Print Edition of The Observer for Friday, September 11, 2020

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The observer | FRIDAY, September 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

HEAD TO HEAD

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

notre dame (Gr.) Ben

DUKE

Skowronek

(Sr.) Avery

Davis

(Jr.) Lawrence Keys III

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

WR WR

11

(Jr.) Joe Wilkins Jr. 18

3 13

(Gr.) Liam Eichenberg 74

RB

(So.) Andrew Kristofic 73

(Sr.) Aaron Banks 76 (Sr.) Dillan Gibbons 76

(Gr.) Ian Book (So.) Brendon Clark

12 7

QB

(Jr.) Jarrett Patterson 55

(So.) Zeke Correll 52

(Gr.) Tommy Kraemer 78 (Jr.) John Dirksen 56

(Jr.) Robert Hainsey 72

75

(Sr.) Josh Lugg

(Sr.) Brock Wright 89 (Jr.) Tommy Tremble 24

(Gr.) Javon

McKinley

88

(Jr.) Braden Lenzy

(Gr.) Nick McCloud 4 (So.) Cam Hart 5

(Sr.) Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 6

(Jr.) Paul Moala 13

(Gr.) Shaun Crawford 20 (Jr.) Houston Griffith 3

SS

0

LT LG C RG RT TE WR

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

(Jr.) Jayson Ademilola 57

(Sr.) Kurt Hinish 41 (So.) Jacob Lacey 54

(Jr.) Justin Ademilola 19

(Jr.) Shayne Simon

33

(So.) Marist Liufau 35

(Fr.) Clarence Lewis 26

(Sr.) Jonathan Doerer 39 (Gr.) Dawson Goepferich 39

(So.) Jay

Bramblett

19

(Gr.) Dawson Goepferich 39

(Jr.) Lawrence

Keys III

13

(So.) Kyren Williams 23

NOTRE DAME OFFENSE NOTRE DAME PASSING There’s no shortage of new faces in the Irish receiving corps this year. Though quarterback Ian Book returns under center, most of his favorite targets are missing following the departures of Chase Claypool, Chris Finke and Cole Kmet.

The three will be replaced by 5th-year Javon McKinley, joined by seniors Avery Davis and Brock Wright. Rounding out the first string wideouts will be graduate transfer Ben Skowronek, a transfer from Northwestern who appeared in 36 games for eight touchdowns with the Wildcats. The Duke secondary is poised to take advantage of Book’s inexperienced offense, with a talented returning group led by redshirt junior Leonard Johnson. With him as one of three returning cornerbacks, the Blue Devils have the advantage of experience in this matchup.

EDGE: Duke

NOTRE DAME RUSHING Kyren Williams has emerged as the starting running back

PK P PR

CB

DE DT NG DE

(Sr.) J.D. Carney 14

(Fr.) Chris Tyree 25 (Sr.) Jafar Armstrong

8

(Jr.) Michael Vinson 65 (Fr.) Alex Peitsch 44

EDGE: Notre Dame

NOTRE DAME OFFENSIVE COACHING The Notre Dame offense enters a (sort of) new era on offense as former Irish quarterback Tommy Rees takes over as offensive coordinator. Rees has one game of experience as a play-caller, as he dismantled a tough Iowa State defense last year in the Camping World Bowl. Rees will have a somewhat unproven batch of talent to work with on offense outside of quarterback Ian Book,

Lummie Young IV (R-Jr.)

9 J’Marick Woods (Gr.)

96 Chris Rumph II (R-Jr.)

WLB Rocky Shelton II MLB Shaka Hewyard S Michael Carter II

Ben Frye (R-Fr.)

93

43

90 DeWayne Carter (R-Fr.)

42

99 Christian Rorie (R-Fr.)

45 Christian Hood (Fr.)

Victor Simukeje (Sr.)

51

(R-So.)

35 Dorian Mausi (Fr.)

Derrick Tangelo (Sr.)

54

(R-So.)

26

94 R.J. Oben (R-Fr.)

30 Jalen Alexander (So.)

00

(Sr.)

Marquis Waters (Sr.)

29 Nate Thompson (R-So.)

Josh Blackwell (R-Jr.)

31

39 Jeremiah Lewis (R-So.)

WR TE RT RG C LG LT WR

85

Diamond Philyaw-Johnson (R-Jr.)

3 Darrell Harding Jr. (So.)

72

Noah Gray (Sr.) Devery Hamilton (R-Sr.)

70 John Gelotte (R-Fr.)

63

Jacob Monk (So.)

67 Rakavius Chambers (Sr.)

55

Will Taylor (R-Jr.)

62 Graham Barton (Fr.)

71

RB QB

4

Deon Jackson (Sr.)

21 Mataeo Durant (Jr.)

8

Chase Brice (R-Jr.)

15 Chris Katrenick (R-Jr.)

Maurice McIntyre (R-So.)

77 Robert Kraeling (R-Sr.)

78

WR

CB

(So.) Jay Bramblett 19

for the Irish but he has plenty of depth behind him. Chris Tyree gives the Irish a strong one-two punch and C’Bo Fleminster, Jafar Armstrong and Jahmir Smith provide a sense of security as they work down the lineup. Williams had just four carries for 26 yards for the Irish last year in his freshman campaign, but Brian Kelly has seen enough in practice to deem him the starter. The offense will have the advantage due to the simple fact defenders may not be completely used to taking guys to the ground because of this strange offseason.

Drew Jordan (Sr.)

86

23

Casey Holman (R-So.)

60 Patrick Leitten (R-Jr.)

Buck

(Jr.) TaRiq Bracy 28

S

88 Jake Marwede (R-Jr.)

(Gr.) Adetokunbo Ogundeji 91

FS

33 Leonard Johnson (R-Jr.)

87

(Sr.) Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa 95 (Jr.) Bo Bauer 52

Mark Gilbert (R-Sr.)

28

S

Rover (Jr.) Ovie Oghoufo 29

Mike

DE DT DT DE

CB

(Gr.) Daelin Hayes 9

(Sr.) Drew White 40

CB

H KR LS

H KR LS

5 6

19

Jalon Calhoun (So.) Eli Pancol (So.)

Jake Bobo (Jr.)

14 Dennis Smith (R-So.)

37

Jackson Hubbard (Sr.)

98 Porter Wilson (R-Fr.)

85

Diamond Philyaw-Johnson (R-Jr.)

7 Jordan Waters (R-Fr.)

57

John Taylor (Sr.)

60 Colin Ross (Fr.)

and one of the biggest headlines is how he will use the athleticism of junior receivers Braden Lenzy, Lawrence Keys, freshman running back Chris Tyree and other offensive playmakers. He faces an intriguing first test against Duke, led by co-defensive coordinators Ben Albert and Matt Guerrieri, who have been members of the Duke staff since 2016 and 2012, respectively. In three of the last four years, Duke has been 66th or worse in points allowed per game while running a unique 4-2-5 (four linemen, two linebackers, five safeties/cornerbacks) on defense. That being said, the defense was top-25 in 2017 and is working with some pretty decent talent this season. While there is a lot of experience and athleticism on this defense, the track record with the Blue Devils is shaky. Giving them the edge seems like a poor call, but giving Rees the edge here over a more experienced defensive coordinator seems overly optimistic regarding the prospects of Notre Dame’s new play-caller.

NOTRE DAME OFFENSIVE SPECIAL TEAMS

EDGE: Even

EDGE: Notre Dame

A good special teams unit can make or break a team, and thankfully for the Irish, they have got a rock-solid group taking the field, particularly on their offensive special teams. Senior kicker Jonathan Doerer is coming off an outstanding junior season in which he was 17-20 on field goals and an impeccable 57-57 on extra points. Junior receiver Lawrence Keys has potential as a punt returner, while classmate and fellow receiver Braden Lenzy could return kickoffs as he did in the 2019 Camping World Bowl. For now though, freshman running back Chris Tyree is listed as the go-to kickoff returner in the opener, which is by no means a downgrade speed-wise. The Irish have a bevy of talented options to slot into the returning game, and they have an excellent kicker to lock up points when the offense falters in the red zone. Meanwhile, Duke is replacing its punter and may struggle to figure out ways to disrupt Notre Dame’s stellar special teams.

PK P PR

44

Charlie Ham (R-Fr.)

38 Jack Driggers (Sr.)

98

Porter Wilson (R-Fr.)

37 Jackson Hubbard (Sr.)

31

Josh Blackwell (R-Jr.)

19 Jake Bobo (Jr.)

BLUE DEVILS SCHEDULE (0-0) Sept. 12 @ Notre Dame Sept. 19 Boston College Oct. 3 Virginia Tech Oct. 10 @ Syracuse Oct. 17 @ NC State Oct. 31 Charlotte Nov. 7 North Carolina Nov. 14 @ Virginia Nov. 21 Wake Forest Nov. 28 @ Georgia Tech Dec. 5 Florida State

IRISH SCHEDULE (0-0) Sept. 12 Duke Sept. 19 South Florida Sept. 26 @ Wake Forest Oct. 10 Florida State Oct. 17 Louisville Oct. 24 @ Pittsburgh Oct. 31 @ Georgia Tech Nov. 7 Clemson Nov. 14 @ Boston College Nov. 27 @ North Carolina Dec. 5 Syracuse

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Volume 55, Issue 10 | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Pandemic affects local bars South Bend establishments see decreased clientele amidst COVID-19

By MAEVE FILBIN Assistant Managing Editor

The first Saturday home game of the Notre Dame football season normally brings a swell of students clad in green and gold to the bars in South Bend. With this year’s home opener also comes a source of hope for establishments that have historically served students from the tri-campus community, as state orders and University health and safety guidelines regarding the pandemic have kept students mostly out of the local night scene.

Most bars have seen a drastic drop in student patrons, and for those whose clientele

is mostly Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross students, this decline has been especially damaging to business.

The changing demographic was noticeably apparent over the two-week period that Notre Dame returned students to online learning, and all three institutions in the tricampus implemented tighter restrictions on nonessential travel off campus and threatened disciplinary action towards those who violated COVID-19 safety policies.

Notre Dame senior Jack Zinsky said he hasn’t been to the bars this semester in an see BARS PAGE 4

Singing clubs adapt to COVID restrictions

Observer Staff Report

MIA MARROQUIN | The Observer

New Finnies is one of the local bars impacted by reduced social scene.

The bar is normally a popular location during the school year.

Student glee and a capella groups use tents and space on quads as makeshift rehearsal spaces while they cannot gather indoors.

By ERIN FENNESSY News Writer

Various singing groups at Notre Dame are adapting their approaches to rehearsals and performances for the fall semester to meet the COVID-19 health guidelines put in place by the University.

On June 22, vice president for student affairs Erin

news PAGE 5

Hoffmann Harding announced in a letter to students that the University would not permit “group vocal activities indoors.”

In light of these limits, several groups are conducting outdoor rehearsals, physically distanced while wearing masks. Others have begun preparing virtually see SING PAGE 5

Viewpoint PAGE 7

In an email to Zahm House residents, vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffmann Harding revealed the men’s residence hall has twice the amount of coronavirus infections of any other hall on campus. Residents will now be required to get surveillance tested by the end of the business day Friday. If not, students cannot attend Saturday’s footbll game.

“I, other University leaders see ZAHM PAGE 4

ND faculty, grad students view Andromeda halo

By CHRISTOPHER PARKER News Writer

Every night in September of 2017, graduate student Michelle Berg sat on her laptop in Indiana controlling a telescope in West Virginia.

Berg had trained for a week on-site to maneuver the massive single-dish Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the largest steerable radio telescope on the planet.

“One of the days they were actually doing maintenance, so I got to actually go up onto

ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer

COVID plagues Zahm

the telescope and get a tour,” she said. “It was really cool to be there at the facility.”

Using the GBT, Berg made observations about the halo of the Andromeda Galaxy as part of a team of Notre Dame students and faculty studying the nearby galaxy.

Recently, members of that team discovered new information about the nature of the Andromeda halo by using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) as well.

One member of the team, J. Christopher Howk, a

professor in the physics department, said a galaxy’s halo is in some ways similar to the Earth’s atmosphere: a collection of gas held in place by gravity. He said that as galaxies change, they take in and spew out gas, which can provide insights into the galaxy’s makeup.

“If you look at the atmosphere of gas around the galaxy, you can learn something about its past history and potentially about how it will see GALAXY PAGE 3

Saint Mary’s Sunshine club informs campus about SAD

By SHAYLA O’CONNOR News Writer

Sunshine SMC is a new club created for the purpose of bringing awareness to seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD, to campus this semester with innovative activities and

scene PAGE 9

outreach projects designed to help students combat the problem. The club aims to educate students on how SAD can impact both themselves and their peers.

SAD is a kind of depression that is cyclical with the coming and going of the winter season. Symptoms

include a drop in serotonin — a neurotransmitter that impacts mood — due to the lack of light in the winter.

Sunshine SMC emphasizes the importance of reaching out to one another with kindness and the knowledge that see SUNSHINE PAGE 5

Football PAGE 16

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TODAY

The observer | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

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“‘Tarzan.’”

“‘Finding Nemo.’”

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“‘Prince of Egypt.’ Not a Disney movie.”

“‘Mulan.’”

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HANNAH HUELSKAMP | The Observer

Students interact while following social distancing guidelines and enjoying dinner on South Quad. Notre Dame has set up tents and tables around campus as alternative outdoor dining seating options to accomodate take-out dining.

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Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m., noon Attendance will be limited.

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Students comment on new football regulations

By MADISON HANSEN News Writer

After waiting for months to hear if and when schools will return to normal, some tricampus students are ready to take the stands at the longstanding tradition of Notre Dame football games.

Football games have been a popular event for many students and alumni alike, but with many new regulations for the pandemic, some Saint Mary’s students said they have had to make a major decision. The stadium is only allowing a 20% capacity for students and with this, there are certain rules they must abide: no tailgating, students can only be seated together if they are a part of a household unit, households are seated 6 feet away from everyone else, masks are required and more. Students who buy tickets but cannot attend games due to cancellation or being moved off campus will be refunded, the email said.

Tickets this year cost

Galaxy Continued from page 1

change in the future,” Howk said.

The team’s lead scientist, Nicolas Lehner, said his work on the subject of galactic

$250 and do not include the Syracuse game on Dec. 5, since it is being played after the semester has concluded.

With so much change and uncertainty for what the semester still holds, many students said they were hesitant in their purchasing decision.

Ashley Lurquin, a sophomore, decided to opt-out of buying tickets this year.

“I just didn’t think it would be worth spending that much money for five games that I can’t really see my friends at,” she said. “It would feel more like attendance than an actual football game, if that makes sense. If I can’t really sit with all my friends tailgating or even in the game, I just don’t see the point.”

Luruqin intends to watch the games on her personal TV with her close friends this season.

For others, like sophomore Sophia Fleming, their love for the team is what’s ultimately lead buying season tickets. Fleming said the fun outweighs the regulations.

“I want to have fun and experience the tradition,” she said. ”The prices weren’t bad, and I would pay for the tickets no matter the price. ... I wish there weren’t regulations, but I want to go to games and I would do whatever it takes to be able to go.”

Despite buying tickets or not, students said they understand the need for these regulations and feel they

can’t be ignored. Senior Kelsey Mayti said the regulations make the tickets not worth the money.

“I always knew deep down that it wouldn’t go completely back to normal, but I just can’t imagine myself going with all these rules in place,” she said. “I think being offcampus or even going home to watch games with friends and family freely would just

be more relaxed than what they want us to do.”

For Fleming, the being in the stands, shoulder-toshoulder screaming and chanting for the Notre Dame football team is an experience that cannot be easily explained or recaptured, despite the circumstances.

halos began long before this particular project got approval. He said A ndromeda prov ides a unique opportunit y to study galactic haloes from several different v iews.

“The problem w ith our ow n Milk y Way is that we live in it now, so we don’t have an

external v iew,” Lehner said.

“You don’t have any depth information, so you don’t know how far the halo may extend.”

The team learned about Andromeda’s halo by conducting “chemistr y in the sk y,” as Howk called it. He

said elements in the halo absorb light from distant sources, and by testing which wavelengths of light never reached this gala x y, the team could understand which elements those were and how they were organized.

Howk said a 2007 addition to the HST made the instrument 10 times more sensitive, allow ing for the kind of v iews that their team used.

Time on the HST is coveted — NASA receives requests for seven to 10 times more access than they can prov ide — and requires thorough research in advance.

“About once a year, there’s a call for proposals, and it’s ver y competitive,” Howk said. “You’re responsible for putting together all of the base level technical information, like ‘here’s where I want to look, here’s the settings on the instrument we should use.’”

Lehner said this new information might spaw n more studies and that he has

several ideas already. One of these potential projects involves a deeper look into the heart of the A ndromeda Gala x y.

“W hat we’d like to do now is study even closer to the disc of [the Andromeda Galaxy] and compare what’s happening in the halo to what’s happening in the disc,” he said.

Berg’s research on hydrogen in Andromeda’s halo did not end up in this most recent study, but she said that the experience of working w ith the GBT was one of her favorite parts of researching.

She said any student w ith an interest in astronomy can have ama zing experiences by being curious.

“Just talk to the people that are there,” Berg said.

“I know it’s intimidating to talk to the professors, so the grad students would be a great way to learn a little more. Grad students are ver y honest.”

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Students fill the stands during the 2019 Notre Dame vs. USC game. This year students will be seated with their roomate groups and placed 6 feet apart. Notre Dame Stadium will be filled at 20% capacity.

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NEWS

The observer | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Bars Continued from page 1

effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. He worries that behaving otherwise will result in another spike in positive cases.

“I haven’t been going, not because I’m afraid of getting the virus, but because I don’t want to get it and unwittingly spread it to other students, which could send us home,” he said in an Instagram direct message.

Saint Mary’s senior Anna Sartori is student teaching this semester, and said she has been staying away from the local bars to keep her students safe.

“I need to be extra careful because I am bridging between the Saint Mary’s community and my elementary school, so I am limiting leaving my apartment for any reason, and especially gathering in large crowds,” she said in an Instagram direct message.

Sartori is also struggling to trust other students with the responsibility of doing their part in the fight against COVID-19.

“I feel that people aren’t following social distancing or keeping to only their family circle,” she said. “I really want to go out, but I don’t think it’s safe and I want to stay in-person as long as possible, so I’m doing everything in my power to help that situation.”

Mary Grace Noteman, also a senior at Saint Mary’s, is a Type 1 diabetic. Her roommate is immunocompromised, and both have decided not to visit the bars.

“If we get sick, things could get really bad for us,” Noteman said. “We’re also both in different field placements for our majors, so we want to protect others around us outside of the Saint Mary’s community.”

The Linebacker Lounge, popularly known as the Backer, has been following Indiana state guidelines regarding mask wearing and socially distanced seating, as well as sanitization. Without the same student patronage this semester, however, manager Paula Walsh said business has slightly declined.

“It’s down a little bit, but

everybody’s business is down,” she said. “It’s a crazy world, and I know every bar in town is doing what they can to make it a safe environment.

We are constantly spraying, disinfecting and wiping.

We’re doing everything that we can to make them feel comfortable.”

Regular customers at the Linebacker Lounge have been keeping business af loat, Walsh said, but in the end, the Backer will always open its doors to the tri-campus community in South Bend.

“You always depend on your regulars, and our regulars have been coming in, staying and helping the business,” she said. “Of course, the students have a lot to do with this bar because it’s a student bar.”

And students are slowly starting to return, Walsh added, saying that a “handful” of students made an appearance this past weekend. This number may grow as Notre Dame football returns.

Until then, the Linebacker Lounge will continue to take every precaution, Walsh said.

“I want to see all you kids again,” she said.

Nick Hensley, the owner of The Blarney Stone — also called Original Finni’s, Old Finni’s or Olf’s — said his bar has been closed for 98% of the pandemic. On March 16, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb ordered all bars and restaurants to pause in-person services. Establishments offering food began focusing their efforts on delivery and takeout options, but local bars such as the Blarney Stone could only close their doors and settle into a waiting game.

“We closed down in March when the students went on spring break last semester, and pretty much stayed closed until the first week that students came back,” Hensley said. “We opened that weekend, and we deep-cleaned the bar, sanitized, put all the regulations in place. And we had maybe 20 students all weekend, so we decided to shut down.”

Though locals do visit the Blarney Stone, Hensley said the bar primarily considers itself a student establishment. Over the past five years, students have contributed

around 90% of the bar’s business, he added.

“We’re pretty much a student bar, we don’t go out of our way to find other avenues for business anymore,” he said.

“I’ve learned after watching many other bars that it’s a balancing act. It’s hard to have students and locals. So our focus has always been on keeping students safe and focusing on that clientele.”

With students taking a step back from the normal night scene in South Bend, the Blarney Stone has lost a majority of its business. They’ve had to scale back and cut costs on everything, Hensley said, especially after remaining closed for almost six months.

Most of the staff at the Blarney Stone are considered part-time, and hold other jobs outside of the work they do in the bar. Hensley said they’ve been able to mostly maintain the same staff numbers despite the closure, but he hasn’t ruled out losing some workers along the way.

“We’ve been able to weather the storm, but everybody’s getting restless,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of the staff members for many years and they’re anxious to get back out there.”

Hensley plans to reopen the Blarney Stone for the upcoming weekend, hoping that game day will reinvigorate the night scene. The bar will continue to follow state and county rules regulating capacity and enforcing heightened sanitization.

If the bar staff can keep the bills f lowing and break even by the end of the night, the weekend will have been a success, Hensley said.

“We’re just looking to try to open back up … and just make it to next year,” he said. “I have a feeling if we can make it to next semester, things are going be looking a lot different.

We want to be here for the students. I think we’ve been known as the senior bar for as long as we’ve been around.

We’re just hoping that people in small groups can come in, socialize a little bit and still stay safe.”

Rick Ruszkowski is the managing partner of Finnies Next Door, considered the younger sibling to the Blarney Stone, and known to student patrons

as New Finnies or Newf’s.

Famous for the miniature replica of the Golden Dome in the center of the main bar, as well as the extensive upstairs addition and smoke-filled dance f loor, Finnies Next Door was originally a First Horizon Bank before Ruszkowski and his wife Chrissy purchased the property and started renovations.

Since its opening in 2015, Finnies Next Door has successfully served both the local and student communities in South Bend. The establishment closed alongside others in South Bend following the governor’s order in March, and stayed closed for about four months, opening brief ly during the summer.

Ruszkowski said he has never seen things look quite as desperate as this year.

“Couldn’t even imagine this,” he said.

Finnies Next Door has implemented the state mandated safety precautions of limiting capacity and requiring masks upon entering. The four-step cleaning process that the bar has always used — including multiple uses of soap and bleach — has proven sufficient in maintaining a level of sanitization, during the pandemic and otherwise. They’ve also changed the layout to adhere to and encourage proper social distancing.

“Tables, chairs, barstools — we’ve taken everything away,” Ruszkowski said. “So it’s completely open. We’ve also currently eliminated use of the second f loor, unless it’s for reservation or a private party.”

Finnies Next Door is now open only on Fridays and Saturdays to limit exposure, but Ruszkowski said few students have been present this semester. However, the bar has seen an inf lux of out-ofstate patrons from Michigan, as well as more local residents.

The health department has limited local establishments to 50% of their normal capacity, up to 250 people. Though Ruszkowski said Finnies Next Door has hosted that many people in a few nights over the previous weeks, he noted that none were students.

As a businessman, Ruszkowski said he would love to have students back in

full force; but as a member of the community and a father to his college-aged children, he said he encourages students to stay safe and healthy by following the guidelines established within the tri-campus.

“From our perspective, the students are following the guidelines that Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s, Holy Cross and even IUSB set out for them,” Ruszkowski said. “We’d love to see the students for a full year, and if I have to sacrifice a few weeks for the students to follow the rules and try to distance, stay at home or do what they need to do so that we can have a normal school year, I mean, absolutely. The students are more of a family to us now.”

Even before the pandemic, from its original opening in 2015, the first priority at Finnies Next Door is student safety, Ruszkowski said. He recalled how at the end of a normal night, he would often stand outside the door — in rain, sleet and snow — to make sure students got into their Ubers safely.

The absence of students is hurting business, Ruszkowski said, but in the long-term, it’s a pain he’s willing the bear.

“We’ll be better for it,” he said. “And I appreciate everything that students are doing to try to curb the spread of [the virus]. We’re going to be here for them. If everybody does their share for a couple weeks … we’re going to be okay. And there’s been a lot of rumors that we were going to close down and we weren’t going to be able to reopen, but I promise you that we are going to be there as a student bar when the students are able to come back out and support us.”

Contact Maeve Filbin at mfilbin01@saintmarys.edu Paid Advertisement

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Zahm Continued from page 1

and your rector, Fr. Bill [Dailey], are all deeply concerned for your individual health and the health of our broader community,” she wrote. “Because of the increased number of cases in [Zahm], all eligible Zahm residents have received instructions for University surveillance testing over the past week.”

Hoffmann Harding said those who have already tested positive or are in quarantine will be exempt from the mandated

testing. While it is important for those who have been selected for testing normally to comply, she said it is especially important for Zahm House members in order to contain transmission.

Residence hall members who have not already been tested will be scheduled at the testing center at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday during the morning or early evening time slots.

According to the email, those who do not complete testing will be unable to attend the football game, and may also be “referred to the University’s conduct process.”

Please recycle The Observer.

News

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | The Observer

5

Senate convenes face-to-face, discusses strike

By ISABELLA LAUFENBERG News Writer

The Notre Dame student senate met in person Thursday evening.

This week’s meeting was centered around an address from vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffmann Harding.

Hoffmann Harding spoke about campus reopening and the restructuring of student gathering spaces on campus including social spacing of Duncan and LaFortune student centers, and the introduction of many new outdoor spaces for student gathering such as the tents in front of North and South Dining Halls and Library Lawn.

Hoffmann Harding mentioned certain aspects of student life that got modified in the reopening process such as an option for students to live off-campus while still earning credit towards the University residency

Sing Continued from page 1

for performances.

Folk Choir and Glee Club have been utilizing the tents placed on the quad by the University, according to group leadership, for regular evening rehearsals. Folk Choir president, senior Elizabeth Heidenreich said the group secured regular access to a tent through Campus Ministry. Glee Club president, senior Phil Lally said their director arranged a tent dedicated to the club’s use that faces Irish Green.

The presidents of Harmonia and Echoes — two student-organized a capella groups — said they are also working on securing consistent outdoor rehearsal space.

Harmonia co-president, senior Mary Zakowski said her group has been practicing outside on the quads, gathering informally while waiting to reserve tent space.

“We kind of just set up camp and practiced out on the quad,” Zakowski said. “We’re hoping to reserve tent space in the future, especially for when the weather is supposed to be bad, but the twoweek shutdown delayed that.”

Echoes president, senior Calais Nobuhara also said the recent rainy weather and the two-week campus lockdown have been challenges for maintaining outdoor rehearsals. She said that in spite of these challenges, the group remains committed to meeting in-person.

“The point of a capella is group singing, which makes it really hard for us to rehearse virtually,” Nobuhara said. “Trying to rehearse over Zoom just doesn’t work, the lag time makes it impossible to sing with several people at the same time.”

In contrast, PEMCo is holding their rehearsals virtually for the

requirement and the opening of secondary residence locations to offer on-campus housing to all students who requested it.

In addition to the modifications to campus life, Harding talked about ways to address safety concerns in a way that did not cause divisions within the University community, new Title IX regulations and racial injustice within the community. Hoffmann Harding said the University is hosting conversations with Black student organizations regarding racial injustice in four main areas: campus policing, student mental health, programming funds and space and providing training for inclusion and diversity issues for faculty.

Hoffmann Harding fielded many questions regarding issues like dashboard changes, surveillance testing, concerns about Saturday’s home football game and f lu season.

Following Hoffmann Harding’s informative address, there was an update on the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) in that the CCAC has now finished the election process and the council is finalized.

Next, the senate moved to the appointment of 14 members to the Committee on the Constitution. This motion was put in block by parliamentarian, junior Thomas Davis and was passed without debate.

Davis said he is very excited at the appointees.

“Today is a very exciting moment for me,” he said. “This is a special part of the Committee on the Constitution being able to nominate or appoint members and at large members of the student body. It was a very thorough process and I’m very happy with the appointments I’ve been able to make.”

time being, according to artistic director, senior Danny Shaw.

The musical theatre company has adapted its fall production to a review, in which songs from various shows with a common theme are performed together as a show. Shaw, who is also serving as the director for the review, said the songs selected for this fall’s review are mostly solos with a few duets and rehearsals have been conducted via Zoom so far.

Shaw added that a particular challenge for musical theatre is the necessity of planning ahead.

“Especially with musical theatre, you have to plan really far in advance because there’s such a division of labor and it’s such a multifaceted production,” Shaw said. “It’s very hard to progress when you don’t have all of your questions answered.”

Many groups said they were able to welcome new members by conducting their auditions virtually, in which auditionees were asked to submit a video of themselves singing for consideration.

Folk Choir conducted their auditions through Campus Ministry, in which auditionees submitted a video and ranked their preferences of the various Campus Ministry choirs, according to Heidenreich.

Glee Club and Harmonia also invited prospective members to submit videos of themselves singing for consideration. Zakowski said use of social media was helpful in recruiting and connecting with auditionees. Similarly, PEMCo asked hopeful performers to record and submit a song for consideration in the review, according to Shaw.

In previous years, Harmonia and Glee Club performed for campus visitors on home football weekends. Both are hoping to hold some kind of outdoor performances this semester, according to leadership.

Lally said the Glee Club is

looking into virtual performances that coincide with football weekends.

“That could be exciting because one of our traditions is to sing in front of Touchdown Jesus on game weekends,” he said. “We can’t really do that this year, so we’re trying to find ways to keep up our game weekend presence.”

Zakowski said she has been informed that performing groups will be able to book the stage on the new Library Lawn for short performances.

“I’m really happy Library Lawn is being offered for performances because I personally love our concerts,” she said. “It’s nice to have something we can work toward and have ways we can perform our music for an audience.”

Many group leaders expressed their gratitude to be reunited with their musical communities after many months apart, regardless of how the logistics of rehearsing and performing pan out.

Shaw said his goal for the year was to produce some kind of show so members of PEMCo could continue to express themselves creatively.

“I wanted us to make sure that we produced something so that people could still have a creative outlet during this time,” he said. “Especially for the freshmen, I’m very happy that some of them found us and have gotten involved.”

Lally said he’s grateful that the Glee Club can continue to serve as an anchor in the busy lives of its members.

“We’re just all so happy to be back and so grateful that we have the opportunity to be able to keep performing,” he said. “We weren’t sure what was going to be possible with all the restrictions, but we’re very grateful for the fact that we’re able to do something.”

Contact Erin Fennessy at efennessy@nd.edu

Subsequently, the senate discussed order SS 2021-16: A resolution to Commit to AntiRacist Action at Notre Dame.

This order contained a statement in which the sponsors acknowledged the presence of racial injustice and discrimination on our campus and affirmed their continued desire to engage in open and constructive conversation with leaders of the Black Student Association, Notre Dame Socially Responsible Investing and the organizers of the Notre Dame Strike for Black Lives pertaining to their organizations’ goals and steps forward to foster an anti-racist campus community.

Order SS 2021-16 received some push back from Dillion Hall senator Mike Dugan who called for more aggressive resolution that actively calls for more than just conversation pertaining to racial injustice.

Sunshine Continued from page 1

anyone could be affected by SAD, in an effort to help one another and create a strong community of support.

“SAD affects women four times as often as men and also hits young adults the hardest — that is the exact population of Saint Mary’s College,” junior and club founder Ellie Lynch said.

“That’s why I wanted to create a club here on campus that was directly combating SAD.” Lynch said she noticed the issue of gloom that the winter season, and affiliated finals season, seem to bring and decided to take direct action and help her fellow peers by creating this club.

“Helping one another is extremely important, especially because you never know who SAD could be affecting,” she said.

“Reach out to friends, smile at strangers and give as many compliments as you can. I am hoping that Sunshine SMC can spread some positivity under the eternal South Bend perma-cloud.”

The club’s main form of recruitment and marketing thus far has been Instagram.

“I just followed them on Instagram, but I like the idea of the club,” senior Kate Hill said. “I think it will be a good resource for those who have to combat SAD. I’m looking forward to see what events might happen and the clubs they partner with to bring awareness to campus.”

Students who are unable

(Editor’s Note: Mike Dugan is a former News Writer and Systems Administrator at The Observer.)

“We need to do something to remove the structures that are posing barriers to students of color and prohibiting them from getting the experience that they deserve here,” Dugan said. “We’re punting, or saying, Notre Dame, talk with people, but we ourselves are not taking a stand.”

Despite dissent from Dugan and others, order SS 2021-16 was passed with a vote.

This week’s senate meeting concluded by a motion to move order SS 2021-07 pertaining to the availability of $10,000 from the Student Union COV ID-19 Response Financial Account to next week’s meeting.

Contact Isabella Laufenberg at ilaufenb@nd.edu

to attend the organization’s events can utilize the tips the club offers on their social media.

“The best way to combat SAD is light therapy,” Lynch said. “Light is key, so getting outside and exposing yourself to as much sunshine as you can will help improve your mood.

Or if you find yourself getting stuck studying in the library more days than not, you can buy an artificial sunlight lamp which will also help.”

Other suggestions Lynch mentioned include exercise, regular chats with friends and hobbies to keep busy.

Lynch emphasized that although the club will help to prevent SAD, it should not be used in place of seeking help, if students feel in danger of some of the more extreme effects of SAD. “Sunshine SMC is not a substitute for therapy, and should not be used in that way,” she said. “If someone is really suffering from the effects of SAD or any other mental health related issue please reach out to Health and Counseling.”

Sunshine SMC has planned several events for this semester to help alleviate the effects of SAD. Events include an indoor beach party, workout classes, volunteer opportunities, sledding, snowmen building and movie nights. Lynch said students interested in attending Sunshine SMC’s events are encouraged to follow the club on Instagram.

Contact Shayla O’Connor at soconnor01@saintmarys.edu

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The observer | Friday, steptember 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

Let’s change the way we see teachers Genevieve Coleman Associate News Editor

My friends know I can talk anyone’s ear off about why I want to become a teacher. Let me give you an abridged version of my spiel. l believe when teachers create a positive learning environment, students are hugely successful in and out of the classroom.

I believe teachers can inspire a lifelong love of learning in their students.

I believe teachers are in the unique position to give their students confidence and hope when they can’t find it in themselves.

I believe teachers change lives.

I believe all these things because I experienced them in the classrooms of intelligent, devoted teachers who inspired me to be a focused student and a compassionate person. I want the next generation of kids to have teachers like me who are committed to their education and well-being.

Despite what I believe about the power of educators, teachers objectively matter. They always have and they always will. But the culture surrounding how we treat teachers in America does not reflect an appreciation for the essential work that they do.

To begin, America has a national teacher shortage that is projected to last through the next several years. According to the Economic Policy Institute, by 2025, public schools will need an estimated 300,000 new teachers, but only about 100,000 will be available. In my home state of Indiana, there has been a 50% decrease in the number of students enrolling in teacher preparation programs between 2010 and 2018.

Why does this extreme shortage exist, you ask? Firstly, young people are not encouraged to enter the field because teachers are grossly underpaid for the work that they do. The average starting salary for teachers in America is below $40,000 in 63% of school districts. This salary is not sustainable for teachers.

Twenty percent have to work a second job year-round in order to meet ends meet. While many teachers do not go into the classroom because of the money, not paying teachers livable wages forces educators out of the profession.

It is also incredibly frustrating for teachers to not have access to the resources they need in order to serve their students.

Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers are struggling to teach their students using limited materials. A recent article in the New York Times highlighted the struggle of special education teachers connecting their students during remote learning.

Not having the proper materials to work with students is one of the causes of teacher burnout and low retention rates.

Nationally, in a report by the Economic Policy Institute, 7.3% of teachers left the profession at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. In high poverty schools, this number is 8.2 percent.

For these and many more reasons, teachers who are currently in the field are not shown the respect they deserve.

In regards to recruiting the next generation of teachers, there’s a subculture of berating students who want to go into education. I have been told that majoring in education is a silly decision because I’m wasting my time doing something that is frustrating and difficult. I know education is a difficult major — anyone who doesn’t is really kidding themselves — but I know what I’m getting into.

I know there will be days I want to give up or cry or scream, but there will also be days of profound joy and awe at my students’ talents. I’m willing to work through both if it means I can help my students through their own good and bad days.

The pandemic has started to reveal what a difficult job teachers have on a day-to-day basis. Teachers were always heroes, even if society just started noticing it. Let’s treat them as such.

You can contact Genevieve at gcoleman01@saintmarys.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

When Duncan is nuthin’ and Baumer is best Edward Brunicardi There’s More

USC and ND. North Quad and South Quad.

Zahm, and literally everyone else. Rivalries have been, and always will be an integral part of this campus we call home. Little did we know, though, that the most heated rivalry we have would all begin with eggs.

On Aug. 30, at approximately 1:15 a.m. in the morning, Duncan attacked my home of Baumer Hall with the weekly grocery commodity.

Reportedly, the assailants were a ragtag group of mischievous teens, sneaking to my door with over a dozen cartridges concealed in hand. At the windows, at the doors, at the very steps I walk up every day — they took aim. It only took a few minutes before yolk was spread all over the exterior of Baumer Hall. It seeped into the concrete; its stench filled the air. It ruined the perfect aesthetic of what is perhaps the most beautiful dorm on this campus. No matter how much Duncan enjoys having highlanders as their mascot, that’s super low.

It only took around half an hour for a few heroic Baumer men to realize what had happened, sparking a flurry of Slack group texts. As victims completely blindsided to the crime, we felt defeated and pained. We felt hurt and betrayed.

We felt dazed and above all, very, very confused.

Why on God Quad’s green Earth would a brother dorm do this to us? Is it because our freshman routinely beat you at Spikeball on Friday nights?

Or is it because we have Fr. Pete as our priest, who blesses us with his smile every morning? Be it one reason or another, it was clear that as the new dorm on the block, we were being picked on.

But in Duncan’s attempt to agitate and annoy, there was one key variable they failed to account for: Baumer’s ability to fight back.

Within 30 minutes, a group of 20 had brainstormed over 10 acts of revenge. “We could egg them too!” someone said. “Or we can twist their volleyball nets!” cried another. Each brilliant idea served as a testament to the brilliant minds which got us into this school. But it was clear that none of these ideas would be enough.

For the men of Baumer, something special had to be done — something so brash that no one would ever egg our hall on again — something so unique that it would lift the heartache we felt at one dorm’s attempt to steal the dignity of another. It is for this reason we saw only one option.

We buckled down, and stole your stuff.

Executed at around 2:30 a.m., a select few of Baumer ransacked the surrounding fields of Duncan faster than students scattered from NDPD on South Quad. Among the items taken: two tables, two soccer nets, a Cornhole board, a Spikeball net, a 10-foot tree branch, a $3,000

weight rack and even a jet ski. Plus, you know your sword-based logo resembling an uppercase D? Well, we added a curve and brought it up to a B. Told only through private Snapchat stories that have forever been lost to the ether, it was a night when Baumer had won its first revenge.

Of course, time would soon sober many of us, and the kids responsible in both halls eventually stepped up to accept the consequences. We had learned for sure that vandalism is still illegal, and that stealing an entire jet ski is still pretty wrong (really, rectors, the guys feel bad about that one). But still, I think this night taught us all something else as well.

In this time of deserved caution on campus, many of the college joys we were hoping to embrace now seem to be out of reach. Social distancing has made forming close bonds harder than it’s ever been, intramural activities have long been put on hold and the Fighting Irish football games so many of us dream for are now tailgate-less and regimented. For a new dorm like Baumer, I can only say that these feelings of loss are heightened. None of the incoming freshmen were able to enter this year having the ritual-led dorm life they expected. And despite the upperclassmen’s best efforts, the culture of an established brotherhood just wasn’t something we could offer.

Having this night, though, did something special for a lot of us. It showed the guys in the hall that there are still ways to build a strong community and that becoming unified behind a cause other than pre-existing traditions is still something you can do. And of course, while the “unusual” methods we used certainly will have to change, I think this is a message other dorms should take on too. Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from innovating new ways to find a close connection, or discover the joys you initially expected when first coming here. As long as we abide by the proper HERE guidelines, heck — organize an event, throw a social gathering, take a leap of faith and ask an entire sister dorm’s section out to dinner. Make sure you keep exploring new ways to capture that college experience all of us here deserve. And if you’re Duncan, I even have a suggestion on where to start.

Clean up those eggs.

Edward Brunicardi is a sophomore at Notre Dame pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor with the Hesburgh Program of Public Service. Though he may have had all the creativity sucked out of him in high school, writing serves as Edward’s best chance at getting something back.

He can be reached at ebrunica@nd.edu or @EdwardBrunicar1 on Twitter.

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

KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer

The observer | Friday, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

7

Same-sex adoption, religious freedom and the Supreme Court Vince Mallett Independent Idealist

In November, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in F ​ ulton v. City of Philadelphia​, a case concerning a litany of controversial social issues: adoption by same-sex parents, religious discrimination and the role of private religious institutions in public life. The case also provides the Court an opportunity to overturn ​ Employment Division v. Smith​, one of its most contested decisions of the recent decades.

The legal briefs in the case lay out the facts nicely and can be found at SCOTUSblog​. The city of Philadelphia, in its efforts to place foster children with families for adoption, contracts with private “foster family care agencies” that locate and evaluate parents looking to adopt. So, if I were looking to adopt a foster child, I wouldn’t go directly to the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) — I would go to a private foster agency. One such agency, which has been caring for children in need for over 200 years, is Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS). In 2018, DHS learned CSS had a policy of not evaluating samesex couples looking to adopt; instead, CSS would refer those couples to another adoption agency in the city. DHS decided to stop placing children with families working with CSS that year and, in the following years, included an updated non-discrimination clause in their contract that prohibited CSS’ policy of declining to work with same-sex couples.

The legal issue in question, to somewhat oversimplify, is whether DHS discriminated against CSS on the basis of its religious practice, in violation of the First Amendment’s guarantee of free exercise of religion.

This question brings into play ​E mployment Division v. Smith​, a 1991 decision in which the Court decided that any law that is generally applicable and facially neutral should not be granted caseby-case exceptions by federal courts so long as the law is rationally related to a legitimate government interest. For example, the facts of that case involved the loss of unemployment benefits due to the use of peyote in a Native American religious ceremony.

Because the state’s ban on the use of peyote (unless prescribed) did not say anything specific about Native American religious ceremonies, and it applied to everyone, the religious objectors in that case were not granted a religious exception to the rule, which was deemed “rationally related” to

the government interest of drug enforcement. In response to this decision, which has been decried ​ by religious communities ever since, Congress (near unanimously) enacted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act​(RFRA). RFRA practically restored religious freedom litigation to its pre-Smith state, where all violations of religious freedom needed to pass a stricter standard. However, ​i n a 1997 decision​ , the Supreme Court ruled the RFRA could not be applied to the states. Since that decision, the state governments have more power than the federal government in their ability to enact laws that incidentally impair religious practice. The federal government has to abide by the RFRA, while the states only have to abide by the easier Smith ​standard (and whatever statutes they enact at the state level).

There are currently efforts to undermine RFRA at the federal level. For example, the Equality Act​ , passed by the House of Representatives in May 2019, specifically includes a provision that would preclude religious freedom claims in response to discrimination claims outlined by the act. Instead of weakening protections for religious liberty, however, I think the Court should take this opportunity to overturn ​E mployment Division v. Smith​. The case at hand, with regards to Catholic adoption agencies and same-sex couples, perfectly demonstrates why this is necessary. Regardless of whether you think Catholic agencies should work with same-sex couples, the outcome of this situation is startling: There are now less opportunities for children to be placed with loving families in Philadelphia than there were two years ago because CSS is no longer allowed to help. That’s a lose-lose situation.

Religious institutions should not be expected to sacrifice their values in order to contribute to public life, especially in situations where no one is being hurt by their contribution. Again, to be clear, CSS did not stop same-sex couples from adopting children, they simply had a policy of referring those couples to other agencies, of which there were plenty. Furthermore, CSS claims that they had never even been approached by a same-sex couple looking to adopt. The city’s decision to reevaluate their relationship with CSS, then, did not help anyone and hurt real people in need.

Again, to be clear, CSS did not stop same-sex couples from adopting children, they simply had a policy of referring those couples to other agencies, of which there were plenty. Furthermore, CSS claims that they had never even been approached by a same-sex couple looking to adopt. The city’s decision to reevaluate their relationship with CSS, then,

did not help anyone and hurt real people in need.

If I have a genuine religious objection to a generally applicable, neutral law, I should not be turned away simply because the law is related to a “legitimate government interest.” Let’s look at an example as to why this is so important: Suppose a scientific study is released claiming the consumption of unleavened bread can be harmful to child development. Suppose my state passes a law, based on this study, instituting a penalty for anyone who feeds unleavened bread to children. I, along with many other Christian and Jewish citizens, strongly object to this law on the grounds that I maintain freedom to practice my religion as I see fit, which includes the consumption of unleavened bread. (Technically Catholicism doesn’t, but that’s not entirely relevant.) The government, in such a case, certainly has a legitimate interest in maintaining healthy child development, and the law in question would be rationally related to that interest. By the ​Smith ​standard, then, such a law would be constitutional.

Of course, in such an unlikely hypothetical situation, there would likely be other legal recourses to fall back on. ​E mployment Division v. Smith ​i s far from the only law governing religious freedom at the state level. But it should be clear that the principle espoused by such a law is at odds with the idea that we live in a country where we are truly free to practice our religion as we see fit.

Vince Mallett is a senior majoring in philosophy, with a minor in constitutional studies. He currently lives off campus, though he calls both New Jersey and Carroll Hall home. He can be reached at vmallett@nd.edu or @vince_mallett on Twitter.

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

KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Game day: A moment of truth Well, we’ve made it this far. The first football game is Saturday, and with football season usually comes lots of parties and other shenanigans.

Unfortunately, if there’s anything that could start a semester-ending outbreak, it’s those kinds of football-related festivities.

I’m in one of the student organizations that’s most visible and audible on game day, and doing our job has its trade-offs. We’ve given up time with friends, and sometimes even with our visiting families, to play our part in it all. We can’t go to tailgates, parties or other staples of the college football atmosphere. As far as I can tell, the players themselves are in the same boat. But we can skip those things because we have a compelling reason: We have a job to do.

This season, all of us on campus have a similar job to do, game day or otherwise: Keep each other healthy and safe. If we’re being honest, the type of

pageantry that groups like mine do isn’t a life or death matter — that’s why we’ve had to scale back our activities this year — but for many people, COVID-19 is. Sure, younger people are less likely to have severe or fatal cases (although the risk for us to develop long-term health issues like myocarditis is not yet fully known), but I know at least one fellow student who would be especially vulnerable.

They have an autoimmune disease that has caused them to develop type 1 diabetes, a host of food allergies and more, so keep in mind that there are indeed people in campus who could be hit especially hard by the virus.

And we’ve all discovered by now that big, rowdy gatherings (especially of the off-campus variety, apparently) are possibly the surest way to spread COVID-19. As University President Fr. John Jenkins recently shared in the town hall with off-campus students, we’re not out of the woods yet: We could

still be sent home if we see another spike.

We all saw the media attention from the first spike, too, and it wasn’t pretty. We are indeed a “city built on a hill,” because we “cannot be hid,” even if we try (Matthew 5:14). And as a major football school, eyes around the country will be even more focused on us as we head into the football season.

This is our moment of truth: Can Notre Dame make it through football season without an outbreak?

So please, for people like my immunodeficient friend, for the health and livelihoods of our fellow students, faculty and staff, for everyone who wouldn’t be set up to succeed at home, for the good name of our University: Let’s have a safe game day.

Go Irish, Beat Devils — and COVID-19.

Aaron Hilliker junior Sept. 7

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The observer | Friday, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

10 atmospheres Alix Basden Show Some Skin

I don’t remember the first time I learned that at all times the atmosphere is weighing down on you, pressure from above, a firm presence keeping you in place.

One atmosphere: the pressure exerted by all that is above you, up until the vacuum of space. About 15 pounds per square inch.

For something so light, the air accumulates into something heav y. I wondered if it was the single atmosphere that pulled my head down when I walked, avoiding eye contact — if it was the weight of the sky that made me feel like a wrestler had pinned me at all times. It couldn’t have been, because I came to realize that the single atmosphere was the great equalizer, felt by all to the point where it was unnoticeable. Every man an Atlas, condemned to holding up the celestial sphere.

Atmospheric pressure varies widely and can be inf luenced by altitude and weather systems.

Higher altitudes have less air above them and therefore less atmospheric pressure. This is why the cabin in an airplane has to be air-controlled.

Storms can bring down pressure levels.

The hurricane swirling in my mind brought me to low land, lower than sea level, where there is more air to push down on your shoulders and glue your feet to the pavement. Every magnifying thought, swirling into a Category 5, amassed more pressure. Meteorologists cowered as my anxious mind made landfall, hoping no one else would be affected. I could always feel a storm coming, like some proverbial crackle in the air. Right before I was taken away by the rainfall was when I felt the lightest. I then found myself at earth’s lowest point, with the submarines, in the dark.

In those moments, 10 atmospheres held me to the ground. I struggled against invisible weight and dragged myself into a sitting position on the f loor. It took all my strength to make it to class, but raising my hand was far too much to ask.

I came to realize that the extra pounds were not unique to me. Noticing slow and careful movement in those I loved, seeing that they, too, took on a little more than their fair share in holding up the heavens. People in the hallways would match my bent posture, scrolling on their phones as a disguise for their downward faces.

Coping with the heaviness of 10 skies is exhausting. Laying on the ground at night watching the stars, I wished I could push the mass above me out

of the way and get a better view. I took the long way home to look for holes in the air I could climb up through, making footholds in the very thing that used to press me f lat.

In our current season of dread, unlike one I’ve ever had to sustain, the pressure rarely abates.

In online classes, I hold down the spacebar to speak, and feel the immense trouble my hands go through to mute myself again.

I dream of a day when I no longer feel on my body that which I cannot see. In which I only hold up the air and the clouds and feel so free so light unburdened by the weight I can raise my arms and f loat so gently so calm.

Nothing holds me down anymore.

Alix Basden is a junior and can be contacted at abasden@nd.edu Show Some Skin is a student-run initiative committed to giving voice to unspoken narratives about identity and difference. Using the art of storytelling as a catalyst for positive social change across campus, we seek to make Notre Dame a more open and welcoming place for all. If you are interested in breaking the silence and getting involved with Show Some Skin, email s.someskin@gmail.com The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Why we need to talk about eating disorders During my sophomore year of college, I developed a serious eating disorder, relentlessly pursuing “health” in eating and movement to appease my feelings that I was not enough and not worthy of love or success. My life revolved around food and exercise, and I felt painfully disconnected from myself, alone in my struggles and increasingly dispassionate about my future and what I had to offer the world.

Unfortunately, my struggles are not unique, especially on college campuses. According to a 2006 survey conducted by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), nearly 20% of college students indicated that they have or previously had an eating disorder. Another study, conducted in 2011, found that eating disorders affected 25% of men and 32.6% of women on college campuses.

These statistics alone are striking, yet it is likely that in recent years, rates of eating disorders are even higher.

There is not one cause for the onset of an eating disorder, but rather, a perfect storm of biological, psychological and social factors contribute to their development. Importantly, eating disorders (and mental illnesses in general), thrive in isolation and times of uncertainty. In this way, the COV ID-19 pandemic has presented ideal circumstances for the development and intensification of eating disorders.

Eating disorders are always important to talk about, but they are especially important to talk about at this time. W hile being back at school may be good in some ways as students reunite with friends and find purpose in their classes and extracurricular activities, many of the changes with the dining options and limited spaces to interact with others could be barriers to eating disorder recovery and may even contribute to the onset or maintenance of an eating disorder.

Even for those not struggling with food, the dining hall is difficult to navigate. The options are limited, and the portioned “meals” are incredibly small. This is not ideal for anyone, but for those with eating disorders, this may result in skipped meals, restriction or bingeing on snacks from the Huddle when alone. Food can emerge as a way to cope with difficult feelings commonly experienced at this time — feelings of isolation and loneliness, feelings of uncertainty about how the semester and this pandemic are going to progress, feelings of depression or anxiety.

Similarly, energ y may be dedicated to a new exercise routine that quickly becomes compulsive as one latches onto some sense of control and accomplishment.

Although eating disorders are oftentimes stereotyped as a skinny, white, aff luent girl issue, this leaves out the lived experiences of many.

Eating disorders affect people of all genders, races, socioeconomic statuses, body types and backgrounds, and it is important that we look out for all those we care about.

If we see those around us worrying excessively about weight, food, calories or dieting; refusing to eat certain foods or categories of foods; avoiding meals with others; withdrawing from usual activities; skipping meals or eating small portions; or exhibiting any other concerning behaviors, we can check in with them. None of the circumstances of our present reality should be taken lightly, and it is important that we continue to have the difficult conversations, especially those surrounding mental health. Let us all look out for each other, and instead of talking about how we gained the “quarantine 15” or how we can make this our “skinny semester,” focus on ways we can stay connected to those around us and support each other. If someone we care about is struggling, let us encourage them to seek help, whether that be through the UCC or an outside service.

And let us continue to look out for our own mental health and well-being as we navigate these unprecedented times.

Agatha Laboe senior Sept. 2

Follow us on Twitter: @ObserverViewpnt

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The observer | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

By AIDAN O’MALLEY Scene Writer

Disney live action remakes are a special kind of cinematic purgatory. Few of them are truly irredeemable; you can always count on lavish production design, ornate costumes and some solid VFX. But in service of what? “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin” — these movies are soulless. I’m not sure a studio has ever been so blatant, or so aggressive, about milking the nostalgia cash cow.

And yet, I watched “Mulan.” Hypocrite much?

It looks bad, I know, but listen. We all have that one Disney movie, that one VHS we rewound so many times as a kid that the tape is sticking out of the cassette. For me, the honor goes to 1998’s “Mulan,” objectively the best Disney princess and one of my favorite animated movies, full stop. The music, the animation, the humor, the heart — chef’s kiss. So I’m allowed to drop 30 bucks on the live action remake, OK? That’s probably Disney’s strategy, come to think of it — remake every animated film in their vault so you feel obligated to at least see your favorite.

Alongside her fellow corporate cash grabs, 2020’s “Mulan” occupies a complicated space. Unlike 2019’s “The Lion King,” which was basically a shot-for-shot remake of the 1994 classic, and unlike every other live action adaptation, which change only the most perfunctory of details, “Mulan” draws less from the 1998 musical than it does the Chinese legend. There are no

By ELIZABETH GREGORY Scene Writer

A stunning remaster of Claire Denis’ “Beau Travail” was released to streaming services Sep. 4. On Tuesday, this incredible Blu-ray version will join the Criterion Collection. The 1999 triumph is an overdue addition to Criterion’s canon-setting cinematic collection. Amidst charges of tone deafness and curation driven by white men, the choice of “Beau Travail” for the September Collection is safe but not in any way unwelcome.

“Beau Travail” has been difficult to acquire over the last 10 years. This 4K restoration comes on the heels of Denis’ 2019 film “High Life,” starring Robert Pattinson.

The remaster of “Beau Travail” essentially sharpens and enlivens the film, highlighting its deep sensuality in 4K. Denis has been widely lauded as one of the greatest working filmmakers right now. Barry Jenkins, director of “Moonlight,” happens to be one of her many fans.

The influence of “Beau Travail” on “Moonlight” is clear.

Both unfold with vibrant sensuality, suppressed eroticism and tender portrayals of masculinity.

“Beau Travail” focuses on a French Legion stationed in Djibouti. Denis brings an interesting and sensitive portrayal to her depiction of French imperialism because of her childhood years spent in West Africa at the “end of the colonial era.” The movie adapts Herman Melville’s posthumously released novella “Billy Budd,

songs and no sidekicks. Entire characters have been erased, and in their place are brand-new ones.

Disney devotees will posit that these changes — or the lack thereof — are exactly what we critics keep complaining about. “You bash Disney for faithfully adapting the source material,” they say, “then criticize them for straying from it? What do you want?” Well, preferably, I want them to stop making these things.

But since that’s not going to happen, I’ll take them as they come. Directed by Niki Caro (“Whale Rider,” “The Zookeeper’s Wife”), “Mulan” is in keeping with the Disney live action tradition of high production value. Shot on location in China, the sets are spectacular — appropriately mammoth and intricately detailed to boot. The costumes are equally exquisite, as is the hair and makeup, which work in tandem to ensure every stage of Mulan’s journey feels real.

Unfortunately, Mulan herself is a miss. Portrayed by Chinese actress Liu Yifei — whose comments in support of Hong Kong police have haunted the film ever since — Mulan is solemn with no spunk. While Yifei is graceful in action sequences, the wire work for which might call to mind your favorite wuxia films, her version of Mulan is humorless. She’s also impenetrable thanks to a plot device in the screenplay that essentially bestows upon her superpowers. Mulan is a beloved character because of her humor and heart; she’s empowering not because she proves that a superwoman can be a hero but because she proves every woman can be a hero. Yifei’s flat and unflappable performance cuts off any emotional

investment.

Otherwise, the cast is solid. Tzi Ma from “The Farewell” delivers as Mulan’s father, while Gong Li — whom Wikipedia describes as “the greatest actress in China today” — surprises in an original role, the shapeshifting witch Xian Lang. The entire ensemble is stacked with Chinese and Chinese-American stars: Donnie Yen, Rosalind Chao and even Jet Li as the emperor.

But “Mulan” has a cinematic identity crisis. Who is this film for? Is it for American audiences, who can tell when Hollywood is pandering to a foreign market? Is it for Chinese audiences, who might very well be offended by movies about China written and directed by white people?

Maybe “forgettable” is the best we could have hoped for.

Sailor.”

“Beau Travail” also references a previous adaption, the opera of the same name by Benjamin Britten and E.M. Forster. The music from this opera makes its way into the movie in mystical and expansive ways, most strikingly as the soldiers hold tai chi poses in the desert.

The scene takes on a religious, powerful and sensual weight imbued with all the force of the previous operatic version of “Billy Budd.”

Though the movie unfolds primarily in visual language, the narrative generally revolves around two characters. Sentain, a young new addition to the Legion, is the envy and hate of his adjutant, Galoup.

Galoup is rough, isolated and brutish. His reality seems fragmented between his time in France, his girlfriend in the village and his duties with the Legion. Something about Sentain’s youth, charm, elegance and compassion destabilizes the egotistical walls Galoup has built around his identity. Galoup processes this insecurity slyly and cruelly, at one point implicating Sentain to the Commander and later scheming his ultimate destruction.

The film’s strength lies in what it does silently and subtly. The framing and directing master the eroticism that underlies the narrative. Nowhere else do bodies move so entrancingly and reveal so much about the story. With lyrical clarity, Denis is able to transmit sexual tension and brimming conflict. The pockmarked face

of Galoup glares up at the towering figure of Sentain, and in that glance all is known. In the final moments, the tension finally bursts. In a matter of two scenes, all the silly repression of Galoup — and the white army in general — explodes into passion, chaos and revolt. It is quite simply unforgettable.

Denis’ film does something extraordinarily radical.

It depicts masculinity through the female gaze. In doing so, “Beau Travail” captures ego, violence, repression and isolation with a gentle eroticism. This enlivens a harsh and masculine story with awe and intimacy. In a world where male depictions of the female experience in cinema abound, Denis’ unique voice deserves and demands 90 minutes of your time.

Contact Aidan O’Malley at aomalle2@nd.edu

“Mulan” Starring: Liu Yifei, Tzi Ma, Gong Li Director: Niki Caro Genre: Fantasy, adventure If you like: “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”

Contact Elizabeth Gregory at egregor4@nd.edu

“Beau Travail” Starring: Liu Yifei, Tzi Ma, Gong Li Director: Claire Denis Genre: Drama, LGBT If you like: “Moonlight,” “High Life”

MAGGIE KLAERS | The Observer

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The observer | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

By COLLEEN FISCHER Scene Writer

When I decided to live in Annunciata (the fourth floor of Holy Cross Hall at Saint Mary’s) last year, one of the perks was having a lounge for Annunciata residents only.

COVID-19 restrictions have caused all the room’s comfortable seating to be reduced to two hardwood tables and the full kitchen to a single microwave in the corner of the room. The walls have vinyl quotes telling us to “Laugh and enjoy life” — especially ironic, given the room’s new decor. Upon closer examination, one might notice (as I did) a shelf of videotapes in the corner of the room; I realized that COVID-19 might take away all forms of comfortable seating, but it will never destroy the VHS. The Annunciata VHS collection is fantastic. I am assuming that it is made out of abandoned movies looking for a forever home they have yet to find. Until they do, here are my picks for the best videotapes in the Annunciata lounge in no particular order.

By JAKE WINNINGHAM Associate Scene Editor

“Don’t talk to me about naval tradition. It‘s nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” Like most of their 1985 masterpiece, the title of the Pogues’ greatest achievement is borrowed from somewhere else. Drawing upon sources as disparate as ’40s pop hits, centuries of Irish mythmaking and Winston Churchill’s above quote about the British Navy, “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” is the culmination of the Pogues’ singular strangeness, an album whose whole is much more than the sum of its impossibly divergent parts.

Fresh on the heels of 1984’s roughshod debut “Red Roses for Me,” “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” turns away from the covers of the Pogues’ first album in favor of increasingly heartfelt songwriting from frontman Shane MacGowan.

A disheveled bard who split the difference between Van Morrison and the single drunkest karaoke performer you’ve ever seen, MacGowan’s shambling vocals came to define the Pogues’ one-of-a-kind mix of Celtic music and British punk. Painting bruised portraits only in shades of black and blue, his depictions of Irish life on “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” reframe every character through the lens of MacGowan’s own naked emotion and fascination with history. Opening track “The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn” takes the titular Celtic hero and fashions him into a mid-century Irish Republican, drinking with intelligence agents in Madrid between bouts of fighting fascists; later on, MacGowan borrows the name of the stout Sally MacLennane to create a wistful tale about falling head over heels for a bartender.

The beauty of MacGowan’s writing is in how beguilingly he switches between points-of-view; album highlight “A Pair of Brown Eyes” starts with a seemingly pedestrian account of drinking alone in a bar before an old man starts up a conversation with the narrator, and the song takes a sharp left turn into the memory of the elder patron. Here, the narrative shifts from drowning sorrows to a horrific first person account of an unnamed war — “In blood and death ‘neath a screaming sky / I lay down on the ground … some cursed, some prayed, some prayed then cursed / then prayed and

“Hercules” The best of a great selection of all-ages films (both Disney and not) that includes “Babe,” “The Parent Trap,” “Looney Tunes” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Picking just one of these was a hard choice, and maybe it was the collection of “Hercules”-themed lunch plates my family had growing up that swayed me, but this movie is fantastic. It has stylized animation, a sassy heroine with a fantastic love ballad in “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” as well as a mostly likable hero who also has a killer ballad of his own with “Go the Distance.” This is a good go-to movie for a group of friends — a crowd-pleaser that works no matter how old you are.

“The Exorcist” I cannot say I’ve seen this movie in whole, but considering the selection of horror movies including “Halloween” and “The Grudge,” I felt like I had to include one. As October creeps around the corner I feel I’ll finally get around to watching this one. There is something intensely compelling about watching “The Exorcist” on a Catholic campus; I plan

bled some more.” The two men, already begrudgingly connected through their shared location, then join together in a tribute to lost love — “And a rovin’ a rovin’ a rovin’ I’ll go / for a pair of brown eyes” — that is itself lifted from the traditional Irish song “Wild Mountain Thyme.” The effect of combining the two POVs is shocking both in its audacity and its success; imagine if Billy Joel interrupted “Piano Man” to start reading from “All Quiet On The Western Front.” Rather than collapsing under the weight of its own ambition, the song remains one of the best expressions of MacGowan’s extraordinary talent.

Of course, none of MacGowan’s writing on “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” would work without an adequate backing band, and the tracks undergirding the frontman’s storytelling are where the Pogues did their finest efforts as a collective.

Drummer Andrew Ranken pounds out slyly danceable beats on tracks like the outtake “London Girl” and the aforementioned “Sally MacLennane;” elsewhere, Spider Stacy’s tin whistle and Jem Finer’s banjo fill in the margins of the soundscapes recorded by producer Elvis Costello. Along with his lyrics, repeated listens have revealed MacGowan’s piano playing and singing as the secret MVP of the band’s success. While nobody’s idea of a good singer or pianist on a technical level — he often spat out syllables in the same way that rugby players discard their teeth — MacGowan carried songs on the force of pure emotion alone. The down-andout anthem “The Old Main Drag” undercuts its own seriousness with MacGowan’s tongue-in-cheek delivery, while bonus track “A Rainy Night in Soho” would tip over into saccharine territory if not for the bared-heart conviction with which MacGowan sings and plays.

The Pogues’ mastery isn’t limited to their own songs; “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” finds the group recording definitive versions of traditional Irish and English folk songs, taking songs from their youths and dragging them into Thatcher’s 1980s. Ewan MacColl’s “Dirty Old Town” and Eric Bogle’s “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” are transformed from their somnambulant original forms into vital, strikingly alive documents. Most impressive of all is bassist Cait O’Riordan’s haunting, plaintive take on the

on pulling up a blanket and popping in this movie at some point this fall.

“Animal House” I cannot say I was surprised when I saw a copy of this on a female college campus; the film may be outdated and raunchy, but when watched in the right context it can be fantastic. That context is, perhaps surprisingly, an all-female college. Girls grow up consuming media that either patronizes or ignores them. Watching a movie where the female gaze is not just ignored but never even considered, then, is liberating in its own way. If you find yourself with the ability to watch this movie in an all-girls setting, do it. The jokes are funnier. For further viewing, the movie “A Futile and Stupid Gesture” (about the founding of “Animal House” creators National Lampoon magazine) is a beautiful example of the merging of storytelling and filmmaking and makes the “Animal House” viewing experience even better.

Contact Colleen Fisher at cfischer01@saintmarys.edu

centuries-old “I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day,” where her low-key reading both emphasizes and rejects the gendered power of the original lyrics.

Recent CD and streaming reissues of “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” — including those released this year for the album’s 35th anniversary — have included the six-track outtake EP “Poguetry in Motion” as bonus material, a move that adds both the worst and best songs the Pogues recorded during the “RSL” sessions. The grating, insistent “London Girl” wastes some of MacGowan’s most striking lyrics — “If you cut me, don’t you think I’ll feel? / Is this body clay, this heart made of steel?” — on a tedious full-band performance that embraces the worst of popular Irish music. Rather than the Pogues’ usual repudiation of the lowest-common-denominator impulses of groups like the Dubliners, “London Girl” offers up the kind of pseudo-Celtic drivel you would expect to find in a memorabilia kiosk at the Dublin airport, not on the band’s superlative work.

One of “London Girl”’s fellow bonus tracks, however, stands alone as the peak of the Pogues’ and MacGowan’s long career. The epic “Body of an American” is Irish diaspora as directed by David Lean, spanning generations and Irish strongholds on both sides of the Atlantic. Traveling from Dublin to Pittsburgh and back again, MacGowan’s eulogy for a fallen Irish-American boxer is packed with references to decades of Irish culture — “Slainte Joe / and ‘Erin go’ / my love’s in Amerikay.” The band matches MacGowan’s efforts, chiming in on the song’s hook — “I’m a free born man of the USA” — and weaving in and out of the track’s cyclical, entrancing closing.

The outro of “Body of an American” is an astonishing piece of wordless music, each instrument playing individual variations on the main riff before circling back to the same central figure. Even as the track fades out, the impression remains that the band will keep playing together for measures, for hours, for generations after the tape stops rolling — a closing fit for an album that has only grown more ageless in the 35 years since its release.

Contact Jake Winningham at jwinning@nd.edu MAGGIE KLAERS | The Observer

Classifieds

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | The Observer

Crossword | Will Shortz

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Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Pay attention to detail, and make adjustments to compensate for mistakes. Live up to your expectations, dreams and desires, and refuse to let anything stand between you and the image you have in your head of where you see yourself heading. Don’t let failures or disappointment discourage you from picking yourself up and striving for perfection. Your numbers are 5, 11, 24, 29, 34, 37, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take inventory, and you’ll separate what’s valuable from what isn’t. Have a garage sale or make a donation to your favorite charity. Make plans with the person or people you want to spend time with as you move forward.

Make an effort to reconnect with someone you regret not being involved in your life anymore.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Leave nothing to chance. The more willing you are to do the work required to get what you want, the less interference you’ll encounter.

Someone will be eager to take over or steal your ideas if you are too accommodating.

Avoid those that don’t have your best interest in mind.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Consider what it is you want. An opportunity will surface if you visualize it clearly and take the initiative to follow a path that has merit and supports your beliefs. However, ensure that the pursuit of your desire is authentic/ Check your motives and build your own fortress instead of choosing to join someone else’s dream.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A partnership is favored, especially one in which .

Express your interest and your ideas in an opportunity you come across, and you’ll get the support you need to follow through with your plan. Children and seniors will offer an innocent -- but valid -- point of view.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Personal improvements should be where you focus your time and energy. Look at what’s involved and the cost of anything you want to pursue.

Price match and barter if you don’t want to be shortchanged. Value what you have to offer and don’t undersell yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Refuse to let a situation grow into something unmanageable. Take a practical approach, and be clear about what you are willing to do and willing to tolerate. If you want positive change to unfold, call the shots and don’t let others speak over you LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put more time into research, and do things right the first time. Cutting corners will leave you in a quandary that will lead to criticism. Don’t count on others to do the work for you. Be transparent regarding your intentions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Truth, honesty and doing your best matters. These will not be attainable without the full support of those closest to you. Refuse to be influenced by anyone or anything that will cause upset or lead to disappointment.

Listen to those who have always had your back, and walk away from waste and excess.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick to basics, be moderate and focus on selfimprovement. Step away from drama or anyone trying to drag you into something that isn’t your favored choice. Stay focused and busy trying to do and be your best.

Don’t stretch beyond your limits to impress others.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Intelligence, fortitude, creativity and common sense will help you reach the level of success you are striving for. Exercise your right to challenge and hold accountable those who lack the moral fiber required to be in critical positions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Do whatever is necessary to maintain balance and integrity. Align yourself with people who are there for the benefit of mankind and looking for ways to make the world we live in a better place. Participate in order to make a difference.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Personal and emotional uncertainty will surface if you overanalyze situations or let drama take over and spread infectiously through you and those around you. Put the ego aside, and recognize what needs to be done. Be part of the solution, not the problem.

Birthday Baby: You are perceptive, engaging and thoughtful. You are creative and conscientious.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

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Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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Sports

The observer | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Sports Authority

Celtics don’t need a new big man Riley Walsh Sports Writer

The Boston Celtics need to stop looking for a new big man to add the last piece to their current roster. Robert Williams III already has all the tools they need.

For the past three seasons, the largest concern for coach Brad Stevens has been matching up against the physically dominant centers of the NBA. The team has struggled to find answers against Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East, and often suffers against lineups that run a sizable power forward and center duo. While Daniel Theis has notably improved, defending big men remains a glaring hole.

Enter Robert Williams.

Commonly known as “Timelord” for missing his first introductory meeting with the team, Williams brings a unique big man athleticism and explosiveness to the Celtics lineup. At 6 feet 8 inches, he is considerably shorter than the average NBA center, but his length and agility may actually better serve the Celtics small court play style.

The big question with Williams is his defensive consistency. His timing and placement within the paint, as well as his highlight blocks, have been a refreshing sight, but he still lacks discipline.

He has to be in the right spot more often — especially around the perimeter — and his problems against the pick and roll on defense is a serious concern.

He needs to look no further than his teammates. Marcus Smart is an elite defender in the NBA, regularly securing defensive calls, and has even matched up against players half a foot taller than him. Smart has mastered the techniques that Robert Williams still needs to learn, and if he can drill his trade into Williams’ play style, he could create a terrifying defender.

On the offensive side of the court, Williams has shown incredible promise. His length and athleticism combine to make him a fearsome option at the rim, and this forces defenses to

stay conscious of his positioning, which opens up space at the perimeter for Boston’s many talented shooters. Combined with his passing ability he is an even stronger player, able to push in the high post and then fling the ball back out to teammates for an open shot.

At the same time, Williams does not need to play a heavy share of minutes. Daniel Theis, the current starting center, can actualize a much-needed bench threat for the Celtics. Theis has shown his offensive prowess throughout this season — both with and without the ball in his hands. He is an adequate shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc, and is adept at setting picks.

Theis has also perfected an outside blocking play this season: He sets an outside pick, then follows up with a second near the rim, ultimately opening up a lane from the 3-point line to the basket for his teammates. Presently playing his best season statistically, in points, rebounds and assists, Theis has proven that he, too, can be an offensive weapon.

In tandem with Robert Williams, the two have the potential to establish a powerful duo.

Behind Brad Stevens, the Celtics have toyed with the traditional lineup. Between five small men, and a constant experimentation with first- and second-line players, Stevens has constantly tried out creative solutions to fix his big man problem.

Near this season’s trade deadline, at which Boston made no roster moves despite pressure to secure a big man, Stevens said, “I think one of the most important guys to our ceiling is Robert [Williams]. As he continues to get better, that’ll be a good thing. It’ll be like picking somebody up.”

Robert Williams is the big man pick up that the Celtics already have. He is their answer.

Contact Riley Walsh at rwalsh22@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Kelly Continued from page 16

linebackers and continues to work exclusively now with the linebackers, and we’ve given him enough work at running back in camp that the couple of plays we needed him for he is tuned in for, so if we need to get into that package he’s ready to go.”

Also, in terms of the depth chart, Kelly discussed how it was looking three days after first being shared with the media.

“There’s no real, major changes on the depth chart,” he said. “There’s competitive battles at a number of positions that will continue to be throughout this long season, but I don’t know that there’s any surprises; maybe for some, but not for me.”

From a broader perspective, Kelly talked about how he is feeling going into the season opener and how unique a situation it is when factoring COVID-19 into play.

“I don’t know that you can exclude COVID from this preparation, it’s unlike any preparation that I’ve ever had,” he said. “So, if we were living in a vacuum, my concerns would be, like they have been for 30 years: How’s your team gonna respond when it’s now game day?

How do they handle the going from practice to competitive mindset?

“Look this team had no spring practice. We’ve gotten in 22 of our 25 practices … So there are so many other factors when you throw COVID in here that are different than any other opener that I’ve ever experienced.”

One of the repercussions of COVID-19 is the arrangement of the coaching staff during the game. Kelly broke down where his coaches will be posted during the matchup.

“We have gone through that over the last two Saturdays with communication, with headsets and setting up our coaches in a position where they can, in fact, safely work,” he said. “… [Offensive coordinator] Tommy Rees will be in the box with [tight ends] coach John McNulty; [running

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Wanted We seek an energetic, enthusiastic, and well-organized person for the position of Office Administrator/ Clerical part-time. This is a part-time position of 20 to 25 hours per week at $450, depending on workload. Need to be detail-oriented, possess good customer service skills, some cash & handling skills. To apply, email: billwilliams0029@gmail.com.

I chase the butterflies who give me Your Venom kissed me Mrs. I bet he’s so gullible Now your piano plays ME-RE-DO Sang you in one go Fake smile but it’s too wonderful Of all guitar chords coul’ve picked Strumming softly to sheet music Ignore the crash from your cymbals Knew you’d beat me with every kick No more mysteries inside your eyes Ancient histories of you and I Wind up back there every time

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Oh Emily, you’re like an overlayed melody But I can’t wait to hear you again Oh Emily, you’re like my own worst enemy Still I cant wait to see you again Oh Emily, you’re like an overplayed melody But I can’t wait to hear you again Oh Emily you’re like my own worst enemy Still I can’t wait to see you again

backs coach] Lance [Taylor] will be on the field working with Tommy in terms of getting the plays in and out of the game; [wide receivers coach] Del [Alexander] will be essentially working on personnel coming in and out of the game, and [offensive line] coach [Jeff ] Quinn will be on the field.

“Defensively, [defensive coordinator] Clark Lea will be in the box, certainly; he will be up there with [safeties coach] Terry Joseph; on the field [cornerbacks coach] Mike Mickens and [defensive line coach] Mike Elston; [special teams coordinator] Brian Polian on the field as well. So that’s pretty much the breakdown.”

Kelly was also asked about graduate student defensive end Daelin Hayes, one of Notre Dame’s five captains this season. He complimented the pass rusher on the way in which he responded to a season-ending injury the previous season.

“I think that last year the injury really game him a new perspective on playing this game and what he needed to do to elevate his game,” Kelly said. “I think he saw the success of [defensive ends] Julian [Okwara] and Kahlid [Kareem] who were great models and set a great standard, and I think it gave him a great perspective when he got injured as to the level that he wanted to see himself playing at.

You never want someone to get injured to learn some of those things, but I think it did in fact, when he was able to take a step back, give him a great perspective of where he wanted to go, and I think that he started to find his voice before a lot of the turmoil we saw unfolding with the Floyd incident and many others in our country.”

Kelly was alluding to the prominent leadership role Hayes took on before and after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Hayes led the team in a march on Juneteenth and gave a speech on how Notre Dame can do more in the South Bend communit y.

His head coach attested to the various way in which he has earned the respect

of the team and thus his captaincy.

“Last year he spoke on mental health in an exclusive inter v iew that he did for the Universit y, which was articulate and introspective … about studentathletes and the pressures that they have on a day-today basis, and I think that that allowed him to find his voice a little bit off the field,” Kelly said. “So, it’s been great to watch his maturit y, and I think those t wo things in particular have set him to action where he is today. … You gotta do it at both ends. If you’re really good off the field but not on the field you’re going to get some votes, but he’s done it both on the field and off the field and that’s why he’s garnered so much respect from his peers, and that’s why he’s a captain.”

Kelly was asked about graduate student quarterback Ian Book’s comments on the team’s Tuesday practice and lauded praise on the squad for their effort.

“It was as high energ y and … it was as purposeful a practice that I’ve had in my time here at Notre Dame,” he said. “This is a veteran team. They know how to practice in the right way.

It was extremely purposeful, it was high energ y, it was done w ith intent. There was an attitude in the way that they went to work, and there’s a difference between working w ith a purpose and just going out there and thinking that activ it y is achievement. They didn’t do that. They were looking to set a standard, and they certainly did that.”

However, Kelly emphasized that this was only a practice, but even still said it could bode well for the Irish dow n the road.

“Now, we didn’t w in anything on that day, but we certainly set a standard of what this group can do,” Kelly said, “And if they practice and have a purpose like that consistently, their preparation w ill be outstanding and they w ill have success on Saturdays.”

Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | The Observer

Sports Authority

NBA teams should stop passing on Becky Hammon Jimmy Ward Associate Sports Editor

In August 2014, after a 16-year WNBA career and six All-Star appearances, Becky Hammon made history when San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich rang her phone and offered her a job on his bench as an assistant coach. Hammon accepted the challenge and become the first woman to hold a full-time coaching position in the NBA. It was a moment celebrated by many who were hoping to usher in a new culture, but at the same time, there were plenty of people who rejected the idea of having a woman coach in their men’s league. There were even many people who were very vocal about their concerns.

Some who found themselves shading Hammon were simply voicing their archaic views on gender and sexuality, but others brought forth good points about the risks that Hammon may actually be taking. Nonetheless, the criticism remained outside the league.

Four years after Hammon was hired by the Spurs, she had proven herself across the league to be perfectly equipped to coach an NBA roster, not just as an assistant but on her own. Before the 2020 season was put on delay, Popovich came under fire from critics and fans when he chose to have Tim Duncan fill in as head coach.

But four years later the controversy that Hammon started had still not died down.

People still did not like Hammon sitting on an NBA bench. People did not like the idea of women in sports.

They didn’t care if it was Becky Hammon in the NBA or Sarah Thomas wearing a referee uniform Sundays in the NFL. Even women away from the court fell victim to the sexist slander that derives from the toxic masculinity that sports can tend to create. To these people, women had no place in sports.

“This is a man’s world.

Women can try to rise in rank in a male dominated landscape, but they will never succeed. Instead of adding more female talent to our professional sports leagues we should take the female talent we already have out of the leagues. They are simply a waste of precious capital.

W hy put money into the pocket of a woman when you could invest it into making

your team better? ” Sounds ridiculous right?

Well, the argument is still being made. It’s an argument that irks me to my core even though I will never be able to look at the situation through a woman’s perspective. The Indiana Pacers fired head coach Nate McMillan after getting swept by the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Playoffs about two weeks ago.

I wasn’t thrilled about the move. And I wasn’t thrilled about ESPN’s senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski tweeting Houston’s Mike D’antoni may be a candidate for the job what felt like mere seconds after breaking the news about McMillan’s firing. But by the end of the week Indy Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel had published a column about Hammon being on a long list of early candidates, and then I was thrilled. But I had seen this before.

A coaching spot in the league opens up; managers and presidents start conducting interviews. One name that almost never fails to make a short list be it for a position at head coach or an executive spot: Becky Hammon. Although, no one would make the move. She remained in San Antonio.

I read Doyel’s column and was a little less optimistic. The summary is that it seems too much of a risk to bring in a woman as a head coach, even though if you were to take Hammon’s resume and look at it blind, nine times out of 10 you would make the hire. It took one of the greatest coaching talents in our generation to be able to acknowledge the skills of Hammon for the rest of the league to open its eyes and adapt to the change.

Today, women employees are found in nearly one third of all NBA franchises. For these teams, bringing on a woman to their coaching staff was not a move to conform with the times. Instead they were purely basketball decisions. Hammon made the San Antonio Spurs a better team. Pop took advantage of the fact that likely very few teams at the time were thinking about hiring out of the WNBA pool. And he has reaped the rewards. If you don’t believe me, ask sixtime NBA All Star Pau Gasul.

Imagine if baseball never had a Jackie Robinson, though. One hundred years ago, Black men did not belong in baseball. One hundred years later, and somehow

women aren’t allowed either.

Well, I think it’s been long overdue for the NBA or the NFL or the MLB to have a woman as a head coach or owner. It is sad it has to be said this way for owners to understand it, but they need to start looking at what is really best for their team.

Sure, there are plenty of great coaches in the NBA right now, but can you seriously say and actually back up the archaic view of “It’s a man’s league” when sitting in the locker room across from you is an assistant coach that just so happens to be a female who could vie for the head coaching position in your locker room.

The coaching carousel is in full swing yet again, but this time it should be different for Hammon. If the the Pacers, the Bulls, the Pelicans and the 76ers pass up on Hammon, it will show how truly blind some of these NBA owners are. It is a problem that was even addressed when the NBA had to halt its playoffs because George Hill told his team he wasn’t comfortable playing after the Kenosha shooting of Jacob Blake. LeBron James told the owners they need to dedicate themselves more to issues of social injustice.

These owners can lag behind of the times sometimes, but Hammon is so long overdue for a coaching job in the NBA, it is laughable.

The next face of the NBA will be Hammon. Hopefully it is sooner rather than later because the only way this league can continue to grow and to be great is to take steps geared toward the future.When it comes to Hammon and most of these teams in need of a coach, she could provide a better future.

Not only would she be a huge favor for your team, but she would be inspiring a generation of women to grow up loving sports.

Hammon will strengthen the already existing bridge between the WNBA and the NBA, and she might just go down as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, who knows? She has spent six years learning from one of the greatest coaches of our generation but for some reason she is still doubted. I predict time will be kind to coach Hammon.

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

Duke Continued from page 16

one of the top five programs in the history of college football.”

Cutcliffe went on to note that the matchup, though a formidable one, is a good chance for his team to start the season on the right note.

“It’s a great opportunity to test your team. It’s a great opportunity to energize your team,” Cutcliffe said. “When we found out we were playing Notre Dame up there to open, I think that helped us realize how big a challenge that is. I think it really did infuse some energy into our camp and into the preseason work and practices.”

Duke faced a daunting offseason task after the graduation of quarterback Quentin Harris, and a threeman battle for the position concluded with redshirt junior Chase Brice on top.

The Clemson transfer collected 1,023 yards for nine touchdowns and four interceptions in 23 career games with the Tigers. In the end, it was his experience that gave him the edge over redshirt junior Chris Katrenick and redshirt sophomore Gunnar Holmberg.

“Chase played a lot of games and saw a lot of game time at Clemson,” Cutcliffe said. “You could see that pocket movement and him just feeling natural in a pocket. The timing mechanism of throws and as he got more comfortable his accuracy level grew in all of the throws whether it was deep ball’s or intermediate short layoffs. He just became more and more the most comfortable quarterback on a day-to-day basis.

As the week closed out last week, I think it became

13

more obvious and then we made the decision to start him at the Notre Dame game.”

Brice’s passes will attempt to find equally experienced hands as the Blue Devils return two top targets from 2019 in sophomore wideout Jalon Calhoun and senior tight end Noah Gray.

Notable losses in the receiving corps include Scott Bracey and Aaron Young, a graduate transfer and transfer respectively.

Senior Deon Jackson returns for the Blue Devils to anchor the ground game, shouldering a heavier load in 2020 with the departure of dual-threat Harris. Duke also returns a veteran offensive line, but All-ACC honorable mention center Jack Wohlabaugh remains out indefinitely with a torn right ACL. On the other side of the ball, Duke will look to use a deep and talented secondary to pick apart a relatively inexperienced Notre Dame offense. The group will be anchored by senior safeties Michael Carter II and Marquis Waters, who are joined by redshirt junior cornerback Leonard Johnson.

Cutcliffe concluded that a strong showing from all his position groups will be vital for success come Saturday.

“We’ve got to be aggressive on both sides of the ball. We can’t be afraid. We can’t play on our heels,” he said. “They’re talented.

They are outstanding. And as I said, well-coached. So, I think you have to match that with an aggressiveness nature that you’re going to compete at the highest level.”

Contact Ellen Geyer at egeyer1@nd.edu

Alexis hernandez | The Observer

Former Irish longsnapper John Shannon aims to make a tackle during Notre Dame’s 38-7 road victory over Duke in Nov. 2019.

14

Sports

The observer | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

OBSERVER roundtable

Observer Roundtable: CFP predictions HAYDEN ADAMS, LIAM COOLICAN, PATRICK GALLAGHER, NATE MOLLER and AIDAN THOMAS Sports Editor and Sports Writers

Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published online Sept. 7.

We have reached the final piece of our 2020 College Football preview. Assuming the regular season concludes without any major hitches — because there will most undoubtedly be at least some minor ones — four teams will be facing off on Jan.1 in the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl with the winners playing each other 10 days later at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fl. Here are our picks.

Aidan Thomas In a wild and strange 2020 season, why wouldn’t I let my predictions get a little weird?

I’m going with both Notre Dame and Clemson making it out of the ACC and into the Playoff. I think they probably split their two games — assuming they meet in the ACC championship — and both crack the field as one-loss squads. I don’t think the SEC has a second team beyond Alabama that will make the CFP, as I believe Georgia loses to the Tide in the regular season and in the SEC title game, leaving them with two losses and out of the picture. A one-loss team that doesn’t win their division (LSU comes to mind as a possibility) could make an argument, but I’m giving the two spots to the ACC, and just one to the SEC, as Nick Saban’s Tide will try and secure another national title. In the Big 12, give me the Texas Longhorns. I believe Sam Ehlinger is going to be the best quarterback in the conference and a Heisman finalist.

He drops the Red River Rivalry to Oklahoma in the regular season, but the Longhorns will earn the victory in the rematch, boosting Texas into the CFP as a one-loss conference champion.

For the seeding, I predicted earlier that Notre Dame would win the ACC. I’m slightly wavering on that, simply because I’m more confident in Notre Dame beating Clemson at home, and so to do that and win the ACC would require beating Clemson twice.

However, I will not renege the pick, so I’ll go with Alabama at No. 1 and Notre Dame at No. 2. Texas snares the No. 3 seed, while Clemson sneaks in the back door at No. 4.

At that point, it’s AlabamaClemson part five, and I see the Tide claiming victory to move on to the national championship. In a battle of teams

that everyone hates except for their own fanbases, Notre Dame trumps Texas in the two vs. three battle to advance to the national championship.

However, the magic of the Irish runs out in their final game of the season. I think Notre Dame stays competitive, but the Tide are on a revenge tour this season, and they will win the national championship.

Every single player recruited

by Saban since 2008 has won a national championship with Alabama, but this will be his last chance to do so with his 2018 class, so expect the Tide to be extremely difficult to beat this year.

Hayden Adams I probably gave away half of my projection here in predicting our non-New Years’ Six bowl games when I said North Carolina would get the ACC’s automatic bid to the Orange Bowl as the best team in that conference to not make the Playoff. With Notre Dame enduring their first conference stint in program history, I think they build on their 14-2 record against ACC teams over the last three seasons and roll through the regular season and on to the Playoff.

Along the way I think they pick up a loss in the conference championship to Clemson — who dealt them half of those ACC losses in 2018’s Cotton Bowl Classic — but I also believe they pick up a win at home over the Tigers in the regular season. Oklahoma has all the power in the Big 12 and the SEC will tear itself apart with a 10-game season, and I don’t think this is the year that the Playoff committee throws an AAC team into the fray that is the College Football Playoff. That opens the possibility for two one-loss teams in Notre Dame and Clemson getting into the Semifinals, and I would think it’s on the opposite ends of the bracket.

That leaves Alabama from the SEC and the Sooners out of the Big 12 rounding out the top-4 teams. I figure Bama will be No. 1 with a better strength of schedule than everyone else, and Clemson’s No. 2 with the more recent win over the Irish. That means Notre Dame is No. 4 taking on the Crimson Tide in a rematch of the 2012 national championship in the Sugar Bowl, while Clemson and Oklahoma head out west for a date in the Rose Bowl.

I think we can all agree that Oklahoma’s defense is nowhere near where it will need to be to take down Clemson, especially with an abbreviated offseason to work on it.

On the other side, while I fully acknowledge Alabama has the talent edge over Notre Dame, I do think that, considering

the beating Bama will take in the SEC and the fact that the Irish will have already dealt with a team on the Alabama level twice in Clemson, Brian Kelly manages to get over the the Tide and take Notre Dame to the national championship game.

And here it is folks. COVID-19 gives us two teams playing three times in the same season for the first time in the modern era. Irish and Tigers in Miami for the ’ship. The last time Notre Dame played in Miami and (according to my prediction) the last they played Clemson will not have been fortuitous for the Irish, but hope springs eternal, and so does the luck of the Irish. Give me Ian Book leading a go-ahead touchdown drive in the final minutes with Kyle Hamilton snagging a game-sealing interception on Trevor Lawrence — and maybe even making it a pick-6 for good measure.

Liam Coolican It is a near certainty that the three major conference champions will be playing for the championship, and in two of those conferences, there’s not much intrigue. In the ACC, as much as I would like to echo Hayden’s prediction, there’s only one playoffcaliber team. Clemson will tear through ACC play and slot in as the No. 1 seed with another undefeated record. As for the Big 12, there shouldn’t be much competition there, either. Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler has big shoes to fill, but he looks more than up for the job, and I have very little confidence in any other Big 12 team. I’ll take Oklahoma to lose a single game in the regular season, but still comfortably make the playoffs as the third seed.

The SEC is where the drama begins. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where the SEC doesn’t send two teams to the playoffs, simply because of the sheer number of quality teams in the conference. I’ve picked Florida to win the SEC East all along, but the opt-out of Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman only makes that pick easier. Florida QB Kyle Trask will continue to improve, and he has an elite group of weapons and a great defense behind him. Georgia’s defense might be the best in the country, but I trust the Gators to get it done in the rivalry game and make it to the SEC championship with one loss.

The West is where it gets truly interesting. There could be as many as four teams in contention for the top spot, and there will be chaos. I’m projecting LSU to take a big step back this season without Joe Burrow, and finish third in the SEC

West. Alabama will still be a very good team this year, even without a top-tier quarterback.

Auburn plays a relatively easy schedule — other than having to travel to Death Valley to face LSU — until the Iron Bowl.

Even though it’s at Alabama, Auburn will come up with a big play in the final seconds, reminiscent of the Kick Six, and stun Alabama to make it to the championship game. In that final, even though Bo Nix is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, I’ll take Kyle Trask’s experience and the Gator’s defense to win a nail biter, slotting Florida in at the second seed and Auburn at fourth.

In the first semifinal, Auburn’s Cinderella run will come to an end. Their defense just won’t be able to slow down Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. They’ll keep it close for a half, but Lawrence will take over in the second half as he so often does and Clemson wins by two scores. The other matchup should be much more exciting. Oklahoma’s offense is evenly matched with Florida’s defense. Trask will pick apart the Sooners’ defense, but Spencer Rattler will make some big plays of his own. It will come down to the final drive, where Rattler will make a key mistake, sending Florida to the championship.

Clemson against Florida will be a thrilling matchup. Even though Clemson will come in heavily favored, Florida will make some big plays on defense to keep themselves in the game. However, Trevor Lawrence will be one of the only quarterbacks in college football history to start three national championship games, and that experience can’t be discounted. Lawrence comes up clutch in the fourth quarter, and leads Clemson to a comeback win for their second title in two years.

Nate Moller With only three major Power Five conferences playing this year, one would expect the conference champion in each conference to be secured a bid and for there to be one wild card remaining. While there are quite a few possibilities for how this could play out, I anticipate the SEC getting two teams into the playoffs this year. Time and time again, the SEC has proven to be at the top of college football, and I don’t see why they shouldn’t get two teams in this year. I will take Florida and Alabama as my teams from the SEC. Typically when Nick Saban has a “down” year at Alabama, he bounces back in a big way.

Although the Tide face four teams in the top 15 throughout the course of the regular

season, I like the Tide to go undefeated in the regular season.

With LSU losing so much talent, the Tide will reclaim the SEC West. Out east, I really like Florida. I see the Gators losing early in the year in College Station to the Aggies, but after that I like the Gators to beat Georgia and run the table in the regular season to win the East.

In the SEC championship game, I expect the Gators to ride their hot streak and upset Alabama to solidify their spot in the playoffs. The Gators end up with the No. 1 seed and Alabama sits at number two.

The other conference that could feasibly have two teams would be the ACC in my mind.

However, I don’t think that will happen because of how things play out in the SEC. I have to pick the Clemson Tigers to get the spot in the playoffs from the ACC. Although the Tigers will lose to Notre Dame on a cold, windy November evening in South Bend, they will win the rest of their games and avenge their loss to the Irish in the ACC Championship. With only one loss, the Tigers will be a clear lock for the playoffs and Notre Dame will be left out after Florida’s stunning upset of Alabama. Because of their poor strength of schedule, however, the Tigers end up in the No. 4 spot and face Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

As for the Big 12, I think that it is Oklahoma’s to lose. There are a lot of question marks for the Sooners, but I am confident Lincoln Riley will get their offense going. The Sooners face challenges from Texas and Oklahoma State, but ultimately prevail to make the playoffs and earn the number three seed to face off against Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

For the title game this year, I expect it to be another matchup between Alabama and Clemson. Although Florida had their moment to shine against Alabama, Clemson will thrash the Gators in the Sugar Bowl by over two touchdowns.

Meanwhile out in Pasadena, Oklahoma will fall in the playoffs yet again by a large margin.

The title game will be another classic, but I expect Clemson to finish on top this time. Trevor Lawrence will manufacture a late fourth-quarter drive and end his college football career on top with a national title for the Tigers.

Patrick Gallagher After an undefeated run in the ACC, the Clemson Tigers will secure the first seed in the bracket. Trevor Lawrence has shown through his #WeWantToPlay initiative that he is hungry to cap off his college career with another see ROUNDTABLE PAGE 15

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | The Observer

Roundtable

Adams

Continued from page 14

Continued from page 16

national championship. I expect him to have his best season yet including a career-best 40 touchdowns and a Heisman Trophy victory. The Tigers will have a tough test with the Florida Gators at the fourth seed. The SEC east has been severely weakened by Jamie Newman’s opt-out, so I foresee Florida making it in with only one loss to Alabama in the conference title game. Kyle Trask and company will put up a respectable effort, but, in the end, Clemson’s roster is just too talented. I expect the game to be close, but Lawrence will have another amazing performance leading Clemson to the final.

Narrowly missing out on the top spot, Alabama will occupy the second seed. The SEC schedule is extremely difficult, so I would not be surprised if the Tide dropped a game to a solid team like Auburn or Texas A&M. However, Nick Saban has won six national championships and eight SEC titles for a reason. Alabama will mostly roll through their schedule and face third-seeded Texas. The nation will be overcome with boisterous Longhorn fans proclaiming that Texas is indeed finally back after a career-defining year from Sam Ehlinger. I believe that we will consistently see Ehlinger performing at the same high level as his performance in last season’s LSU game, and NFL teams will be jumping at the chance to draft him in 2021. While Texas will look impressive against Big 12 opponents, Alabama is a completely different beast. The Tide will silence the Longhorn faithful with a dominating victory as the Tide’s defense stifles Ehlinger for the first time in the season.

The CFP title game will feature Clemson and Alabama for the fifth time since 2016. Both programs are tied with a 2-2 record against each other in the championship, but Clemson’s superstars on the offensive end will allow the Tigers to break the deadlock. Mac Jones is a solid quarterback for the Tide, but Trevor Lawrence exceeds him in almost every metric. Despite the fact that Tee Higgins left for the NFL, Clemson still has plenty of skilled receivers to pick up the slack, and, while the offensive line is young, they are extremely talented. Alabama’s defense will slow the Tigers down, but I do not expect the Tide to outscore Lawrence, who will end his college career on a high note with another title.

him more poise in the pocket.

Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu, Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu, Patrick Gallagher at pgallag4@nd.edu, Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu and Aidan Thomas at athoma28@ nd.edu.

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

Brendon Clark’s (lucky) 22-yard TD to Braden Lenzy vs. New Mexico Pretty easy here. Sure, Book threw five touchdown passes and ran for another, but this was David vs. Goliath and David didn’t have his A-game. Even Clark got action as a true freshman, and, on his first series, nearly overthrew sophomore wide receiver Braden Lenzy out of bounds. Lenzy reeled it in and wove through the defense on what seemed like the only screen pass to work for the Irish in the last three years. It was just too easy.

Claypool recovers a muffed punt in the red zone at Georgia I could’ve gone with the offensive line playing great in pass protection (despite several false starts) up until the very last snap and dooming any hope of Notre Dame keeping its final drive alive. Cole Kmet had an outstanding debut after recovering from a broken collarbone, but the only way they were able to take the lead on the Bulldogs was because the anemic offense didn’t have far to go thanks to this play by Claypool.

Combined with the next game on the schedule, it goes to show how the defense and special teams had to help drag the offense to the finish line too often for the Irish.

Myron TagovailoaAmosa’s fumble rumble vs. Virginia Defensive end Ade Ogundeji had a fumble recovery touchdown, but this play was more important for the momentum it gave the Irish. After falling behind 17-14 at halftime and losing an onside kick to Virginia to open the second half, the defense forced a punt and then MTA (or “Tua’s cousin,” as he is also referred to) rumbled 48 yards downfield to help the Irish take the lead for good. The play also included a sack from defensive end Jamir Jones, who stepped up in huge fashion when fellow end Daelin Hayes went down for the year with a shoulder injury.

Julian Okwara’s shutout saver vs. Bowling Green Book threw another five touchdowns, but a blocked field goal by senior defensive end Okwara to save a shutout against the Falcons and former Irish defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is an easy choice in another game where David came up short against Goliath.

Michael Young almost breaks the game open vs.

USC We could go with one of Tony Jones’ huge rushes or maybe the touchdowns by Lenzy or junior

tight end Cole Kmet, the former of which showed Lenzy’s Oregon state 400-meter dash championship speed. Another option is the halftime scuffle between teams that saw the referee call unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the entirety of Notre Dame and “UCLA.” However, with the Irish up 20-6 and their defense looking good against the Trojans’ vaunted pass attack, junior receiver Michael Young took the second half kickoff and broke through, only to have the ball slip out of his hands. It wasn’t a turnover, but it could have been a huge special teams score to put the game away instead of having to scrape out a three-point win and just summed up the missed opportunities of this team, especially the one two weeks later.

Book dives for the ground at Michigan This seems pretty vague, right? Well I remember the play that made my dad walk out of the room in disgust. The Wolverines just went up 17-0 on the Irish in the second period, and on the ensuing drive on 3rd and 6, Book didn’t even choose to throw the ball away, but rather to show his inner ostrich and stick his head in the sand by diving to the ground for no gain.

Sure, I could’ve gone with Bo Bauer’s blocked punt or the ensuing botched recovery by the Irish or the Phil Jurkovec touchdown that helped fuel the postgame quarterback debate. But I’m choosing the moment that summed up this game for the Irish and was further evidence of just how much the offense held this team back against premier competition.

Book shushes the crowd (and critics) vs. Virginia Tech This was hard to choose between the actual game-winning drive and this moment.

There wasn’t much to like about the first three quarters of this game, and this could’ve easily been the 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown by the Hokies that broke a years-long streak of no fumbles by Irish running backs. But it ended up not mattering because Book atoned for his poor performance over the last seven quarters.

Two huge fourth down conversions and a 7-yard run (plus a clutch extra point snap) later, and he had his swagger back. In doing so, he relatively quelled a quarterback controversy and helped lead sophomore quarterback Phil Jurkovec to transfer at the season’s end.

Book’s unnecessarily hard TD to George Takacs at Duke The only competition for the moment of this game was the ACC Network announcer saying the stadium was packed when in reality the seats were just blue. That about summed up the comical nature of this matchup as the Blue Devils were never really in the game.

With the game out of reach the Irish were on the goal line and had two tight ends to the left. Senior Brock Wright was wide open, but Book elected to toss it to the sophomore Takacs, who was covered. It worked out, and I don’t know if he just wanted to let Takacs get a score in limited action, but it shows how Book can zone in on a guy and fail to take full advantage of all the weapons at his disposal.

Paul Moala’s “Scoop n’ Score” vs. Navy There were just too many Claypool touchdowns (four to be exact) in this game to choose one. I could’ve also gone with Kyle Hamilton catching Malcolm Perry before he could get to the edge (an impressive feat). And I was very tempted to go with Book’s 70-yard touchdown pass to Braden Lenzy (for just how irritating it was to see Book complete a deep pass so effortlessly, yet they seem to never try it).

Instead I’m going with a play from junior linebacker Paul Moala that just went to show how dominant the Notre Dame defense was. It was just too impressive. I’ve never seen a guy break past the line of scrimmage so fast that he was able to “intercept” a pitch (which technically counts as a fumble recovery). This embodied the dominance Notre Dame exhibits on teams it is better than and just what they are capable of when firing on all cylinders.

Now if they could just do it against premier competition.

Jurkovec shows his stuff vs. Boston College It’s a 40-7 Notre Dame lead with just under seven minutes left in the game. Jurkovec is under center for mop-up duty, and on a 2nd & 10 he displays the athleticism that made him such a highly touted quarterback recruit. He gracefully weaves through the defense and dives as far as he can before getting forced out of bounds three yards short of a touchdown.

That. That is what Jurkovec could bring to the table for the Irish offense. Which leads one to wonder why the coaching staff would take away arguably his greatest offensive asset in the 2019 Blue-Gold Game, which led to him playing horribly. It also leaves us scratching our heads wondering why Kelly would just tell the Irish to run it into the BC defense without really trying to put up another score. C’mon man, this kid deserved a chance to show what he could really do, and he never got it. Ugh.

Khalid Kareem caps the regular season in style @ Stanford After a sluggish start in wet conditions the Irish shake off the rust and dominate the Cardinal and finally end a fivegame losing streak in Palo Alto.

Could’ve chosen sophomore defensive end Isaiah Foskey’s blocked punt, but it harkens me

15

back to another blocked punt against Michigan that Notre Dame royally botched. Instead I’ll give credit to senior defensive end Khalid Kareem.

Although Kelly seemingly has a problem with letting his offense actually get reps in garbage time, he’ll apparently let arguably his most consistent defensive end rush the QB — who’s literally backed into his own endzone — with 48 seconds left and a 14-point lead. It worked out at least and graduate student defensive end Ade Ogundeji knocked the ball loose for Kareem to recover and get his first career score in his final regular season game.

Tony Jones Jr. caps his career with the slowest 84yard touchdown ever vs.

Iowa State In the Camping World Bowl (now the Cheez-It Bowl) vs.

Iowa State, Notre Dame — a team that finished 10-2 yet still wound up ranked only No. 15 nationally and missed out on the New Years’ 6 (and even the Citrus Bowl played in the same stadium just a week later) — took on a comically outmatched Iowa State team. I could’ve gone with safety Alohi Gilman’s strip and Claypool’s fumble recovery after the Irish punted on their first drive, but we’ve been over what the defense and special teams do for this offense.

I also could’ve gone with senior kicker Jonathan Doerer somehow knuckle balling a 51yard field goal, or the numerous times Book looked like he was playing backyard football by just slinging it to Claypool with almost reckless abandon. But I’ll give Jones the credit he deserves (but also disparage him a bit) for what he did for a shorthanded Irish running game. But seriously, how do you let Tony Jones Jr. break off an 84-yard rushing touchdown? He literally ran out of gas and his stiff arm did less to get the defender away than have him push Jones the last 20 yards into the endzone. Big 12 defenses, man…

With the 2020 season about to start, I really hope the defining moment of every game is not COVID-19 related. I’m also praying this season brings along a change in the narrative of Notre Dame football. I want the moments that define each game this season to be more like those against New Mexico, Bowling Green, Virginia and Navy — and maybe the Virginia Tech moment gets revived against Clemson.

Regardless though, I’m just grateful that we have football. So in the words of Marvin Gaye, let’s get it on. And in the process, let’s let sports do what they’re best at and make a few memories.

Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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The observer | FRIDay, september 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

football

Quintessential moments of ND’s 2019 season

By HAYDEN ADAMS Sports Editor

A football season is made up of moments — moments which stick in the minds of fans and linger with them until they are, usually, consigned to history and replaced by moments of the next year. Some moments get overlooked but are still important for their context within a game, a season or a program as a whole.

With that in mind, and with the 2020 season right around the corner, here’s a look back at what I consider to be the 13 most significant moments, one per game, of Notre Dame’s 2019 season.

Ian Book’s first snap of the season at Louisville To give an idea of what I’m going for here, let me break it down. We could certainly have done senior running back Tony Jones Jr. gaining all positive yardage for the Irish on their second scoring drive to tie it up, or even junior linebacker Drew White recording the first sack of the season for the Irish.

However, I’m going with this play, and not just because it was a huge gain. Sure, it was a great 37-yard run, but looking at it with some distance, it so encapsulates the Notre Dame offense in the 2020 season.

Senior quarterback Ian Book had senior Chase Claypool, junior Jafar Armstrong and graduate student Chris Finke lined up at receiver. Pass protection wasn’t great, but Book had enough time for his receivers to run their routes and could have hit Claypool on a cross or Finke on a fly route, the latter of which could have been an even bigger gain and likely would’ve (and should’ve) worked against a vulnerable Cardinals secondary.

Up until Book started picking apart even weaker defensive backfields in November, this was his offensive approach, and it goes to his tendency of playing conservatively which is why it’s the moment of this game. Perhaps a third year starting under center and a new offensive coordinator will grant see ADAMS PAGE 15

Connery mcfadden | The Observer

Former Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool secures the catch and looks to escape tacklers during Notre Dame’s 33-9 Camping World Bowl victory over Iowa State on Dec. 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

football

Football

Cutcliffe praises Irish as Duke prepares for opener

Kelly gives final pre-Duke presser

By ELLEN GEYER

By HAYDEN ADAMS

Senior Sports Writer

Sports Editor

On the heels of a 5-7 year, the Duke University football team will travel to South Bend this weekend in search of a statement win on the gridiron over No. 10 Notre Dame. Routed 38-7 by the Irish in Wallace Wade stadium last November, the Blue Devils travel North in hopes of returning the favor in Saturday’s season-opener.

The Irish lead the all-time series 4-2.

“We’re starting in a very historical place, that college football has been such a great part of Notre Dame as an institution,” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said in a press conference on Tuesday. “I think it’s unique and it’s appropriate that 2020 opens in South Bend against a great team first of all, a top-10 team without a doubt. Just look at their ability, their talent. But as a program,

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly held a press conference Thursday in anticipation of Notre Dame’s season-opener against Duke, now under 48 hours away.

One consequence of the current style of media press conferences is that reporters do not get the same chances they are accustomed to when it comes to asking follow-up questions.

As such, this meeting allowed them to gain some clarity on Notre Dame’s depth chart which was released at the time of Kelly’s Monday presser. He began by addressing the linebacker situation, commenting less on senior linebacker Jordan Genmark-Heath transferring and more on the statuses of junior Jack Lamb and sophomore Osita Ekwonu.

Lamb in particular was expected to be higher on the Buck linebacker depth chart but missed out on the two-deep as the staff gave nod to junior Shayne Simon and sophomore Marist Liufau.

“We still really have a lot of confidence in Jack, but he’s been

see DUKE PAGE 13

Zachary Yim | The Observer

Irish grad student quarterback Ian Book scrambles upfield during Notre Dame’s 38-7 win over Duke on Nov. 9, 2019.

slowed by his injury which was career-threatening,” Kelly said.

“During camp he had a little bit of a setback with that hip; he has worked through that. So, he’s been behind, quite frankly, in a very, very competitive situation. … We expect that Jack is going to contribute immediately for us on special teams and continue to work. … Jack is a guy that is rounding back into playing shape, but it’s gonna take some time.”

Ekwonu is of note because Kelly announced previously that he and sophomore slot receiver Kendall Abdur-Rahman would be moved to the running back position, although in reality Ekwonu remains primarily among the linebackers.

“Osita was gonna be a niche player for us on offense … a short yardage back, a goal line back,” Kelly said. “So, he never really left the linebacking corps, so he’s been cross-trained at the position and would continue to spend most of his time with the linebackers. … He is still with the see KELLY PAGE 12

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Notre Dame inching towards championship-level recruiting

Ogundeji Continued from page 4

and during the offseason, but during training camp they did a great job of learning the scheme, getting it down and playing just fast,” Ogundeji said. “All those guys have done a great job of just playing fast and understanding this scheme. It still takes time but obviously for right now in training camp they did a good job in those things.”

Meanwhile, Ogundeji said he has spent much of the offseason and training camp focusing on becoming more active around the ball and quicker off the line.

“I worked on my hands a lot, trying to get my hands in the run game and also in the pass game.”

He said he thinks these improved aspects of his game will be useful on third down and can apply to both passing and rushing plays. Ogundeji said fans can expect that high energy from the entire Irish defensive unit.

“You’re going to see against a bunch of guys flying around because that’s what we’ve been teaching the guys is going 100% and flying around for 60 minutes,” he said.

Despite all the question marks that remain heading into this season, Ogundeji’s focusing on staying in the moment.

“We have a great unit right now,” Ogundeji said. “We have a great group of guys and the brotherhood that we have within this group is amazing, so I think that’s just going to help us toward the season.”

Contact Charlotte Edmonds at cedmond3@nd.edu

Hayes Continued from page 4

move forward. “[There has been] a lot of adversity, a lot of obstacles that I’ve had to overcome, but I’m here, by the grace of God, and with him at the forefront of my life, I can continue to take steps and I’m excited about the season,” he said. “This is the first step to a long journey, and I’m excited about it. I’m blessed to be a part of this University in such a long line of great leaders and great men that have come through our organization in this team. It’s a blessing, and I’m thankful. I’m grateful, and I’m excited to move forward.”

At the time of his injur y Hayes had six tackles and one sack on the season, but his trajector y was certainly trending up. In his freshman season in 2016, Hayes had 11 tackles and one forced fumble. The next year he would record 30 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Hayes was already established on the field by the end of his sophomore year and when his junior season rolled around he would tally

3

By AIDAN THOMAS Sports Writer

This summer, Notre Dame made headlines on the recruiting front, but its biggest headline wasn’t one Irish fans wanted to see. On May 5, top-ranked 2021 running back Will Shipley announced his commitment to Clemson, leaving Notre Dame in an undesirable position. Having poured everything into Shipley’s recruitment, Notre Dame was seemingly lost at running back for their 2021 class. However, despite the unfortunate loss, Notre Dame bounced back quickly, and they landed another premier target at the position, earning a commitment from Logan Diggs.

“As soon as they lost Shipley, I said if they get [Diggs], that’s a win” said Bryan Driskell, lead publisher at Irish Breakdown.

“You’re going to lose battles, but the question is how you overcome those. Can they add another big-time back to that class? They’re definitely working hard to fill the ‘miss’ of not getting Shipley.”

Driskell points toward the promising state of Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts. Not only were they in the conversation for one of the nation’s best players, but they immediately were able to secure extremely talented secondary targets to fill

32 tackles, five for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

At the time of his injury he had accumulated 78 career tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.

But more importantly, Hayes had established himself as a leader off of the field just as much as on the field.

Though Hayes has contributed so much to the defense he still has a mindset that forces him to strive for excellence, and he would be the first person to tell you that he has plenty of room to improve his game. He ref lected on where he was one year ago.

“Who was I a year ago? I was a role player playing behind two great captains and defensive ends, Julian and Khalid last year,” he said. “I was having fun, I was having fun with the game, I was rediscovering my love for the game. I was probably playing my best ball that I had … in my career. Two weeks later I ended up being hurt, but I was fine. I was good with it; I knew I had another opportunity to come back to be with my brothers.”

Even though Hayes was having fun providing a backbone to the Irish defense he still felt he had much more to

gaps in their class. That ability to recruit for not just standout talent, but also consistency and depth is a hallmark of championship teams. It bodes well for Notre Dame’s chances, as they continue to march towards the ultimate goal of breaking a 32year drought without a national championship. Their ability to land Diggs has been just one of many examples of Notre Dame’s continually improving efforts on the recruiting front.

The running back position is one of several that is becoming a strength for Notre Dame. In their 2020 class, the Irish have Chris Tyree, a four-star recruit who is expected to contribute right away. Heading into the season-opener with Duke on Saturday, Tyree was listed as the second-string back on the depth chart. Tyree brings elite speed to the Irish backfield, having twice won the Under Armour Fastest Man competition. He’s clocked in with a 4.37 40-yard dash time, which would have been the fastest mark among running backs at this year’s NFL Combine.

Tyree’s speed, combined with the traditional prowess of the Notre Dame offensive line, brings promise to the running game in coming seasons, Driskell said.

“ND doesn’t get players like this very often, and most teams don’t,” he said. “We’ve seen with Josh Adams and Dexter

contribute to the University.

“One thing that stuck in my head last year, and I was kind of disappointed about, was that I felt that I had more to give to this University and to this team.” Hayes said. “I felt like I had a lot more in the tank from the leadership aspect, from a player aspect, from a student aspect, just being involved in our community of Notre Dame and the community itself. I just felt like there was so much more left on the table for me to give.”

Hayes’ injury was obviously devastating at the time, but he has actually come to appreciate it in a way, even saying he is grateful that things played out the way they did.

“God gave me another opportunity, another year to come back, to be involved in the community, to stand up for what was right with our team,” Hayes said. “Our team stood for social justice, and we continue to stand for that, being involved in our community, being involved with countless, countless organizations throughout campus and whatnot. And then obviously coming to this point of being a captain right now, I felt like God was speaking to my heart last year, and

Williams — guys with good speed — and this offensive line have been very productive.

Now you bring in a guy who brings that speed to another level, so it’s understandable why Notre Dame is pretty excited about [Tyree].”

Tyree is just one of several members of the 2020 class who could become immediate contributors on the gridiron for the Irish. Fellow offensive recruits Michael Mayer and Jordan Johnson are heralded as tremendous playmakers at tight end and wide receiver, respectively. While Notre Dame boasts tremendous depth at those positions, Driskell said, don’t expect these freshman to be purely bystanders in their first collegiate season.

“When Mayer’s been out there, he’s been outstanding. He’ll get a chance to make an impact,” he said. “Jordan Johnson is a guy who stands out even in this deep group of receivers. Johnson, Mayer and Tyree are all guys who could be called upon to give them a spark.”

The athleticism of Notre Dame’s 2020 recruits is particularly notable, and should they get some game-action Saturday against Duke’s athletic defense — led by a secondary that has been dubbed “Cheetah U” for its secondary speed — that speed and talent may be on full display from the get-go.

I didn’t know how it would play out.”

However, he said that he would not have gotten through it without a bev y of support from those around him.

“It came through, by way of a shoulder injury on my first play against Virginia last year, and I’m just so grateful for that moment,” he said. “At the time it was heartbreaking, my season was over, but God has turned that around into a magnificent victory.

I’m so grateful for it and I owe Him all the credit, and I owe my teammates the rest of the credit. Without them, without the grace of God, without my brothers and without our coaches and my support staff — my parents — I wouldn’t be here. That’s just the God’s honest truth. … I would have been broken. I would have been discouraged. It would have been too much for me to handle, but I relied on my brothers, I relied on my family, I relied on my coaches and I relied on my faith, and I stand before you today.”

Presently though, Hayes is focused on getting a win Saturday in Notre Dame Stadium against Duke in front of his classmates. And he isn’t concerned about not

On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame has another couple of studs coming in with the freshman class, Driskell said. Among them are defensive ends Jordan Botelho and Rylie Mills.

“Those guys aren’t five-year players and the coaching staff knows that. So they’ll want to get as much out of them as possible,” Driskell said. “I think Riley Mills especially has a chance. He really stood out in fall camp, even all the way back to when they were just doing conditioning” Mills and Botelho are the latest additions to the Notre Dame defense, where they’ve been particularly successful recruiting the front seven.

“The job [defensive line coach] Mike Elston has done has been incredible,” Driskell said. “They used to get the big name guys occasionally on the defensive line, but they couldn’t get that depth. Watch college football any given Saturday. … The great teams all win in the trenches. And Notre Dame is proving they are capable of that.”

With kickoff less 48 hours away, Irish fans may not have to wait long to take a look at what is shaping up to be a promising future for Notre Dame football.

Contact Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu

being prepared because of the pandemic.

“We’ve been preparing as if we were going to play a game this entire time,” he said. “From the time that we stepped back on campus back in June, everything that we’ve done has been with the intent that we will be playing. So you know, every day, choosing, making that choice to treat it as if it’s your last because you know with this COVID situation, you never know what comes next. So, I think that it gave guys the extra hunger, extra boost, to give it everything that you had with nothing being set in stone. So that faith that we’ve been operating on and that energy and that that commitment to taking it one day at a time, I think, will prepare us to go out and play great football, so I think we’re more than prepared.

“I trust our preparation. We have a process and we stick to it, and that has not changed with this whole COVID thing and I don’t ever see it changing,” he said. “It’s something that we rely on, and we’re excited to put it on display come this Saturday.”

Contact Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu

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The observer | FRIDAY, September 11, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

FOOTBALL

Ogundeji primed to captain Notre Dame

By CHARLOTTE EDMONDS Senior Sports Writer

For the past three years, defensive end Ade Ogundeji has quietly built up more playing time and proven himself as an anchor to the Irish defense. Now — with former co-captains Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem having departed for the NFL — Ogundeji, the onetime Western Michigan recruit, is prepared to step into the limelight.

Returning as a graduate student, he is excited about the team’s potential for this unique season and honored to have been voted a captain by his teammates.

“It means so much that they voted for me to be their captain,” Ogundeji said. “I’ve been here for a long time and to see the last captains come here and lead the team.

I understand how much it means to be a captain.”

A native of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Ogundeji spent his freshman year serving on scout team before finally seeing the field in five appearances during the 2017 season. He continued to work his way up the lineup, appearing in all 13 games his junior season before recording a breakout senior season with 34 tackles, three forced fumbles and 4.5 sacks. While improving his own personal game, Ogundeji has emerged as a key leader for the program and feels confident heading into this week’s opening matchup against Duke.

“I think we’ve done a good job during the offseason to get our guys ready for the weight room, and then right now with training camp, I think we’ve done a good job of accelerating and learning the plays,” he said. “I’m ready. I feel like we’re ready to go out there and play.”

Ogundeji credits much of his personal growth on the field to additional preparation watching film and understanding the plays.

“My first year I would say it took me a while to understand what the plays were, even my second year,” he said. “I try to take as much time to watch film, understand what the game plan was, understand how to run plays against the opponents.”

Taking that extra time to fully understand the plays and invest in his football IQ has changed the way he mentally prepares for games, according to Ogundeji.

This mental toughness will be particularly important as he — along with fellow graduate student defensive end Dealin Hayes — will be expected to step up in big ways to fill the void left by Kareem and Okwara while also leading a young defensive end unit that includes freshman Jordan Bothelo, sophomore Isaiah Foskey and juniors Ovie Oghoufo and Justin Ademilola.

“They did a good job, physically just getting themselves together see OGUNDEJI PAGE 3

Observer File Photo

Irish senior captain Ade Ogundeji celebrates his defensive touchdown against Virginia during Notre Dame’s 35-20 win on Sept. 28, 2019. Ogundeji was tied for third on among the Irish in sacks last season.

FOOTBALL

Hayes credits faith, teammates after returning from season-ending shoulder injury

By JIMMY WARD Associate Sports Editor

Less than a year ago, defensive end Daelin Hayes was not in an ideal situation. After suffering its first loss of the season on the road to Georgia, Notre Dame would host Virginia at home. Hayes, then a senior, would tear his labrum in his right shoulder on his first play from scrimmage against the Cavaliers. Since the Irish were only four games into the season at the time of his injury however, Hayes was allowed to redshirt and gain an extra year of eligibility with the Irish.

He would have to sit on the sidelines for the remainder of the 2019 season, but he did not mope about his situation. In fact, he found solace with it. He took to Instagram shortly after he was deemed out for the season to reaffirm his commitment to the team.

“It is in these lessons that I have found peace within my current circumstance,” he said.

“I am blessed to have had the opportunity to suit up for this

University with the greatest brotherhood I’ve ever known. I am even more blessed to have been granted an opportunity to return next year for my fifth year.”

Not only has Hayes returned for a graduate year, but he has also been named a captain, an announcement that came as a surprise to few as he had already established himself as one of the many leaders on the Irish defense alongside fellow defensive ends Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara. His senior season was robbed while he was at his peak level of performance, and then the 2020 offseason came. When so much uncertainty loomed over the future of college football, Hayes stepped up and took a tremendous leadership role.

After the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing prostests that ignited across the country, Hayes lead his own team on a march around campus on Juneteenth. He gave a speech about the need for commitment and accountability amongst the community and education

of the subject of Black culture and history.

Hayes had a rollercoaster of a past year, but he was not backing down from his leadership role. Three months later Brian Kelly named him a captain, almost exactly a year after he was sidelined for the season. Hayes’ reaction was one of pure gratitude and honor.

“It means everything. I don’t know if there’s ever been anything in my life that I’ve been more proud of, aside from choosing to come to Notre Dame,” Hayes said. “When you choose to come to a place like this that is so special and be given the opportunity to serve your teammates, as a captain of your organization in your University. This is a great honor. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m excited and I’m ready to lead and I’m ready to serve my teammates.”

Though the journey has been a long one, Hayes is excited for the opportunity and ready to Observer File Photo

see HAYES PAGE 3

Irish graduate student defensive end Daelin Hayes follows the play during Notre Dame’s 23-17 road loss to Georgia on Sept. 21, 2019.