THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026 | VOL. LXI, NO. 14
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Notre Dame to demolish Keenan and Stanford
By Grace Tadajweski, Matthew Morin and Mara Hall
Managing Editor and Associate News Editors
Keenan Hall and Stanford Hall will be retired and demolished at the end of the academic year. Their communities will be relocated to swing dorms for two academic years until two new residence halls are constructed. Keenan Hall residents will move into Howard Hall, which is currently void of residents, while Stanford residents will move into Zahm Hall, which has been a swing hall since fall 2021 and is currently housing Lyons Hall residents for the 2026-2027 academic year. The hall communities will move into newly constructed dorms for the start of the 20292030 school year. The Keenan
ABRAHAM MEDINA | The Observer
Keenan Hall (left) and Stanford Hall (right) will be demolished following this academic year, along with Haggar Hall. Keenan residents will be relocated to Howard Hall and Stanford residents will move to Zahm Hall.
community’s dorm will be constructed on the grounds of the current Keenan and Stanford
Raise Your Voice moves to October By Berhan Hagezom Saint Mary’s News Editor
For the first time in the five years of its existence, the Raise Your Voice Symposium will occur in October rather than in mid-April. The event takes place today. Raise Your Voice is an annual sexual violence prevention symposium at Saint Mary’s College organized by staff, faculty and students. Organizers made the shift in an effort to encourage students to attend both the symposium and Take Back the Night, another event where students march to and around the University of Notre Dame from Saint Mary’s College to raise awareness of sexual violence. Liz Baumann, director for harassment education and response and Title IX officer, shared that the change comes due to former confusion about the symposium, which had occurred during the same week as Take Back the Night last year. The symposium’s date now also aligns with The Red Zone, a period of time from the beginning of the semester
until Thanksgiving break, when the majority of sexual assaults occur. “It’s really important that we put out that education and that awareness so that students can be aware that this is the time that they are most likely going to intercede or be able to be active bystanders,” Mallory Lipps, director of the Belles Against Violence Office, said. “That awareness can bring that kind of intervention in.” The format of the symposium will remain the same, including the Lizzy Seeberg Memorial Service, panel and lecture sessions, as well as a keynote speaker. Baumann noted that though the last symposium was six months ago, organizers were well prepared for the shift. Describing the transition, she said that “Raise Your Voice has gotten to the point where it is kind of a well-oiled machine.” “I think what it has done since year one and continues to do is highlight stories of survivors and give us See “RYV” on page 4
Halls. The Stanford community’s hall will take the place of Haggar Hall.
Haggar Hall, the building located on the north edge of North Quad, will be
demolished. The hall, initially the Wenniger-Kirsch Biology Building, was built in 1937. The biology department transferred to the Galvin Life Services building in 1972. After a $750,000 donation by the Haggar Foundation of Dallas and a renovation, the building was dedicated as Haggar Hall and opened for the psychology department in 1974. The department moved out of Haggar in 2018. The building does not currently have a single dedicated use but is used for classes. Haggar and North Dining Hall are the only non-residence halls on North Quad. The benefactors of the new residence halls have not yet been released. The current names of Keenan and Stanford will be dissolved. See “Keenan-Stanford” on page 3
ND crime at multi-year low, annual report shows By Erik Gunderson Reporter
Criminal offenses included in the University of Notre Dame’s 2026 Security and Fire Safety Annual Report declined to 39, the lowest level since at least 2017, while campus arrests spiked to 71. The count includes all acts of criminal homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson. Additionally, arrests and referrals for disciplinary actions and hate crimes must be reported. Crimes that are not noted in the report include simple assault and theft, unless the latter is reported as a hate crime. The University is required to publish the document, also known as an annual security report, by Oct. 1 each year in compliance with the Clery Act. The 1990 law mandates all colleges and universities receiving federal funding collect and publish yearly crime data. When contextualized with data from previous reports, the 2026 report indicates
Clery Act criminal offenses on the Notre Dame campus decreased dramatically in 2025. The total number of offenses last year was about half of the total offenses in 2024 and about a quarter of the total offenses in 2023, when 169 criminal offenses occurred on campus. This is the highest number of offenses recorded since 2017. The report noted the decline in total offenses was partially due to a decline in thefts of electric scooters, which are classified in the report as motor vehicles. In 2023, there were 102 thefts of electric scooters on Notre Dame’s campus while in 2025 there were zero electric scooter thefts reported. The report attributed the decline to the University’s 2023 decision to ban electric scooters and bikes from campus, writing the ban led to a “dramatic decrease in the number of reported motor vehicle thefts” through 2025. The two most common criminal offenses on campus last year were stalking and
burglary, with the report recording 10 instances of stalking and eight instances of burglary. The report also recorded six reports of rape in 2025, up from five each in 2024 and 2023. The number of reports of fondling, stalking and domestic violence all either stayed the same or modestly increased from 2024 to 2025 while reports of burglary and motor vehicle theft both went down dramatically, with burglaries down to eight from 26 in 2024. While reports of criminal offenses decreased, data from the 2026 report, coupled with statistics from reports dating back to 2017, reveal 71 arrests recorded on main campus campus, with one additional in a residence. This year’s arrest numbers, the highest since at least 2017, are a continuation of a trend started in 2021, when the number of arrests on the Notre Dame campus was equal to the previous two years combined. See “Report” on page 4
NEWS | PAGE 4
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 9
SPORTS | PAGE 10
A growing number of Holy Cross College students are playing in the Notre Dame Marching Band.
Francisco De la Cuadra Mancilla says students protesting in France want leaders to listen.
The new Tom Cruise movie, depicting Cruise as a ruthless oil tycoon, is bizarre but brilliant.
Notre Dame rushed for 241 yards and 5.4 yards per carry in a 37-26 win over UNC.
The No. 12 Fighting Irish fell 4-1 Friday night against the No. 1 UNC Tar Heels.
HCC band members
Not just the future
‘Digger’ review
Run game dominates
Women’s soccer falls
DAILY
2 | THE OBSERVER
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
What is the most used app on your phone?
Have a question you want answered? Email photo@ndsmcobserver.com
Chris Orta-Carrillo
Katherine Sopko
Luke Donoghue
Richard Coury
Trainer Rolfs
“ChatGPT.”
“iMessage.”
“Instagram.”
“Instagram.”
“Instagram.”
junior Keenan Hall
senior off campus
senior St. Edward’s Hall
freshman Knott Hall
sophomore Dillon Hall
SOCIAL MEDIA POLL
PHOTO OF THE DAY | MARIELLA TADDONIO
Have an idea for a poll? Email social@ndsmcobserver.com
How have you found your SYR(s)? I had a great time I did not have a great time I am indifferent
30.6% 41.0%
I did not attend one
12.1% 16.2%
THE NEXT FIVE DAYS
CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Tuesday Raise Your Voice Keynote College will host keynote speaker for the annual symposium. 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Stapleton Lounge, Le Mans Hall
Wednesday Saint Mary’s volleyball vs. Albion The Belles challenge the Britons. 7 p.m. Angela Athletic and Wellness Complex
Thursday Notre Dame hockey vs. Niagara The Irish face off against the Purple Eagles. 7 p.m. Compton Family Ice Arena
Friday Leading the Holy Cross Way: Karl Peterson Philanthropist to speak at Holy Cross’ leadership series. 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Driscoll Auditorium
Saturday Notre Dame football vs. Stanford The Irish play against the Cardinal. 3:30 p.m. Notre Dame Stadium
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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 Gray Nocjar
Today’s Staff News
Megan Cornell Matthew Morin Henry Pearson Anja Schafer
Graphics
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Scene
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Editors Zack Pohlman Grace Tadajweski Henry Jagodzinski
NEWS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
THE OBSERVER | 3
KeenanStanford
Continued from page 1 The news was shared in allhall meetings for Keenan Hall in Geddes Hall’s Andrews Auditorium and Stanford Hall in Hesburgh Library’s Carey Auditorium at 8 p.m. Director of Residential Life for training and development Melissa Marley Bonnichsen made the announcement to Stanford students in a closed session, while director of Residential Life for recruitment, hiring and retention Zack Imfeld announced the demolition to Keenan residents. Associate vice president for Residential Life Karen Kennedy notified undergraduate students of the demolition via an email at 8:30 p.m. Kennedy wrote, “Constructing entirely new halls is now necessary to meet the housing needs of all undergraduate students.” Keenan Hall faculty fellow Andrew Bartolini led Andrews Auditorium in a prayer to begin the meeting. “I’m here to confirm that this will be the last year that Keenan Hall will be open,” Imfeld announced during the Keenan meeting. “The good news is Stanford will also close.” Imfeld confirmed that the demolition is because of structural problems and not “anything related to [Keenan’s] community and all the work that it does.” “It is hard to renovate cinder blocks. It is hard to add A/C to spaces where there isn’t enough ceiling height,” Imfeld said. He added, “We just needed a different deck of cards from what Keenan dealt us.” Keenan Hall rector deacon Keenan Bross and Stanford Hall rector Fr. Chris Brennan will both make the transition with their residents. Bross has served as rector since the start of this school year and previously served as O’Neill Family Hall’s assistant rector while Brennan has served as rector since 2020. “I look forward to sort of dreaming together with you all. Don’t leave us,” Bross said. Addressing current freshmen, Bross noted they will have a special opportunity to be the first class in a new residence hall. Bross also encouraged residents to make sure they still treat the dorm as their home for the next year. “Holy Cross has assigned me to this community to be with you all, likely all the way through the transition,” Bross said. “So I’m sticking it out with you as we journey on together to the promised land.” Earlier in the meeting, Bross asked juniors to be leaders as they “hold this community together moving forward.” He then spoke on the “unique spot” of sophomores and related them to Moses, who “never actually made it” to the
GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer
Before the meeting that announced the closure of Keenan Hall, approximately 50 residents, clad in all black, walked through Hesburgh Library and other campus locations before arriving in Geddes Hall. Two residents, sophomores Abraham Medina and Sean Parkes, played taps for the event.
promised land. The auditorium responded with laughs, joined by a few groans after Bross said, “Guys, you’re not gonna make it. I’m sorry.” Bross continued, expressing his excitement about the role of the sophomores in thinking about their new hall and urging, “Don’t leave us.” The halls were constructed in 1957 and are the only residence halls on campus to be connected by a shared chapel, entrance and lounge area. The halls are the seventh-oldest men’s residence halls on campus and tie for the 14th-oldest among dorms standing today. Older residence halls, like Alumni Hall and Sorin Hall, have undergone major renovations where residents moved to swing dorms. Keenan and Stanford have not undergone major renovations since they were built. Leading up to the event, a group of around 50 men dressed in black, with several umbrellas among the group, marched on campus, including walking through Hesburgh Library. Videos of this procession were posted to the Keenan Hall Instagram story. The group stopped outside Geddes, where sophomore resident Abraham Medina played taps. Upon the conclusion of the announcement, sophomore Sean Parkes played taps in the auditorium. Shortly after the announcement broke, Keenan Hall posted an AI-edited photo of the hall to their Instagram with chains crossing the windows and signs reading “We’re NOT leaving” and “No more tyranny.” The original photo was first published by The Observer. The Instagram page of the Howard Hall Community reposted Keenan’s AI-edited photo on their story. Former Howard Hall residents
permanently moved to Grojean Hall at the beginning of the academic year. Keenan Hall The hall was built in honor of James Keenan Jr. Keenan has a capacity of approximately 250. The hall is arranged in eight sections with 116 rooms. The hall currently houses 184 residents. The hall’s occupancy has gradually decreased in recent years, with 228 in fall 2023, 226 in fall 2024 and 195 in fall 2025. Imfeld said the bed count in Howard would be “a little smaller.” He noted that the exact bed count was still being figured out. Howard Hall’s capacity when it closed was 148. A resident asked if Howard has been renovated since residents moved out last year. “Know that it’s a historical building, right, you’re in a different era of construction, but we are making efforts to make it work for your community,” Imfeld said. Bross remarked, “Howard is classy” and that “urinal season” is coming. “We’re working with the layout of Howard and trying to get more bed space to get more of you guys in there, but we wanted to wait for the public announcement before we started working with contractors on those plans,” Imfeld said. Keenan residents’ new hall will be modeled after Graham Family Hall, regarding size and number of occupants per room. Since the first Hall of the Year honor was created during the 2000-2001 school year, Keenan has won nine times. The dorm won Hall of the Year twice, during the 2001-2002 and 2013-2014 school years, and Men’s Hall of the Year six times, during 2000-2001, 2003-2004, 20052006, 2007-2008, 2010-2011
and 2014-2015. The dorm was awarded the inaugural Golden Hall of the Year award during the 2023-2024 school year. The Golden Hall of the Year award came after a shift to the threeaward structure that removed gender from the No. 2 and No. 3 Halls of the Year. The hall has won the O’Leary Cup, the interhall sports championship trophy, twice — during the 1998-1999 and 2004-2005 school years. Keenan notably hosts the Keenan Revue, which features song, dance, instrument and comedic performances from the hall’s residents. The new halls will both be able to choose their signature events, so Keenan’s residents have the option to continue the Revue. The rector remarked that because Howard will have the smaller bed count, “that’s probably less guys for the strip and stuff.” The residents groaned in response. The Revue is Notre Dame’s largest residence hall signature event and has been produced for the last 50 years. The Revue typically hosts around 5,000 attendees across three nights. Stanford Hall The hall was built in honor of Grattan Stanford (Class of 1904) in 1957. Stanford has an approximate capacity of 230, split between eight sections and 109 rooms. Zahm Hall has a capacity of 237. To match the number of beds in Lyons Hall, the Lyons Community in Zahm is not making use of every bed. Stanford has won the Hall of the Year award three times — during the 2005-2006, 20162017 and 2020-2021 school years. The hall has won the O’Leary Cup nine times, including the last four consecutive school years. The trophies span
school years 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 20032004, 2005-2006, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Stanford annually hosts a pirate-themed dance. Freshman Thomas Ramsey spoke on the hall’s demolition, noting how special Brennan has been as a rector. “He really makes the place, and we’ll get to keep him through the whole transition period into the new dorm,” Ramsey said. “Everyone’s excited about the new amenities in the dorm, and it looks like we’re going to be able to keep most of everybody together over the transition period.” Shane Unger, a sophomore, shared similar sentiments about the transition. “I am somewhat sad to go. However, what makes Stanford special and the best dorm on campus is the people, and that’s not going to be changing either way,” Unger said. “So, while I’m sad to be leaving the cinderblock palace, as we call it, I’m also thrilled that we’ll be embarking on this new chapter together.” The Stanford Hall meeting did not permit The Observer reporters or non-Stanford residents to attend. Imfeld declined to immediately comment to The Observer but said that he would provide an interview the following morning. Bross, Brennan and Bonnichsen declined to comment to The Observer. Editor’s note: Abraham Medina is a photographer for The Observer. Contact Grace Tadajweski at gtadajwe@nd.edu, Matthew Morin at mmorin2@nd.edu and Mara Hall at mhall27@nd.edu
NEWS
4 | THE OBSERVER
HCC students see surge in Notre Dame Marching Band
By Nick Kowal and Jack Beshoar Associate News Editor and Reporter
The Band of the Fighting Irish has experienced a notable increase in participation by students at Holy Cross College. “Involvement of Holy Cross students in the Notre Dame Marching Band has consistently been around 3-4% of the total membership for many years, but this year has climbed to 7-8% of our membership,” associate band director Samuel Sanchez wrote in a statement to The Observer. The Observer did not obtain an accurate figure for the number of Holy Cross band members. A group email list named “IrishBand,” used for marching band communications, lists 342 members, including seven nonstudent staff members. The figure from the group email indicates between 23 and 27 members of the band are Holy Cross students. The development accompanies a recent growth in enrollment at the College. Holy Cross’ most recent class includes 288 students, making up 630 students at the College
altogether. Sanchez, who has worked for the band since 2000, stated this year’s tally is “the largest number of HCC students we have ever had audition and make the ND Marching Band.” He noted that while Notre Dame’s student body is larger than Holy Cross’ — 8950 at the University and 630 at the College — the same percentage of their respective student bodies participate in the band. “Our returning Holy Cross students spent more time this past Spring talking with prospective students at recruiting events for admitted students,” Sanchez said on any reasons behind the increase. He also acknowledged Blaise Morris, assistant director of admissions, as being supportive of the band’s recruiting efforts, allowing them to be part of different events, including the open house for admitted students and student panels. “Holy Cross students are important to the Notre Dame Band because they bring a unique perspective informed by their
experiences as members of the Holy Cross campus which is part of our Tri-Campus community,” Sanchez wrote. “We are absolutely delighted to include Holy Cross students in the Notre Dame Marching Band.” Band treasurer Austin Diodene said being a part of the band gave him additional opportunities to participate at the University. “When I found out I was able to be in the Notre Dame Band at Holy Cross, it was a no-brainer. I was coming here,” he said. Both Diodene and Sanchez acknowledged that despite the longer time commitment for Holy Cross students due to travel, it is an integral part of Holy Cross students’ college experiences in the band. “Many of those students who received their degrees from Holy Cross have gone on to do amazing things in their lives and are appreciative of the Notre Dame Band’s impact on their college experience,” Sanchez wrote. Contact Nick Kowal at nkowal@hcc-nd.edu and Jack Beshoar at jbeshoar@hcc-nd.edu
Courtesy of Holy Cross College
Holy Cross band members seen at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Fighting Irish defeated the Wisconsin Badgers on Sept. 6. The College has seen an increase of members by 3-4% for this school year.
Report
Continued from page 1 This figure surpassed the 58 arrests recorded in 2024. Of this year’s arrests, 27 were due to drug law violations while 39 were a result of liquor law violations. In the years since 2021, the campus has averaged 56.6 arrests annually, compared to only 28.2 before 2021. The surge in arrests since 2021 is partially due to an increase in arrests for liquor violations. The years 2017 through 2020 saw an average of eight arrests for liquor violations annually while 2021 through 2025 have had an average of 27.4 arrests for liquor violations annually. The University also saw five arrests for weapons violations
in 2025, more than the previous three years combined. This year also marked the first year an arrest for a weapons violation occurred since 2019. The report also included statistics on fires in Notre Dame student housing. The 2025 data indicated an accidental fire in Lewis Hall in November of last year caused $5,000 in property damage. 2025’s total property damage from fires was significantly below the average of $14,259 in annual fire-related property damage since 2017, and followed an eight-year high of $35,000 in damages set in 2024 following two fires in McGlinn and O’Neill Family Halls. Contact Erik Gunderson at egunders@nd.edu
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
RYV
Continued from page 1 tangible ways to move forward,” Baumann said. “And help support those survivors in our lives and prevent violence from continuing in the future.” The Committee on Sexual Violence Prevention, which used to be known as the President’s Committee on Sexual Violence, is also part of the symposium team. The committee was established over 10 years ago, with the goal of examining policies, training and recommendations to improve sexual violence awareness. It also works to organize the symposium through a dedicated committee. Liz Hanlon Sands, class of 2004, will be the keynote speaker for the symposium during the luncheon, delivering an address titled “Choosing Courage, Creating Change” in Stapleton Lounge. She will be sharing her own survivorship story and her work behind The Courage Closet — a nonprofit organization that empowers and supports survivors by connecting them to necessary resources and services in the community. Senior Ava Hess attended her first symposium in 2023 and will be assisting with the keynote event. To her, the date change allows the conversation to continue rather than to be limited to a certain time frame within sexual violence awareness month. “It’s not a one-time-a-year thing. It’s something that we’re able to talk about now throughout the year rather than just at one time for one week,” she said. The Raise Your Voice Symposium started in 2022 following The Observer’s coverage of the closure of Zahm Hall, which included details of an email chain
containing derogatory sexual language directed against Saint Mary’s students and confirmation by Saint Mary’s officials that “incidents” in the dorm had been reported by Saint Mary’s students. According to Baumann, students at the College began to ask for more support and proactiveness by the College, which led to a series of actions by the administration. “And so the administration at the time did a few different things, but the biggest one was announcing that we would be hosting this annual sexual violence prevention symposium,” Baumann said. “So Raise Your Voice would not exist if it weren’t for … the students raising their voices, literally, and asking more of the College that they love so much and loves them back.” Students are required to complete Title IX trainings prior to entering the campus for the fall semester, offered by OHER through Screen Share. Green Dot trainings, a filmbased education workshop, and Active Consent — a new peer-based education program — will also be offered by the Belles Against Violence Office throughout the year. Baumann said that she encourages all community members to attend the various workshops and events, in order to provide solidarity to survivors and not carry the burden alone. “This is not the work solely for survivors to do or for counselors to do or for health professionals to do,” Baumann said. “It really does take all of us to change the culture to hopefully build a world where sexual violence no longer exists.” Take Back the Night will be unaffected by the date change and will continue to take place in April. Contact Berhan Hagezom at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
ERIK GUNDERSON | The Observer
The 2026 Crime and Fire Safety Annual Report showed that the number of electric scooter thefts has declined, with zero reported in 2025. The decrease followed the total ban implemented by the University in 2023.
OPINION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
THE OBSERVER | 5
Not just the future: Students protest in France By Francisco De la Cuadra Mancilla Columnist
The first thing I noticed was how young they looked. Watching the images from France this week, I kept seeing students standing outside their schools. Some held signs. Others talked in small groups. They looked more like teenagers than protesters, which is easy to forget when a demonstration reaches the news. The people in the street become part of a larger political story. Their signs become slogans and their frustrations become demands. But these are students. They are supposed to be in classrooms, worrying about homework, exams and what comes after graduation. Instead, they are outside, asking to be heard. I have always found protests in France interesting. When I lived in Cannes, I came across demonstrations while going about my day, and they felt ordinary. They were part of the country around me, another way people disagreed in public. I did not think much about it then. Seeing French students take to the streets now makes me look at those memories differently. These protesters are much closer to my age, and what they are protesting sits at the center of their lives: their education. The protests began with complaints about overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and crumbling school facilities, and they have since spread across France. Some schools have been blocked, classes have been disrupted and
ASHLEY ZHENG | The Observer
some demonstrations have turned violent. Still, something one student said has stayed with me: “We just want to be listened to.” It is a simple request, and it comes from a movement that has become hard to ignore. Few demands are easier to say or harder to answer. Being a student means being told again and again that you are preparing for the future. One day we will be leaders, voters, professionals and members of our communities. At Notre Dame, we are encouraged to think about who we want to become and what we want to contribute. But all that talk about the future makes
it easy to forget that students are living in the present too. Whatever gets decided about their schools affects them this year, in the classrooms they sit in today and not 10 years from now, when they are finally called leaders. Young people are told to care about the world, to question what they see and to speak when something feels wrong. But it is one thing to tell them their voices matter and another to make room for those voices once they become inconvenient. Listening does not mean agreeing with everything someone says, and being frustrated does not
make every demand reasonable. It means accepting that speaking honestly should at least open the possibility of a conversation. I think about this from Notre Dame because we are surrounded by chances to speak. We write for The Observer, join student organizations, raise our hands in class, talk with professors and administrators and argue about almost everything. Sometimes we have something important to say. Sometimes we are complaining about something that bothered us that week. That is part of being a student. We are learning what we think, how to say it and how
to live alongside people who think differently. The other half of that education is learning how to listen. I find myself wondering what it took for these students to decide the classroom was no longer the right place to be heard. Walking out of class is not a small decision when you are used to being told to show up and do the work. I do not know what each of them believes or whether every demand will prove justified. They are the ones sitting in the overcrowded classrooms, though, so they see the problem day in and day out. Something about their education matters enough to them to walk out over, and I would start by taking that seriously. We often call students the leaders of tomorrow. But students do not become members of a community when they graduate. They are part of it now, so they have something to say about the institutions that shape their lives and a stake in what those institutions become. The students in France may be asking for better schools. Underneath that, I think they are asking for something more basic: for someone to stop for a moment, look past the headlines and hear what they have to say. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Write to Francisco De la Cuadra Mancilla at fdelacua@nd.edu
What just happened to health care access? By Isabelle Fernandez Columnist
On Thursday some of the most
vulnerable groups in America lost access to essential governmentfunded health care coverage programs, including the Children’s
Health Insurance Program, Medicaid and Medicare, due to the passage of H.R. 1, colloquially known as the “One Big Beautiful
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Bill Act,” in 2025. Such vulnerable groups include refugees, noncitizens granted asylum, those with Temporary
Protected Status, victims of domestic abuse self-petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act and those protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Despite the bill necessarily raising profound ethical and economic considerations, I’ve seldom heard anyone discuss the policy. Not only has there been little to no discussion of the act among my peers, but the media too has remained surprisingly muted on the issue. In researching for this article, I found only a handful of pieces on the subject, few of which were published by mainstream outlets. In fact, had it not been for a phone call with my mom, in which she lamented several of her patients’ families’ losing Medicaid access, I’d have remained ignorant of the bill’s problematic stipulations altogether. To clarify, this is not a conversation about illegal immigration. Rather, sections 71109 and 71201 of the OBBBA exclude individuals present legally in the United States who have already undergone the rigorous process of demonstrating their eligibility to remain in the country as a documented noncitizen from receiving health care coverage under Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance see “Healthcare” on page 6
OPINION
6 | THE OBSERVER
Healthcare Continued from page 5
Program. Many of these now excluded individuals, such as those classified under TPS, are also taxpayers; they will continue contributing to provider taxes without maintaining the right to benefit from the associated government programs. A segment from NPR’s “All Things Considered” drew out a further concern, which illustrates both the policy’s ethical and financial ramifications. Addressing disabled refugees who will no longer receive coverage, specifically, the episode outlined how “immigrants being cut from health coverage and food benefits now” will likely “eventually become green-card holders who are eligible,” since they currently reside here legally. However, in the meantime, they
will forgo “preventative care,” failing to “treat their chronic conditions” such that “when they do get their green card and get back to Medicaid, their health will be worse,” meaning greater suffering for them and greater costs for hospitals and governments. Beyond moral concerns, these sections of the OBBBA pose a threat to health care systems’ financial stability, calling into question the policy’s viability apart from its detrimental impact on members of the aforementioned vulnerable groups. Cuts in government-supported healthcare coverage programs often risk increasing Medicaid shortfall, the gap between treatment cost and the cost covered by Medicaid or similar programs. When programs intended to compensate for Medicaid shortfall, such as Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments, fail to adequately supplement the gap,
hospitals often simply absorb the costs. As a result hospitals may find themselves at risk of financial instability following the passage of policies like those outlined by the OBBBA. Currently, many hospitals already struggle economically: Nearly 25% of hospitals are deemed financially unstable and at risk of bankruptcy. The Harvard Healthcare Quality and Outcomes Lab warns that “Further reductions in Medicaid reimbursement and the growing burden of providing uncompensated care to the uninsured may tip financially distressed hospitals further toward closure.” Critically, the Congressional Budget Office “estimates that the OBBBA will reduce federal spending on Medicaid by over $900 billion over the next 10 years.” Although the OBBBA includes a Rural Healthcare Transformation Program, intended to shore
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
up rural hospitals’ anticipated struggles with Medicaid shortfall, “the program’s $50 billion fund is estimated to make up less than 40% of the estimated loss of federal Medicaid funding.” The program also fails to account for urban hospitals, which the Harvard Healthcare Quality and Outcomes Lab predicts will account for the majority of facilities set to face economic strain due to insufficient Medicaid coverage compensation. Evidently, the OBBBA’s restriction of access to health care coverage has widespread implications, not only for those who have been explicitly excluded, but also for every American who relies on the stability of their local hospitals. While you yourself may not have lost insurance coverage, the threat of a potential rise in Medicaid shortfall ought to raise a sense of concern for all of us. And, let’s be honest, I
believe Americans should feel unsettled by the reality that, as of Thursday, there are vulnerable individuals legally residing within the United States, many of whom even pay taxes, who suddenly cannot hope to receive essential medical services, notwithstanding a life-threatening emergency. Discontent with the passage of such a policy cannot simply dissipate through quiet acceptance. Rather, as students studying at a Catholic university, informed by Catholic Social Teaching, we ought not only to be unsettled but also vocal. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Write to Isabelle Fernandez at ifernan3@nd.edu
Reflect before you look for greener grass By Christopher Saenz Columnist
There have been plenty of times in my life when I have looked around and wondered if there was something better. A better job. A better opportunity. More money somewhere else. A better relationship. A nicer car. A different place to live. That instinct is understandable. Most of us want to improve our lives. But in the constant race to find the next thing — especially in a world of social media, comparison and keeping up with what everyone is doing — it can be surprisingly easy to overlook something that matters just as much as the opportunity itself: culture. And sometimes, the hardest thing to recognize is that you may already be living through some of the best times of your life before you even realize they are the best times. I know I did. I have been fortunate enough to work for the same organization for 15 years. My paycheck has been stable, but the culture of where I have worked and how I have felt going to work has changed significantly over that decade and a half. Over time, I have learned how important it is to be somewhere you feel welcomed and appreciated. Somewhere people listen to what you have to contribute. Somewhere people work alongside you, challenge you and hold you to a high enough standard that you actually become better because you were there. That kind of culture is not always easy to find. And sometimes it starts with you. How do you carry yourself? What standard do you set for yourself and the people around you? Are you the kind of teammate you would want to have?
Are you the kind of person you would want to be led by? Culture is not exclusive to the workplace, either. It exists in a club on campus, on a sports team, in a classroom, in a band, in a church community or anywhere else. The challenge is learning to recognize when the culture around you is good and appreciating it while you are still in it. It also means recognizing when a culture is unhealthy and deciding whether you can help improve it or whether it is time to move on. One of the best examples of good culture I have experienced recently has been here at Notre Dame through the Notre Dame Military and Veterans Affairs. This is my third time going back to school as an adult while working full time, and it is also the third veterans organization I have been part of as a student. The experience at Notre Dame has been different, to say the least. There are social events, networking opportunities, team-building, service and community outreach and help navigating the benefits veterans have earned. But more than the individual programs is the comfort of knowing that there is a community there for you if you need it. I had always heard about what makes Notre Dame different. People talk about the campus, the alumni network and the idea that once you are a Domer, you are always a Domer. Then you experience them. In only a few months, I have seen a level of camaraderie, partnership and buy-in that is difficult to manufacture. I have also had the opportunity to meet people such as Michael Labbe ’24, assistant director for Military and Veterans Affairs, and see the amount of
work that goes into building that community. Shortly after getting accepted into the University, I received a package in the mail that included a welcome letter, an NDMVA challenge coin and a pin. The letter included a QR code that brought me to the GroupMe forum so that I could see all that was going on with this community. Just to highlight some of the activities that have happened since the summer, we have had an invite to the ND110 stair climb, a 9/11 5K run with the active Notre Dame ROTC members, a group paintball outing, veteran career events and invitations to see speakers that have come to the University. This community doesn’t appear to offer anything that other clubs have to offer, or even services that the University offers, but getting the information sent to you simply for checking “yes” to being a veteran on my application is as simple as it gets. Some of that culture may come naturally from the military background that many of the people involved have, but that alone does not explain it. I have been part of veteran communities at other institutions, and without taking anything away from those experiences, the level of outreach and connection I have experienced at Notre Dame has been different. The ease of being included and finding a community without putting forth much effort helped me to feel included, even if I was 2,000 miles away. There are even a few pilgrimage opportunities that are available to the military and veteran community. The frequency of the meetups, social events and outreach separates this community from the others I have seen. If you are a veteran, current military
personnel or military spouse, I highly recommend getting in touch with the group if you haven’t already. This experience has also made me stop and remind myself of something I have not always been very good at: appreciating the moment while I am still living it. I do not want to look back years from now and say, “Man, those were great times. I wish I had appreciated them more.” I have already done enough of that. I want to be present in these moments now and look to be grateful for the experiences of today. When I think back over my 15 years at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, some of my favorite memories are not necessarily the easiest jobs or the most comfortable days. Some involved dirty work, long days or bad weather. What made those experiences memorable were the people standing next to me. I am a high-voltage electrician, working on the major electrical components that feed the electrical grid. We work on electrical equipment that is energized at 4,800 volts all the way up to 230,000 volts. This is a hazardous job, just like so many others, and when you talk to people who work in dangerous jobs, crew culture is a key difference in how your daily life will be. The work was important, but the people made the difference. That is why I have become more cautious about assuming the grass will always be greener somewhere else. Sometimes a new opportunity really is better. Sometimes leaving is the right decision. Growth requires change. But there is also value in recognizing what you already have. Most people reading this
will spend a large part of their week going to class, attending clubs, practicing with a team or working a job somewhere between everything else they are trying to navigate. Pay attention to the culture around you. If you find yourself in a place where people support one another, challenge one another and genuinely want each other to succeed, appreciate it. Contribute to it. Do not just consume the culture others have created. And if you have not found that kind of environment yet, do not assume your only option is to search for greener grass. Find people who share your values. Look for opportunities to lead. Set a standard. Be the teammate you wish you had. Be the person who welcomes somebody new. Be the one who makes the group better because you are part of it. Sometimes the culture you are looking for is somewhere else. And sometimes you are the person who has to help create it. And if there’s something you’ve been wrestling with — work, relationships, school, faith, family or just figuring out what comes next — I’d love to hear about it. Send your question to The Observer’s Opinion section. Maybe your question becomes the beginning of the next conversation. opi n ion@nd s mc o b s e r v e r. com Anything, anytime. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Write to Christopher Saenz at csaenz@nd.edu
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Notre Dame vs. UNC Notre Dame took on UNC on Saturday at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Irish won 37-26. Photography by assistant photo editor Keira Jones
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‘Digger’ is a film at war with itself By Luke Foley Scene Editor Emeritus
In his ecological encylcial “Laudato Si,” Pope Francis gently stated, “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” Harsh words, but he’s not wrong. Our world seems to be on a collision course with total collapse, not just environmental disaster. But at least we have movies … right? Well, not so fast, says “Digger,” the newest film from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu starring Tom Cruise. Let me start my review by saying this: “Digger” is the most baffling movie I’ve ever seen. Sure, I’ve seen more experimental films, but I’ve never seen a film with a budget this large, with a movie star this big, that is so scathing and subversive. What starts as a satire of climate change and reckless billionaires becomes something much more ambitious and stunning. I’m hesitant to even spoil the film’s twist, a twist so twisty it would make M. Night Shyamalan blush. But I have far too much to say about “Digger,” and the film’s mysterious marketing gimmick didn’t get people to see it anyway (It’s on track to be one of the biggest box office bombs of all time). So, reader, if you want to experience the film in its full blistering purity, turn back now. But if you still need convincing to see it or want to better understand the bizarre film you just watched,
carry on. The first 30 minutes of “Digger” play it straight: We’re introduced to Digger Rockwell (Cruise), the CEO of a massive oil company. He’s a belligerent old man, eccentric as he is callous, with a deep-fried Southern drawl. After months of ignoring reports of unstable methane levels at his Greenland oil rig, it finally explodes, sending an iceberg the size of Maryland toward Europe. The president of the United States and his cabinet convene with Digger to discuss what to do, and after lots of bombastic chest-thumping, they decide to do nothing. Now, up to this point, the film is a dark comedy in the vein of “Dr. Strangelove,” sending up powerful men and their incompetence with cartoonish flair. However, I didn’t find its satire very funny or insightful, leaving me worried about the next 1 1/2 hours. But then something happens: The film suddenly halts as a background prop breaks. Someone yells cut, and the entire set is deconstructed to reveal that we’ve been watching the dress rehearsal for a play about the real Digger Rockwell called “Fossil Fools.” Cruise plays an actor, Curtis Markson, who plays Digger Rockwell. Woah. This narrative framing was completely withheld from all the trailers and promotional material, so I was very bewildered. I also didn’t immediately understand its larger meaning. But
as the film continued to unfold, with the play’s story and backstage drama running in parallel, the full weight of its themes and ideas became clear. “Digger” is about two issues: the climate crisis and our response to it. The play addresses the first while the narrative frame addresses the latter. “Digger” argues the root cause of the climate crisis is not the greed of CEOs or oil companies but our own greed. Our endless consumption and insatiable appetites demand the energy only oil can provide. We need the Diggers of the world to keep digging to support our consumerist lifestyles. So unless we have serious conversations about slowing down the economy, the worry about climate change is largely hollow. The film has Digger bluntly deliver this inconvenient truth in a tour-de-force 10-minute monologue that is arguably the finest moment of Cruise’s career, with his dynamic performance and the vicious writing in perfect harmony. So while the film features a cabal of bumbling idiots controlling the world, it never lets us forget our complicity in their actions. But before you start cheering too hard for the film’s politics, the film turns inward and criticizes its own satire. Curtis, the actor playing Digger, becomes increasingly disillusioned with the play’s treatment of Digger and climate change — it’s no coincidence this happens simultaneously with his daughter’s
flight disappearing during a hurricane. He breaks character during a scene and starts arguing with the play’s director. Curtis calls the play — essentially the movie we’ve been watching for the past 90 minutes — unfunny and meaningless and argues its cartoonish satire minimizes the evil of the real Rockwell Digger. We also learn the play is suspiciously financed by Rockwell’s nephew, Kenny, who owns a global security company ... At this point, my mind was completely broken — was the film’s humor intentionally bad? What are we supposed to make of the in-movie play and its message? What was Iñárritu cooking? Why did Cruise agree to make this film? The film continues to argue against itself in the final scene. It’s the opening night of the play, and we see the audience teary-eyed, delivering rapturous applause as Digger commits suicide in exile. The cast, even the initially skeptical Curtis, is thrilled by the reception, highfiving each other backstage. But the audience then exits the theater into the flooded, polluted city streets patrolled by hypermilitarized police — the world Digger and his environmental crisis created. After thinking nonstop about the film since seeing it this weekend, I’ve come to realize “Digger” is a movie at war with itself. It offers scathing satire on the environmental crisis, targeting American capitalism and
Europe’s impotent submission. But it is also a satire of its own satire, acknowledging art’s limitations in addressing such an important issue. Art can obfuscate the fullness of reality, and catharsis can be an opium that lulls us from taking concrete action: We laugh in a theater about climate change and then slip right back into our old ways. And, at the end of the day, the narrative is still controlled by the elite: Even a film lampooning Digger is financed by a Rockwell. “Digger” reads as Iñárritu reckoning with the futility of his art in real time: Maybe movies don’t have the power to change the world. But more than anything else, “Digger” feels like a death knell for movies. Will a movie this audacious and biting ever receive a budget this big ever again? It’s fitting the last film released by Warner Bros. before their acquisition by Oracle scion David Ellision is about the techno-industrial complex compromising the arts. Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy’s reign as Warner Bros. chiefs that gave us freewheeling, auteur blockbusters is over. So despite “Digger” being far from a masterpiece — its attempts at humor largely fall flat and some scenes drag on endlessly — it will stand the test of time as a mad genius film that stared down its own failure in real time. Contact Luke Foley at lfoley2@nd.edu
The Hillbilly Thomists at Notre Dame By Harry Penne Scene Copyeditor
The Dominicans are the Order of Preachers; teaching and spreading the Gospel are at the heart of their ministry and charism. So, what happens when you combine the rich intellectual tradition of a Doctor of the Church, a call to teach and a banjo? The Hillbilly Thomists are a bluegrass band composed of Dominican friars from the Province of St. Joseph. Begun in 2014 as a group specializing in Irish traditional music, they have refined their sound to something new, taking inspiration from bluegrass, American folk music, Appalachian music and spirituals. The group recorded its first album in 2017, “The Hillbilly Thomists,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart. To date, they have released six studio albums. In addition to their recording work, they have performed for an array of venues, from parish picnics to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Their name is a reference to Catholic novelist Flannery O’Connor, who once jokingly referred to herself as not a “hillbilly nihilist” but a “hillbilly Thomist.” “Thomist” comes from the philosophical school of Dominican saint and Doctor of the Church Thomas Aquinas. The Hillbilly Thomists visited campus for the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture’s annual Fall Conference. This year’s theme: But Where Can She Be Found? Wisdom from Age to Age. Their concert on Oct. 3, performed in Washington Hall’s Mainstage Theatre on campus, marked the conference’s conclusion. After a brief introduction, the group opened with “Weight of Eternal Glory,” perfectly setting the tone and expectations for the evening. Additionally, it was incredible to see friars in full Dominican habits rocking out with guitars, banjos and other folk instruments. Four of the group’s members performed in this concert: Fr. Thomas Joseph White on banjo, Fr. Justin Bolger on guitar, Fr. Peter Gautsch on guitar and Fr. Joseph Hagan on
percussion. Both Hagan and Gautsch are proud Domers, so, as a tribute to Notre Dame, the group gave a special intro for “Good Tree,” weaving in “Here Come the Irish.” It was a wonderful Easter egg that landed exceptionally well. The friars, who sounded fantastic live and just as good as on their albums, commanded the auditorium with great stage presence. A technical highlight from the show was the vocals. The friars took turns leading the songs, and each vocalist brought their own unique flavor depending on the genre. Toward the end, three of them performed an a cappella piece, and the harmonies were goosebump-inducing. I also enjoyed watching them change instruments throughout the night, highlighting just how multi-talented they are as musicians. I would also like to highlight Hagan’s incredible performance playing the spoons during “Way Down in New Orleans.” His technique was mesmerizing and stole the number. I only have one critique for the show: It was about three
songs too long, with a run time of nearly 90 minutes. Now, despite this, the quality of the songs never dwindled, nor did the friars’ passion and presence. They played a good mix of their most popular songs and newer compositions. My standout song from the night was “Bourbon, Bluegrass, and the Bible.” To me, this is the quintessential Hillbilly Thomist song; it features their signature sound, clever lyrics and accessible theology. During the chorus, White invited the audience to sing with him. Other notable songs included “Give Me a Drink,” a drinking song about a different kind of drink than the one you would expect; “Marigold,” a bluegrass song about the Blessed Mother; and “Holy Ghost Power.” Another standout song was “Garrigou,” which honors 20thcentury French Dominican theologian Fr. Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange. This tune showcases the Thomists’ ability to write lyrics that are undeniably bluegrass yet deep and contemplative. Where else can you find a toe-tapping number
about mysticism and arguing for the existence of God? After the main set, the group performed a two-song encore, concluding with “I’m a Dog.” Bluegrass and theology are a combination that works surprisingly well. It never felt gimmicky or corny. Also, I didn’t feel like I was listening to “church music” or a sermon; they weave faith very naturally into their work. Another aspect of the show that I appreciated was its humor! The friars were quite funny. A few audience members playfully heckled the artists during song transitions, but the friars played along with the audience commentary, making it into a bit. Even beyond these unintentional moments, the Thomists write some genuinely comedic lyrics. They know when to be serious and solemn, and they know when to be lighthearted and fun. I had a great time hearing the Hillbilly Thomists and am certain the audience did too, as an eager and well-earned standing ovation was given. Contact Harry Penne at hpenne@nd.edu
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FOOTBALL
Irish pound Tar Heels on ground in Chapel Hill By Ellie Collins Associate Sports Editor
On Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the clouds brought the rain, but Notre Dame brought the thunder. The vaunted Irish defense and special teams surprisingly struggled to find their footing, but the offense took the reins behind an emerging ground attack and junior quarterback CJ Carr in a 37-26 win over a feisty and well-prepared North Carolina squad. Carr finished the day with 234 yards passing and 4 touchdowns plus another on the ground. His backfield mates pounded the Heels on the ground for 241 yards, including 120 by emerging freshman Jonaz Walton. “I thought we ran the ball as a whole unit unbelievably well,” Carr said in the post-game press conference, “especially in those [rainy] conditions where you might be asked to do it a little bit more than a usual drive game.” With a number of empty
blue seats in the crowd, North Carolina won the toss and deferred its choice to the second half, initiating a poorly disciplined first Irish possession that ended in a failed thirdand-6 conversion on the second series of downs. After an Irish punt to the UNC 26, the Heels quickly advanced the ball down the field and arrived at the Notre Dame 7-yard line following a 44-yard connection from quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. to wideout Jordan Shipp. After two big stops and a UNC penalty, a key unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on senior linebacker Jaiden Ausberry, right before Carolina would have faced third-and-goal from the 14, gave the Heels a fresh set of downs. Edwards Jr. capitalized immediately, tossing it to tight end Shamar Easter after a play fake for a 6-yard catch and run into the end zone; UNC earned the first score of the afternoon with 12:54 left on the clock. On the succeeding Notre Dame possession, Carr and senior wide receiver Jordan Faison immediately went to
work. The duo connected four times on the drive and ended in success as Carr hit Faison in stride on a post pattern at the back of the end zone for a 28yard touchdown to equalize the game at 6:41. In the ensuing play from scrimmage, senior defensive end Boubacar Traore nailed Edwards Jr. as he attempted a pass, floating the ball into the waiting arms of junior linebacker Kyngstonn ViliamuAsa at the UNC 24 to start the quarter’s turnover trend. A back-shoulder slot fade from Carr to the missing man, senior wideout Jaden Greathouse, put the Irish up 14-7 within 15 seconds. “I thought we played really dominant after that point until right up to before half,” Freeman said of the back-toback scores. “We needed that.” Carolina tried to string together its first decent drive since the opening minutes, but a deep ball from Edwards Jr. was picked off by senior safety Luke Talich at the Notre Dame 23 to usher Carr back onto the
KEIRA JONES | The Observer
Senior receiver Jaden Greathouse celebrates a second-quarter touchdown in Notre Dame’s 37-26 win at North Carolina Saturday. Greathouse found the end zone for the first time since the 2025 National Championship.
gridiron. The Irish signal caller took advantage with a nineplay, 77-yard march, ending with Carr finding a wide-open Faison down the right sideline for a 39-yard touchdown reception that placed the Irish up 21-7 with 14:53 remaining in the second. Faison finished the day with 132 yards on 8 catches. “[The Tar Heels] couldn’t really stop us,” Carr said of the dominant offense. “It felt like we were imposing our will on them whenever we wanted to. After that, you get comfortable.” After UNC failed to earn a first down courtesy of relentless Irish coverage, the Notre Dame offense again moved right down the field. However, the 10-play drive ended without points in the red zone as Carr could not connect on a pass to senior tight end Cooper Flanagan in the back of the end zone on fourth-and-goal, giving the Heels the ball back at the 3. Over the next seven minutes, the Irish defense could not get off the turf as UNC progressed 97 yards in 15 plays. The action was topped off by Heels tight end Jelani Thurman catching a 14-yard reception that cut the Carolina deficit to 21-14 at the half. After the break, Notre Dame prepared to face its first true road test with a mere one-score, 21-14 cushion — a perilous task compared to its 35-0 halftime lead at Purdue on Sept. 26. The assignment became all the more daunting when Heels wide receiver Jaden Jefferson returned the half’s opening kickoff 92 yards for an immediate Carolina score to make it 21-20; a faulty snap led to a missed conversion that kept Notre Dame in the lead. The Irish responded in kind with a 17-play, 75-yard drive. Facing fourth-and-goal again,
the Irish found paydirt this time as Carr scampered 3 yards into the end zone on a free play after his hard count baited Carolina offsides. In the wet conditions, Notre Dame also failed to convert the extra point when freshman punter Jasper Scaife dropped the snap, keeping the score at 27-20. In full, the drive took 9 minutes, 10 seconds and starred Walton, who ran 12 times for 61 yards and converted twice on fourth down. After the Irish defense forced a punt, the backfield again took control of the game and the clock. On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Notre Dame converted on first-andgoal with a 6-yard touchdown toss from Carr to sophomore running back Nolan James Jr. The preceding seven plays on the 68-yard drive included only one pass through the air for 13 yards — a possible sign of the Irish ground game’s flourishing. After a forced UNC punt and an 11-play, 52-yard drive by the Irish, junior Spencer Porath kicked a 31-yard field goal. While the game was comfortably in hand, the final score came on a 10-yard Heels touchdown pass from Edwards Jr. to Thurman with 2:36 left. Talich blocked the extra point kick to leave the final score at 37-26. When asked whether today’s rushing showcase was necessary to prove the depth of this Notre Dame team, Carr said, “No … we know what we have in the backfield with the running backs. That’s a very outside perspective. We know we can run the ball when we want to, and I thought we showed that today really well.” All said, the blue and gold offense left UNC singing the Carolina blues. The Irish now head back to South Bend for their matchup against Stanford next Saturday at 3:30 pm.
ND MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Irish men take first, women second at Joe Piane By Dylan Kowalski Sports Reporter
Notre Dame hosted the annual Joe Piane Invitational Friday on Burke Golf Course, where the Irish men and women captured first place and second place, respectively. The meet provided increased competition, with ACC schools like NC State and Clemson coming to South Bend. The women’s 5K went first. The top two finishers for Notre Dame were juniors Mary Bonner Dalton and Amaya Aramini, finishing 11th and 12th with times of 16:09.9 and 16:11.0, respectively. Rounding out the top five were senior Gretchen Farley (16:22.9, 17th), sophomore
Chloe Huyler (16:27.0, 21st) and senior Reagan Riley (16:33.0, 23rd). With the heightened competition, assistant coach Jared Schatz was very happy with how both teams still ran as packs, something the coaching staff has emphasized. “I’d say the thing that we looked for, which is the most exciting thing, is that there wasn’t too much of a difference, as far as how we raced [between the two meets] with the pack racing, working together, which we’re all kind of moving as one, both men and women. That was the emphasis going in, of not letting those gaps form, keeping that one to five spread really tight,” he said. Amid the women’s pack,
Aramini was making her debut on the season. “Sometimes that first race, even though you’re in great shape, is always just a kick to the stomach, but she went out there again, put her nose in it, competed really well, and we were excited to see what that result was,” Schatz said. With the Irish women starting strong, the men followed it up with a first place team finish spearheaded by fifth-year Daelen Ackley, who ran a personal best time of 22:54.7, taking home first individually. Following behind Ackley was junior Cameron Todd, who finished second at 22:58.6. As Ackley and Todd came through 6K, they were separated
by a 10th of a second. “Those guys are competitors. [With] cross country you can kind of throw the times out of the window. It’s hot, it’s the course, it’s rainy, whatever it is. When you can sniff that win, sniff that top two, it gets the juices flowing,” Schatz said. Two more Irish runners finished in the top 10, as junior Drew Griffith ran 23:17.2 and senior Kevin Sanchez ran 23:17.4 to secure fifth and sixth places, respectively. Sophomore Max Douglass completed the scoring, beating his previous best performance by 17 seconds with a time of 23:28.3 to finish 11th. “At one point in the race, he was behind a big pack. The next time I
saw him, maybe about 40 seconds later, he was in front of that pack that we needed to go chase,” Schatz said. The Irish are next in action at Pre-Nationals hosted by Indiana State on Oct. 16. In the meantime, they will hope to climb the national rankings after podium finishes at Joe Piane. As of a Sept. 29 poll, the women are ranked 7th in the nation, with the men ranked 15th by the nation’s coaches. Once PreNationals are finished, the Irish will begin postseason racing at the ACC Championships hosted by Virginia Tech on Oct. 30. Contact Dylan Kowalski at dkowals2@nd.edu
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FOOTBALL
Faison leads Irish against Belichick’s lineup By Chris Dailey Senior Sports Reporter
It’s only fitting senior receiver Jordan Faison had arguably the best performance of his career against Bill Belichick. On the surface, the relationship between the two is almost nonexistent. Belichick is a sixtime Super Bowl-winning head coach whose football resume needs little introduction. Faison is a 22-year-old Florida native who has grown from walk-on to captain in his four years with Notre Dame. So, what on earth connects them? Lacrosse. While Faison’s journey as a two-time national champion lacrosse player for Notre Dame is a well-documented one, Belichick’s lifelong connection to lacrosse is a lesser-known piece of the famously guarded coach’s story. Raised in Annapolis, Maryland, Belichick grew up going to Navy lacrosse games during its dynasty of the 1960s. At Wesleyan University, he served
as captain of the lacrosse team his senior year — also playing football in the fall, much like Faison. Belichick has stayed firmly cemented in the world of lacrosse. The Bill Belichick Foundation supports football and lacrosse programs, and his charitable efforts have even helped develop Croatia’s national lacrosse program. As fate would have it, when Faison — a prototypical undersized, shifty, Belichickstylereceiver — lined up against the Belichick-led Tar Heels of North Carolina on Saturday afternoon, he starred. Faison registered 8 receptions for a career-high 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, playing a critical role in the Irish’s 37-26 win over the Tar Heels. When asked about Faison’s career day post-game, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman didn’t mince words. “He’s consistent,” Freeman said. “He’s a consistent person. He’s a consistent football player. He’s a consistent practice player. When you’re consistent in everything you do, you’re going to
have games like that.” Freeman’s assessment is accurate, but consistency alone doesn’t quite capture what makes Faison so dangerous. There is an elite improvisational quality to his game. Faison is a footballing magician, constantly wiggling his way into open space and finding a way to make an impact when Notre Dame needs it most. His first touchdown on Saturday came nine minutes into the affair. With Notre Dame trailing for the first time since the opening quarter against Wisconsin after an early North Carolina touchdown, the Irish needed a response. Sure enough, Faison slipped free into the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown that quieted North Carolina’s lively crowd. Then, in the opening act of the second quarter, Faison made a SportsCenter Top-10worthy play. On third-and-7 from the North Carolina 39, Carr unleashed a deep ball downfield to Faison. Even though the Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback slightly
overthrew the pass, Faison athletically leaped full extension through the air and hauled in a touchdown. Faison’s heroics didn’t just draw critical acclaim from Freeman. His quarterback was equally impressed. “It helps me play fast and on time when I know Jordan is going to be in the exact spot we need him to be every single time,” Carr said. He later continued, “For me, it’s a blanket guy. When it’s a question about what the coverage is or what the protection is, he’s the guy that’s in the right spot at the right time.” Faison’s on-field excellence is paired with his leadership ability off the gridiron. The fifth former walk-on to earn the honor of captain since the turn of the century, Faison’s greatness transcends mere statistics. “His job is to be what people need him to be,” Freeman said. “He’s aware at times that they need an energy-provider.” Faison’s energy rubbed off on the rest of the Notre Dame squad. After his initial touchdown, the Irish recorded an
interception 10 seconds later. On the ensuing offensive drive, it took Freeman’s team one play to strike again and take the lead. From there, Notre Dame never looked back. Although the Irish were sloppy at times, perhaps a product of the downpour that drenched Kenan Stadium, they remained firmly in control. Faison’s performance was reminiscent of the Patriots stars who helped lead Belichick’s team to six Lombardi Trophies. His ability to create separation and always find himself open is all too similar to Julian Edelman, another player who made a career of being exactly where his quarterback needed him. For years, Tom Brady found that consistency in Edelman. Carr seems to have found it in Faison. Carr said, “[Faison] is just a guy you can trust.” For Belichick, it’s a script he’s seen a thousand times over — only this time, he was on the opposite sideline. Contact Chris Dailey at cdailey2@nd.edu
ND WOMEN’S SOCCER
No. 12 Irish fall against No. 1 North Carolina By Ellie Collins Associate Sports Editor
On a humid Friday night in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the No. 12 Notre Dame women’s soccer team fell 4-1 to No. 1 North Carolina. The overmatched Irish could not contain the prolific Tar Heel attack spearheaded by forward Bella Devey and midfielder Summer Denigan. It was Devey who netted the first couple of goals to give Carolina an ultimately insurmountable two-score cushion by the 17th minute, while midfielder Lilliah Blum and Denigan added scores in the 27th and 68th minutes, respectively. Though Irish junior defender Abby Mills bagged her first goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 21st minute, the Heels left the pitch 11-1 on the season as the Irish dropped to 4-1-6. Notre Dame arrived in North Carolina undefeated and looking to continue its September hot streak following notable draws against top-5 teams in Michigan State and Duke and a 2-1 win over then-No. 24 Clemson on Sept. 11. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, scored a 4-2 victory against then-No. 2 Duke on Sept. 17 and a 3-1 win at then-No. 16 Virginia on Sept. 25 to vault them into the top spot. From the outset of Friday’s matchup, the Blue and Gold were evidently hoping for a
counterattack as they attempted to hold down a Carolina offense that maintained immediate pressure from the opening kickoff. In the 13th minute, Blum carried the ball to the right side of the box and connected with a primed Devey, who delivered a rocket to the bottom right corner for the first score of the night; Irish junior goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica did not stand a chance. Less than five minutes later, Heels forward Amari Manning drew a foul from junior winger Riley DeMartino inside the 18yard box, and Devey ripped a penalty with pace into the roof of the net to secure a brace and extend UNC’s lead to 2-0. Shortly thereafter, in the 21st minute, a scuffed header by Mills off an Irish free kick from freshman midfielder Reese Canada snuck into the cage off the right post to cut the Heels’ lead back to one. The Irish goal, however, did not give Notre Dame enough momentum to fend off a relentless UNC offensive effort. In the 27th minute, Manning perfectly placed a push pass to Blum inside the 18-yard box, and the senior tapped it into the top center of the net. The Irish had a shot on goal in the 31st minute as senior defender Morgan Roy teed it up for a header by junior forward Ellie Hodsden at the far post, but Carolina netminder Hannah Johann was ready for it. The Heels entered halftime up 3-1.
After the break, UNC took three early shots but could not convert any into scores as Kasica notched three clutch blocks. The Irish keeper has posted 36 saves on the season thus far. From there, Notre Dame maintained a lengthy spell of possession and tried to mount an offensive attack but ultimately failed to crack UNC’s strong backline. Hodsden blasted an attempt from the right side in the 65th minute, but the shot landed wide.
In the 68th minute, Blum lofted the ball to Denigan inside the 6-yard box, and the Heels’ offensive engine chested it past Kasica for Carolina’s fourth and final goal of the night. Both Irish freshman forward Bristol Kersh and junior midfielder Izzy Engle took shots down the stretch, but Johann made two crucial stops to stave off the potential start of a comeback. Notre Dame now heads back to South Bend for another
challenging conference matchup opposite No. 15 UVA on Oct. 8. The Cavaliers, standing at 6-2-2, feature a potent attack fresh off a 4-0 rout of Syracuse, but the Irish, Engle and star junior forward Annabelle Chukwu will look to return to full offensive form against a solid Virginia defense. Kickoff from Alumni Stadium is slated for 7 p.m. Contact Ellie Collins at ecollin9@nd.edu
KEIRA JONES | The Observer
Junior forward Izzy Engle takes a moment prior to Notre Dame’s 4-1 defeat at No. 1 North Carolina Friday. The 2025 ACC Offensive Player of the Year has dealt with injuries this season, only appearing in 6 of 11 games.
SPORTS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
THE OBSERVER | 11
FOOTBALL
Lytle: Irish schedule reflects systemic problem By Henry Lytle Associate Sports Editor
Through five weeks of college football, Notre Dame fans have watched the Irish beat up on bottom-feeder Big Ten and ACC opponents. The Wisconsin Badgers are the only Irish opponent so far in the 2026 season that has a winning record through five weeks, making it nearly impossible to accurately evaluate the quality of Notre Dame on the gridiron. But the Irish are not alone as a playoff hopeful with high expectations, elite talent and a mediocre schedule. Top contenders have continued to avoid playing each other, even in the era of the 12-team playoff, and the fans are the ones stuck paying for it. Notre Dame trailed on Saturday against a now 2-2 UNC team that blew a 17-3 first-half lead against Clemson. The Tar Heels certainly possess elite talent in the passing game with receiver Jordan Shipp and tight end Jelani Thurman, who combined for 159 of Billy Edwards Jr.’s 208 yards passing and two of his three touchdowns. Notre Dame’s defense was seemingly put
to more of a test than it has been throughout the rest of the season, surrendering 26 points on a rainy afternoon in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Irish still won by double digits, extending their double-digit win streak to 15 in a row, but this doesn’t change the fact that Notre Dame fans are stuck with six weeks of poor competition before the Irish head to BYU on Oct. 17. This isn’t all Notre Dame’s fault, though. Of the top 10 teams in the Week 5 AP Poll, half of them have yet to play a ranked opponent. This includes No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 4 Miami, No. 7 Indiana and No. 8 BYU. These teams will eventually be tested in conference play, even if some have been gifted favorable draws avoiding the top competition in their conferences. That still evades the issue that nonconference play has not changed for top contenders who choose to schedule Howard, Florida A&M or Western Kentucky. When the 12-team playoff first came out, the mainstream sports media tried to sell the narrative that more margin for error would
incentivize teams to schedule tougher out-of-conference games. So far, this has yet to be the case, not only for Notre Dame, which relies on teams scheduling highprofile nonconference games, but also for other major contenders who just avoid the issue altogether. USC backed out of the long-standing rivalry with Notre Dame after it complained about Notre Dame’s competitive advantage without a conference. Most nonconference schedules are coordinated long in advance, but that has not stopped many top contenders from backing out of agreements for nonconference series well in the future. The reality of super conferences has saturated schedules even among the major leagues. Top contender Miami plays one ranked conference opponent in Pittsburgh this season, avoiding other historically strong teams such as SMU, Virginia or Louisville. The Big 12 might show the harshest reality this season where leading contenders BYU, Texas Tech, Utah and Oklahoma State have at most two ranked opponents in conference play. This makes the margin
paper-thin in a league with 16 or 18 teams in which opponents avoid playing each other. Texas Tech was the preseason favorite to win the league yet will not play BYU or Utah, the nearest contenders, depriving fans of the opportunity to watch great football. I won’t buy the narrative that a successful season comes down to making the playoff with the benefit of lopsided scheduling. Indiana made the playoff in 2024 by playing one ranked opponent the whole season, a blowout loss at Ohio State. In 2025, Texas A&M played two ranked conference opponents and was dismantled by Texas at the end of the season. Both of these teams were rewarded for their one-loss seasons with a playoff spot and were quickly shown the exit in the first round by better opponents. With a tougher schedule, I would argue that neither team would have finished 11-1 and would have missed out on the playoff. The playoff is not what makes college football special. College football remains unique in that the regular season carries the most
weight of any major American sport. Eighty thousand people don’t show up to see their team play against a rival because it has playoff implications. They do it because they love the camaraderie of fandom in the sport, sharing in the traditions of the university and witnessing a spectacle unique in a socially divided modern culture. For Notre Dame and the other untested top contenders, the anticipation builds toward the first ranked matchup of the year. In the Irish’s case, it will be against No. 8 BYU in Week 7. It is frustrating for fans across the country to miss out on great football because of playoff expansion and super conferences rewarding easy schedules. While it might be more complicated in Notre Dame’s case, the reality means ranked games become must-win for the Irish, even more so than for other national championship contenders. Weak scheduling is nothing new in college football, but that doesn’t mean anyone is cheering for it. Contact Henry Lytle at hlytle@nd.edu
ND HOCKEY
Breaking down Notre Dame hockey personnel By Nikki Stachurski Associate Sports Editor
Notre Dame hockey just completed exhibition play, earning its first two hard-fought wins of the season against the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and Toronto. Now, after the first chance to witness the new Irish team in action, it is time to examine the personnel donning the Blue and Gold. Offseason additions Last season, the Irish said goodbye to six seniors and graduate students, including prominent goal scorers Axel Kumlin and veteran Sutter Muzzatti. The Notre Dame coaching staff knew it had to put some work in filling the gaps on the roster, and it brought in some promising players for the upcoming season. The first issue was goaltending, as two of the three goaltenders graduated last year, leaving junior Nick Kempf on his own. The Irish landed junior Toby Hopp out of the transfer portal from the Air Force Academy, where he made 13 saves and allowed 5 goals in a lone appearance last year. The staff also recruited freshman Patrick Quinlan, who played for Sarnia in the OHL, recording a .877 save percentage and a 3.58 goals-against average in 48 appearances. The two goaltenders were a much-needed addition to the Irish roster, especially since Kempf carried the Irish from between the posts all of last season. For the forward position, the Irish played the transfer portal
well, landing sophomore David Klee from North Dakota and junior Hagen Burrows from Denver, who won the national championship last season. Freshman Sammy Nelson also committed to the Irish to play alongside his brothers Danny and Henry. Also coming to South Bend from Sarnia, freshman Beckham Edwards wrapped up his time in the OHL to suit up for the Irish. On the defensive end, freshman Danny Klaers joined the Irish after his stint in the USHL playing for Muskegon. Notre Dame also landed two junior defensemen from the transfer portal: Michael Quinn from Miami and Leo Gruba from Big Ten foe Minnesota. The healthy combination of upperclassmen transfers and incoming freshmen holds great promise, for the Irish are blending experience with newfound talent, beneficial in balancing lines and ensuring Notre Dame can build a winning program rather than just a lone strong season. Forwards The Irish have a whopping 15 forwards on their roster, and while scoring was not the biggest weakness for Notre Dame last season, there was ample room for improvement. Now-seniors Danny Nelson, Brennan Ali and Evan Werner were top scorers for the Irish in the 2025-26 season, accounting for 78 of the team’s 291 points. Their chemistry will be paramount on the Irish offense, but there are certainly younger forwards putting up impressive numbers. Sophomore Pano Fimis
is one to keep an eye on after totaling 17 points last season. He will only improve as he is put on higher lines with greater opportunities to score. The Irish must avoid heavy reliance on lines powered by veterans, instead blending newer and younger talent to eliminate talent gaps and make the Notre Dame offense hard-hitting. In the first game of the season against the USNTDP, sophomore forward Will Belle scored two goals, joined by one each from Werner and Sammy Nelson in the 4-2 Irish victory. In Saturday’s game against Toronto, sophomore forward Cole Brown scored the equalizer for the Irish before senior defenseman Paul Fischer won the game in overtime. In the two exhibition games of the weekend, 5 of the 6 total goals were scored by forwards, a statistic the Irish have every reason to be happy with. Last season’s scoring drive was greatly aided by forward-minded defensemen, and while it is not a weakness, the Irish should expect more of their forwards in the coming season. Defensemen Of the eight defensemen rostered for the Irish, five are upperclassmen and three are underclassmen. The Irish proved in the past that they are unafraid to play physically and get penalty minutes, which caused some trouble in conference play. There is a fine line between playing with physicality to protect your
team and unnecessary roughness, which the Irish must control this season. Danny Nelson led the current roster in penalties last season, with 16 penalties and 32 penalty minutes. Senior Carter Slaggert had 13 penalties for 45 minutes a year ago. Bringing in transfers can hopefully keep the Irish physicality while reducing penalties, which can elevate Notre Dame’s play and reduce the constant reliance on the penalty kill. The Irish tied the USNTDP in penalties and minutes in Friday’s game, with both teams earning 3 penalties for 6 minutes. The Irish only gave up one power-play goal halfway through the third period. In Saturday’s game against Toronto, the Irish had 3 penalties for 17 minutes, which is a step backward in their defensive goals for the season. Danny Nelson got 5 minutes for charging and 10 minutes for a game misconduct, but the Irish were able to kill the penalties. Goaltending Perhaps the most important difference between this season and last is the development in goal. It is no secret that Kempf was one of Notre Dame’s most important players last season, playing in 34 games and making 980 saves for his impressive .893 save percentage. But in games where he was hurt or unavailable, such as against Western Michigan and Michigan State, the Irish confidence wavered. In his first start of the season against the USNTDP, Kempf let in two goals and made 28 saves against a young attack
known for its scoring ability, leaving little doubt he is ready to compete in his third season with the Irish. Bringing in two promising new goalies was crucial, and the Irish have high expectations for the newcomers, especially the young Quinlan. Although he had yet to play collegiately, his statistics from last season in the OHL proved he can be trusted in game-defining moments. In his collegiate debut against Toronto on Saturday, he only allowed 1 goal and managed 27 saves, keeping the Irish in the game until they scored the gamewinner in overtime. As for Hopp, he needs to be tested further at the Division I level. He only played two games in his time at the Air Force Academy, and his effort at practice will determine when and if he can start for the Irish. The Irish scraped by with two wins in their exhibition games to open the season, but there is still work to be done. Thanks to the added confidence in goaltending, the 2026-27 Notre Dame team does not have to rely on Kempf alone to keep the Irish in games. As the team grows closer and has more experience playing alongside one another, the forwards have high expectations for scoring, and as long as the defense can remain levelheaded and not put the Irish at a continual disadvantage, the Irish have every reason to be a prominent Big Ten contender. Contact Nikki Stachurski at mstachu2@nd.edu
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