Via USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Marcus Freeman earned his first FBS win in a season home-opener as Notre Dame put together a complete performance in their 52-0 victory over Rice. The Notre Dame defense set the tempo in this matchup by forcing three fumbles in the first two defensive possessions of the game, which included a 24-yard fumble recovery touchdown by Boubacar Traore. The Irish pitched a shutout and held Rice to 128 yards, the fewest in a single game during Freeman's tenure. Seeing linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was an encouraging sight, as the preseason All-American showcased his unique blend of speed, size, and physicality. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! CJ Carr finished his day 16-for-20, with 253 yards, and four touchdowns. The Heisman candidate was in complete control commanding the offense and delivering accurate passes. Three of his four incompletions came on drops, two by the tight ends and one by Aneyas Williams, but he was able to get multiple wide receivers involved in the passing game. The Irish ended the game with nine players totaling 20+ receiving yards. Jordan Faison continues the lead the charge among that group, scoring two first quarter touchdowns. Jaden Greathouse was showcased in this one as well, as he caught all three of his targets, ending with 48 yards. Jerome Bettis Jr. had the longest reception of the day, as the son of the Hall of Famer raced to a 56-yard reception. Notre Dame also had the chance to give their two backup quarterbacks meaningful game reps. Noah Grubbs was first off the bench and showed an electric arm. Grubbs finished 7-for-11 for 78 yards. He seemed to have good control of the offense, making checks at the line of scrimmage and delivering accurate throws. The only type of throw that Grubbs struggled with were the downfield touch throws, but overall it was an encouraging performance. Teddy Jarrard got to man the last drive of the game and showed good poise leading the unit. While the passing game proved lethal, the Fighting Irish had another sluggish performance out of their running back room. Nolan James Jr. scored two touchdowns, but only rushed for 29 yards, which is the same as the showcase running back Aneyas Williams. Williams finished with nine carries and only averaged 3.2 YPC. The Irish were able to get highly-touted freshman Jonaz Walton in the game, who ended the game as the team's leading rusher with 48 yards on eight carries; however the difference between the rushing game of years past is evident. Overall, the Irish were able to snap the stream of Week 2 losses under the Freeman era, and show how impressive this Notre Dame team can be. It was an extremely encouraging effort, and provided the Irish another performance to build upon as they face off against Michigan State next week under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium. 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 Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are looking to part with their early season woes against inferior competition with today's matchup against the Rice Owls. As most Notre Dame fans know, the Irish are 0-3 against FBS opponents in Week Two during Freeman's tenure. Heartbreak losses to Marshall, Northern Illinois, and Texas A&M sent bone-chilling reality checks across the fanbase. In this year's Week Two matchup, Rice presents an uncommon challenge: the Owls run an option offense out of the shotgun formation. In a short week where the Irish have to master an odd-looking scheme, here are a few things Notre Dame needs to do to stave off another crushing defeat. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Start Hot, Stay Hot In any game where there is a definitive favorite and underdog, the longer it stays close, the more it favors the underdog. If this game resembles last week where the Irish weren't firing on all cylinders in the first half, then some of those flashback losses can re-enter the Fighting Irish faithful's brains. The way Rice's offense is constructed, this game will play very similar to a matchup against Navy and Army. The Notre Dame offense will not get a lot of possessions, and Rice will try to dominate time of possession. However, like past year's against the Midshipmen, if the Irish score on their first few possessions, it puts the opposition in an uncomfortable position: playing from behind and trying to throw the ball. Expect CJ Carr to utilize his wide receivers in a bigger way this week against a less-athletic Owls secondary. If Rice drops two safeties like Wisconsin did last week, the Notre Dame running back room will have to continue to build on the improvements they made in the second half. Ultimately if Notre Dame gets up early in the first quarter and doesn't let the Owls hang around, some of the little game letdown nerves can be eased. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Depth In a relatively tight-matched game (for the first half) last week against Wisconsin, Notre Dame wasn't able to rotate a ton of young defenders, outside of defensive tackle. With the losses of S Brauntae Johnson and DT Jason Onye, Notre Dame will showcase some new options in their highly-touted defense. Transfers Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray shined in their limited snaps last week. Expect them to rise to a significantly bigger role alongside Armel Mukam, Elijah Hughes, and Sean Sevillano Jr. At safety, Luke Talich will plug-and-place for Johnson's absence, but it will be interesting to see whether the Irish turn to five-star freshman Joey O'Brien or Ethan Long as the first to come off the bench this week. O'Brien received some snaps in the 4th quarter last week. Backup Quarterback It is hard to write this section given Freeman's struggles against lesser opponents, but in a dream world, this game is put away as the Irish enter their home tunnel for halftime. If that is the case, Notre Dame can finally see who the first quarterback off the bench is and get them meaningful game reps. From the depth chart provided by the Notre Dame Football Communications Department, it will be a true freshman: either Noah Grubbs or Teddy Jarrard. Letting them get into the game and operate the offense is uber-important and something that is crucial to develop their skills in case of an emergency to Carr. Predictions With Marcus Freeman's well-documented Week Two struggles, I'd expect an Irish team coming out firing. Ultimately the downfall in two of those three losses (Marshall and NIU) came down to poor quarterback play, and I don't anticipate CJ Carr playing poorly. And for that reason, I expect the Irish offense to start humming. First, on the ground with Williams, James, and Young, and when the Owls put one extra man in the box, Notre Dame will able to finally connect on big plays through the air to Mylan Graham. Notre Dame 52, Rice 10 Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok 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 Shut down: verb; shut down; shutting down; shuts down; to settle to obscure vision: close in. IE the night shut down early—transitive verb, to make ineffective in competition. IE shut down the opposition's offensive line. See Also: Leonard Moore, cornerback, University of Notre Dame. "Shut down" is a word that gets thrown around frequently in sports. It is used so often that it can lose its meaning, and when we see something that is truly shut down, the appreciation isn’t what it should be. Fortunately, that is not the case for Moore. Many have argued he is the best corner in the country, and those arguments look to be safe bets. Before taking on the Wisconsin Badgers to open the 2026 season, Wisconsin Head Football Coach Luke Fickell said, "We've got to not think that we can't go that direction," Fickell said. "I'm not saying he's not the best in the country. I'm not saying he's not a top 2, 3 [NFL draft] pick in the country. But the idea is you've still got to be able to run your offense. The thing that I love about what it is that we do is, we make people do everything, so he'll have a chance to prove that he's the best in the country." Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! He was targeted four times. He only allowed two catches for 16 yards and had five tackles. He also had a highlight-reel pass breakup that was almost a one-handed interception while falling to the turf. For those that follow the Irish, these game-breaking plays are nothing outside the norm for Moore, who, coming into this season, was the highest-rated returning defender by Pro Football Focus with a 91.8 grade. Moore broke onto the scene in 2024 when another star defender, Benjamin Morrison, suffered a season-ending injury. Getting his first start against the Louisville Cardinals, in a game that was a must-win for the Irish to keep playoff hopes alive, Moore led the team with seven tackles. He became a key player on a defense that spearheaded the Irish into the national championship game and finished the season with 34 tackles, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. In his sophomore season, Moore solidified himself as the nation’s elite Cornerback. His numbers took a dip, but it was his skill that contributed to that. Teams simply did not throw in his direction. When they did, they paid a heavy price as Moore had 11 passes defended, five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle As great as Moore is on the field, his off-the-field contributions shine as well. On September 10, 2026, Moore was selected to the 10th annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List. This award honors those who show leadership, exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Off the field, Moore started Tackle Attendance South Bend, a group that helps students stay on track by offering mentorship, tools, and resources to students and families. He is also a frequent volunteer for the Black Student Summit and partnered with NDAQ Académie and fully funded a regulation-sized basketball court in Dakar, Senegal, this past summer. Leonard Moore poses with a group of Edison Middle School students for his Tackle Attendance program (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) At the beginning of this, I defined shut down (verb) directly from Dictionary.com (I added the See Also). What makes Moore truly exceptional is that, as great as he is at shutting down opposing Wide Receivers, he puts just as much effort into shutting down societal ills he sees. Using his platform to foster great change, in a time when leaders often tout their own accomplishments or brazenly make them up, Moore does it through actions, and that makes him truly great. 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!

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect After a slow first half on Sunday against Wisconsin, the Notre Dame offense was able to turn it up in the second half once the ground game started to roll. Irish QB CJ Carr played well, throwing for 239 yards on 19/29 passing, though he was not asked to take many shots. He probably will not have to take many this Saturday against Rice, either. Last season, the Owls were the only team in the country to allow opponents to score 100% of the time (42/42) they reached the red zone. Technically, this streak is still alive as Houston Christian (HCU) failed to reach the red zone against Rice last week. Last year, Rice also failed to come up with takeaways, totaling just three interceptions and three fumble recoveries before their bowl game matchup. The Owls did revamp their secondary with some high-upside transfers this offseason, and did secure an interception in their win over HCU last week. Another streak that carried over from 2025 into week one of 2026 was Rice’s undefeated record (6-0) when holding opposing offenses to under 7.5 yards per attempt, and, conversely, are 0-8 when allowing 7.5 or more yards per offensive play. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! We break down this Rice defense, coming off an encouraging week one performance, by position group below: EDGEs Joseph Mutombo The first of two solid pass-rushing EDGEs to keep an eye on Saturday is Joseph Mutombo. The 6-3, 271-pound redshirt junior is in his fourth year at Rice. Mutombo committed to the Owls out of Keller Central High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Mutombo entered the 2026 campaign with 26 games played, including seven starts, prior to week one. Through those 26 games, the EDGE recorded 24 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one interception, two PBUs, and one forced fumble. He made a decent impact last week against HCU with two tackles and one QB hit. The Redshirt Junior has good size and length and is a powerful player. He has shown solid pass rush abilities in the past, tallying four QB hits and 12 pressures in 2025. The next step for Mutombo will be finishing more of those pressures for sacks. He can struggle against athletic OL, which does not bode well for him against a potential matchup with Notre Dame LT Will Black, for example. Chibby Nwajuaku The more potent of the two starting EDGEs, at least in terms of pass rushing, is Chibby Nwajuaku. Born in Nigeria, Nwajuaku later moved to Cypress, Texas, where he attended Cypress Ranch High School. Now in his fifth year at Rice, the 6-2, 246-pound EDGE was a defensive standout last week against HCU, recording five tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble in the season-opening win for the Owls. Before week one, Nwajuaku had appeared in 19 games, including two starts, in his collegiate career. Through these first four years at Rice, he had totaled 38 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, and one forced fumble. He really broke out in the second half of last season, though, finishing the 2025 campaign with 28 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, and one forced fumble. He consistently produced as a pass rusher, recording 17 QB pressures and 12 hurries last season. One of the reasons for Nwajuaku’s pass rush prowess is his quickness. However, he is a bit undersized, and that length could be a factor against the mountains that are Notre Dame’s OTs. He also can struggle against the run. Interior Linemen Dillan Botts On the inside, we will find the 6-1, 286-pound Senior out of Houston. Botts, notably, is a distant cousin of the late Ricky Bell, former USC All-American RB and first overall pick in the 1977 NFL Draft. Coming out of Bridgeland High School, Botts originally committed to DIII Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) in Belton, Texas. Across two years at UMHB, Botts recorded 54 tackles, 10 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, one interception, two PBUs, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick in 22 games played, including 17 starts. This production was good enough to transfer up to the FBS and Rice in 2025. Last season, his first with the Owls, Botts finished the year with 16 tackles, one PBU, and was credited with half of a sack in 12 games played, including 11 starts. The former DIII star also ended up leading Rice’s interior defensive linemen in overall PFF grade. Overall, Botts does a lot of things well, but nothing great. His limited size and length will be an issue against Notre Dame, and he really has not proven too much against FBS competition. Botts recorded one tackle and was credited with an assisted TFL against HCU last week. Aquantis Clemmons Next to Botts is former walk-on turned starter, Aquantis Clemmons. The 5-10, 286-pound (yes, that is correct) lineman originally walked on to Rice, coming from Carver High School in Atlanta. Now, Clemmons is in his fourth year with the Owls and coming off a breakout 2025 season. Clemmons entered the 2026 campaign with 22 games played, including one start. He made his first real impact last season, finishing the year with 21 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack, and one fumble recovery across 13 games. Last week, Clemmons opened up the year with a solid three-tackle outing in the win against HCU. The Redshirt Junior is quick and can be a potential disruptor. Clemmons led Rice interior linemen in 2025 with nine QB pressures and seven hurries. He is also someone who seems to get better each year. However, there is a chance he is just swallowed up by Notre Dame’s offensive line on Saturday given his limited length. Others to watch: Christopher Clark-Jolivet, Matthew Aribisala Linebackers Jo Chavez Linebacker may be Rice’s deepest position on their roster, with five to six legitimate options for the Owls to implement. Listed at VIPER is Jo Chavez. The 6-0, 194-pound Junior is in his second year with the program after spending his freshman season at Saddleback College. The Folsom, California native spent one season at Saddleback, a community college in Mission Viejo, before making the transfer to Rice. In 11 games played at Saddleback, Chavez tallied 47 tackles, three TFLs, one interception, and two PBUs. Like EDGE Nwajuaku, Chavez also had a strong second half in 2025, his first year with the Owls. In 12 games played, including five starts, the LB recorded 40 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one PBU. 28 of his 40 tackles occurred in the last five games of the year. Chavez came up with one tackle last week to open up his 2026 campaign. The versatile LB has shown he can produce at this level. He possesses good instincts, which lend to him being a solid tackler. Chavez’s pass-rushing and coverage abilities can be a struggle, which could be a result of size. Stone Combs Rice brought in a pair of Nevada transfer LBs this offseason, who both are set to be leaders of this defense. First, Stone Combs. The 6-1, 227-pound fifth-year committed to Nevada out of Park City High School in Utah. Combs appeared in 40 games, including 17 starts, across four years at Nevada. He first broke out in 2024, but ‘25 was his career-best. While making 11 starts across 12 games played, Combs recorded 75 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, half a sack, and one PBU. Combs brings great experience and obvious production to Rice. He has good size for an interior backer and is a constant threat against the run. He is also a solid tackler. However, Combs’ coverage skills are questionable, and his pass rush is overall limited. He was able to come up with three tackles in his Rice debut last week. Austin Harnetiaux Combs’ running mate from Nevada also decided to transfer to Rice for the 2026 campaign. Harnetiaux, a 6-2, 228-pound redshirt senior, originally walked on at Washington after playing high school ball at Seattle Prep. After appearing in four games and making one tackle across two years at Washington, Harnetiaux transferred to Nevada in 2024. This is where his game started to take off. Harnetiaux appeared in 25 games, with three starts, across two years at Nevada. During this time, he tallied 81 tackles, three TFLs, two PBUs, and one forced fumble. Like Combs, Harnetiaux also finished his Rice debut with three tackles. The Seattle native has good size and physicality, and is a smart player. All-around, I would say Harnetiaux is a pretty solid LB, with coverage and speed my only concerns. Others to watch: Cooper King, Beau Barton, Caden VerMaas Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Backs FS AJ Brown While Daveon Hook remains a question mark for Saturday, expect AJ Brown to fill in for him at Safety. The 6-0, 188-pound redshirt senior transferred to Rice this offseason following four years at UAB. Brown committed to UAB out of Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. During his time at UAB, Brown made six starts across 35 games played. He finished his UAB career with 91 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, one interception, two PBUs, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Brown is coming off the best season of his collegiate career, when he recorded 53 tackles, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries with the Blazers in 2025. Brown brings good experience to the Rice DB room. He is a solid tackler and plays with good physicality, but coverage is not his strength. The Redshirt Senior finished week one with three tackles in his Owls debut. SS Koa Akui Pairing with Brown as Rice’s starting safety duo is Hawaii native and Sacramento State (Sac St) transfer, Koa Akui. Another redshirt senior, Akui originally committed to Sac St out of Hilo High School. The 5-10, 193-pound DB made 11 starts across 20 games played during his four years at Sac St, but he broke out in 2025. In 12 games played last season, Akui recorded 65 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, five interceptions, 11 PBUs, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He was named an All-Big Sky selection for his efforts. The undersized safety brings good athleticism, zone coverage skills, and physicality to Rice. Akui can struggle in man and has been subject to mental lapses concerning play recognition in the past. Like Brown, Akui also came up with three tackles in his Rice debut last week. CB Jamir Benjamin While the safety tandem is made up of two transfers from a group of five and an FCS program, respectively, the Owls also added two power-four conference CBs to their defense. Jamir Benjamin, a 5-10 and 185-pound redshirt sophomore out of West Bloomfield High School in Michigan, originally committed to UCLA as a three-star recruit. Benjamin played in one game in 2024 as a true freshman, retaining his redshirt. Last season, he appeared in all 12 games with the Bruins, mostly on special teams with just 67 defensive snaps. He finished the year with nine tackles and returned a muffed punt for a touchdown against Washington. Now in his first season at Rice, Benjamin brings good upside and athleticism to the Owls' defense. He is particularly quick and agile and has solid cover skills. It will be interesting if CJ Carr and Notre Dame take advantage of Benjamin’s smaller frame. Overall, the redshirt sophomore is relatively unproven and is still developing. He was solid against HCU last week, recording two tackles and one PBU in the win. CB Kyren Condoll Opposite of Benjamin will likely be Duke transfer Kyren Condoll. The 6-1, 186-pound redshirt sophomore committed to Duke out of Rancho Cucamonga High School in California as a three-star recruit. Condoll appeared in ten games across two years with the Blue Devils, failing to record any statistics. Seeking an improved opportunity, the Fontana native transferred to Rice this season. He possesses good size and length. Like Benjamin, I would describe Condoll as a potential high-upside DB who is still unproven at the college level. He was able to come up with two tackles against HCU. Others to watch: Zack Cody, Bailey Fletcher, Daveon Hook (did not play week one; something to monitor), Ahran Ogbor 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!

Notre Dame heads home to South Bend this Saturday for the “official” 2026 home opener against the Rice Owls. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images The Fighting Irish opened their season with a good win over Wisconsin last Sunday at Lambeau Field. Defensively, Notre Dame played well, limiting the Badgers to 13 points, including just a field goal in the second half. The Irish had the run game smothered all night, holding Wisconsin rushers to 2.2 yards per carry, despite the Badgers' offseason emphasis on becoming more physical on offense. LB Drayk Bowen anchored the middle of the defense, leading the team with nine tackles, including one for a loss. EDGE Boubacar Traore did his job with three tackles, one sack, and two TFLs. Transfer DL Francis Brewu also added three tackles and a sack in his Irish debut, forcing his hand as a potential future starter in this unit. Notre Dame’s secondary play was, without a doubt, highlighted by transfer CB DJ McKinney’s 55-yard pick-six. Outside of this, the Irish combined for five PBUs, two of them coming from the other transfer CB, Jayden Sanders. Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph displayed that he is a way better passer than I gave him credit for, throwing for 217 yards, including a 28-yard TD, on 19/30 pass attempts. The Badgers should be in good hands the rest of the way. Now, the focus shifts to Rice and Head Coach Scott Abell’s funky offense. Abell’s offense is best described as the service academies’ option attack with just a bit more passing involved. Abell’s first Division I head coaching gig was at FCS Davidson College, where he was hired in 2018. What Abell did at Davidson across seven years is pretty extraordinary; he led the Wildcats to a 47-28 overall record, including the program’s only three appearances in the FCS playoffs. The crazy part: Davidson does not offer football scholarships. He brought a program designed to not succeed at all to relevancy. Now, he tries to do the same at Rice in his second year with the Owls. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Rice and Abell kicked off his second season with the Owls in a 31-3 outing against Houston Christian University (HCU) last Saturday. Find a breakdown of Rice’s unique offense by position group below: Quarterback Jacurri Brown There probably are not a lot of more perfect fits for Abell’s offense than UCF transfer and Redshirt Senior Jacurri Brown. A 6-4, 227-pound former four-star recruit out of Lowndes High School in Georgia, Brown originally committed to Miami (FL) out of high school. Brown spent two years at Miami, appearing in nine games with three starts, spending the majority of his time backing up Tyler Van Dyke. The young QB was able to flash his dual-threat abilities in his limited time as a Hurricane, throwing for 411 yards and four touchdowns, along with four interceptions, while rushing for 278 yards and two scores on 68 carries. Following the 2023 season, Brown entered the portal and transferred to UCF seeking increased opportunities. His two years at UCF did not go to plan, serving as a backup to KJ Jefferson in 2024 and dealing with an AC Joint Sprain that limited his 2025 campaign. Brown somewhat struggled as a passer during his 12 games played with the Knights, completing just 38/72 attempts for 495 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions. His ground game did not regress at all, though, rushing for 543 yards and six scores on 69 carries. Now the redshirt senior QB enters his final collegiate season at his third program. Last week, Brown rushed for 98 yards on 13 carries, while throwing just five times, completing two attempts for 11 yards. It is fair to say this offense suits his game extremely well. I believe Brown has legitimate dual-threat upside, but limited pass production this far into his career is concerning. For what it's worth, Brown appeared to have a strong spring and fall camp, being named the starting QB in the spring, and then being selected as a captain this fall before ever taking a snap as a Rice Owl. The obvious focus for Notre Dame’s defense will be limiting his elite rushing abilities, as he is a guy who averages well over six yards per carry in his career. Additionally, Brown’s big and athletic frame allows him to handle contact and makes him a true weapon when he is on the run, which he will do a lot in Abell’s offense. The biggest questions may be a moot point given the offensive scheme, but should be addressed. Before last week, Brown was a 57% career passer with a 5:9 TD:INT ratio. Both of these raise red flags surrounding his accuracy and decision-making as a passer. With these faults, Brown has yet to prove he can beat defenses with just his arm. Luckily, he seems to be in a good spot for that, just not this Saturday. Others to watch: Gael Ochoa Running Backs Tyvonn Byars Rice’s projected leading rusher led the Owls last week against HCU with 104 yards on the ground across 16 carries. Tyvonn Byars, a 5-10 and 217-pound Sophomore out of Lake Creek High School in Texas, is in his second season with the Owls. Byars flashed as a true freshman last season, rushing for 193 yards and one touchdown across 34 carries in eight games played. He showed he can be explosive with three 25-plus-yard rushes (again, on just 34 carries) while averaging a productive 5.7 yards per run. He also added two catches for 53 yards as a receiving threat. Byars possesses good size and is a tough, physical runner. Entering the year, he had not proven he can handle lead back duties; however, his strong week one performance is a great sign for Rice that he can manage the load. Others to watch: D’Andre Hardeman Jr. Receivers Ben Grice The first of three versatile “receivers” to keep an eye on is Redshirt Sophomore Ben Grice. The Atlanta native committed to Wake Forest out of Woodward Academy, where he would spend two years. Grice played in all 12 games on special teams in 2024 with the Demon Deacons before seeing no action and redshirting in 2025. The 5-11, 194-pound starting slot has no collegiate receiving production so far in his career, but he was able to garner 12 yards on three carries against HCU last week. Grice is capable of producing as a receiver based on his career high school stats: 116 catches for 2,083 yards and 26 touchdowns. He is also a very good athlete and was originally committed to Delaware Lacrosse before opting to play football at Wake Forest. After shaking off any rust from not playing in 2025 in week one, Grice will be in for a tough battle this Saturday. For a versatile slot that will be asked to do a lot physically, he does appear to be on the smaller side. Braylen Walker This 5-10, 181-pound receiver in his fifth season at Rice did not record any stats in week one, but still poses a threat. Braylen Walker is a Redshirt Senior out of Lake Charles College Prep in Sulphur, Louisiana. Prior to this season, Walker had appeared in 29 games, including nine starts, with the Owls. However, he was limited to just three games in 2025 due to an undisclosed injury. Through his Rice career, Walker has compiled 45 catches for 590 yards and four touchdowns. Walker does possess some good explosive play abilities, so it will be interesting if Abell makes him more of an offensive emphasis this week. As a former two-time state finalist in Track, he also owns good speed and athleticism. Also, compared to Grice, Walker does have an edge in overall collegiate playing experience. However, his production has been limited throughout his career, dealing with injury concerns and a smaller frame, and he has never been a legitimate top target. Davis Lane With Rice’s offensive star, Quinton Jackson, likely out this week after suffering an injury against HCU, Davis Lane has a chance to establish himself in the offense. Lane transferred to Rice for his redshirt senior campaign this year after spending four years at Virginia (UVA). The Lynchburg, VA native originally committed to UVA as a three-star QB recruit out of Liberty Christian Academy. Lane eventually transitioned to the RB room at UVA, but was mostly utilized as a special teams player during his 24 games played in Charlottesville. He finished his UVA career with just 10 carries for 40 yards. Lane did not record any stats in his first game as a Rice Owl last week, but he should see an increased role now with Jackson dealing with an injury. Lane offers intriguing versatility, with experience at QB, RB, and now WR. He also has good size, but no college receptions and limited experience in general could be a detriment to this weapon. Others to watch: Quinton Jackson (likely out Saturday; best player on the offense), Barry Jackson Jr., Jordan Clark Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Tight Ends James Falk With Notre Dame transfer Preston Zinter’s status up in the air for this week after not playing week one, James Falk is assuming the starting tight end duties. The 6-6, 250-pound Redshirt Junior is in his fourth year at Rice after committing to the Owls out of The Haverford School in Pennsylvania. Prior to week one, Falk had appeared in 16 games with three starts. Last season, he recorded three catches for 30 yards across 13 games played. He did not record any stats against HCU last week. Falk possesses great size and frame for the position. He has also flashed solid hands but does seem to still be a work-in-progress in terms of development. He appears to have better potential as a blocker, though, compared to a receiver. Others to watch: Will Swartz, Preston Zinter (did not play week one; something to monitor) Offensive Linemen ST Justin Michaelis Another unique facet of Abell’s offense is the use of split and tight linemen that dynamically switch sides depending on the play. Rice legacy Justin Michaelis is listed as the team’s starting Split Side Tackle. Justin’s father, Derek, was a two-sport star at Rice, committing to play basketball despite being drafted to the MLB out of high school. Eventually, Derek decided to focus full-time on baseball and went on to have a solid professional career, reaching the AAA level. Justin now keeps the Michaelis name alive at Rice as a 6-3, 321-pound Redshirt Freshman. He was also a baseball star coming up, appearing in the 2018 Little League World Series for Texas. After moving to Park City, Utah, and attending Park City High School, Michaelis decided to commit to play football for the Owls. Michaelis appeared in five games last season, totaling 61 snaps. He was able to retain his redshirt status because the fifth contest was a bowl game. He is still kind of an unknown in terms of blocking prowess and is still developing. From the limited action, it does seem he may be better suited for the interior line. SG Patrick Valent At Split Guard, we find the 6-2, 330-pound Redshirt Junior in his fourth year with the program. Valent, a native of Warren, Ohio, committed to Rice out of John F Kennedy Catholic High School. Valent entered this season with 16 games played and coming off a breakout year. In 2025, he started 10 of 13 games played and allowed no sacks across 191 pass plays. He has good weight, but his smaller stature could be an issue this week. Regardless, he always plays with a high level of physicality. This is partly because he needs to make up for what he lacks in athleticism. Longer, faster defenders will give Valent problems all day. Overall, he can hold his own against AAC competition, but it will be a long Saturday for the junior against the third-ranked Fighting Irish. C Nate Bledsoe Anchoring this unit in the middle will be the 6-2, 315-pound Redshirt Junior. Bledsoe is in his fourth year at Rice after committing to the Owls out of Briarcrest Christian High School in Tennessee. After not seeing action in 2023 and 2024, Bledsoe got his first taste of collegiate action last season when he appeared in eight games, earning four starts. In general, Bledsoe is another guy with limited experience who has yet to prove themselves at this level. I think he could be a well-rounded center in terms of blocking; however, quickness and overall consistency have caused issues in the past. Expect Notre Dame DL Armel Mukam to feast on this matchup Saturday afternoon. TG Cole Principe Rice’s Tight Guard is 6-3, 310-pound Sophomore, Cole Principe. The Brea, California native committed to Rice out of Orange Lutheran High School, where he competed against Notre Dame LBs Madden Faraimo (JSerra Catholic) and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (St. John Bosco). Last season, Principe became the first true freshman OL to start at Rice since 2019. He appeared in seven games, making four starts in 2025. While he is still developing technique and consistency, this experience last season was valuable. Principe does possess good size for the interior, but he can struggle against quicker DL matchups. TT Luke Miller The final starter to highlight on the Rice offense is Tight Tackle Luke Miller. The 6-3, 304-pound Redshirt Sophomore is in his third year with the Owls after committing to the program out of Round Rock High School in Texas. Miller entered this season with 16 games played, starting all 13 he played in 2025. This makes him the most important piece of this unit as its sole full-time returning starter. He impressed as a pass-blocker last season, allowing just one sack across 267 pass plays. Miller also moves well for his size, making him a great fit for Abell’s offense. However, his run-blocking does need to become a more consistent threat. Like some of his counterparts, Miller’s size and frame can hold up against AAC foes, but I have a hard time envisioning him stopping Notre Dame EDGE Boubacar Traore, for example. Others to watch: OT Luke Needham Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? 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USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect For the past two seasons, Notre Dame grew accustomed to the extremely talented running back duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. With both players drafted in the first round, Notre Dame was left with a huge hole to fill. After week one, here are some early thoughts for this group going forward. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Making a Huge Impact in the Pass Game One aspect of the RB room that immediately jumped off the page was this group's ability to be a target in the passing game. While running the ball was tough going for most of the game, Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. had no problems displaying their usefulness as pass-catchers. Although Williams caught only one pass, he has been a viable third-down receiving threat for Notre Dame in past years. During his freshman season, he became the go-to third-down back, even making a huge catch in the Orange Bowl that led to an Irish touchdown to tie the game. Williams will surely have bigger receiving games than this, but it was James who stole the show in this aspect of the game. Coming into the game, it was still a bit unclear who would be getting the bulk of the reps, whether that was Williams, James, or Kedren Young. James did not see much success on the ground, but he did make some of the biggest plays of the game through the air. On the first drive after halftime, James received a check-down pass where he made multiple Wisconsin players miss, resulting in a 28-yard play to set up Notre Dame's second touchdown. Later in the second half, James once again showed off his hands with a really tough catch with a defender draped all over him. While the play did not result in a lot of yards, it did display just how good his hands are, especially for a running back. He put the cherry on top of an already great night on Notre Dame's last drive, where he once again took a mundane pass for 28 yards and a touchdown. In total, James finished with four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame May Need to Find a New Way to Create Explosive Plays Last season, Love and Price almost single-handedly supplied Notre Dame with all of its explosive plays. Love was seemingly due for a breakaway run once a game, and Price would often match in the run or return game. Together, they made the Irish run game efficient, productive, and explosive. After week one, it does not appear that this group contains that same level of explosiveness, which is not necessarily a bad thing. In the first half against Wisconsin, Notre Dame's run game was bogged down, often just gaining a yard or two per attempt. As the game went on, Williams began to gash the Badgers for bigger gains, largely due to the improvement across the offensive line. This improvement displayed that Notre Dame's rushing attack may come in a more "grind it out" style this season. They may look at their deep RB room as a way to keep backs fresh and wear down opposing defenses. Last season, Love and Price were big play threats that could win games with just a few runs. This room may be one that plays the long game with physical runs that accumulate over the course of an entire game. Both styles can be equally effective, but it takes patience. If this group is one that struggles to create big plays, Notre Dame will have to be able to find it elsewhere. The Run Game May Take Time The most important thing for Notre Dame fans who are worried about the run game is patience. Even against Wisconsin, the run game saw a noticeable improvement in just one half. While it is valid to have concerns, there is also a lot of time to continue improving. One aspect of the run game that needs to improve is the offensive line. While there is a lot of experience on the line, there are also a lot of players playing a new position. These are all talented players, so they all just need more games under their belt as a unit to reach their full potential. In just one game, they seemed able to make the necessary adjustments to change the trajectory of that game. For the running backs, they are also in an unfamiliar role. Although Williams has seen a lot of playing time, this is the first time he is being asked to receive the bulk of the carries. For James and Young, this is their first time playing real minutes. The trio should become more and more comfortable reading blocks, fighting through tackles, and carrying out all the other roles necessary for the position. Think back to last year against Miami; the Irish running attack was lethargic for much of that game, too, even with two first-round draft picks. After that game, they went on to carry the offense, so it may be best to give this unit the time they need to grow into 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!

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Notre Dame opened the 2026 season with a commanding victory over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, outscoring the Badgers 28-3 in the second half after a slow 13-10 first-half performance. Very few teams have received as much preseason hype and acclaim as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Quarterback CJ Carr is the current Heisman favorite, along with a host of preseason All-American selections in Leonard Moore, Drayk Bowen, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, and more. However, Coach Marcus Freeman has been very prone to starting the season rather slowly, which showed in the first half of the season opener against Wisconsin. There are a plethora of both good and bad things each personnel group showcased in the first 60 minutes of the 2026 Notre Dame Football season. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! CJ Carr - B+ Heisman favorite C.J Carr didn't see much success from the array of screen pass play selections. However, he picked apart the Wisconsin secondary when he was allowed to. Carr did have a few plays where he either made the incorrect read or just barely missed the intended target. Carr needs to put more velocity behind his ball in certain areas. With that being said, Carr had a great second half, where he finished the game with 239 passing yards and two passing touchdowns on 19-29 attempts. Carr will improve as the playbook opens, and already has the ability to strike fear into opposing secondary units. Running Backs - A No Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price? No problem. Notre Dame continued to prove they develop running backs unlike anyone else, as three different running backs showed significant skill on both the run and the pass. Aneyas Williams proved the hype was real, as he ran in two touchdowns and picked up 90 yards on the ground. Williams showed promising speed coming off the edge, which he used to bypass the next level of defenders. Nolan James Jr. and Kedren Young also saw time on the gridiron, with James logging 67 receiving yards, including a touchdown reception. I would like to see more breakaway runs from this terrific trio of backs, but I'm almost certain they will come as the season progresses. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends - A- The opening drive until the half featured multiple screen passes, which the Irish WRs struggled to block against. However, after CJ Carr was allowed to open the field up, his receivers showed they had no trouble finding open space. Jordan Faison showed excellent route running paired with a great breakaway speed that allocated plenty of yards after the catch. Jaden Greathouse struggled to catch the ball in the Badgers' sea of coverage, but will look to improve as the Irish prepare for the remaining eleven games. Micah Gilbert also showed improvement from his Sophomore season, as he brought in three receptions for 34 yards. The receiving corps should show out as OC Mike Denbrock opens up the playbooks in the subsequent weeks. The Flanigan and Flanagan duo showed flashes of Eli Raridon from last season, as the slender figures slipped past linebackers in coverage. The TEs showed struggles on the blocking aspect of the run game, which should improve with time. Offensive Line - B Notre Dame has an excellent reputation for producing some of the most talented offensive linemen in football. However, that reputation didn't show in the Wisconsin game. Fifth-year senior Ashton Craig false-started on the very first play. Guerby Lambert and Will Black got beat on plenty of plays, with CJ Carr even fumbling (which the Irish recovered). The off-ball run blockers often hit the second wave of defenders before blocking the closest man. The run game was lackluster before halftime, when night seemingly turned into day, and the Irish started to get correct fits on blocks. The problem with the Irish offensive line was not the physicality aspect of the game, as there was little doubt about the effort of the players. From my understanding, the mishaps occurred from poor technique, fatigue, and miscommunication. However, the second half showed an astounding amount of potential residing within the front five, and I look forward to seeing how much they improve week-by-week. Mike Denbrock - B Notre Dame's offensive coordinator seemed to stick to the same script as last season's opener against Miami. Denbrock called many screen passes and inside zone runs, which didn't see plenty of success. However, when the coach decided to open up the passing playbook, the success followed not only with Carr's air attack, but the ground game also established itself. It is difficult to judge Denbrock for his play calling in the opener, as he's notoriously careful about not revealing the playbook too early. Everything is a process, and Denbrock will adapt as the season progresses. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Line - B+ The defensive line showed promise, but also displayed signs of incompetence throughout the game. The defense struggled to properly distinguish play-action passes and often failed to bring adequate pressure to Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph. However, the defensive front showed no lack of physicality, with Bryce Young showing great technique as he continued to pressure Joseph in the second half. Linebackers - B+ The linebacker corps also showed a lackluster ability to read on play-action passes. Linebackers often show inside prematurely on outside zone reads, and the Irish linebackers showed struggle in reading the basic option run (although Joseph did an excellent job selling the handoff). However, Drayk Bowen showed why he's on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Bowen had a string of excellent and dominant plays in the second half, as if he read the offensive line like a diary. It's evident that this group had plenty to work on, but it's also true to claim this is one of the most talented linebacker rooms in the entire sport. Leonard Moore - A Leonard Moore proved he could get even better during the offseason with his performance against Wisconsin. Despite the Badger offense rarely targeting him, Moore still finished with five total tackles by the final whistle. Moore's footwork was quick and precise as he kept his receiver in close proximity. Moore is without a doubt one of the most talented cornerbacks in college football, and he showed he only improved since last season. Secondary - A- The secondary corps proved the immense offseason hype was no fluke. Adon Shuler, who tragically lost his father earlier this week, played some of the most physical football he's ever played, as his violent hits shook fear into the Badger receivers. The secondary had impressive reads against the Badger play-actions and dominated against the screen pass. How could we even discuss the Irish secondary without mentioning DJ McKinney's 55-yard pick-six touchdown? Although Notre Dame defensive backs showed plenty of talent, mishaps and misreads also occurred. Most notably, the 28-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Coleman, which caught the Irish defense without a safety after miscommunication ensued. Special Teams - B One of the largest improvements from last season resides with the Irish's new kicker, Spencer Porath, who nailed two field goals, including a 52-yard missile. Porath transferred from Purdue this offseason and made the first field goal for the Irish since October 11th of last season. The punt team struggled with blocking assignments, as punter Jasper Scaife struggled to get the ball off in time. As the game progressed, the blocks got better and more precise, and Scaife rattled off a few 40-plus-yard punts. There are a thousand different things revealed over the course of the game to judge. However, the basic conclusion drawn from the game remains. The Irish started slow before showing why they are indeed the third-best team in the country according to the AP Poll. I definitely saw plays where Notre Dame didn't perform, but I saw even more plays that gave a glimpse of the true potential of the blue and gold. My verdict after the first game: Trust in Freeman and his men. Notre Dame is a very good team and will only continue to improve. 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. 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Michael Caterina-Imagn Images On Labor Day Sunday, Notre Dame beat Wisconsin in the season opener. The Irish will face a short six-day turnaround before facing off against Rice on Saturday, September 12th. Next, the Irish will face off against Michigan State before traveling to Purdue to compete against the in-state rival. The next third of the season will see the Irish take on four talented teams, each holding the possibility to upset the now number-three AP Poll-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Will the Irish continue to dominate, or will Notre Dame catch the midseason upset flu? October 3rd at North Carolina 2025 Record - (4-8) No. of Returning Offensive Starters - 2 No. of Returning Defensive Starters - 3 As Coach Bill Belichick returns for his second season as Tar Heels Head Coach, the expectations are still high in Chapel Hill, despite a lackluster 4-8 record last season. Offensively, things are complicated for North Carolina. The quarterback room features a duo of transfers in Billy Edwards Jr. and Miles O'Neill. As of right now, Edwards is highly expected to remain the starter when the Irish and Tar Heels meet. Although North Carolina lost plenty of defensive talent, most notably in the linebacker and secondary corps, new freshman and transfer recruits will have plenty of space and time to progress. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! October 10th vs Stanford 2025 Record - (4-8) No. of Returning Offensive Starters - 5 No. of Returning Defensive Starters - 5 Stanford is attempting to build upon a disappointing season, in which the final of the Cardinal's eight losses came at the hands of Notre Dame. Stanford's offense was very lackluster last season, averaging less than 19 points per game, while the defense allowed just under 30 points per game. Stanford returns five offensive players from last season, which should be a positive considering the lack of experience the Cardinal possessed last season. The largest point of emphasis for the offensive coaching staff resides in the horrific ground yards per game. The meek 84.5 rushing yards per game is far removed from the glory days with Christian McCaffrey. Defensively, Stanford also retains five players who started in 2025. Lack of experience was also a concern on the defensive front, as the Cardinal allowed over 400 yards per game last season. Stanford can only pray to control the air attack by Notre Dame QB CJ Carr and RB Aneyas Williams's grinding ground game. October 17th at BYU 2025 Record - (12-2) No. of Returning Offensive Starters - 4 No. of Returning Defensive Starters - 7 The Notre Dame and BYU matchup has already generated an array of anticipation and hype despite still being over a month out. The Irish and Cougars are both expected to potentially compete for a playoff spot, and this game will most definitely have a playoff atmosphere. BYU returns eleven total players and has a vast array of high school and transfer recruits. Sophomore QB Bear Bachmeier will return for his second year leading the Cougar offense. Bachmeier was dominant last season, throwing for 15 passing touchdowns and sprinting for 11 rushing touchdowns. He will be joining revered RB LJ Martin and WR Parker Kingston in a cocktail of offensive brilliance. However, as good as the Cougar offense is, the BYU defense can make an argument for being just as exciting. BYU returns seven total contributors to a conference-champion defense. The number of defensive returners is the most out of any opponent the Irish will face this season, and very well could give the Notre Dame offense a headache in one of the most hostile environments in college football. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle October 31st at Navy 2025 Record - (11-2) No. of Returning Offensive Starters - 4 No. of Returning Defensive Starters - 5 After a bye week following the BYU marquee matchup, Notre Dame will travel to the well-familiar venue of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Notre Dame and Navy rivalry might not generate as much hype as when the Irish face the likes of USC, Michigan, or Clemson, but the historical background provides hardcore Notre Dame fans with a deep sense of respect and passion for the matchup. Add in a very successful 2025 season for the Midshipmen, and the fire remains hot even two weeks removed from the BYU matchup. Stellar QB Blake Horvath is no longer leading the Midshipmen offense, which is by far the largest loss for Navy. However, Braxton Woodson has shown promise as trust has been placed in him to lead the attack. Navy also lost one of the best RBs they have ever seen after Alex Tecza left for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Navy led the FBS in rushing yards per game in 2025 after Tecza thrived in the traditional option-style Midshipmen offense. Defensively, Navy returns five total starters. The linebacker room is full of experience, with MarcAnthony Parker and Coleman Cauley providing experience at linebacker. The Navy secondary unit is also nothing to scoff at, with Giuseppe Sessi and Irabonoise Oniha bringing experience. 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. 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IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect A sports season is not a sprint: it is a marathon, full of ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. There will be times when hope feels lost, when it seems there is no way our beloved team can win. We saw that truth in primetime when Notre Dame took on Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. For one half, it looked like Wisconsin could hang with the fourth-ranked Fighting Irish. Ghosts of past early-season hiccups haunted our memories (Miami and Texas A&M last season, Northern Illinois the previous season). But the second half showed a different truth: this team can answer adversity. This was not the Irish of the past. This was a team of vengeance and exorcism that was going to use their immense talent and strength to show their worth and make these haunting memories seem like ages ago. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Opening the second half, up 13-10, the Irish took the opening kickoff and imposed their will on a Wisconsin defense that NBC Color Commentator Jason Garrett said had “bullied, dominated and pushed around Notre Dame”. Nonsensical hyperbole aside, Notre Dame became the bullies, going on a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to take a 20-10 lead. Five plays later, while Wisconsin was driving, CB DJ McKinney jumped on a throw made by Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph and didn’t stop for 55 yards until he hit pay dirt, which made the score 28-10; route on, demons exercised, all is good with Irish faithful. This game was not pretty; there are still issues (defense getting caught on big gains with “slug-go” routes) and typical first-game hiccups. However, this game should not be viewed as a harbinger of doom. This needs to be looked at as the first step towards a greater goal. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The offense did not turn the ball over against a defense that was very stout last season. The offensive line that at times last season struggled to protect CJ Carr, only allowed one sack. After a slow start, RB Aneyas Williams finished with 90 yards and two touchdowns. Carr was 19/29 for 239 yards and two touchdowns as well. As a bonus, kicker Spencer Porath made all four extra points and hit both of his field goal attempts (given the kicking issues last year, this is a welcomed sight). It’s only one game, but I dare say, the past is just the past. What the Irish showed us in this first game is what we expected: a relentless team that will keep fighting and pushing. When Notre Dame teams of old have shrunk down and fell apart, this year's team did not. They took the Badgers' best haymakers and fired back with repeated knockout blows to a decisive 41-13 victory. No one knows what will happen in these final 11 games. Injuries to defensive stalwarts S Brauntae Johnson and DT Jason Onye are concerning, but the Irish showed they are built for the marathon of this season. And that is one marathon that should be fun to watch. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Art by The Irish Tribune GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Notre Dame started off slow in their highly-anticipated season opener at Lambeau Field, but ultimately, the Irish fended off the Wisconsin Badgers 41-13. Notre Dame benefitted from strong performances from the captains and leaders of the team. CJ Carr finished 19/29 with 239 yards, and two touchdowns. Carr was effective in the second half once offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock opened up the offense for his second-year starter. Carr's most popular target was Jordan Faison who ended with four catches, 81 yards, including 39 yards after the catch. Faison was targeted eight times, and it's clear the rapport between Carr and Faison is more developed than other younger receivers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect While Notre Dame is dealt with the impossible task of replacing two NFL first-round draft picks, the Irish run game struggled in the first half. Not all of that can be attributed to the performances of Aneyas Williams, Nolan James Jr. and Kedren Young, but more so on the play from the offensive line. In the second half, Notre Dame made a switch at right guard, replacing Styles Prescod with Sullivan Absher and saw better results. The Irish outscored the Badgers 28-3 in the second half, with a balanced attack showcasing Carr's arm, while blocking up front for Williams and James Jr. Williams finished with 20 carries, 90 yards, and two touchdowns, while James Jr made his impact catching the ball out of the backfield, finishing with four catches and 67 yards, which included a 28-yard touchdown. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensively, the Notre Dame defense was anchored by captains Drayk Bowen and Adon Shuler. Bowen finished the game with nine tackles, which led the Irish, while Shuler added seven tackles of his own. Entering the game, Notre Dame was met with a question on who would be the cornerback opposite to Leonard Moore in a battle between transfers DJ McKinney and Jayden Sanders. By the end of it, the Irish have a clear answer in Colorado transfer McKinney who had a 55-yard interception return that strengthened the Irish's hold on the Badgers. Spencer Porath provided the Fighting Irish with a newfound sense of stability as well, going 2/2 on field goals. His 52-yard field goal was the first 50+ yard field goal made by a Notre Dame kicker since Spencer Shrader (at Louisville on October 7, 2023). The Irish left this game a bit banged up, losing S Brauntae Johnson and DT Jason Onye to injury in the first half. They didn't return for the second half and their injury status has yet to be announced. In the end, it wasn't the picture perfect game that Notre Dame fans had waited more than nine months for, but it was a 28-point victory to start the 2026 season on the right note. 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!

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect College football has returned. In an offseason filled with turmoil and questions, a return to the gridiron will be a welcome change. With that comes the return of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a season filled with legitimate National Championship aspirations. The journey back to the playoff begins with a battle under the lights at the “Frozen Tundra” (or as frozen as a tundra can be on Labor Day weekend) of Lambeau Field (home of the NFL Green Bay Packers), as the Irish take on the Wisconsin Badgers. This is a part of the Shamrock Series and, despite playing in the Badgers' home state, is a home game for the Irish. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Last season was one to forget for Wisconsin. They finished 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big Ten. The Achilles' heel was the offense, which ranked as one of the worst in College Football, averaging only 12.8 points per game (PPG). The defense was a bright spot, keeping them in many games by only allowing an average of 21.6 PPG. To address this, Wisconsin nabbed two prime offensive players from the transfer portal. First is Old Dominion Quarterback Colton Joseph; last season, Joseph passed for over 2100 yards and 21 touchdowns. They also added former Iowa State Running Back Abu Sama III, who rushed for 732 yards and five touchdowns. For the Irish, they return major production from last year's 10-2 season. Leading the way is Quarterback and Heisman hopeful CJ Carr. In his first season as a starter, Carr passed for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns. He did this while only throwing six interceptions. On the other side of the ball, shutdown Cornerback Leonard Moore returns along with Linebacker Drayk Bowen. The Irish added powerhouse Defensive Tackle Francis Brewu from the transfer portal as well. Survive the Jitters Notre Dame will be the fourth-ranked team in the country coming into this game. They also will be the lone game on prime-time Sunday night, playing in an NFL stadium. Safe to say there is a lot of pressure in this situation. To get through this, the Irish must survive any early game lulls. Last season, the Irish notoriously started slow offensively and would many times rely on a big play from Running Back Jeremiyah Love to get the offense going. Love has departed for the NFL, so it needs to fall on Carr to manage the game. Look for Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock to have some short, quick throws to keep the potent Badger defense on their heels. This will also allow first-time starting Running Back Aneyas Williams to get into a rhythm without shouldering the load. Complementary Football Another way to survive the early game jitters is to rely on your defense. As luck (or luck of the Irish) would have it, Notre Dame fields one of the best in the country. One question will be how Wisconsin will utilize Sama III and Joseph. While there is tape on both, Wisconsin can throw some wrinkles at the Irish defense that they would not expect. However, with such an experience-laden group, those wrinkles will not last long. The Irish defense will be key in not allowing the Badgers to gain any momentum if the offense starts slow. A major advantage Notre Dame has is that Joseph has not seen a secondary like what he will see Sunday night. Led by Moore, Christian Gray, Brauntae Johnson and Adon Shuler can make openings disappear. Despite Wisconsin Head Coach Luke Fickell saying they would “test” Moore, that would be a foolhardy endeavor, at least consistently. Count on the secondary forcing Joseph into some mistakes that will give the offense a short field and allow them to find their footing rather quickly. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Leave No Doubt This has been Notre Dame's mantra since missing out on the College Football Playoff last season. This is a prime opportunity for them to showcase that they are worthy of their ranking in a primetime matchup against a Power Four opponent. It’s an opportunity they do not want to let go by the wayside. Wisconsin’s stingy defense will keep this game close for most of the first half. But I expect Carr to get a score late in the half that will give the Irish momentum going into the locker room; then I expect Notre Dame to take off. The offense will find rhythm, and despite the additions, the Badgers do not have the firepower or experience to keep up. The defense will harass Joseph into mistakes and won’t let Sama get going. This will allow the Irish to run away in the second half. I will take the Irish to win 31-13 to begin this promising season 1-0. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? 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IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Following the longest offseason for Notre Dame Football since 2016, a new season is finally upon the Irish Faithful. This season is full of high expectations, with many members of the national media picking the Irish to win their first National Championship since 1988. To see how this season might play out, the Irish Tribune simulated the upcoming season on College Football 27. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The following was simulated on EA Sports College Football 2027 on PlayStation 5. The games used 15-minute quarters on Heisman difficulty to try to get the most realistic results. One argument against the Irish is that many deem their schedule easy. However, the final win-loss record of the Irish opponents ended up being 116-79, and Notre Dame played five bowl-eligible teams in the regular season. The game had the Irish finishing at 9-3. The season started strong with a 6-0 start; this included victories over rivals Michigan State (47-28), Purdue (26-21), and Stanford (41-28). This led to the much-anticipated showdown in Provo versus the BYU Cougars. BYU raced out to a 24-7 halftime lead, and the Irish could not find any offensive rhythm. They were held to a paltry 269 yards of total offense and went 0-2 in the red zone. On the other side, the Cougars controlled time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 35 minutes, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier had a perfect QB rating while throwing for 352 yards and a touchdown. Star Running Back L.J. Martin only toted the rock for 12 carries but made them count, racking up 109 yards and two touchdowns. Following the bye after the BYU game, the Irish would rebound to win a hard-fought battle against Navy 26-21. This would set up a showdown with Miami, who would be the number one team in the land heading into the showdown in South Bend. The Irish proved the BYU game was an aberration by going toe-to-toe with the 'Canes. Notre Dame rebounded from a 14-point halftime deficit to force overtime. It was there the 'Canes prevailed, winning the instant classic 37-34, saddling Notre Dame with their second defeat of the season. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Golden Domers would dominate the next two opponents, Boston College and top-25 SMU. This would set up a road finale against a much-improved Syracuse Orange team. Fighting for their playoff lives, the Irish would allow 23 second-quarter points en route to a stunning 41-31 loss. CJ Carr's Heisman Trophy hopes took a major hit in this game despite his 292 yards and three touchdowns. His three interceptions all led to Syracuse scores, and it looked like Notre Dame would once again be on the outside looking in for the College Football Playoff (CFP). How EA CFB 27 has Notre Dame finishing the regular season Looks can be deceiving, however; Notre Dame finished ranked 10th and had a first-round matchup against Ohio State in Columbus. The Irish took advantage of this second chance and won a nail-biter, scoring 28 second-half points to win 35-31. While doing so, they racked up 505 yards of total offense, led by Carr torching the Buckeyes through the air with 394 yards and five touchdowns. Next up was a battle against number two Duke in the Peach Bowl. The game was tied 14-all at the half, but showing resilience, the Irish scored a last-second touchdown to edge the Blue Devils 24-20. Running Back Anyeas Williams (returning to form following a midseason injury) rushed for 97 yards, and the defense forced five turnovers. This set up a rematch in the CFP Semifinal against Miami in the Sugar Bowl. The revenge-minded Fighting Irish carried a six-point lead into the half. Miami would then score 21 unanswered points to take a 28-13 lead. Two Hurricane mistakes, a pick-six by Brauntae Johnson, and a muffed punt would tie the game. Miami Quarterback Darian Mensah would then lead the 'Canes on a drive to give them the lead for good. A late safety brought the Irish to within five, but time would run out and end the season with a final score of 35-30. Notre Dame ended the season with an 11-4 record. Carr finished the season with a 64 percent completion percentage. Throwing for 3,925 yards while setting a new Notre Dame single-season record. He also had 38 total touchdowns (31 passing and seven rushing). His primary target was Jaden Greathouse, who finished with 68 catches, 909 yards, and six touchdowns. Jordan Fasion and Tight End Ian Premer led all receivers with nine touchdowns receiving each. EA CFB 27 CFP Prediction Defensively, Linebacker Drayk Bowen anchored a strong defensive unit. Leading the team in tackles with 95. Transfer Defensive Tackle Francis Brewu led the team with 16 sacks and 27 tackles for a loss. The secondary, long thought to be the best in the country, held up their end of the deal, nabbing 25 total interceptions. Johnson led the way with six of them, with four being returned for touchdowns. Awards season saw Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash take home the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach. Brewu finished second for the Lombardi Award (nation's top Defensive Lineman); Anthonie Knapp finished fourth for the Outland Trophy (nation's top Interior Lineman). The Irish earned two First Team All-Americans in Brewu and Johnson. Knapp joined them on the second team, and Premer was named to the All-Freshman team as a Tight End. 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!