AUGUST 29,
Saint Mary’s renames inclusion and equity offices
Observer Staff Report
In an email to the Saint Mary’s College student body on Thursday evening, Redgina Hill, vice president for belonging, announced that the Division for Inclusion and Equity would be relabeled the Division for Belonging. Another name change occurred for the Office for Student Equity, which was renamed to the Office for Student Empowerment (OSE). The name change was reflected on the College’s website.
Hill wrote that the change is “a reflection of the heart of our mission: creating a campus where every student, faculty, and staff member knows they are seen, valued, and supported, and believes they belong to our community.”
The OSE continues to hold the same responsibilities and services that it held under its former name, including the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, Belles Connect
programming and annual campus events. It also retains responsibility over the Office of Multicultural and International Student Services, with no future changes known for that department.
The email announced promotions and new positions for two faculty members on campus within their respective fields.
Eli Williams will become a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies, a two year role. Additionally, Liz Baumann, Title IX officer for the past five years, now holds a new role as the Director for Harassment Education and Response.
The announcement of the name change follows the reveal two weeks ago that Notre Dame’s Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion would be retitled the Sister Thea Bowman Center. Neither of the institutions have made an official press release regarding the changes.
Students honor school victims
at the Grotto
our Lady of
to pray for victims of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic school.
By Megan Cornell Staff Writer
On Thursday evening, students gathered in the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes to honor the victims of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. On Wednesday morning, two children were tragically killed and 17 were injured when a former student opened fire during a school Mass for the first week of school. For
NEWS | PAGE 2
ND top school for jobs
LinkedIn moves ND up in their rankings as the fifth school in the nation for job placement.
Student senate convenes for start of fall semester
By David Murphy Staff Writer
Student senate convened for the first time this academic year on Wednesday for a brief opening session, passing its first resolution and confirming a new director of firstgeneration and low-income students for the upcoming term.
The meeting opened with a prayer and brief announcements before moving into general orders, starting with Resolution SS 2526-04, which aims to increase fiscal transparency within the Student Union.
members of the University of Notre Dame community, the shooting was especially personal and close to home, including for students who attended the school previously.
Sophomores Molly Kolar and Annabelle Tautges, Notre Dame Club of Minnesota members, organized the prayer service to help students affected by the tragedy
see “Vigil” on page 2
OPINION | PAGE 5
Freshman love letter
Columnist Allison Elshoff gives advice to her freshman-year self.
The resolution tasks the Financial Management Board and the Club Coordination Council with creating an itemized bill that includes both the income and expenses of the Student Union. It also calls on the council to publish its report on the Notre Dame student government website. The resolution, introduced by Baumer senator Matthew Dunn and Badin senator Madison Denchfield, passed
SCENE | PAGE 7
Performative males
Is this the beginning of an epidemic, and will there be a cure any time soon?
unanimously.
The senate then moved to confirm Farley Hall sophomore Sherroya Robb, student body president Jerry Vielhauer’s nominee, to serve as director of first-generation low-income students. In his nomination letter, Vielhauer cited Robb’s “strong passion for equity, representation and community-building,” in addition to her “involvement in faith life, research, public service and student leadership” as making her particularly adept for the role.
“She’s been so dedicated to everything she’s involved in at Notre Dame,” junior class president Aleah Applin said.
“I’m extremely proud of her and think that she deserves this role.”
Robb’s appointment to the executive cabinet was soon confirmed unanimously, allowing the Senate to move forward with announcements. Among them was the Dunne Fun Run, scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 30. Tickets for the event cost $5 and will benefit
SPORTS | PAGE 8 Party like it’s 1988 Remembering one of the greatest editions of the “Catholics vs. Convicts” rivalry.
André House, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Additionally, the senate also discussed Friday’s “Flick on the Field” event and the upcoming Thursday, Sept. 4 South Bend Cubs game, which Vielhauer is set to throw the first pitch at.
“Either way, it will be entertaining because I haven’t played baseball too much, so if it goes well, it’ll be good, but if it goes poorly, then you’ll get to laugh at me for it,” Vielhauer said.
Concluding the meeting was a final announcement regarding ND110, a Duncan Hall signature event which honors first responders who served on 9/11. Last year, the hall raised $31,000 for Heart 9/11, an organization that assists first responders and aids communities in crisis, which was made possible by 1,356 participants. Registration for the event is now open.
Contact David Murphy at dmurph23@nd.edu
SPORTS | PAGE 10 ND-Miami keys
What Notre Dame needs to earn a win against rival Miami in week one of the season.
MEGAN CORNELL | The Observer Students gather
of
Lourdes
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Saint Mary’s renamed the Office for Student Equity to Student Engagement and the Division for Inclusion and Equity to Belonging. The former name still appears on the wall of the office.
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LinkedIn places ND high in new rankings
By Emily Barlett News Writer
The University of Notre Dame was recently ranked eighth on LinkedIn’s list for “Top Colleges 2025.”
Released on Aug. 12, the list evaluates schools based on their tangible career outcomes. Notre Dame was ranked highly in business consulting and services, financial services and technology and internet, and stood out as the fifth school in the nation for job placement.
LinkedIn’s ranking is based on data about alumni’s career outcomes, advancement into senior positions, job placement rates and how many alumni started a company after graduating. They also consider how many alumni held an internship while pursuing their degree.
Associate vice president for career and professional development Ryan Willerton shared that the University distinguishes itself by the opportunities it provides for
students to build professional networks.
“Networking is not about asking for a job, it’s a way to learn,” Willerton said.
The University provides students with resources to network and find employment. In addition to job-search platforms like Handshake and Udemy, Willerton shared that the University has created its own career development tools, such as databases that list alumni’s outcomes by major.
According to industry specialist for careers in financial services Brian Mulhern, Notre Dame’s culture promotes mentorship and community, both of which are valuable to alumni’s longterm success.
“Notre Dame has created a culture where helping each other is a core part of the learning process, especially related to helping with career discernment, networking and interview preparation,” Mulhern said.
Mulhern added that clubs such as the Student International Business Council, Pre-Law Student
Board and Consulting
Connect give students tools to grow their networks in ways that lays foundations for professional opportunities and offer long-term career support after graduation.
In addition to student clubs, the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development renewed the Visa Fintech Foundations Program, a six-week partnership with Visa that connects juniors with executives in finance and technology. Notre Dame was the sole university chosen for this pilot program. The career center also promotes career treks, enabling students to travel to cities and meet with various employers in the areas.
“One of the best dynamic initiatives has been a new series of career treks to employers all over the country,” regional engagement associate Dorothy Kozak Snoke said.
The University’s regional engagement model is another way students connect with employers across the country.
“A hallmark of Notre Dame’s regional engagement model is
the Golden Gateway Series, which gives students curated access to some of their most sought-after ‘dream-employeers,‘” regional engagement manager Allison Gagnon said. Companies such as Google, Nike, Apple, Epic Games, Meta, AMD, Amazon, Starbucks, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Applied Materials and GE Healthcare Finance will be part of the 2025 Golden Gateway Series. Beyond connections with employers, the University also prizes connection to its alumni network. According to Willerton, the network is among the “best in the country.“
Strengthening the network continues to be a priority for Notre Dame. Associate director for strategic partnerships and operations Eric Oswald shared that an Executive in Residence program was recently launched to connect Notre Dame students with alumni and other experienced professionals on campus.
Contact Emily Barlett at ebarlett@nd.edu
Students participated in Visa’s Fintech Foundations Program this past April, one of many University programs promoting career placement. These opportunities helped rank Notre Dame high in LinkedIn’s “Top Colleges 2025” list.
Vigil
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.
Continued from page 1 grieve. “We were heartbroken to learn of the devastating shooting that took place earlier today at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis. Our hearts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this unimaginable loss,” they shared in a statement to club members.
Fr. Nate Wills, a Saint Paul native and rector of Keough Hall, began the service by praying for the children affected. Wills prayed, “God, take our grief, our sadness, anger,
disbelief or frustration to the feet of Mary, our mother, who felt the depth of human sorrow and brokenness.” He continued to appeal for mercy and courage to strengthen the community during the vigil.
Kolar read from Psalm 34:17, which reminded students that God will deliver them from their troubles.
Senior Joe Kolar read from Revelation 21:3 before Wills shared St. John’s gospel. The gospel reminded students to have faith and trust in God. After the readings, Wills addressed the crowd, reminding them that they were gathered “to be people who stand in solidarity with those who have lost and in light
of a tragedy that has hit our community.”
Wills invited students to spend 19 minutes in silent prayer and remembrance in honor of the victims. Some lit candles at the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, embraced their friends or sat quietly in prayer. Club members also passed out a list of all the Catholic schools in the archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, many of which Notre Dame students attended.
Afterwards, Wills continued by offering petitions for the victims and their families, as well as healing and peace in the community. He concluded the service by
leading students in the Our Father and the Notre Dame Alma Mater. Many students were deeply emotional, embracing one other in tears after the prayer.
In addition to the service, Notre Dame posted about the gathering on its social media pages, writing that “The Notre Dame community is heartbroken by the tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. We grieve with the families who lost loved ones, pray for the injured, and stand in solidarity with the Annunciation school family.”
Contact Megan Cornell at mcornell@nd.edu
Photo courtesy of Mushfiq Milan
Professor assumes role of interim dean
Observer Staff Report
Following the departure of Santiago Schnell, the former dean of the College of Science who left in June to become the provost of Dartmouth College, Steven Corcelli, a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, took over as interim William K. Warren Foundation dean of the College of Science on July 1.
In a press release, the University shared that a committee would be formed to conduct an internal search for a new dean this fall.
Corcelli has worked in the College of Science since
2005, beginning as an assistant professor and later earning full professorship. He served as the dean for interdisciplinary studies and faculty development from 2019 through 2022, when he assumed the role of Chemistry and Biochemistry department chair. He earned his doctorate degree from Yale University.
“Serving as interim Dean of the College of Science is an incredible honor. Dean Schnell’s leadership has positioned the college for continued excellence and impact. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support our outstanding students, faculty, and staff in sustaining
and accelerating the college’s momentum during this transition,” Corcelli said in the press release.
He continued that the “Science at Notre Dame is deeply connected to both discovery and human flourishing. As interim Dean, I aim to advance initiatives that push the frontiers of research and prepare our trainees to lead lives of meaning and purpose.”
Corcelli has won the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching twice (2019 and 2022), among other awards, and is a fellow of the American Chemical Society.
Blackout strikes Notre Dame campus
Observer Staff Report
Just before 3:30 p.m. on Friday, multiple power outages were reported at residence halls, academic and utility buildings across campus at Notre Dame.
In an email to hall rectors,
18 residence halls were identified as experiencing a loss of power. All South Quad dorms lost power, along with a majority of halls in West and God Quads, following an investigation by The Observer. The blackouts were the result of a single electrical fault, according to assistant vice president for utilities and
maintenance Paul Kempf in a statement to The Observer.
“A fault in an electrical vault near Lewis Hall resulted in a loss of power to several buildings and dorms, mostly on the west side of campus,” Kempf stated.
LaFortune and Duncan Student Centers experienced flickering lights but
not outages, according to Maureen Doyle, director of student centers, activities and events. Similar flickering without a blackout was observed at some residence halls, Hesburgh Library and O’Neill Hall of Music, among other buildings.
The outage was addressed by Campus Safety, which
communicated in a 5:32 p.m. email that restoration of the systems would likely occur by the evening.
Br. Dennis Gunn, the rector of Alumni Hall, reported that power to the building was restored around 6 p.m. According to Sorin rector Daniel Driscoll, the blackout was not lifted there
Saint Mary’s sponsors involvement fair
By Samantha Gebert Staff Writer
Over 100 tables were filled at Saint Mary’s Involvement and Resource Fair inside of the Angela Athletic and Wellness Complex on Thursday. The purpose of the event was to help students learn the different ways they can get involved with the College through viewing different student organizations, clubs, along with community partners within the Notre Dame area.
Hannah Francis, director of student involvement, shared that by attending the fair, “Students learn more about how they can get involved on campus, learn about potential opportunities, offcampus internships, service opportunities [and] more about departments that they might not know about yet.”
Francis mentioned that the Involvement Fair is a recurring event that continues to have high attendance throughout the years. “Last year we had about
110 show up and this year we had about 120,” Francis said.
Adriana Swope, a sophomorwho attended the event last year, stated that it was nice to see the tables form to make a community.
“Maybe I just missed them last year, but all the ones that were from South Bend [were] not from school … I’m glad that they’re here,” Swope said.
Whether it was Campus Ministry, sports or academic-related clubs, many tables provided materials to students, including information cards and handouts.
Some notable items included a box of Girl Scout cookies, hair care products, stress balls and fun pens.
Students shared positive thoughts from attending the fair. “It was so cool to see everything that the school has to offer. Even though it’s such a small school, there’s so much that you could do on campus,”
freshman Makayla Laskowski said.
Sophomore
Joscelyn LeFevre
shared that the fair provided transparency on how students can be more active on campus.
“It is always surprising to see how involved you can get at Saint Mary’s,” adding that “there is so much here that you don’t even realize that you can get involved with.”
Freshman Anna Ulager discussed her excitement for Campus Ministry, while sophomore CeCe Miller shared she joined the Catholic Nurses Association and Dance Marathon. Junior McKenna Powers mentioned how “the Sailing Club at Saint Mary’s seems super fun,” adding that “although I haveverylimitedsailingexperience, I’m definitely going to still try it out.”
Through conducting the fair, Francis stated that students learned “ways to really get integrated into the Saint Mary’s community and the greater South Bend.”
Contact Samantha Gebert at sgebert01@saintmarys.edu
Courtesy of the University of Notre Dame
Steven Corcelli, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is the interim dean for the College of Science.
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Student organizations, clubs and community partners set up over 100 tables on an indoor basketball court in Angela
By Richard Taylor Columnist, “Just Glad To Be Here”
Freshmen (but not just freshmen):
Welcome! You have been overwhelmed with orientation, instruction and advice this last week. I am sure much of it has been very necessary and beneficial, but how much has addressed the most important part of your upcoming life at Notre Dame (and of your whole life)? How much has mentioned the nuclear reactor dormant within you, the secret and infinite longing of your restless hearts, or the person of Christ for you — in a word, your spiritual life at ND?
The most important thing that we do as students, and as people, is to grow in holiness. As St. Augustine said, “The entire life of a good Christian is in fact an exercise of holy desire.” Yet, if we survey where we spend our time and direct our attention, many of us will find that it is dominated by academic and professional goals, social joys or anxieties and miscellaneous daily tasks; meanwhile, our life of faith and prayer is an afterthought, a routine and perhaps something to maintain rather than zealously cultivate. It is a curious and lamentable fact that what has been gifted to us to put on grand display in the center of our inner home, we carelessly toss into a dusty closet. We are like soccer players who, in the middle of a
Calling freshmen to holiness
match, turn away from an open goal to maximize our time of possession or completed passes. We are like test-takers who spend 90% of the exam on a few multiple-choice questions that make up 10% of the exam grade and are left hastily scribbling answers to the essay questions that make up 90% of the exam grade. We are like a family on a beach vacation that has gotten so worked up over choosing a restaurant that we are no longer in the mood to go to the beach. We are like drivers who use their entire phone battery texting and playing music and so become lost without their Apple Maps. We are easily distracted, easily uprooted and we fail to see clearly and soberly the true purpose, which lies hidden in plain sight. It need not be so. Let us resolve to foreground our spiritual life at Notre Dame! We may not be able to spend hours every day in prayer; we may not be inclined to go to adoration or daily mass; but, so long as we keep always before our mind and heart the person of Christ, we shall be heeding the instruction — the most important instruction — of St. Paul: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
A commonly held view in the Church has been that lay people enjoy neither the calling nor the potential for the level of holiness attainable by priests and monks. Vatican II, once and for all, rejected such clericalism while affirming a universal
call to holiness: “All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, 40). The lives of many lay saints also testify to our great potential for holiness. Let us live our lives as students with the hope, ambition and practice of achieving the great holiness and sanctity which, as we now realize, we are most definitely worthy of and called to.
At Note Dame, we have the opportunity and good pleasure of frequently seeing and interacting with priests — be they our priest-in-residence, our professor or a man wearing the collar walking
beside us on the quad. We come to realize that, indeed, “priests are people too.” We then, in turn, realize that if they can be holy, so too can we be holy (although our holiness might, in our active exterior life, manifest in different forms of work). This realization was amplified for me last summer when I was in Uganda living in community with Holy Cross priests and brothers. Living, praying, eating, laughing and sometimes working with these priests and brothers gave me the sense of true spiritual equality with them and with all religious; or, if not an actual equality of holiness
(since certainly they were more holy than me), at least an equal potential for holiness. Although I enjoyed my time living more or less as a seminarian, I felt more confirmed than ever in my lay vocation. I have felt in my soul the truth of the Church’s “universal call to holiness,” and am more eager than ever to answer this call in my own life. I hope you will join me!
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Richard Taylor at rtaylo23@nd.edu
A love letter to our freshman-year selves
By Allison Elshoff Columnist, “Asking For a Friend”
Dear freshman-year Alli, Welcome home! I hope hearing that phrase shouted repeatedly during Welcome Weekend hasn’t already made the message lose its meaning, because believe me — by the time you’re a senior, you’ll mean it.
We both know you’ve always been a sentimental person, and I’m happy to report that nothing has changed in three years. You can already imagine how well you’re taking all the “lasts” of senior year: the last day of summer, the last time you’ll decorate a picture wall with your freshman-year roommate, the last time you try (and fail) to start the wave at a SCubs game, your last silly little dress for your last first day of class, the last time you’ll
step onto this campus as an undergrad with the whole year about to begin, the feeling of endless possibilities ahead. You get the idea. Even though I know you’re like a super cool and busy freshman (sarcasm: still intact), I was hoping you would have a second for some advice. Mom and Dad have inundated your brain with a million “make good choices!” but now that you’re officially on your own, here’s what I wish I’d known standing in your shoes as one of Badin’s newest residents, just three short years ago.
Trust your gut. No one knows you better than you know yourself — remember that when it comes to decision making. Use college as a time to date yourself. These next four years are going to fly by; use this time to get to know who you are without
the influence of others. It’ll make your future relationships better. Be curious and consume life. It’s through new experiences that you’ll grow as a person, so don’t be afraid to try new things — even if you’ll suck at first. Your world isn’t going to expand itself! Listen to Mom and Dad. No one will look out for your best interests more than they do. You may not always like their advice or take it (guilty), but it’s always worth listening to. Finally, be water, my friend. I can guarantee that your “four-year plan” is not going to go according to plan, and that’s okay. The majority of things in life are arbitrary. For your own sanity, go with the flow and trust the process. With that being said, I know the likelihood that you’ll listen to me is …
low. So, I decided to gather thoughts from some fellow Domers (who are much more brilliant than me, anyways). If you don’t trust me, trust them:
“Give yourself grace!!! Don’t be afraid to ask questions. People at Notre Dame are more than willing and happy to help you. You will regret the opportunities you didn’t take, not the ones you did,” Alice O’Brien ‘27.
“At least once a week, go have a meal at a different dining hall. Half the school goes to either NDH or SDH, so don’t limit your social circle by staying in one part of the campus,” Will Segale ‘25.
“Take advantage of every moment without becoming a Gcal addict. The best moments of college are not planned, and packing your schedule to the brim won’t give you the time to process or grow in appreciation
for all that the day has brought,” Mary Jordan ‘26.
“Just say yes (unless it’s illegal),” India Byrne ‘26.
“Meet with your professor early in the semester! Let them know you are excited for the class and ask them to share what set apart previous students that performed well in the class,” Wendy Angst, professor of management and organization.
“Don’t worry about making the most of every moment, and everything will fall into place over time. But, if you’re ever 50-50 about taking a chance and exploring a new opportunity or experience, always push yourself to do it,” Kyle Crosby ‘26. “You’re not gonna get it right the first time. It’s bound to happen; it’s even natural. You might cry see “Advice” on page 6
REDMOND BERNHOLD | The Observer
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a staple of Notre Dame’s campus, at sunset on a recent weeknight. Many freshmen visit the Basilica during the semester’s
Continued from page 5
But, then you’ll learn from them. Then you’ll come face to face with the same situation later on. You might still not even get the result you want the second time. But you’re
By Carlos Basurto Columnist, “Eudaemonic Banter”
“I know that despite all these thoughts, tomorrow I will wake up and I will still be me.”
In a way, she was right. She could abstract with accuracy the injustices she witnessed and bore, the complex oppressions that very few grasped but all acted upon, the incomprehensible cruelty of others. She had the cognition to observe and the heart as recipient of the horror, but to all this her hands were ultimately tied. Why, how was her awareness to change the world? Indeed, on the morrow the world would appear identical, and soon the days were to mellow and blend one atop the other, without it ever sparing a moment for her emotion. No matter the depth of her volition, there was no link of causation. Such violent flare, constrained in an effectless body. Alas, she went on speaking. A petrified morality, carved into the bedrock beneath the
By Duncan Stangel Columnist, “The Center of the Universe”
It’s been over a week since I returned to campus as a member of the Alumni Hall St. Andre Committee. Only a year earlier, the same committee (even some of the same people) had welcomed me onto this campus. After a hectic four days of aspiring to do the same for a new cohort of first-years, I have settled into a new rhythm. The stress of the first year has declined significantly. Homework takes half of the time it usually takes. I’m living with roommates of my choosing, and I’m designing my days with some semblance of understanding for what will come tomorrow. It’s only been a year, but it feels like a lifetime since my first year of college. I “have passed through the fire” as I once heard it phrased
chipping away at it every time you try,”
Nick Seifried ‘26. “Good things take time,” Devon Creelman ‘26.
“I am so proud of you for all the hard work you put in and unflinching determination you possessed that got you to this university that you knew felt right. And oowee is it ever the right place to be! Your gut
is correct — continue to follow it. Your heart is true — let it continue to lead you. Cherish every minute of your home under the dome!” Emma Lupica ‘15.
“Remember that it’s all gravy, and don’t just take your meals togo,” Ryn Weiss ‘26.
“The next four years will fly by, so make every moment count. Cherish every home football
game, appreciate the friends you’ll meet along the way, take that class that sparks your interest and never stop exploring the opportunities waiting at your feet,” Elizabeth Cherf ‘25.
“Keep your mind and heart wide open, savor your time here and treasure your new friends. All the best!“ David Bruscino ‘84. Got it all? Cool. Listen to Dad when he
Within your fossil
weight of a willfully ignorant universe.
“If future archeologists look at my bones, that’s all they will see.”
It was this sentence that stirred something within myself. For there is truth in the fact that the medium with which historians and sociologists will comprehend you is, above all else, reductive. May they know your name, your dates, your familial and professional ties, your gender and roles, but they will never know you.
Within your fossil there will be none of your joys, nor your beliefs, nor your thoughts. No trace of your hopes in the marrow, nor of your dreams in the cranium. Naught of you. The subjective you may attempt to portray in stone to leave behind — your writings, your arts, your legacies — but your echoes will never live up to your experience.
No one is truly remembered, for no one knows the depths of another’s soul.
Does that turn the immaterial, that which is the true essence of you, outright worthless? On the
contrary, it uplifts it as most sacred. It is, in the end, the lone rebellion against the uncaring world.
At times, you will not possess the power with which to shape the world. Nevertheless, you can forever shape yourself. In the absence of dominion of your surroundings, you were imparted with the absolute of the self. And therein lies the beginning of material change: in you.
The blessing of recognition bestowed upon the lucky few is no shackle to perpetuate the semblance of imprisonment. Rather, it is the key required for freedom of the miseries of the world. To come to terms with the terrors beyond and with one’s practical limitations is a harrowing, but necessary experience for realistic change.
Yes, to be moral in an immoral world is fundamentally harder. It takes a much greater strain on yourself to feel, than to succumb to naiveté. The pain may incline someone to give into ignorance, to don a facade of bliss. The
easiest, and perhaps the most cowardly, thing one could ever do is to close oneself to that which provides comfort lying nearby, to blind one’s eyes and embrace apathy, to create logical fallacies depicting those who are far away as anything less than fellow members of humanity.
Nevetheless, it is this very strife which permits one to leave this world better than one found it. The change one seeks cannot possibly commence from the material reality, where cruelty and discord are inevitable fundaments, but from the idealistic psychology waging internal warfare. In the discomfort of the distance between how things are and how they ought to be is the motivation to strive for it. Only upon the wrath of injustice could one ever seek justice. Indeed, when enough of the gifted hold true and come together, then and only then does the possibility of positive change emerge. They may not appear as much: the buds of
Embrace the transition
(on the D&D show “Critical Role,” of all places) and I now have a greater understanding of what it means to be a college student. It isn’t just something I take part in. It is a part of my identity. My columns last year centered around my identity as a self-proclaimed “stranger in a strange land” from a faraway place. Now, I’m not a stranger. Not anymore. There is something to celebrate, even as the novelty of college has begun to mold itself into a new amalgamation of known knowns and known unknowns. I find more in each day when I walk around campus, with days being shorter, yet the year feels twice as long as it did previously. Since my original toolkit of finding novelty has been refreshed, I feel it fair to leave my resources of ages past to the next generation
of students so that they may find some solace during their first months of college. First and foremost, go on a walk every now and then. Not when you’re feeling at your best, but when you’re feeling at your worst. I would estimate that I took a hundred walks last academic year, each one being more potent than the last. They allow you to develop a routine, to move without the need to be somewhere. It’s a magical experience that I recommend to everyone, especially during the times of day that make you stop and remember where you are. Second, don’t lose sleep over lost sleep. As a light sleeper, I found it tough to fall asleep in an unfamiliar place without air conditioning. Even though there were several days where I felt exhausted, I eventually found a healthy rhythm. I would
says, “soak it up” and enjoy your freshman year. Love you always, dude. Yours truly, A wizened (or washed up) Alli
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Allison Elshoff at aelshoff@nd.edu.
morality and truth brewing within some with no immediate and effective might. But we must not forget that we exist in a continuum, where others may come to know the truths that you do, if you wish to share them. The seeds of change are nurtured by each other’s companies, and will only flourish if they have one another. Then, the immaterial can turn material. Your fossil will not be you, it never could have been. It will not have borne these truths and these duties. It will not have felt the horrors and acted nevertheless. That is only you. Perhaps, the world tomorrow will be the same, but you do not have to be. And through you, someday, the world might change too.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Carlos Basurto at cbasurto@nd.edu.
worry about getting proper rest, causing a paradox where fears about not sleeping would reduce my capacity for rest. Most won’t have the latter problem, though the former will be a consistent presence for some during the first few weeks.
Finally, do what you find exciting. Freedom is something I have learned to treasure over the past year. Take advantage of it early, and you will find something or someone (new friends, a club, ND Survivor, etc.) that excites you. You will have time to optimize, but in the face of complete newness, go to events and discover what you enjoy. There will be time for homework and you will know when to rest. Don’t let your existing responsibilities go, but make time every few days to break out of the natural
norms we tend to inhabit. I know this transition isn’t easy for everyone. It certainly wasn’t for me. If you are feeling troubled in some way, my inbox is always open. You will adapt, and you will find people to welcome into your life who will also welcome you into theirs. This first year is unforgettable and singlehandedly responsible for some of the best nights of my life (and some of the worst). It isn’t easy, but it is always worth it. Enjoy your first year at Notre Dame. And though I’m sure you’ve heard it already, welcome home.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Duncan Stangel at dstangel@nd.edu.
The performative male epidemic
By Genevieve Le Leux Scene Writer
The “performative male” trend has seared the eyes of internet users worldwide this summer, starting out with posts featuring outfit inspo, book recommendations and soft thirst trap sequences. The trend quickly turned into a viral meme that even spurred social media users to sponsor citywide competitions, where individuals perform performativeness in order to be ironically crowned the king of performativity.
At face value, the stereotype of the “performative male” presents the all-around “perfect” man to be a partner for the modern woman, i.e., the man that every woman supposedly wants. This ideal man cares about the aesthetic presentation of his dress and personal grooming. He’s conscious of women’s issues, and has read feminist literature like “The Bell Jar” or “The Feminine Mystique.” He is comfortable in his masculinity and won’t label certain pleasures as “gay” or “only for girls”; he won’t turn away luxuries like chapstick, keychains, matcha lattes and listening to Clairo, because he doesn’t consider anything slightly feminine to be too inherently emasculating to associate with. He uses wired headphones because he cares about the environment and doesn’t feel the social pressure to always keep up with the latest tech. This “ideal” has turned into a real personality template assumed by a large chunk of the internet’s eligible bachelors this summer, but like most ideals, reality doesn’t quite measure up.
It’s not uncommon to think of men as “performing” for women’s affection. Even in the animal kingdom, beautiful variegated peacocks will flaunt their colorful feathers to attract the attention of a peahen, and turquoise and burgundy mallards will show off for the plain brown female ducks. However, in the case
of our internet’s “performative males,” the blatant exhibition of popular symbols which suggest the presence of interior qualities that women look for men has turned the stereotype into a meme, made fun of by all genders alike.
The fact that these men are trying to impress women isn’t what earns them this ridicule: The real punch line is the fact that the symbols they tend to wear are empty, with no interior quality behind them. Women who want an authentic connection don’t want male partners who parade their suitability and desirable traits. Women want men who are authentically insightful, sensitive, humble, attractive and clean — not men who merely pretend to be such things for the sake of attaining female attention. Sure, a humble, sensitive man might be comfortable drinking a matcha latte in his cargo pants and listening to Lana Del Rey, but a man who drinks matcha, wears cargo pants and listens to Lana isn’t automatically an empathetic and humble guy.
The emergence of this stereotype reflects a common pattern in society, known as “the
spectacle,” a concept the French philosopher Guy Debord illustrated in his 1967 work “Society of the Spectacle.” He explains that inefficacious symbols tend to replace the authentic connections that first produced them. For example, someone interested in literature might read “The Bell Jar” for its literary merits, but because “The Bell Jar” has become a known symbol of moody literariness, people will read it publicly only to show off to the world that they are interested in literature. Therefore, in this scenario, the action of reading becomes performative, and the intention behind it is to receive social merit, not to authentically become a more literate person. This is the exact phenomenon that explains the “performative male” epidemic.
Debord observed that the commodification of interior qualities inevitably leads to alienation — which is the opposite of what these boys want. They are performing in order to earn affection and attention, yet it has unfortunately led to their alienation. It is amusing to me, as a woman, to see the men of our time jumping through hoops to appease
women superficially while avoiding authentic accountability, thus turning themselves into a display case of empty symbols, a spectacle. It is amusing to me, not because I enjoy male suffering, but because this type of performance is exactly what women have been pressured to do since the dawn of society: to change themselves to the point of diminishing themselves, only to please men. In a twisted way, “performative males” are kind of a gender-bent twin to the “blonde bimbo” character that the male fantasy has plastered over the media since the fall of the Gibson Girl and the flapper.
I wonder what the cure is to this epidemic, and how we as a society can prevent the spread. Humor and bullying are two ways to ostracize a certain group to the point of destruction, but those individuals will simply transform into something else (think how the Labubu-slinging boys of today are simply a reimagining of the beanie-wearing, coffee-swilling, Tumblr-quoting hipsters of circa 2015).
I think the true antidote lies not in ridicule, but in community
— the opposite of alienation. If men didn’t feel pressured to “perform” their misappropriated and stereotyped idea of the woman’s ideal man, and perhaps supported each other in their differences of interest and ability, even those that appear traditionally feminine, men wouldn’t feel so pressured to produce a specific image that isn’t authentic to themselves. Maybe, if heterosexual women and men both stopped viewing the other sex firstly as potential partners prior to considering them as human beings, then performances could be saved for stages, and day to day, people would feel more comfortable being their authentic selves. Even more directly, if social media didn’t inherently diminish human beings to carefully curated symbols completely isolated from the person’s real-life and embodied personality, then we might focus less on our outward presentation, and perhaps look deeper within ourselves to ask what really is making us perform for others. How can we better express our authentic selves, instead of performing what we believe other people want to see? To boys thinking they need to put on an act to impress a girl, I promise you that there is something likeable about who you authentically are. Try exploring your own interests, find new hobbies you actually enjoy or read a book recommended by someone you admire. Developing your individual sense of style, personality and ambitions is far more attractive than pretending to fit into someone else’s. It’s okay to take inspiration from someone else, as long as you don’t let the image you have of them cloud the truth of you. Overall, you will end up feeling more confident in yourself, in a way that leaves room for both your strengths and weaknesses. An honest confidence is a highly attractive quality.
Contact Genevieve Le Leux at gleleux01@saintmarys.edu
‘Addison’ is a masterclass in subversion
By Mason McCart Scene Writer
When we Gen Z think about the year 2020, we are reminded of the overflow of influencers that quickly became semi-household names during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as life moved on, new hyperfixations prevailed, and many wondered what would come of these microcelebrities. Because their fame was centered around lip-synching and dancing, there was never an opportunity to learn who the mystical figures displayed on our screens were, leading to a feeling of indifference as they faded from the limelight.
However, in the case of Addison Rae, she used this opportunity to create a new and exciting brand for herself: becoming a bona fide pop star.
As someone who hails from around the same area as Rae, I have always kept up with her career out of curiosity. After listening to her debut EP “AR” and her collaboration on the “Von Dutch a. g. Cook remix” with Charli XCX, I knew that she had an exciting future ahead. My hopes were confirmed when I sat down and indulged in her selftitled debut album. When listening to this record, I found myself in awe at its shimmery sounds, its pulsing beats, and its sultry singing. All of these qualities define the work of a
To most of these figures, the cultural shift was a staggering blow to their careers as they subsequently failed to reestablish themselves.
woman who was finally able to properly introduce herself to the public eye after her image was previously decided for her.
Her bold transition into her current image was kick-started through the album’s lead single “Diet Pepsi” – a song whose similarities to Lana Del Rey allowed it to stand out among other releases of the same period. And through the following pre-release singles “Aquamarine,” “High Fashion,” “Headphones On” and “Fame is a Gun,” Rae was able to establish a consistent stream of ethereal-sounding songs that clearly differentiate from one another and evoke nostalgia from the 2000s that complements the works of legends like Britney Spears. When pieced together with the
rest of the album, what you get is a cohesive and solidly structured pop album that feels fresh and ready to be endlessly played over a long road trip in the depths of summer. The strongest point of the album lies in its production. Swedish producers Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser do their best to ensure that the album has its own personality and properly displays Addison’s vision, a goal that none of her previous work was able to properly achieve. Through subverting the expectations that her album would profit from cheap gimmicks and overused sounds, Rae places herself out of the box she had been confined to for the entirety of her career. When reflecting on the album’s low points, one is truly unable to call them major
setbacks, as one must recognize that Rae is still at the beginning of her career.
There is much potential for her whispery, siren-sounding vocals to develop into something stronger, but after hearing her voice blended properly with her sparkly beats, you cannot fault her for not going further into unexplored territory. I am very curious to see how she develops her artistry in the future, seeing as this project was the culmination of her life at this point. But for now, we listeners should focus on the present and indulge in this masterfully crafted pop album. Everyone else better catch up!
MEG HAMMOND | The Observer
Party like it’s 1988: An all-time ND-Miami
By Ben Hicks Associate Sports Editor
Oct. 15, 1988 was a sunny day in South Bend, Indiana. The Golden Dome in all its glory glistened in the early autumn sunshine. Touchdown Jesus watched over a campus, anxious in anticipation, yet cautious in its optimism. But Notre Dame Stadium, “The House that Rockne Built,” would be the battleground for one of the most important games in Fighting Irish football history.
Head coach Lou Holtz entered his third year at Notre Dame in 1988 with lofty expectations to fulfill. After an 11-year championship drought (seemingly mild now), the Irish fanbase was starving for success and hoped Holtz would be the program’s savior. Despite the ‘77 National Championship, Dan Devine was never entirely accepted by the community, and under his successor, Gerry Faust, Notre Dame had lost its fight, toughness and enduring culture. With the Irish vacating their position as college football’s most renowned and enviable brand, Jimmy Johnson’s Miami Hurricanes stepped into that spotlight in the 1980s.
If you were an author plotting a conflict, you couldn’t craft a more perfect rivalry than the University of Notre
Dame and the University of Miami. The two programs were the literal antithesis of each other. Notre Dame was an old-school program, rooted with deep and storied history. Under Lou Holtz, the Irish were a tough bunch, but they didn’t possess much flair for the dramatic. On the other hand, Johnson’s Hurricanes represented all that was fun. They played fast, talked trash and dominated nearly everybody, similar to what Notre Dame had done to opponents in the days of yesteryear. And, of course, Notre Dame were the “Catholics.” And following a string of offseason arrests, Miami was labeled the “Convicts.”
The epilogue for ‘88 actually begins with Faust’s final game of the 1985 season. In South Beach, a deep Miami team routed the battered and bruised Irish, using trick plays and blocked punts to mercilessly run up the score to 58-7, long after matters had been decided. The ‘Canes would blank the Irish two years later, this time en route to their second national championship. The disappointing end to 1987 fueled Holtz and his players throughout a long offseason. The Irish realized that to achieve their goal of a national title, they would have to run headfirst through the storm.
After both sides survived
early tests in ‘88 against the Michigan Wolverines, the dream matchup of unbeatens was set. It would feature two teams who didn’t like each other. Two coaches who didn’t like each other. And certainly, two fanbases who didn’t like each other. Some Notre Dame fans even referred to Johnson as the Antichrist.
Tension was high from the moment both teams took the field early that October afternoon. As the Hurricanes entered the lone tunnel following the conclusion of their pregame warmups, emotions boiled over into an all-out brawl. This moment, as well as the sides’ respective responses, represents the true irony in the “Catholics vs. Convicts” t-shirts produced and distributed among the student body that day. After the team’s pregame prayer, Holtz implored his players to save their fighting for the parking lot, and told them to “save Jimmy Johnson’s ass for me.”
That motivation, although decisively antithetical to its proclaimed Catholic values, allowed the fourth-ranked Irish to take a 7-0 lead over the top-rated Hurricanes after the opening quarter. The storm began to spin in the second however, as three touchdowns from Miami made it a 21-21 game at the break.
In front of a soldout crowd of nearly 60,000, Notre Dame
FOOTBALL
pulled ahead once more with a field goal and a touchdown in the third quarter, placing the Hurricanes 36-game winning streak in serious jeopardy. Miami would draw to within seven midway through the fourth, setting up a crucial 4th-down play deep inside Irish territory. Miami quarterback Steve Walsh found Cleveland Gary in the flat where he reached the line to gain, but upon stretching for the endzone, had the ball knocked loose. Johnson believed Gary was down after he moved the chains, Gary believed it should have been six points, but the officials ruled it a fumble, giving the ball back to Notre Dame.
Irish quarterback Tony Rice proceeded to fumble just a few plays later, allowing Miami one more chance to stake their place as college football’s premier program and lay a dagger in their biggest rival’s national championship hopes. In an as equally a controversial play as the Gary fumble, Miami made the score 31-30 with under a minute remaining on a 4th down Walsh touchdown to pass to Andre Brown. The only problem was Brown didn’t actually end up with the football. Regardless, Miami was one point away from securing an impressive road tie, likely solidifying another perfect season and back-to-back national championships.
Instead, Johnson decided to go for two, and the win. One play, from two yards, to decide victory and defeat for the sport’s two best teams. On what is now known in Notre Dame lore as “The Play,” Walsh took a five-step drop and was pressured into attempting an off-balance throw towards the corner of the endzone. Notre Dame safety Pat Terrell deflected the pass to secure the win. The X’s and O’s of that conclusive play grace the design of this year’s edition of “The Shirt,” only fitting for a season where the Irish once again hope to reclaim their past glory as national champions.
Holtz’s ‘88 Irish would run the table to capture the program’s 11th national title, culminating with a win over West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. But if you are to ask any fan their fondest memory of perhaps the greatest season in Notre Dame history, the answer will undoubtedly be centered around October 15, 1988, Catholics vs. Convicts, between Notre Dame and Miami. So, much like they had to 37 years ago, if Notre Dame wants to prove its resurgence to the college football world, they’re going to have to combat the storm, and take down the Miami Hurricanes.
Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
Start the Carr: “Don’t look back”
By Chris Dailey Sports Writer
Whether you’re looking or not, there is no ignoring CJ Carr. The sophomore was named Notre Dame’s starting quarterback by head coach Marcus Freeman on Aug. 19 after a fall camp-long battle with junior Kenny Minchey. The battle, which was apparently neck-and-neck to the surprise of many who were expecting Carr to win the job with ease, only strengthened Notre Dame’s stance.
Carr heads into Miami with just one appearance under his belt, appearing in a 66-7 rout of Purdue last season. That lack of experience has raised questions, especially with Notre Dame’s recent tendency of starting experienced transfer quarterbacks. But while Carr may not have many snaps to his name, he isn’t stepping into Hard Rock Stadium unprepared. Carr has been surrounded by elite mentors en route to his first start with the Irish.
One of those mentors was
Ian Book, Notre Dame’s alltime win leader at the quarterback position — a statistic made even more impressive when considering the other names on the list.
“Ian’s been a great resource throughout the whole process,” Carr said. “Being able to talk to a guy who’s done it before and been through the Notre Dame quarterback cycle and understood the highs and lows of the position, especially here, has been great. He played at Miami too one of his years and talked about the crowd and the atmosphere. Getting those little tidbits has been really important.”
Carr was also able to learn from his predecessor Riley Leonard through watching his routine throughout the entirety of last season.
“I think watching Riley was a big pro for me and to see how he handles himself, how he handles pregame,” Carr stated. “The night before a game, the day before a game. That stuff has really helped give me a baseline into what I want to do before going into a game.”
While Book and Leonard provided Carr with stories and on-field mentorship, his grandfather Lloyd, a College Football Hall of Fame coach, offered some more direct advice.
“He texted me after I got named and he said that football runs the Carr family blood and this is your moment,” Carr said. “You’re ready for this, so go out against Miami, attack, and don’t look back.”
Carr’s attacking mindset will be on full display as he steps under center on Sunday night. Having played Friday night lights only two years ago, the jump to the bright lights of college football primetime is certainly a sizeable one. But, with the support surrounding Carr, it’s one he’s ready to make.
Carr’s ready-to-go mindset is paired with an elite football IQ. Born into gridiron royalty, Carr has an intuitive knack for the game. This natural gift is paired with his maniacal work ethic in the film room, something he’s sure to rely on Sunday night.
“How are we going to attack these guys, what are the good plays, what are the checks we want to get to, and what are they playing,” Carr said, regarding the game prep. “We’re coming up with a good plan.”
Although Carr emphasized studying up on what his key checks are, don’t be shocked to see the former four-star recruit sling the ball deep downfield. A key reason why Carr won the narrow quarterback battle was his ability to stretch the field vertically. His arm can break open defenses and create big play opportunities. With speedy receivers such as senior Will Pauling and graduate Malachi Fields, this is something that offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has been longing for since assuming his role.
In addition to his star-studded receiver group, Carr will also have a loaded backfield to work with. Senior Jadarian Price, sophomore Aneyas Williams and Heisman candidate junior Jeremiyah Love will all make Carr’s life much easier come gametime,
especially if rain plays a factor as it’s currently forecasted to. However, above all the elite talent Carr will work with and the cannon of an arm he possesses, Notre Dame’s newest man under center is, at heart, just a kid in love with football.
“This is what you worked for your whole life,” Carr said. “I was talking to my dad earlier when we were in the competition and was saying if I would’ve told you as a middle schooler or high schooler that you would be at the University of Notre Dame competing to be the starting quarterback here you would be jumping up and down. Actually being here and able to win the job is amazing.”
It’s that passion for the game that supersedes all the hype surrounding his starting debut. If Carr can take that love onto the field in Miami, the kid who plays for the joy of it will surely turn doubters into believers.
Contact Chris Dailey at cdailey2@nd.edu
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Naomi Teklemariam Freshman Ryan Hall
“Ruth.”
Katarina Espinosa Freshman Ryan Hall
“Angelica.”
Maggie Lefere Freshman Ryan Hall
“Frankie.”
CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ
Anna Caruthers Freshman Ryan Hall
“Lucia.”
Elisa Moullthrop Freshman Ryan Hall
“Dorothy.”
SOCIAL MEDIA POLL
Have an idea for a poll? Email dstangel@nd.edu
What will Notre Dame football’s record be this year?
A recent poll organized by The Observer was conducted via Instagram with a total of 368 respondents. The majority of them, 55.2%, believe that Notre Dame’s record will have 12 wins and 0 losses, the most optimistic percentage. Coming in second, 30% of students state that they will have 1 loss in the season and 11 wins. For the next category of a score of 10-2, only 11.7% of responders believe that this will occur for this season. Only 3.1% of the responders believed that the football record will include 3 losses or more in the season.
THE NEXT FIVE DAYS
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Friday
Notre Dame Women’s Volleyball vs. Santa Clara Purcell Pavilion 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church 100th Anniversary Leighton Concert Hall 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday
Belles Soccer vs. Governors State Purcell Athletic Fields
3 p.m.
Monday
StoryWalk
Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park All Day
Tuesday
Activities Night 2025
PHOTO
MARY TADDONIO I The Observer
A player is penalized during a men’s soccer match between Notre Dame and IU Indy at Alumni Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. The Irish tied 0-0 in their home opener following a 1-1 tie with Michigan.
Notre Dame’s keys to victory against Miami
By Tyler Reidy Associate Sports Editor
Another year, another marquee season opener for Notre Dame football. In all five years that head coach Marcus Freeman has been a part of the coaching staff in South Bend, the Irish have played their first game away from home. This season, that first game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes.
Winning the season opener would pay massive dividends for the Irish. After their second game, a primetime home opener against Texas A&M, their schedule lightens up drastically for the remaining 10 contests. Getting to the middle of September with less than two losses puts Notre Dame in a good position to make a second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. Here’s how the Irish can take their first step on Sunday in South Florida.
Win the opening drives Irish fans don’t enjoy hearing about the can of whooping Miami opened up on Notre Dame in 2017, the last time the Irish faced the Hurricanes at Hard
Rock Stadium. And it is true that a game that happened eight years ago between two entirely different rosters and coaching staffs should hardly be brought up at all. However, there is one relevant aspect of the 2017 game that Notre Dame has to be aware of: the environment.
Sure, Hard Rock Stadium rarely sells out, but this is a top10 matchup in primetime on the Sunday before Labor Day. It’s going to be loud in there, and Notre Dame has to have an answer for the noise.
In the 2017 game, the Irish narrowly missed their chance at an answer, and it cost them at the price of a 41-8 loss. Having marched to Miami’s 35-yard line on the game’s opening drive, Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush spotted wideout Equanimeous St. Brown running behind the defense on a post route at the goal line. Wimbush overthrew the slamdunk touchdown, though, and the drive stalled out. By the end of the first quarter, Miami would command a 14-0 lead.
In order to hang right with Miami while playing a firsttime starter at quarterback,
Notre Dame will have to calm Hard Rock’s environment early. Looking to back previous Freeman-era season openers in hostile venues, an openingdrive field goal at Ohio State in 2022 helped the Irish keep a lead through halftime. Just last year, trading first-drive field goals with Texas A&M settled down Kyle Field a good amount. Whether it’s via an early score or a couple of quick defensive stops, Notre Dame has to do what it can to make Miami’s crowd a lesser factor.
Capitalize on experience
While the experience gap at quarterback between sophomore CJ Carr and Miami’s Carson Beck, a sixth-year redshirt senior, dominates the conversation, Notre Dame has massive experience advantages in other areas. While no signal-caller in the land has played on bigger stages than Beck, his wide receivers are largely unproven. None cleared 500 receiving yards last season, and three of the top six transferred in during the offseason. With defensive backs like junior Christian Gray, sophomore Leonard Moore and
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junior Adon Shuler on hand, the Irish have the tools to smother Miami’s air attack, even if they can’t break through its stout offensive line.
The other side of the ball tells a similar tale. Half of Miami’s anticipated top 12 defensive backs arrived via the portal in the offseason, with only two returners having made more than one start with the Hurricanes last year. Meanwhile, Notre Dame returns two experienced wide receivers, juniors Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison, both of whom played their best football in the postseason a year ago. Graduate transfer Malachi Fields is much more solidified than any of Miami’s portal pass-catchers too, as he posted 808 receiving yards at Virginia last season and has lined up against the Hurricanes before in ACC play.
Away from the trenches and the pocket, Notre Dame enters Sunday with an indisputable edge. By playing to those strengths, the Irish can take another step toward a 1-0 start.
Simplify CJ Carr’s night
It would be foolish not to speak in-depth on the quarterback
position, Miami’s area of greatest advantage. Beck has started multiple postseason games. Carr hasn’t started a game of any kind. Some might believe that an Irish win will require Carr to lead his team and deliver a strong performance. That’s not the case. In fact, Carr can be quite pedestrian in his statistics and still deliver a winning performance by avoiding significant mistakes. Riley Leonard did just that in his Notre Dame debut in Aggieland last year, playing basic yet clean football and letting other parts of his team steer the ship.
As Freeman himself said, the Irish cannot put too much on Carr’s plate. They have to establish their run game, something that didn’t happen in 2017. They also must protect the young quarterback, putting a tall task on Notre Dame’s offensive tackles. Defensive end lines up as one of Miami’s best positions. The Irish must contain those rushers in both pass protection and in setting up their ground attack, lending more flexibility to Mike Denbrock’s playbook.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
Building a legacy: Marcus Freeman’s journey
By Claire Watson Associate Sports Editor
Approaching the first game of the season, head coach Marcus Freeman prepares for his fourth season at the helm for Notre Dame. After a tenure colored by early doubts, he has begun to cement a legacy with the program that he hopes to continue building. His young coaching career has seen moments of adversity along with incredible accomplishments, both with team success and players reaching the next level under his tutelage.
Hailing from Ohio, Freeman brings many great qualities to the table as head coach, his past playing experience being one of them. From 2004-2008, Freeman was a linebacker for Ohio State before making his way to the NFL. He began his professional career after being selected in the fifth round by the Chicago Bears in the 2009 NFL Draft. After being waived by the Bears, he spent brief periods on the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills
and Houston Texans. He retired in 2010 after a medical condition resulted in an enlarged heart.
Despite a breif NFL career that finished before it even started, Freeman continued pursuing his passion for football by becoming a coach. He took a position in 2010 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Ohio State, before moving to Kent State University to be the linebackers coach from 2011-2012.
Following this, he made his way to the state of Indiana to become the linebackers coach at Purdue from 2013-2015, eventually getting promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2016. In 2017, Freeman moved one state over to coach at Cincinnati University in his first defensive coordinator role, while also serving as linebackers coach. He would stay in Ohio until he got a call about an open role at Notre Dame in 2020.
After serving as defensive coordinator in the 2021 season, Freeman became head coach at Notre Dame in
December, 2021 after Brian Kelly left the program for the same job job at LSU. Freeman would step into his role only a month after arriving in South Bend. He led the team in a devastating 37-35 Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State.
Freeman’s first full year as head coach with the Irish was worrying to several fans, as the team finished with a disappointing 8-4 regular season record, including upset losses to Marshall and Stanford. Despite this record, Freeman took the team to the Gator Bowl, where the Irish earned a 45-38 victory over South Carolina.
2023 was more successful, with Notre Dame finishing 10-3 and ending the year with a dominant 40-8 victory over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.
In Freeman’s third season, the team shocked fans around the country after a devastating 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois in the home opener. This led to some tough conversations, not only about the team and its
upcoming games, but about Freeman’s capability as a coach. He took that criticism and brought the team together to fly through the rest of the season undefeated, earning a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP). With this momentum, he led his group through a comfortable 27-17 win against Indiana in Notre Dame Stadium, a statement 23-10 win against Georgia and a thrilling 2724 win against Penn State, setting up a date with Ohio State in the national championship. Despite their best effort, Freeman’s Irish came up short against the Buckeyes in a 34-23 loss.
In addition to immense team success, Freeman coached six players in the 2024 season who were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison made his way to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, safety Xavier Watts was selected by the Atlanta Falcons, linebacker Jack Kiser made his way to the Jacksonville Jaguars, defensive linemen
Rylie Mills joined the Seattle Seahawks, tight end Mitchell Evans went to the Carolina Panthers and Riley Leonard stayed in Indiana with the Indianapolis Colts.
Freeman’s work has earned him a multitude of awards that reflect his coaching skills.
In the 2024 season alone, he was named Bear Bryant Coach of the Year, Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, George Munger Coach of the Year, Ted Ginn Coach of the Year and AFCA Good Works Coach of the Year.
Freeman now looks to put the loss to his alma mater, Ohio State, behind him as he prepares his team for another CFP run. Their first game of the season will be a tough test, going on the road to face No. 10 Miami in Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday night. To bring the Irish back to the pinnacle of college football, Freeman will need to have the group prepared.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson7@nd.edu
Notre Dame’s new captains raise questions
By Henry Lytle Associate Sports Editor
Irish name six new captains for the 2025 season, leaving out stars Jeremiyah Love and Leonard Moore.
On Monday, Aug. 18 Notre Dame named its captains for the 2025 football season that were collectively voted on by the players. On the defense, junior linebacker Drayk Bowen, sophomore safety Adon Shuler and redshirt junior defensive tackle Donovan Hinish, were selected. The offense named three new players in junior offensive guard Billy Schrauth, redshirt junior offensive tackle Aamil Wagner and redshirt senior transfer wide receiver transfer Will Pauling. While many of these players were expected, fans are left wondering why not Love and Moore, the two players graded among the best at their position in the country?
Six captains matches the largest number of captains under Marcus Freeman who previously had six in 2022. In 2024, the Irish had five captains led by Riley Leonard on the offense and safety Xavier Watts on the defense. All five of the captains from the 2024 season were drafted. On the defensive side, cornerback Benjamin Morrison was taken 53rd overall by the Buccaneers, Xavier Watts 96th overall by the Atlanta Falcons, Jack Kiser 107th overall to the Jaguars and Rylie Mills 142nd
overall to the Seahawks. Riley Leonard went 189th overall to the Colts, staying in Indiana for the start of his pro career. Four out of five captains were seniors and all but Leonard had suited up before in the Blue and Gold Game. This begs the question why did the Irish only select one senior as captain?
Notre Dame selected a returning defensive lineman, safety and linebacker for captain on the defense, all critical positions for communication. These three players replace three captains from the 2024 campaign who played the same positions, Rylie Mills, Jack Kiser and Xavier Watts. Now just a season ago, all the captains were seniors except for Benjamin Morrison, who was coming off of an impressive sophomore season and projected a first round pick. This season the Irish don’t have the body of experience so they turn to new faces.
Will Pauling is the most surprising of the names on the list. The senior transfer from Wisconsin is only the third player to be named a captain in his first season following Alohi Gilman (2019), Sam Hartman (2023) and Riley Leonard (2024). With all other captains expected to start, Pauling sticks out as fourth in the Irish depth chart. He is listed behind senior transfer wide receiver Malachi Fields, junior wide receiver Jaden Greathouse and junior wide receiver Jordan Faison.
In Pauling’s 2024 campaign at Wisconsin he caught 42 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns. Just one season before, he caught 74 balls for 837 yards and six touchdowns with the Badgers. The surprising decision by the team and coaching staff clearly depicts Pauling’s leadership off the field for the team, but it leaves the question of on-the-field leadership, specifically from the skill position. Irish fans might wonder why Pauling is known as a leader by example by the team, and seemingly not Jeremiyah Love? Irish fans across the country remember Love’s historically long 99yard touchdown run in the first 12-team playoff game against Indiana this December or recall his even more impressive twoyard score of sheer grit and undeterred refusal to be stopped against Penn State in the Orange Bowl. Love is ranked as the No. 1 running back in college football by ESPN for the upcoming season, following a campaign of 1,125 yards, 17 touchdowns and 6.9 yards per carry. Love is not known as a vocal or extroverted leader of this team, but with the pressure and expectations as one of the best backs in the country, the spotlight will certainly be placed on his back. The projected first-round pick might not be a captain but he will certainly be asked to lead one of the most fearsome ground attacks in college football.
If the Irish named one defensive sophomore captain in Shuler, how about another sophomore in Leonard Moore, who is ranked as the No. 1 returning corner by PFF. Moore was graded as the third-mostvaluable cornerback in 2024 behind Heisman winner and No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter and Jahdae Barron. The true freshman played in all 16 games for the Irish, starting the final 12 games after the injury to captain Benjamin Morrison. He was graded third in man coverage in the country among all corners and returns for a highly anticipated sophomore campaign. While there is certainly
no rush to promote young players to captain, Moore certainly is one of the best players in the country and is looked up to by the rest of the defense. As opening weekend of college football approaches, the team takes on one of its toughest tests of the season on the road at No. 10 Miami. Rekindling the historic rivalry between the two programs, the Irish captains have the opportunity to lead this team to an opening statement win. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Contact Henry Lytle at hyltle@nd.edu
MARY TADDONIO The Observer
Junior tackle Aamil Wagner blocks in a 31-13 win over Georgia Tech in Mercedez-Benz Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025.
Football beat picks: Notre Dame vs. Miami
By Observer Sports Staff Football Beat
Noah Cahill
Like in 2024, the Irish open the season with a massive test in a hostile environment. Last year, it was the towering Kyle Field in College Station. This year, it will be an electric Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Also similar to last season, with an offensive line that shared only six starts between them, Notre Dame has a big question to answer on offense: how will sophomore CJ Carr fare in his first-ever start? After winning a hard-fought competition with junior Kenny Minchey in the offseason, Carr will lead offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s offense against the Hurricanes. However, I don’t see his lack of experience mattering that much.
For as big a storyline as the quarterback competition was, and rightfully so, I don’t see Denbrock’s game plan changing much in this game. Neither Carr nor Minchey would have been asked to do much in week one. Protect the ball and let arguably the most exciting player in college football, junior running back Jeremiyah Love, do his thing. In addition to Love, Carr will be propped up by a far more battle-tested offensive line and one of the most promising wide receiver corps Notre Dame has fielded in years. The game, however, will be won on the other side of the ball. The Irish defense should be among the nation’s best once again in 2025. Between the loaded linebacking core, explosive rushers off the edge and lockdown secondary, defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s unit will raise hell for Miami transfer quarterback Carson Beck. The former Bulldog, who historically struggles to protect the ball, will be throwing at the likes of sophomores Leonard Moore and Adon Shuler while sophomores Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young are bearing down on him.
I see the Irish capitalizing on turnovers and doing
enough on offense to earn a comfortable one-score victory.
Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Miami 17
Chris Dailey
It’s the first game of the season. There will be rust, there will be mistakes and perhaps most importantly, there will be a palpable sense of energy at Hard Rock Stadium. With the weather forecast showing signs of showers in the greater Miami area, whoever is going to win this game will do so by pounding the rock. There isn’t a team in the country with a running back room as deep as Notre Dame’s. Complimented by one of the best defenses in the land, the Irish should do just fine slowing down the motor of Miami’s offense, running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and transfer quarterback Carson Beck. It may be a slow game for the neutral observer, but head coach Marcus Freeman won’t mind. Notre Dame should win this defensive battle thanks to the extra oomph of junior Jeremiyah Love and senior Jadarian Price in their star-studded backfield.
Prediction: Notre Dame 17, Miami 10
Ben Hicks
Week one tests have become a staple of head coach Marcus Freeman’s tenure at Notre Dame. They fell in Columbus to his alma mater, Ohio State, in his first year, trounced Navy across the Atlantic Ocean in year two and went into College Station to capture a thrilling victory a year ago. Opening the season in Miami Gardens against Miami not only continues that trend, but also presents an opportunity for the Irish to better the Hurricanes in South Florida for the first time since their 1977 National Championship season.
Winning on the road in college football is never easy. That task is only exacerbated by trotting out a first-time starting quarterback into a hostile rivalry environment.
So how could Notre Dame win this game? Although Miami is much more experienced at the game’s most important position, the Irish have the better head coach and possess the game’s most explosive player on either side of the ball in junior running back Jeremiyah Love. Sophomore CJ Carr doesn’t have to be great; he may not even have to be good. Taking care of the ball and letting the backfield work will be enough on offense. If defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s defense can pick up where they left off a year ago and create turnovers, Notre Dame will be in a favorable position to pick up an early top-10 triumph.
Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Miami 20
Henry Lytle
This week one road matchup between the No. 6-ranked Irish and the No. 10-ranked Hurricanes may very well be the toughest game on Notre Dame’s schedule in 2025.
Between a talented Miami offense returning transfer quarterback Carson Beck, one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football, an improving Miami defense under new coordinator Corey Hetherman and a road environment fueled by the historic rivalry, the Irish will have their work cut out for them. That said, I still give the edge to Notre Dame.
The Irish have the advantage in two key defensive metrics from 2024: forced turnovers and scoring defense, where Notre Dame was first and fifth in the country, respectively. While they lost notable contributors to the draft, they return multiple edge rushers in sophomore Boubacar Traore and graduate Jordan Botelho, who both suffered seasonending injuries last season, to help bolster the front against the run. Sophomore Bryce Young should also feature heavily in the rotation after flashing his immense talent during a strong freshman campaign.
Miami’s strongest defensive
asset is its front seven, especially when facing the run. I think the Irish will be forced to throw the ball downfield, but with a talent mismatch at receiver, specifically junior Jaden Greathouse and six-foot-four graduate transfer Malachi Fields, there will be too many playmakers for the Miami defense to contain. The defense will give Beck and the Miami rushing attack too much trouble, allowing sophomore quarterback CJ Carr to make mistakes in his first start while still leaving with the victory.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Miami 20
Tyler Reidy
This won’t be an easy one for the Irish. Hard Rock Stadium almost never fills up for college football, but when it does, it gets loud. Notre Dame learned that the hard way in 2017, the last time the Irish and Hurricanes met (also each as top 10 teams). Weather conditions could also be suspect, and you know about Notre Dame’s severe disadvantage in experience at quarterback. However, outside of quarterback, running back, offensive line and defensive end, I’m not seeing any proven positional groups on the Miami side.
Carson Beck might have more big-game experience than any other quarterback out there, but none of his pass-catchers exceeded 500 receiving yards last season. Can he find rhythm with them, and will they get open against Notre Dame’s perpetually loaded secondary? Additionally, even though sophomore CJ Carr is a first-time starter at quarterback for Notre Dame, he’s not going up against a sure thing of a secondary. Miami’s defensive back room features a patchwork of transfers who have plenty to prove in their own right.
All in all, I view Notre Dame’s roster as more reliable than Miami’s across the board. And as we saw in several big games last year, Notre Dame’s talent and excellence in other
areas can lead the way during a mediocre performance from the quarterback. Was Riley Leonard anything special against Texas A&M, Indiana, Georgia or Penn State last year? No, but returning studs like junior Jeremiyah Love and senior Jadarian Price in the backfield, sophomore safety Adon Shuler and junior defensive back Christian Gray were, guiding the Irish to victory in all of those games. If other position groups can step up and take the pressure off of Carr, Notre Dame should win this game comfortably in the end, and I believe it will.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Miami 17
Claire Watson
No. 6-ranked Notre Dame is set to face off against the Miami Hurricanes this Sunday. But, despite many doubts about Notre Dame’s prospects on the road with a first-time starter at quarterback, I feel the Irish have the upper hand. After a trip to the College Football Playoff last season, they return a roster with big-game experience against a Miami team that came up short in 2024.
Among them, junior running back Jeremiyah Love and junior wide receiver Jaden Greathouse return to a strong Irish offense after making a massive impact, especially toward the end of the season and into the CFP. Junior wide receiver Jordan Faison joins Love and Greathouse as a key returning contributor. The three of them combined for 24 touchdowns in 2024, with Love leading the way with 19. While the talent on offense is exciting, one of the biggest questions remains: Can sophomore quarterback CJ Carr replace Riley Leonard at the helm? Trotting out a young quarterback starting in his first game could give Miami an opening. However, I still see Notre Dame having enough to eke out the road victory.
Prediction: Notre Dame 21, Miami 14