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The observer | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
nd men’s SOCCER
Football Column
Clemson game according to fans
Defense / The Defense, dude
much of a no brainer as no Trevor Lawrence, dude. Defense has been and will continue to be the strength of this Notre Dame team throughout this season and pretty much every season that Clark Lea continues to grace the Irish defensive coordinator position. If Notre Dame is going to win this game, the defense is going to have to keep this one in the 20s, because it is hard for me to see this Irish offense putting up 30 or more (although that’s partly based on what I think is a winning strategy; more on that later…). Say what you will about Notre Dame’s defense giving up 30 points to Clemson two years ago, but Alabama gave up 44 to the Tigers a game later. And seven of the 30 that the Irish surrendered were on a back-breaking run by Travis Etienne where the defense sold out to try and get
A couple of people pointed this out, and it’s almost as
see ADAMS PAGE 14
Hayden Adams Sports Editor
Well, we made it. In the words of grad student defensive end Daelin Hayes, “it’s Clemson week, baby.” We asked Notre Dame fans for one reason they felt the Irish would defeat or lose to the Tigers, and here’s what they came up with:
Reasons for a Win: No Trevor Lawrence Yeah, don’t think this one needs explaining. If you don’t know why (and I can’t imagine you don’t if you’re reading this), I would point you to highlights of Notre Dame vs. Clemson in the 2018 Cotton Bowl, highlights which are still too painful for me to watch.
Irish fall 1-0 to Hokies, prepare for Louisville By LIAM COOLICAN Sports Writer
ANNA MASON | The Observer
Irish junior forward Jack Lynn dribbles through two defenders during Notre Dame’s home 4-1 win over Xavier on Sept. 25, 2018.
On a cold, windy afternoon Monday at Alumni Stadium, the Notre Dame men’s soccer team fell to Virginia Tech 1-0. Head coach Chad Riley described the result as “frustrating.” Notre Dame (3-3, 2-2 ACC) began the game on the attack, dominating the possession in the opening 20 minutes. Notre Dame had two great chances in the 14th minute. Junior forward Jack Lynn had the first shot on goal for either side but was denied by a great save, and senior midfielder Aiden McFadden followed that effort with a header that was just wide of the mark. Lynn led the Irish with three shots in the game and leads the team with three goals on the year. “He’s certainly a goal scorer but he’s more than that, and [he] really brings a lot to our see M SOCCER PAGE 13
football
Kelly previews top-5 match up with Clemson By EMILY DeFAZIO
Observer Sports Staff
Sports Writer
Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published online Nov. 2.
Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published online Nov. 2. Head coach Brian Kelly spoke w ith the media Monday ahead of the upcoming home game against Clemson on Saturday. The press conference followed another w in for Notre Dame against Georgia Tech on Saturday, making their record 6-0. Both the Irish defense and offense held their ow n against the Yellow Jackets, w ith graduate students Daelin Hayes and Ian Book leading their respective lines. In the press conference, Kelly discussed several other players and their contributions to the team this season. He commented on graduate student Nick McCloud’s improvement since his transfer see KELLY PAGE 15
Wardlow transfers out of program
CONNERY MCFADDEN | The Observer
Irish graduate student quarterback Ian Book looks to throw during Notre Dame’s 40-7 win over Boston College on Nov. 23.
In a t weet sent out Tuesday night, Notre Dame defensive end Kof i Wardlow announced his intent to transfer out of Notre Dame’s footba ll program. “A fter deliberate consultation w it h my family, I have decided it is in my best interest to enter t he transfer porta l.” Wardlow said in t he t weet. “I want to t hank Coach Kelly, Coach Elston, Coach Lea, t he strengt h coaches, at hletic trainers, support staf f and t he Universit y of Notre Dame for t heir support of my success, I have great ly enjoyed my time playing for t he Irish, and t he communit y and relationships I have formed here w ill a lways be specia l to me.” A t hree-star prospect and
t he No. 57 wea k-side defensive end in t he countr y per 247Sports Composite, Wardlow appeared in one game as a sophomore, against Virgina Tech, and t wo as a junior, w it h zero appearances t his season. The 6-foot-2, 230 pound, senior from Washington D.C. recorded one tack le in his entire Notre Dame career last season against Boston College on Nov. 23. The Irish went on to w in t hat game 40-7, and f inished t he season 9-2. He had only played footba ll for t wo years prior to enrolling at Notre Dame and was t he No, 9 overa ll recruit out of D. C. for t he class of 2017. His of fer list included such Power Five schools as Mar yland, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Boston College. Wardlow w ill receiver his bachelor’s degree from t he Universit y after t he fa ll semester.
