Notre Dame’s keys to against vs. NC State
By Chris Dailey Sports Writer
It feels like a century ago when Notre Dame traveled to Raleigh and lost 10-3 to NC State in one of the most bizarre games in program history. As Hurricane Matthew battered Carter-Finley Stadium, the Irish and Wolfpack played in a washout, somehow finding a way to finish the lowscoring game. That infamous clash was in 2016. Nine years removed, the two sides meet again. This time, at Notre Dame Stadium and, fingers crossed, without flash flood warnings. Having rebounded nicely since two early losses, the Irish are looking to keep the train chugging. Here’s how they can do just that.
Spread out the offense
It’s no secret that Notre Dame boasts the best backfield in the country. Those who disagree have likely not watched the Irish play this season. Juniors Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have been on a tear this season. Love has amassed 444 yards on the ground and an additional 160 through the air.
Price, meanwhile, has steamrolled his way to 356 rushing yards. Nicknamed “The Fleet” within the locker room, Love and Price have manned the helm of an offense cruising at full speed.
It’s worth noting, though, that the Irish are far from one-dimensional. Averaging 461.6 yards of offense per game takes more than two star running backs. Notre Dame’s wide receivers are strong, flashy and above all, productive. Junior Jordan Faison and senior Malachi Fields have already logged over 300 yards each. Senior captain Will Pauling is also starting to heat up. The Wisconsin transfer has caught a touchdown pass in each of the past two games.
For Notre Dame to not just beat NC State, but dominate, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock must once again spread out the offensive scheme. When the Irish establish multiple threats early, getting both the backfield and receiving corps involved, it leaves opposing defenses scrambling. Even though they ultimately lost, Notre Dame’s offensive performance
against Texas A&M is the perfect example of how they should continue to distribute the ball. Four players caught for more than 40 yards while Love and Price had 94 and 68 on the ground, respectively. A balanced Notre Dame offense is a wrecking force.
Front seven must deliver It seems rather straightforward to say “if the front seven plays strong, you can win the game.” However, the Irish’s front seven struggled to generate anything of substance against Miami and Texas A&M. After averaging 2.5 sacks a game one season ago, the Irish only notched one in their first two games of the season. Even in Notre Dame’s rout of Purdue, they allowed 30 points — largely due to minimal pressure from the front seven.
The performance against Boise State was the unit’s first game where they truly resembled the 2024 unit. The Irish lit up the Boise State offensive line, recording four sacks. They knocked down the quarterback an additional three times against Purdue.
The best part of the
FOOTBALL
performance against the Broncos is the fact that it was an all-around effort.
Sophomores Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Boubacar Traore each had 0.5 sacks. Junior Jaylen Sneed, sophomore Jaiden Ausberry and senior Drayk Bowen all chipped in with 1.0.
If the Irish can replicate this performance again as they square off against the Wolfpack, NC State is in for a long day. Notre Dame’s front seven are chomping at the bit to continue this stretch of dominance after their lackluster start to the year, and they have certainly improved tenfold.
Special teams make special teams
On the other side is the daunting truth that the Irish have a problem. Against Texas A&M, senior Tyler Buchner mishandled the hold on the Irish’s late PAT attempt and the Aggies ended up winning the game by one. Then last week against Boise State, the issues continued. Freshman Erik Schmidt’s first PAT attempt of the day was blocked. Although the Irish ended up evening out the mistake by converting a two-point conversion later in the game, these sort of mishaps must be ironed out as Notre Dame keeps on climbing their way back into the College Football Playoff picture.
Overall, the Irish’s special teams unit is electric to watch. If they can play a clean game while still leaning into Biagi’s creativity, the team will finally put together a complete performance and help to dominate every phase of the game.
There is an age-old saying in this wonderful sport of football: “special teams make special teams.” This key to victory is more of a doubleedged sword. On one side, Notre Dame’s special teams coordinator Marty Biagi is one of the best in the country — and head coach Marcus Freeman allows him to be creative. From the Virginia game last season to the more recent fake punt reverse pass against Arkansas, it has always felt like the Irish always have some sort of trickery up their sleeve.
Contact Chris Dailey at cdailey2@nd.edu
Chris Ash takes on old colleague Dave Doeren
By Henry Lytle Associate Sports Editor
First-year defensive coordinator Chris Ash will get the opportunity to coach against an old friend and colleague, Dave Doeren, as NC State travels to South Bend on Saturday. Between coaching stints together at Drake University and later Wisconsin, the pair have operated teams together with big-time success. The Ashled Irish defense will take on Doeren’s Wolfpack for the first head-to-head contest between the two in 15 years.
Playing with Doeren at Drake University, Ash goes way back with the Wolfpack head coach. After overlapping as players, Doeren began his coaching career with his alma mater in 1995 with Ash joining two years later in 1997. Doeren served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, while Ash served as a graduate assistant during an 8-3 season. Doeren left in 1998 to work at USC as a graduate assistant, while Ash stayed on for another two seasons as the full-time defensive coordinator.
Later, the two coached at Wisconsin together, helping lead an 11-2 Badgers team with JJ Watt to the Rose Bowl in 2010. Coaching under Bret Bielema, Ash was the defensive
backs coach, while Doeren was the defensive coordinator.
Both share immense respect for one another as colleagues, teammates and now friends.
“I know Chris well,” Doeren said on Monday when asked about Ash. “He’s a good friend, and he’s a really good football coach.”
The pair faced off for the first time in 2011 after Doeren left for a two-year stint as the head coach of Northern Illinois, leaving Ash to assume defensive coordinator duties in his wake. This game was a stomping for the Russell Wilson-led Badgers, who were ranked No. 7 at the time of the game. Wisconsin comfortably won the contest 49-7 en route to a stellar 11-3 season, ending as the No. 10 team in the country.
Meanwhile, Doeren’s group also finished the season 11-3 and defeated Ohio to win the second Mid-American Conference title in school history. They also beat Arkansas State in their bowl game. In 2012, Doeren again led NIU to the most successful season in school history, where they won 12 games and went undefeated in conference play. They won their second consecutive MAC title before Doeren was hired to NC State. They finished the season ranked No. 22 in the country.
Doeren has been at NC State from 2013 until now, touting a 114-71 total record. His best season came in 2021, when the Wolfpack finished 9-3 and tied for second in the ACC. This season, despite a 4-2 start, the Wolfpack have been shaky in their last three games of conference play with a 1-2 record.
After his three-year period at Wisconsin, Ash moved on to Arkansas as the defensive coordinator, followed by Ohio State after only one season with the Razorbacks. There, he led a Buckeye defense loaded with NFL talent to a national championship in 2014 under head coach Urban Meyer, the first of the College Football Playoff era. Ash was hired to a long-term contract at Rutgers in 2016, where his team struggled in the Big Ten. Ash was fired midway through his fourth season, holding an 8-32 overall record. Ash then bounced around in the NFL with the Jaguars and Raiders before becoming defensive coordinator for Notre Dame.
While the season got off to a slow defensive start, with the Irish losing the first two games by a combined four points, Ash’s group is back on track, winning their last four games to help the team vault back inside the AP top-20. The defense has gotten some of the concerning
statistics back in check, as they now rank No. 78 in yards allowed, No. 43 in rushing yards and No. 70 in points allowed per game, large improvements from the 0-2 start. Doeren was asked about Ash’s coaching approach, and said, “They do a good job mixing up coverages, zone and man, line stunts and pressures. They’ve improved as the year’s gone on, which happens when you have a new defensive coordinator.”
The Irish will take on the Wolfpack for the first time since 2023, an opportunity for
the coaches to reunite on opposite sides of the college football cathedral. In a game that holds more weight than simply another Irish versus ACC matchup, Chris Ash’s defense will play against Dave Doeren’s NC State Wolfpack on Saturday, Oct. 11, under blue skies and fair weather. Ash hopes to improve to 2-0 against his former colleague and friend to help keep playoff hopes alive in South Bend.
Contact Henry Lytle at hlytle@nd.edu
GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer
Defensive coordinator Chris Ash stands on the sideline in Notre Dame’s 56-13 win against Arkansas in Razorback Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025.
THE INDEPENDENT
NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS
CReps and CDems debate at BridgeND event
By Grace Sullivan News Writer
On Wednesday evening, representatives from Notre Dame College Republicans and Notre Dame College Democrats met at the debate stage to discuss immigration, health care, tariffs, the Israel-Hamas war and political violence.
The debate was hosted by BridgeND, Notre Dame’s nonpartisan student organization aimed at lessening political polarization through conversation, as part of their ConvergeND series, which aims to organize these very conversations.
Edy McCurrie, BridgeND’s president, spoke before the debate began. “It is no secret that our nation’s political climate is charged and that the effects of this are devastating. Before we can improve the political climate
out there, we need to improve the political climate here,” McCurrie said.
Professor Laurie Nathan, a former senior mediation
advisor to the United Nations and current director of the Kroc Institute’s mediation program, moderated the debate.
-Shri Thakur, president of College Republicans, wrote in a statement to The Observer that the organization’s main goal for the
Observer Staff Report
On Thursday morning, Experience Notre Dame, a branch of University Operations, Events, and Safety, announced that country star Luke Combs will perform at Notre Dame Stadium April 18. Combs will perform alongside country artists Dierks Bentley, Ty Meyers, Jake Worthington and Thelma & James.
The University’s press release stated, “The upcoming tour adds to an already historic career for Combs, who recently became the highest RIAA certified country artist ever with 168 million units sold (surpassing Garth Brooks) and made history as the first country artist to headline both Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.”
Combs is also the two-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, has been nominated for several Grammy awards and announced a world tour titled “My Kinda Saturday Night,” with additional stops at stadiums across North America and Europe.
The University events teams hopes the evening is an
NEWS | PAGE 3
Exoneration justice
A panel of experts and an exoneree discussed abolishing the death penalty Wednesday.
opportunity to gather as a community. “Moments like these allow us to come together not only as a University, but as a community, and to celebrate the partnerships that make the South Bend-Elkhart region such a remarkable place to call home. We are excited and are looking forward to a great evening with Luke,” Michael Seamon, vice president for University Operations, Events and Safety at Notre Dame, wrote in the press release.
The announcement comes just one month after Zach Bryan performed at the stadium in September.
Combs’ performance will be the fifth at Notre Dame Stadium.
According to the press release, the “stadium’s first concert was Garth Brooks on Oct. 20, 2018. Brooks performed again in May 2022 and was followed by Billy Joel in June 2022, and Zach Bryan, Shane Gillis and Dermot Kennedy in September. Other events held at the stadium include an NHL Winter Classic and multiple international soccer friendlies.”
Lee Sicinski, the executive director of University Events,
OPINION | PAGE 5
Royal obsessions
Abby Hernan writes on the deeper economic issues facing many Londoners and tourists.
shared that the team has made it a goal to host large-scale events at the stadium. “We are in continuous, proactive discussions with promoters to align their tour dates to open dates at Notre Dame Stadium. Our goal is to consistently host several large-scale events annually, bringing top-tier talent to the region,” he wrote in a statement to The Observer.
Experience Notre Dame shared in an email to the tri-campus community that presale tickets will be released to students on Thursday, Oct. 16, one day before presale for the general public opens via Ticketmaster. As with the Zach Bryan concert, each student will be allowed to purchase up to eight tickets during the presale.
Students will receive a link to purchase tickets and further presale instructions next Wednesday. Additional information about parking and an event schedule will be published closer to the concert on Experience Notre Dame’s website.
SCENE | PAGE 7
Paperback horror
debate was “convincing others of the superiority of conservative policy and defending the record of the Trump Administration.”
Alex Funk, co-political director of College Democrats, wrote in a statement that their focus was “to show what issue-based discussion can and should look like in today’s politically divisive climate.”
The debate started on the topic of immigration.
Thakur initiated his argument by criticizing the Biden administration’s immigration policy.
“The result was that 10 million illegal immigrants, a number greater than the population of 47 U.S. states, poured into our country,” Thakur said. He also argued that the Democratic Party doesn’t believe in borders
Country artist Luke Combs to headline ND Stadium Govt. shutdown impacts ND
By David Murphy Associate News Editor
The U.S. federal government officially shut down last week after Congress failed to reach a budget agreement to fund operations for the fiscal year. Triggered by disputes over the status of government healthcare subsidies, the impasse marks the first government shutdown since 2018.
During a shutdown, funding for all “non-essential” government functions is suspended until an appropriations bill is approved.
As a result, many services at National Parks, payments to certain federal employees and — notably for universities such as Notre Dame — grants for new research projects are temporarily paused.
However, as professor Geoffrey Layman, chair of the Notre Dame political science department,
SPORTS | PAGE 12
Traore Feature
A look into the retro horror paperbacks, their decline and their revival across time.
The sophomore edge rusher has played a massive part in the resurgent Irish defense.
explained, not all parts of the government cease to operate during a shutdown.
“Essential things like the U.S. military, they’re still running. The president and the White House staff are still working. Some essential government offices are running, and they make federal civil servants who work in those offices work without pay,” he said. “If you are somebody who is dependent on a check from the federal government, it may be a hardship for you, but it’s not like the interstate highway system is going to close down. It’s not like if we’re attacked by a foreign power, we won’t respond.”
Although essential government functions continue during a shutdown, these budgetary crises remain disruptive. According to James Curry, a political science professor, the longer a shutdown drags on, the more its effects will be felt, especially
SPORTS | INSIDER 3
see “Government” on page 2 see “Debate” on page 4
Will Pauling Feature
The transfer receiver has established himself as a captain and a leader this season. FRIDAY,
GRACE SULLIVAN | The Observer
Luke Woodyard and Shri Thakur of College Republicans and Alex Funk and Alex Young of College Democrats sit on the debate stage in Dankhe Ballroom at Wednesday’s ConvergeND event hosted by BridgeND.
ndsmcobserver.com
“TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH AND REPORT IT ACCURATELY”
900 Hesburgh Library, Notre Dame, IN 46556
Editor-in-Chief
Liam Kelly
Managing Editor Gray Nocjar
Asst. Managing Editor: Aynslee Dellacca
Asst. Managing Editor: Grace Tadajweski
Asst. Managing Editor: Henry Jagodzinski
Notre Dame News Editor: Sophie Hanawalt
SMC News Editor: Berhan Hagezom
Opinion Editor: Redmond Bernhold
Sports Editor: Noah Cahill
Scene Editor: Peter Mikulski
Photo Editor: Mariella Taddonio
Graphics Editor: Isabelle Rutland
Social Media Editor: Duncan Stangel
Ad Design Manager: Isabelle Rutland
Business Manager: Zack Pohlman
Systems Administrator: Jack MapelLentz
Advertising advertising@ndsmcobserver.com
Editor-in-Chief lkelly8@nd.edu
Managing Editor gnocjar@nd.edu
Assistant Managing Editors adellacca01@saintmarys.edu, gtadajwe@nd.edu, hjagodzi@nd.edu
Business Manager zpohlma2@nd.edu
Notre Dame News Desk shanawal@nd.edu
Saint Mary’s News Desk bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
Opinion Desk rbernho2@nd.edu
Sports Desk
ncahill2@nd.edu
Scene Desk
pmikulsk@nd.edu
Photo Desk mtaddonio01@saintmarys.edu
Systems & Web Administrators webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com
Policies
The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of any institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content.
The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Opinion space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information.
Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Liam Kelly.
Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods.
A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. The Observer is published at 900 Hesburgh Library Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779
Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices
POSTMASTER Send address corrections to:
Today’s Staff
Corrections
The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at editor@ ndsmcobserver.com so we can correct our error.
Students apply for study abroad offerings
By Sophia Magnano News Writer
Each fall, hundreds of Notre Dame students submit study abroad applications in hopes of spending a semester or summer in a new country, culture and learning environment. Rome, Dublin and London remain at the top of student interest lists, drawing large applicant pools and competitive selection rates.
According to Robert Leis, director of study abroad at Notre Dame Global, a combination of familiarity, comfort and scale continues to make these programs especially popular.
“Western Europe has always captured students’ imagination,” Leis said. “It’s a picture implemented into our minds from a very young age — the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. For many, it’s their first time abroad, so there’s a comfort in joining a large group of Notre Dame students.”
Programs in Rome, Dublin and London typically enroll between 50 and 100 Notre Dame students per term. The Rome and London programs are run through Notre Dame, offering familiar infrastructure, while in Dublin, Notre Dame students attend either Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University or University College Dublin. Leis explained that these offerings allow students to experience life abroad while maintaining a strong connection to the Notre Dame community, which makes them so
Government
Continued from page 1
among “non-essential” federal workers whose paychecks are delayed as a result of the budgetary crisis. Over time, this can inhibit the efficiency of the federal government.
“It feels no different for the first couple of weeks. If you’re a federal employee, you’re not getting paid. But then, when the next payday shows up and there’s no pay stub, you may not go to work,” Curry said. “So really, the practical effects start to get felt as the money isn’t there after one week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks. It’s a slow rollout, which is why most federal shutdowns have been less than five days.”
As of Oct. 10, the shutdown will have entered its tenth day. Republicans hope to pass a continuing budget resolution, while Democrats have raised concerns about expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits for health insurance and are pushing to reverse cuts to Medicaid. Though a compromise appears unlikely for now, political science professor and director of the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative David Campbell warned that
popular.
But that popularity comes at a cost: competitiveness.
During the most recent application cycle for fall 2025 and spring 2026, the Study Abroad Office received roughly 1,300 applications for its semester programs. While most students who apply to the maximum of two programs and remain flexible between fall and spring terms secure placements, the flagship European sites are not as easy to secure a spot in.
“We don’t use waitlists,” Leis said. “We accept accordingly. If a student doesn’t get their first choice, we reach out directly because several other programs still have space. Those secondary rounds fill up fast, usually within two weeks.”
Leis explained that study abroad placements are not decided by lottery. Each application is reviewed holistically, considering academics, program fit and faculty recommendations.
“Academics drive everything,” he said. “It’s not random. The strongest applicants show a genuine alignment between their coursework and the specific offerings of the program they’ve chosen.”
Applications for semester programs each require short written responses, academic records and recommendations from their rector and major-specific advisor.
While Western Europe remains the most popular region, Leis said he and the University encourage students to explore destinations that challenge them culturally and intellectually.
“The most profound learning
both parties face political costs due to the standoff, but expressed some uncertainty over which will feel greater pressure to resume negotiations.
“The polling suggests that … by a slight margin, the public is more inclined to blame the Republicans than the Democrats. But I don’t want to overstate that, because the difference is not enormous,” he said. “The longer this goes on, the harder it is, frankly, for both parties to carry it on … Think of it as being a strained marriage. At some point, you have to figure out how to get things right.”
Given what has so far been a protracted dispute, Notre Dame’s administration has already begun bracing for its effects. On Monday, Oct. 6, a notice was sent to community members subscribed to Notre Dame Research emails by vice president for research Jeffrey Rhoads recommending that federally funded researchers visit their new webpage for shutdown guidance and advising them to reach out to pre-award and post-award grants managers. The University added that while research proposals can still be submitted, they will not be processed, and that no new or incremental federal funding is expected during the shutdown.
Some of the most impacted disciplines will be those in science
happens in places of discomfort, not danger, but situations that push us outside our comfort zones,” Leis said. “No one goes to the gym because it’s easy. The same is true of studying abroad.”
He added that locations in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe offer unique opportunities for students to develop intercultural competence and adaptability — skills that employers consistently value.
“Companies talk to us about intercultural competency all the time,” Leis said. “Those who go beyond Western Europe often return with experiences that stand out.”
In recent years, programs in Athens and South Korea have grown significantly in popularity. Leis attributed this trend to “peer-to-peer marketing,” as word of mouth spreads quickly once a program gains footing.
“Athens is really growing,” he said. “Once a program reaches a critical mass, it spreads even faster. We’re seeing that right now.”
For junior Emmie Vajda, who will study in Athens this coming spring, the program’s growing popularity came as a surprise.
“I chose Athens because I thought it would be less competitive,” Vajda said. “But after I got accepted, I heard a lot of people didn’t get in. I think many students thought the same thing I did.”
Vajda said she was drawn to Athens after taking a history course on ancient Greece. “It’s obvious when people put effort into their applications,” she said. “I talked about my class on ancient Greece and my interest in literature and philosophy. I think that
and engineering, which are “very dependent on federal funding,” according to Campbell.
In Layman’s view, while Notre Dame has dealt with similar situations in the past, the broader cuts the University has faced in recent months change the dynamics of the current shutdown. “The difference this time is that so much federal funding has already been cut … So in some ways, my feeling is that this affects us less than it would have in the past,” he said. “On the other hand, the University has already made significant cuts, and so we may be on a razor’s edge for a lot of different projects. But my instinct is that we’re already absorbing enormous cuts in federal funding.”
In a statement to The Observer, University spokesperson Erin Blasko said Notre Dame is monitoring the shutdown.
“With respect to the government shutdown, we continue to monitor the situation in coordination with our Washington Office, and will seek to minimize its impact on our faculty, staff, and students in order to maintain continuity of support for our research activities,” Blasko wrote. “While these types of shutdowns have become common in recent decades, ongoing changes to the federal landscape add a new layer of complexity this time around. Especially during this complicated
helped me stand out.”
“The apartments are apparently right next to the Acropolis,” Vajda said. “It’s a small group, so I think it’ll feel very immersive. I’m also excited for my literature class on ancient Greek tragedies.”
Leis said that smaller or newer programs like Athens can provide deeply personal and transformative experiences, often becoming students’ favorite semesters.
“The overwhelming response we hear afterward is, that was the best place I could have gone,” he said. “Students are nervous at first, but once they step outside the box, they build confidence and character.”
In addition to semesterlong opportunities, Notre Dame also offers summer faculty-led programs. These programs typically last three to eight weeks, award three to eight credits and focus on specific areas of study.
“Summer programs are cohortdriven,” Leis said. “They allow students to study a topic they’re passionate about without it being a requirement for their major.”
Whether through semester or summer programs, Leis said the University’s goal remains the same: to help students grow academically, personally, and globally.
“Ultimately, it’s about finding what serves your academic and future goals,” he said. “It’s less about where your friends are going and more about what kind of experience will challenge you to think differently.”
Contact Sophia Magnano at smagnano@nd.edu
time, we stand in solidarity with our many dedicated faculty, staff, and students who continue to advance research, scholarship, and creative endeavor in support of our mission to be a ‘powerful means for doing good’ in the world.”
It is unclear how long the congressional standoff will last or what the outcome will be. Regardless of the result, the implications of a prolonged shutdown worry Campbell.
“One of the measures of whether or not a democratic system is working is whether or not the government can stay open and whether budgets can be brought in on time. The very fact that, in the United States today, we collectively have difficulty keeping the government open, keeping it funded, getting a budget done on time, that is itself a pretty telling indictment of our current political system,” he said. “This cannot continue, and as a nation, we need to figure out a better way for things to get done in Washington. This is not a left or right thing. I’m not casting aspersions on either Republicans or Democrats — or maybe I am on both together. The system itself is broken, and something needs to change.”
Contact David Murphy at dmurph23@nd.edu
Panelists speak on abolishing the death penalty
By Emma Betz News Writer
On Wednesday, the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights hosted a panel discussion on “Stories of Justice from Death Row” in partnership with the Catholic Mobilizing Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to abolishing the death penalty.
The panel was led by Emmjolee Mendoza Waters, an associate of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, and featured Gary Drinkard, who was exonerated from Alabama’s death row. Also featured on the panel were Rev. Crystal Walker, a pastor and co-chair of Ohioans Against Executions and Ruth Friedman, an attorney dedicated to defending those who are federally convicted and facing the death penalty.
The panel opened with an overview by Waters, who offered general insight into the
state of executions and death row legislation. She then introduced the panel, opening with Drinkard.
In 1998, Drinkard was convicted of capital murder. When his sister was caught by the police for cocaine possession, she told authorities that her brother had robbed and murdered a man.
Throughout his six years on death row, Drinkard wrote letters to many different attorneys asking them to take his appeal case. Eventually, Drinkard was able to get a response from an attorney he had written to, and they agreed to defend him in court.
“We were able to prove to the jury that I was at home the night of the murder. I was found not guilty and released,” Drinkard said.
Drinkard has since been fighting against the Death Penalty as a member of the non-profit Witness for
Innocence, advocating for those who have been wrongfully convicted ever since his own exoneration.
Walker then spoke on the relationship between her faith as a practicing minister and her opposition to the death pen alty, sharing that one informs the other. Walker also discussed how her personal experience as a grieving mother informs her Christian faith and advocacy against the death penalty. Walker’s son, Eddy, was murdered at 28 in 2013.
When asked what she would say to those who argue that the death penalty is “for the victims,” Walker replied, “If you execute someone, it’s not gonna bring my son back to me, it’s not gonna take away my pain. It is not closure, it is bringing more pain to know that another mother is hurting.”
Friedman spoke about her experience as a lawyer representing clients on federal death row. She articulated
the detriment that a lack of resources has on organizations she has worked in that are dedicated to fighting appeals for death row convicts, such as the Equal Justice Initiative.
“There are never enough resources,” Friedman said. She then explained that the less financial support is offered from the government, the fewer cases can be taken on behalf of the organizations and the lawyers associated with them.
Friedman also spoke about the passion that drives her work, explaining why she champions the abolition of the death penalty and the dignity of convicted people.
“Everybody has a story. They are not throwaway people,” Friedman said.
The conversation circled back to Drinkard, who was asked to speak about how his personal stance on the death penalty has evolved throughout his life.
“I was for the death
penalty in my earlier years. But if someone were to tell me now that we need the death penalty, I would tell them that they’re absolutely mistaken, because if you put a person in prison for the rest of their life, they suffer every single day,” Drinkard said.
He went on to combat a common assumption that the death penalty is restorative and upholds justice, saying, “The death penalty isn’t justice, it’s vengeance.”
Drinkard and the rest of the panel concluded their message by calling on the students and the public to take action. They cited state death penalty abolition organizations as sites to sign petitions, donate to and generally support – reinforcing that change and justice are possible if they are combatted together.
Contact Emma Betz at ebetz@nd.edu
Belles for Life hosts lecture on abortion
By Sophie Lewandowski News Writer
On Tuesday, Saint Mary’s anti-abortion organization, Belles for Life, hosted antiabortion activist Maddie Green for a lecture titled “Planned Parenthood’s Abortion Business.” The lecture aimed to share information about the company’s inner workings, while also discussing alternatives to Planned Parenthood for obstetric and gynecologic care. The leaders of Belles for Life hoped the lecture would be a source of education for the Saint Mary’s community.
Green has been an anti-abortion activist for some time. She said that working against Planned Parenthood has been a huge part of her work.
“I got involved in the prolife movement was by being a sidewalk advocate in front of Planned Parenthood,” Green said. ”Being a sidewalk advocate in Indiana in front of a Planned Parenthood is very unique, because you guys might know abortion isn’t actually fully legal here.”
Abortion is a prevalent topic in today’s political landscape.
According to the Pew Research Center, public opinion on the subject has fluctuated throughout the last 30 years. According to recent polling, about 63% of Americans believe it should be legalized in all or most cases while 36% stand against its legalization in all or most cases.
“Abortion is never the best or a good option for women in crisis, and Planned Parenthood really capitalizes on that, making money off these poor women who don’t know their options,” Lydia Poe, pregnancy outreach and education chair for the club, said.
The issue holds a complex place in American society. Anti-abortion activists believe that the unborn have a right to be born through a “human right to life”, as reported by the Americans United for Life mission statement. On the other side, abortion-rights rhetoric is built on the idea of bodily autonomy for women, as stated in EBSCO.
Green said that the abortion debate was extremely relevant at Saint Mary’s, despite the College’s Catholic character.
“Just because you’re at a religious school or a private school doesn’t mean abortion isn’t still affecting this campus and this university,” Green said.
Jayda Millspaugh, the spirituality director of Belles for Life, said she thinks some women feel like the anti-abortion movement doesn’t take concerns of bodily autonomy into account.
“I think that the hatred that [women] feel is normally from the misunderstanding and the lack of education that they have about the pro-life movement,“
Millspaugh said. “So I really hope that … they come to know the resources that we offer and the love that we have for them.”
Planned Parenthood has long been entrenched in the battle between the pro-life and pro-choice movement. It takes on political battles with its activism branch, Planned Parenthood Action. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood clinics provide reproductive care services, with the goal of serving all people, regardless of social status. Its mission statement includes “advocation for public policies that protect and expand reproductive rights and access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion.”
Planned Parenthood offers many services, including manual breast exams, birth control, UTI inspections, STD testing and treatment, PAP/HPV testing, pelvic exams, colonoscopies, wellwoman exams, hormone treatments and abortions.
According to their 20232024 annual report, abortions make up about 4% of its total services. 97% of services provided to pregnant women, though, are abortions, Green said.
“[Planned Parenthood is] America’s number one abortion vendor. So you know, when we talk about abortion, especially as
pro-lifers, I think a lot of us just automatically think of Planned Parenthood,” Green said.
One of the greatest arguments for Planned Parenthood, Green said, is that minority communities would lose access to valuable reproductive resources without it. According to the report, the non-profit serves 2.08 million patients, including many members of underserved communities. In contrast, Green explained throughout her lecture that these facilities are not the most important clinic or resource for pregnant women or underprivileged communities.
“Federally Qualified Health Centers are all across the nation, and there’s way more, thousands more of them than there are Planned Parenthoods,“ Green said. “They’re for low-income [communities]. They’re on a sliding fee scale.”
Federally Qualified Health Centers are able to provide more services than Planned Parenthood, including preventative health services such as cancer screenings, dental services, mental health and substance abuse services, transportation services to facilities and hospital and specialty care, according to FQHC Associates. A large variety of resources exist for women in need of
reproductive care and families that may not have access to traditional medical services.
The centers are available to underserved communities and individuals who qualify for assistance under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. These health centers serve 30 million people, Green said.
“If every single [Planned Parenthood] closed tomorrow, [Federally Qualified Health Centers] would only need to take on approximately two new patients a week to absorb clients at each clinic … to absorb Planned Parenthood’s clients” Green said.
Poe said Belles for Life hopes conferences like this one are able to spread that message to the Saint Mary’s community.
“[It’s] really important for us to let Saint Mary’s Belles know that they have options,“ Poe said. “Having a baby is a beautiful gift, and though it will change your life, it will be a good change. And we want to be able to get those women those resources that they need and create resources that they don’t have yet.”
Contact Sophie Lewandowski at slewandowski01@saintmarys. edu
Debate
Continued from page 1
and views immigrants as a new base of voters and cheap labor.
Elaborating upon his organization’s stance on immigration, Thakur said, “While [Democrats are] sipping margaritas with MS-13 gangsters, this administration has taken decisive action to solve the border crisis. Illegal border crossings have plummeted to the lowest levels in history.”
Funk responded to this by saying, “I agree there is an immigration problem in this nation, but the current administration has gone too far.”
“They’re kidnapping undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens alike, because this administration is tearing up the Constitution. This is an example of authoritarianism,” Funk said.
On healthcare, Funk voiced support for expanding the Affordable Care Act to ensure every American has access to an affordable healthcare plan. She said the ongoing government shutdown began because the Trump administration wants to end a tax credit that lowers healthcare premiums.
She also spoke out against President Donald Trump’s signature legislative win of his second term. “The Big Beautiful Bill cut Medicaid and is expected to kick millions of Americans off their health insurance plans, and it’s also expected to close rural hospitals,” Funk said.
College Republicans representative Luke Woodyard responded, saying the government shut down “not because they want to provide everyone that’s an American citizen with healthcare. It’s because they want to provide illegal immigrants with health care.”
“The Big Beautiful Bill did not cut Medicaid, what it did was require people on Medicaid to work 20 hours a week to get free health care from the government,” Thakur said.
On tariffs, Thakur said, “For most of American history, the United States was a manufacturing superpower … and the manufacturing industry was built on tariffs. The President’s tariffs affirm the fundamental principle that making things in America matters.”
College Democrats co-president Alex Young recalled Trump’s first campaign promise of improving the economy and fighting inflation, along with his second campaign promise of imposing retaliatory tariffs. “It’s impossible to square those two initiatives,” Young said.
He argued tariffs do not magically create jobs, especially in industries that no longer need the same number of workers. “Let’s think about basic economics here. When input costs go up, supply goes down,” Young said.
“Tariffs are a tax,” Young
said, explaining how Americans feel the impact of this tax on their everyday lives, “40% of Americans, who describe themselves as MAGA, are saying their grocery costs are rising.”
Thakur rebutted, saying, “Tariffs don’t cause inflation.”
In response, Young said, “Tariffs cause inflation, ask your professor.”
On the Israel-Hamas conflict, the College Democrats representatives emphasized a balanced approach to navigating the conflict.
“We can be supportive of Israel as a strategic ally while also encouraging them to use restraint,” Young said. He connected Pope Francis’s comments on the globalization of indifference to the need for empathy, saying, “empathy is being willing to stand up for that family in Gaza, but it’s also being willing to hold Netanyahu accountable.”
The College Republicans
team focused on President Joe Biden’s failures.
“He failed to stop the offensive in Rafah, he failed to do anything to get Israel to minimize civilian casualties,” Thakur said. However, Thakur voiced agreement with Young, saying, “We agree that the Israeli conduct in the war has gone way too far, and we agree that the broader escalation of this war in the region is not in American interests.”
Thakur labeled Trump’s peace plan as a major success, while Young pushed back, claiming most of this plan was put together by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Both sides voiced a desire for government officials to work together to end the conflict, “but I also think it’s important to understand the differences between how these two administrations handled the conflict and the reality of the peace deal that is now being
implemented,” Thakur said.
On political violence, both sides condemned all forms of political violence.
“We cannot tolerate this political violence that is in a large part coming from the left, and even to the small effect that it is coming from the right, it’s from the extreme sect that no one else identifies with,” Woodyard said.
Emphasizing that College Democrats is horrified by political violence, Young said, “We must be appalled by political violence, and we must have events like we’re having tonight at Bridge, where we’re coming together, where we’re talking about the issues, where we’re willing to debate in a civil way.”
In a post-debate interview, Young explained how he thought the debate went well and believed there was respectful dialogue from both sides.
“I’m glad we had the chance to present a vision for the
Democratic Party moving forward and debate on substantive issues,” Young said.
The College Republicans representatives also felt the debate went well with a good exchange of ideas. Thakur said the debate was a “good opportunity to present the conservative position on some of these different issues on campus.”
Woodyard expressed excitement about the level of attendance, “I’m so happy that so many people came, what a great showing. They had 160 people RSVP, but there were way more than that,” Woodyard said.
In an email email, McCurrie stated that Bridge BD hope the Notre Dame community received the debate well and can see the value in political discourse despite passionate disagreement.
Contact Grace Sullivan at gsulli22@nd.edu
By Abby Hernan Columnist, “Letters from London”
This weekend, I decided that spending hours traveling to cram all the tourist attractions of a thousand-year-old city into 24 hours was too stressful, considering midterms are imminent. Instead, I took this weekend to enjoy London and everything it has to offer. After snapping photos of Buckingham Palace and buying keychains of crowns to give my family, I started to realize how most of my touristy weekend had been surrounded by the British monarchy. Obviously, the British monarchy has no real political power, but it has evolved from an institution into a symbolic representation of Britishness. Instead of focusing on the more intense issues, British politics can divert attention to the more glamorous aspects of the state.
The British government still allocates millions of pounds to fund the lavish pageantry of the monarchy. While the government grants the Royal Family £86 million, an anti-monarchist group calculated the extra costs the monarchy incurs, such as security, that are not included in the grant, totaling the actual cost to £510 million. This egregious amount of public spending on the monarchy cannot sustain itself.
As a result, the Royal Family has become a brand that markets itself as an attraction, generating approximately £1.7 billion
Unmasking the monarchy
annually through indirect effects such as trade, tourism and media. Since London boasts many other tourist attractions, such as Big Ben and several national museums, all of that £1.7 billion cannot be attributed solely to the Royal Family; however, that still does not mean that their presence is not a significant factor in generating that money.
Through this, the Royal
Family has become quintessentially British: it is not just a small part of their history but a global export that defines their national character. Once a global superpower with colonies in every inch of the planet, Britain has slowly faded out. It cannot spread its culture through its colonies as it had previously, so it had to find other ways to market itself to curate a global presence.
However, the monarchy
survives not because it showcases Britain’s power, but because it disguises its decline. As the politics of the United Kingdom ebb and flow, the Crown is something citizens can look at as a unifying cultural force. The state seems powerful and strong, but in reality, it lies on a politically cracked foundation.
These cracks are clearly evident in Britain’s bumbling economy. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that the U.K. will have the highest inflation rate (3.5%) among all the G7 countries this year. As a result, the U.K. economy will slow in growth from 1.4% to 1.0%. British citizens will feel these effects as food prices rise and wages fail to keep up with inflation rates. In turn, the government is under pressure to curb inflation without hurting growth rates or raising taxes.
Despite this economic and political havoc, Britain still manages to put on opulent displays under the guise of royalty.
In early September, President Donald Trump made a state visit to the United Kingdom. Instead of being met with several diplomatic and political talks, he and his wife were carried in ornate carriages, stepping out onto the perfect royal lawn to watch parades and eat at a lavish banquet.
As British citizens struggle to buy dinner, the Royal Family flaunts opulence in their faces. Dynamic displays of royal hospitality may impress foreign
leaders, but they cannot distract the media from the growing issues that U.K. citizens face every day.
However, people are more drawn to tabloid headlines and elaborate ceremonies than they are to real issues. 28 million people in the U.K. watched Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, which is about 40% of the country’s population. No matter how much people try to escape the monarchy, its importance has permeated the minds of millions. The monarchy is not surviving despite criticism; instead, it survives because it is impossible to look away from.
The British obsession with royalty reminds us not only to appreciate the glamour of life but also to take a closer look at the world around us. It is easy to get distracted by ideals and attempts to form a picture of perfect power. However, even as Britain flaunts its opulence, there are deeper issues at play. In a country where wages stagnate, prices rise and politics falter, the monarchy provides Britain with a more palatable crisis to watch. It may not solve anything, but it keeps the story going: polished, choreographed and conveniently apolitical.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Abby Hernan at ahernan@nd.edu
Response to ‘American Alligator on ND grounds’
Last month, Joe Rudolph released an Observer article titled “Why releasing the American alligator onto Notre Dame grounds is a good idea.“ Rudolph does make some interesting and potentially valid points about releasing alligators onto Notre Dame’s campus. It is worth considering the alleged benefits that alligators would bring in population reduction efforts, ND football strategy and administrative improvements. These are intriguing suggestions that merit closer examination. However, Rudolph’s overall proposal falls short of practicality, for he fails to see how destructive this plan would be on several levels.
For one, the American alligator is neither native nor suited to the South Bend environment. They usually live in low-elevation areas in warm climates which is what one would find in the South of the U.S., not the Midwest. Rudolph’s argument relies on
this fundamental assumption that the alligators would be able to live and proliferate in an environment like South Bend, when in the long-term they cannot. It would be a violation to natural dignity to forcibly relocate alligators from, say, Alachua County, Florida, to St. Joseph County, Indiana. It is practically a death sentence for these creatures and it simply cannot be tolerated or entertained.
One of the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching is “Care for God’s Creation,” and this plan to release alligators into an environment for which they are not suited is simply not caring for God’s Creation and violates our Catholic identity as a Catholic university. Moreover, alligators pose a serious ecological threat to the wildlife living near the lakes as well as a threat to students. There is limited visibility around the lakes when it is dark outside which poses a serious threat especially to early-morning runners or late-night strollers around the lakes. The waterfowl or small mammalian
population is not capable of adequately adapting to the new danger of alligators in their habitat. Once again, Catholic Social Teaching is helpful in informing Notre Dame’s administrative decisions here.
Rudolph makes several suggestions that alligators would somehow positively benefit student life and culture here, and these merit closer examination. First, point three states, “They could thin out the excess student body (and cut down costs)!” I must disagree here because I do not believe that any member of the student body should be considered “excess.“ Every single student worked very hard to be here and deserves their place here. This suggestion is reductionist in nature and fails to see the unique contributions that each student brings to the Notre Dame community. Rudolph should, instead, consider how increasing the student population would be more conducive to the long-term goals of the University. Secondly, point 17 states, “It
would enable the South Bend Colosseum: Those who break parietals must become gladiators and fight several alligators in front of a packed arena in order to maintain both their honor and their status as an enrolled student at this school!” A product of the manosphere is this unwarranted fascination with Roman history and the Roman Empire. Rudolph fails to see how gladiatorial shows are a blight in the history of sports entertainment, and I am completely content with the family-friendly football games and comedy shows that go on at the stadium. Thirdly, point 23 states, “Alligators are green, reflecting our Irish culture. This would instill the student body with a great sense of pride to be a University of Notre Dame scholar!” Of Rudolph’s many claims, this one seems the most plausible, from the surface at least. However, the issue of branding is already a problem with the new football logo, so I think the timing is not quite right. Additionally, the use of
alligators for marketing would probably cause more brand confusion and alienate diehard leprechaun fans. There are plenty of other topics that Rudolph did not consider and areas that I, due to space constraints, could not adequately explicate. And so, I strongly advise Rudolph to reconsider and revise his argument because it has many flaws in it. There are apparent tensions between this proposal and the University’s commitment to a Catholic identity. There are many practical inconsistencies. He, above all, fails to see the clear and present danger that alligators would bring to the Notre Dame community. Furthermore, I believe it would be in Rudolph’s best interest to consider other options for animals to release onto Notre Dame grounds.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Jonah Tran at jtran5@nd.edu
ABBY HERNAN | The Observer
By Jonah Tran Columnist, “Esto basatus”
Emma Chamberlain was the face of our generation
By Redmond Bernhold Opinion Editor
Most people’s lock screens hold some sort of meaning: family, friends, nature or something sentimental. What’s mine you (did not) ask? It was Emma Chamberlain.
Last year, tired of my boring purple stock background, I found a collage of Chamberlain circa 2019 with a picture of a blue pond, coffee and books. It reminded me of her early days, when she was one of the most popular YouTubers and a favorite among my friends and I.
But on Saturday, maybe because of the football game’s atrocious number of flags, a friend forced me to change my lock screen.
“You don’t even know her,” my best friend and Opinion copyeditor Mia Drake said.
I smiled in agreement. Fair. Although I will always be a fan, her influence has waned on me and others. Plus, the switch to a temple in Bangkok, Thailand is simple, natural and definitely not as weird. As I searched through my camera roll for the ideal photo, I began to think of my many years consuming her content.
The parasocial relationship started when I was in middle school. With my adolescent mind avidly consuming social media and YouTube videos, her editing had my attention constantly hooked. She was an authentic teen in Los Angeles, and sometimes San Francisco, with a vlog camera documenting her and her friends’
shenanigans. It felt simple and attainable to achieve that. Her collaborations with other influencers and mystery relationships also kept fans like me tuned in. In these ways, she has pioneered how influencers shape their careers, no matter what stage they may be in. She started with a flurry of short videos with unadulterated concepts, later turning to TikTok as it was up-and-coming. As years elapsed, she opened her own coffee company, Chamberlain Coffee, started a podcast now named “Anything Goes” and has become a B-list celebrity through affiliations with Vogue, Cartier
and Louis Vuitton — B-list meaning respected and acknowledged in her field, but my grandma doesn’t quite know her.
Throughout all of these endeavors, she has leveraged her platforms as a means to meet the public where they’re at. Specifically, she has shown how influencers can breach into more traditional spaces of fame. Notably, she has attended many high-profile fashion shows and been a Met Gala red carpet correspondent multiple times.
Similar trends are happening with other influencers that our generation is consuming more rampantly: Alix Earle on “Dancing
with the Stars,” Addison Rae’s debut album blowing up, Logan
Paul becoming a well-known professional wrestler and Mr. Beast diving into multiple business ventures.
The reason why Chamberlain trailblazed? Her unapologetic character met her audience at a time when they needed it most. For years, her primary demographic has come of age with her. But now, as she has breached into these mainstream events, she has found a different, perhaps more mature, identity.
For one, her videos are usually long-form, cinematic shots of
travels abroad, not the once 10-orso minute vlogs of “trying every coffee shop in LA.” Chamberlain now talks gently to her vintage camcorder, leaving the days of yelling in the early 2020s. Sherpas have been exchanged for mature dresses, and a controversial platinum pixie cut has replaced scrunchies.
Even as we continue to age with Chamberlain, her content is seen but not with the same weight as once had. Some of her 2019-era fanbase has parted ways and questioned her relevance and tuned in less to her lifestyle.
“She looks like Ellen,” my best friend and Opinion columnist Zora Rodgers said. Her recent YouTube videos receive 1 to 2 million views. Her travel vlogs garner nearly 5 million views on average. Her videos from 2020 and before hold 6 to 10 million views each. Others from that era reach well above 10 million views.
Chamberlain’s rebrand has come at a time when nearly every celebrity and influencer is trying to be authentic. This time? Her ability to relate and humor are disconnected from her demographic, who long for her candid chaos of the past.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Redmond Bernhold at rbernho2@nd.edu
What I learned about dignity from serving coffee
you can’t even do it right,” are all phrases I’ve heard one too many times.
Senior year I worked as a server at a catering company to make some extra money and gain work experience before college. I learned several things by being a server. First, I learned that people are exceptionally rude. The people I was serving probably wouldn’t have given me a second look if we met outside of work; however, the second I put on my apron, people took it as an invitation to talk down to me. Guests always started out the night polite, but on occasion some of them would get ruder as the night progressed. As a server, the worst thing you can tell someone is that you ran out of coffee. As a caterer, you have to estimate how much food and drink you need based on party size. Sometimes we ran out of coffee because it was more popular than expected. A normal person would say, “Aw man, that’s too bad,” to a server telling them there’s no more coffee. For some reason, the upper echelon of my hometown found running out of coffee to be a crime against humanity. “Isn’t it your job to have coffee?” “Wow, you guys are amateurs.” “This job is so easy and
When I went to volunteer at Our Lady of the Road, a food pantry turned breakfast cafe open Friday through Sunday, I was nervous when I was assigned the role of server. There were around 100 homeless people in the dining area waiting for food, yet all I could think about was the angry tirades of customers past.
The shift started out smooth. I carried plates of pancakes, eggs and hash browns up my arms to hungry, kind faces in the dining room. I filled cups of coffee when asked. The people were kind. They looked me in the eye and said thank you. They brought me their plates when they were done, eager to help me clean up. I told them to hand their plates to me and enjoy the rest of their morning. I got into a steady rhythm until I heard the cursed words: “We ran out of coffee.”
My heart stopped. Here it comes — the angry mob accusing me of not doing my job. I continued serving customers, praying nobody asked for coffee, a futile prayer at 9 a.m. Eventually, a woman asked. I said, “I’m so sorry, we just ran out. I can see what other beverages we have if you’d like.” She said, “Don’t
worry about it, dear. I’ll be fine with just water.”
I was shocked. This woman has so little. She sleeps on the street most days. She just wanted a cup of coffee, and I couldn’t even give her that. Of anyone I’ve ever served, she had the most merit to be upset. Who knows when her last cup of coffee was? Yet she thanked me, told me not to worry and moved on.
Later that morning, I sat down with one of the guests and asked him about his story. He told me he’d worked in a factory before the pandemic, but a layoff, a rent hike and a back injury slowly unraveled his life. He was clear eyed, honest and hopeful. “People think I don’t try,” he said. “But I try every day. I’m just tired.” We finished our conversation with him reminding me, “Don’t assume. Anyone could be here tomorrow.”
In 2024, America experienced a record high of 771,480 people experiencing homelessness on a given night, an 18% increase from the previous year. In South Bend, 547 people were unhoused in January. That may seem underwhelming, but think of 10 of your closest friends, then imagine them homeless. Would you still call that number small?
What people fail to realize is
that homelessness is a chronic problem. The solution is simple: buy a home. That may sound naïve, but it’s the truth. For years, lawmakers have pushed a “treatment first” approach. In September 2023, California created CARE Court, which connects people to treatment in exchange for housing.
Participants receive up to 24 months of care. However, these programs are contingent on participants staying on mental health medications and not reabusing drugs. One relapse or missed medication leads to immediate eviction.
On the other hand, “housing first” programs allow people to focus solely on being housed. The idea is: once people have a roof over their head, they’re more likely to address addiction or mental health struggles. South Bend has its own housing first model: Motels4Now.
Motels4Now turned a rundown motel into apartment-style housing. Initially supported by Our Lady of the Road, the program recently received a $4 million grant from the city and is now transitioning into its own organization: the New Day Intake Center.
Over the summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Sheila
McCarthy, executive director of the center. Since 2020, New Day has served 806 people. 76% of guests have been stably housed after leaving the program, and 88% have remained stably housed in South Bend or nearby communities. The program accepts people with few conditions, yet partners with local mental health provider Oaklawn to ensure support. Over 360 residents have received care for mental illness or substance use over the past two years.
What makes New Day unique is its philosophy: tackle one issue at a time. First, stable housing. Then, with routine and rest, recovery can begin.
The success of the New Day Intake Center shocked me. So often we invent complicated solutions to simple problems. If someone is homeless, give them a home. Rather than designing programs that shame or punish, we must meet people where they are — with compassion, consistency and coffee.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Thea Bendaly at tbendaly@nd.edu
LIAM FLYNN | The Observer
By Thea Bendaly Columnist, “Off Notre Dame Ave.”
A dead art: The covers of horror novels
By Harry Penne Scene Copy Editor
You’re told never to judge a book by its cover, but be honest: How many times have you bought a book solely based on cover art? I’m a sucker for usedbook stores, and my first stop is always the horror section. When given a vintage printing of a horror novel or a contemporary copy, I will always spring for the retro edition. Why? It’s not because of the “old book smell” or collectability, but for the design.
The look of these books is classic, featuring vibrant colors with horrific, shocking designs. Skeletons, creepy kids and mad scientists — you name it, and it’s on a macabre cover. Some of the most common publishers of this pulp horror were Zebra, Tor and Signet. But who painted them? That answer isn’t straightforward. Some of the artists are known: Dan Brautigam did work for Stephen King (“The Dark Half”) and Dean Koontz (“The Bad Place” and “Midnight”); author Clive Barker sometimes did his own art; Tim Jacobus created the original “Goosebumps” covers. However, many were painted by freelance artists on fairly quick deadlines. Because of the gig-like nature, we don’t have detailed information on their identities.
One of the most notorious Stephen King novels is “Pet Sematary,” a dark tale about the dangers of reversing death. Part of its infamy stems from the 1983 Signet edition’s artwork. Designed by Linda Fennimore, the cover shows a large hissing cat in front of an ominous graveyard — the Pet Sematary — with the silhouette of a man
and corpse in the background. The imagery is haunting and evidently much care was put into it. Contrast this with the current Scribner edition: a photoshopped cat against an image of a graveyard. I do have to give this cover some credit: As opposed to some horror books that try to mask their genre, this contemporary cover is obviously horror and proud. However, when contrasting it with the original Fennimore artwork, you can see where the homage falls to its predecessor.
King’s 1987 novel “Misery” has one of the most iconic covers in horror. Painted by Robert Giusti, it features an imprisoned writer stuck in a wheelchair beside a bleak window. Looming over him is a woman’s shadow wielding an axe. A chilling visual, it raises many questions: Who is she? What’s the axe
for? Contrast this with current mass-market paperbacks: They often only feature an axe or a snowy landscape. While these still inspire dread and unease, the effect is lessened without the detailed, human aspects of the original.
By and large, I think my main issue with contemporary covers lies not in new releases, but with reprints. I have been pleased with several contemporary horror covers. Stephen King’s “Fairy Tale” (2022) features a cover that hearkens to his original book designs, presenting an illustration of a boy with a lantern and a dog above an endless spiral staircase, dominated by blue hues broken by yellow lantern light. There are no obvious computerized images, which I appreciate. Another contemporary writer whose books have classic-feeling covers is Grady
Hendrix, author of “The Final Girl Support Group” and “My Best Friend’s Exorcism,” the latter of which features a cover inspired by 1980s VHS tape boxes.
My theory for the quality decline in reprints is that publishers no longer see a need to sell readers the story. “Pet Sematary” and “Misery” are both modern classics; fans are going to read them regardless of the cover. However, in the 1980s, when they were new, people had to be convinced that the stories were worth their time. Thus, the over-the-top and maximalist vibe. The generic photoshopped reprints today feel uninspired beside their vintage counterparts.
Furthermore, horror experienced an ’80s boom, but by the ’90s and 2000s, the genre was less appreciated; audiences
preferred “thrillers.” This distaste for horror was even seen at The Oscars. “The Silence of the Lambs” (1992), which is undoubtedly a horror film, won Best Picture; however, the Academy did not call it “horror,” but instead “thriller.” With this increasing genre disinterest, publishers didn’t want to spend extra money on artists when a digitally edited stock photo does the trick. In an age where AI is able to generate a book cover in seconds, it really increases appreciation for personal touches in classic painted or illustrated covers. A machine could never create the horrors these artists realized.
E-books also prompted a shift in cover preferences. Detailed covers aren’t needed when a book doesn’t physically exist; a simple title on a screen suffices. However, despite these shifts, there seems to be increased demand for retro covers. During my last Barnes & Noble trip, I was pleasantly surprised to see several Stephen King novels with throwback-inspired covers. What’s fun about these nostalgic printings is that they’re designed to look worn; the age comes printed into the artwork. Additionally, the “Paperbacks from Hell” series is reprinting vintage horror with original covers. Some might call it nostalgia baiting, but regardless, I’m glad to see these traditional designs making a comeback. Part of the charm of horror novels is the art; the imagery is just as tied to the genre as the authors who write the nightmares.
Contact Harry Penne at hpenne@nd.edu
Havaianas and the summer fad of the flip flop
By Amelia Beltran Scene Writer
Summer has been officially over for months, yet it lingers with sporadic hits of warm weather a little longer than what we all would wish or recognize. Nothing gives this away more than footwear — specifically, flip flops (or as my Hawaiian friend calls them, slippers) which have made a recent surge in popularity all over the fashion industry. No brand has had a bigger impact than the Brazilian-born brand, Havaianas. Is this just a small carry-over of a summer fad that will die out once the Indiana wind hits, or are flip flops the new campus “it” shoe to be sporting?
When I first saw that a new craze began and it revolved around the flip flop, I laughed. I mean, this is about a flimsy piece of plastic that is bought at the local Walmart or 99cent store before heading off to the public pool or beach? What is so great about flip flops? I must confess that I did in fact fall for the alluringly bright, happy colors and
patterns on a Havaiana flip flop, and I even own a pair. Though after coming back on campus, I did not expect to see the flourishing flip
flop game that popped up. It struck me when I was recently stopped by someone asking me if I was Brazilian due to the
small Brazilian flags on my pair of Havaianas — found in the country of question. This poor guy was thoroughly confused to find out
that I was not Brazilian, but just a person who fell for the marketing schemes of the brand and the fad of the summer. Did this interaction leave me with a small dose of inner self reflection on future purchases? Perhaps, but will this encounter stop me from flouncing around campus in my flip flops? No! I also don’t believe this style of footwear will burn out when winter hits campus, since I have always heard the echoes of clicks and plops during a few corridors of residence halls and Hesburgh Library. In the end, is this flip flop trend a sort of boho-hobo chic that has been sold to us by very well-done marketing schemes by brands like Havaiana to be “the summer shoe”? Yes. But, will I silently be applauding all who decide to confidently flip and flop in their daily class treks? Big time, for I shall happily be part of the fray. So, to this I say keep calm and flip-flop on!
Contact Amelia Beltran at abeltra4@nd.edu
BEN SMITH | The Observer
LIAM FLYNN | The Observer
Watson: Notre Dame’s explosive offense
By Claire Watson Associate Sports Editor
This past weekend, Notre Dame faced off against Boise State. The game finished with a relatively low 28-7 score, something that neither the fans nor I were expecting.
I made the score prediction of 56-14 for the Boise State game, but it is clear that I was way off. Despite the win, the Irish only managed a modest 28 points, a step back from their past three performances, where they put up 56 in two dominant wins and 41 against a formidable Texas A&M defense.
So what happened? What went wrong compared to the display against Arkansas only a week prior? It was mostly disappointing from the offense last Saturday, but it was more than enough. While I have criticized the Irish defense in the past, they excelled this past weekend to
keep the Notre Dame team ahead throughout the game. What I found to be most interesting through many of the games this season was seeing almost two different teams on the field between the offense and defense.
Offense: What happened?
Normally, when it comes to Notre Dame football, most have turned to the performance of a defense that has stumbled out of the gate, but in a shocking turn of events, was the strong side of the ball this past weekend. For the first time all season, the offense could not say the same.
In the first quarter, as the Irish found themselves at the one-yard line, extremely close to scoring a touchdown, junior running back Jeremiyah Love was swallowed up by the Boise State defense. The junior finished with 103 rushing yards and only one touchdown, a drop-off from his prolific four-touchdown
game against the Razorbacks.
CJ Carr also seemed off his game. In his most successful showing against Arkansas, the freshman quarterback finished the game with 354 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and 22 complete passes. Against the Broncos, he only had 189 passing yards and 15 completed passes without a touchdown.
If offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s unit goes back to playing how they did in earlier games and Carr continues to command the offense and find the holes in the NC State defense, the Irish should have no problem moving the ball downfield on Saturday.
Head coach Marcus Freeman commented on the response from his offensive line, saying, “They’re competitive. They’re pissed. Sorry to say that. They’re upset because they’re competitors. And they want to be perfect. That’s the type of competitors
ND MEN’S SOCCER
we have in that locker room. That’s how I expect them to respond, because when you get upset, you understand their answers.”
Defense: A successful game
The start of the season did not look too strong for the Notre Dame defense. In fact, they received a lot of pushback, most aimed at new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. That all seemed to change with Boise State.
One of the biggest improvements was welcoming back sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore after he was sidelined with an ankle injury. After missing two games due to the injury, Moore came ready to play against the Broncos, securing two interceptions that changed the game for the Irish. The first was an interception in the third quarter with 1:45 left to play, stopping a desperate Boise State offense. The second was the exclamation point at the end of the game,
keeping the Boise State offense out of the end zone for the game and cementing the Irish win.
Moore contributed to one of the keys for this Notre Dame defense, which was creating turnovers against Boise State. This was extremely important, especially in a lowerscoring game. In addition to this, the turnovers gave more room for the offense to work and get the ball in improved field position.
Should the defense continue to stand strong and keep the NC State offense at bay, Notre Dame should have no problem taking over the game this weekend. The offense and the defense need to work together to stay on top of the ball and take the win. Notre Dame prepares to take on the 4-2 Wolfpack this Saturday, Oct. 11, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson7@nd.edu
Irish return to ACC play against Virginia
By Jack Muething Sports Writer
After a 4-2 win against Green Bay Tuesday night, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s soccer team will hit the road and travel to Charlottesville, Virginia to take on the No. 8 team in the country in the Virginia Cavaliers. The Irish come into this one with an overall record of 7-2-3 and a record in conference play of 2-1-1. The Cavaliers are 7-12 overall and they are undefeated in conference play with a record of 3-0-2.
Notre Dame has been in a bit of a slump starting with a loss to SMU on Sept. 27. They were ranked No. 22 in the country last week, but they slipped out of the rankings after they were only able to beat Hope College, a Division III school, 3-2, and tie a relatively weak Virginia Tech team 1-1. However, returning from a high scoring win, 4-2 against Green Bay, the Irish are looking to build some momentum into this tough ranked battle.
The Notre Dame defense started the year with shutouts in three of their first five games. However, they have allowed nine goals in their last five matchups. The defense will need to get back on track if the Irish want to come out on top in this one. On the goalkeeping side of things, sophomore Blake Kelly improved his save percentage to 77.8% after the game against Green Bay where he picked up seven saves while allowing two goals. Kelly has an ACC-leading 42 saves on the year, so it’s clear that he has shouldered most of the defensive workload so far this year. Overall, the Notre Dame defense has cooled
off in recent matches and they will need to return to the form they started the year take down this incredibly talented Virginia team.
The Notre Dame offense has been solid, but they only have one goal in their last two ACC contests.
to the offensive effort with nine goals on the year, though not in the way one would expect. After picking up two assists against Green Bay, Spicer leads not only the team but is also tied with the entire ACC for the lead in total
his dominant offensive form as he has three goals and two assists on the year. The Notre Dame offense has performed well in their nonconference matches, but they will need the energy level to translate into their ACC contests as well.
Senior Wyatt Borso has taken over the lead in goals scored for the team as he now has five goals on the year, helped by goals in back to back games now. Junior Nolan Spicer has also been essential
assists with seven on the year. He has done a great job creating plays this year, and the Irish are going to need him to do more of the same tonight. Freshman Luke Burton will also need to continue
The Cavaliers come into this match following an incredibly impressive 1-0 win against NC State, who was ranked No. 2 in the country at the time of their match. They come into this match
against the Irish with a solid defense that has remained relatively inconsistent this year. The Cavaliers have shutouts in six of their ten matches. In those other four matchups though, they have allowed goal totals of 4, 2, 3 and 2. Virginia has the tendency to be hit or miss, but when they are on top of their game, it is incredibly hard to score against them. The Cavaliers have started multiple goalkeepers on the year, but their most reliable has been graduate student Casper Mols. He holds a 71% save percentage and has 22 saves on the year. The Irish will have their work cut out for them against a talented defense and goalkeeper.
As you would expect from the No. 8 team in the country, the Cavaliers are strong offensively as well, averaging 1.8 goals per game. Nicholas Simonds leads the team with five goals on the year, but the goals are relatively spread out as 10 players have been able to get on the scoresheet for the Cavaliers this year, which means that the Irish can’t just focus on one player. They have to treat everyone as a threat. The Irish can also assume that if there is a goal, junior Marco Dos Santos will somehow be involved as he, like Spicer, has seven assists on the year. Santos has been an excellent creator this year from midfield, and the Irish can expect he will be at the center of any goal scoring opportunity. Men’s soccer kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Klöckner Stadium in Virginia.
Contact Jack Muething at jmuethin@nd.edu
GABRIELLA MARTIN | The Observer
Junior defender Sean McDowd receives the ball in Notre Dame’s 1-1 draw against Virginia Tech at Alumni Stadium on Oct. 3, 2025. McDowd has started in seven contests as part of a stellar Irish back line in 2025.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Where is your favorite place to eat on campus?
Tommy Marino senior Alumni Hall
“South Dining Hall”
Teresa Harkins freshman Walsh Hall
“South Dining Hall”
Izabela Micor sophomore Welsh Family Hall
“Garbanzo”
CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ
Emma Steadman freshman Johnson Family Hall
“Modern Market”
Lynn Hornig senior Farley Hall
“North Dining Hall”
SOCIAL MEDIA POLL
Have an idea for a poll? Email dstangel@nd.edu
How are you feeling about midterms?
I'm going to crush it
Mostly good, a few nerves
Kind of stressed, could go either way Send help
A recent poll conducted by The Observer asked students how they were feeling about their upcoming midterms. Some Notre Dame students are reportedly feeling confident, with 36.2% of respondents saying they felt “mostly good, a few nerves.” On the other hand, 28.9% of students said they are “kind of stressed, could go either way.” Another 22.8% of students want to be “sent help,” and 12.1% believe they are going to “crush it.” No matter how students feel about midterms, most are probably counting down the days until fall break.
THE NEXT FIVE DAYS
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Friday
“Hope, Global Stability, and the Role of the United States” A fireside chat with General Martin Dempsey. 215/216 McKenna Hall 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday
Notre Dame football vs. NC State No. 16 Fighting Irish take on the Wolfpack. Notre Dame Stadium 3:30 p.m.
Sunday
Notre Dame women’s soccer vs. SMU No. 2 Fighting Irish take on the Mustangs. Alumni Stadium 3:30 p.m.
Monday
“An Evening with Michael Martone” Reading and Q&A with award-winning Indiana author. Le Mans Hall 6 p.m.
Tuesday
“The Future of International Aid: Reforming a System” Lecture by CEO of the International Rescue Committee. Hesburgh Auditorium 4 - 5 p.m.
GABRIELLA MARTIN | The Observer Freshman defender Alex Rosin celebrates after a goal during a game against Green Bay on Oct. 7, 2025 at Alumni Stadium. The Irish defeated the Phoenix 4-2, and will play an away game today against Virginia.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Irish men’s golf hosts annual Fighting Irish Classic
By Harrison Brown Sports Writer
Notre Dame men’s golf has had an electric start to the fall season with multiple high finishes, including a team victory at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational. Recently, the team had an opportunity to compete on its home course. The Irish welcomed teams to Warren Golf Course, where they hosted the annual Fighting Irish Classic from Oct. 6 to 7. With a score of 844 through three rounds, Notre Dame was just four strokes over par and finished third overall in the event.
Junior Jacob Modleski led the team, carding a 208.
Modleski started the event hot, shooting three under par and tying the best round of the tournament for the Irish with a 67. He was phenomenal in the front nine of this round, with four birdies and five pars. He continued this success in round two as he did not shoot above par on a single hole for the round. Two birdies helped him card a 68 and finish the day two under par. In the final round, he would shoot a 73, bringing him to two under par for the event. His performance netted him the eighth-best individual score of the Classic.
The second-best score for the Irish belonged to senior Nate Stevens. With 10 birdies over the three rounds,
Stevens was able to finish just one over par and card a total of 211. Stevens finished tied for 12th on the individual leaderboards. His best round was his second, where he shot a 69.
The next lowest score came from fellow senior Calen Sanderson. In the first round, Sanderson tied Modleski’s low score of 67. Throughout the three rounds, he would accumulate 213 strokes, which was three over par. In the end, he claimed a spot tied for 21st on the player leaderboards. Right behind Sanderson on the individual leaderboards was his teammate, Rocco Salvitti. The junior finished tied for 23rd in the standings after shooting
four over par. He closed the event out strong, leading the team with a 69 in the final round.
Rounding out the Irish lineup was Pavel Tsar. Despite being only a freshman, Tsar has been a key player for Notre Dame, competing in multiple events this season, including the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, where he played a crucial role in the team’s victory. In the Classic, he shot a 74 in each of the three rounds, which totaled 12 strokes over par. Tsar tied for 61st in the player leaderboards in the event.
Notre Dame additionally had a B team that competed. This team took 12th place and featured five more
Irish golfers. Freshmen Liam Pasternak and Peyton Blackard both competed as part of this team. Pasternak had the lowest score for the B team, claiming a spot at 29th on the player leaderboards. Sophomores Mike Qiu and Lance Hollingshead, along with junior Christopher Bagnall, made up the rest of the lineup.
The Irish have a couple of weeks off before they take to the course for the final time of the fall season. They will next compete in the Williams Cup, hosted by the University of North Carolina from Oct. 19 to 21.
Contact Harrison Brown at hbrown23@saintmarys.edu
Irish volleyball battles it out at home this weekend
By Payton Dymek Sports Writer
Notre Dame is coming off an aggressive tough loss to No. 4 Stanford, followed up by a win against California on the road. Against Cal, sophomore outside hitter Morgan Gaerte led the Irish offense with 11 kills as junior outside hitter Sydney Helmers totaled nine. The Irish recorded a total of 37 assists and 40 digs in the contest, plus 10 team blocks. Their California trip pushed the team to 5-7 on
the year and 2-2 in the conference while pushing Gaerte to 199 kills, making her 14th in all of NCAA D1 women’s volleyball in kills per set with 4.63.
Notre Dame has a weekend full of volleyball, beginning on Friday Oct. 10, with their game against University of Virginia. For the Irish, the trio of Gaerte, Helmers and sophomore middle hitter Grace Langer are a force on offense with 199, 86 and 54 kills respectively. The three main hitters for the Irish rely on their setters for success in running
the offense, leaning on freshman Maya Baker, who leads with 216 assists and senior setter Harmony Sample, who has 173.
Defensively, Notre Dame has improved since the beginning of ACC conference play. Freshman libero Maya Evens has controlled the back row with 148 digs, while Langer leads with five solo blocks and sophomore middle Anna Bjork with 41 block assists to Langer’s 47.
Virginia is currently 8-6 on the season and 1-3 in conference play. Their losses 6 losses came
against Auburn, Appalachian State, Michigan (who they also beat in five sets), Stanford, California and Boston College. However, they have a leg up on the Irish as they beat Syracuse in five sets who the Irish lost to 3-1. The Cavaliers are led by freshman outside hitter Reagan Ennist with 110 kills for the season, followed by junior outside hitter Lauryn Bowie with 106. Behind these strong hitters, Virginia boasts even stronger setters including, sophomore Zoey Dood and junior Hannah
Scott who have 231 and 217 assists respectively. In the back row, junior libero Katie Barrier is letting virtually nothing hit the ground with 143 digs, and in the front row Jasmine Robinson leads the team with seven solo blocks and 49 block assists. This will be the 15th meeting between Virginia and Notre Dame, with the series currently tied at 7-7, despite the Cavaliers with the two most recent victories.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, Notre Dame will face Virginia Tech, who currently has a 9-6 record as of Oct. 9. The Hokies have suffered losses to Lindenwood, East Tennessee State, California, Radford, Stanford and Syracuse. They are led offensively by junior outside hitter Payton Woods, who has totaled 165 kills so far this season. Close behind her is sophomore outside hitter Reese Hazelton with 108 kills, followed by freshman middle hitter Brianna Holladay with 96. Running the offense are junior setter Camilla Brandalise and sophomore setter Erica Dellesky, who have recorded 307 and 220 assists. On defense, graduate student libero Erica Fava controls the back row with 155 digs, while sophomore middle hitter Isabella Mishler leads the team with nine solo blocks. Holladay also makes a name for herself at the net with a team-high 56 block assists. This will be the 18th meeting between Virginia Tech and Notre Dame, with the Irish holding the advantage in the series 13-4. Join the Irish on Friday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in your best pinkout gear to celebrate their annual breast cancer awareness game. Then come back to Purcell Pavilion on Sunday Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. for the team’s first poster giveaway and autograph day.
Contact Payton Dymek at pdymek01@saintmarys.edu
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Irish hitters form a line of blockers to smother the attempted kill in Notre Dame’s 3-0 loss to LSU inside Purcell Pavilion on Sept. 7, 2025. After a three-match losing skid, the Irish have won two of their last three, looking to build some momentum heading into a busy weekend of ACC contests.
Hockey prepares for Ice Breaker Tournament
By Nikki Stachurski Sports Writer
Notre Dame hockey is off to a great start with last week’s win, as the Irish prepare to compete in the Ice Breaker Tournament this weekend. Notre Dame will travel to Tempe, Arizona, to play tournament hosts No. 15 Arizona State University on Friday, Oct. 10 at 10 p.m. EST. Based on the first two games, Notre Dame will play No. 8 Quinnipiac University or University of Alaska-Fairbanks in game two Saturday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m.
The Ice Breaker Tournament has taken place at the beginning of the season for Division I teams since its creation by the Hockey Commissioners Association in 1997, providing an opportunity for top teams to compete in fastpaced early-season tournament. Notre Dame has made six appearances in the tournament, winning it twice in 2012 and 2018. Teams rotate each year, based on previous seasons and scheduling availability, and this year will be the first time the Irish have competed since 2022.
Arizona State won the tournament in 2024, and they had a strong season last year. They finished with a 21-14-2 record and were eliminated in the Frozen
Faceoff Semifinal by No. 3 Denver. Their 2025-26 season began last week with two losses to No. 4 Penn State. The Sun Devils were lowscoring in both games, and their power play production struggled against high level competition. Notre Dame will need to capitalize on offensive opportunities and ensure their power play can continue scoring in order to advance in the tournament.
Depending on the results of the first two games, between Notre Dame and Arizona State, and Quinnipiac and Alaska-Fairbanks, Notre Dame will play Quinnipiac or Alaska-Fairbanks. Per tournament format, the winners from game one and game two will play one another in the championship game Saturday.
Alaska-Fairbanks also lost their first two games of the season to Minnesota Duluth at home. In both games, the Nanooks only scored two goals. Their offense has been struggling to produce, but their defense has been a strength for the team. If Notre Dame ends up playing them, the Irish must make smart shots and not rely on rebounds, because AlaskaFairbanks has a tendency to shut down opportunities in the crease.
Quinnipiac University started their season off with a win, beating No. 11 Boston College 4-3. Their
Then-senior forward Justin Janicke carries the puck in Notre Dame’s 6-3 loss to Minnesota inside Compton Family Ice Arena on Nov. 22, 2024. The Irish will turn to young talent in 2026, especially with Janicke gone.
offense was stellar, and they put up many shots. If Notre Dame meets them during the tournament, the goaltending tandem will need to work alongside defensemen to shut down the Bobcat offensive line.
After the exhibition victory against the United States National Team Development Program
ND WOMEN’S GOLF
Under-18s last week, the Irish have a clean slate to build on for this season’s standings, as they prepare for success at the Ice Breaker Tournament. Based on last season’s trend, the Irish need to prioritize scoring consistently throughout the game to add some comfort to the scoreboard, and
to keep penalties to a minimum. This Notre Dame team has a strong core, and the Ice Breaker Tournament is the perfect opportunity to continue the success they have fought for this season.
Contact Nikki Stachurski at mstachu2@nd.edu
Irish show resilience at Sunflower Invitational
By Caloe Peretti Sports Writer
The Notre Dame women’s golf team demonstrated resilience and steady improvement over three rounds at the 2025 Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational, held Oct. 6 and 7 at Lawrence Country Club. Facing a competitive field of 14 collegiate teams, the Irish gained valuable experience and saw standout performances from several players.
Freshman Jordan Levitt led
the team, posting rounds of 76, 71 and 74 for a three-day total of 221 (+8). Levitt’s strong second round, a 71 (even for the day), showcased her ability to respond under pressure and provided a consistent anchor for the team.
Freshman Sawyer Brockstedt also had a solid tournament, carding rounds of 73, 73 and 77 for a total of 223 (+10).
Brockstedt’s consistency across the first two rounds helped keep the Irish competitive in the early stages, even as the course presented challenges.
Sophomore Maddy Bante posted scores of 78, 75 and 74 (+14 total), demonstrating steady improvement after each round.
Junior Alexsandra Lapple finished with rounds of 78, 75 and 80 (+20), showing resilience even as she navigated a demanding layout. Sophomore Bridget Wilkie recorded 75, 86 and 85 (+33), and Notre Dame individual entrant sophomore Faustine Errecade contributed with rounds of 86, 81 and 81 (+35).
Though Notre Dame did not contend for the team title, the
HCC WOMEN’S SOCCER
Sunflower Invitational offered key takeaways. Players learned to manage difficult holes, recover from setbacks and maintain focus over multiple rounds — lessons critical for the remainder of the fall season. The Irish demonstrated that they can stay competitive in challenging fields and that their underclassmen in particular have the potential to make a significant impact.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will carry the lessons from Sunflower into upcoming tournaments, including the Jim West
Challenge and The Landfall Tradition. With a combination of talented newcomers and experienced contributors, the team is positioned to continue developing its depth and consistency. With consistent leaders like Levitt and Brockstedt and steady contributions from the rest of the roster, the Irish are poised to build on this experience and grow stronger throughout the season.
Contact Caloe Peretti at cperett2@nd.edu
Saints get their fifth win of the season
By Jacek Kawczynski Sports Writer
Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Viterbo on Saturday, the Holy Cross College women’s soccer team kept the momentum going with a dominant 5-0 performance against Mount Mary on Tuesday. The clash marked the first-ever meeting between the two sides. After the victory, Holy Cross’s record moved to 6-5-1 overall, while Mount Mary fell to 0-10 on the season.
The game started off quickly, with multiple shots on goal from Holy Cross. Pressure continued to mount on the Blue Angels, who were unable to get the ball out of their half.
Mount Mary’s defense was able to stave off the Holy Cross barrage until freshman Quinn Pankiewicz assisted junior forward Miriam IturriagaSanchez in the 29th minute, opening the floodgates.
The Saints extended their lead with a goal by sophomore defender Sofia Brodar in the 37th minute, courtesy of Iturriaga-Sanchez. Holy
Cross managed 15 shots on goal in the first half, compared to zero for Mount Mary, marking a dominant first 45 for the home team.
Holy Cross wasted no time and opened up the secondhalf scoresheet in the 47th minute, when senior midfielder Annabella Alfreda assisted senior forward Mia Garatoni. A Mount Mary penalty inside the 18-yard box gave junior Frances Parks a chance to bolster the lead, which she did with some relish, tucking the ball into the back of the net.
The Saints closed out the
scoring in the 67th minute, when Garatoni assisted junior Midfielder Erika Perez, final score 5-0. Holy Cross ended the game with 45 shots. Pankiewicz led the offense with eight shots, including four on goal, while the defense kept things tidy and allowed zero shots on goal for the night, along with only three fouls. Five different Saints players got on the scoresheet, and the four assists also came from different players, marking a well-rounded game for the team. Mount Mary freshman goalkeeper Anna Corpas
Salcedo led the Blue Angels on defense with 16 saves on the night.
The Saints travel to Illinois on Saturday, where they take on Saint Xavier, currently 5-3-4. The match will prove pivotal for both squads, as Holy Cross tries to break .500 for the first time this season, and as Saint Xavier tries to improve on its seven-game unbeaten streak. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. at Deaton Field.
Contact Jacek Kawczynski at jkawczyn@nd.edu
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Traore taking command of rising Irish defense
By Tyler Reidy Associate Sports Editor
During the first few weeks of the Notre Dame football season, the Irish defense emerged as a major concern. Conceding an average of nearly 35 points to Miami, Texas A&M and Purdue not only set the Irish miles back defensively from where they were last year. It also lost them two games right out of the gate.
However, Notre Dame’s defense has suddenly allowed only 13 and 7 points to its last two opponents. While claiming that Chris Ash’s unit is “back” may be a slight overreaction at this point, it’s clear that the Irish have made improvements on that side of the ball.
Helping to steer the ship through both smooth and choppy waters is a young man whose contributions weren’t necessarily a guarantee in 2025. It’s sophomore defensive end Boubacar Traore, who has returned from a torn ACL suffered last September to play his best football and lead the Irish defense back to where it needs to be.
“Week by week, I feel like everyone on the defense has been progressing in the right direction,” Traore said. “We’re just focusing on playing as a team, just playing fast and just playing violent.”
Even when Notre Dame’s defense wasn’t in great shape early on, Traore made an impact each week. He’s averaged nearly a full tackle for loss and more than half a sack per game, often coming up with timely pressure on third downs.
Last week against Boise State, his four tackles and half a sack factored into keeping quarterback Maddux Madsen under constant duress and adding to Notre Dame’s defensive confidence.
“It fuels us up to continue to keep applying pressure and just keep doing what we do because at the end of the day, we’re trying to be the best we can be for the [defensive backs] and the whole defense and the whole team,” Traore said.
With that added confidence, we’ve seen Traore’s play become a bit louder in recent weeks. Though he arrived
humbly last year in relief of the injured Jordan Botelho, his effort spoke volumes, whether it be in his pick six against Purdue or his two-sack day against Miami (Ohio).
Now, it’s Traore himself doing more of the talking, and his play hasn’t missed a beat.
“I could be quiet sometimes because I like for my play to speak for me,” Traore described. “But I’d say I’m definitely getting better at being vocal.”
Often, being a strong vocal leader involves preaching the right kind of message. And for Traore and company, that message is to set aside the anguish of an 0-2 start and continue looking ahead to the next opportunity.
“It was frustrating, but at the same time, we can’t hang our heads on those losses we took those first two weeks,” Traore said. “We’ve got more games to play, so we just have to keep moving forward and focusing on our next opponent.”
This week, the next opponent is NC State, a team whose backfield Notre Dame will have to disrupt. Quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 337
yards and four scores against Campbell last week, and top running back Hollywood Smothers is averaging more than 115 yards per contest.
If Traore and the Irish contain those two, you’d have to imagine they’ll extend their win streak to four.
“As long as we’re taking the stuff that we need to get better at in practice and just
continuing to win each day, I feel like we’re gonna have a really good Saturday,” Traore summed up.
Looking to improve their record to 4-2 and perhaps reenter the national top 15, the Irish will host NC State at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
2025 Dean’s Speaker Series Presents:
DECLAN LEE | The Observer
Sophomore edge rusher Boubacar Traore warms up in Notre Dame’s 28-7 win against Boise State at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 4, 2025.
By Ben Hicks Associate Sports Editor
When Marcus Freeman announced Notre Dame football’s six captains toward the end of fall camp, the biggest surprise on the list was transfer receiver Will Pauling. Through four seasons split between Cincinnati and Wisconsin, the Chicago native reeled in only nine touchdowns and just over 1,300 yards. So why was Pauling, the apparent fourthoption in his own position group, the lone skill position captain for the Irish? It came down to his innate ability to lead.
Pauling began his career for Cincinnati after being recruited by current Notre Dame wide receivers coach Mike Brown. At the time, Freeman was the defensive coordinator for the Bearcats. Pauling never scored a touchdown for the Bearcats, but when Brown followed Cincinnati head coach and Marcus Freeman’s former boss Luke Fickell to Wisconsin, Pauling tagged along.
The undersized, primarily slot receiver would break out in Madison, catching 74 passes for 837 yards and six touchdowns in 2023. Brown only stayed with the Badgers for a season however, before reuniting with Freeman in South Bend to begin the 2024 season. After Notre Dame’s receiving corps struggled throughout much of last year’s CFP season, Brown hit the transfer portal to
Will Pauling: Leader of men
reinvigorate the Irish passing attack. One of his first calls was to Pauling, now a graduate transfer.
Brown, who played receiver for Liberty and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, knew what he was looking for in transfer targets. Pauling fit the most important need for his room: leadership. “He’s been a consistent leader since the day he walked in the door,” Brown said.
Pauling learned the importance of consistency early on in his collegiate career. “The number one thing if you’re going to be a leader, is that you have to be a leader every day. You can’t pick and choose when you want to lead,” he said.
Pauling continued by saying, “No matter how things are going off the field or on the field, you have to come in and be the same person every day. Every day I bring the same amount of energy, the same amount of effort, just being me. So if the guys can see that, they kind of gravitate towards you.”
Pauling caught just one pass his freshman season, and also saw statistical dropoffs in every category last season as Wisconsin endured grave challenges at the quarterback position. So when he had just four receptions for 42 yards through the opening three games of his time at Notre Dame, Pauling didn’t panic. “I get voted captain, but then I don’t see the ball as much as I would have
imagined, but it didn’t have me too high or too low. I was able to put the team before myself,” he recalled.
As a vocal leader and a captain, Pauling’s impact will always transcend the stat sheet. But his leadership has also transcended beyond the receivers room. He has played a major role in helping acclimate standout redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr to high-major college football, and has also impressed the dynamic running back duo with his willingness to block. Junior Jeremiyah Love, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, expressed his admiration of Pauling’s ability to help the team in the ground game, saying, “Will’s a playmaker, and he blocks his butt off on the perimeter.”
Love also commended Pauling’s work ethic, adding, “Will is a great leader, I respect him a lot. He works hard every day and when he gets his opportunities in the game, he makes it count.”
Pauling’s determination and grit has entered the spotlight over the previous two weeks as he has developed into one of Carr’s most trusted targets. In a loaded group headlined by fellow transfer Malachi Fields and juniors Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse, Pauling has become a surehanded red zone weapon. In week five at Arkansas, Pauling reeled in three passes for 53 yards, and found the endzone early in the second quarter on a
21-yard strike to begin the dominant Irish frame. A week later against Boise State, he started at slot receiver filling in for injured Greathouse and had two more catches for 43 yards, including the opening touchdown of the afternoon.
The on-field results haven’t changed Pauling’s personality around the facilities, though.
“He’s the same guy whether he has a touchdown or no catches at all, and that’s what you love about him and look for in a captain,” Brown said.
When asked about his recent play, Pauling embodied the gold standard of Notre Dame leadership, deflecting the praise onto his quarterback. Of Carr, he said, “We got quarterbacks who are gonna put it in the right position every time, so once you see the ball in the air you gotta trust your ability and training and go out and make a play.”
He also highlighted the connectivity of the pass catchers, saying, “We’re all super competitive dudes. We all want the ball in our hands. We’re all super confident, not only in ourselves but in each other.” Pauling attributed that confidence to Brown and the rest of the offensive staff, adding, “It’s always good when you’re feeling the trust and confidence of the coaches, and a lot of that is just earned throughout practice.”
Now, as Pauling and Notre Dame head into the back half of
their schedule, the margin of error remains at zero if the Irish want to get back into the College Football Playoff. Despite the recent success and resulting confidence, Pauling, just like his head coach, isn’t satisfied — he knows there is still room for vast improvement. “There’s always areas to improve as a receiver, personally and as a unit. There’s still times when we could be better blocking on the perimeter, and you’d always like to have more connections in one-on-one situations,” he said.
If Notre Dame is to run the table and continue its quest for a national championship, the primary reason will be its explosive, balanced, dual-threat offense. Although Pauling may not jump off the page as the most important contributor, behind the scenes, he is the glue connecting the whole unit. The success of Fields, Faison and Greathouse wouldn’t happen without Pauling. The success of Love and Price wouldn’t happen without Pauling. And most importantly, the success of Carr wouldn’t happen without Pauling’s poise and leadership. For five long years, Pauling has been molded for this role, this opportunity and this team. And he isn’t taking it for granted. “This whole year has been a blessing. I wouldn’t change it at all.”
Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
Senior wide receiver Will Pauling runs downfield in Notre Dame’s 28-7 win over Boise State at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 4, 2025. Since transferring from Wisconsin, Pauling has established himself as a leader on and off the field, being named a captain before the season and securing nine receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns in four games with the Irish.
Football beat picks: Notre Dame vs. NC State
By Observer Sports Staff Football Beat
Noah Cahill
With each convincing victory, Notre Dame grows closer and closer to re-entering the national conversation. Helped by shock upsets to Texas and Penn State, the Irish have now vaulted to No. 16 in the AP Poll. Their two losses look better by the week as well, with Texas A&M rising to No. 5 and Miami staying put at No. 2. Like last season, head coach Marcus Freeman’s team must handle success and take care of business with what remains of a manageable schedule. Should they do so, a place in the 12-team field will be waiting.
NC State recovered from a two-game slide with a dominant 56-10 win against Campbell last weekend. Running back Hollywood Smothers put on a show, taking four carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, along with 30 receiving yards and another touchdown grab. With CJ Bailey performing well at the helm and Smothers next to him in the backfield, the Wolfpack offense will pose a threat. The Irish defense will need to smother the ACC Running Back of the Week if they want to continue their positive trend.
However, between the recent improvement from defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s unit and the prolific production of the offense, I see another comfortable win on the horizon. Unlike the weird-weather history of this matchup, Saturday’s weather should see smooth sailing for Notre Dame.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 38, NC State: 17
Chris Dailey
It feels as if every game Notre Dame walks into is a “trap game” — at least in the eyes of most. Arkansas initially seemed to be the epitome of this label, as the Irish had to enter a rowdy SEC environment. Now, NC State has a similar vibe since it’s yet another power conference opponent. In reality, this is not a trap game for Notre Dame because of anything that NC State will do. The Irish are superior to the Wolfpack in just about every positional group. Instead, it can be seen this way because the Irish are soaring upward in the AP Poll and may get ahead of themselves.
Thankfully, Notre Dame has Marcus Freeman as its head coach. He takes each game, each day and each rep one at a time. It’s a lesson the young coach learned the hard way. On the field, the Irish are rolling. Freshman CJ Carr looks like the young quarterback the Irish faithful have longed for, and junior Jeremiyah Love is a serious Heisman candidate. Oh, not to mention the defense is finally playing the part. Expect Notre Dame to take an early lead and not look back.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 38, NC State: 10
Ben Hicks
Notre Dame is more talented and more experienced than NC State at nearly every position on the field. The Irish offense has been humming since week two, and the defense has started to perform up to expectations over the last two weeks. The only concern heading into this showdown with an inferior Wolfpack team, who recently dropped a home game to hapless Virginia
Tech, is the dreaded trap game phenomenon.
This is the middle week of a three-game homestand, and also presents the final test before vaunted rival USC travels to South Bend next weekend. NC State quarterback CJ Bailey has proven to be an effective pocket passer, slicing up defenses in all but one of his starts this season, presenting a play style that has plagued the Irish defense thus far. If the Irish overlook their opponent, they could be on upset watch. After the experience of last year’s playoff chase, I just don’t see head coach Marcus Freeman’s group doing that. Notre Dame will come out with energy on Saturday, dominating NC State in all three phases, earning much-needed style points en route back to the College Football Playoff.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 41, NC State: 14
Henry Lytle
The last three matchups between these teams have been plagued by extreme weather conditions, from hurricanes and thunderstorms in Raleigh to gusting winds in South Bend. This time, the game will take place on a sunny fall afternoon and I expect the Irish to roll again. The offense started slower than it has all season against Boise State, not scoring on the first drive, but defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s defense showed up in a big way to hold the Broncos to a touchdown. As Ash’s unit continues to improve, sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore gets healthier and the Irish figure out the blitz, it will only get tougher for opposing
offenses to move the ball.
In an emotional game between colleagues, Ash will have to motivate his defense to shut down the NC State offense that was rolling through its first three games. Ultimately, I think the Irish will have no problem stopping the Wolfpack at home, despite their offense looking strong through six games. They have not faced a defense the caliber of the Irish. I expect another big performance from the running back tandem and Notre Dame to control this one from start to finish.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 38, NC State: 10
Tyler Reidy
It’s hard to say what kind of NC State we’re going to see inside Notre Dame Stadium come Saturday. On one hand, the Wolfpack looked excellent in their 3-0 start to the season, defeating Virginia and Wake Forest. However, they’ve fallen off more recently with losses to Duke and lowly Virginia Tech.
One thing is constant with the Wolfpack, though. Their offense can play. Led by quarterback CJ Bailey and consistent running back Hollywood Smothers, NC State is averaging 33.8 points per game. Even in their losses, the Wolfpack managed to post 54 combined points. If they can establish an early run game and keep the pocket clean for Bailey, I can see this game being very much up for grabs in the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame doesn’t lose these games, though. Since 2018, the Irish are 37-3 in regular-season contests against the ACC. Two of those losses came in the noncompetitive 2023 season, the
other this year against a Miami team that I firmly believe will go 13-0. When the Irish are a Playoff contender, they take care of business against lesser ACC squads, and I think they’ll do just that this weekend.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 35, NC State: 17
Claire Watson
Last week, I was wildly off with my score prediction, as Boise State kept the Irish offense at bay despite losing 287. However, I think that Notre Dame has a good chance to post a higher number this week against NC State.
The Broncos did their job as a defense, but there were still some monumental moments that should translate into the game against the Wolfpack. First and foremost, a notable statistic is that Notre Dame is currently ranked 7th in the country in team passing efficiency (179.68), eighth in passing yards per completion (14.89) and 13th in scoring offense. Freshman quarterback CJ Carr, who was placed on the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award watch list, is a big reason why. While he may not have had his strongest performance against Boise State, the Michigan native is up to 1,280 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns and 26 rushing yards on the season. Should Carr continue to produce along with the rest of his offense, especially the junior running back duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, Notre Dame should win handily on Saturday.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 45, NC State: 14
DECLAN LEE | The Observer
Junior running back Jadarian Price tries to avoid the tackle in Notre Dame’s 28-7 win against Boise State at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 4, 2025. Price has starred in the backfield alongside fellow junior Jeremiyah Love, carrying the ball 48 times for 356 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging a whopping 7.4 yards per carry through five games in 2025.
FOOTBALL