fumble. Penn State's offense leaned on their ground game once again, with RB Kaytron Allen going for 137 yards and QB Drew Allar tossing 3 touchdowns. Penn State Injury Report OT - Anthony Donkoh - Knee - Out DE - Abdul Carter - Arm - Gametime Decision DE - Dani Dennis-Sutton - Questionable CB - AJ Harris - Questionable S - KJ Winston - Questionable RB - Cam Wallace - Lower Body - Questionable Prior to the start of the playoff, James Franklin was still fielding criticism for failing to win "the big game" or get his squad deep into the postseason. However, his team's performance against SMU and Boise State seemed to quiet those critics. Penn State's defense has led them to victory countless times, and when they haven't been able to keep opponents from scoring, the Nittany Lions offense has stepped up to keep them competitive. Now, he faces arguably the biggest game of his career, and a win would surely earn him a level of appreciation in College Park not seen since Paterno. Is this version of James Franklin's Nittany Lions legit? Or are they only a slightly improved version of what we've come to expect from Penn State? If their postseason performance has afforded them anything, it's the confidence that they belong here and have a genuine shot at winning this game. Notre Dame Marcus Freeman's Fighting Irish are coming off arguably the biggest win in modern Notre Dame history - a 23-10 battle with the SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs. It was a defensive battle from the start. Notre Dame's defense forced a fumble to stop a deep Georgia drive into Irish territory, and neither team scored in the first quarter. After giving up a huge chunk pass down the sideline, the Irish defense held Georgia to a field goal for the game's first points. The Irish answered with two field goals to take a narrow 6-3 lead with less than a minute left in the half. That's when things changed. Instead of taking the conservative route and kneeling the ball, Kirby Smart elected to send his offense back out onto the field to try and score. First-time starter Gunner Stockton had been throwing the ball well, and the Bulldogs hoped to at least tie things up before giving the Irish the ball to start the 3rd quarter. On the first play of Georgia's drive, Stockton dropped back to throw but was blindsided by Notre Dame's RJ Oben, who chopped the ball out of his hands and onto the ground. The Irish recovered and immediately struck with a passing touchdown from Riley Leonard to Beaux Collins, stunning the Bulldogs and taking a 13-3 lead going into halftime. On the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, Notre Dame's Jayden Harrison fielded the ball at the 2-yard line and began slowly cutting his way through Georgia's return team before breaking a tackle and finding a seam, bursting into the open and down the sideline. He ran 98 yards to the house, putting the Irish up 20-3 while driving a dagger into Georgia. In just 54 seconds, the Irish scored 17 points, extending a 6-3 lead to 20-3. Georgia finally scored a touchdown with about 9 minutes left in the 3rd, but the Irish added another field goal after forcing a turnover on downs on the 9-yard line. The final backbreaker was a 4th & 1 on Notre Dame's own 19, where the Irish executed an 11-man personnel change, swapping the entire special teams unit with the offense before baiting the Bulldogs to jump offsides. The Irish proceeded to bleed the clock with multiple 3rd-down conversions until giving the ball back to Georgia. The Irish sealed the win with another turnover on downs, sacking Gunner Stockton at Georgia's 17. Once again, the Irish beat an elite opponent in a dominant fashion while not even playing their best ball. Notre Dame's offense collected fewer total yards than Georgia while only throwing for 90 yards and 1 touchdown. They didn't score a single rushing touchdown between Leonard, Price, and Love and relied heavily on Mitch Jeter's 3/3 mark on field goals and a special teams touchdown. Notre Dame Injury Report DT - Rylie Mills - Knee - Out TE - Cooper Flanagan - Achilles - Out WR - KK Smith - Collarbone - Questionable LB - Bodie Kahoun - Leg -  Questionable RB - Jeremiyah Love - Knee - Available LB - Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa - Knee - Available OL - Charles Jagusah - Pec - Available RG - Rocco Spindler - Ankle - Available It wasn't pretty and wasn't a blowout, but the Irish proved they can find a way to win against any caliber of team and can do so in various ways. Their defense proved it could absorb big chunk plays and a massive offensive line while still preventing scores and forcing turnovers. The offense proved it doesn't even need to throw the ball if its running backs aren't producing; it can just run with Leonard and beat you on special teams. While the UGA game was the biggest win of Freeman's career, a win against Penn State and a trip to the National Title would be the biggest achievement since at least 2012. A win would further Notre Dame's argument that they are indeed "back." The Matchup Oddsmakers see the Orange Bowl much like the Sugar Bowl: Low scoring and close. The line opened in favor of Notre Dame (-1.0) and hit a high of (-2.0) before settling at (-1.5). It should be close, even if the line moves again before game time. Oddsmakers predict yet another defensive battle with run-led offenses shedding clock. At 44.5, the implied score prediction is around 23-21. The points total should be more accurate this time around. Penn State has a significantly more prolific offense than Georgia and should have an easier time getting points on the board. On the other side, Penn State’s defense isn’t quite as elite as Georgia’s, so points should come slightly easier for the Irish. The Sugar Bowl was projected to be a razor-thin matchup but ended with a 13-point 23-10 win, despite hitting the under in points at 33. The Orange Bowl is unlikely to be so one-sided, and whichever way it goes, the score should be closer.  Notre Dame’s Defense vs Penn State’s Offense Penn State’s offense is essentially a better version of Georgia’s Carson Beck-led team. New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has proven he’s an effective and creative play caller by carving out multiple avenues for scoring. The Nittany Lions have two 1,000+ yard running backs, a 1,000+ yard tight end, and a 3,000+ yard passer. Needless to say, they’re balanced, and they can do it either way. Running backs Kaytron Allen and Nic Singleton are both highly effective runners who mirror Notre Dame’s tandem of Love and Price. Together, they’ve recorded 24 touchdowns, 7 of which have come from Allar through the air, proving how vital they are in both the run and pass game.   Allar is the best QB the Irish defense has faced all year, even better than Indiana’s Curtis Rourke. His only flaw is a lack of mobility, but he’s still managed 6 rushing touchdowns on the year. With that said, he’s no Riley Leonard in the backfield. Allar had only been sacked 11 times through the first 13 games but has been taken down a whopping 7 times between SMU and Boise State. If the Irish can pressure Allar, they’re likely to take him down, but it’s imperative they find a way to contain PSU’s running backs. Notre Dame’s beaten-up defensive line managed 4 sacks of their own against an elite Georgia front-5 and will need to do the same to beat this Penn State offense. Penn State’s Offense - Players to Watch While Allar is an excellent passer, Penn State’s wide receivers are average at best. The Nittany Lions are last in the Power-4 for WR targets with 35%, even lower than Georgia’s more talented but heavily criticized wide receivers group.  What Penn State’s receiving core does have is an elite secret weapon - Tyler Warren. Warren has been Allar’s primary target all year, and that likely won’t stop against Notre Dame. If the receivers and backs aren’t getting separation, Tyler Warren will hit you big. For most teams, containing - or failing to contain Warren has been the key. He’s recorded a team-leading 8 touchdowns and 1,158 yards through the air, with a  surprising 196 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. When they need to, PSU will bring Warren in as a RB/FB to punch the ball in or over the line, and to surprising effect. One of Notre Dame’s primary concerns will be finding a way to stop or limit Warren. Doing so will effectively shut down the majority of the passing game’s effectiveness and force the Nittany Lions to either run or get creative. Shutting Warren down isn’t mandatory for the Irish defense to win this battle, but it's the quickest way to dictate Penn State’s offense.  Additionally, the Irish are a ridiculous +18 in the turnover margin, and continuing to force turnovers will be very telling. The only game Notre Dame has not won the turnover battle in was their only loss, NIU. This matchup could go either way, but the winner of this head-to-head will likely win the game. Notre Dame’s defense has been the numbers and sustained, consistent performance to get the edge here. Advantage: Soft Notre Dame Notre Dame’s Offense vs Penn State’s Defense Notre Dame’s offense may not have looked statistically impressive, but they’ve shown time and time again that they can play whatever kind of game is needed to get a win.  We’ve seen Leonard toss more than 200 yards and 3 touchdowns twice this year, but can he do that against an objectively better defense like Penn State? We know he can win a game with 90 through the air and 80 on the ground, but we haven’t seen him go over 250 yards once this year. That's not to say Leonard can’t do it, we just haven’t seen him be forced to throw with the game on the line since NIU. Truth is, that Riley Leonard sure looked a lot different than Sugar Bowl MVP Riley Leonard. Penn State’s Defense - Players to Watch One of the biggest tells for this game will be what the Irish get out of their running attack. We know they can do it with just their QB alone, but can they get away with that again? Love and Price combined for a season-low of just 56 yards and 0 touchdowns against Georgia. While the Irish were able to absorb that abnormal performance, that may not be possible against the likes of Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton, who have a combined 17.5 sacks thus far. Carter, the reigning BIG 10 DPOY, is currently labeled a game-time decision after sustaining an arm injury against Boise State. Despite losing their best player, Penn State’s defense still managed 3 sacks and 4 turnovers, all while holding Jeanty to a season-low 104 yards and 0 touchdowns on a whopping 30 carries. They’ve also racked up an impressive 29 sacks, two better than Notre Dame’s 37.  Penn State’s defense has struggled at one thing all year - tackling. They’re 4th worst in the Power-4 with 17% missed tackles this year and have struggled with yards after contact. That's good news for the Irish, who lead the Power-4 in yards after contact with 4.2.  If the Irish can find a way to beat Penn State’s defensive line, be that through Leonard’s mobility or behind the legs of Love and Price, that will let them dictate the game, which includes opening things up through the air. If you’re betting on Penn State’s defense over Notre Dame’s offense, you’re betting that Love and Price are once again a non-factor. That just doesn’t seem likely.  This matchup has the most questions and unknowns of the game. If Notre Dame gets to play the game they want to play yet again, they should win. But if Penn State can force the Irish to pass instead of run, this is a toss-up. Advantage: Even Notre Dame’s Special Teams vs Penn State’s Special Teams This special teams matchup is a unique situation. Neither team is a liability nor a clear favorite. Notre Dame has been battling a tough regular season kicking performance, ranking dead last in the FBS for weeks. Thankfully, the postseason has been a different story, as kicker Mitch Jeter has been 5/5 on XPs and 5/6 on field goals - up from his 6/12 field goal mark throughout the regular season. Jeter finally looks healthy, and the UGA game was his first perfect performance since week 1 against TAMU. Thus, Notre Dame’s spot at 125th in FG percentage isn’t quite as alarming as it once was, and they’re trending up.  Penn State’s Ryan Barker won the kicking job outright after a shaky start from Sander Sahaydak and has been solid this year. His 14/17 field goal mark is middle of the road, but only 1/3 of Barker’s misses came in a close game - even then, it wouldn’t have changed the outcome. He’s reliable and will, without a doubt, be competitive with Jeter, but we haven’t seen Barker in a clutch situation since week 7 against USC. If Barker has a leg up, it's consistency, while Jeter’s edge is his recent performance. This is a wash. Special Teams - Players to Watch When looking at the punt game, the Irish hold the edge in net punt yards, but outside of that, nothing else stands out. Neither team has scored off a punt return while mirroring each other’s return average of just over 6.0 yards. The same goes for kick returns. The Irish rank significantly higher in average kickoff return than PSU, but the difference is less than 3 yards.  Neither team has a clear advantage here and neither is elite enough in any one area to earn an edge. Notre Dame is riding a hot streak in nearly all aspects of special teams, but their inconsistency up to this point keeps things even. The main question for Notre Dame is, can Mitch Jeter remain consistent when called upon? And can the Irish continue finding a way to get the edge in both the kickoff and punt games? For Penn State’s special teams, their success has more to do with Notre Dame. Can the Nittany Lions make the special teams game a zero-sum game? Can they at least prevent the Irish from another signature momentum-swinging play? Advantage: Even Prediction: For the 3rd game in a row, the Irish are playing arguably the best team they’ve faced all year.  The same is true for Penn State, who lost their two biggest matchups before the playoffs and are looking for their biggest win over a blue chip program in years. While Penn State’s defense isn’t quite as elite as Georgia’s, their offense is a significantly tougher challenge. The Sugar Bowl score may not have been close, but the game was, and it was decided by a few key plays. Penn State could be an even tougher matchup for Notre Dame, and this game will likely be higher scoring and closer at the end.  Notre Dame’s game plan comes down to this: Establish an even-handed rushing attack between Leonard, Love, and Price Get Leonard going in the passing game Win the turnover battle Shut down Tyler Warren The Irish don't need to do anything different or change their approach. If they can achieve the goals above, they should win this game. Freeman has transformed this program into a three-phase team that will find a way—any way—to beat you. It may not be pretty, and it may not be a high-scoring shootout, but the Irish have proven they can adapt their offense to edge out elite defenses and rely on their defense to keep opposing offenses quiet. Notre Dame isn’t any “one thing,” but they’re disciplined, well-coached, determined, and mean. This is old-school Notre Dame defense meets classic ground-and-pound running game. If the Indiana game proved the Irish could win on a big stage, the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia was the “next step” everyone had been waiting for. Beating Penn State would confirm that Notre Dame is “back.” You either believe in what Notre Dame is doing, or you’re waiting for them to change their identity.  That doesn’t look very likely. Look for the Irish to play their brand of football and outlast Penn State’s best squad in decades. Notre Dame moves on to the 2025 National Championship. Look for: Notre Dame Defense - Allows less than 100 rushing yards for the 3rd game in a row Riley Leonard - 150+ Passing Yards Jadarian Price - 1 Rushing Touchdown Jordan Faison - 1 Receiving Touchdown Win: ND:27 - 23:PSU Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame and Penn State are set to face off in the Orange Bowl for the chance to play for a National Championship. Here is a look at the history between these two famed programs before they add to an already memorable past. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame and Penn State are synonymous with tradition in the context of college football. Ironically enough, both programs played their first game in 1887, illustrating the immense amount of tradition both teams have. However, the first time the two teams shared the field was in 1913, when Notre Dame's 14-7 victory marked the first win of the series. Overall, the series is tied, sitting at 9-9-1. The one tie came in 1925 with a final score of 0-0. The two teams would play two more times in the 1920s, both Notre Dame victories, before seeing a 48-year matchup gap. In 1976, they would finally meet again, this time in the Gator Bowl. Notre Dame would win again, 20-9, giving Notre Dame the longest winning streak in the rivalry with three. From there, there would be one more gap in the series before 1981, which would be the start of an 11-year streak of the teams facing off. In that run, Penn State got the better of the Irish, winning eight. This period was at the peak of Penn State's powers while Notre Dame was transitioning from the Jerry Faust era to the Lou Holtz era. This was also at a time when Penn State was also independent, which allowed the game to be an annual installment. In 1990, Penn State joined the Big Ten, marking the beginning of the end of this historic matchup. It wasn't until 2006 that the two teams would play again, and the series would see its last game a year later. In those last two games, both programs saw blowout wins. Notre Dame and Penn State have both had great success in their long history. As it currently stands, Notre Dame sits at fourth all-time in wins with 961, while Penn State sits at ninth with 943 wins. Although Notre Dame may have better overall success, Penn State holds better stats in bowl game appearances and bowl game wins. As a whole, these two programs rank highly in almost every statistical category when it comes to program history. With that being said, they are both trying to reach that mountain once again. They may make a huge part of the sport's past, but are now trying to become a massive part of its future. Before they face off in what will be a historic game at the Orange Bowl, here is a breakdown of some of their most memorable games over the years. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Holtz's Gutsy Call Wins it for Notre Dame, 17-16 (1992) In the infamous "Snow Bowl", No. 8 Notre Dame took on No. 22 Penn State at snowy Notre Dame Stadium. The game started off as a slow and grueling one, as both teams exchanged three field goals. Penn State would take the lead late, making it 16-9 Penn State. With just 4:17 left in the game, Notre Dame drove down the field, helped by a pair of big plays from Jerome Bettis and Ray Griggs. Notre Dame was inside the 10-yard line when they were met with a fourth and goal. Bettis would find the end zone on the next play due to a pass from QB Rick Mirer. Instead of opting to tie the game, Holtz decided to go for two and the win. The Irish converted on the gutsy play call on a Reggie Brooks reception, giving Notre Dame the lead with just 15 seconds left. Penn State Roars Back in the Second Half to Squander Notre Dame's National Championship Chances, 24-21 (1990) Before this game, Notre Dame was the hottest team in the country, beating No. 4 Michigan, No. 2 Miami, and No. 9 Tennessee. All that stood between Notre Dame and a second straight National Championship was Penn State and USC. Notre Dame jumped out to a dominant 21-7 lead after the first half. The game would completely flip in the second half as Penn State mounted a ferocious comeback. The game would become tied in the fourth quarter due to a touchdown from a name very familiar to Notre Dame fans, Al Golden. Golden's touchdown knotted the game up at 21 a piece, and a last-second field goal would give Penn State the lead and win. The loss ended Notre Dame's chance at a second straight National Championship under Lou Holtz. A Dominant Notre Dame First Half Bests Penn State, 20-9 (1976) This game marks the only time these two teams have met in the postseason before their next matchup on Thursday in the Orange Bowl. The game's scoring opened up with a Penn State field goal to make it 3-0. After that, Notre Dame ran away with the game due to a 20-0 run. The Irish's two touchdowns came on the ground thanks to Notre Dame running back Al Hunter. Hunter's impressive performance also included 102 rushing yards. Notre Dame did all their scoring in the first half, but their stout defense only held Penn State to two field goals in the second half, giving Notre Dame a 20-9 victory. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The No. 3 Notre Dame women’s basketball team looks to extend its 11-game winning streak in ACC play on Thursday as they take on the 7-7 Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics   It has been a dominant year for the Fighting Irish in the women’s college basketball scene. Sitting at 12-2 on the season, the Irish haven’t lost a game since Nov. 30 and aren’t looking to slow down anytime soon. With depth, health and a lot of highlight-worthy plays, Notre Dame has set itself up to be competing for a conference and national championship in the coming months.   Before looking ahead to March, the Irish must get through January which got off to a great start on Jan. 5 against No. 17 North Carolina. Once the calendar flips from one year to the next, the time in between games quickly shrinks. Week-long breaks turn into just days, leaving the door open for a slip-up at any time.   The Wake Forest Demon Deacons make the trip to South Bend for a date with the No. 3 ranked team in the country. They enter Purcell Pavilion dropping their last two games, as well as four of their last five games, losing by an average of 13 points.     It’s the worst offense in the entire conference as Wake Forest is the lone team to not accumulate 1,000 points, averaging just 61.9 points per game. Rylie Theuerkauf, a 5’9” sophomore guard from New Jersey, is the leading scorer for the Demon Deacons averaging 10.2 PPG on 42.6% shooting.   Theuerkauf’s averages drop significantly when playing on the road, scoring 7.5 PPG on 30.6% shooting in just four games. However, she’s coming off her best game of the season in the Demon Deacons’ overtime loss to the Louisville Cardinals. She scored 17 points on 6-9 shooting, including a season-best 5-8 from behind the arc. Considering she had only made 13 threes on the entire season entering last Sunday’s matchup, Theuerkauf may have found some confidence from range. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Down low, the Irish will have to deal with 6’3” junior Malaya Cowles, who enters scoring 9.9 PPG on 59.4% shooting, while grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game. Although, in her last three games, Cowles is averaging 8.7 RPG, including an 11-rebound game against UNC-Greensboro on Dec. 20.   Theuerkauf and Cowles combined for 10 turnovers when they took on the Cardinals, who have the second most takeaways in the ACC with 319. With a defense like Notre Dame’s, taking care of the basketball will be the biggest point of emphasis for Wake Forest. However, Notre Dame isn’t the only team good on the defensive side of the ball in this matchup.   Despite having one of the worst offenses in the conference, Wake Forest has allowed the least number of points in the ACC, and the third lowest points per game with opponents scoring an average of 57. However, the Irish scored 76 against the Tar Heels this past Sunday, a team that gives up just 54.1 PPG, the lowest in the conference. It w as once again the duo of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles against the Tar Heels, with the dynamic backcourt combining for 43 points on 15-33 shooting. Hidalgo, a sophomore guard, finished with 24 points, five assists, three assists and three steals in the ten-point victory.   Hidalgo, the nation’s second leading scorer, was named as Sports Illustrated’s top candidate to be named the Women’s National Player of the Year. She’s averaging 25.9 PPG on 49.4% shooting, with 6.1 RPG and 3.8 APG. She has started in all 14 games for the Irish this season and has scored under 24 points just twice this season. She truly is a do-it-all guard, collecting two or more steals in every game this season and is averaging four per game.   Even though Miles has played with the best player in college basketball this season, she is still putting together the best season of her career in her first 14 games back from an ACL injury she suffered in February of 2023. The senior guard is averaging 16.9 PPG, knocking down 55.8% of her shots while gathering 6.8 RPG and 7.1 APG. Her five threes against North Carolina were the most shots she has hit from range in her career, as she’s now shooting 47.8% from deep, the best she’s shot since arriving to South Bend.   Seniors Sonia Citron and Liatu King are averaging 13.9 and 12.5 PPG respectively, which is still higher than the Demon Deacons’ leading scorer. The Irish clearly outmatches Wake Forest on paper, meaning a big-time win is in play for Notre Dame. However, upsets happen all the time in sports, which is why the Irish need to get things moving quick and remove the opposition early. A few forced turnovers in the first quarter coupled with a double-digit lead would be prime for the Fighting Irish.   It will be the second of three games played this week for the Irish before they travel to Clemson, S.C. for a Sunday meeting with the Tigers. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame was just seconds away from picking up one of the biggest wins of the Micah Shrewsberry era this past Saturday against North Carolina. Despite falling short in the final moments of the game, the Irish must now turn their attention to the North Carolina State Wolfpack as the two are set for battle in Raleigh, North Carolina. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics As the dust on the new year begins to settle, memories must transform into short-term. With conference play starts to unravel, time off in between games becomes shorter, which makes it almost easier to suffer a one-point loss on a last-second shot on your home court.   The Irish will be traveling out east for a matchup with the Wolfpack for their second road ACC game of the season. NC State, a team that is coming off an appearance in the Final Four a season ago, come into this one dropping their last two matchups.   They are led by senior guard Marcus Hill, a transfer from Bowling Green in his first year with the Wolfpack. With DJ Burns graduating, NC State needed someone to lead its charge in the scoring department and Hill has been just that. Despite going 3-4 since the start of December, Hill has scored in double figures in all seven games. In that time, Hill has also emerged as a threat rebounding the basketball, averaging 4.6 per game. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here On the year, Hill is averaging 12.6 PPG on 50.7% shooting and hasn’t knocked down a three since Dec. 7 against Florida State. It was only his fourth made three of the seasons, as he has shot 4-17 from deep thus far. With Markus Burton making his return to the Notre Dame lineup, defending Hill becomes much more doable.   The Wolfpack’s second option, Jayden Taylor, is much more willing to shoot from beyond-the-arc. The Indianapolis native, who spent his first two seasons at Butler before transferring to NC State in 2023, shoots 3.9 threes per game and knocks down 34.5% of them. In his last four games, Taylor has knocked down nine of his 16 attempts, an impressive 56%. While NC State ranks 14th in the ACC in 3-Point FG Percentage, Notre Dame must continue its stellar defense on the perimeter that ranks fourth in the conference.   The Irish showed a fight against North Carolina that they haven’t shown since Burton went down with an injury back on Nov. 26 against Rutgers. Getting him back in the lineup, even if it was off of the bench, was huge for a Notre Dame team that has quickly fallen back to .500 and 1-2 in conference play.   “He’s just a warrior man.” Coach Shrewsberry said following the loss to the Tar Heels. “Some people would be scared to come back against North Carolina…he ain’t ducking anybody.”   Burton played 23 minutes for the Irish and scored 23 points on 7-14 shooting. However, his defense is going to be the biggest impact on this game against NC State, a team that leads the conference in turnover margin at 3.71. On the other side of that, Burton must take care of the basketball after turning it over four times against the Tar Heels. In his six games played, he’s turned the ball over 11 times, a number that Notre Dame wants to see decline.   His return to the lineup also opens up the floor for sophomore Braeden Shrewsberry and junior Tae Davis, both of which have seen strong developments since Burton’s injury. The two combined for 33 points against the Tar Heels, shooting 12-29 from the field. While Notre Dame is elite at preventing opponents from making threes, so is the Wolfpack, who are tied with the Irish in the ACC allowing opposing teams to knock down just .301% of their shots from range. Luckily, Shrewsberry has shown his ability to get inside and knock down shots inside the three-point line, which will be crucial.   Regardless, it seems as though Notre Dame has found its big three.   This will be the seventh time this season the Irish are playing away from Purcell Pavilion and they haven’t won one since the third game of the season against Georgetown on Nov. 16.   “We’ve got to go and find a way to capitalize on the road,” Shrewsberry said. “We’ve got to start better and play better for 40 minutes on the road to go get one on the road.”   It’s a great opportunity for the Irish to go and win a game that they aren’t supposed to on the road. It would move them back over .500 and put them at 2-2 in ACC play. Any momentum this team can generate from now until the end of the season is going to be huge, and it can start in the second week of January.   “We’ve got a bunch of fighters,” Shrewsberry said after the North Carolina loss. “When we compete and play, we can play with anybody. There’s nobody I’d rather rock with than this group.” Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun