Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, September 17, 2021

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE KLAERS. PHOTO BY Nathaniel George

2

INSidER

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

H2H Continued from page 3

But a secondary that’s been prone to giving up big plays recently is in big trouble if Plummer finds a rhythm.

Expect Purdue to throw early and often to put the pressure on the Irish defensive backs.

EDGE: Purdue Purdue Rushing The Boilermakers lost their leading rusher in Zander Horvath to a broken fibula early into their game against UConn last Saturday. However, that

does not diminish the strength of their run game when compared to the Irish. The replacement running backs clocked a combined 146 yards in that game, which is nearly the total rushing yards Notre Dame has gained this season (197 yards). Compare that with Notre Dame’s average of just over 98 rushing yards a game, and it will be hard not to give the Boilermakers the upper hand. Though Purdue is not necessarily fantastic at their run game, they have been more consistent and successful to the point where they have the

edge in this department.

EDGE: Purdue Purdue Offensive Coaching Jeff Brohm is known for his playcalling capabilities. His ability to use misdirection, play action and trick plays are creative and offensively clever. Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman has struggled establishing the threat of the defense in the last two games and up against Brohm’s prowess I can’t expect it to go much better. Shutting down this offense would be some kind of statement game for Freeman. But

with Brohm’s prowess in play calling, Purdue’s 309 passing yards last year and returning the weapons (their quarterback and stellar wide receivers) to execute those plays, it will be a hard statement to make.

EDGE: Purdue Purdue Offensive Special Teams Senior kicker Mitchell Fineran has been the highlight of the year on special teams so far for the Boilermakers. Fineran was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goals in the Boilermaker’s season opening victory

against Oregon State, nailing a 48 yarder in that game.

If the Boilermakers are in field goal range, Fineran should be reliable for the Boilermakers.

Punting has been the biggest concern for the Boilermakers so far with punter Jack Ansell only averaging 36.7 yards per kick on seven punts this year.

The Boilermakers also have not had any punt or kick off returns for significant yardage this season. Because of the poor punting and lack of return game, advantage Irish in this one.

EDGE: Notre Dame

Opponent

Boilermakers excited for the challenge

By COLIN CAPECE Assista nt Ma nag ing Editor

Both Notre Dame and Purdue head into Saturday’s matchup at Notre Dame Stadium sitting at 2-0, but the Irish certainly haven’t played like the Boilermakers have. Notre Dame has escaped with a pair of three-point victories that resulted from a missed field goal in overtime and a finalminute game-winning drive.

The Boilermakers, on the other hand, have used their early

non-conference slate of games to pick up steam heading into this showdown with the Irish.

Purdue overpowered Oregon State 30-21 in their opener and shutout UConn 49-0 last week.

Despite the Irish looking far from dominant to start the season, Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm isn’t discounting Notre Dame’s pedigree as he prepares his team to face its first ranked opponent of the season.

“It’s a great opportunity, and our guys are looking forward to going out and cutting it loose

against a proven, veteran playoff football team,” Brohm said in a press conference Monday.

“They’ve proven they can play at a high level,” he added.

“They’ve had to work for their last two wins, which from their standpoint really is a good thing because it gives them a chance to see the few things they need to work on to get better. They found a way to win and that’s what winning football teams do.”

Purdue will head into Saturday’s game touting a potent passing Paid Advertisement

attack led by quarterback Jack Plummer. The junior from Gilbert, Arizona, has thrown for more than 550 yards in two games and has yet to turn the ball over. Brohm seems to like where the passing game is at, but he acknowledged that the explosiveness has to continue against a strong defense on the road.

“We’ve got a lot to prove still, but we’ve been able to execute in the passing game. Creating big plays is a big part of our offense, whether that’d be throwing

it over the top or a screen, or sometimes a run that we surprise with at times,” he said.

“We want to make sure that it’s not all on the quarterback and that all of the skill positions get involved as well. It’s just about executing. The fact that we haven’t turned the ball over in two games is great. We’ve done a good job of doing the small things to help us move the ball down the field.”

see PURDUE PAGE 14

The independent

To uncover

newspaper serving

the truth

Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s

and report

and holy cross

it accurately

Volume 56, Issue 12 | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

ND students report COVID testing issues As University scales down pandemic procedures, many struggle to access testing, remote resources

By ALYSA GUFFEY and EVAN MCKENNA Notre Dame News Editor, Managing Editor

As a nationw ide vaccine rollout began in early 2021 and continued in full force through the follow ing months, many across the countr y felt a strong sense of hope, one that didn’t ex ist just a few months prior.

With the opening of a mass vaccination clinic on the Universit y’s campus in March, the Notre Dame communit y experienced this hope far earlier than many.

The resulting vaccination rates — over 90% of the student body as of April 15, a resounding success in the eyes of administration — led

many to believe a normal fall semester was likely.

But now that the fall semester has finally come — bringing w ith it the realities of COVID-19 variants and breakthrough cases — certain remnants of last year’s safet y guidelines persist.

The COVID-19 dashboard is still up and running, now updating week ly. Students are expected to wear face masks in certain classrooms and department buildings.

The testing center remains open, performing tests only on students who are unvaccinated or experiencing specific sy mptoms.

However, some students have expressed difficult y obtaining COVID-19 tests on account of not meeting the

SMC students return to the field

By VERONICA NAVARRO Social Media Editor

All Saint Mary’s students majoring in education are required to work in local schools completing their required fieldwork — around 700 total hours — before they graduate from the College and enter the workforce.

Typically, fieldwork begins for education majors during

their very first class in the department. In the education department’s introductory course, students are placed in a school for 30 hours over the course of the semester.

“We often get students who have always dreamed of being a teacher,” associate professor of education Terri Suico said. “They sometimes have see SCHOOLS PAGE 4

Duncan honors first responders

By SIOBHAN LOUGHNEY News Writer

The Highlanders of Duncan Hall are honoring the victims of 9/11 and helping those currently in need across our nation by hosting the third annual ND 110, a 9/11 memorial stair climb, from 5 to 9 p.m. on September 21 in Notre Dame Stadium. Those who

News PAGE 4

wish to take part can register online in advance. Duncan’s signature 110 flight stair climb honors the climb the first responders made in the Twin Towers 20 years ago.

Now seniors, Patrick Creaven and Connor Milligan began the event during their sophomore year in 2019. While the climb see ND 110 PAGE 5

Viewpoint PAGE 8

updated testing standards of Universit y Health Ser v ices (UHS).

For instance, after coming dow n w ith a cold, senior Caroline Burton said she called UHS to ask for a test as a precaution, wanting to make sure it was not “anything worse.”

“I basically was told that I didn’t have severe enough sy mptoms to get tested,” Burton said.

She decided to seek a test off campus and subsequently tested negative. Once her sy mptoms persisted for five to six days, Burton called UHS once more and, because of her ongoing sy mptoms, was able to receive a test.

A lthough she tested negative again, Burton said she

feels ver y confused about the new protocols on campus.

“It’s just kind of problematic in the way that it doesn’t seem like they’re tr y ing to really prevent the spread,” Burton said. “They seem [to] have a limited amount of tests.”

Universit y spokesperson Dennis Brow n said students are referred to testing on campus when there is reason to believe that a student may have sy mptoms of COVID. “The medical professionals in Universit y Health Ser v ices are assessing patients’ sy mptoms and referring only those w ith COVID-19 sy mptoms for testing,” Brow n said.

The Universit y’s COVID-19 information website lists

three sy mptoms that qualif y students, facult y and staff for a COVID-19 test: high fevers, difficult y breathing and loss of taste or smell. However, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) — whose guidance the Universit y has followed throughout the pandemic — reports that COVID-19 can manifest in a variet y of other ways, including but not limited to chills, cough, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting, congestion, a runny nose or a sore throat.

At some colleges and universities across the countr y, there are no requirements for receiv ing a COVID-19 see TESTING PAGE 4

Senate discusses Financial Management Board The student senate convened on Wednesday to provide new members with the general information on what the Financial Management Board (FMB) and its several subcommittees do to enrich the Notre Dame experience for the student body while still maintaining affordability.

After a few logistical executive announcements were given, the senate transitioned into a breakdown of the components of the FMB and what responsibilities each subordinate organization has in order to provide a rich student life for enrolled Notre Dame students, lasting for the majority of the meeting.

Student Union treasurer Meenu Selvan summarized that the overall purpose and “responsibility” of the FMB is “to maintain the financial health of all the Student Union organizations and to oversee allocations.”

The process is naturally very intricate, involving a multifaceted approach and requiring a great deal of cooperation from multiple

departments.

The board comprises the Hall Presidents Council (HPC), dorm representatives, the Club Coordination Council (CCC), the Student Union Board (SUB) and class councils. The Hall Presidents Council is responsible for planning, funding and executing individual residence hall events. The Club Coordination Council is delegated for the allocation of funding for Notre Dame student clubs and is responsible for hearing club requests on the behalf of the executive cabinet for more funding. Lastly, the Student Union Board is designated to “enhance undergraduate student life by providing undergraduate student services and social, intellectual and cultural opportunities that respond to the needs and wants of the undergraduate student body in the most efficient manner possible,” as stated in the group’s mission.

Additionally, there is also a senate committee aptly called the Committee on the Budget, which periodically votes on the budget submitted to them by the Student Union treasurer and processes

reallocations a few times a year.

The Student Union endowment was established on April 2, 2007 as a response to the rising student activities fees that threatened to make the student experience significantly less affordable, created in order to ensure that the student experience Notre Dame students love would always be affordable.

The Student Union endowment supplements the Student Union budget, and it was and still is largely funded by the carryforward account, which Selvan describes as a “savings account… for anything that’s unplanned,” as well as The Shirt Project (formerly The Shirt Royalty Fund), which provides funding from sales of The Shirt for students with extraordinary medical conditions who have demonstrated financial need requiring payment beyond their means. The FMB uses the endowment money collected from both of these organizations to allocate funding to all undergraduate student organizations.

Scene PAGE 9

Football PAGE 16

w soccer PAGE 16

By MAXWELL FELDMANN News Writer

Contact Maxwell Feldmann at meastlan@nd.edu

2

TODAY

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com

Have a question you want answered?

Email photo@ndsmcobserver.com

What was your dream job growing up?

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Francis Obogu

Gabbie Spontak

first-year Johnson Family Hall

sophomore Pasquerilla West Hall

“Doctor.”

“Firefighter.”

Greyson Hines

Mafe Castillo

senior Keenan Hall

first-year Ryan Hall

“Janitor.”

“Dance teacher.”

(574) 631-6900 ads@ndsmcobserver.com

Sam Eppich

Mariana Olarra

Editor-in-Chief

senior Keenan Hall

first-year Johnson Family Hall

“Astronaut.”

“Marketing.”

Editor-in-Chief Adriana Perez Managing Editor Evan McKenna

Asst. Managing Editor: Isabella Volmert Asst. Managing Editor: Colin Capece Asst. Managing Editor: Nelisha Silva

Notre Dame News Editor: Saint Mary’s News Editor:

Viewpoint Editor:

Sports Editor:

Scene Editor:

Photo Editor:

Graphics Editor:

Social Media Editor:

Advertising Manager:

Ad Design Manager:

Systems Administrator: Talent & Inclusion Manager:

Alysa Guffey Genevieve Coleman Abby Patrick Mannion McGinley Aidan O’Malley Allison Thornton Maggie Klaers Veronica Navarro Landry Kempf Maggie Klaers Rachel Johnson

Nelisha Silva

Office Manager & General Info

Ph: (574) 631-7471 Fax: (574) 631-6927 Advertising

(574) 631-4542 aperez8@nd.edu Managing Editor

(574) 631-4542 emckenn2@nd.edu Assistant Managing Editors

(574) 631-4541 ivolmert@nd.edu, ccapece@nd.edu, nsilva1@nd.edu Business Office

(574) 631-5313 Notre Dame News Desk

(574) 631-5323 news@ndsmcobserver.com Saint Mary’s News Desk

(574) 631-5323 smc@ndsmcobserver.com Viewpoint Desk

(574) 631-5303 viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.om Sports Desk

(574) 631-4543 sports@ndsmcobserver.com Scene Desk

(574) 631-4540 scene@ndsmcobserver.com Photo Desk

(574) 631-8767 photo@ndsmcobserver.com Systems & Web Administrators

webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of any institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content.

The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors.

Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged.

Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information.

Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Adriana Perez.

Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods.

A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester.

The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Observer P.O. Box 779 024 South Dining hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077

Today’s Staff News

Sports

Liam Price Crystal Ramirez

Jimmy Ward

Graphics

Scene

Claire Reid

Aidan O’Malley

Photo Sarah Grisham Max Petrosky

Viewpoint Carolina Jimenez

Corrections The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at (574) 631-4541 so we can correct our error.

SARAH GRISHAM | The Observer

Notre Dame Stadium stands proudly across the reflection pool. The area is a common spot for gameday photographs in front of Touchdown Jesus, and this Saturday should be no exception. Expect another packed campus and stadium at the Purdue Game.

The next Five days:

Want your event included here?

Email news@ndsmcobserver.com

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Friday Night Bash Notre Dame Stadium 6:15 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and the event is open to the public.

‘Saturdays with the Saints’ Lecture Geddes Hall 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Featuring Sister Thea Bowman.

Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m.

Masks required.

All are welcome.

Dante Collection Exhibit 102 Hesburgh Library 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

All are welcome to attend.

McWell Open House McDonald Center for Well-Being 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

All sophomores invited to focus on well-being.

Cookies and Canvas Library Lawn 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Paint your own picture of the Golden Dome while eating cookies.

Notre Dame Football Game Notre Dame Stadium 2:30 p.m.

Irish vs. Purdue Boilermakers.

‘Promising Young Woman’ Showing DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 3 p.m.

Student tickets are $6.

Sustainable Economy Lecture 101 DeBartolo Hall 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

All are welcome to attend.

International Day of Peace Panel Hesburgh Center for International Studies 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Open to all.

News

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Observer Paid Advertisement

Paid Advertisement

3

4

NEWS

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Testing Continued from page 1

test, and many schools encourage students to get tested at any time — regardless of symptoms.

Lexie Jeffries, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, says students can schedule an appointment online and get tested “whenever [they] want.”

“They want us to get tested,” Jeffries said. “They have signs on campus that say, ‘If you feel sick, don’t go to class; go get tested.’”

‘I don’t think the ER was happy about it’: Close contact denied test on campus On Monday, Aug. 30, sophomore Maddie Czerwiec was notified that she was a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Following the University’s updated contact tracing guidelines for vaccinated individuals, she wore her mask indoors and called to schedule a testing appointment four days after her last exposure.

However, Czerwiec said she was told she was not classified as an “intense contact” and could therefore not obtain a test on campus unless she was symptomatic.

“That was kind of really discouraging to hear because I know at other universities, regardless of your symptoms, you can just go get a test as a

precaution,” she said.

Czerwiec continued to monitor her symptoms and submitted a symptomatic form the next day after losing her sense of taste and smell. By the time Czerwiec contacted UHS, she said they were not accepting appointments as it was a Saturday and the testing center was closed. Beginning in the fall 2021 semester, the University Testing Center decreased its hours of operation, now offering no weekend appointments.

After searching for a sameday test at CVS and Walgreens, Czerwiec could not find a test within a 25-mile radius and eventually went to the emergency room.

“I don’t think the ER was happy about it, and I wasn’t happy about it,” she said.

Czerwiec received a positive test result. Assuming the University would not send her to it isolation while the testing center was closed, Czerwiec’s parents arranged for her to stay in a hotel room until the following Monday. Come Monday, Czerwiec was tested by the University and sent to isolation at the Landings, an off-campus apartment complex. She said her official 10-day isolation period began that day.

Brown said vaccinated close contacts are not required to quarantine by the University but should receive a test.

“As communicated earlier this semester, vaccinated students, faculty and staff who do not have any symptoms and are identified by a member of the contact tracing team as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case do not need to quarantine but should wear a mask indoors and take a COVID test on day four after exposure,” Brown said.

‘I just wish they would stop acting like COVID is over’: Lack of remote learning frustrates students After noticing a slight loss of taste at the end of last week, junior Cait Heaney decided to request a symptomatic test through a form located on the University’s COVID-19 information website.

Unlike the others, Heaney did not have trouble obtaining a test — she received an appointment for a rapid test the same day and tested positive — but problems quickly arose after she was placed in isolation in an off-campus apartment.

“I’m not allowed to Zoom into any of my classes. My professors just had to record each of their lectures and send them to me,” Heaney said. “So, it’s hard to stay up to date on everything.

I’m falling behind a little bit because it takes them several hours to get me their lectures.

I tend to do homework in the morning and watch lectures at

night.”

Heaney’s inability to attend classes during her isolation period is a result of the University’s recent policy that professors no longer need to offer dual-mode learning for their courses in the fall 2021 semester. The decision was made after the pandemic “reaffirmed the importance of in-person teaching and learning,” according to an Aug. 6 email from Provost Marie Lynn Miranda.

A political science and economics major, Heaney said the quality of the recorded lectures makes learning difficult, as chalkboards and whiteboards are often difficult to read.

“For some of my professors, I can’t see the screen or the whiteboard, so I don’t know what’s going on,” she said. “I just have to rely on what they’re saying to keep up, but that’s not super helpful when they’re writing out proofs to equations on the board.”

Heaney said she wishes the University’s current COVID-19 procedures met the same standard as last years’s.

“I just wish they would stop acting like COVID is over,” she said. “It’s not; it still exists. So getting rid of surveillance testing and dual-classroom abilities — basically everything we had last year — you’re just hurting people who are getting the virus, and you’re not staying on top of it… We are still

in a pandemic; it did not just disappear.”

Senior Elizabeth Hoch said she had similar problems of being denied access to remote learning — but on a much larger scale. After being denied the opportunity to complete last fall semester virtually, she said she and her brother Miguel, a junior at Notre Dame, started a petition asking the University to offer students an online option. But when the University refused, both siblings made the decision to take a leave of absence during the entire 20202021 academic year.

Now back on campus and graduating a year later, Hoch said she’s still concerned about the University’s response to the ongoing pandemic. After recently coming into contact with multiple students who were later isolated or contact traced, she was told by the University Testing Center she did not qualify for an asymptomatic test.

“I would just like tests to be available,” Hoch said. “I’d like the option to get tested when I feel like I’ve been exposed — because I do feel like I’ve been exposed, and it makes me nervous. I’d like to be able to get tested without having to go through high fever, loss of taste and difficulty breathing.”

Contact Alysa Guffey at aguffey@nd.edu and Evan McKenna at emckenn2@nd.edu

Gulag survivor speaks on religious freedom

By MAGGIE EASTLAND Associate News Editor

The Carey Auditorium of Hesburgh Librar y was filled w ith students, professors and clerg y from the tri-campus communit y on Thursday evening. They all gathered to hear My roslav Mar y nov ych, a Ukrainian activ ist and Gulag sur v ivor, speak on faith, religious freedom and communism.

Mar y nov ych spent a decade, from 1977 to 1987, in a Siberian prison camp and in Ka zak hstan ex ile. Today, he advocates for freedom of expression as a leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Universit y.

Religious celebrations and spiritual life of any kind were strictly prohibited in most Sov iet work camps, including the one Mar y nov ych endured.

W hen he requested a friend mail him a letter w ith the Beatitudes w ritten inside, a Sov iet official confiscated the mail, deeming it “suspicious in content.” W hen Mar y nov ych gave his cross neck lace to a sick friend in the medical barracks, the doctor refused to treat the suffering man. And when a group of prisoners celebrated Easter together, they endured a brutal

punishment: 60 days in a frigid cell w ith little clothing, no bed covers and starvation rations.

Despite the lack of religious freedom, Mar y nov ych said fellow prisoners of faith banded together and found ways to remain spiritually active, even when Bibles and spiritual texts of any kind were banned, and that the simple act of praying resulted in torturous punishments.

“The Holy Spirit did not comply w ith the camp guidelines,” Mar y nov ych said.

Mar y nov ych noted how slight confessional differences between Christians faded to the background in the face of suffering. As an example, Christian prisoners would celebrate Easter and Christmas t w ice, once for the Gregorian calendar and once for the Orthodox calendar.

After leav ing the camp, Mar y nov ych began understanding the suffering w ith the help of Matthew 5:10. “‘Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,’” he quoted from the book of Matthew. “It is always a special blessing to suffer for Christ.”

Upon further ref lection, Mar y nov ych identified a

connection bet ween the rise of communism and the decline of religion.

He remembers a judge in his trial reprimanding him to “‘Stop renouncing the holy name of Lenin.’”

Mar y nov ych described how the Sov iet regime took a firm stance against Christianit y and religious devotion of any kind as a method to increase loyalt y to the regime.

“Communism was a huge mutation of the human spirit,” he said. “People massively transferred what belonged to God… to a godly, earthly Caesar.”

As a result of this moral and spiritual per version, Mar y nov ych said communism’s greatest v ictims were not those who died, but those who sur v ived the moral degradation of the Sov iet rule.

On a more positive note, Mar y nov ych said he has experienced immense religious freedom, what he calls “one of the greatest achievements of Ukrainian democracy” in the countr y’s 30 years of independence.

“Religious freedom has become not only the fruit of democracy, but also a guarantee of it,” Mar y nov ych said.

W hile Mar y nov ych said

Christianit y in Ukraine still faces challenges, he hopes institutions like the Ukrainian Catholic Universit y can continue to heal the countr y’s communist scars and show the relevance of faith in a modern world.

Mar y nov ych’s lecture was part of the Nanov ic Forum, a series designed to bring European leaders from a variet y of backgrounds

together to discuss current issues.

Follow ing the lecture, director of the Nanov ich Institute of European Studies Clemens Sedmak presented Mar y nov ych a rosar y blessed by Universit y President Fr. John Jenkins before beginning a Q& A session w ith attending students.

Contact Maggie Eastland at meastlan@nd.edu

MAGGIE EASTLAND | The Observer

Myroslav Marynovych (left) and professor of ethics Clemens Sedmak remained after the lecture to greet attendees and answer questions.

News

Schools Continued from page 1

an image in their mind of what being a teacher is like, and it’s informed by them being a student in a classroom. We want them to start shifting their mindset and looking at being in a classroom from a professional standpoint.”

Currently, the education department at Saint Mary’s has every student that has declared the major participating in fieldwork in some capacity.

Students’ fieldwork placements vary depending on their goals and availability within the local schools. In, addition, students’ placements change each semester.

“We make sure that they have a variety of different field experiences,” Suico said. “We put them in a variety of school districts or school corporations as well as different grade levels. This semester, for instance, we have quite a few students in the South Bend Community School Corporation. Those schools range anywhere from Madison STEAM

ND 110 Continued from page 1

itself ca n help ca l l to mind t he braver y demonst rated a nd sacrif ices made by so ma ny on 9/11, t he event a lso ra ises f unds for Hea r t 9/11.

According to t he orga ni zat ion’s website, its mission is to “Respond immediately to natura l a nd ma n-made disasters,” “Rebui ld ha rd-hit a reas to f u lf i l l f unda menta l needs,” a nd “Recover resiliency for impacted communit y members.”

In its inaug ura l yea r, 2019, t he sta ir climb took place in Jorda n Ha l l of Science. By t he nex t fa l l, la rge, indoor events were a t hing of t he past. Wit h t he assista nce of SAO director Ka ren Kennedy, t he event took place in Not re Da me Stadium, where it w i l l rema in for t his yea r.

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Observer

Academy to Clay High School.

We also have them in Mishawaka public schools, and some students in Penn-Harris-Madison schools, which tend to be more suburban in nature. We also have students in the Catholic schools.”

Senior Alexia Flores is currently at Beiger Elementary School in Mishawaka, Indiana. In past semesters, she has worked with students at Kennedy Primary Academy and Walt Disney Elementary in various grade levels.

“Fieldwork has helped me to realize that every kid is different,” Flores said. “Nothing can really prepare you for being in a classroom besides just being in one.”

Flores says she was initially hesitant when she found out that she would be working in a kindergarten classroom. Before this year, she hadn’t worked with students below the third-grade level.

“In kindergarten, students are a little more dependent and need more guidance. I wasn’t really wanting to work in that environment, but I love it now. I’m

happy that this is my senior year field experience because I think it’ll be a good experience for me to have before next year when I’m a first-year teacher,” Flores said.

Senior Niamh Brophy has completed fieldwork at Walt Disney Elementary, and Clay High School. Currently, she is working with students at Beiger Elementary School in Mishawaka.

“Before I did fieldwork, I didn’t realize how many different ways there were to manage a classroom. Now that I’ve been with different teachers, I can see that teachers are different in the way that they base their instruction,” Brophy said.

The high amount of fieldwork at Saint Mary’s is unique to the College. At many other schools, Suico said, there is limited fieldwork prior to student teaching during their senior year.

“We definitely do more than the norm,” she said.

Dunca n Ha ll’s president Ca meron Taylor sa id t he locat ion of t he climb w ill hopef u lly att ract more people to pa r t icipate, not ing t hat just f rom t he f irst yea r to t he second attenda nce had improved g reat ly.

“I t hin k it sta r ted gett ing into t he Not re Da me fa mily a lot more t he second yea r,” Taylor, a junior study ing chemica l eng ineering, sa id.

The communa l suppor t t he event has a lready received is appa rent in t he attenda nce seen in yea rs past. Taylor sa id t hat at h let ic tea ms have completed t he climb toget her w it h t he suppor t of t heir coaches, as well as facu lt y a nd administ rat ion.

ND 110 holds a specia l place in t he hea r ts of loca l f irst responders, too, Taylor sa id.

“I t hin k t he most mea ning f u l t ime for me was when

t he f iref ighters dressed up in t heir gea r were doing it.

That rea lly, rea lly brought it to a whole new rea lit y,” Taylor sa id.

Prev iously, f iref ighters f rom t he Sout h Bend, Mishawa ka a nd Clay Count y f ire depa r t ments have come to t he climb. This is a communit y t he residents of Dunca n hope to welcome back in t he f uture, but for t his yea r, reg ist rat ion rema ins open on ly to students, facu lt y a nd sta f f.

Sophomore a nd junior residents of Dunca n have been play ing major roles in pla nning t his yea r’s ND 110.

Dunca n Ha ll rector Nhat Ng uyen has watched t his event g row f rom t he ver y beg inning.

Ng uyen ref lected on t he past a nd f uture ND 110, spea k ing specif ica lly of t he climb’s pla nning process

5

Contact Veronica Navarro at vnavarr3@nd.edu

Courtesy of Nhat Nguyen

Students make the 110-flight climb in honor of victims and first responders of 9/11 in the 2020 ND 110 memorial event, hosted by Duncan Hall. This year marks the second stair climb held in the stadium.

Courtesy of Nhat Nguyen

Residents of Duncan Hall gather in the stands of the Notre Dame Stadium after participating in the second annual ND 110 memorial.

being passed dow n to younger Dunca n residents.

“The g uys who ta ke it over build on t he foundat ion t hat has been la id, a nd t hen t hey too ca n go on a nd k now t hat it’s in good ha nds,” Ng uyen sa id. “There’s a sense of liberat ion in t hat, k nowing t hat t his is pa r t of t he process.”

As one of t he younger dorms on ca mpus, Dunca n High la nders have a lready seen one of t heir ser v icebased sig nature events ex pa nd fa r beyond t heir ha ll. Now r un t hrough a sepa rate club, The Ba ld a nd t he Beaut if u l had its orig in in Dunca n when t he communit y lost one of its ow n to ca ncer. Ng uyen sa id he ca n see ND 110 ta k ing a simila r pat h, becoming too la rge for it to rema in in t he ha nds of Dunca n Ha l l a lone.

“It has potent ia l to be a ver y sig nif ica nt event because a n event surrounding 9/11 is tough. Ever yone’s a ffected persona lly,” Ng uyen sa id.

W hile t he t ragedy st r uck when current col lege students were ver y young, t he

orga ni zers sa id t hey wa nt to ma ke sure t hat t here is a sense of communit y a nd suppor t t hrough ND 110.

Junior f ina nce a nd ACMS student Peter Cava naugh sa id t hey hope to promote unit y a nd t hat pa r t icipa nts cont inue to remember a l l t he v ict ims of t he attacks on 9/11.

“A bunch of people on ca mpus f rom dif ferent places ca n come toget her a nd ra l ly a round t his one event,” Cava naugh sa id.

As t he sta ir climb ta kes place 10 days a f ter t he 20t h a nniversa r y of t he attacks on 9/11, t he High la nders a re sending t he message t hat remembering t he v ict ims, f irst responders a nd a l l t hose who gave t heir a l l on t hat day a nd for long a fter is not somet hing t hat shou ld happen just once each yea r.

“We’re doing it 10 days later, so hopef u l ly t hat sy mboli zes t he say ing ‘Never forget 9/11,’” Taylor sa id.

“That k ind of shows t hat t he spirit of 9/11 lives on.”

Contact Maggie Eastland at meastlan@nd.edu

6

The observer | Friday, September 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

A world where justice and love prevail John Kalemkerian Sports Wrirer

“How was your summer?” A greeting that many of us have heard over the past couple weeks. A question that inspires a uniquely personal answer — or more often a simple “It was great!” — had been strangely tough for me to respond to. I was one of nearly 200 students who participated in the Summer Service Learning Program (SSLP) through the Center for Social Concerns (CSC) this past summer, and I can genuinely say it was one of the best experiences here at Notre Dame. When incoming first-years consider what their “Notre Dame experience” will look like, it often includes tailgates, football games, grueling academic semesters and, of course, summer internships. If you’re looking for ways to fill your precious summers, internships are widely viewed as the golden standard. The SSLP, however, will give you an experience that is both unlike anything you will otherwise do and one that is uniquely Notre Dame. The entire SSLP staff is extremely dedicated to helping their students have as rewarding an experience as possible (and no, they did not put me up to write that).

For those unfamiliar with the SSLP, it involves spending eight weeks serving at a non-profit organization. Many students live on-site or with a host family, but I was lucky enough to have a site: Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti, Michigan, within a 10-minute drive of my home. When I was first placed, I honestly had no idea what to expect. Even after talking with past students who had served at Hope, I was given only a vague idea of what my role would actually be — along with the words of encouragement “It’s a great place, you’ll love all the people you’ll meet there!” Well, that definitely ended up being true. Serving my local community, I worked alongside many incredible staff and volunteers who shared my passion for doing good in the world. I was also able to form meaningful connections with clients at various stages in their lives, people who I would have never had a chance to interact with outside of the SSLP. As an added bonus, Notre Dame was there with me every step of the way. The Notre Dame Club of Ann Arbor proved to be an invaluable resource, and I was lucky enough to meet many alumni in the area who have offered up their valuable time throughout the years to get to know every student who has served at my site. Weekly check-ins and discussion posts with my small group of other students serving at various other sites around the country were centered around the Catholic Social Tradition (CST). Personally, I felt that CST provided me with a medium with which I could express how much I learned about both my community and about myself throughout my 8 weeks at Hope Clinic. This is also what makes the SSLP unique and not just another service opportunity; the entire program is dedicated to, as the Constitution of the Congregation of Holy Cross puts so nicely, working for “a world where justice and love prevail.” I am honored that I was able to partake in the SSLP this past summer and can say that it will be a centerpiece of my unique “Notre Dame experience.”

Thanks for bearing with a Sports writer venturing into the Viewpoint waters for the first time. If you have any questions feel free to reach out, I’d love to talk more about my experience with anyone interested!

You can contact John at jkalemke@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Submit a Letter to the Editor: viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

Is Biden’s vaccine mandate constitutional?

Blake Ziegler News with Zig

Last week, President Joe Biden announced a series of policies to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, which has become increasingly complicated due to the delta variant. Among the initiatives, two executive orders mandate the vaccine for federal executive branch employees and the employees of any contractor who does business with the federal government. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will also require vaccination for healthcare workers in hospitals that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. Lastly, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will mandate vaccines for the workforce of any business with at least 100 employees. These orders will cover approximately 100 million Americans as an attempt to vaccinate the roughly 80 million Americans who are currently unvaccinated.

The most contentious policy is the OSHA vaccine mandate. Across the private sector, 80 million Americans will be required to either be vaccinated or partake in weekly COVID-19 testing. Companies who fail to comply may be subjected to nearly $14,000 fines per violation. The mandate has come under intense criticism from Republicans, including accusations that it’s unconstitutional. The constitutionality of the vaccine mandate warrants further examination, as it will be the first COVID-19 policy to directly influence everyday workplaces. My intention in this column is not to take a stance on the policy’s constitutionality, but merely to present background information on potential legal concerns for these vaccine mandates.

The ability of the government to mandate vaccinations is a well-established constitutional authority. For instance, the Supreme Court ruled in Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905) that a local school board’s vaccine mandate for smallpox was constitutional. The requirement for students to be vaccinated against certain diseases is also constitutionally valid, as solidified in Zucht v. King (1922). There’s no question that the government can require vaccines.

The issue arises, however, in the manner by which the vaccine mandate is created. As part of the executive branch, the Department of Labor cannot simply create new laws (that’s Congress’s job). It can only enact regulations under existing laws and its authority established

by Congress. For the Biden administration, this jurisdiction is found through the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which permits the Department of Labor to issue an “emergency temporary standard” for workplaces when employees are exposed to a “grave danger” from a “toxic or physically harmful” substance and the standard is “necessary to protect employees from such danger.”

One concern is whether COVID-19 qualifies as a grave danger that warrants the standard. The last time the OSHA implemented an emergency standard was in 1983 when the Reagan administration attempted to limit workers’s exposure to asbestos. An ensuing court case ruled that OSHA has the authority to determine what qualifies a grave danger, a decision that can’t be overturned by the judiciary. This would likely be the same result for the vaccine mandate, as COVID-19 is a more potent threat than asbestos.

Ultimately, though, the asbestos standard was voided by the court because the federal government could not demonstrate the emergency

temporary standard was necessary to combat asbestos. The Biden administration will likely encounter a similar difficulty, as it must demonstrate a vaccine mandate is a necessary response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It won’t be difficult to establish COVID-19 as a grave danger, an opinion many Biden officials hold with confidence. The necessity threshold will be the problem, as historically, roughly half of the emergency temporary standards issued by OSHA have been struck down by the courts. One point to watch in any ensuing legal battle will be how the Biden administration justifies the vaccine mandate as a necessity.

With a working understanding of the vaccine mandate’s legal background, we can consider some important legal inquiries. One area that warrants attention is whether a vaccine mandate falls under OSHA’s authority. OSHA did successfully issue an emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19 policies, but it only applied to the healthcare industry and did not involve vaccines. A widespread mandate covering tens of millions of Americans will likely encounter more scrutiny. In fact, some critics have already denounced the policy, proclaiming that a vaccine mandate is beyond the jurisdiction of OSHA. Their argument is that, according to OSHA’s authority, health and safety threats can only be combated from actions within the workplace. Receiving a vaccine would go beyond the workplace, so they reason a vaccine mandate is unconstitutional. Biden’s defenders seem to suppose that the pandemic will justify this external resolution to workplace safety. OSHA’s authority is also based on such general language that a court can easily reason a vaccine mandate falls under its jurisdiction (or the other way around).

The constitutionality of Biden’s vaccine mandate for the private sector will be debatable until the courts begin to consider the issue.

We’re already seeing a barrage of lawsuits from a variety of sources across the country, so we’ll have answers soon. The Biden administration seems prepared for these legal challenges, with President Biden’s invitation for his opponents to “have at it.” My hope is that this column gives adequate information to understand the courts’s decisions, as legal and political discussions are only worthwhile when one is informed and engages in civil dialogue.

KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer

Blake Ziegler is a junior at Notre Dame from New Orleans, Louisiana, with double majors in political science and philosophy. He enjoys writing about politics, Judaism and the occasional philosophical rant. For inquiries, he can be reached at bziegler@nd.edu or followed at @NewsWithZig on Twitter if you want to see more of his opinions.

The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The observer | Friday, September 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

7

A greener Notre Dame Clark Doman BridgeND

On Friday, Father Jenkins announced that Notre Dame has pledged to become a carbon-neutral campus by 2050.

While this announcement is encouraging, the university can and should take more immediate action to combat climate change, specifically through shifting its massive $13.3 billion endowment investment portfolio away from the fossil fuel industry.

While the call for divestment is by no means new to Notre Dame, the divestment movement for American higher education institutions has recently gained momentum.

On Thursday, Harvard University announced that it will no longer directly invest in fossil fuels. Harvard, whose $41.9 billion endowment is the largest in the country, also announced that it will not renew any of its past indirect fossil fuel investments which constitute less than 2% of the endowment.

The Harvard announcement is a substantial win for environmental activists. Harvard’s President Lawrence Bacow has previously publicly opposed divestment and has instead focused on fighting climate change through enhancing teaching, research, and campus sustainability programs, an approach similar to Notre Dame’s. Climate activists, such as those who stormed the field at the 2019 Harvard-Yale football game as an act of protest, have effectively made university administrators rethink and alter their approaches to addressing climate change.

Harvard’s announcement comes at a time when the effects of climate change are being distinctly felt around the world. In the United States, many people have suffered from unprecedented amounts of extreme weather over the past several months. In fact, nearly one in three Americans live in a county that experienced a weather disaster this summer, according to the Washington Post. Additionally, 64 percent of Americans live in places that endured a multiday heat wave. Hurricane Ida recently caused an estimated $95 billion in damage, record-breaking temperatures in the Pacific Northwest killed hundreds of people, flash floods throughout the country have drowned people in their own homes, and wildfires have destroyed 5 million acres

of forest. Notre Dame should recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and divest from corporations that perpetuate the kind of extreme weather that many students, faculty, and alumni suffered through this summer.

As in higher education, many officials in Washington are working to mitigate the effects of climate change. The White House and Congress are focused on passing a $3.5 trillion spending plan that attempts to slow climate change, among other goals. While the $1 trillion bill that includes funding for more sustainable infrastructure passed the Senate several days ago in notably bipartisan fashion, this larger bill is a progressive priority that has the potential to define Biden’s presidency. In regards to climate, the bill would subsidize the usage of clean energy and financially punish the use of dirty energy to incentivize the electricity sector to reduce pollution sharply over the next fifteen years.The bill will also likely help American families pay for electric vehicles and energy-efficient homes.

Unfortunately, the policymaking process moves slowly, but Notre Dame has the opportunity to commit to a divestment strategy that could have a more immediate impact.

Following Harvard’s commitment, Notre Dame could pledge to no longer invest directly in fossil fuels or renew its past indirect fossil fuel investments. Divestment would send a clear message that they need to shift towards cleaner energy or risk facing serious financial consequences.

Although governments and institutions like Notre Dame bear greater responsibilities on solving issues like climate change, we as individuals have a role to play if we intend on preserving our environment. Unfortunately, I am far from perfect in this regard: the car I drive is certainly not environmentally friendly, I continue to eat beef despite the climate consequences of the cattle industry, and I have even made some past small investments into companies that are undeniably perpetrators of climate change. I am working to change my habits to support a more sustainable future, and I encourage Notre Dame to continue its sustainability efforts while going even further through divesting from fossil fuels.

I’m not writing this article to shame Notre Dame for its past actions on climate. Instead, I hope to motivate university leadership to be a genuine champion of sustainability in all aspects. Going forward into an era where

many universities are taking action on campus and in their portfolios to combat this century’s most consequential issue, Notre Dame can and should be at the forefront of the movement.

KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer

Clark Doman is the current vice president of BridgeND, a non-partisan political education and discussion group committed to bridging the partisan divide through honest, respectful and productive discourse. If you’re interested in discussing climate change alongside many other political topics, BridgeND meets weekly on Mondays at 7 p.m. You can contact the club at bridgend@nd.edu or @bridge_ND on Twitter.

BridgeND is a student-led discussion club that is committed to bridging polarization in politics and educating on how to engage in respectful and productive discourse. BridgeND welcomes students of all backgrounds, viewpoints and experiences who want to strengthen their knowledge of current issues or educate others on an issue that is important to them. The club meets weekly on Mondays. Want to learn more? Contact bridgend@nd.edu or @bridge_ND on Twitter and Instagram.

The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Where’s the tradition?

If you’re one of the many who were angered to learn that the only way to watch Notre Dame take on Toledo this past Saturday was to sign up for the Peacock app, then read on.

I’m a subway alumnus, which means I didn’t attend Notre Dame, but am deeply connected to the Universit y through its football program.

I’ve been a Notre Dame fan since I can remember and have always enjoyed watching its games on T V, w ithout hav ing to pay a dime. A ll of that came to an end this past Saturday, when I learned watching the Irish meant I’d have to buy the Peacock app.

The origin of the term “subway alumni” dates back to the early 1920’s, when Notre Dame would take on Army in New York Cit y. It refers to those who rode the subway to Yankee Stadium to watch the game.

According to Brendan O’Shaughnessy of the Universit y’s Office of Public Affairs and Communications, there’s a deeper stor y behind the term “subway alumni.”

“This social realit y contradicts the my th…”

O’Shaughnessy quotes Murray Sperber, because “…large numbers of poor Irish took the subways to the game…” and “…stood on the sidewalks and curbstones in front of the Gridgraphies [a play-by-play transmission] prov ided by various New York newspapers…” In other words, many of the original subway alumni were too poor to purchase tickets to the game. As immigrants — aliens in an alien land — who had given up

ever y thing to start a new life in America, those who stood on the streets because they had no money to “watch” the game saw something in this small, relatively unknow n Catholic universit y’s football team that resonated w ith them.

W hat they saw was themselves: Dav id going up against Goliath. This imager y, that of the poor and dow ntrodden righteously struggling and overcoming seemingly inv incible odds, is rooted, not only in all traditions of goodw ill, but also in the traditions of our nation.

If tradition is as important to ND as it seems to be, then why would watching the Irish play football necessitate hav ing to be online — a cost in itself — and purchasing the Peacock app? Could it be that we are so caught up in generating revenue that we’re overlooking the transcendent value of tradition, the connection we have w ith our past? Perhaps more importantly, are we losing touch w ith those who share in our common humanit y, but may not have the same ways and means as the rest of us?

To be transparent, it’s not as if I can’t afford the Peacock app. This actually has little to do w ith my resources and ever y thing to do w ith tradition. And w ithin the context of tradition, I’ll throw in the notion of upholding something foundational to Catholic Social Teaching: option for the poor. The point is that the tradition of the Universit y has been to make Notre Dame accessible to the masses through its football program.

With its first phenomenal w in over Army in 1913,

Notre Dame found itself on the map and a beacon of sorts for the poor, those who could only dream of attending a Catholic universit y located in a place called South Bend.

If you’re getting a sense of what I mean, I highly recommend you do what I did this past Saturday and skip the screen altogether. After learning I would have to pay to watch the Irish, I did what many subway alumni did back in the day: I listened to the game on the “radio.” My radio wasn’t what you may think, but is rather the Universit y’s W V FI, its “free” online streaming ser v ice.

The team doing the play-by-play and color commentar y on W V FI are extremely entertaining. Sitting w ith the screen off, listening to the descriptions of the plays — which were colored by the excitement and disappointment of the commentators — and simply imagining being inside Notre Dame Stadium was as wonderful an experience. I highly recommend taking advantage of a tradition that dates back to the days that put Notre Dame on the map: listening to football.

So, if you want to buck the system, or can’t afford to go to the game, then enter into the tradition of Notre Dame football and listen to this Saturday’s game on W V FI. Mike Shesterkin subway alumnus Sept. 15

8

The observer | Friday, September 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Thoughts from a COVID-19 ‘long-hauler’ Megumi Tamura Subject to Change

As I wrote about in one of my columns from last semester, I tested positive for COVID-19 in March of 2021. In that column, I described what a month with no sense of smell or taste — as a result of the virus — was like and how it was changing my experience of food and even of daily life itself. Almost exactly six months later, I still have yet to gain back my smell and taste.

The first two months post-COVID-19 left me with absolutely zero ability to smell and taste my food — leaving me with a quite dampened existence in which my food preferences were based solely on texture and “smushiness” rather than taste and pleasure. This condition of a complete loss of smell and taste is called “anosmia.” This anosmia transformed, around the middle of May, into something else which I later discovered is called “parosmia.”

Parosmia is basically a distorted, rather than completely lost, sense of smell (and taste). So, rather than not being able to smell the fresh coffee wafting from the Starbucks in LaFun, my nose would instead become filled with this disgusting, almost gasolinelike scent which would make my stomach churn, my head spin and cause a feeling of intense nausea to overcome me. Stepping into the dining halls went from being something that used to make me sad in the first two and a half months post-COVID-19 (because I couldn’t enjoy food — just texture) to something that would literally make me feel ill due to the myriad of smells coming from food which I knew was, in reality, delicious but that my “post-COVID brain” distorted into a nauseating experience.

Eating with a distorted sense of taste was somehow an even worse experience than smelling with a distorted sense of smell. Some of my favorite foods — chicken, steak, ice cream, fish, pasta — became inedible. I don’t even know how to describe what this was like, but I’ll try: Imagine you ordered a cheeseburger (or whatever your favorite food is) from your favorite restaurant. You’re all excited in anticipation for the familiar and delicious taste that you’ve experienced so many times. Your food comes, and you take a bite. But, instead of that familiar and delicious cheesy and savory taste, you feel like you’re tasting cigarette smoke, garbage and rotten food.

That’s what parosmia is like. You know what food is supposed to taste and smell like, but all you get instead is this revolting, rotten, nauseating flavor.

Obviously, my relationship with food took a turn for the worse.

So, not fun at all.

And it isn’t just parosmia which I’ve experienced over these past few months but also the other symptoms of what people are calling “long-haul COVID.” These long-haul symptoms last months after recovering from initial infection and include fatigue, shortness of breath and anosmia and/or parosmia.

But it gets even stranger, more difficult and more draining: Long-haul COVID also can cause brain fog, problems with memory, increased difficulties with anxiety and gastrointestinal issues like GERD (gastroesophageal acid reflux). Having experienced and currently dealing with most, if not all, of these, I can say that long-haul COVID is not something I would wish upon anyone.

As I tried to emphasize as much as possible in my column from last semester about my experiences

with COVID-19, I really don’t want to and don’t mean to complain. I realize that I’m lucky considering the millions of people who have died from COVID-19 in the past two years and the millions who have lost loved ones. I also am starting to see improvement little by little: My smell and taste isn’t back to normal yet, but I’m getting better at finding food and meals that I can tolerate, I’m finding ways to better deal with the stomach issues and anxiety and I’m able to keep up with schoolwork and other commitments despite the occasional brain fog and problems with my memory. I’m also incredibly lucky to be here at Notre Dame, where life (thanks to the vaccine rate) feels almost normal and where I’m surrounded by supportive people and friends. But, that doesn’t take away from how much of an impact and how much difficulty long-haul COVID has brought to my life and the lives of so many others.

Long-haul COVID should be talked about more — especially since as many as one in four people experience it. Maybe this would help change the minds of those who say, “I don’t care about COVID because I’m young/healthy and won’t die from it.” While that’s true in most cases, I don’t think these same people would want to have their relationships with food ruined, to deal with the brain fog and anxiety or the dozens of other symptoms that could happen if they, like I, become “long-haulers.”

Megumi Tamura is a sophomore from New Jersey currently living in McGlinn Hall. She enjoys reading books, going to museums and eating Jersey bagels. She can be reached at mtamura@nd.edu or @megtamura on Twitter.

The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Not tHERE yet We all want this pandemic to be over.

We all want to return to normal and experience a regular school year, and we’re so close: Notre Dame has a vaccination rate of 96% and Saint Mary’s is close behind with 91%. Those figures make our campuses two of the safest places in the country, with higher vaccination rates than all 50 states. Most Holy Cross students are vaccinated as well.

But we’re not out of the woods just yet.

Despite this semester’s lack of HERE signage, surveillance testing or school-wide mask mandates, we are not back to pre-pandemic times, and that’s a reality we need to confront. What’s more, we need University leadership to be more communicative about the state of the virus on our campus. As much as it might seem that the worst in the tri-campus is behind us, the pandemic cannot simply be wished away. Insisting on it will only drag out this health crisis for longer.

Despite evidence of breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated individuals and a rise in cases in St. Joseph County, the University is only updating its COVID-19 dashboard once a week. While we appreciate this communication, weekly updates do not suffice. Last year, the dashboard was updated every day at noon, and while Notre Dame’s vaccination rate is high, it does not justify a decrease in transparency. Weekly updates diminish students’ awareness of case numbers, and it muddles our understanding of the rate at which the virus is spreading on the Notre Dame campus.

This is especially concerning considering the potential aftermath of home football games — if we were to experience a spike in cases after thousands of visitors attended the Toledo game on campus, we would not be aware of the spike until the dashboard was updated 9 days later, due to the virus’s incubation period of 2-14 days. Given the tight-knit nature of our tri-campus community, any

possible spikes on the Notre Dame campus concern the health and safety of our community at large.

These infrequent dashboard updates aren’t due to decreased demand or negligible testing numbers — University Health Services still receives up to 20 calls an hour with requests for COVID tests from students experiencing secondary symptoms and performs from 30 to 40 tests every day for students with primary symptoms, according to University Health Services director Ed Junkins.

Furthermore, none of our three schools are offering an overarching option to attend classes virtually like they did last year. While dual-mode instruction was undoubtedly difficult for professors and students to adapt to, this decision alienates those students who feel ill or who are worried about having been exposed to COVID, as well as those in quarantine or isolation. This is not to discount those professors who are flexible with their classes and provide Zoom links to any student who requests one. We appreciate having the possibility of attending classes online when we’re worried for our health and that of others.

Rather, this is a call to our administrators to recognize that relying on individual professors to provide a safety net of dual-mode instruction is not conducive to student well-being. The pressure to attend class in person, in spite of any illness, heavily weighs on those feeling unwell; it forces one to choose between falling behind in their studies or potentially infecting their peers. As much as students appreciate the benefits of in-person instruction, these policies fail to account for a new dimension of anxiety that emerges when classmates are coughing or sneezing without a mask. Whether it be a cold or COVID, it is impossible for students to determine the health of those sitting around them, and an honor code for maskwearing is simply unenforceable.

While these issues could be more effectively controlled with the help of easy access to COVID testing on campus and clear guidelines about contact tracing, it’s become clear that this isn’t the situation on campus. Many students have become sick with the so-called “freshman

flu” that seems to occur every fall. Some of these students have no reason to believe they might have COVID but want to be tested as a safety precaution. However, many students are being denied testing by the University Testing Center and are being forced to seek off-campus testing options. Last year, students had to get tested weekly, but now it seems like there are not enough tests to go around for those who are worried about infecting others.

Even if symptomatic testing were more easily accessible, it would do nothing to mitigate the fear of asymptomatic spread. As much as weekly surveillance testing could be inconvenient or uncomfortable, the process provided a peace of mind that one was not unknowingly carrying the virus. Now that testing at Notre Dame is only available to those who demonstrate a select set of symptoms, students with secondary symptoms are instructed to wait and see if they recover or if their symptoms worsen — all the while hoping that they aren’t exposing friends, roommates, classmates or instructors to COVID. While we implore the tri-campus administrations, especially Notre Dame, to reconsider their current procedures, there are still ways for students to keep our campus safe. If you are denied a symptomatic test, there is free COVID testing available at various off-campus locations, including Walgreens, CVS and Walmart. If you are ill and cannot schedule a test before class, communicate with your professors and wear a mask in person if an online option is not available.

The longer the pandemic endures, the more tempting it becomes to grow apathetic — to throw up our hands in defeat and return to normal. But as the Delta variant continues to surge, giving up now would be a betrayal of all the progress we have made. If 19 long months have taught us anything, it is that the pandemic is not something we can race through. It is something we must overcome, step by step, one small victory after another. The vaccine was a huge one, but without clear, comprehensive and enforceable policies, we’re just waving a white flag.

9

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

By RACHEL HARTMANN Scene Writer

The moment I saw the trailer for the new Cinderella remake starring Camila Cabello, I was skeptical. From the classic Disney cartoon “Cinderella” from the 1950s to “A Cinderella Story” in 2004, Cinderella remakes are nothing new. The classic pauper to princess tale has been told countless times with some wins and many losses. So, when I heard of another retelling of the same story, I couldn’t help but sigh.

Writer and director Kay Cannon spun the tale so that, instead of just a poor girl, Cinderella is an aspiring fashion designer who cannot make it in her world because of her gender.

Meanwhile, the Prince (Nicholas Galitzine) is a playboy who does not want to settle down. The story follows the usual trope of a boy who sees a girl, falls in love and decides she is the one even though they never met. Cinderella also has to deal with her evil stepmother (Idina Menzel) and stepsisters (Maddie Baillio and Charlotte Spencer) and get transformed by her Fabulous Godmother (Billy Porter) to get to the ball.

The difference is that she wants to go to the ball to sell a dress she made and network instead of trying to find true love. In the end, Cinderella and the Prince are together, but Cinderella does not want to be a Princess, so the prince renounces the throne to his younger sister. Meanwhile, Cinderella gets a job helping design dresses for a Queen.

I went in with an open mind, hoping that the movie was not as bad as others said. Then I watched the movie. The terrible lip-syncing threw me off in the first song, and I could hardly stop my laughter the rest of the film. The world of Cinderella

By OLIVIA SEYMOUR Scene Writer

Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez are an odd trio if I’ve ever seen one. Two comedy legends and a highly-accomplished child star are certainly not the first actors that come to mind when planning a murder mystery television series, and yet the quirky dynamic between the three is the piece of the puzzle that perfectly completes this spectacular true crime dramedy.

“Only Murders in the Building,” created by John Hoffman and Steve Martin himself, centers around neighbors Charles-Haden Savage (Martin), Oliver Putnam (Short) and Mabel Mora (Gomez) who are all obsessed with the same true crime podcast. In response to a murder in their apartment building on the Upper West Side, the strangers start their own podcast as they bond together to conduct an investigation that only gets more complicated along the way. The series presents a brilliant new comedic take on crime fiction, and is a true delight to watch as we crawl out of a dark period in society.

Charles, an actor who once played a detective in a popular television show, is missing the days when he was in his prime. Mishaps in his romantic life have turned him into a lonely old grump who struggles to be vulnerable and connect to others on a deep emotional level.

Oliver is a Broadway producer whose career is similarly far behind him, but is quite different when it comes to

is weirdly out of touch with incredibly sexist standards, and doesn’t mention racism or other forms of discrimination at all. It is as if the only issue in the world is that you are a woman and want to have a job instead of getting married.

Cinderella is also a feminist, but only for herself. Instead of bringing women together and working with other women, Cinderella goes alone singing “Million To One,” where she says, “If it’s a million to one, I’m gonna be that one.” Instead of supporting other women, she acts as if she is the only woman in the world who wants to have a job. The scene that stood out to me the most was at the ball, where all of these beautiful, diverse and strong women danced and sang, “What A Man,” obsessing over the prince. This scene made me angry, because all these amazing women are fighting over a legitimately terrible guy, and somehow, Cinderella is the only one not interested in him. Cinderella was also wearing the most basic dress compared to the other women, and she calls herself a “dress designer.” I wanted to see the other women turn away from the prince and show how they are worth more than just one man, but that never happened. Instead, the women got physical over the prince and turned against one another. Women supporting women is an essential part of feminism, and this film completely forgot that and acted as if all women are boy crazy except for one unique woman.

This film’s message to little girls is that either you are a woman who pursues feminism for the sake of yourself, or you are like all other women — meaning you are boy-crazy and power-hungry. I did not particularly appreciate how the movie portrayed women and even less how they tried to create a feminist narrative that ended up not feminist at all.

Another outrageous thing was the acceptance of the emotional abuse done by the stepmother and stepsisters. Instead of Cinderella trying to escape situations, Cinderella accepts the treatment and returns it with kindness. The stepmother and stepsisters’ actions are also then taken by the end of the film and forgiven. I was distraught by this because abuse is unacceptable. What message does this send to children?

That they should accept abuse and always respond with kindness?

Other issues with the movie include the Queen and King’s marriage, the poor sister to the prince and the horrendous mice. I was only happy with Billy Porter’s version of the Fairy Godmother, but the part was too short, and Idina Menzel’s rendition of “Material Girl.”

Overall, I was very disappointed and upset at the new Cinderella. It’s a no from me. Zero shamrocks.

personality. He is eccentric and lively and never stops talking about the musicals he once worked on, most of which were disasters. Mabel, however, is a character we know almost nothing about, making her a point of intrigue for the audience. All we can gather is that she has recently moved into the building, she has some sort of shady past and she has enough sarcasm for the three of them. As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that she is extremely observant and has some ties to the victim of the murder, Tim Kono, but much of her character’s story is left as a mystery yet to be unraveled.

One of the comedic aspects of the show that Gomez helps to tie together is the obvious chasm between Boomers and Millennials. The two older characters are stuck in their generational habits, signing their texts and mocking the slang used by young people. Mabel, on the other hand, comically labels Martin’s character as “Charles (old)” in her phone and mistakes Sting for a member of U2. The balance, and tension, between the two generations is a big part of what makes the series so appealing to all audiences.

Martin and Short have been a sensational comedic duo for 35 years, starring alongside each other in films, taking their four-time Emmy-nominated comedy show on tour and even going on vacations together. One would think that another actor would simply be a third wheel when standing next to these two. Gomez, however, is the glue that holds the show together, bringing a sense of vibrancy and stability that places her on equal

footing with her costars.

“Only Murders in the Building” is quick, witty and mind-bendingly twisty. In September it was renewed for a second season, and audiences are hungry for more banter and mysteries with this unlikely trio. Tim Kono may be the victim around which the entire show is shaped, but the individual stories of each of the protagonists are yet another puzzle the audience wants to solve. Mabel, without a doubt, has the past we are most curious to unravel, and I cannot wait to watch Gomez continue to blossom in this dynamic and incredibly fun new series.

Contact Rachel Hartmann at rhartma4@nd.edu

“Cinderella” Starring: Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Idina Menzel Director: Kay Cannon Genre: Fairy tale, musical If you liked: “A Cinderella Story,” “Cinderella” (2015)

Contact Olivia Seymour at oseymour@nd.edu

“Only Murders in the Building” Season 1 Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez Favorite episodes: “Who is Tim Kono?,” “Twist” If you liked: “Knives Out,” “High Seas ” Where to watch: Hulu

CLAIRE KIRNER | The Observer

10

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

By CLAIRE LYONS Scene Writer

Lovers of sophisticated divorce dramas — rejoice!

Anyone who enjoyed the Oscar-nominated “Marriage Story,” “Blue Valentine” or “Her” will be enthralled by HBO’s highly anticipated “Scenes from a Marriage” miniseries. The first episode, starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain, finally aired on the network (and its streaming service, HBOMax) last Sunday. Director Hagai Levi’s reboot is based off of Ingmar Bergman’s Swedish TV miniseries of the same name, which was rumored to have spiked Swedish divorce rates because of its raw portrayal of relationship issues. Filmed nearly 50 years after the original, this reboot aims to offer a fresh take on modern relationship challenges (and hopefully help us improve our relationships, not destroy them).

All the media buzz from the world premiere at the Venice Film Festival makes the series seem like a surefire candidate at the Emmys. “Scenes from a Marriage” definitely leans into this aggrandizement, demonstrating a degree of arrogance. The opening long shot of Jessica Chastain — frantically rushing around the set, distracted by coffee-holding assistants — gives an air of a theater performance before lights up. However, this framing device only serves as a gesture at the significance of the production, rather than an artistic liberty that enhances the content of the series. Even Chastain’s brief explanation of a scene on HBOMax perpetuates this pretentiousness. Instead of having faith in the audience, she seems to insist that the scene is very deep without

By MARCELLE COUTO Scene Writer

ABBA announced on Sept. 2 that they will reunite to release a new album — 40 years after the last one — and host a concert with digital performances in London. Featuring previously unreleased songs recorded in Stockholm, Sweden, “Voyage” will be released on Nov. 5.

The performance, dubbed “ABBA Voyage,” was created after months of motion capture by Industrial Light & Magic, a special effects company created by George Lucas. The show, which will feature digital performances, will open on May 27, 2022, at the ABBA Arena in London. They will present a list of 22 songs, including the two released on Sept. 2 and some of the band’s biggest hits.

Also promised is a documentary debut that relates the entire process of the quartet’s resumption, including behind-the-scenes footage of the composition of new hits and the construction of a theater created especially for the artists to “go back in time,” performing with holograms.

ABBA is one of the most successful bands of all time.

Formed in 1972, the Swedish group had its career

implying it through the scene. The marketing around the series makes “Scenes from a Marriage” seem self-important, but does it live up to the hype?

The first episode is visually stunning despite the mundane setting of a domestic suburban home.

Cinematographer Andrij Parekh does an excellent job at giving “Scenes from a Marriage” a dreamy, photographic quality. The camera work highlights the phenomenal performances from Oscar Isaac as Jonathan, a philosophy professor and Jessica Chastain as Mira, a tech executive. The subtle raise of an eyebrow, a hesitation in line delivery or a change in body language all hint at the electric dynamic between the married couple and show the palpable chemistry between the actors. Meanwhile, the close-ups allow viewers to have moments of privacy with the characters during the episode’s pensive moments.

The dynamic between Jonathan and Mira challenges audiences to explore the changing gender roles of complicated modern relationships. With Mira out-earning her husband, Jonathan works from home to take care of their 4-year-old daughter, Ava. In this case, the traditional gender roles of bread-winner and homemaker are flipped.

The dynamic works out well. After all, both partners are able to pursue their respective careers and build a family together. Their relationship, from the outside, seems to be generically warm and successful. Underneath the surface, however, there’s a tension that seems to be growing stronger. It will be interesting to see how the series develops and explores the impact of their careers on both their identities and their relationship.

While the relationship between Jonathan and Mira

is at the forefront of the series, the couple really shines when interacting with their friends, Peter (played by Corey Stoll) and Kate (played by Nicole Beharie). Peter and Kate, as opposed to Jonathan and Mira, are in an open marriage. This passionate couple acts as a direct contrast to our stoic leads. Unlike the protagonists, Peter and Kate’s relationship issues are brought explosively to the surface at a dinner party. Through contrast, “Scenes” seems to say that open relationships are passionate yet explosive, while monogamous relationships are dependable yet stifling.

This first episode doesn’t have me wondering whether “Scenes from a Marriage” is worth of an Emmy. Instead, I think about how we love other people. Should our relationships be built on a foundation of dependability and commitment, or should we succumb to the power of our passions? How do we balance these things that seem so mutually exclusive?

boosted in 1974, with the release of the song “Waterloo.”

That same year, they won the Eurovision Song Contest and quickly rose to stardom.

Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad returned to the studio in 2018 and promised two new songs to show the world in December of that same year, an event that did not come to pass then. Now, the guarantee of a new album shocked and pleased fans all over the world.

“Voyage” is the band’s first album since 1981, when “The Visitors” was released (a record which includes the song “Slipping Through My Fingers,” one of many tunes featured in the soundtrack for the ABBA jukebox musical, “Mamma Mia”).

ABBA announced the album’s release date at a live streaming event, also premiering the songs “I Still Have Faith In You” — which is already accompanied by a nostalgic music video — and “Don’t Shut Me Down,” with ABBA’s unique and beloved ’70s pop sound imprinted all over it. A Christmas song entitled “Little Things” is also confirmed for the future.

Bjorn Ulvaeus said the recording went off without a hitch and that everything fell into place “in a matter of seconds.”

The new songs just hit the UK charts, with “Don’t Shut

Me Down” at No. 9 and “I Still Have Faith In You” close by at No. 14. While “Don’t Shut Me Down” features a compelling, imaginative story — like most ABBA songs — “I Still Have Faith In You” symbolically conveys the significance of reuniting the band and the ABBA fandom after so many years. Personally, I found both tracks heartwarming and memorable, as all ABBA songs are. While the melody of “Don’t Shut Me Down” is particularly entrancing, the lyrics of “I Still Have Faith In You” are bittersweet and profound.

It’s easy to assume that original fans would be thrilled with the recent announcement of two new ABBA songs.

Most fans rejoiced on social media, posting about their excitement. However, for some older fans, ABBA’s announcement in 2018 that a new song would be on the way seemed too little, too late. This disappointment is understandable, as veterans continued to donate to ABBA emotionally and financially for several decades.

That being said, most fan reactions so far have been positive. People have different opinions about the ABBAesque quality of these new tracks, but overall ABBA fans are effectively singing “Thank You For The Music” back to the band.

Contact Claire Lyons at clyons3@nd.edu

“Scenes From a Marriage” Episode 1 Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain Where to watch: HBOMax If you liked: “Marriage Story,” “Blue Valentine”

Contact Marcelle Couto at mcouto@nd.edu CLAIRE REID | The Observer

Classifieds

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Observer

Crossword | Will Shortz

11

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Set goals and follow through. Opportunity and advancement are yours to have if you are true to yourself and strive to accomplish what you set out to do. It’s up to you to initiate change, present and promote what you have to offer, and forge ahead with confidence, precision and fortitude. Don’t be afraid to do things differently. Your numbers are 6, 14, 23, 26, 31, 38, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Lean toward those who owe you a favor; you’ll get the boost you need to make your way forward. An unexpected offer will give you a chance to revise the way you plan your next step. Nurture a meaningful relationship.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A wait-and-see approach will be in your best interest.

Handle sticky situations with kid gloves, and you will buy yourself time and earn favors from those vying for your support. Mull over your choices; you’ll find something questionable.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’re in the driver’s seat; navigate your way to the place you want to go. Be proactive and make decisions that will help you establish yourself in a position of authority. Call the shots and show everyone what you have to offer.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have more power than you realize. Refuse to let the requests others make stop you from doing what suits you. A change at home may not be welcome, but in the end, it will turn out better than anticipated.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Talk matters through passionately. Have alternatives ready to offer. Set a precedent and show leadership. Protect against discord with someone you love and avoid taking risks that can affect your physical well-being. Aim to please, but don’t give in to an unreasonable request.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll have to walk a fine line when dealing with competitive people. Be prepared to learn from your experience and adjust quickly to offset any potential fallout that might set you back on your quest to get your way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): An emotional matter will escalate if you get involved in a joint endeavor. Do your own thing when it comes to what you want to accomplish, and keep conversations positive in social settings. Finish what you start and avoid criticism.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Listen and observe what others do and say before taking on something that takes your time and energy. Make adjustments that ensure you get to do the things that make you happy. A romantic gesture or physical improvement will lift your spirits.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Update your resume, or make changes to how you earn your living or handle your current position. An opportunity will come your way if you get in touch with someone familiar with your background and credentials. Get the facts before you act.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay more attention to expenses and how you use your money. Look for alternative ways to update your banking, handle your debt or improve your lifestyle. Don’t participate in events or activities that present a health risk.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Channel your energy into something that makes you happy or brings you knowledge and assistance heading in a direction that offers mental stimulation and the chance to excel. Keep your wallet in a safe place, and avoid health risks.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Work in the background, where you’ll go unnoticed.

Aim to achieve the most in the least amount of time. What you accomplish will pave the way to positive change and a chance to make financial gains. Romance is on the rise.

Birthday Baby: You are charming, accommodating and sensitive. You are expressive and convincing.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

Support student journalism.

Donate to The Observer. ndsmcobserver.com/donate

Write Sports.

Email Mannion Work Area

McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu

Make checks payable to and mail to:

Published Monday, Wednesday and Friday, The Observer is a vital source of information on people and events in the Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross communities. Join the more than 13,000 readers who have found The Observer an indispensable link to the three campuses. Please complete the accompanying form and mail it today to receive The Observer in your home.

The Observer P.O. Box 779 Notre Dame, IN 46556

Enclosed is $130 for one academic year Enclosed is $75 for one semester Name Address City State Zip

12

Classifieds

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Sports Authority

Column

Zwiller: NFL Purdue game to be pivotal rankings, Week 2 Aidan Thomas Sports Writer

Thomas Zwiller Sports Writer

Week 1 of the NFL season was, to put it mildly, chaotic.

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Tennesse Titans in Nashv ille 38-13 in what was a stunning upset.

The Texans (the team assumed to be the worst in the NFL) beat their div isional foes, the Jacksonv ille Jaguars 37-21.

The Saints trounced the Green Bay Packers in a neutral site game 3-38 w ith new starting QB Jamies Winston throw ing five touchdow n passes.

The Eagles went into Atlanta and won against 32-6 in a game that made second-year QB Jalen Hurts look like a franchise QB. It was quite a lot to process, and Week 1 has changed how league experts like ESPN look at some of these teams: the Packers fell from four to eleven while the Saints went from nineteen to nine !

So I w ill give you my top10 teams because, as I w rote in my Monday column, I think that many of the reactions to Week 1 were overreactions.

No. 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers To be the champs, you got to beat the champs. I know that the Bucs had to come from behind to beat the Boys, but that was w ith Tampa giv ing up four turnovers, two interceptions, and t wo fumbles. Tampa Bay left points off the table and still found a way to w in.

No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs Watching Kansas Cit y come from behind is truly a delight. At one point, the Brow ns led 29-20, and I still thought the Chiefs would w in the game. The only reason this squad isn’t number one is that I like the Tampa Bay defense more.

No. 3 Los Angeles Rams My pick to w in the Super Bowl validated me on Sunday by soundly beating the Bears 34-14. I love Matthew Stafford as the Rams QB, and I anticipate seeing many great games from the Rams. However, I am slightly worried about the Rams run defense; they gave up 134 yards to an offense I don’t think has a good run game.

No. 4 Cleveland Browns This is my first difference from my preseason power rankings. I had initially had the Buffalo Bills here, but I was impressed by the Brow ns’ performance and disappointed in the Buffalo Bills’ performance.

The Brow ns’ offense w ill be great this season, and I think their defense has taken a step in the right direction. The Chiefs are the measuring stick for the AFC, and I think the Brow ns measured up.

No. 5 Buffalo Bills I struggled w ith who to put here. ESPN had the Seattle Seahawks at three, so I need to put them in, but I also think ESPN is too high on them. So I opted to put Buffalo here since I am arguing people are too kneejerk. I believe that Buffalo is good on offense: their performance last weekend was a testament to the qualit y of Pittsburgh’s defense. I am worried about them, though, and should they lose to the Dolphins like they did the Steelers, I think they could fall out of the top ten.

No. 6 Seattle Seahawks I do think Seattle is a good team, just not the third-best in the NFL. They w ill have a great offense: I believe in Russell Wilson, and I trust their new OC, Shane Waldron. My reason for not being relatively high on them is their defense: I don’t know how good they can be this year. They had a good performance against the Colts, but it was also the Colt’s first game w ith new QB Carson Wentz.

No. 7 New Orleans Saints The Saints were simply f labergasting; I think that describes their game against the Packers. If you told me the Saints would beat the Packers, I would have believed you. But if you told me it was 38-3, I would never have believed you. I don’t think that is a t y pical performance by any means and expect a regression to the norm this weekend. Or at least soon; they do play the Panthers this weekend.

(A lso, I was right about Winston!)

No. 8 Green Bay Packers Much like w ith the Saints, the Packer’s performance last weekend left me

see ZWILLER PAGE 14

Notre Dame has felt like a program on the brink of elite status for years. They are one of the winningest over the past four years, with 10-win seasons in every campaign since 2017. The Irish have appeared in two Playoffs, beaten No. 1 Clemson at home, and effectively stormed all the way back from a disastrous 2016 campaign that bottomed out with a 4-8 record.

Yet, still, Notre Dame can’t quite seem to break through.

Yes, there were losses from the 2020 Playoff squad, but elite teams suffer losses to the draft with regularity. Just look at Alabama, who lost most of their starting offense but dominated a ranked Miami team by 31 points in the opener. That’s to say Notre Dame fans shouldn’t accept 2021 as a rebuild, despite the shakiest 2-0 start imaginable. The Irish have had close calls before, and if history tells us anything, it’s that the next game after a loss or closer-than-desired contest will tell us a lot about Brian Kelly’s squad in South Bend.

2016 and 2017: Underwhelming wins lead to crushing losses This is the avenue Irish fans hope the 2021 edition of their team avoids. In 2016, the Irish actually started with a devastating loss — falling to Texas on the road. That overtime loss felt much like the Florida State battle to open this season, except this time the Irish had the necessary gumption to escape in overtime. The Irish never recovered that season. After a 39-10 win versus Nevada, Notre Dame dropped clashes to Michigan State and Duke en route to a dismal season.

They lost six games by one possession and never seemed to be able to throw the final punch.

In 2017, Notre Dame was much better, starting the season off 8-1. A home loss to Georgia prevented them from being No. 1 in the country. Then, the Irish went to Miami and were thumped in a game worth forgetting. That

loss eliminated them from playoff contention, but the Irish could have still manufactured a New Year’s 6 bowl game appearance. But, that didn’t happen either. Instead, the Irish squeaked by an unranked Navy squad 24-17, to set themselves up for a big road game at Stanford. The Irish simply didn’t have four good quarters of football in them, as they gave up 21 in the fourth quarter, en route to a 38-20 loss. That relegated the Irish to a Citrus Bowl appearance, a disappointing finish for what looked like a potential playoff team.

2018: A changed mentality In recent years, the Irish have had a different mentality about them. The hunt for a national championship has kickstarted in earnest, and Notre Dame feels close. Their response to adversity these past three seasons has been remarkable. Quarterback Ian Book, for all the flak he received about his lack of a deep ball or inconsistencies in big games, was an absolute gamer. En route to becoming the program’s all-time winningest quarterback, Book led the Irish to a pair of Playoffs, as the boys in the blue and gold embraced an “us against the world” mentality.

That started in 2018 when Book took over as the starter after three closer-than-desired wins to start the season (that part sounds familiar).

For a while, the Irish looked like world-beaters, but inevitably, Notre Dame had a scare. Facing Pitt at home, the Irish trailed the pesky Panthers after three quarters. They eventually won 19-14, but they didn’t look like a top-5 team. However, the response was different than in years past. Notre Dame thumped Navy 44-22, convincingly beat a redhot Northwestern squad on the road by 10, and then slammed Florida State 42-13 on Senior Day. Polishing off the season with a 33-point win over No. 12 Syracuse and a road win against USC, Notre Dame made the Playoff for the first time.

2019: 2017 — but better In 2019, the Irish had to recover from some losses and were pretty much out of playoff contention by midseason.

An early loss to Georgia put them on the edge, and a bad blowout loss to Michigan sealed the fate. Much like 2017, however, the Irish had the potential to salvage a top-tier bowl game appearance. Unlike in 2017, Notre Dame did their part. After Notre Dame barely escaped Virginia Tech 21-20, fans were calling for Book to be replaced as a starter. But those calls faded quickly, as Book elevated the team to another gear down the stretch. No game was closer than 21 points, as the Irish averaged 41.6 points per game in their final five contests. They gave up just 12.4. Although Notre Dame was snubbed and put into the Camping World Bowl against a sneaky-good Iowa State team, the Irish continued their second-half drubbing of opponents, beating the Cyclones 33-9. The 2019 season had every look of one that was falling apart, but Notre Dame has elevated itself from programs like USC, Texas, Miami, Auburn and others that let a bad loss derail their season. Notre Dame instead won out and entered 2020 with a lot of momentum.

2020: The New Normal Last year, Notre Dame felt like the best team in the country some weeks.

One of those weeks was not their home game against Louisville. It was a sleepy performance in what felt like a guarantee-win against a really bad Cardinals’ defense.

Notre Dame won just 12-7, needing a fourth-quarter touchdown to beat one of the ACC’s worst teams. With Clemson on the docket in just a couple of weeks, the Irish looked anything but ready. To even get to Clemson unbeaten, Notre Dame had to beat a traditionally tricky Pitt team on the road. However, the Irish came out and walked all over Pitt’s outstanding defense, winning 45-3 on the road. They followed it up with a nice 31-13 win in a tuneup against Georgia Tech and turned that momentum into the double-overtime victory against Clemson. While the season ended poorly in postseason play, the Irish again see THOMAS PAGE 15

The Observer accepts classifieds every business day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame office, 024 South Dining Hall. Deadline for next-day classifieds is 3 p.m. All classifieds must be prepaid. The charge is 5 cents per character per day, including all spaces. The Observer reserves the right to edit all classifieds for content without issuing refunds.

Wanted TUTOR: Local ND family needs strong tutor for our HS junior, up to 10 hrs/wk. Good rate. 574-299-3896.

Put your hands in the air (the air) Trigga put your, put your hands in the air Ooh na na Look what you did start it Ooh na na Why you gotta act so naughty Ooh na na I’m ‘bout to spend all this cash Ooh na na If you keep shaking that (oh yeah) Ooh na na na Put your

hands in the air if you’re lovin’ tonight Ooh na na na Keep your hands in the air if you’re spendin’ the night Ooh na na now Na na nanana na na Everybody say it like Ooh na na now Na na nanana na na Everybody say Baby I’m the one you lying I’mma

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Observer

13

OBSERVER FANTASY CORNER

Observer NCAA Roundtable: Week 4

By MANNION McGINLEY, JAMISON COOK, NATE MOLLER, SAM OUHAJ, JOHN STOLMEIER and TOM ZWILLER Spor ts Editor a nd Spor ts Writers

After an action-packed first week of college football full of upsets and comeback wins, fans across the globe are now gearing up for an even more intense second week. We at The Observer have all the coverage you need of some of the biggest games this week so let’s get right to it.

NCAA Games of the Week: Nebraska @ No. 3 Oklahoma No. 1 Alabama @ No. 13 Florida Mississippi State @ Memphis

Mannion McGinley Sports Editor

—

These two teams will be each other’s biggest game yet. The Sooners limped to a win over Tulane before hammering Western Carolina but that first limp feels significantly more relevant. In the same way, Nebraska handed Fordham and Buffalo two swift losses. However, neither of those are very large feats.

It was the loss to Illinois that changed my perspective on the Cornhuskers. Maybe both teams just had stressful first weeks back, we all know that has been the case this season but because of that, I’d bet this game is closer than anyone expects.

Nebraska 24, Oklahoma 38 If any other team had a top15 match-up this weekend, I would be concerned for them.

It would be a toss-up for both teams and they’d fight tooth and nail. Unfortunately for the Gators, the threatening top15 team, they have to take on the number 1, Crimson Tide.

Alabama is not fazed unless you are in the top-5 and even then, they’ll just barely break a sweat. We saw it when they stomped on Miami, and I am afraid the Gators will fall to the same fate.

Alabama 42, Florida, 17 This will be a make-or-break week between Mississippi State and Memphis. Both of them are 2-0, both of them need to come out of week three on top. That can’t happen though and with Memphis almost falling last week to Arkansas State, Mississippi State is going to take their passing game and march up and down the field on Memphis.

Mississippi State 45, Memphis, 21

Jamison Cook — Sports Writer Oklahoma has played Tulane and Western Carolina so far this season, so it is not exactly like they have exactly played any top-tier programs

yet. The Tulane game was a little close for comfort as the Sooners only won by a score of 40-35, but they bounced back in a big way with a 76-0 drubbing of WCU in Week 2. While the Nebraska name carries more weight than the previous two, this should be a comfortable win for Oklahoma.

Spencer Rattler returned to preseason-expectation form in the win over WCU, tossing five touchdown passes and only six incompletions. This game was so out of hand that three Oklahoma quarterbacks saw the field. Expect more of the same from Rattler and the Sooners this week in a rivalry game that hasn’t been played since 2010.

Nebraska 20, Oklahoma 45 This is the second top-15 matchup for the Crimson Tide this season, but in Week 1 they rolled over No. 14 Miami 44-13 in what was quite a scary performance for the rest of college football. I think Florida is better than Miami in most respects, but I still can’t see this game being any closer than the Alabama -15 line. Bryce Young has lived up to all the preseason hype, and that $800k in NIL deals is starting to look worth it for everyone that invested in him. He has seven touchdown passes through two weeks and has yet to throw an interception. Young and Alabama are just too good on both sides of the ball, and Saban will make sure the Tide get up for an SEC showdown. Gainesville should be pretty quiet when the Tide rolls over the Gators.

Alabama 37, Florida 17 This game is supposed to be close and the fact that Memphis is at home should help the Tigers some. But Memphis gave up 582 passing yards to Arkansas State last week (yes, you read that correctly) and Mississippi State is a pass-heavy team, as they threw 49 passes with only 15 rushes last week. Given that the Bulldogs’ strength is the Tigers’ biggest weakness — Memphis currently ranks 128th against the pass — I think Mississippi State runs Memphis off their own field.

A tough week for the AAC gets even worse after this game.

Mississippi State 31, Memphis 20

Nate Moller Writer

—

Sports

The Sooners struggled big time in their narrow week one victory against Tulane, but they looked like they found their groove in last week’s 76-0 demolition of Western Carolina. Nebraska has beaten Fordham and Buffalo the past two weeks, but they suffered an embarrassing loss to Illinois in week one. While this is a rivalry matchup, I

like the Sooners to dominate this one from start to finish. I expect a lot of Spencer Rattler touchdowns.

Nebraska 17, Oklahoma 51 Alabama will face a major test as they face off against a top-15 Gator squad. The Gators will feel as if they have something to prove after a narrow loss against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last year, but I think Bryce Young and the Tide will be too much for the Gators. If the Gators can get the crowd in this one and force some turnovers, they might have a chance, but Alabama’s firepower should lead them to a relatively comfortable road victory in Gainesville.

Alabama 38, Florida 20 Both teams enter this game with a 2-0 record, so there is a lot at stake. Mississippi State edged out Louisiana Tech in week one before taking care of North Carolina State easily next week. Memphis took down Nicholls in week one, but they had a very narrow victory over Arkansas State this past weekend. I anticipate this one being very close, but I like the Bulldogs to win this on the road in the final minute of the game.

Mississippi State 41, Memphis 38

Sam Ouhaj Writer

—

Sports

While I am not high on Oklahoma, this game against Nebraska has a chance to get unpleasant quickly. By that I mean Oklahoma might have a run for their money.

After almost losing to Tulane, Oklahoma bounced back with an absolute massacre against WCU, winning that matchup 76-0. However, Nebraska has always been a team built on its defense, and while they currently sit at 2-1, they have shown promise as a unit. I want to take an upset but speaking realistically; I have Oklahoma winning.

Nebraska 21, Oklahoma 45 Alabama vs. Florida is the most exciting and absorbing game of the weekend. Last year’s contest saw a shootout in Gainsville, but there is a good chance we won’t see that again. Bryce Young is dominating the college football playing field, however, and if he keeps it up, he will find himself being the next member of the Crimson Tide to be awarded the Heisman.

Alabama is the best college program in the country for a reason, and these are games Nick Saban wins historically speaking. Florida might be able to make some noise at first, but it will barely make a difference.

Alabama 42, Florida 28 I loved Memphis football, but that was almost two years

ago. The Tigers almost lost to Arkansas State last week, which would have been a massive upset despite the two teams being unranked.

Mississippi State comes into this game led by Mike Leach, the Air Raid enthusiast. Like the roundtable team said, Memphis gave up over 580 passing yards, and when a team that would rather throw 50 plus times a game than run comes into town, it could get nasty. I am taking Mississippi State this week despite Memphis’ home-field advantage, especially since they banned cowbells.

Mississippi State 35, Memphis 28

John Stolmeier — Sports Writer If matchups were determined entirely by team talent, Oklahoma would already have won this game. With that being said, I do not foresee another 76 point victory for Oklahoma against Nebraska this weekend. If Nebraska wants to remain present in this matchup, their QB Adrian Martinez will have to hold onto the football.

The Cornhusker’s quarterback has been their leading rusher this season but has surrendered seven fumbles so far this season. I can’t imagine Nebraska’s defense will hold against the Sooners’ explosive offensive unit headed by Spencer Rattler. As much as I hate to say it, Oklahoma should easily take this game.

Nebraska 14, Oklahoma 38 Florida gave Alabama a run for their money last year.

Unfortunately for Florida, the Gator’s offense was propelled by solid performances by Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts and Kadarious Toney. On the other hand, Nick Saban has proved once again that his program is #1 in the first weeks of CFB, with sophomore quarterback Bryce Young looking like one of the best players in the country. If Anthony Richardson can get back to 100% for this game, the Gators could challenge the Tide for the first time this season. Regardless, I don’t think UF fans will be happy after this game.

Alabama 45, Florida 24 I know that Memphis had a tough game against Arkansas State last week, but let’s not forget that Louisiana Tech almost beat Miss State in their season opener. Miss State boasts one of the purest air raid offenses in the nation, averaging less than 44 rushing yards a game.

Right now, I’m hoping that Ryan Silverfield can develop a game plan for the Tiger’s defense and hinder the Miss State passing attack. The Tigers have an explosive offense of their own that has accumulated over 1200 yards in their first two games. Miss State feels too

one-dimensional to take this game.

Memphis 34, Mississippi State 28

Tom Zwiller Writer

—

Sports

Seeing Oklahoma as a 22.5-point favorite makes sense, right? They’re undefeated, ranked #3 in the country and playing an unranked Nebraska. However, the Sooners are 1-1 against the spread: they were a -31 point favorite against Tulane at home but only won by five. So I don’t think Oklahoma beats the spread; Nebraska has the better defensive rating than Tulane and an almost average offensive rating (according to College Football Reference’s Simple Rating System). The Cornhuskers may not have a great offense, but I don’t believe in Oklahoma’s defense, so it should be closer than expected.

Nebraska 24, Oklahoma 42 I think this game has the potential to be the best game on the slate: a bitter rivalry game between teams who are both top-11 in the country. It not only has SEC implications but CFP as well. Notice I said potential. I think this game could be good, but I don’t think it will.

On an Alabama podcast, the hosts said that this Alabama defense might be the best in Saban’s history. I also believe that Bryce Young is the best QB that Saban has had. I think ’Bama wins easily and beats the spread. Everyone else is just playing for second.

Alabama 35, Florida 21 This game feels like a true toss-up. I think that Mississippi St. is the better team, but Memphis is a solid squad with the home-field advantage.

Mississippi beat LA Tech 35-34 and NC State 24-10, whereas Memphis beat Arkansas State 55-50 and the Nichols Cornels 42-17. Considering that Mississippi State has the better defense playing tougher competition, I think an offense will do well against a weak Memphis defense. Memphis has had a good offense this season, but I think it’s a bit overrated considering they have played weak opponents. So I’m taking Mississippi State to beat the spread on the road, but the under hits.

Mississippi State 31, Memphis 24 Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu, Jamison Cook at jcook22@nd.edu, Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu, Sam Ouhaj at souhaj@nd.edu, John Stolmeier at jstolmei@nd.edu and Thomas Zwiller at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu.

The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

14

Sports

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

DeFazio Continued from page 16

strength. Instead of Coan himself, it is the ball that does the traveling. He hangs back and has an accurate aim for the longer throws; Rees should use Coan’s strong points instead of forcing something that does not work for who he is as a player. He is not the t y pe of quarterback to escape the pocket and make his way dow nfield, and given how the offense is

W Soccer Continued from page 16

actually given the nod when Interian originally subbed off against Marquette, as well as in the next two games against Purdue and Missouri. But after a 3-2 loss to Missouri, Notre Dame’s first defeat of the season, Norman seemed to make a sw itch in depth chart order and it was Naylor who got her first start the next game against Detroit.

W hether the change in goalkeeper was a reaction

Hinish Continued from page 4

harping on during practice is going against and doing scatter work, tagging off on the hip, getting fitted up in a position to where you’re going to make that tackle.”

“You can try to play mistake-free, which isn’t possible,

Purdue Continued from page 2

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly explained that limiting Plummer will be crucial to the game plan and that the secondary will be tested if the Irish will get picked apart if coverage breaks down the way it did at times against Toledo. “[Plummer] is so accurate but if you try to get too aggressive, he can put the ball over your head,” Kelly said. “He’s got great receivers and tight ends to throw to.

We can’t just line up and play man the whole game. We have to do some things to disrupt him, give him multiple looks

Zwiller Continued from page 12

flabbergasted. Aaron Rodgers had the worst loss of his NFL career, throwing two interceptions and getting pulled in favor of Jordan Love. Their performance was enough to remove the Packers from ESPN’s top-10, but not mine.

I still trust Aaron Rodgers: he is one of the best to play the position. I also think that the Packers’ defense will not have nearly as bad a performance

currently operating, he has run into some issues because of this.

W hen the offensive line fails, Coan is almost defenseless.

The way I see it, hav ing three years under Book has lulled the team into feeling a sense of consistency that is inconsistent w ith the current roster. If that is the t y pe of game Kelly wants to play, then he’s going to have to restructure the offense.

If those rushing yards are

the main prerogative, then Tyler Buchner is probably the best bet to have at the helm. I w ill admit, I had a semi-f lashback to 2020 when I saw #12 shoot across the field. Buchner’s game fits more easily into the offense that had been run during the Book era.

And I hate to say it, but if that is the way the team is heading, Ky ren Williams may need to take a back seat for a while in favor of Chris Ty ree, at least until the

offensive line sharpens up.

They don’t call Ty ree “The Jet” for nothing — he is No. 3 in CFB’s top five speeds from ball carriers, clocking in at 21.8 mph. He can use this abilit y to make up for the offensive line troubles. If there is an opening even starting to form, Ty ree is usually through it, using that speed and agilit y to make it ten yards before anyone can catch up w ith him.

Therefore, the running game w ill come at the cost of using

talented returnees to the extent they were last year if the offensive line is not strengthened to the point of supporting the run game.

Even now, t wo games in, I cannot say for certain which route is the best to pursue.

A ll I know is that Kelly better make a decision, and make it quick ly before any other almost-upsets occur in the house that Rockne built.

to the Missouri defeat or an intentional move to give both sophomore goalies t wo games to prove themselves, whichever sophomore is in net on Sunday against Sy racuse w ill have to find their form at the collegiate level quick ly. W hile the Orange shouldn’t offer an offensive threat unlike any Notre Dame hasn’t already seen, tests against a highscoring Boston College team and a murderous three-game October stretch against No. 7 Virginia, No. 4 Duke and No. 2 North Carolina loom

large on the Irish schedule.

Outside of the goalie spot, the rest of the Notre Dame lineup seems to pick itself.

Norman’s preferred back three of Eva Wirtz, Waniya Hudson and Eva Gaetino have been excellent to start the season, and the w ingback pairing of Brianna Martinez and Kati Druzina has supplemented both the defense and attack w ith aplomb. Though the timetable on small injuries to Wirtz and Martinez picked up in the Brow n match is unknow n, freshmen Katie

Coyle and Kaylie Ronan both looked ready replacements against the Bears should they be called upon for Saturday’s match.

In midfield, Korbin A lbert and Camr y n Dyke have made themselves irreplaceable, and Maddie Mercado and Brooke VanDyck have both impressed when given chances to w in the third starting spot in the center of the park for the Irish.

W hichever trio Norman opts to start on Sunday, the striker duo they’ll be prov iding for is all but

w ritten in Sharpie on the lineup card. Graduate student Sammi Fisher leads the team in goals w ith six, including three game w inners, and Oliv ia Wingate offers a quick presence next to her, so far hav ing added a pair of goals and three assists to her account this season.

Catch the Irish (now No. 24 in the Top Drawer Soccer top 25) taking on Sy racuse on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at A lumni Stadium. The game w ill also be broadcasted on the ACC Net work.

but we try to do our best at it,” Hinish said. “We’re working on our details so we can find the happy medium of playing fast and playing free that’s going to be great.”

They’re hoping to see some of this work pay off this weekend. Hinish said he knows that won’t be an easy feat but that doesn’t diminish his excitement to see the field and

do the work he knows he can do.

“They [Purdue] are a good football team,” Hinish said.

“They have a great quarterback, they have a good offensive line. I know their running back just got hurt. Hate to see anybody get hurt, but you know he was a big part of their team. And not to say the second team running back isn’t

great, he’s really good too.

We’re gonna see a really good football team on Saturday and I’m excited to play them.

I don’t know too much about their defense. I’ve been talking a lot about their offense guys.

I’ve just kinda been staring at their O-line and their quarterback, but they run a lot of trick plays and we’ll be ready for it, we’re ready for anything their

ready to throw at us.”

His faith in the Irish defense to be ready when it comes down to it has yet to waiver. Hinish, the Irish defense and the offense take the field in Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday. Kick off is at 2:30 p.m.

and throw off his timing with the pass rush.”

Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman hasn’t been shy about dialing up the heat late in the fourth quarter through Notre Dame’s first two games, and the Purdue offensive line may have to handle some extra rushers when the game is on the line. The Irish have gotten to the quarterback consistently so far, picking up 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Brohm spoke about the challenge his offensive line faces this weekend.

“We’re facing a real front four on the defensive line,” he said. “The first thing you notice when you watch them on film is that they

can get off blocks and play hard.

This will be a huge test for us to see how we stack up. We’ll have to figure out how to get the job done in the trenches but have some creativity with our offense if we’re not getting the push that we want.”

The Irish have had their own challenges along the offensive line, losing starting left tackle Blake Fisher for at least two months to a knee injury he suffered against Florida State. His backup Michael Carmody also may not be at full throttle on Saturday after an ankle sprain against Toledo. Kelly affirmed his confidence in his unit but spoke briefly about how the

Irish offensive scheme will focus more on providing support in pass protection.

“We’re playing our best five right now, but the load on those young players [on the offensive line] is a lot,” he said. “You’re going to see more of a rotation inside with our guard to help the left tackle. He’ll also get help from our backs and tight ends. The protection is moving that way.”

Notre Dame has played Purdue more than any other school except for USC and Navy, but this is the first meeting between the two schools since 2014. The Irish lead the all-time series 56-26-2.

Brohm described the anticipation that has built around this

in-state tilt and expressed his excitement for the challenge ahead.

“I’ve heard it for the last six months from our fans that they’re excited to go up to Notre Dame to watch us play,” he said.

“I respect the tradition at Notre Dame, and it’s a special place for a lot of people. We want to get this game going again in the next 5 to 7 years. It’s a great opportunity for our kids to play against a recent top-four program in the country. I know our guys are jacked up about playing against this high-caliber team.”

again this season.

If I had to try and explain the blow-out loss, I would chalk it up to two reasons: Winston and weather.

Winston, because it was his first game as a starter, so teams need some time to react to how he plays.

The weather, because the Packers are not used to playing in 100-degree humid weather. It impacted the Cowboy’s Buccaneers game, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable it impacted the Packer’s game.

No. 9 San Francisco 49ers The 49ers would be a lot better to me if NFL games ended after the 3rd quarter. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the 49ers led 38-17, but by the end of the fourth, the Lions were back in the game 41-33 with a legitimate chance to win.

So yeah, I don’t know what to take away from the 49ers game against the Lions. I do think the 49ers have a good offense, but I was surprised by their defensive performance. I did not expect the 49ers to give up 33 points.

Granted, it did take a bizarre series of events for the Lions to get back in the game. That’s why the 49ers make it to my top-10, but just barely.

simply can not keep up. The Steelers offense as a whole put up 252 yards, which A llen eclipsed by merely passing. I believe that since this is a newer offensive line, they can improve as the season goes along, which is why they’re in my top 10.

No. 10 Pittsburgh Steelers If the Steelers could simply have a good (not great) offense, I would have them in my top-5. Their defense appears to be just as good as last year’s, and I legitimately think it might be the best in the league. If the Steelers come up against an offense that can score, they

Contact Emily DeFazio at edefazio@nd.edu

Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu

Contact Colin Capece at ccapece@nd.edu

Contact Thomas Zwiller at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Observer

15

ND men’s Soccer

ND loses one to MSU, looks ahead to NC State Observer Sports Staff

On Tuesday night, the Notre Dame men’s soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to Michigan State, as the Irish saw a two-goal lead evaporate in the second half in front of a stunned Alumni Stadium.

Things started off well for the Irish as they struck first for a 1-0 lead just nine minutes in off a Matthew Roou opener. Just 10 minutes later though, the Spartans would level the score through the first goal in Farai Mutatu’s eventual hat trick.

The Irish surged forward after the equalizer to end the

Thomas Continued from page 12

overcame midseason adversit y to reach that point.

W hat path will Irish follow ?

2021

There’s no question that Notre Dame has not gotten off to an ideal start. The three-game stretch of FSUToledo-Purdue was supposed to be a nice warm up.

With Wisconsin, Cincinnati,

first half. Fullback Paddy Burns gave Notre Dame the lead in the 22nd minute with a nice transitional finish after a long run up from defense. Eno Nto added another to the home side’s tally before the break, as the freshman arced a beautiful curled shot over the outstretched arm of Michigan State goalie Lance McGrane into the far corner of the net.

But as much momentum as Notre Dame had to end the half, the Spartans hit back with even more in the second. Senior midfielder Jack Beck brought the visitors back within five minutes after the break, and

Mutatu would add his second and Michigan State’s third off a feed from Beck to equalize once again.

This time though, the Irish wouldn’t be the ones to push in front. Mutatu would fire home his third of the day in the 73rd minute, latching onto a cross from Beck and lashing a superb finish into the back of the Notre Dame net to give the Spartans a 4-3 lead they wouldn’t look back on. McGrane and the Michigan State defense held strong and headed back north to Lansing as victors.

The loss leaves Notre Dame at a 1-3-1 mark for the season

heading into a clash with ACC foe North Carolina State on Friday.

The Wolfpack will travel north to Alumni with their eyes on conference standings, having dropped to 0-1 in ACC play early on with a tough 0-2 loss to No. 2 Clemson. The loss to the Tigers wasn’t North Carolina State’s first defeat to a ranked foe — they also dropped a 1-3 decision to No. 20 Seton Hall earlier in the season, and that pairing of defeats to quality teams marks the Wolfpack’s only losses on the year.

Freshman midfielder Luke Hille has led the way so far in

Raleigh, chipping in a team high three goals (and six points) from midfield in just two games. In attack, the youth movement continues for the 4-2 Wolfpack, as Portuguese freshman Henrique Santos leads the team in assists (2) and has added a goal as well in his first six matches.

Catch the Wolfpack and Fighting Irish squaring off in an early and significant match of two ACC teams with high conference tournament ambitions tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET at Alumni Stadium. For those who can’t make the match in person, it will be broadcasted on the ACC Network.

Virginia Tech, USC and UNC to follow, these three games were supposed to help Notre Dame find an identit y. And while 3-0 is the ultimate goal, a less rock y road to that record would be appreciated. And 3-0 doesn’t even feel like a guarantee, as Purdue went from a fun in-state rivalr y game that Notre Dame would certainly w in... to a v iable opponent w ith a legitimate chance to beat the Irish.

So, how w ill Notre Dame respond?

If Notre Dame comes out lack luster for the second straight week at home and ekes out a w in — or worse, falls short — against the Boilermakers, the 2021 season w ill certainly feel less promising. But if Brian Kelly and his team have proved any thing in these past few seasons, it’s that midseason bumps in the road don’t concern them. Four or five

years ago, they may have derailed a season. Now? They’re learning points on the way to 10 or 11 w ins.

These 2021 Irish are learning how to w in — albeit in a closer fashion than most fans would like. But don’t give up on Notre Dame yet.

If they come out and throttle the Boilermakers w ith a conv incing performance, it’ll be a great sign that that alpha-dog, grinder mentalit y has not gone away.

Being a Notre Dame fan has never been a smooth ride, and the 2021 squad has so (kindly?) reminded ever yone of that. But now, w ith basically the whole countr y counting out the Irish, they have a chance to do exactly what they’ve done in this situation the past three years.

Will they?

Paid Advertisement

Contact Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu

16

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Football

DeFazio: 2021 is not the new 2020

By EMILY DeFA ZIO Associate Spor ts Editor

If there is any thing that I can safely say about the 2021 football season, it is that it has already not gone as expected. Tw ice in a row now, I have almost had to eat my words, and my faith in Notre Dame football is prov ing to be somewhat unjustified.

Tw ice in a row, I have had to watch two opponents that should have eased the Irish into the season almost topple them right out of the gate. It makes one question why nearly all hope has been dashed for an undefeated season like we fans enjoyed in 2020.

And therein lies the issue — the 2021 team is just not the same as last year, undefeated season and all. So why do they keep tr y ing to play like they are?

Let’s start w ith some statistics. In 2020, the run game accounted for 47% of total offensive yardage, passing for 53% . In 2021, however, the team is averaging 341.5 passing yards per game and

440.0 total yards per game — that’s 77.6% of the gains attributed to passes over runs.

Notre Dame went from a squad that was using both aspects of the offense fairly equally to one that is clearly heav y-handed in the passing department. This change was apparent from the start; in the season opener against FSU, the Irish averaged 2.76 yards per play in the 26 designed runs they enacted.

W hy continue to push the run game if it is failing in a game setting?

This is not to diminish the talent of the backfield.

Ky ren Williams and Chris Ty ree especially have proven themselves to be exceptional athletes; they just haven’t been given the opportunit y to showcase their abilities this season. The responsibilit y for that fact lies heav ily w ith the offensive line, which is operating below average at best. Notre Dame has already dipped into its third-string reser ves for a left tack le, and the discombobulation among the line has proven costly. The

opponent’s defense glides through, coming straight for the quarterback and running backs before they can take a step towards the end zone.

The talent of the tight ends and w ide receivers, then, begs to be acknowledged and used w ith the runningbacks essentially tied dow n.

There is a wealth of abilit y in these position groups. The combination of Jack Coan, Michael Mayer and Kev in Austin, Jr. has been a sort of Bermuda Triangle for the Irish’s opponents, and Mayer and Austin, Jr. have a combined four of seven passing touchdow ns scored so far.

W hy not utilize these groups to the fullest extent you can if it is prov ing to be so effective?

Not only this, but a large part of this change in philosophy is that Jack Coan and Ian Book are almost polar opposites in how they manage the field. W hile Book was know n for his run game, Coan’s arm is his true see DeFAZIO PAGE 14

ARIANNA DENNING | The Observer

Irish graduate student defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa chases an opponent during Notre Dame’s 32-29 win over Toledo.

WoMen’s Soccer

Irish prep for conference opener at home Observer Sports Staff

ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer

Irish junior midfielder Erin Hohnstein strikes a ball during Notre Dame’s 2-0 home win over Syracuse on Oct. 4, 2019 at Alumni Stadium. In their series history, the Irish have never allowed a goal to the Orange.

This Saturday, conference slates around the countr y w ill kick off, and Notre Dame women’s soccer w ill be one of dozens of teams looking to kick off a NCA A tournament qualification campaign on the right foot.

Welcoming Sy racuse to South Bend on the back of an extended week long break follow ing last Sunday’s w in over Brow n, the Irish w ill enter their ACC schedule w ith a solid idea of what the squad looks like and what it’s capable of (good news: it’s a lot), but also w ith a few season-defining questions still to answer.

The biggest uncertaint y remains in goal. W hile head coach Nate Norman hasn’t explicitly named a new starting goalkeeper following a likely season-ending injur y to incumbent keeper Mattie Interian, the indication seems clear that it’s Ashley Naylor’s job going for ward. The sophomore from Manhattan Beach, California earned the start bet ween the pipes for Notre

Dame’s final out-of-conference match last week, an important vote of confidence from Norman in a game that saw the Irish square off w ith a fellow top-25 team and national tournament hopeful.

And for the most part, Naylor looked strong. She was confident in one-onone situations where many young goalies falter and back dow n, and her shot-stopping prowess saved Notre Dame from conceding an equalizer late in the game against the Bears. But Naylor’s inexperience also showed on Brow n’s lone goal of the match, when she attempted to come off her line and claim a 50/50 ball. She was beaten to the punch by senior midfielder Evely n Calhoon, who powered a header into the vacated Irish net.

Such a mistake likely remains insignificant in the general scheme of the position battle given Naylor’s play other w ise, but it does keep the door open for her fellow sophomore goalie Kaylin Slatter y, who was see W SOCCER PAGE 14

insider

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Observer

2:30 p.m. ET notre dame stadium on nbc’S Peacock

notre dame

HEAD-TO-HEAD PURDUE

(Sr.) Braden

Lenzy

0

(Gr.) Avery

Davis

3

(Fr.) Lorenzo Styles Jr. 21

(Jr.) Lawrence Keys III

(Jr.) Kyren Williams 23 (So.) Chris Tyree 25

13

(Fr.) Micahel Carmody 68

RB

(So.) Tosh Baker 79

(Sr.) Zeke Correll 52 (Fr.) Rocco Spindler 50

(Gr.) Jack Coan 17

(So.) Drew Pyne 10

QB

(Sr.) Jarrett Patterson 55

(So.) Andrew Kristofic 73

(Gr.) Cain Madden 62 (Sr.) John Dirksen 56

(Gr.) Josh Lugg 75 (Sr.) Tosh Baker

79

(So.) Michael Mayer 87 (Fr.) George Takacs 85

(Gr.) Kevin

Austin Jr.

(Sr.) TaRiq Bracy 28

(Jr.) Jack Kiser 24 (Gr.) Isaiah Pryor 10

(Jr.) KJ Wallace 16

SS

4

(Jr.) Joe Wilkins Jr. 18

(So.) Clarence Lewis 6

(Sr.) Houston Griffith 3

WR WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR

CB

(Jr.) Kyle Hamilton 14 (Jr.) DJ Brown 12

(So.) Riley Mills 99

(Gr.) Kurt Hinish 41 (Jr.) Howard Cross III 56

(Jr.) Isaiah Foskey 7

FS

(Sr.) Justin Ademilola 19

(Jr.) JD Bertrand

27

(Fr.) Prince Kollie 35

(So.) Ramon Henderson 11

(Gr.) Jonathan Doerer 39 (Jr.) Jay

Bramblett

(Sr.) Matt

Salerno

Notre Dame Passing When Jack Coan has had time to throw in the pocket, he has been very consistent and has looked the part of a top 10 college quarterback. The only issue is that the offensive line has been so bad for the Irish that this has been a rare occurrence. The good news for the Irish is that the Boilermakers have only recorded one sack on the season so far. Despite this, I expect Purdue to blitz more than usual and test the offensive line throughout the game. Notre Dame definitely has the matchup advantages for receiving with tight end Michael Mayer and wide receiver Kevin Austin leading the way for the Irish. If Coan can get the ball to them, advantage Irish. Because of the issues on the offensive line, however, this matchup is even, as Coan will likely face constant pressure throughout the game.

EDGE: Even Notre Dame Rushing Hard to not give the edge to Purdue here. The Irish simply haven’t gotten the running game untracked yet behind the shaky offensive line.

19 29

PK P PR

6

DE DT NG DE

17 Chris Jefferson (Sr.)

Jaylen Graham (Jr.)

George Karlaftis (Jr.)

6

41 Jack Sullivan (R-Jr.)

Lawrence Johnson (R-Jr.)

90

92 Bryce Austin (Fr.)

Damarjhe Lewis (R-Fr.) 58

34

Branson Deen (R-Jr.)

DaMarcus Mitchell (Sr.)

15

44 Kyrdan Jenkins (R-Fr.)

Will CB

36

(Jr.) Michael Vinson 65

Mike SS

Kieren Douglas (Sr.)

43

37 Jacob Wahlberg (R-So.)

4

Marvin Grant (So.)

21 Sanoussi Kane (So.)

Jaylan Alexander (Sr.)

42 Cllyde Washington (So.)

Cory Trice (Sr.)

23

26 Brandon Calloway (Fr.)

WR TJ Sheffield WR Milton Wright RT Eric Miller RG Tyler Witt C Gus Hartwig LG Spencer Holstege LT Greg Long TE Payne Durham WR David Bell (R-So.)

74

68 Cam Craig (R-So.)

(Jr.)

78

(Sr.)

RB

(Gr.)

59 Dave Monnot III (R-So.)

53

75 Spencer Holstege (R-So.)

75

54 Josh Kaltenberger (R-Fr.)

69

3

QB

(So.)

13

40

Zander Horvath (R-Sr)

22 King Doerue (Jr.)

Jack Plummer (Sr.)

16 Aidan O’Connell (R-Sr.)

(R-So.)

(Gr.)

(Sr.)

88 Garrett Miller (Jr.)

CB

Cam Allen (Jr.)

10

20 OC Brothers (R-So.)

87

(So.) Chris Tyree 25

Notre Dame Offensive Coaching Tommy Rees has shown some more creative and aggressive tendencies in Year 2 as offensive coordinator with the Irish.

And as a whole, the offense has been solid, averaging 36.5 points per game. There’s been sluggish stretches – like the 4th quarter against Florida State, or the middle two quarters against Toledo – but also improvement. From a willingness to target wide receivers down the field, to more

Sam

68 Cam Craig (R-So.)

(Jr.) Jay Bramblett 19

Meanwhile, leading rushers against the Boilermakers have garnered 42 and 27 yards. Granted, Oregon State and UConn is not a brutal opening slate, but still, it’s impressive defense. With a stiff Wisconsin defensive front up next, this Purdue front seven is a fantastic test and tuneup for the Irish. Maybe they prove this analysis wrong and actually get some decent yardage on the ground versus the Boilermakers. But if the first two games are any indication for either team, that’ll be tough sledding for Kyren Williams and Co. EDGE: Purdue

FS

8

Buck

(Jr.) Cam Hart 5

7 Jamari Brown (Sr.)

9 Broc Thompson (Jr.)

(Sr.) Jayson Ademilola 95 (Jr.) Bo Bauer 52

DE DT DT DE

Mackey Dedrick (Sr.)

1

00

(Jr.) NaNa Osafo-Mensah 31

Mike

CB

18 Deion Burks (Fr.)

Rover

(Gr.) Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa 95

(Sr.) Drew White 40

3

(Jr.)

9 Mershawn Rice (R-So.)

H KR LS

H KR LS

11

Jack Albers (Jr.)

8

TJ Sheffield (R-So.)

31

Nick Secchino (R-Sr.)

creative playcalling, like a flea flicker in game one, Rees has looked a little more seasoned in 2021.

He faces a unique Purdue system that features three codefensive coordinators. This was announced in June, with the responsibilities being split between the defensive line coach, linebackers coach, and the secondary coach. So far, it’s paid dividends, with the Boilermakers giving up 10.5 points per game. The rush defense has been good, which doesn’t bode well for Rees, who hasn’t figured out a way to overcome some offensive line struggles and get the run game going. The Boilermakers have forced three fumbles and recorded two interceptions.

They’ll force Rees to get a little more creative while avoiding any big momentum-swinging plays.

EDGE: Purdue (slight) Notre Dame Offensive Special Teams Johnathon Doerer has been money in Notre Dame’s first two games besides a miss from 55 yards against Toledo that would have been a career long. He’s also been perfect

on PATs. When Doerer is in range, the Irish should be able to trust him to make kicks in the clutch even if Purdue pushes Notre Dame to the brink. Jay Bramblett has also been reliable in the punting game. He averaged 49 yards a kick against Toledo with a 58 yard bomb thrown in the mix.

The Irish should also be able to rely on Bramblett to pin the Boilermakers deep to help win the field position battle.

Notre Dame’s kick return unit has been slightly more concerning with Chris Tyree consistently calling for fair catches. Playing conservative on special teams is typical of a Brian Kelly coached team, but Tyree has had enough space at times to try to make something special happen on punt returns. Even without any return yardage though, Notre Dame’s unit should have the advantage. Protection on kicks hasn’t been an issue, and Purdue hasn’t blocked anything yet this season.

That could change in an instate rivalry contest, but Brian Kelly should be confident in this unit heading into Saturday.

EDGE: Notre Dame

PK P PR

24

30

Mitchell Fineran (Gr.)

Jack Ansell (Fr.) 8

TJ Sheffield (R-So.)

Purdue Passing Notre Dame’s secondary has played much better than anticipated considering its overall lack of experience, but the Irish face a difficult test in Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer. The Boilermakers’ veteran signal caller has looked sharp in his first two games, throwing for six touchdowns and no interceptions. This Purdue passing attack will be the most explosive the Irish have faced, and Plummer knows how to push the ball downfield to his best targets. Cam Hart will have a tough matchup against Purdue’s top wide receiver David Bell, who has the size and speed to be a menace for the Irish on Saturday. Tight end Durham Payne is the perfect safety blanket for when Bell is double covered. Kyle Hamilton will have a tough choice to make if Bell is consistently getting separation downfield. Plummer isn’t the most mobile quarterback, and Notre Dame could shut down the Purdue offense in a hurry if they bring enough pressure. see H2H PAGE 2

4

The observer | Friday, sEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Patterson focused on improving day by day

By JIMMY WARD Associate Sports Editor

Jarrett Patterson has been a force to be reckoned with for opposing defenses since his arrival in South Bend. He saw action in three games his freshman year and would have an immediate impact on the team in his sophomore season. He has always filled big shoes on an offensive line that for the past few years has been notoriously impressive, but now the senior offensive lineman is filling in a different role.

In his sophomore campaign, Patterson would start every game at center. He was surrounded by NFL talent, filling in a line with Miami Dolphins starter Liam Eichenberg, the Bucs’ Robert Hainsey, Detroit’s Tommy Kraemer and the 49ers’ Aaron Banks; now, Patterson is the only returning member of that star-studded position group.

The Irish finished the 2019 season ranked 13th in scoring offense, averaging 36.8 points per game. Patterson did not allow a sack and gave up only two QB hits on 854 offensive snaps played in 2019, and he ranked in the nation’s top 20 centers with an offensive grade of 74.2, per Pro Football Focus.

Patterson would only progress alongside this line corps in his junior season

and he would help to establish a long-needed and heavily desired run game for the Irish. After the season opener against Duke in 2020, the Irish ranked first in the ACC while they still played in the conference, and 11th among all FBS teams in tackles for loss allowed. They were awarded Pro Football Focus’ offensive line of the week in both this game and the next, which saw a 52-0 blowout over South Florida. He would also start in the win over then-No. 1 Clemson that saw the offensive live carve 518 yards of total offense into the top-ranked Tigers defense.

Unfortunately, Patterson would miss the last four games of the 2020 season with a left foot injury.

With Patterson being the only true veteran returning on the Irish line, more pressure has been put on his shoulders. The line has already shown a stark contrast to their performance last year. Through two games last year the line had given up 3 sacks and 8 tackles for loss against Duke and South Florida; this year Notre Dame has already surrendered 10 sacks and 20 tackles for loss against Florida State and Toledo. To make matters worse, the line is slowly dissolving as thirdstring sophomore Tosh Baker might get the start against the Boilermakers

this weekend after freshman starting left tackle Blake Fisher got injured in the opener against Florida State and his backup, sophomore Michael Carmody, went down against Toledo. Though their backs are up against the wall, Patterson is not shying down from leading this group.

“We definitely have some younger guys in key positions, but we have a lot of good football players and a lot of really good senior leadership as well on the offensive side of the ball,” Patterson said in a press conference Tuesday.

“So really it’s just every day coming out and trying to get one percent better. I think that’s what the mindset needs to be for everyone on the team.”

Although this group certainly has a lot of pressure on them for the moment, they have the full support of everyone up and down the roster to navigate through to find their identity.

Graduate student quarterback Jack Coan explained where he thought the line, headed by Patterson, was at.

“I think they’re doing an unbelievable job,” Coan said Tuesday. “I mean, they’re truly working as hard as any unit in the country right now. I know they wanna get better, just like I want to get better too. I think they are right where they should be right now, so I have

ARIANNA DENNING | The Observer

Irish senior offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson runs across the field during Notre Dame’s 32-29 win over Toledo on Sept. 11 at home.

total confidence in them with everything.”

Patterson has the responsibility to head the charge for this Notre Dame offensive line, and he will be up against the strongest test he and his team has faced

this season as they will see how they stack up against a Purdue Boilermakers squad searching for an upset on the road.

Contact Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu

Details: Hinish cites tackles and small tweaks

By MANNION McGINLEY Sports Editor

In his fifth and final season as a starting Notre Dame defensive lineman, Irish graduate student Kurt Hinish is one of the longest-standing pillars on Notre Dame’s defensive roster.

As one of the seven captains in his final season, Hinish has taken the weight of the season directly onto his shoulders. That is at least the weight of the defense, and especially the weight of the defensive line.

Hinish finds himself at nose guard again this year, so when any opponent breaks through the line he holds it personally.

“I gotta hold my gap,” Hinish said in a press conference on Wednesday. “I have to keep everybody next to me accountable for holding their gap, getting off the blocks and making tackles upfront. I feel like if one of the players gets through one of our gaps and it leads to the middle,

you know, I take responsibility for that. Even if it’s on the opposite end gap, I feel responsible for that because it is in the middle of the defense.”

He’s seen some of the trouble he and the rest of the defense have been having after the two close games to open the season.

Both games were decided by three points: a missed Florida State field goal in overtime during the season opener (41-38), and a successful Notre Dame two-point conversion against Toledo (32-29). Again, Hinish has put a lot of that weight on his own shoulders and found individual things he’d like to work on. If he doesn’t catch them himself, teammates like fellow defensive lineman senior Jayson Ademilola keep him in check for too.

“Me and Jayson Ademilola, we’ll hold one another accountable,” Hinish said. “For example, last week I missed a tackle for loss against Toledo,

we’re sitting in the film and watching it the other day and that play came up and Jayson just turned around and gave me like a look, you know, and I looked at him back and I was like, right, you know, I’ve got to, we’ve got to make those plays.”

The Irish defense has a definitive goal moving forward though and Hinish has it in his sights.

“Just being a detail-oriented defense,” Hinish said.

That’s what the Irish are focused on, but he said he knows that it isn’t a given but rather something to work toward.

“When you play fast mistakes are gonna happen right that comes with playing fast,” he said. “So, when you can find the balance and the medium of playing fast and playing detailoriented you can have a very dangerous group. I mean, we’re still a baller defense, right, and have we given up a couple of points? Yeah, but we’re still

a group of ballers, and we’re gonna be a group of ballers, we just need to find the mix, find the medium and that’s what it takes. Like I said, when you play fast, mistakes are gonna happen, but when you can find the happy medium of playing fast and playing detail-oriented we’ll be a dangerous group, so I know we’ll be alright.”

How does the 2021 squad break into that “dangerous group” bracket? Hinish says it won’t happen with any sort of lack of intensity. Energy has to be high and the Irish have to be ready to work.

“Coach Mickens and coach Freeman and coach O’Leary, they’re doing their part in the secondary to get everybody going just as much as coach Freeman and coach Helsingo are getting us going upfront,” Hinish said. “No one in that facility is taking anything easily right now, we’re all working extremely hard especially

coming out on the practice field and even in the meeting rooms.

There’s a vibe in the facility that can be felt that we need to have a sense of urgency and intensity when we come outside for practice.”

He says that intensity needs to be explicitly present as they work on tackling, specifically in his own stats. With only one tackle and one sack on the season so far, Hinish hopes to see a cleaner performance from both himself and the rest of the defense.

“When we go back and watch the film, it’s always one missed tackle, one missed assignment,” he said. “And that comes with getting those details, and that comes with playing fast and that’s something that we have to clean up and that’s something that we’ve been cleaning up. We’ve been harping on this.

One of the things we’ve been see HINISH PAGE 14