Via Michael Caterina-Imagn Images There was a time in American history when the working man was the dream of every young person: wake up early, carry your aluminum lunch pail and thermos for a hard day of manual labor, then go home to the family and do it all over again the next day. Over time, that dream gave way to suits, ties, and offices with flash and pizzazz. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have become the modern-day working man of college football, and that identity could bring them their first National Championship since 1988. Much like their opening season matchup against Wisconsin, Notre Dame found themselves in a close game against the Michigan State Spartans at halftime, leading 17-10. The Spartans seemed to be matching the Irish in physicality and toughness, and it gave the Fighting Irish a similar opportunity to dominate the second half as they did in Week One. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! In what was a case of déjà vu, the Golden Domers came out and dominated Michigan State out of the halftime break. After Sparty went three-and-out on their first possession, the Irish went on a 17-play drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock and, with it, the will of their opponent. Although that drive only resulted in a field goal, it put a viselike grip on Michigan State. What followed was another Spartan possession where Notre Dame sacked QB Alessio Milivojevic twice in a row and forced a punt. Then, the flash came into play: a CJ Carr 28-yard pass to Micah Gilbert, followed by another 38-yard pass to Gilbert that set up Carr for a rushing touchdown run. The score turned into 27-10 and the visitor's hope for an upset was gone. The game wasn’t perfect, but there aren’t many work days that are, as this team is still piecing things together. But in a day where some top-15 teams struggled, Notre Dame's relentless performance evaded any potential upsets. The rushing attack that many have been critical of showed some sense of identity: Nolan James Jr. finished with 121 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown and Gilbert had a career-high 170 receiving yards on eight catches, showing he is a big play threat. The Notre Dame defense was the key. Forcing two turnovers, a blocked punt, and four sacks. Anytime Michigan State had a spark of hope, the defense doused that spark with physicality and authority, holding the Spartans to 167 yards of total offense. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle If this is truly Notre Dame’s identity for this season, it should be welcomed and appreciated. You need steady performances like this in football. For all the teams putting up gaudy numbers, there is a team like Notre Dame that is built to stop them. While others are built on flash, Notre Dame's steady attack could end up blessing the Irish with national championship glory at the end of the season. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Via USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It wasn't entirely pretty, both with the rain showers and the on-field result in Notre Dame's 27-10 victory over Michigan State at Notre Dame Stadium. The main concern coming out of Notre Dame's triumphant victory over Rice was the Irish's inability to run the football effectively. They leave this matchup with Michigan State with more questions that answers. The combination of Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. were serviceable, finishing with 4.17 yards a carry on 35 combined runs. On Notre Dame's 17-play, 77 yard drive in the 3rd quarter that ended with a field goal, James found a bit of momentum rushing the ball, but the Irish are still without a sure answer. Notre Dame and Arkansas are the only Power 4 program that have yet to have a rush of 20+ yards, as reported by Pete Sampson of The Athletic. While the run game shuffled its feet, CJ Carr was as effective as ever through the air, finishing the game 18/24 with 234 yards and a rushing touchdown. Tonight was the only game in CJ Carr's starting career that he did not have a touchdown pass. Tonight, Micah Gilbert was the star of the receiving room, totaling 170 yards on eight receptions. It marked the most single-game receiving yards by a Notre Dame player since Chase Claypool totaled 180 yards against Wake Forest on November 4, 2017. This key breakout performance was one that fans have been clamoring for. Gilbert's rise, and ability to stretch the defense vertically, gives Carr another option to look to alongside Jordan Faison, who finished this game with 38 yards on five catches. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Defensively, Chris Ash's unit kept Michigan State off the scoreboard for most of this game, outside of one terrible drive that featured the Irish getting beat for 53 yards through the air and a 15-yard touchdown run by Michigan State's backup QB, Cam Fancher, that had parade of missed tackles. The rest of the game the defense was able bear down and created two interceptions, cashed in by safeties Luke Talich and Adon Shuler. The defensive front was able to create pressure all night on the Spartan passing attack as well as the Irish combined for four total sacks. While this wasn't the 30+ point splattering that most fans, and betters across Las Vegas, could've predicted, it was still a dominant performance that resulted in a 17-point win. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are sitting at 2-0 and ranked third in the country. Everything is going well (and as expected) early in this season. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect The Irish face a once-familiar foe this week in the Michigan State Spartans. For the first time since 2017, the two teams will face off in The Battle for the Megaphone. Notre Dame has won four of the past five matchups (including wins in 2012 and 2013 that were vacated) and leads the series 47-29-1. The Spartans are a team in transition. This past offseason, they hired former Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald to get a football program that hasn’t been to a Bowl Game since 2022 back on track. To do so, Fitzgerald is bringing his long-standing team identity of toughness on both sides of the ball. This includes trying to establish a running game for a team that only averaged 122 yards per game, which was one of the worst in the Big 10. To address that need, Michigan State brought in UConn transfer running back Cam Edwards, who rushed for 1,240 yards and 15 touchdowns. In the first two games, Edwards has done his part by carrying the ball 48 times for 250 yards. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic steers the Spartan offense after four starts last season. He has thrown for 417 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Manage your emotions and the Spartans This is a major key in any game, but even more so in a rivalry game. Notre Dame did an exceptional job of this at Lambeau Field against Wisconsin in the first game this season. They will need to duplicate that at home against the Spartans. I expect this veteran Irish team to be able to do that. One thing Notre Dame has done exceptionally well in the early going is taking away what offenses do best. Once they had a read on Wisconsin offensively, they took away the intermediate passing routes and rollout passes. Against Rice, they stifled the triple option attack. Against Sparty, the Irish will need to force Michigan State to rely on Milivojevic. Edwards has been the spark for this offense; Notre Dame should be able to dominate the trenches and keep him in check, forcing a team that doesn’t want to rely on passing to do just that. Continue the balance Despite some complaints about the run game production, Notre Dame has been a balanced team. That balance will serve them well this week. Michigan State has only allowed 13.5 points per game this season (20 of the total 27 points allowed were against Toledo). CJ Carr should be able to navigate this offense against this defense. Look for Carr and Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock to have a very balanced offensive game plan and to take advantage of opportunities to get Aneyas Williams involved to jumpstart his season. Defensively, the Irish front seven should be able to slow down Edwards. Linebackers Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will be key in stopping him at the point of attack, with Defensive Lineman Francis Brewu able to clog up any holes on the line. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Take care of business Early season games for top ten teams are about taking care of business and staying healthy. This is an improved Michigan State team from the past few seasons and will have the aforementioned toughness and physicality Fitzgerald demands of his teams. Also of note, Fitzgerald has won in South Bend (2014 while at Northwestern). I do not see a repeat performance here, however. The Irish are simply too good and too focused on being the best team they can be week in and week out. That focus, coupled with this being a rivalry game under the lights in South Bend, is too steep a hill for the Spartans to climb. This game could play out very much like the Wisconsin game. But I see Notre Dame coming out and setting the tone early to prove they are not ripe for an upset. Notre Dame wins this game 38-10 and continues to march on undefeated. 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!

Michigan State Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald has some history with Notre Dame Stadium. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect As Northwestern’s All-American Linebacker, Fitzgerald led a 17-15 defensive slugfest that left Irish fans stunned in 1995. Less than 20 years later, Fitzgerald returned as Head Coach of his alma mater and again left Notre Dame stunned as they escaped South Bend with a 43-40 overtime upset in 2014. The Irish were eventually able to get their revenge on Fitzgerald and his Wildcats in a 2018 31-21 win in Evanston. Fitzgerald returns to Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday, except this time wearing a different Big Ten program’s logo. Through two games, the defensive-minded coach has the Michigan State Spartans 2-0 with wins over MAC foes, Toledo and Eastern Michigan. This sets up a matchup of unbeatens as the third-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the Spartans in primetime this weekend. Michigan State Results (2-0) 30-20 Win vs Toledo 35-7 Win vs Eastern Michigan (EMU) Under Fitzgerald’s leadership, the defensive mastermind since 2024 for the Spartans has been Defensive Coordinator Joe Rossi. Prior to joining MSU, Rossi held the same role at Minnesota from 2018-23. This year has looked a bit different for the Spartans DC, though, as he no longer has LB Coach attached to his title, allowing him more time to oversee the entire defensive group. Through two games, the Spartans' run defense has impressed, and that could play a big role on Saturday in what is expected to be rainy conditions. They are allowing just 89 rushing yards per game, including just 3.9 yards per carry. Notre Dame’s lackluster run offense that currently averages 3.6 yards per carry will need to find another gear for the Irish to have success. In a far less threatening way, the MSU secondary has been similar to Notre Dame’s through two games. There have been a few costly missteps, but overall, the two groups have yet to truly break. The Spartans have come up with one interception while holding opponents to 157 passing yards per game and giving up two touchdowns. If the weather permits, I think CJ Carr and the Irish offense could overwhelm the Spartans' passing defense. Carr currently holds a 196.2 passing efficiency rating with a perfect 6:0 TD:INT ratio. WR Jordan Faison became the first Irish weapon to crack over 100 receiving yards on the season last week, bringing his season totals to eight catches, 135 yards, and two touchdowns into Saturday’s meeting. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! For the Irish to start 3-0 for the first time since 2023, they must get past this MSU defense. We break down the Spartans’ defensive personnel by position group below: EDGEs Kenny Soares Jr. The first player to highlight on the MSU defense is their leader, Kenny Soares Jr. The Irish got a taste of what Soares is capable of last year against NC State when the former Wolfpack LB recorded eight tackles in the loss to Notre Dame. The 6-2, 234-pound redshirt senior reunited with Coach Fitzgerald this year after originally committing and playing under him at Northwestern. The Trumbull, Connecticut native spent his first three seasons at Northwestern as a Fitzgerald recruit. As a Wildcat, Soares recorded 57 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and three PBUs in 28 games played, including eight starts. Last season, Soares transferred to NC State. Across 13 games played, including eight starts, the LB finished the year with 80 tackles (2nd-most on the team), four TFLs, half of a sack, one fumble recovery, six QB hits, and two PBUs. This offseason, Soares transitioned from an off-ball LB to a full-time edge rusher, a move that will pay off in the future. He has come up with six tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one interception this year. He stood out in last week’s win against EMU with a five-tackle performance, including 1.5 TFLs. Soares has shown good versatility throughout his career and he proved that with a coverage interception in week one against Toledo. He has good instincts, a strong football IQ, and is disruptive against the run. The redshirt senior is experienced, productive, and physical. There is not much else you want from an EDGE rusher. However, his size could be an issue against bigger OTs. Interception vs Toledo Keahnist Thompson Opposite of Soares will likely be another redshirt senior transfer, Keahnist Thompson. The 6-3, 266-pound EDGE is in his first year at MSU as a former UCF and Weber State transfer. Thompson originally committed to UCF out of Lakeland High School in Florida. Thompson spent one season at UCF, redshirting after appearing in one game and making one tackle, and transferred to FCS Weber State in 2023. He spent the last three years at Weber State, making 19 starts across 28 games played, and racking up 63 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, five sacks, and one PBU. Through his first two contests as a Spartan, Thompson has four tackles, one TFL, two QB hits, and was credited with half of a sack against EMU. He also finished last week’s win with three tackles. Thompson has good size, offers good pass rush upside, and has had an impressive start to the campaign considering the jump in competition from Weber State. How he performs against the run will be something to watch, as opponents will likely test Thompson in this facet, perhaps beginning this week. Others to watch: Anelu Lafaele Interior Linemen Eli Coenen Another defensive starter in his first year at MSU is this redshirt junior. Eli Coenen began his college career at DII Bemidji State before transferring to Illinois in 2025. The 6-6, 287-pound DL committed to Bemidji State out of Baldwin-Woodville High School in Wisconsin. Coenen spent two years at Bemidji State, making one start across 15 games played, and tallied 22 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, one PBU, and one fumble recovery. Last season, the Wisconsin native transferred to Illinois where he recorded 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks across 13 games played. Through two games, it looks like Coenen is making the Big Ten impact he was looking for a year ago with the Illini. The DL has seven tackles, three sacks, and one PBU this season, and had a big two-sack performance last week against EMU. Coenen has impressed as a pass rusher early in 2026, as previously noted, and he also added four QB pressures in week one against Toledo. It will be interesting to see if he maintains this level of play as the competition starts to ramp up, beginning on Saturday with Notre Dame. Coenen possesses great size and length, and a good football IQ. Another aspect to watch for on Saturday is how he holds up against the run, as he has not been tested too much yet in this area. Ben Roberts Starting next to Coenen will likely be the 6-3, 325-pound space-eater, Ben Roberts. The redshirt senior is in his third year at MSU after beginning his college career at Oregon. Roberts committed to Oregon out of East High School in Salt Lake City as a four-star recruit. Across two seasons with the Ducks, the DL tallied five tackles and a blocked kick in nine games played. In 2024, Roberts decided to transfer to Michigan State. During the last two seasons as a Spartan, he has recorded 19 tackles, two TFLs, and one sack in 17 games played, including six starts. This season, Roberts has four tackles and was credited with an assisted tackle for loss last week against EMU. The Lakewood, Washington native possesses great strength and plays with good size and physicality. While he is solid as a run-stopper, he is limited in terms of pass rush production. Others to watch: Derrick Simmons, Mikeshun Beeler Linebackers Jordan Hall One of the biggest questions on Saturday will be the status of star LB Jordan Hall who missed last week’s contest after suffering an arm injury in week one. I would expect Hall to suit up Saturday despite being listed as questionable. The 6-3, 249-pound senior out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, is in his fourth year with the Spartans after committing to the program out of IMG Academy as a four-star Under Armour All-American. Hall entered the 2026 season with 179 tackles, 13 TFLs, seven sacks, one interception, five PBUs, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery across 35 games played, including 19 starts. He was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season after leading the team with 88 tackles. While Hall missed last week, he certainly made his impact felt in his 28 snaps against Toledo. Before exiting the game, he had tallied four tackles, including one TFL. The senior LB has good instincts and play recognition, and is clearly a productive tackler. Against the run, Hall reminds me of Wisconsin LB Mason Posa, as he constantly attacks instead of waiting, but this tendency can cost him, as it did Posa a couple of times in week one. Hall is also solid in coverage and as a pass rusher when needed. If he does return, it will be interesting to see if he is truly 100%. Brady Pretzlaff In the wake of Hall’s injury, redshirt sophomore Brady Pretzlaff has really emerged with a great start to his third year at MSU. The 6-3, 238-pound LB originally committed to the Spartans as a four-star recruit out of Gaylord High School in Michigan. Prior to this season, Pretzlaff had appeared in just seven games, recording 11 tackles, two TFLs, and two PBUs during this time. He preserved his redshirt in 2024 after appearing in four games and suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in week three of 2025. Through two healthy games in 2026, the MSU LB has racked up 13 tackles and had eight last week with Hall on the sideline. Pretzlaff showcases good football IQ and play recognition. Similar to Hall, he is a physical LB that will attack the line of scrimmage instead of waiting for the play to come to him. Pretzlaff has not been tested much in coverage, so this could be an area that Notre Dame tries to explore. However, it will also be interesting to see how much his role diminishes with the expected return of Hall. Others to watch: Caleb Wheatland Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Backs CB Tre Bell The first DB to highlight is CB Tre Bell. The 6-1, 200-pound redshirt senior is in his first year at MSU as a former Lindenwood and Iowa State transfer. Bell originally committed to FCS Lindenwood out of Parkway West High School in St. Louis. Bell spent three years at Lindenwood, located in St. Charles, Missouri. After redshirting and not playing in 2022, he would garner 48 tackles, 12 PBUs, one interception, and one fumble recovery across 20 games played, including five starts. Last season, Bell transferred to Iowa State where he made eight starts across 12 games played. He finished the year with 36 tackles, four TFLs, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Through two games in East Lansing as a Spartan, the redshirt senior CB has six tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one sack, and one PBU. He stood out in his MSU debut against Toledo when he recorded three tackles, two TFLs, one sack, and a PBU in the week one win. Bell is a physical CB who brings good experience to the MSU DB room. He has faced coverage inconsistencies in the past, though, allowing completions on 62.7% of targets last season at Iowa State. Along with this, Bell also has a lack of splash plays that would make him a larger coverage threat. S Nikai Martinez This 5-11, 196-pound Safety is in his third year at MSU as a former UCF transfer. Martinez, a redshirt senior, originally committed to UCF as a four-star recruit from Apopka High School in Florida. Martinez spent two years at UCF, making 13 starts across 27 games played. As a Knight, the DB recorded 75 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, and three interceptions. Before this season and since transferring to East Lansing in 2024, Martinez had started all 16 games he had appeared in. However, in 2025, he received a redshirt after appearing in just four games due to injury. During his 16 games played, he had tallied 75 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and four PBUs. In 2026, Martinez had six tackles and recorded his first PBU of the year last week against EMU. This season, the redshirt senior safety is deemed the leader of the DBs given his experience. He has showcased solid ball-hawking skills and tackling production in the past; however, his injury history is a bit of a concern. S Devin Vaught Martinez’s partner at Safety will likely be Devin Vaught, the redshirt junior in his first season with MSU following three years at Maine. The 6-0, 212-pound DB originally committed to FCS Maine out of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte. Vaught stood out during his time at Maine, racking up 107 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, six interceptions including a pick-six, 15 PBUs, and one blocked kick across 26 games played, including 22 starts. The DB played in just three games in 2023 to preserve his redshirt, and wound up as a 2025 Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection. Through two games at the FBS level, Vaught has recorded 13 tackles, including a TFL last week against EMU. He has a good history of ball-hawking and has shown to be reliable against the run. Also, he showcases good instincts and offers the versatility to play nickel if needed. Notably, he seems to be a clean player, as he earned just one penalty across his three seasons at Maine. So far, the adjustment from FCS to FBS does not seem to be much of a hurdle. There were moments at Maine where Vaught’s coverage was a concern, so watch for Notre Dame to potentially expose the Safety in, arguably, the biggest game of his life. Nickel Michael Richard Starting at nickel will likely be senior and Louisiana Tech (LA Tech) transfer, Michael Richard. The 5-10, 179-pound DB is in his first year at MSU after spending the past three seasons at LA Tech. The New Orleans native committed to LA Tech out of Edna Karr High School. At LA Tech, Richard tallied 104 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, three interceptions, and 14 PBUs across 34 games played, including 22 starts. He was named the 2023 Conference USA Freshman of the Year and followed that up with a 2024 All-CUSA Second Team selection. Through two games in East Lansing, the former Bulldog has six tackles, including a TFL he recorded in week one. In the week one performance against Toledo, Richard underwhelmed and ended up splitting reps with NiJhay Burt. However, he did bounce back with a solid performance against EMU last week. Richard offers positional versatility as he lined up as a safety during the majority of his time at LA Tech, and now moves over to nickel with MSU. He has flashed solid potential in coverage and is solid against the run, but this could be someone that Carr and the Irish pass offense pick on Saturday. CB Tyran Chappell The final player to highlight and likely to start opposite of Bell is this 6-3, 189-pound redshirt sophomore. Tyran Chappell is in his first year with the Spartans following two seasons at FCS Houston Christian (HCU). The Dallas native originally committed to HCU out of Ryan High School in Texas. In 14 games played at HCU, including 10 starts, Chappell totaled 29 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, four interceptions including a pick-six, and 11 PBUs. The DB was selected to the All-Southland Conference First Team last season. Chappell has put together two solid performances in his debut season at MSU, even taking over this starting role from Charles Brantley. The redshirt sophomore CB has four tackles and one PBU this year. He possesses a great frame, featuring considerable length. While he is still young, Chappell does offer good upside in terms of coverage. Others to watch: CB Charles Brantley, DB NiJhay Burt Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The Battle for the Megaphone is back. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect A pair of 2-0 teams meet up in South Bend on Saturday evening to renew a rivalry last played in 2017. The number-three-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the Michigan State (MSU) Spartans led by Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald in his first year back in the college coaching ranks after serving as Northwestern’s HC from 2006-2023. Michigan State Results (2-0) 30-20 Win vs Toledo 35-7 Win vs Eastern Michigan (EMU) This offseason, Fitzgerald brought in Nick Sheridan to lead the Spartans' offense as the team’s Offensive Coordinator. Sheridan most recently served as OC and QB Coach at Alabama in 2024 and 2025, playing a key developmental role in NFL Draft selections Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. While this will be Sheridan’s first season wearing green and white, he is not unfamiliar with the state of Michigan and has ties to current Notre Dame QB CJ Carr. Sheridan played QB at Saline High School, just like Carr, before walking on at Michigan under Head Coach Lloyd Carr, CJ’s grandfather. Under Sheridan, and given the Spartans' personnel, Michigan State has relied heavily on the run in their first two games. It has worked thus far, averaging 204 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry. This sets up a battle of strength on strength for Saturday as Notre Dame’s run defense looks like one of the best in the country through two weeks. The Irish are holding opponents to two yards per carry and have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. This could be where the game is won or lost this week. Through the air, Michigan State and QB Alessio Milivojevic have been efficient, despite not ‘lighting it up.’ The Spartans are averaging 230.5 passing yards per game and 10.5 yards per catch with no turnovers in the air game. Overall, the Spartans are averaging 5.6 total yards per play and 434.5 total yards per game. The Notre Dame secondary was not tested much last week as the Irish have yet to allow a red zone touchdown. Some defensive players to highlight through two games include LB Jaiden Ausberry with a team-leading 12 tackles, one TFL, and one fumble recovery. DL Bryce Young has been strong with seven tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and one sack. DL Boubacar Traore has contributed three tackles, two TFLs, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Lastly, we saw the return of LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa from an ACL injury against Rice with a standout performance featuring five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one fumble recovery. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now, we take a look at Spartans’ personnel by position group below: Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic One of the most important pieces that Fitzgerald was able to retain from the 2025 Spartans was QB Alessio Milivojevic. The former consensus number-one-ranked QB in the state of Illinois in the class of 2024 is in his third year at MSU. Last season, Milivojevic completed 64.2% of his passes for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions across nine games played, including four starts. Through two games in his first year as the full-time starter, the 6-3, 223-pound signal-caller has completed 38 of 54 pass attempts for 417 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Milivojevic’s biggest improvements from last year have been his pocket presence and composure, albeit he has only faced MAC opponents in 2026. He has not faced the type of pressure Notre Dame will apply on Saturday, and Milivojevic struggled heavily under duress in 2025. His numbers don’t say it, but Milivojevic does have sneaky athleticism and is able to pick up solid gains with his legs. Some things to keep an eye on Saturday are Milivojevic’s tendency to hold the ball a bit too long and whether he is consistently hitting his intermediate and deep throws. Running Backs Cam Edwards The MSU offense will go as far as Cam Edwards can take them. The 5-11, 206-pound redshirt senior out of Norwalk, CT, is in his first year with the Spartans following four years at UConn. At UConn, Edwards was the Huskies’ leading rusher in 2023, ‘24, and ‘25, making 23 starts across 36 games played. During this time, the UConn RB rushed for 2,690 yards and 27 touchdowns on 480 carries, averaging an impressive 5.6 yards per carry. He also added 47 catches for 467 yards and four touchdowns as a receiving option. Through his first two games at MSU, Edwards has rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns across 48 carries. Although he lost a fumble last week against EMU, he still impressed with 152 yards and two scores on 21 carries. He has also contributed three receptions for 12 yards this season. Edwards has proven FBS production, but how he performs against Notre Dame and Big Ten opponents will be something to monitor with the expected jump in competition. Regardless, he is a physical runner, as evidenced by his 2025 season when he finished with the 18th-most rushing yards after contact in the FBS. He also has explosive potential, as shown by his 28 carries of 10 or more yards in 2025. It will be interesting to see if MSU gets Edwards more involved in the pass game this week, given he is capable but has not seen many looks through two games. Others to watch: Jaziun Patterson, Marvis Parrish Receivers Chrishon McCray The first receiver to highlight is this redshirt senior in his second year at MSU. McCray, a 5-10 and 180-pound weapon, spent his first three years of college at Kent State before transferring to MSU in 2025. At Kent State, the Avon, Indiana native was a two-time All-MAC selection in 2023 and ‘24. Last season, his first as a Spartan, McCray hauled in 24 catches for 330 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games played, including five starts. This season, McCray has 10 catches for 79 yards but really stood out in week one when he brought in eight receptions for 69 yards in the win over Toledo. He has also contributed on special teams with four punt returns for 61 yards. McCray has a solid base of production and experience but needs to build consistency in terms of being a downfield threat to take his game to the next level. Fredrick Moore The almost forbidden Wolverine-to-Spartan transfer. Fredrick Moore made the rare move this offseason. A 6-1 and 187-pound redshirt junior out of Cardinal Ritter College Prep in Saint Louis, Moore originally committed to Michigan as a three-star recruit. Moore spent 2 and ¼ seasons in Ann Arbor. He first flashed in 2024, recording 11 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown across 13 games played, including three starts. However, after seeing his role reduced in 2025 and playing just 18 offensive snaps through the team’s first four games, Moore decided to preserve his redshirt and entered the transfer portal. In his first two games as a Spartan, Moore has four catches for 43 yards and one touchdown. He has looked the part of a featured WR so far, and he possesses the experience and upside to continue playing this role. Moore will need to continue to prove he can consistently produce and create separation to help the Spartans get back on track under Fitzgerald. 18-yard touchdown vs EMU Rodney Bullard Jr Another receiver in his second year with the Spartans is Rodney Bullard Jr. The 5-11, 188-pound senior and former Valdosta State (DII) transfer hails from Albany, Georgia, where he attended Westover High School. Bullard starred at Valdosta State, raking in 85 catches for 1,567 yards and 19 touchdowns across 28 games played during his two years there. Last season, his first at MSU, Bullard recorded five catches for 119 yards and one touchdown, and also added another score on one of his two carries across 12 games played, including one start. The senior receiver is on pace to crush these numbers in 2026, with 10 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown on his scorecard already this season. He stood out against Toledo, recording seven catches for 90 yards and one touchdown in the week one win. Touchdown vs Toledo Bullard possesses big play potential and solid experience, but the question will be whether he sustains this early production against Notre Dame and Big Ten competition. He does need to prove he can consistently produce and win downfield against better opposition. Others to watch: Bryson Williams Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Tight Ends Brennan Parachek One of the more underwhelming aspects of the start of this season for the MSU offense has been Brennan Parachek. The 6-5, 249-pound TE entered this year as the clear-cut favorite to win the majority of the team’s snaps at the position. However, his inconsistencies, mixed with the emergence of Jayden Savoury, have put a dent in his stock to begin the 2026 season. Parachek, a redshirt junior, is in his fourth year at MSU after committing to the Spartans as a four-star recruit out of Dexter High School in Michigan. Prior to this season, he had appeared in 24 games, with three starts; however, he redshirted in 2025 after appearing in just four games. During this span, Parachek has brought in 14 catches for 118 yards. Parachek’s potential breakout campaign is off to a slow start, with just one ten-yard reception being his lone catch of the year. He was unable to record any stats last week against EMU and had an even rougher performance as a blocker. The Michigan native has the physical tools to be a skilled receiving threat, including the size and hands, but has been unable to put it all together this year. Jayden Savoury Another TE with great size, Savoury has emerged and basically taken Parachek’s starting role in just two weeks. The 6-5, 253-pound redshirt freshman is in his second year at MSU after committing to the Spartans as the consensus number-one-ranked TE in Michigan in the class of 2025 out of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School. Savoury redshirted last season after appearing in four games and making one 16-yard reception. Through two games this year, the receiving threat has brought in eight catches for 99 yards. He has four catches in each game and went for a career-high 63 receiving yards last week against EMU. Savoury has big-play ability, as seen by his 46-yard catch-and-run against EMU and his 12.4 yards per reception. With limited experience coming into 2026, the early season success of Savoury is a good sign for the MSU offense. How he holds up in the blocking game will be something to monitor as he continues developing. Offensive Line LT Ben Murawski MSU’s second offensive transfer from UConn is OT Ben Murawski. The 6-7, 340-pound redshirt senior out of St. Thomas More High School is in his first season with the Spartans. Murawski spent four years at UConn, where he made 19 starts across 30 games played. Last season, the former Husky finished with the 28th-highest overall PFF grade among FBS OTs. The UConn transfer is a good, physical run blocker who plays through the whistle. However, his pass protection has drawn some questions in the past. He was solid against EMU last week, but quicker edge rushers, like Notre Dame’s Boubacar Traore or Bryce Young, can cause issues. Murawski does offer the versatility of being able to slide inside at guard if needed. Also, he does have a solid, durable frame. Like Edwards, monitoring the adjustment from UConn to MSU will be something to watch for starting this week. LG Conner Moore One of two MSU offensive linemen to have rough starts to their 2026 campaign is OG Conner Moore. The former FCS Montana State transfer, now in his second season as a Spartan, had a tough week one that included a clutch-time, drive-killing penalty that resulted in him being called out by some MSU fans. Moore, a 6-6 and 311-pound redshirt senior, dominated at Montana State across a three-year stretch that saw him make 28 starts in 31 games played. In 2024, he helped lead his team to the FCS National Championship, earning selections to the All-Big Sky First Team and AP FCS All-American Second Team. Moore allowed just one sack across 16 games in ‘24 before transferring to MSU in 2025. Last season, Moore started all 12 games for the Spartans; however, he mostly played tackle, alternating between left and right. He has not gotten off to the best start in his move to the interior, as previously mentioned. Moore has been inconsistent against the pass rush, specifically struggling against athletic interior rushers, like Notre Dame’s Francis Brewu or Armel Mukam. The Millbury, Ohio native has produced as a run blocker and plays with good size and physicality. It will be interesting to see if the MSU staff opts to move this redshirt senior back to tackle, or if his role is reduced if he continues to not perform up to expectations. C Trent Fraley One of the more impressive pieces of this line through two games is the man in the middle, Trent Fraley. The 6-1, 306-pound redshirt senior is in his first season with MSU following stints at Marshall and North Dakota State (NDSU). Fraley’s father, Hank, played 10 seasons in the NFL and now serves as the Detroit Lions OL Coach. Fraley committed to Marshall out of Moon Area High School in Pennsylvania. After appearing in just four games across two seasons with the Thundering Herd, the center transferred to, at the time FCS NDSU in 2024. Fraley started all 29 games played at NDSU across his two-year stint with the Bison. He started all 16 games for FCS National Champions in 2024, and then was named the Rimington Award Winner (top center in FCS) and voted AP FCS All-American First Team in 2025. As mentioned, Fraley has impressed in his first two games as a Spartan. He is a good pass protector, pitching a zero-pressure-allowed performance in week one against Toledo. The redshirt senior is smart, has solid athleticism, and has held his own in the run game. Notre Dame could take advantage of Fraley’s limited size and length with its big interior defenders. RG Nick Sharpe Holding it down on the right side is expected to be sixth-year Nick Sharpe, who is in his first season with the Spartans. A former Wake Forest and South Carolina transfer, Sharpe originally committed to the Demon Deacons out of Hunter Huss High School in North Carolina. At Wake Forest, the 6-2 and 351-pound lineman appeared in 26 games across four years, making 12 starts during this time. Notably, Sharpe did suffer a season-ending injury in the second week of the 2023 season. Sharpe spent last season at South Carolina, where he made five starts across eight games played. This season, he has reunited with his former Wake Forest OL Coach, Nick Tabacca, at MSU. The sixth-year lineman is a good pass blocker, with solid size and strength. However, Sharpe’s run blocking has been inconsistent throughout his career. RT Rakeem Johnson One of the biggest questions facing the MSU offense is who should be starting at right tackle. Spartans fans entered this season excited for Rakeem Johnson entering his third year at MSU after a somewhat disappointing 2025. The early returns in 2026 are not good, and it would not shock me if Robert Wright Jr. is promoted to starter as soon as this Saturday against the Irish. Regardless, Johnson is a 6-4, 296-pound redshirt sophomore out of Boise, Idaho. The Idaho native was named the state’s 2023 MaxPreps Player of the Year out of Bishop Kelly High School. Johnson entered the 2026 season with 16 games played, including five starts, under his belt. After redshirting and appearing in four games in 2024, the developmental piece struggled to find consistent success in 2025. The tackle’s pass protection has been the main point of struggle, continually getting beat in week one against Toledo. Johnson offers the versatility to move to the inside, and he possesses a good, physical frame. His run-blocking has been solid, at best, through the team’s first two games. Others to watch: OT Robert Wright Jr 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!

If Notre Dame fans pick just one road game destination to hit this season, make it Provo. Shot by Mary Harris / Art by The Irish Tribune Notre Dame has long established itself as a national brand, playing teams across the United States. In nearly every region of the country, the Irish have dedicated fans who show up to local games and travel great distances to watch the Golden Domers play. Because the Irish play anywhere and everywhere, the fan base has had the chance to see the very best teams, stadiums and college football towns the sport has to offer. From Husky Stadium on the banks of Lake Washington, to the Coliseum beneath the Southern California sun, to nights in places like Miami, Clemson, Georgia and Texas – there aren’t many corners of the college football world that Notre Dame fans haven’t had the opportunity to experience. That creates a fairly high bar when asking them to get on an airplane, book a hotel room and spend an entire weekend following the Irish to some far-flung corner of the country. Provo, Utah clears it. See for yourself 📸 Shot by Mary Harris / Cody Flint Not because LaVell Edwards Stadium is Notre Dame Stadium. It isn’t, and there would be little sense in trying to convince Notre Dame fans otherwise. It clears it because almost nowhere else on Notre Dame’s schedule is quite like it. When The Irish Tribune ranked Notre Dame’s road destinations ahead of the 2026 season, Provo immediately stood out for reasons that had as much to do with what surrounds the football stadium as what happens inside of it. After spending several days in Utah Valley at the invitation of Explore Utah Valley, touring the city, campus, and football facilities before eventually making our way to Sundance Mountain Resort, that distinction became considerably easier to understand. If Notre Dame fans are going to pick one weekend this fall to leave South Bend behind and follow the Irish on the road, October 17th against BYU deserves serious consideration. Two National Fan Bases There are very few programs in college football whose identities extend so far beyond their immediate geography. Notre Dame is one of them. BYU is another. Photo via Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Notre Dame fandom has never been confined to northern Indiana. Generations of Catholics grew up hundreds or even thousands of miles away from South Bend and nevertheless inherited some connection to the Fighting Irish. Some, like my grandfather George Regan, were lifelong fans and never even set foot on campus. You can walk into a Catholic parish almost anywhere in the country and have a reasonably good chance of finding somebody who cares what Notre Dame did on Saturday. BYU has created its own version of that phenomenon. The circumstances are different, but the result is strikingly similar. The university’s relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has created a national — and in some respects international — audience for BYU athletics that extends well beyond Utah. Where there is a Catholic church, there is probably somebody checking the Notre Dame score. Where there is an LDS temple, chances are, somebody is doing the same for the Cougars. That makes this matchup interesting before we even get to the football. There is a familiarity between the two fan bases that exists precisely because the schools themselves are so different. Both universities are deeply shaped by faith. Both have football programs that are or have been independents, and whose relevance extends beyond their enrollment or alumni base. Both can walk into stadiums thousands of miles from home and find large pockets of people wearing their colors. And in October, for the first time in more than two decades, Notre Dame fans get to see that dynamic play out in Provo. The Stadium Beneath the Mountains There are stadiums that photograph well, and there are places where photographs do a particularly poor job of communicating the scale and magnitude of what you’re actually looking at. LaVell Edwards Stadium falls squarely into the second category. Shot by Mary Harris You can see the pictures beforehand. You can know that the Wasatch Mountains sit immediately behind the stadium. You can understand intellectually that BYU plays football in one of the sport’s most dramatic natural settings. Then you walk inside. The mountains do not feel like a distant backdrop. They tower over the place. They aren’t merely a photogenic landscape complementing the scene – they’re reminiscent of a painting commissioned for this very place. And that, more than anything else about LaVell Edwards Stadium, is what makes it memorable. It’s one of those arenas where, once you see it, you know pretty quickly that you must witness a game there, and if you’re lucky – it’ll be against your favorite team. Notre Dame Stadium derives much of its power from history, from tradition. You walk through its concourse conscious of the names, teams, and moments that came before. The Golden Dome rises beyond one side of campus, while Touchdown Jesus looks down from another. The history of those hallowed grounds whispers to any who are lucky enough to experience it. It feels inseparable from more than a century of Notre Dame football. Provo gives you something completely different. Its stadium feels inseparable from the landscape. That isn’t a comparison of which is better. It is exactly why Notre Dame fans should want to see both. A road trip should feel like a road trip. You should know that you left home. Standing inside LaVell Edwards Stadium and looking beyond the upper deck at mountains that seem almost close enough to touch, there is absolutely no confusing Provo with South Bend. The stadium was originally built with just two sideline grandstands, with open cutouts at either end zone. As the program has grown and swelled in both popularity and relevance, two more stands were built on either end of the field to accommodate a growing audience. Thankfully, these additions have not compromised the view nor the spirit of “The House that LaVell Built.” You Can See the Y From Almost Everywhere Above BYU sits one of college athletics’ most recognizable local landmarks: an enormous white Y embossed on the mountainside overlooking all of Provo. You notice it fairly quickly. Then, if you’re apparently unable to leave it as merely “seen,” you decide to climb to it. Shot by Mary Harris You may consider yourself an athlete, but if you’ve ever wanted to put that to the test, braving the considerable altitude change to climb more than 1,000 vertical feet along a trail of rocky switchbacks up to this iconic local landmark may make you reconsider that notion. Just be prepared to be humbled by an aging dog, a group of children, or someone’s grandmother passing you briskly with a warm hello. (I will let you wonder if that happened to me more than once). The hike itself is more intimidating than it actually is. You’ll see families with kids, grandparents, and plenty of dogs making the climb, and it's known as a sort of rite of passage in Provo. Everyone we told our hiking plan to said, in some capacity, that you “have to do it at least once!” The climb to the top took roughly an hour, with plenty – and I mean plenty of “stops” along the way to soak in the “nature.” Once at the peak, the view helps explain why Provo works so well as a destination rather than merely a place where Notre Dame happens to have a football game. From above, the entire valley opens beneath you. BYU’s campus sits below. LaVell Edwards Stadium is easy to pick out. Utah Lake stretches into the distance. Mountains surround nearly everything else. And suddenly the relationship between the stadium and the rest of Utah Valley makes considerably more sense. In most college towns, the stadium is the centerpiece of the trip. In Provo, it feels more like the centerpiece of something much larger. A College Town Worth Actually Exploring I had some preconceived ideas about Provo before getting there. When I thought of Utah, I pictured national parks, red rocks, deserts and very small towns with a distinct lack of “adult” beverages. What I found instead was a singular destination: a cozy, welcoming mountain town, a place where daily life feels surrounded by nature rather than merely adjacent to it, and a vibrant downtown with a fresh breath of life. During our trip, we stayed at the downtown Provo Marriott Hotel. Nine floors of rooms with a bird’s-eye view of both the city and surrounding mountains. We kicked off the trip by escaping the August heat into one of the most unique attractions I’ve had the pleasure of visiting – Dreamwalk Park. The 50,000-square-foot, indoor immersive art and walk-through entertainment venue is located inside the University Place mall. It’s a family-friendly walk of nearly half a mile through hand-sculpted, cinematic sci-fi and fantasy environments. Shot by Mary Harris We then toured downtown Provo with local legend Quinn Peterson, who is the Executive Director of Downtown Provo Inc. and is the kind of guy who does just about everything and can’t go anywhere without seeing a friend. He picked us up in his one-of-a-kind, open-top dune buggy and guided us through a city that has developed considerably around the university while cementing itself as a standalone destination with a small-town feel. We stopped at the famous recording studio “June Audio,” where some of your favorite artists like Post Malone, John Legend, and Olivia Rodrigo have recorded. From there, we went on a vintage clothing excursion to the one-of-a-kind local haunt “Thrift Hood,” the perfect spot to find a highly curated selection of streetwear, vintage styles, and old school athletic apparel. They are known for their highly sought-after BYU gear from decades past, and they have a surprisingly excellent selection of Notre Dame pieces Irish fans are sure to snatch up. Outside of shopping, we got the chance to eat our way through a considerable portion of Provo. Guru’s Owner Dean Judd took us through his restaurant’s extensive menu, covering nearly every possible option you could think of. They have soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, fish plates, pasta bowls, tacos, burritos – there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If I had to suggest just a single item, get their renowned sweet potato fries with the locally famous “fry sauce” that is sure not to disappoint. Dean also made sure we experienced their warm skillet cookie, which I may or may not have eaten 90% of. Shot by Mary Harris Black Sheep Cafe Black Sheep was arguably the most unique restaurant we had the pleasure of eating at. This upscale-casual spot has a variety of food, but is known especially for its Native American dishes like the Navajo tacos and their delicious traditional fry bread. They have a full bar, so you can enjoy some libations while enjoying downtown Provo, as well as their refreshing Prickly Pear lemonade. Be sure to try their green chili frites and the hog jowl tacos for a taste of some local fare. Shot by Mary Harris Swig To some of you, Swig may not be new, but this insanely popular drive-thru beverage chain has taken the country by storm. Known as the “Home of the Original Dirty Soda,” Swig takes standard fountain drinks and customizes them with an endless array of flavored syrups, fresh fruit purées, and heavy creams. Founded in St. George, Utah, it has gone from a local favorite to a national up-and-comer. It’s an absolute must-try. Give the “Texas Tab” (Dr Pepper, vanilla, and coconut cream) or the “Hula Girl” (Sprite + Lemonade + Mango + Pineapple + Strawberry + Coconut Cream) a try! Photo via Swig Drinks Provo has the walkable downtown, local businesses, and college-town energy you want on a football weekend, but a unique selling point is how quickly everything changes once you begin driving a short distance from it. Twenty Minutes Later, You’re Somewhere Else Entirely One of the strangest things about Utah Valley is how quickly civilization seems to disappear behind you. Not long after leaving Provo, we were driving through Provo Canyon. Then came Bridal Veil Falls. Shot by Mary Harris This 607-foot-tall double-cataract waterfall, a short way up Provo Canyon, felt like we’d entered a completely different world. Water cascades down the rugged cliffs of the Wasatch Range into a pool below, with the Provo River rushing swiftly by at its base. That’s another thing that makes this area remarkable – in just a matter of minutes, we left behind downtown Provo and found ourselves completely immersed in nature. If you go just a bit further into the mountains, you’ll find Sundance. This is where the trip stopped feeling much like a college football media trip at all. The late Robert Redford, Hollywood icon and noted conservationist, fell in love with the area and its views of Mount Timpanogos in the 1960s, beginning with a small cabin on two acres before acquiring thousands of acres with the intention of creating a resort and artists’ retreat. He named the area “Sundance” after his classic character from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and it gradually turned into a national destination. We were lucky enough to be invited for a stay, and it more than lived up to its billing. After a quick 20-something-minute drive from downtown Provo, we were welcomed by much more than a resort; we entered a haven of nature and recreation. Shot by Mary Harris Over the course of our stay at Sundance Mountain Resort, we enjoyed an incredible fly fishing outing along the Lower Provo River with uninterrupted views of the Wasatch Mountain Range. Then, we got in touch with our wilder side on Sundance’s ZipTour, which descends more than 2,100 vertical feet – the largest vertical drop of any zipline tour in the country – with sweeping views of Mount Timpanogos. We capped off our activities with a scenic guided horseback ride through the backwoods of the property, with every turn revealing yet another picturesque landscape. It was the closest any of us had ever come to feeling like a real cowboy, and we were happy to play the part. Shot by Mary Harris At the end of the night, we laid our heads in stately riverside guest rooms in the heart of a resort that has earned a coveted Michelin Key award for exceptional architecture, interior design, service, and personality. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like having the babble of a mountain river lull you to sleep. On our final night at Sundance, as I sat with a cocktail in hand by the fireplace in Redford’s renowned “Owl Bar,” it occurred to me how ridiculous this itinerary would sound if you stripped away the context. We had come to Utah to see where Notre Dame would play football in October. Now we were taking part in multiple activities that would be the primary highlight of nearly any other trip. But that is also the point. If somebody asked me to fly across the country solely to look at another football stadium, that would be a considerably harder sell. If you tell me I can spend Friday hiking above the city, eat downtown that night, watch Notre Dame play BYU on Saturday, and spend another part of the weekend fly fishing, riding horses, or disappearing into the mountains around Sundance? Now you’ve got my attention. This Is the Road Trip Notre Dame fans have no shortage of options. That is a blessing — and an occasional financial curse of following a blue-chip independent program that plays across the entire country. Every season presents another collection of road games, and almost nobody can attend all of them. At some point, you start making choices. Which opponent do I most want to see? Which stadium have I never visited? Which city can turn three hours of football into an entire weekend worth remembering? And that is where I think Provo separates itself this season. The October 17th game against BYU doesn’t require us to pretend LaVell Edwards Stadium is better than Notre Dame Stadium. It would be ridiculous to frame it that way. Notre Dame Stadium is home. Provo is somewhere worth leaving home to see. There’s a difference. Come for the Fighting Irish. Stay for Utah. Maybe you fly in and spend the entire weekend around BYU and all that downtown Provo has to offer. Maybe you take the plunge and hike the Y on Friday morning. Maybe you stroll through a campus that holds its own special blend of history and fresh energy. Maybe you drive through the canyon and stop beneath Bridal Veil Falls as the sun sets. Maybe you make the trip into an excursion and head farther up the canyon toward Sundance. Maybe you’re the kind of person who wants nothing more than a great college football atmosphere and a view unlike anything you’ll find across the country. The beauty of it lies in the fact that there really isn’t a wrong way to do it. And I think that’s ultimately what sold me on Provo. Shot by Mary Harris Before the trip, I understood why the Notre Dame-BYU game looked interesting on a schedule. Two teams positioned to make a considerable amount of noise in the race to the 2026 CFP. Afterward, I understood why the location and Provo specifically deserved to be part of the conversation. Notre Dame fans have traveled everywhere. They’ve seen nearly everything. So if you’re going to convince them to choose one more flight, one more hotel and one more road game, there better be something waiting there that they cannot get at home. In Provo, there is. Actually, there are mountains of it. We want to thank Explore Utah Valley for the opportunity to experience everything Provo has to offer to give Irish fans a sneak peek at what a trip to Utah to watch Notre Dame play BYU may look like. If you couldn't tell, we highly recommend it. Start planning your trip for the October 17th game at utahvalley.com before it's too late!

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect On Wednesday, Notre Dame and Nebraska announced a home-and-home series between the two programs during the 2032-2033 season. The Irish will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, for the 2032 game, then the Cornhuskers will travel to South Bend the following season. Although the two teams have not faced off since 2001, when the Huskers beat the Irish 27-10, Nebraska has played a powerful role in the history of Notre Dame Football. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Fighting Irish first traveled west to Lincoln in 1915, where they suffered a heartbreaking 19-20 defeat at the hands of the Huskers. Notre Dame would get revenge the following season, when the squad upset Nebraska in a blowout fashion, winning 20-0 in front of another Lincoln crowd. In 1917, the Huskers would shut out the boys in blue and gold, 7-0, to win a defensive battle. The 1918 season featured the birth of a legend. Coach Knute Rockne would see his inaugural season as Irish head coach end against Nebraska in a 0-0 stalemate. However, as the two opposing teams started to see success grow, the anti-catholic jeers and sentiment got louder from the stands of Memorial Stadium. Nebraska hadn't traveled to South Bend yet, and wouldn't for another two years. However, the "papist" and "mick" slurs only fueled the passion of the Irish, as they defeated the Huskers the next three seasons. During this stretch, the Irish went 18-1 as the 'Rockne Revolution' hit college football. In 1921, Nebraska finally traveled eastward to face off against the Irish in South Bend. The largely Catholic fanbase for Notre Dame had heard stories about the harsh treatment the team had faced in Lincoln, so the South Bend home crowd was jovial, to say the least. The energetic fans prompted a 7-0 shutout victory for Notre Dame. Following the 1921 season, things looked spectacular for the Fighting Irish, as the legendary Four Horsemen started writing history. However, the following Nebraska matchups did not reflect the growing success felt elsewhere, as Notre Dame would drop back-to-back games against Nebraska in Lincoln. In 1924, Notre Dame would route Nebraska in South Bend, in front of 22,500 screaming and passionate fans, the largest Irish home crowd in history up until that point. Coach Rockne called it the "most pleasing thing" to happen to him in years, considering the dirty play and anti-catholic slurs by the Husker players. In 1924, Notre Dame defeated Nebraska 34-6 and brought home the Irish's first National Championship. The Irish would face off against the Huskers for the eleventh straight game up until that point. The final matchup came as a bitter defeat, as Nebraska upset the Irish 0-17 in a cold and snowy setting while handing Rockne the only loss of the 1925 season. The crowd in Lincoln was especially rowdy and demeaning to Notre Dame players and fans alike. Rockne then sparked a conversation with the USC Athletic Director, Gwynn Wilson, who suggested a potential Irish/Trojan matchup. Legend has it, Rockne was not too keen on the idea until Mrs. Wilson convinced Mr. Rockne that Southern California would be better than snowy Lincoln. While one rivalry ended, a greater and more impactful one took its place, as the most historic intersectional rivalry in College Football was conceived. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame and Nebraska would meet sparingly following the conclusion of the eleven straight games. The Irish soundly defeated the Huskers in 1952 and 1953 before Nebraska humiliated Notre Dame in the 1972 Orange Bowl by a score of 40-6. The final home game for the Irish against the Cornhuskers came in 2000, when Frank Solich and Nebraska snuck by a talented Notre Dame squad 27-24. The final matchup of the Rivalry (until 2032) came the following year, when Nebraska beat a struggling Notre Dame team 24-10 in Lincoln. Although the rivalry may not be as intense as it once was, the renewal of this game has sparked excitement inside two of the most passionate college football fan bases. The rivalry may not feature a battle of culture and religion, but the flame of the past will remain lit. 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!

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images With the first two games of the season completed, the Notre Dame wide receiver group has answered some questions and left others remaining. For a group that seemed poised to right some wrongs, it appears it could be another year of the same. On previous Notre Dame teams, the receiving core lacked multiple, if not one, true threat on the outside that defenses had to be aware of. The Irish offense always seemed to have solid players at the position who could keep the chains moving from time to time and could occasionally pull off a big play. Luckily for Notre Dame, the offense has been historically geared around the run game, taking some of the responsibility off the receivers. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! This season, the group appeared to have multiple players who could change the narrative that Notre Dame receivers were not elite playmakers. The group was projected to be a deep one with young talent and proven veterans. In a year without Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, it seemed like the perfect time for this group to take a step forward and carry the burden of an offense looking to make a run at a National Championship. Through two games, they still appear to be missing that special player who makes a solid group a great one. Yes, in past years, talented Irish wide receivers may have been able to explain a lack of production due to the quarterback at the time. For these current players, they no longer have that excuse. CJ Carr is one of the best QBs in the country, and he has proven time after time that he is more than capable of getting the ball to his players. With a QB like him, it falls on the receivers to consistently get open in order for him to find them. Notre Dame's offensive philosophy is not designed for QBs and wide receivers to constantly record video game-like stats, as it is an offense that favors the run game and time of possession. However, through two games, the pass game still looks mundane at times. While Carr is an amazing passer, the receiving production is still lagging. Against Wisconsin, Jordan Faison was the only Irish receiver to go for over 50 yards. The next best was Notre Dame Running Back Nolan James Jr. In their next matchup against Rice, the numbers did take a tick up, but that was against vastly inferior talent, which they will see for a majority of the year. They may be able to take advantage of inferior talent, but if this team is going to reach their goals, the receivers are going to have to figure out how to win against the nation's best. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle For Irish fans, this has become a frustrating cycle. Every year there is hope that the wide receiver group will finally produce a truly elite player. Looking around the country, the best teams have that type of player on the outside who completely transcends their offense. Faison is an excellent player who has come up big for the Irish in some big moments, but even he has his limitations. Jaden Greathouse has shown flashes of explosiveness but disappears for long stretches. Micah Gilbert has taken a step in the right direction, but he also lacks consistency. The two Ohio State five-star transfers have yet to make their mark on the season. Mylan Graham has struggled to get consistent reps, and Quincy Porter is still nursing a knee injury. With all of this being said, there is still a lot of talent in this room that could make the Notre Dame passing attack dangerous. With two games under their belt, they may begin to find a groove that could propel them through the rest of the season. The receivers could also use some help from the run game. With it also being a bit lackluster at times, it makes it even harder for receivers to get open. If Marcus Freeman and Mike Denbrock can figure out a way for the offense to play complementary football, with both working in unison, there is still time for this Fighting Irish offense to kick into high gear before running into stiffer competition. 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!

William Liang-Imagn Images When a collegiate football program is as legendary and historic as Notre Dame, players making the National Football League (NFL) and succeeding is expected, not surprising; it's what the Irish have long produced. This season is no different, as the Irish have 47 players on an active 53-man roster. Each week this season, the Irish Tribune will showcase the top NFL performers who once excelled on Saturdays. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Offensive Standouts Cole Kmet, Tight End, Chicago Bears: Kmet appears to be in a time share with Tight End Colston Loveland in Chicago. He only had two catches for 35 yards, but one of them went for a touchdown as the Bears unleashed an offensive onslaught on the Carolina Panthers 59-37. Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals: The fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love showed flashes of what Irish fans have seen from him in the past. He rushed for 41 yards and scored his first professional touchdown off a five-yard sweep to the right side. In this game, he was second in carries to Tyler Allgeier, who had 16 carries en route to stunning the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14. Michael Mayer, Tight End, Las Vegas Raiders: Mayer was elevated to the starting role following the breaking announcement that Brock Bowers would be out following meniscus surgery. Mayer took advantage by catching six passes on seven targets for 32 yards. He was tied for the team lead in receptions for the game as the Raiders upended the Miami Dolphins 27-13. Jadarian Price, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks: Price has become the de facto “bell cow” in Seattle following the offseason departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. The rookie back showed he is worthy by toting the rock 10 times for 52 yards as the defending world champions kicked off their season by beating the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch 13-10. Eli Raridon, Tight End, New England Patriots: Raridon only had one catch for two yards, but the rookie made it count as it was the only touchdown the Patriots would score in the aforementioned Super Bowl rematch. Kyren Williams, Running Back, Los Angeles Rams: Williams began his fourth season in Melbourne, Australia, versus their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Williams had 11 carries for 41 yards and the only touchdown the offensively inept Rams would score in a 27-7 loss. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Standouts Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Baltimore Ravens: Hamilton began his fourth season for the revamped Ravens with five tackles. The former All-Pro was third on the team in tackles for the game. Cam Hart, Cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers: Hart had six tackles with one pass defended for the Chargers. Benjamin Morrison, Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morrison kicked off his second season in the league with five tackles and one pass defensed in a 33-27 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals. He came in due to an injury to Jacob Parrish and could see more time depending on how long Parrish’s back sprain takes to heal. 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!

Michael Caterina-Imagn Images Notre Dame advanced to a 2-0 record after they dominated Rice 52-0 in the Irish's home opener. Freeman and his team appeared significantly more solid than just six days prior, when they decimated Wisconsin in the home opener. However, some areas of play still stood out as lackluster. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! CJ Carr - A CJ Carr, the preseason Heisman favorite, displayed his true colors on Saturday after he connected with his receivers for four passing touchdowns. Furthermore, Carr also threw 16/20 on pass attempts, amounting to 253 yards. Carr's pass protection appeared much more solid in the second game, which allowed the superstar sophomore to remain balanced and focused on downfield. Carr finished the game with a 95.7 QBR. Adon Shuler - A- Adon Shuler's hit on the second play of the game will forever remain in the hearts of all college football fans. The forced fumble was returned for a touchdown, which ended any meager amount of hope of an upset for Owl fans. Shuler is playing for something larger than himself, as he just lost his father in the past few weeks. To any offenses facing off against the Irish in the coming weeks...watch out! Mike Denbrock - B+ Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock was the center of many questions following his frequent screen pass calls in the season opener. However, Denbrock certainly opened up his vast playbook, as the Irish had twelve players involved in the passing game. However, despite a promising air attack, the Irish seemed lackluster on the run after amounting to only 118 ground yards. I expect that Denbrock will expand the playbook against Michigan State next week, which will hopefully expand the run game. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa - A- Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa returned for the Irish in the 2026 season after being sidelined on account of an ACL injury, and he made his presence felt from the get-go. Viliamu-Asa played with physicality that made many Irish fans draw comparisons to the legendary former Notre Dame linebacker, Manti Te'o. Despite only seeing 17 snaps, Viliamu-Asa collected five total tackles while being disruptive and disturbing to the Owl Offense. It'll be exciting to see him featured on more and more snaps as the season progresses. Defensive Line - A The Notre Dame defensive line appeared much more urgent and powerful in the battle of the front lines. The defensive front filled in holes perfectly, allowing LBs and DBs to attack ball carriers with gusto. Bryce Young looked even better than he did last week, especially since Elijah Hughes was now reunited with Young on the line. If the Irish defensive line continues to improve, opposing quarterbacks are going to have to get used to check-downs and RPOs; otherwise, blue and gold will likely bleed throughout the enemy backfield. Run Game - B Aneyas Williams's performance was somewhat disappointing, as he failed to break out a run longer than seven yards. Part of the problem resides within the offensive line, who often buffed blocks or failed to pick up the next level promptly. However, the same weight is placed on the running backs, who often rushed into attacking holes before the proper blocks formed. Although Nolan James Jr. rushed in two touchdowns, he wasn't even the lead rusher after Freshman Jonaz Walton finished with 48 yards on eight carries. Needless to say, the Rice matchup didn't prompt the best version of the Irish ground game, which isn't a huge deal when Carr is tossing four passing touchdowns a game. However, at some point it will make a substantial impact if change doesn't occur. The Rice victory was a night-and-day difference compared to Wisconsin. Although the Irish cruised to an easy 52-0 shutout victory, flaws remain under the golden dome. However, I strongly emphasize that those flaws are expected and will hopefully be cleaned up as the Irish face off against Michigan State on Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 pm at Notre Dame Stadium. The hype is real. This Notre Dame squad is very good and well put together. Expectations are higher than ever in South Bend, and so far the Irish are facing the pressure very well. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is off to a 2-0 start after a 52-0 dominant win over Rice on Saturday afternoon. During this torrid start, there has been little to complain about, and the Irish have shown they deserve their lofty preseason hype, outscoring their opponents 93-13. Photo via Michael Caterina - Imagn Images One constant in college football is that fans and pundits will always find something to nitpick. For Notre Dame, that nitpick has been the running game's production, or the perceived lack thereof. Comparing this year's running game to last year's is grossly unfair at best and completely misguided at its worst. While it is true that Notre Dame returned one of the nation's best offensive lines, they are replacing two first-round NFL Draft Picks in former running backs Jeremiyah Love (Heisman finalist and Doak Walker Award winner last season) and Jadarian Price. Currently, Notre Dame averages 3.6 yards per carry, with its longest run being 16 yards. Starting running back Anyeas Williams began the season strong against Wisconsin with 90 yards and two touchdowns. It was his backup, Nolan James Jr that had the game-breaking play that Irish fans became accustomed to with Price and Love; a 29-yard wheel route reception up the sideline to put the game out of reach. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle James has shown power and speed as well. Against Rice, he only had 29 yards on 6 carries, but two of those carries went for touchdowns. Jonaz Walton also chipped in with a team-leading 48 yards. This was entirely done in the second half. Williams had a paltry 29 yards on 9 carries. On the other hand, Notre Dame is throwing the ball 25 times a game, which is up from last season. CJ Carr has rewarded that confidence by throwing for six touchdowns with no interceptions. This makes Notre Dame less reliant on the run. This has led fans and pundits to question whether James should be the starter over Williams. James has shown more power and burst than Williams. It could even be argued that James's bruising style could open defenses for Williams later in the game, with his ability to make tacklers miss and turn the corner quickly. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Every game presents a new set of challenges, even against an opponent that Notre Dame is decisively better than. The coaching staff's approach has worked. The state of running backs in football is such that you do not need a definitive starter. Notre Dame championed that approach with Love and Price; they gave them both ample opportunities and let the game flow dictate which one got the usage. The Irish also have two other backs in Walton and Kedron Young who have shown to be capable and deserving of opportunities. The advantage Notre Dame has is time to make an informed and accurate decision. They do have the benefit of a schedule that doesn’t have major opposition for the first few games. If they are to make a move, they have a chance to gather a larger sample size, compare all the backs, and utilize them in the best way to benefit the team. The talent is there for all four of them to make positive impacts on this team. There needs to be time and patience to have a definitive answer. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Via USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect As the third-ranked team in the country facing Rice, a program with 11 straight losing seasons, one key is simple: take care of business. Other factors are important such as avoiding major injuries and so forth, but taking care of business is the top priority. Notre Dame did just that in a 52-0 throttling of the overmatched Rice Owls on Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium. The game was a flawless performance: the Irish didn’t turn the ball over and asserted dominance from the opening whistle to the final gun. One aspect that became clear as the game went on is that the Irish are deep and could carry one of the most talented two-deep rosters in the country. Fans knew going into the season that depth would be a strength for the Irish. While the defensive playmakers were widely discussed like freshmen five-stars Rodney Dunham and Joey O'Brien, it was the offensive depth that was showcased this afternoon. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Following the first drive of the second half, the Irish brought in freshman QB Noah Grubbs. Grubbs was a highly-touted recruit, who went viral for his buzzer-beating Hail Mary for Lake Mary High School in the Florida State High School Championship against Vero Beach. One could assume that Notre Dame would “play it safe” and ease him into the game, but they did the opposite. He threw quick strikes to wide receiver Elijah Burress, son of former NFL Wide Receiver and Super Bowl champion, Plaxico Burress. He calmly navigated Notre Dame into field goal range, showing decisiveness and pinpoint accuracy on a drive that put three points on the board. Grubbs completed 7-of-11 passes for 74 yards. Other Notre Dame underclassmen that stood out included Jerome Bettis Jr., who was key in setting up Notre Dame for their touchdown in the first drive of the second half. Bettis, following an eight-yard reception, caught a 56-yard reception by going up the sideline, hauling in a dime from Carr and making multiple Owls defenders miss to set the Irish up for first-and-goal. He also drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone, which led to a one-yard touchdown pass from Carr to TE Cooper Flanagan. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Even more players chipped in as Saturday saw the return of standout LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa from last year’s season-ending knee surgery. Viliamu-Asa finished tied for a team-leading five tackles, including 1.5 TFL. Running Back Nolan James Jr. also provided two rushing touchdowns to display that he can be a change-of-pace back behind starter, Anyeas Williams. One question in many Notre Dame social media circles this offseason has been “What happens if (knock on wood) Carr gets injured” or any other key contributor? This game provided us a glimpse into the answer of that question. While there is no controversy at the top of the depth chart, this iteration of Notre Dame Football is built for the long haul. 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!