THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 | VOL. LXI, NO. 11
Eddy Street restaurants respond to shooting By Allison Riley and Erik Gunderson Reporters
A shooting at Eddy Street Commons last Saturday, the second in the last two months, has caused alarm among businesses regarding both personal safety and the ability to draw in customers. Kara Welling, an employee at Barrio Tacos, was bringing drinks out to the restaurant’s patio when she heard gunfire down the street. She described the incident as “very intense” and said that she and some of the restaurant’s guests ducked for cover while other patrons f led the scene. Welling went on to praise the police response, saying that SBPD “made sure to establish a feeling of safety and security” immediately following the shooting but nevertheless doubted that the restaurant’s
patrons from that night would return. Brittney Britzke, a night manager at the Chipotle Mexican Grill on Eddy Street, described the shooting as “nerve-wracking” and said her restaurant went from having a “line out the door” to being “completely shut down” in a matter of minutes following the shooting. She said the shooting was “extremely scary” and led her to question how she could ensure the safety of her employees in the future. “How do you protect your employees? How do you protect from gunshots when, I mean, the glass windows aren’t bulletproof?” she asked. Britzke also expressed concerns about how the restaurant is being affected by the gun violence, saying that since the shooting, business is already down “tremendously.”
She said that revenue at the location in the days since the shooting had significantly underperformed the restaurant’s expectations and was “nothing compared to what [they] were used to hitting.” Jessica Erickson, the general manager at the Eddy Street Chipotle, echoed Britzke’s sentiment and said that gun violence “drastically impacted” the sales at her location. She also said that she and her staff were apprehensive about working on the days of Notre Dame football games because of the risk of violence. “What’s going to happen next?” Erickson said. “It shouldn’t be like this,” she added. Payton Frick, an employee of O’Rourke’s Public House, estimated that more than See “Eddy Street” on page 5
Notre Dame ranked No. 20 by U.S. News & World Report By Observer News Staff Notre Dame repeated as the 20th highest-ranked national university in U.S. News & World’s newest annual report. The University is ranked just after Brown University, Rice University, Vanderbilt University
and Washington University in St. Louis — all of which tied for the No. 16 position. Emory University and Georgetown University are tied at No. 22. Notre Dame previously ranked No. 18 in 2025 before falling to No. 20 last year. The institution has been ranked as high as No. 15 in
2017 and 2020. It has not placed outside the top 20 since 1994, when it was No. 25 in the nation. Princeton University is not No. 1 in the rankings for the first time since 2011, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology now See “ND” on page 5
Saint Mary’s ranked 78th best liberal arts college By Observer News Staff
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Cavadini to receive Ratzinger Prize
Courtesy of Matt Cashore
Theology professor John Cavadini will be awarded the Ratzinger Prize later this year. The prize is the Vatican’s highest honor for theologians.
By Observer News Staff Notre Dame theology professor John Cavadini was named the winner of the Ratzinger Prize Tuesday by the Vatican. Cavadini is a scholar of
patristic studies with a focus on St. Augustine and additional work on Pope Benedict XVI and the late Pope Francis. He was the McGrath Institute See “Cavadini” on page 5
SMC appoints student trustee
By Sol Castellanos Associate News Editor
Senior Kathryn O’Connell has been named as a member of Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees for the 2026-2027 academic year. In a press release posted June 30, the College announced the joining of three new trustee members to the board this past summer. O’Connell originally had no intentions of attending Saint Mary’s despite having a familial history with the tri-campus area. After attending a campus tour, O’Connell noted that “it just kind of all fell right into my lap,” prompting her to apply and later accept an offer of admission to be a thirdgeneration Saint Mary’s Belle. She is the second student appointed to the board, following Angelina Stupak, who was the board’s first student member in College history. O’Connell noted her time working alongside Stupak as campus tour guides piqued her interest in additional leadership roles on campus. After hearing how much
Stupak enjoyed the position, O’Connell decided to apply. “[Stupak] talked about how much she loved being on the board,” O’Connell explained. “I talked to her a lot about it. I figured, ‘You know what? I’ve been wanting to do something more leadership focused.’ I thought this could be kind of the next step in a little bit of a different way.” Applications to serve as a student trustee are processed by the Division for Student Enrollment and Engagement in the spring semester. A committee reviews and scores the students. The president’s office conducts final interviews. Once interviews are completed, College President Katie Conboy has final say on the candidate selected. The student trustee and fellow new trustees are then introduced to the board at the board’s March meeting, although their term begins in June. O’Connell shared her personal experience with the application
Saint Mary’s received six national rankings from U.S. News & World Report, including placing 78th in the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings — up six spots from the 84th spot in 2025. The rankings were based on an annual survey of 1,500 colleges and universities, including 206 liberal arts colleges.
The College is also tied with Hope College and is ranked No. 74 in Top Private National Liberal Arts Colleges. For the Best Value Schools list, it is ranked No. 57, rising 42 spots from the previous year. As part of its ranking, the College was listed at No. 99 on Top Performers on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges — tied with seven other colleges.
According to the site, the ranking is based on colleges’ enrollment and graduation rate of disadvantaged students who qualify for federal Pell Grants. The College received No. 57 in Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs and No. 135 for Best Undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs —
NEWS | PAGE 3
OPINION | PAGE 8
SCENE | PAGE 9
SPORTS | PAGE 12
MBB schedule
Nolan James Jr.
Bethel University professor will be teaching as the instructor for the course in the spring.
Characters of myth make us return to our childlike whimsy and the part of us that wonders.
Marguerite C. J. Marley reviews the signature event, LHOP, with a rave review.
Non-conference slate is headlined by three marquee home games in 11 days.
After gaining 122 yards against Michigan State, the sophomore is expected to shine Saturday.
First ASL course
Why I love Bigfoot
See “SMC” on page 5
LHOP: A staple
See “Trustee” on page 5
SPORTS | PAGE 15
DAILY
2 | THE OBSERVER
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
What are three things always in your backpack?
Have a question you want answered? Email photo@ndsmcobserver.com
Zoie Martin senior off-campus
“Planner, iPad, snack.”
Ashley Oh
Yeraldi Bermudez
“Gum, planner, laptop.”
“Gum, snack, hair clip.”
junior Pasquerilla West Hall
junior Pasquerilla West Hall
Audrey Duran
Peyton Lacy
“Calculator, charger, pencil pouch.”
“Pencil, holy water, notebook.”
junior Pasquerilla West Hall
junior Dunne Hall
SOCIAL MEDIA POLL
PHOTO OF THE DAY | TEAGAN BARRY
Have an idea for a poll? Email lmartin01@saintmarys.edu
Best coffee on campus?
THE NEXT FIVE DAYS
CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ
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Friday Sacred Heart Consecration Mass with Bishop Kevin Rhoades. 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Saturday Notre Dame women’s lacrosse vs. Marquette The Fighting Irish take on the Golden Eagles. 10 a.m. Arlotta Stadium
Sunday Presenting Series organ concert Professional organist Paul Thornock performs. 8 - 9 p.m. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Monday Saint Mary’s golf vs. Bethel The Belles face the Pilots in South Bend. 11 a.m. Blackthorn Golf Club
Tuesday Film: “Fargo” (1996) A police chief works to solve a kidnapping case. 7:30 - 9:15 p.m. Browning Cinema
ndsmcobserver.com “TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH AND REPORT IT ACCURATELY” 900 Hesburgh Library, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Gray Nocjar Managing Editor Grace Tadajweski
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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
Berhan Hagezom Nick Kowal Mara Hall
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Opinion
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Sports
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NEWS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
THE OBSERVER | 3
Notre Dame offers first ASL course in spring By Gracie Shea Reporter
Notre Dame’s spring 2027 course catalog will introduce American Sign Language 101, educating students on language and culture of the Deaf community. Originating from the Reilly Center’s Health, Humanities and Society minor, the threecredit course will be offered to any major but will not meet Notre Dame’s foreign language requirement. The University has not offered an ASL course prior to the announcement while Saint Mary’s College previously offered ASL 1 and 2. Expected to teach the course is professor Holly Kalling, who currently
serves as an instructor of American Sign Language interpreting at Bethel University in the American Sign Language & Interpreting Department. Kalling, a member of the Deaf community, has taught ASL for over 25 years for universities, homeschool co-ops and community courses. Kalling noted the language’s importance: “ASL is the third-most-used language in America, following English and Spanish. The more people who utilize ASL, the better.” The addition of this course represents a step forward in a growing movement on behalf of student accessibility. Finley Shinnick, a senior
who currently serves as director for disability advocacy in Notre Dame’s student government, spoke on the gradual change. “It’s really been six years of students trying to rally interest in this topic, and then the administration change is coming a little bit slower,” Shinnick said. 2022 marked a turning point, as a petition to allow and offer ASL courses that fulfill foreign language requirements and fund proficiency exams received 1,000 student signatures advocating for ASL recognition. The petition was inspired by professor Laurel Daen’s Disability at Notre Dame course. Daen said that following the course’s initial announcement, she
received emails from deaf alumni who were able to “finally feel embraced by this decision.” The initial response among students, particularly those involved with the Deaf community, has been positive. Francesca Granieri, a senior and president of the ASL Club, said her fellow officers were enthusiastic about the course. She said she expects many students will be interested in the course. “I would like to express my excitement and gratitude that this class is being offered,” Granieri said. Jennifer Boggess, a member of the Deaf community and ASL speaker who serves as the visitor services lead at
Raclin-Murphy Art Museum, also shared her enthusiasm for the course. “My initial hope for this course is that students find themselves immersed in the beauty of ASL and that they use it to open doors of communication between them and someone they might not have otherwise initiated a conversation with,” Boggess said. Boggess noted that although the course does not currently satisfy the University’s foreign language requirement, the course’s addition is a step toward appreciating the value ASL has. Contact Gracie Shea at gshea@nd.edu
Archbishop Fulton Sheen beatified in St. Louis By Harry Penne Reporter
Thursday, the Catholic Church declared Illinoisborn Archbishop Fulton Sheen “Blessed” at his Mass of Beatification held at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. On behalf of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle celebrated the Mass. Sheen is the first U.S.-born bishop to be beatified. The Rite of Beatification occurred at the beginning of the Mass. Tagle read, in Latin, the pope’s Apostolic Letter, which officially granted Sheen the title of “Blessed.” It was read again, in English, by Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria. Following the declaration, a portrait of Sheen with a halo and a piece of chalk was unveiled in the Dome as well as at the tomb of Fulton Sheen in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois. The plaque on Sheen’s tomb also now bears the title of “Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.” Sheen’s relic was presented by James Fulton Engstrom, who survived an hour without a heartbeat when he was born as his family prayed for Sheen’s intercession, following the decree of beatification. The chosen relic was Sheen’s jawbone. In EWTN’s Beatification Pre-Show, Tylka shared that this particular relic was chosen to commemorate Sheen’s preaching and mission of evangelization. The collect read at Mass will also serve as the collect read on Sheen’s feast day, Dec. 9. This date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of his death. Tagle delivered the homily. The primary message of his homily concerned blessedness
and what it means. He made two primary points, the first being that a pillar of blessedness is a personal, deep relationship with Christ that grounds all authentic evangelization, and the second pillar is that blessedness can be found through communion with the poor and vulnerable. The Mass was an overall joyous occasion with the music and liturgy ref lecting the celebratory tone. As Tagle said in his homily, “Please, look happy! We are in a beatification!” In the days leading up to the Mass, the Diocese of Peoria was especially busy in preparing for the celebration. Tylka made efforts within the diocese to offer opportunities for the faithful there to get involved even if they were unable to attend the Mass in St. Louis. Peoria will host special Masses, talks and a gala over the course of the weekend. The Observer spoke with Fr. Patrick Henehan, pastor of St. Jude Catholic Church in Peoria. He said that his parish, in preparation for the Mass, has had a particular emphasis on Sheen the past few weeks through homilies and bulletins. St. Jude sent three buses of parishioners to St. Louis. “When God gives [us] a saint, He’s calling other people to sanctity. So my thought is, OK, how is this going to be an impetus for the American Catholic Church and specifically for the Diocese of Peoria? So remember, God always gives gifts for a reason. It’s not just for us to say look at how awesome we are. No, it’s also, look at what God can do,” Henehan said. Notre Dame senior Bartosz Chramiec, former Grand Knight of the Notre Dame Knights of Columbus Council
1477, commented, “My takeaway as an American college student is that sainthood isn’t a thing of the past. It’s a thing of the present and of the future. Having somebody being beatified that is just so close to home and also so close in time, you realize this call to holiness is not some kind of lofty ideal that’s far away. You can do it yourself, and you are being called to do it yourself.” Some students have turned to archived television and radio broadcasts of Sheen, finding that his pioneering media presence is still pertinent and can offer guidance in the internet age. Notre Dame senior Edward Couri, who is from the Diocese of Peoria, said he appreciates seeing Sheen highlights and footage on YouTube and being able to witness Sheen “giving [me] his real thoughts on issues that span across time and are very prevalent in the digital age.” Sophomore Maria Battey at Saint Mary’s College commented on how she is most inspired by Sheen’s inf luence and evangelization. “I feel like Sheen did a great job of pioneering some of the first modern evangelization. He made sure that humility and spreading the truth about Catholicism and our Lord was at the forefront of his evangelization,” Battey said. Lecturer in law and chaplain at the Notre Dame Law School Fr. William Dailey sees the beatification as a call to action for clergy, saying they should take note of Sheen’s ability to evangelize and teach. He stated that priests “should be ref lecting upon this beatification with a sense of, hopefully, renewing one’s own preaching and aspiring to touch people in such a way
that you are deepening their sense of the truth of the deposit of faith and their joy in the Gospel.” Sheen was born May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois. He was raised in Peoria, Illinois, where he attended Spalding Institute. On Sept. 20, 1919, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria. He served as an auxiliary bishop of New York from 1951 until 1966 before taking on the position of bishop of Rochester from 1966 until 1969. When he retired in 1969, he was given the honorary title of archbishop. Sheen died on Dec. 9, 1979, in New York City. He is buried at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria. Sheen was known for being a theologian, author and preacher as well as one of the first religious figures to use media for evangelization. His popular national television show “Life is Worth Living” reached millions weekly on network television during the 1950s. Sheen was awarded an Emmy Award for “Most Outstanding Television Personality” and is now widely regarded as a pioneer in Catholic media outreach. The miracle attributed to the intercession of Sheen involved the healing of infant James Fulton Engstrom in 2010. Engstrom was stillborn following an extended lack of oxygen, having no detectable heartbeat or respiration for 61 minutes. The Engstrom family prayed for Sheen’s intercession, and the child’s heart began beating again. He recovered fully with no lasting medical issues. In 2011, the miracle underwent thorough investigation.
It was recognized by Pope Francis on July 6, 2019. In 2002, former rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and then-bishop of Peoria Daniel Jenky petitioned the Vatican to open the cause for Sheen’s beatification and canonization. In February 2008, 22 volumes of evidence and testimony were sent to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Sheen was honored with the title of Venerable on June 28, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI. Sheen’s beatification was initially set for Dec. 21, 2019, but was postponed per the request of Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester due to concerns that Sheen would be cited in a New York state attorney general’s report covering a potential clergy abuse scandal. Sheen was cleared after an investigation by the Vatican, making way for the beatification to happen, nearly seven years later. This beatification process has been a long one. Professor Kathleen Sprows Cummings, author of “A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics Become American,” commented, in a written statement, “that Sheen’s cause has finally reached this point is surely a testament to the persistence of his promoters. For people of faith, however, it may also be a sign that God wanted the saint from Peoria in the spotlight at this particular moment, when our Illinois-born pope is asking Catholics around the world to ask how new and often frightening technologies can be harnessed to further the common good.” Contact Harry Penne at hpenne@nd.edu
NEWS
4 | THE OBSERVER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
HCC sets records with largest incoming class By Andrew Moniz and Berhan Hagezom
Reporter and Saint Mary’s News Editor
Holy Cross College has enrolled its largest incoming class since its establishment in 1966, with 288 students this year. The College also has the largest number of undergraduate students enrolled in its history, 630, according to the school’s 2026-2027 census. Full-time enrollment is up 3% compared with last year, according to Andrea Welch, vice president of enrollment
management and student engagement. Additionally, Welch noted that the College saw an 11% increase in students enrolling directly from high school. Sixty percent of the freshman class is male, while 40% is female — the same percentages as last year. Twenty-eight percent of freshman students are firstgeneration college students, an increase from 25% last year. According to Holy Cross College President Marco Clark, the school has also seen an
increase in its retention rate. “Our first year to second year retention rate has increased from 73% to 77%,” Clark said. The most popular majors at the College are business, psychology and biology, according to Clark. Provost Michael Griffin linked the growing enrollment to smaller class sizes, the ability to have research and mentorship from professors and the Catholic mission of the College. “Students can feel more
comfortable asking for help if they’re having trouble with the concept or they need to know how to get a resource. We’re small enough that students have an easier time asking for help,” Griffin said. In 2025, Holy Cross was recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution — where 25% or more of full-time undergraduate students are Hispanic. Though the federal government has ended the use of this title, the College continues to have an increasing percentage of Hispanic students on
campus — 28% as of this year. “One of the features of this class is a very strong Hispanic profile. For a long time, we have a very proud tradition of educating some of our region’s top Hispanic leaders,” Griffin said. Additionally, Clark said, 63% of the incoming class is from out-of-state, while 37% are from Indiana. Contact Andrew Moniz at amoniz@hcc-nd.edu and Berhan Hagezom at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
Library stairwell construction remains unfinished By Mara Hall Associate News Editor
Beginning in mid-May, the University closed the south staircase in Hesburgh Library to undergo renovations to the stairwell. While initial signage said it would be closed through August, the project is not yet complete and the stairwell remains closed. In a statement to The Observer on Sept. 22, University architect Dan Cook wrote, “I know that the Library and students are anxious to have this staircase re-opened. We are glad to report that the project is substantially complete, and only awaiting a few specialty glass panels that are being manufactured at a local supplier.” “The project will be fully completed when those panels arrive and get installed,” Cook wrote, adding, “We continue to press for a firm date from the supplier
to be able to provide a more accurate estimated reopening date and are anticipating that soon.” Signage has been updated and no longer reflects an end date of the closure. In a May 22 interview with The Observer, University architect Dan Cook explained that the south stair rail was being updated to match that of the Beth and Lou Holtz reading room. During the initial May interview, Cook noted that while it looks like a significant project, they were just covering it to reduce safety hazards, minimize dust and reduce the noise. In a statement to The Observer on Sept. 22, dean of Hesburgh Libraries Margaret Meserve wrote, “The main staircase is a project of the University Architect (Dan Cook). His office determined that the handrail
MARA HALL | The Observer
Hesburgh Library stairwell renovation on Sept. 23. The renovation has gone on longer than expected as the University waits for glass panels to be installed by a local supplier, according to the University architect.
was not compliant with current safety standards and needed to be replaced.” Meserve advised that Cook or
Andrew Lechner, the architect on this specific project, may have more information. Lechner did not respond to
requests for comment. Contact Mara Hall at mhall27@nd.edu
Off the Avenue coffee shop appoints new advisor Sophie Lewandowski Staff Reporter
As students and faculty enter Spes Unica Hall, the sweet aromas of vanilla and rich espresso drift from the second floor’s Off the Avenue coffee shop. The idea for a shop arose from a conversation between professor James Rogers and Hannah Shoemake ’23. From there, Shoemake and six other marketing majors — Elizabeth Anderson ’23, Erin Bennett ’23, Annie Doyle ’23, Erin Harrington ’23, Grace Marcheselli ’23 and senior Jennifer Utterback — opened Off the Avenue on Feb. 20, 2023, and in the years since, the space has become a staple on campus. After announcing his retirement last spring, Rogers stepped down as the department head of business and faculty advisor for O.T.A. Professor Jeff Tryka has taken on the advisor role. He explained that the transition was “abrupt,”
but smooth. “I think a lot of it was just carrying on what professor Rogers was doing,” he explained. “I can’t do anything compared to what he did in building it and starting it from the ground up … I viewed my role as more of a caretaker to make sure we’re continuing on and giving opportunities to our students.” Tryka brings extensive field experience to the position — such as working on Wall Street as an internal auditor — but he emphasized that the students are the ones running the show. “I’m just there to kind of help with the administrative things and approve invoices for the college to pay,” he said. “They’re doing all the work, I’m just sort of helping out.” Continuing to foster the foundation of business education in its third year of operations, Off the Avenue is an example of Saint Mary’s approach to
learning. “As a college, we’re focused on experiential learning, and these opportunities are amazing,” Tryka explained. He later remarked, “It gives our students a chance to learn those skills firsthand.” Barista and marketing chair and junior Bridget Roudebush, expressed a similar sentiment, explaining that the variety of student employment and management positions gives students a chance to experience work as it will be outside of college. “I feel like it’s a very good introduction into how managing a business works before you graduate and go into that real job,” she said. Along with the faculty advisor, the management for Off the Avenue consists of an upperclassman board with management, finance, accounting and marketing subsets. There is an underclassman shadow board of students observing the current board, intending
to take their place when they graduate, along with co-managers who oversee daily operations and baristas. The board meets biweekly to discuss the business and plans throughout the year. “The decision-making power comes from the board,” junior management board member Madeline Freeman said. “Anytime there’s going to be a big change, that’s going to be because of the board.” According to management board member senior McKenna Powers, Tryka provides a fresh set of eyes on the business and advises students in operations. “The advisor is here to support us and we’ve been supported,” she said. For example, Roudebush explained that while Tryka provides guidance to the marketing board as they navigate accounting, finance and inventory for the business, he is not the one to do it. Despite the appointment of a new faculty
advisor and other annual turnovers in board members and staff, Freeman shared that not much will change at O.T.A. for the foreseeable future. “We have a lot of returning board members, so it should be a good, constant year just building off of ideas from last year,” she said. Off the Avenue continues to help business students gain real-world experience, serving the campus community in a tangible way and serving the greater South Bend community. In a final highlight, Tryka noted that the shop donates a portion of its earnings to nonprofits such as St. Margaret’s House. “The goal is to support women’s charities within the South Bend region,” Tryka said. “All of it is about getting the experience and making ourselves better but also bettering the community.” Contact Sophie Lewandowski at slewandowski01@saintmarys.edu
NEWS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Eddy Street Continued from page 1
250 people were congregated on Eddy Street at the time of the incident. Frick described watching the police response that she said caused an inf lux of people to enter the establishment due to the pepper spray used by law enforcement in an effort to disperse the crowd. She shared that law enforcement “did what they had to, because nobody was necessarily listening.” SBPD bulletins show that the police department has responded to 15 incidents on Eddy Street as of Sept. 23,
ND
Continued from page 1 occupying the top spot. U.S. News’ metric report states the rankings are determined by a “data-driven comparison of more than 1,700 colleges and universities using up to 17 measures of academic quality and graduate success.” According to the survey,
Cavadini
Continued from page 1 for Church Life director for 26 years before being replaced by Joseph Capizzi this summer, and he is the partial namesake of the institute’s directorship, which is titled the “McGrath-Cavadini Director.” In a statement to The Observer, Cavadini wrote, “I feel very humbled in receiving this award. But it’s very important to me that somehow all of my students, my colleagues in the theology department and the McGrath
SMC
Continued from page 1 the latter tied with 36 other colleges and universities nationally and securing 114 spots higher from the previous year. In a press release, College President Katie Conboy said the rankings align with the College’s commitment and mission in giving women access to quality higher education. “While rankings are only one measure of a college’s success, we are pleased to see Saint Mary’s
Trustee
Continued from page 1 process. “I got some wonderful professors to write me some letters of recommendations, submitted a little personal statement, and had a meeting with President Conboy. Within about three weeks or so, they let me know that I got the position, which I was completely overwhelmed by,” O’Connell said. Providing further detail on
THE OBSERVER | 5
excluding motor vehicle collisions. The department has responded to an average of 17.6 incidents on Eddy Street each September since 2020. SBPD visits to Eddy Street during the fall semester are typically at their highest in September and have historically declined in October and November, according to The Observer’s analysis of SBPD records from 2023 to 2025. Over the past three years, excluding vehicle collisions, September averaged 20.6 incidents that required an SBPD response, compared with 14.3 in October and 8.7 in November. Roughly a quarter of the
incidents resulting in an SBPD response at Eddy Street this September have been motor vehicle collisions. Larceny has accounted for another quarter, with assaults accounting for 12%. Most larceny on Eddy Street is either theft from cars or bicycle theft. The vast majority of assaults are listed in SBPD bulletins as simple assault. The percentages for this September are in line with averages from the previous Septembers dating back to 2020. Over that span, automobile incidents have accounted for 25.6% of overall responses; larceny, 21.5%; and assaults, 17.6%. Gun violence has spiked on
Eddy Street over the past two years. Saturday’s shooting came a month removed from a shooting that left three people wounded on Aug. 8. That shooting followed two incidents of gunfire in the area in September 2025, which collectively damaged five cars, two apartments and a window at the Embassy Suites hotel. Neither of the 2025 incidents resulted in injuries. When asked for comment on the shooting, NDPD responded with a statement from University leadership that read, “The University of Notre Dame continues
to be deeply troubled by the acts of violence in our community. We will continue to work with the city of South Bend, community leaders and other local partners to address this national trend. Violence has no place in any community.” In response to the recent shooting, Eddy Street Commons management has instructed all businesses on Eddy Street to close at midnight going forward.
national universities are those which “offer a range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research.” Within the survey, 73% of the schools that achieved a rank provided their data. Of these, 99 of the top 100 institutions provided a data portfolio. Data submissions from the top 200 universities were all certified by
a top academic official of that University. To become eligible for inclusion in the rankings, institutions must meet certain requirements like “a significant baccalaureate degree focus,” regional accreditation and a “campus-based education.” Institutions must support over 100 undergraduate students and 25 full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking students.
Degrees must also not be “fully specialized in performing arts or faith-based education.” Notre Dame was also ranked No. 20 on the list of top private universities and No. 17 in the best value schools list. Various departments at the University were also ranked, including the Engineering Program (No. 42), the Business Program (No. 15) and the
Economics Program (No. 46). Notre Dame came in at No. 19 in the study abroad category, was fourth in service learning, 19th in first-year experiences and ninth in best undergraduate teaching. Standardized test scores also play a part in the rankings, something the University recently decided to reinstate for all its applicants.
Institute for Church Life, are folded into this honor and share it. I’m happy, myself, to be both a man of the Church and of the Academy, as I have been able to be here at Notre Dame, and I’m pleased that the award recognizes both aspects of my vocation. I give credit, as well, to the patroness of our university, Our Lady, who has fostered all of us and our growth since the founding of our university and its dedication, at that time, to Mary, by Fr. Sorin, CSC.” Vatican News reported, “Dr Cavadini is the 32nd scholar
to receive the Ratzinger Prize, which has been awarded since 2011 in recognition of scholarly achievements in fields such as dogmatic or fundamental theology, Sacred Scripture, patrology, philosophy, law, sociology, or in the arts—including music, architecture, and sculpture.” Cavadini is the third Notre Dame faculty member to receive this award following Brian Daley in 2012 and Cyril O’Regan in 2024. According to EW TN News, Notre Dame’s three winners lead all institutions. In the Notre Dame press
release, Cavadini said, “‘I am very humbled to receive this award, especially after two truly giants in our field and members of our department have received it.’” In a statement to The Observer, O’Regan wrote that he had “no idea” why Notre Dame members have won this award three times, writing “God writes in crooked lines.” However, he wrote, “it has long been true that John is not only a Notre Dame institution, but a leader in the Catholic Church recognized by Rome. In addition, his stirring work on Augustine
has moved countless students and commentators on Augustine. Indeed, rumor has it that his work on Augustine is held in high esteem by Pope Leo XIV himself.” Daley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Vatican News reported that this award was selected by “the Scientific Committee of the ‘Joseph RatzingerBenedict XVI Vatican Foundation’ and approved by Pope Leo XIV.” On Dec. 19, the pope is set to give the award to Cavadini at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
recognized as a premier destination for women seeking a personal, challenging, and supportive learning environment,” Conboy said. Noting the College’s history in the release, Conboy said, “The Sisters of the Holy Cross came here in 1844 with a big idea—to give women access to education. We have always been guided by the Sisters’ commitment: Read the signs of the times and respond to them. Saint Mary’s has been brilliant at recognizing what the world needs and developing the programs and people who can respond to those needs.”
The College has also seen recent improvements based on its financial ranking. In a Forbes article published in May that analyzed the financial health of 928 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in the United States, Saint Mary’s College maintained a healthy financial ranking with an A+ and a 4.48 financial GPA. The financial grades were taken from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, including colleges that had more than 500 fulltime students.
In a statement to The Observer, Conboy credited philanthropic efforts and donations, along with strong financial oversight, as assisting the College in the upward trend. “The ratings are not ends in themselves, but they are important independent judgments of what is happening on our campus, and it is useful to have those perspectives,” Conboy wrote. “And through extraordinary philanthropy, disciplined financial management, and strong investment performance, our endowment
has grown dramatically.” In 2022, the College received a C+ and a 2.38 financial GPA in the rankings. According to Forbes, 60% of institutions received a grade of C or worse, amounting to 539 schools. Following the 2023-24 school year, the College received an A+ with a financial GPA of 4.23. The year saw improved national rankings determined by U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Colleges. In 2025, the College received a B-, a lower grade compared with the previous report.
O’Connell’s appointment, Conboy explained the significance of the role and its purpose on the greater board in comparison to other institutions. “Student Board members have become quite rare. I have asked around in higher education circles, and most colleges do not have one. Many institutions have transitioned to having one or more ‘young alumni’ board members. I think at Saint Mary’s the history of the role has been an effort to ensure that a
student voice is at the table and that we have shared governance in that respect,” Conboy wrote in a statement to The Observer. In her statement, Conboy highlighted the quality of leadership that she looks for in student trustee candidates, noting O’Connell as “a good fit” for the mature and confidential nature of the job. As the student trustee is unable to hold any other leadership positions on campus, Conboy noted that they “are choosing to make this
opportunity for service a priority.” “They are not there to represent the student body, though of course we care about their perspectives on student issues,” Conboy wrote. “They are full voting trustees on every issue and are entrusted with thinking about the broad goals of the College.” Although the student trustee role is only in its second year, O’Connell looks forward to the impact and work that lie ahead for the remaining academic year.
“I take my role very seriously. I consider this the honor of my life. So making sure that I’m being objective, I’m being thoughtful and being well educated. That’s incredibly important to me, and hopefully, the girls feel that I am taking the responsibility on in a way that protects them and protects their interest and protects the interest of St. Mary’s,” she said.
Contact Allison Riley at ariley@nd.edu and Erik Gunderson at egunders@nd.edu
Contact Sol Castellanos at scastellanos01@saintmarys.edu
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Should I go to confession? By Sophia Lekeufack Columnist, “Policy and Punchlines”
I know, I know — let’s call Rome. My state of mortal sin has gone too far. But in all honesty, I didn’t really care for prolonged absence from that wooden box. As a lapsed Catholic (I did everything but get confirmed) who has been going to a Protestant church for the past eight years, I have come to believe that the whole idea of confession is silly. Why must I confess my sins to a priest when I can just do so straight to God? It has always felt so, for lack of better terms, systematic; a fabricated way to make the Church feel more useful. My problems with confession fit into my greater overall problem with Catholicism: its emphasis on tradition seems to simultaneously detach us from a genuine relationship with God. I see the headlines from the Rover already. Nonetheless, it is something that has always puzzled me with the Church. Growing up, everything had its place. You stand at this time, you kneel at this time, you say this prayer now, you do this motion now, so on and so forth. In theory, that should be fine, for in everything we do there is a preferred way of doing it. But when I asked why we do a certain thing, the answer was always the same: tradition. Everything was for tradition. Why should I care about tradition? Eventually, I felt like I was a part of the religion of tradition, not the religion of God. Yet despite my reservations, I have felt some sort of call to go to confession. Perhaps it stems from a year of being surrounded by “trad-Caths” who can’t stop complaining
LIAM FLYNN | The Observer
about Vatican II or from a growing desire to “start over” with the Catholic Church. Now, to preface, I have no urge to recommunicate with the Church. I believe in contraception, divorce, abortion, female priests and gay marriage. Oh, and the Eucharist is not the real presence of Jesus Christ! Frankly, I think the Church knows it would be better off without me. And there are a lot of aspects about the Church that I truly resent. I occasionally believe that this University’s Catholic identity hinders it as an academic institution, as we are forced to expend so much energy on what I deem to be backward
and unnecessary conversation. Let the people have a drag show if they want one. I also believe that many Catholics at this institution, specifically the “trad-Caths,” approach the views and beliefs of non-Catholics with such degradation that does more harm to the faith than good. No wonder I and many others view Catholicism negatively when the carriers of that faith do such a great job of misrepresenting it. Yet there are also so many aspects of Catholicism that I truly love. I believe that we were in some ways placed on this Earth for each other. While it may not be fair, we have an inherent obligation
by virtue of being human to care for the poor, the disenfranchised, the oppressed and one another. The Catholic Church seeks to embody that obligation, which is more than I can say about many Protestant denominations that have perverted the Church into a means of deception — a means to achieve economic prosperity. I don’t believe that my thoughts stem from some subconscious understanding that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church. I do know that I have often sought out Catholicism through a language of contempt rather than a language of dignity. So maybe my journey towards
confession serves as a metaphorical purification of my relationship with the Church. Once cleansed of my sins, I can converse with the Church in absolute good faith. That is not to say it will be free of my criticisms, but it will at least be free of my judgment. So, if anyone could send over the confession schedule, that would be greatly appreciated. I have a lot of catching up to do. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Write to Sophia Lekeufack at slekeufa@nd.edu
Money and midterms By Amaris O’Connor Columnist, “Filibustered”
The midterm elections are coming. In November, the nation will vote, and its vote will be a direct comment on how happy citizens are with the way their country is run. The government has many different responsibilities, but the one that directly affects all citizens is the economy. The economy ranked as the most important issue for voters in the 2024 election. 52% of voters said that candidates’ position on it was extremely inf luential for their vote, the highest since the Great Recession in October 2008. During the election, Trump was favored over Harris by 10 points to make good decisions
about economic policy. Those 10 points are fading in importance now. Almost two years into Trump’s term, it is no longer enough to speculate about who would’ve handled the economy better; there is only the stark reality of the economy today and how the average American feels about it. A Reuters/Ipsos poll has Trump at only a 32% approval rating, a 15-point decline from the start of his second term in the same poll. In addition to this, only 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living. The perception of Trump as a man who could handle the country’s finances and Harris as a woman who could not aided his win in the 2024 election. But could it now be the reason for an unsuccessful
midterm for the Republican Party? “Prices will come down. You just watch: They’ll come down, and they’ll come down fast, not only with insurance, with everything.” These words ignited hope and excitement in many Americans who chose to vote for him. The issue with statements of grandeur is that they’re not easily forgettable. The agricultural worker remembers when Trump promised to put America first, yet just last month saw the president announce the easing of tariffs on about 661 million pounds of ground beef imports — allowing them to be sold at 25% below market price. This comes after an increase in costs for farmers, due not
only to the tariffs but also to the divisive war in Iran, which has driven costs of fertilizer, gasoline and diesel upwards. All of these are
necessary in the agricultural sector to enrich crops or power trucks and tractors. see “Money” on page 7
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Money
Continued from page 6 It is not just the price of running a ranch that has increased, but also the price of day-to-day costs for families. The Joint Economic Committee reported that families have had to spend $695 more on housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments since Trump took office. Of course, the economy isn’t completely destitute. There was still some economic growth in the second quarter of 2026, with real gross domestic product increasing at an annual rate of 1.5%. But a 1% increase in GDP means nothing to the average American when the national average cost of diesel hit a record $6.53 on Tuesday. Politicians have to make campaign promises to help supporters discern who aligns with their interests. Campaign promises about the economy have the potential to bolster a party’s standing in the eyes of the public when they are met, but can destabilize a party’s support when they are not. The economy can be thought of in many ways
LIAM FLYNN | The Observer
— in terms of product, coin or trade. But the way it matters most is in terms of value. Not necessarily the value of the dollar in the exchange market, but
its value in providing food, water, health insurance and housing. All of these things matter to people, and were promised to be made more affordable. The results
of the upcoming midterms will ref lect how the average person feels about the economy. The views expressed in this
column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Write to Amaris O’Connor at aoconn27@nd.edu
Everyone should make art By Sienne Stephens
Columnist, “Not Your Average Post”
I am, what I call myself, an art-enthusiast. Whether it’s traditional art-making using paints and brushes, experimenting with cardboard to make 3D creations or digitally sketching on my iPad, I find great joy in creating art. Whenever I tell people about my passion and the numerous art classes I’ve taken, they usually ask what I’ve made. My eyes sparkle with excitement when I share my artwork and ideas with others. I pull out my phone or iPad and go through some of my favorite pieces with them. After I am done presenting, they usually give the following responses: “Wow, that’s incredible, I could never create art like that.” “I can’t even draw a stick figure, let alone this.” “Artists have such a natural ability and gift to make art.” After hearing these similar responses from the many people I am around or have come across, it got me thinking about a series of questions that made me view art in a different way. What does it mean to make artwork? What does it mean to be an artist or maker of art? Is it solely based on the end product or result? Is artmaking a natural talent or gift that only certain people with that ability can participate in?
LIAM FLYNN | The Observer
Some people I have conversed with have made the argument that people who can make art or be an artist have a special talent for it — that art was more reserved for them than people who lacked the “ability.” I don’t agree with that statement. People who believe that usually are thinking of the final product of art, not the actual process and meaning behind the art.
But, isn’t the final result important? It can be, but that is not the entirety of what making art means. Creating artwork is about the feelings behind each stroke or line, the materials being applied and manipulated, the message you are trying to convey through the art, the journey the piece takes you through when you are creating it and
what creating allows you to do. I make art because it is a form of therapy for me. It gives me an opportunity to express my ideas and beliefs through colors, different materials, shapes, lines, concepts and imagery. Every time I sit down to start a new piece, I am not only putting pencil to paper, I am putting all the little emotions that f loat around in my conscious
and subconscious mind. I let the artwork guide those feelings through the artistic process — making a piece I might or might not like at the end. It is okay if the piece does not live up to my expectations or what I pictured it to be in my head; that is the beauty of making art. It’s giving up control to the artwork and letting see “Art” on page 8
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Art
Continued from page 7 it become something of its own even if it’s absurd, unexpected, crazy or confusing. A lot of times, those kinds of art pieces are the ones I am most drawn to. I recently learned that during the surrealist art movement, artists came together and created a variety of games that were playful, collaborative and designed to bypass
the rational mind. This means it drove into what is unconscious, dragging out the artists’ dreams and inner selves and turning those ideas into artistic creations. Another purpose of these games was to challenge the idea of what “real” art looks like. The thing is, there is no blueprint for what real art is. Art is whatever anyone wants it to be or look like. Whether it’s a “traditional” view of oil paint and a canvas, sculptures or ceramics,
digital drawings or even just drawing stick figures, art has unlimited potential and possibilities. This goes back to my opinion that everyone should make art, in some way or another. Making art has many benefits like allowing individuals to communicate with their ideas visually, see the world through many different eyes and express parts of themselves that may be difficult to put into words. Art gives everyone an outlet
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and opportunity to share their perspective, personal experiences and connect with the world around them in their own unique way. You don’t have to be a professional artist, create the next Van Gogh masterpiece or consider yourself “artistic” to make art. Art is not about the final product — it’s about the feelings it brings to the surface, the thoughts it allows you to visually explore and the freedom to express
yourself without needing the end result to be perfect. The true value of art comes from creating it, and that is something I think everyone should have the opportunity to do and experience for themselves. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Write to Sienna Stephens at sstephens01@saintmarys.edu
Why I love Bigfoot and why you should too By Chas Summers Columnist, “Against the Grain”
When was the last time you played pretend or thought that Santa really came to your house last Christmas? You’ve either just realized that you haven’t let your mind run free in quite a while or I’ve just ruined a holiday for you. As we get older, we tend to use our imagination less. We traded our imagination for explanations; we stopped pretending and stopped believing. I think that the death of imagination is quite possibly one of the saddest things to experience. Unfortunately, logical thinking is a slow and insidious killer. However, there is a solution. Bigfoot. Just so we’re clear, like the prompt says, I don’t think Bigfoot is real. “So then, why do you care about Bigfoot?” you’re probably asking yourself. “If you know he isn’t real, then why do you love him?” Bigfoot is much more than just a belief in the unknown; he’s fun. He is the champion of our imagination set to run wild and free once again. He reminds us that there are things we have yet to learn. In June 2024, I drove three hours to Murphysboro, Illinois, to attend the 51st annual “Big Muddy Monster Festival.” I had no idea what to expect. I went on a whim after watching a TV documentary about “The Big Muddy Monster” that brought the festival to my attention. I mostly
expected those who gathered there to be crazy and believe “Big Muddy” (as the locals call him) was in their backyard. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the people there were like me. They knew better than to think Bigfoot is real, but still came for the tradition and to have a day where we could scare ourselves with the imagination of something outside of our knowledge. We enjoyed being frightened by a fan-made short film displaying the monster in all his muddy glory. I found it fascinating to see the small town gather together with “Big Muddy” posters hanging in every window.
That day was truly one of the most memorable and entertaining I’ve had in years. The festival spurred on that creativity I had forgotten I had. I went out and wrote a short story about “Big Muddy” and introduced him to some of my friends. I got to enjoy the fun of being immersed in my own imagination again. I am now the proud owner of a “Big Muddy Monster” screen print and a bumper sticker displaying Bigfoot with “BELIEVE” written underneath. My time in Murphysboro reminded me of the childlike wonder I — and many others — have begun to lose. The kind of wonder that led me to believe
ASHLEY ZHENG | The Observer
werewolves were in my backyard, or that there were aliens just down the street. Bigfoot is more than just a myth; he is a symbol of what it means to wonder, to imagine and to search for more. I think that’s something we all could use a little more of today. I think there is a little more to be gathered from Bigfoot than his creation of a rewilded imagination. Bigfoot also teaches us to search for things we have yet to discover. Today, dedicated teams of people still venture out into the wild in an attempt to prove his existence. Although they are misguided, these people still go out
in search of the unknown. They are scientists in the realest sense; they seek to discover what has not yet been discovered. Estimates show that about 86% of the world’s species are yet to be discovered. Sure, many of these are insects and plants, which are much less exciting to the average person than a hulking 6-foot ape, but who knows? Bigfoot is much more than a conspiracy that needs to be corrected. He brings back the fun of imagination for us all. He teaches us to search for things yet to be found. There is still much to be discovered out there. By following the example of these Bigfoot hunters, we can also embrace the search for the unknown. Learning more about all the individual pieces that make up this great, mysterious planet we call home creates a sense of awe and respect for all living things. By chasing our imagination and seeking to make the unknown known, we learn more about our planet and grow to appreciate all the parts that comprise it. Who knows for certain what might still be out there, waiting to be found? Maybe what we’re really searching for is the part of ourselves that still dares to wonder. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Write to Chas Summers at csummer2@nd.edu
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Do better, Notre Dame Dear Notre Dame community: “I expected more from Notre Dame students.” These words — uttered with great disappointment by my eighth-grade niece during her first trip to campus — hit me hard when she said them in response to the actions of ND students who were openly littering at a Stadium Lot tailgate and again upon hearing the “F*** Miami” chant
at the Michigan State game. The chant — done both inside the stadium during the game and while exiting down the ramps after another Notre Dame victory — also tarnished the joy and pride I felt walking out of that special place. As an alumnus and former football player who has a dislike, dare I say hatred, of Miami as deep as anyone’s — to the extent I chose not to attend
the Nov. 7 game for fear of not controlling my emotions or blood pressure! — I was taken aback and disappointed that such a chant might be accepted and encouraged among the ND student body and faithful. The thought of such a chant being picked up and broadcast on national TV, reported on by the national media and even heard and repeated by
the many young fans at the game causes great concern coming from a University fighting to be a beacon of morals and virtue. As a recently ordained deacon, and being pretty certain that language is not spoken at the Basilica or the many chapels throughout campus, I will pray these words will no longer be chanted at the “Cathedral of College Football” and
that “cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame” may return to the traditional “Go Irish, Beat Miami.” Deacon Mike Tafelski Class of 1988 Sept. 23 The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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LHOP: A delectably hectic cultural staple By Marguerite C.J. Marley Scene Copyeditor
I have a confession. I have not been going to many dorm events, or any events. Period. Between writing for this paper, participating in my college’s theater program, working my job and averaging 16 credits a semester, I am under a lot of stress. Double majoring is hard, OK? I always tell myself, whenever I see a poster on Instagram for an event, that this is the year I’m going to go to it. Then, inevitably I get busy and miss the event before telling myself I will go next year. The one thing they do not tell you about college is that you blink and it’s almost over. Now in my senior year, I have no more excuses, no more ability to say “I will go next year” because this is my last year. So in this, my senior year — yes, I am old and decrepit by college standards and I am aware this institution has aged me beyond recognition — I decided to make a point of attending as many college events as possible, both at my own Saint Mary’s College as well as at Notre Dame. In line with my generation’s linguistics, I am calling this “senior-maxxing.” The first event at Notre Dame I have attended as part of this new senior-maxxing regiment was the Lewis Hall of Pancakes, or LHOP. I
LIAM FLYNN | The Observer
have admittedly attended this several times in the past as it is always one of my favorite events. I love breakfast food and I’m always looking for T-shirts that make it look like I leave my dorm more than I actually do. One much appreciated update this year was the payment machines. In years past, I’ve had to pull up my Venmo and try to connect to the WiFi, but this year they had fancy point of sales machines that just made the whole process much smoother. A large percent of the girls in Lewis participate in the event. Some
Lewis residents wore a giant chicken suit and ran around the line to try and get people hyped up for the event while popular music blasting from the speakers in front of the hall itself. Once inside, they make you work for breakfast. Different foods are offered on different floors of the building. You have to sprint to avoid the crowds. This year’s menu included lemonade, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, bacon and hash browns. The food is just alright. You get what you get when you eat continental style breakfast served out of a
dorm. But at least it is hot, which is more than I can say for my past Uber Eats orders. It is more about the fun of getting a cheaper meal than most things on the delivery apps. Plus, it’s for a good cause. All of the money goes towards the Northern Indiana Food Bank which “distributed 11,208,089 pounds of food to its network of 119 partner agencies in its six-county service area” last year according to its website. Every year, I find it amazing that so many girls from the dorm choose to participate in this event
and donate their Friday night to it. Every girl I met, from the girl taking my money at the front to the ones serving my bacon, were incredibly nice and welcoming. Lots of people came as a result of the big ticket football weekend. Many students stopped by on their way to CAVchella. I even spotted some parents coming through which I thought was really cool. I enjoyed some conversation with my friends and then people watched for a bit. I was particularly amused by the gaggle of Old College boys wearing wooden crosses, some almost hanging into their hash browns. $20 gets you a T-shirt and as much breakfast as you can eat, though you can just get breakfast without the shirt for $5. Mediocre breakfast for fun and carb loading is great if this is maybe the first stop in a long night. Even though I am enough of a loser that this was my last stop of the night, it was still fun to watch all of the people dressed up for a party. Overall, LHOP is a great experience that everyone should attend, if not for the food, then for the wonderful company that comes from it. Whether that be the giant chickens outside or the friends you might find inside. Contact Marguerite C.J. Marley at mmarley01@saintmarys.edu
‘Barton Fink’: Nihilism before ‘The Big Lebowski’ By Nolan Scozzaro
What else they’ve directed: “Blood Simple,” “Raising Arizona,” “Miller’s Crossing.”
Scene Writer
The 411: What did I just watch? How do I review something that was more an experience of emotions than a film? What is the rumpus? These questions and more are what the Coen brothers expect you to answer in their movies. Last night, the stateof-the-art Browning Cinema, located in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, showed the fourth film in their series on the Coens: “Barton Fink.” Perhaps shockingly, this effort turns out even more insane than the last three films. Written by brothers in the midst of their writer’s block for “Miller’s Crossing,” “Barton Fink” follows John Turturro’s titular character, a working man’s playwright who moves to Hollywood to strike it big. The only problem is that he chooses to place himself in a total dump called Hotel Earle. Here, he becomes distracted by sobbing (and eventually vomiting and screaming) insurance salesman Charlie Meadows (John Goodman), the uh… loud lovebirds next door, wallpaper that refuses to stay on the wall and a mosquito that attacks in the night. Very quickly, Fink becomes the living embodiment of his writer’s block, pressured by lore-accurate David Zaslav, Luigi from “Cars” and 21st-century Ernest Hemingway to do work he has no hope of completing.
Who should you go with, and where should you go? Watch with friends: 100% Watch with family: Probably not Date movie: Sure, it’ll make for good conversation Watch alone: Yes. But you’ve gotta be in the right mood. Maybe when you feel yourself typing “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” on that paper you’ve been putting off. Should you go to the theater?: Yes, especially if it’s the Browning Cinema. A really fun crowd at all these pics so far. In truth, what this film is about is the futility of the cog fighting against the machine. Time and time again, Barton declares his intention of being of and for the working class. For the moment, set aside the fact that he has no desire to actually hear about the plight of the worker. Set aside the fact that he has no compassion for a man sobbing in his private domicile after a tough day at work (as we all do). Under the guise that all Barton cares about is being an instrument of change, his writer’s block represents many people’s own inability to make a difference in the world when given the chance. Even with the ability to spread a message to millions, he is unable to even concoct
one. His failure to write even a simple wrestling picture showcases this. Furthermore, he can make no change in a world he does not understand. There are moments in the picture — the specifics I will not get into for the sake of maintaining the experience for you, dear reader — which remind the viewer of how little we understand our own world. How feeble our ability is to predict what comes next. This picture is a drawn-out analogy for the Coens fighting their own fight against the machine of the entertainment industry. What kind of message the brothers are trying to impart upon us, I confess I still have only basic concepts of, but I respect that it had to
have been a herculean task to get studios to give them money to make these downright wacky pictures. The Coenesque must have been a tough green-light at first. But, man, are we glad it went through. “Barton Fink” is a slow burn. The story takes its time to play out, like a man assembling bits and pieces of kindling and paper and a jury duty summons to create the perfect bonfire. But once you pour a little lighter fluid, man, how that sucker goes. “Barton Fink” is a good time and a think piece, with just a touch of an “Autobahn” album in the mix. Give it a watch.
How much should you pay for your ticket? 2BC scale: $7.00: Not as great a theater experience as last week, but damn good nonetheless. The last 15 minutes should be a shared experience, really.
Who made it? Director: The Coen brothers
Contact Nolan Scozzaro at nscozzar@nd.edu
Nerd corner: Goodbye, Barry Sonnenfeld; hello, Roger Deakins. Cinematography continues to be absolutely brilliant. It’s also been so fun to watch the brothers assemble new members of their repeating cast each week. Put Steve Buscemi in more movies.
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‘Black Orpheus’ is worth looking back for By Marguerite C.J. Marley Scene Copyeditor
One Greek Myth that seems to have captured the minds of people all over the world is that of Orpheus and Eurydice: lovers torn apart by death, who are reunited only to be broken apart again when Orpheus cannot help but turn around to make sure that Eurydice is truly behind him. One of the best versions of this story is “Black Orpheus.” The film was critically acclaimed at the time of its release in 1959, winning the Palme d’Or at that year’s Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. DPAC screened the film this weekend as a companion piece to the Broadway musical “Hadestown,” an American adaptation of the same myth. Though I was already familiar with the myth, I had never seen this film before. I’m happy to say that it might be my favorite version of this tale so far. A French production based on a Brazilian stage play called “Orfeu da Conceição,” the film retells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice in Rio de Janeiro during its Carnival season. It follows the lives of lower-class Afro-Brazilians and uses the framework of the myth to inform its narrative. The movie follows Orfeu (Breno
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Mello), a trolley driver and struggling musician. He falls in love with Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn), a girl who came to Rio to stay with her cousin Serafina (Léa Garcia) — who in turn is followed by a supernatural stalker that turns out to be the personification of Death. Over the course of the Carnival, Eurydice and Orfeu fall in love, much to the chagrin of Orfeu’s fiancée Mira (Lourdes de Oliveira). The carnival scenes were a
combination of shorts from the real carnival that year as well as a few staged scenes starring Rio de Janeiro locals, bringing the production a level of authenticity. Seeing all of the incredible costumes on the main characters as well as all of the extras makes for a visual feast for the eyes. Though it is not a musical, the film does take several opportunities to break into both song and dance sequences. Orfeu sings a
few times, and I loved each of his songs. There are so many amazing dance sequences sprinkled throughout the movie, though they do tend to go on for a while. Another thing that might put people off about this film is the character of Mira. While de Oliveira does a great job with what she is given, the character is not much more than a harpy who is (rightfully) upset that her fiancé has fallen so deeply in love
with another girl in just two days. She mostly exists to pull our two leads apart and be cruel and vain, as she demands her fiancé provide her with extravagant gifts. I found this portrayal very sexist, but that is a risk that comes from movies this old. Mira is only a supporting character, so it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the movie too much. Breno Mello gives an incredible performance as Orfeu, especially since this is his first film ever. He was originally a soccer player, and I don’t know any good soccer metaphors, so I’ll just say that he is batting a thousand. It’s a performance comparable to the greats like Marlon Brando in “Rebel Without a Cause.” The colors were also gorgeous in this movie. This is the case for a lot of older movies, but director Marcel Camus has an amazing command of the colors in his shots, making almost every frame feel like a painting. From the vibrant blues of the carnival season to the striking reds permeating the scenes where death was most present, this film is remarkable to look at. Overall, this movie is a classic and deserves to be. Contact Marguerite C.J. Marley at mmarley01@saintmarys.edu
Seth MacFarlane knocked my socks off By Marguerite C.J. Marley
romance in the number. It makes me want to just get up and start swing dancing — though I don’t have anyone to do that with. This song has very few Muppet references and, as such, can stand on its own a little better than some of the others, which I think adds to its charm.
Scene Copyeditor
When you think of Seth MacFarlane, you probably think of one of the many TV shows he created. Whether it’s “The Orville” or “Family Guy,” clips and jokes have spread over the internet like a plague (the famous “I did not care for ‘The Godfather’” scene even being referenced in this very paper a few weeks back). What you probably don’t think about is his jazz career. His singing work came on my radar this month when he released his 10th studio album, “Seth MacFarlane Sings The Muppets,” featuring music from “The Muppet Show” up through “The Muppets Take Manhattan” and coming on the heels of “The Muppet Show” special that aired earlier this year. So, without further ado, here are some of the best songs from the album. “Bein’ Green” from “The Muppet Show” (1976) A Muppet classic that most people have heard on “Sesame Street.” MacFarlane’s voice makes it sound like a classic jazz arrangement. There is also a whimsical little flute section at the beginning that I really liked, and the flute is allowed to shine in the middle during an instrumental section, too. “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” from “The Muppet Movie” (1979) A sweet number about going back to where you’re from — it’s
ASHLEY ZHENG | The Observer
wonderful. I was a bit skeptical after some of the more bombastic numbers that MacFarlane would be able to pull off a song like this, but he does an amazing job threading the needle to make this song work. “Rainbow Connection” from “The Muppet Movie” (1979) This was the first song I heard from the album and subsequently what made me want to write this article. It blew me away. I had never really heard MacFarlane sing before, but I was instantly hooked. He does a great job crooning this song in a way that Kermit the Frog simply does not
have the range to achieve, being both a frog and a puppet. He also injects the right amount of emotion into this song without making it sound overly sentimental. “Movin’ Right Along” from “The Muppet Movie” (1979) Liz Gillies (who is probably best known to this paper’s audience as Jade West in “Victorious,” though she has collaborated several times with MacFarlane on some of his other musical projects) features on this track and mixes very nicely with MacFarlane. They replace the parts in the original where Kermit and Fozzie talk to each
other with a couple of references to MacFarlane’s recent “Ted” prequel series. Gillies asks, “Shouldn’t you have done Fozzie’s part?” and MacFarlane replies, “No, I’m not doing another funny bear.” There’s also a fun “Carpool Karaoke” reference: Gillies says, “Hey, this is kind of like ‘Carpool Karaoke,’” and MacFarlane responds, “Liz, please, I don’t wanna get sued.” “Steppin’ Out With a Star” from “The Great Muppet Caper” The big band really gets a chance to shine in this song, and MacFarlane really plays up the
“I Hope That Somethin’ Better Comes Along” from “The Muppet Movie” (1979) Here, in a slightly strippeddown version of the song, MacFarlane shows off his vocal prowess in a bit of a different way. It is just him and a few instruments on the track. He’s able to show how well he can sing, even when he’s not belting every other word. It’s still a solid track, even if it isn’t as bombastic as the others. Of course, this album isn’t for everyone. Besides being part of a genre that is mostly dead these days (i.e., big-band jazz), it’s also made up entirely of songs originally performed by puppets and sung by a guy who’s best known for creating “Family Guy.” But it’s still a really good album. MacFarlane’s an amazing singer and has obviously pulled out all the stops so that this could be the best big-band album it could be. If you’re a fan of the Muppets or MacFarlane, then I’d recommend checking it out. And if you aren’t a fan of either of those things, still check it out — it just might surprise you. Contact Marguerite C.J. Marley at mmarley01@saintmarys.edu
SPORTS
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Notre Dame-Purdue: A home-grown rivalry By Tess Corvera Sports Reporter
This coming Saturday, unranked Purdue hosts No. 3 Notre Dame on the Boilermakers’ home turf in West Lafayette, Indiana — continuing the Irish’s oldest (and only) in-state rivalry. Just a two-hour drive south from Notre Dame, the Irish travel to meet the Boilermakers Saturday in a battle for the Shillelagh Trophy. The competitors’ rivalry dates back to November 1896, when Purdue defeated Notre Dame 2822, but it wasn’t until 1957 that a trophy was added to the winner’s spoils. The shillelagh was donated by Joseph McLaughlin, a merchant seaman from Ireland
and a longtime Notre Dame supporter. The trophy’s intricate design highlights the traditional Irish wooden walking stick with a knob at the top, alongside two punters and small gold footballs at the base showing each game’s win. There are 41 footballs marked with an “ND” and 19 with a “P”. The Irish currently lead the all-time series 59-26-2 and officially hold a four-game win streak, though the inclusion of two vacated wins in 2012 and 2013 brings that streak to 10. The rivalry denotes a long-standing history defined by each team’s intense competitive spirit. Starting with their
1950 upset of a Notre Dame team sporting a 39-game unbeaten streak, Purdue earned itself the famous “Spoilermakers” nickname. The two teams made history in November 1968 with a No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup — the ninth since the AP Poll began in 1936, and the only such matchup in the rivalry’s history. No. 2 Notre Dame suffered a 37-22 loss. In 1977, Irish legend Joe Montana led the Irish to a 3124 victory. After an injury that derailed his 1976 season, thirdstring Montana was placed on the field in the fourth quarter to replace backup Gary Forystek, who had earlier replaced starter Rusty Lisch. In the fourth-quarter, Montana
organized 17 unanswered points, with a key touchdown pass to tight end Ken MacAfee and a game-winner to fullback Dave Mitchell. The comeback inspired the legendary 11-1 season that ended in a decisive 38-10 victory over No. 1 Texas and the program’s 10th consensus national championship. The rivalry renewed every year from 1946-2014, but was briefly interrupted by Notre Dame’s ACC scheduling alliance. After the Big Ten expanded to a nine-game conference schedule and Notre Dame committed to play at least five games against ACC teams, the other open conference dates became sparse. While Purdue and Notre Dame originally agreed to a temporary
bridge game in September 2020, the game was cancelled as the Big Ten moved to a strict, conference-only schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this short period of inconsistent play, the rivalry officially resumed in 2024 to an annual format. The Irish come in on a 3-0 streak, while the Boilermakers enter the game 1-2. However, with Purdue’s upset-minded persona, no streak is ever guaranteed. Notre Dame’s matchup against Purdue is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Ross–Ade Stadium and will be broadcast on Peacock. Contact Tess Corvera at tcorvera@nd.edu
FOOTBALL
Muething: Three Notre Dame transfers stand out By Jack Muething Sports Reporter
Notre Dame football is now a quarter of the way through its regular season, currently sitting at 3-0. This team has as much hype as any of the top teams in college football this season. This is largely because of the offseason additions the team made, both through the transfer portal and by bringing in new freshmen. Some of the newcomers have shined particularly bright in their new colors, especially
junior defensive linemen Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray, and fifth-year cornerback DJ McKinney. Francis Brewu It is no exaggeration to say that the interior defensive line for Notre Dame has been one of the most consistent in college football. Brewu has been the key to that, graded by Pro Football Focus as the seventh highest returning interior defensive lineman in the country. Notre Dame brought the
junior in from Pittsburgh, where he recorded 36 tackles and 7 tackles for loss as a sophomore. He now has the highest PFF grade on the team so far this season among players who have recorded 60 or more snaps. More specifically, he is one of the top pass rushers, graded as the fifth highest of any defensive tackle. In 66 snaps through the first three weeks, he’s recorded five quarterback hurries and six tackles, including a sack against Wisconsin.
Tionne Gray Gray, making his way to Notre Dame from the Oregon Ducks, was the third highest defensive linemen in the transfer portal and was one of Notre Dame’s top incoming transfers this past offseason. He has the fourth highest PFF grade on the team this year and is 58th among defensive tackles on PFF, making Notre Dame the only team in the country with two players in the top 60 of that category. He hasn’t been too involved in the pass rush, recording
GABRIELLA MARTIN | The Observer
Junior defensive lineman Tionne Gray celebrates alongside teammates following senior safety Adon Shuler’s interception during Notre Dame’s 27-10 win over Michigan State on Sept. 19. Gray came to the Irish after two years at Oregon, where he blocked a field goal in the Ducks’ CFP win.
five tackles in 60 snaps, but he is the highest rated defensive lineman on the team in defending the run. This has been an early strength for the team this season, with Notre Dame allowing just 58 yards on the ground per game — good for sixth in the nation. The interior defensive line was an area that needed addressing this past offseason. Brewu and Gray have made serious impacts on that front. DJ McKinney The corners haven’t been as dominant as the defensive line to start the year, but they’ve helped this defense find such dominant success. McKinney has been highly involved in this early-season process since transferring from Colorado. McKinney’s high point of the season was obviously his pick six against Wisconsin, which seemingly broke the game open for the Irish. Since then he’s been overshadowed by his partner in crime Leonard Moore, but he has played dependably, graded as the seventh highest player on the Notre Dame defense and the fifth highest in coverage grades. The former Buffalo has slotted in nicely along the other veteran members of this secondary and will continue to play a meaningful role as this season continues. The 2025 Notre Dame team was very solid, and the coaching staff retained a lot of the players from that group. However, there were still holes that needed to be filled after some important departures, and the Irish did a great job addressing those spots and bringing in the players it needed. Contact Jack Muething at jmuethin@nd.edu
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
FOOTBALL
Brewu and Partridge fuel Irish defensive line By Henry Lytle Associate Sports Editor
This offseason, Notre Dame attacked the transfer portal on the defensive line, bringing in three major contributors. Junior transfer Francis Brewu came to South Bend for an opportunity to play under the national spotlight for a coach on the defensive line with whom he had an established relationship. Through three games, Brewu has made a huge impact on the Irish’s ferocious defensive front on and off the field. Brewu was a consensus 3-star recruit out of Columbus, Ohio, and Thomas Worthington High School in the class of 2024. Brewu began his career at Pittsburgh, where he was a contributor from the jump. The frosh earned his first tackle against West Virginia in a win and his first sack against Louisville. He finished the season with 15 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
In his sophomore campaign, Brewu bumped these numbers up significantly, playing in every game for Pitt. From the interior defensive line, he recorded 36 total tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. But Brewu’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet, as many of the most critical plays of the interior defensive line get overshadowed. Although Brewu was a valuable player for the Panthers during his two-year tenure, he was playing without the very coach who recruited him, Charlie Partridge. When Brewu decided to enter the transfer portal after his 2025 sophomore season, he was touted by On3 as the 32nd overall player and the second-best defensive tackle. The decision to leave for Notre Dame was heavily influenced by his former coach, recruiter and mentor Partridge, who returned to Notre Dame after spending two years as defensive line coach of the Indianapolis
Colts. Partridge was the defensive coordinator and line coach at Pittsburgh from 2017 to 2023, but never coached Brewu for a full season. The relationship the two have built has helped Brewu flourish so far in his time at Notre Dame. Reflecting on their connection this week, Brewu said: “[Partridge’s] a guy who’s really hard on me, but that’s what every player wants. Every player who wants to take their game as far as possible needs a coach who’s hard on them. He holds me to really high standards, and I appreciate that. Our history allows him to do that.” Brewu is listed as second in the depth chart for the defensive tackle spot behind senior Armel Mukam. So far this season, the Irish have regularly cycled in four different players at the interior defensive line spot, each with distinct skill sets. Brewu’s strengths come with his intensity and fortitude in pursuit.
“Something we’ve been able to do well is try to play aggressive. We try to play as aggressive as possible,” Brewu said. The Notre Dame defensive line so far this season has given up 1.9 yards per carry and 58.3 yards per game rushing, which are fifth and sixth in the nation. The defense, overall, is giving up fewer than 8 points per game and allowing just 200 yards of total offense, both serious recipes for success. Brewu has been a key part of stopping the run for the Irish as a player who finds a way to make an impact on every down. “Getting knockbacks is huge,” he said. “Splitting double teams doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. Getting to the quarterback, it doesn’t necessarily show up in the statsheet.” Playing for Notre Dame has also been more impactful on a personal level. Few places in the country can provide the football-obsessed Saturday
afternoons of Notre Dame, where the entire University culture revolves around the on-field product. “It’s amazing. It’s something that I always dreamed of to walk into the stadium, no matter who we were playing, and see the full stadium,” Brewu added. The Irish will take on Purdue this Saturday, hoping to build on this year’s defensive success. While the Boilermakers pose a capable offense, scoring over 37 points a game, Brewu and the defensive line will look to make their presence felt early. As the defensive line strives for improvement, Notre Dame has a runway to get better before taking on its first ranked opponent, BYU, in less than a month. “We’re nowhere near our ceiling,” Brewu said. “We’re working and practicing as hard as we can every day to improve on everything.” Contact Henry Lytle at hlytle@nd.edu
ND MEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish non-conference offers wins and litmus tests By Lauren Ryan Sports Reporter
The Notre Dame men’s basketball team unveiled its 2026-27 schedule Thursday, and it contains plenty of opportunities for the new-look Irish to show what they are made of. The first standout feature of the schedule is a startling 50 days between games outside of Purcell Pavilion, stretching from the conclusion of the neutral-site Players Era 8 tournament on Nov. 19 to a trip to Georgia Tech on Jan. 9. For a program that went 10-7 at home last year but a dismal 2-9 on the road, this stretch could be a critical chance to gain momentum as the team heads into its competitive ACC slate. The Irish open their season in Rome, facing Villanova in the Eternal City Tip-Off Tournament. The Wildcats clawed their way into the NCAA tournament last year after a three-year drought and are now projected to be a top-30 team. A win in Rome would prove that Notre Dame has moved past last season’s struggles and deserves to be taken seriously. Upon their return to the States, Notre Dame will have the opportunity to regain confidence if the Villanova matchup does not go its way or build momentum if it does. It will face Mercyhurst, Eastern Illinois and South Carolina State. All three teams finished in the bottom 100 of Division I last year, and any loss in this stretch will be a bad harbinger for head coach Micah Shrewsberry’s squad. The Irish then move into the
extremely competitive Players Era 8 tournament. They will face the projected top team in the country, the Florida Gators, in the first round. The field also contains projected top-25 teams and consistent powerhouses Houston and Kansas, with Rutgers, UNLV, West Virginia and Auburn rounding out the field. A potential matchup against Rutgers, which Notre Dame defeated last year, would give junior forward Bryce Dortch a chance to compete against his former team and could be a good opportunity for the Irish to test their strength against a beatable but Power Five school. Next, the extended home stand begins with matchups against Central Michigan and Stonehill. Once again, these games are must-wins for Notre Dame. Estimates suggest that Notre Dame’s NIL spending, modest by ACC standards, is more than the combined spending of Mercyhurst, Eastern Illinois, South Carolina State, Central Michigan and Stonehill. Even in this era of college basketball, money cannot exactly buy wins, but the Irish need to cash in on this five-game stretch against lower-tier programs. Nobody wants to see the equivalent of last year’s loss to Purdue Fort Wayne. Then begins the final and more challenging part of the nonconference schedule, beginning with the ACC-SEC Challenge game against Vanderbilt. It will be the first meeting between the Irish and the Commodores in 20 years and will certainly be a difficult test for Notre Dame. Vandy is another projected top-25 team
that has made the NCAA tournament the past two years after a drought going back to 2017 and has retained last season’s top scorer and first-team All-SEC honoree, guard Tyler Tanner. The Irish then battle three repeat opponents from last year — TCU, which the Irish beat in overtime; LIU, which Notre Dame defeated by a comfortable 22-point margin; and Ohio State, which edged out the Irish 64-63 — but the rebuilt Irish roster will have to prove itself all over again. TCU is a very competitive Big 12 program that reached the round of 32 in last year’s NCAA tournament and will be a strong opponent for the Irish. LIU is
the third of four Northeastern Conference teams that Notre Dame will face and is the reigning conference champion. It’s a team that Notre Dame should beat but certainly cannot overlook entirely. Meanwhile, the Ohio State Buckeyes, like Notre Dame, lost a large chunk of their personnel to the transfer portal but grabbed All-ACC honoree guard Justin Pippen from Cal. This penultimate nonconference game may indicate the Irish’s chances of putting together a successful ACC campaign. Finally, the Irish finish their nonconference slate against Le Moyne, which is entering just
its fourth year of Division I play and, barring the Irish being significantly worse than expected, should not cause much trouble. Overall, the nonconference schedule offers some opportunities for the Irish to mesh as a newly assembled team and hopefully gain a few wins under their belt and some bigger challenges that will test the squad’s legitimacy as an ACC contender — a status they desperately need to reclaim after last year’s struggles. Stay tuned for next week’s analysis of the conference slate. Contact Lauren Ryan at lryan5@nd.edu
KEIRA JONES | The Observer
Then-junior guard Braeden Shrewsberry pulls up for three during Notre Dame’s win over Missouri on Dec. 2, 2025. The Irish picked up big wins against the Tigers and TCU in the span of four days last December.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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WNBA: Mystics vs. Sky The Chicago Sky faced the Washington Mystics on Sept 17, 2026 at Wintrust Arena. By photo editor Mariella Taddonio
SPORTS
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
EDITOR’S COLUMN
Hicks: ASU case proves sports don’t value safety By Ben Hicks Sports Editor
Thanks to everyone who read last week’s column and provided valuable feedback. With President Donald Trump set to attend this Saturday’s Texas at Tennessee game, where ESPN’s College Gameday will also be present, it is possible the Protect College Sports Act could be signed as early as this weekend. As I highlighted last week, many of the bill’s detractors suggest the legislation would take compensation rights away from players, returning to the former system of institutional control. While that frame of economic analysis is certainly up for debate, it is indubitable that universities and, really, commercialized athletics as a whole have long exploited the health and safety of athletes. That precarious reality manifested itself again last month in the Arizona desert, where Arizona State hockey player Matthew Mayich suffered an exertional heat stroke during the first day of team workouts. Mayich, a sophomore defenseman from Stoney Creek, Ontario, had just arrived in Tempe, Arizona, the prior week after transferring from Clarkson. Mayich reportedly collapsed late during an intensive morning conditioning workout, which included very few breaks
and minimal access to water. Weather Underground’s database for Aug. 20 suggests temperatures were in the high 80s, with no wind and over 50% humidity during the workout, with an afternoon high reaching up to 105℉. Mayich appeared disoriented but was not treated by trainers until he fell attempting to sprint twice the length of a football field while carrying a medicine ball. At that point, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue was called, and Mayich was transported to a nearby hospital. The attorney for Mayich’s family, Rob Carey, said to ESPN, “This injury is from an exertional heat stroke that caused a lack of oxygen to the brain. There were no other contributing conditions, only exertion-related heat. This is not an induced coma. We need a miracle.” Any sports fan understands that injuries, sometimes gruesome, go arm in arm with athletics themselves. Everybody watching remembers Louisville guard Kevin Ware’s compound tibia fracture during the 2013 Elite Eight or Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during a January 2023 Monday Night Football game. There is clear dichotomy, however, between these freak injuries and the calculated circumstances surrounding Mayich’s life-threatening heat stroke.
Former Sun Devil player and the only man to ever lead the program at the Division I level, Greg Powers, accused his team of lacking buy-in a season ago. “I hate to say the word ‘soft,’ but that’s what we were,” Powers said to The Athletic. “And it became contagious. It was a team that just didn’t attack adversity.” Powers even mocked his team by hanging pictures of Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper in the locker room. Thus, he wanted a different toughness in his program heading into the 2026-27 season. So, on day one, as Powers watched from the sidelines in sandals, a 39-yearold former Green Beret led the team in grueling, physically demanding workouts, after which only those who finished on time could receive water. These decisions, which are being investigated by Arizona State, pose a greater question as to what the priority of sport truly is. I’d wager we all agree the primary goal of competitive athletics is winning. But winning has a cost, and how much is too much? Do coaches really need to build toughness and morale through punishment? Why are these traditional ideas of masculinity and virility so embedded in sport culture anyway? Those are questions we all continue to grapple with, but one thing is for certain: Players
can be physically and mentally tough without being subjected to heat stroke. Broadening our scope beyond Arizona State hockey, college athletics continue to lag behind professional sports in key health and wellness domains. Safety in sports often makes headlines through concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, but college football hasn’t instituted the same changes the NFL has. For example, the NFL instituted a new kickoff rule in 2024 after studies determined 21% of concussions occurred on the kickoff, despite it only making up roughly 6% of all plays. Meanwhile, the young developing brains of college athletes continue crashing into each other with flying velocity to start every game and following every score. While I don’t believe universities are thoroughly thoughtless when it comes to the brain health of their student-athletes, there is certainly a level of negligence relating to health and well-being permeating through college athletics. Recent research from the University of Michigan suggests concussions lead to brain deterioration five years following the TBI, well past the time when these student-athletes are still of great service and priority to their university. We know Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy can lead to
murder, suicide, abuse and other erratic and dangerous behaviors, yet the tradition of hegemonic masculinity and the joy — and money — winning provides seems to carry more social weight. I also want to point out concussions aren’t just an issue in the violent, hard-hitting sports of the mainstream like football and hockey. Women’s soccer players experience concussions at twice the rate of their male counterparts, and at higher rates than both men’s hockey and men’s lacrosse players. These women’s soccer players are risking their long-term brain health while also not reaping the monetary benefits like their football-playing classmates. They probably also need their brains to attend and succeed in class — unlike some college football players. These aren’t groundbreaking revelations, but the case of Mayich demonstrates just how dangerous athletics can be when we fail to consider the long-term health and wellness of those participating. No matter how much of a football or hockey traditionalist you may be, concussions and heat strokes in the name of toughness shouldn’t be accepted. It isn’t simply the cost of winning. It’s just plain stupid. Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
HOLY CROSS
Saints soccer, golf and tennis get fall slate started By Chris Dailey Senior Sports Reporter
Soccer The regular season is halfway complete for Holy Cross men’s and women’s soccer. Yet, with the temperature dropping steadily by the day and autumn officially arriving, the Saints are marching into the back half of the season riding high. The men’s team holds an impressive 5-1-2 record, having notched an impressive four-game winning streak through late August. Head coach Omar Gallo’s side recently lost to local foe No. 18 Bethel 2-0. Still, not suffering their first loss until mid-September speaks to just how strong the Saints’ start has been. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the season is the fact that Holy Cross doesn’t have a true standout superstar leading the way. Junior midfielder Victor Sanz Paz and sophomore forward Xavier Fox both have a team-leading 3 goals each, while senior Dominic Castillo has scored 2, and four players have found the back of the net once. The Saints’ ability to spread the wealth and not rely solely on one individual has been a driving force behind the team’s success.
Just as important, however, has been the Saints’ stellar defensive unit. Through eight matches, Holy Cross has only allowed 4 goals — 2 of them coming in the latest match against Bethel. Senior goalkeeper Sam Negus has started six matches and owns a goals-against average of 0.51. One week ago, he was honored as the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. Since transferring from Trinity Christian, Negus has been nothing short of spectacular for Holy Cross. Negus and company face a back half of the season that features games against St. Francis, Viterbo and Saint Xavier — the three teams that finished top of the conference a season ago. The women’s soccer team, meanwhile, has not been able to find similar success. After a historic 10-7-3 season last year, which included a No. 1 seed in the CCAC Tournament and an appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament, the Saints have only scored 5 goals through 7 games and stand at 1-5-1. If the Saints are to get back on track, they’ll likely need their veteran leaders to provide a
much-needed spark. Senior forward Miriam Iturriaga-Sanchez is a prime candidate to do just that. Across 61 career appearances, she has scored 20 goals, including a career-high 12 as a sophomore. Iturriaga-Sanchez has proved that she can be dangerous in the attacking third, and finding her feet up top will be vital as Holy Cross looks to bolster its attack. Looking ahead, the women host Viterbo Saturday at 2 p.m. before finishing off the regular season with eight games in October. Golf The soccer teams aren’t the only ones taking center stage this fall. The Holy Cross golf and tennis programs are also picking play back up this semester. The women’s golf team started its season in late August at the Bill Johnson Memorial Tournament in Crete, Illinois. Junior Bianca Huizar tied for second place after shooting 79 and 78 in a fantastic outing. Classmate Jill Daniels finished in eighth place with an 88 and 76. Under the guidance of new head coach Kirk Kayden, the men’s golf team most recently finished in fifth place at the Pretty Lake Intercollegiate. Sophomore
Derek Darnell, the 2026 CCAC Newcomer of the Year, finished No. 10 individually. Fresh off a superb freshman campaign in which he also finished second-team all-conference, Darnell will be the focal point of the Saints’ core this year. Last season, he averaged a 76.9 over 20 rounds. Tennis The Saints’ tennis programs also have plenty of star power returning. On the men’s side, senior Oscar Wai headlines a strong group of returners, while
junior Sofia Rocha is among the familiar faces back for the women. Last year, Wai was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s NAIA Regional Most Improved Player. Both teams start their seasons this week at ITA Regionals. Following a fantastic year in which both teams won the CCAC Championship, the Saints look to get off to a hot start and carry last season’s success into 2026-27. Contact Chris Dailey at cdailey2@nd.edu
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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FOOTBALL
Nolan James Jr. steps up for young Irish backfield By Payton Dymek Senior Sports Reporter
Notre Dame football is off to a 3-0 start this season, which hasn’t happened since 2023 with quarterback Sam Hartman under center and running back Audric Estime anchoring the backfield. Last season, in particular, the Irish solidified their reputation as a run-heavy team thanks to superstar backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. But the running back spot under junior signal-caller CJ Carr is a bit rockier than it has been in past years, and fans are beginning to distrust the Irish starters. Sophomore Nolan James Jr., however, is looking to change minds. He’s fast, he’s scrappy and he’s given everyone a taste of what he can do against Michigan State. Following the loss of Love and Price, the Irish have looked to junior Aneyas Williams to assume their position. Williams had minimal in-game experience last season, seeing playing time in five games and totaling 224 yards, with his highest single-game total coming from an 83-yard effort at Stanford. In the preseason, he ran for 38 yards and a touchdown in the 2026 Blue-Gold Game. Well, now the fall has come around, and Notre Dame has totaled only 390 rushing yards through three games, tied for No. 106 in the NCAA — certainly not the place to be in light of national championship conversations.
Williams has been the starter and is slated to remain as such this Saturday; however, head coach Marcus Freeman frequently substitutes James, who is pushing for more time in the limelight. James was a four-star recruit by 247Sports, On3 and Rivals, hailing from Westwood, New Jersey. He was ranked 28th in his state and 68th overall at his position by ESPN, and in 2024, was named MaxPreps New Jersey High School Football Player of the Year. As a freshman last season, he competed in four matchups — Purdue, Arkansas, Stanford and Syracuse — totaling 14 carries for 37 yards. Though shadowed by three other backs that season, James now occupies the running lane often. Before the Michigan State matchup, he totaled 19 rushing yards against Wisconsin, whereas Williams started strong with 90 yards. In the ensuing games, however, Williams gained only 29 and 25 yards, while James carried the load with a pair of rushing touchdowns against the Owls and 121 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown against the Spartans. “He’s explosive,” Freeman said in a post-practice press conference this week. “He’s explosive once he sees it, but he’s physical and tough to bring down...He’s strong in his lower half, but he’s explosive, quick and he has good vision, too.” Recognizing that he needs to step up and maximize his skills is not something new to James.
“My whole life I’ve prided myself on getting stronger as the defense gets weaker,” James said. “Going into the second half, I thought that drive coming out of the half, we got into a groove. Once that happens, just keep riding that wave.” That drive James is referring to was one where he combined for a total of 46 rushing yards over a 17-play possession. Despite the
Irish ultimately having to kick a field goal, the scoring opportunity wouldn’t have been possible had James not been tearing up the turf. In order to stay sharp for the team, James must take advantage of every touch. But even without the ball in his hands, picking up blitzes in pass protection is the skill that could propel him in the rotation. The Irish will head down to
West Lafayette to face the Purdue Boilermakers in a battle for the Shillelagh Trophy on Saturday. Notre Dame leads the overall series 59-26-2, and with James finding his footing in the rushing attack, the Irish should settle some early offensive struggles. Contact Payton Dymek at pdymek01@saintmarys.edu
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Sophomore running back Nolan James Jr. cuts through the Spartan defense during Notre Dame’s 27-10 win on Sept. 19. The New Jersey native gained a career-high 121 yards and also found the end zone in the win. FOOTBALL
Keys to a Notre Dame victory over Purdue By Ellie Collins Associate Sports Editor
After a solid but unspectacular 27-10 victory over Michigan State, the unbeaten and thirdranked Notre Dame will travel to West Lafayette, Ind., to face Purdue in its first true road game. The last two matchups opposite the Boilermakers have been nothing short of offensive triumphs — quarterback Riley Leonard led the squad to a 66-7 rout in 2024, and CJ Carr steered last season’s Irish to a 56-30 victory for the team’s first win. This year, however, the offense has looked somewhat askew at times, especially in the first halves against Wisconsin and Michigan State. This Purdue defense may prove to be a welcome salve, as the unit is a bottom-dweller in all key metrics. It gave up 52 points to UCLA on Sept. 19, surrendering a staggering 369 yards on the ground. On the other side of the ball, the Boilermakers’ offense poses a formidable threat in the air, with quarterback Ryan Browne averaging 341.3 yards per game — No. 2 in the country — and a 73.3% completion rate on the season. In pursuit of their 14th straight
win, here is what the Irish need to do on Saturday to exit September undefeated for the first time under fifth-year head coach Marcus Freeman. Make Purdue one-dimensional on offense While there are certainly precarious elements to this Notre Dame team, one thing it has done consistently in its opening matchups is come out hot and snag an early lead. This weekend, the defense needs to focus on shutting down the Boilermakers’ run game early. If Notre Dame forces Purdue to be one-dimensional, the daunting pass rush led by senior defensive lineman Boubacar Traore and junior linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will challenge Browne to show that his penchant for interceptions last year is a thing of the past. Once the Irish built a 17-point lead and forced Michigan State to the air, Spartan signal-caller Alessio Milivojevic was bruised, battered and practically seeing ghosts. Pressure makes almost every quarterback ordinary, and Browne likely will need to be elite for the Boilers to have any shot.
Secondary proves its mettle Browne was impressive in the first half of last year’s game — the highlight being a 24-yard touchdown connection just before the break — but he’s elevated his game to the next level this season. After facing the rush-heavy offenses of Wisconsin, Rice and Michigan State, Browne’s right arm will be the biggest test for the Irish defense thus far. He loves to throw to speedy slot receivers Asaad Waseem and Xavier Townsend — transfers from Florida Atlantic and Iowa State, respectively. Notre Dame’s secondary is extremely deep and considered one of, if not the, best in the country. However, in their last two games, the Irish played a lot of 4-3 to combat the running attacks. With Purdue’s pass-happy offense — which sometimes puts four receivers on the field — Notre Dame will run a lot of nickel and dime packages, giving the defensive backs opportunities to shine. The Irish will need to prove their aforementioned depth on Saturday, given the injuries of junior starting free safety Brauntae Johnson and his replacement Luke Talich — both of whom are
out for this game. A spot player so far this campaign, five-star freshman Joey O’Brien is “next man up” and will likely be tested by Browne early and often. While inexperienced, he boasts elite size and athleticism. Also keep an eye out for sophomore Ethan Long, who has impressed when given the opportunity. Senior Christian Gray has also not been challenged much thus far in his new nickelback role, but will certainly have his hands full with the duo of Waseem and Townsend, who have combined for a gaudy average of 196 receiving yards per game. If the dynamic Boilermaker receivers find space, it won’t be surprising to see All-American Leonard Moore taking up the challenge of shutting down the deep ball. Mike Denbrock does his job The Brian Kelly offense that offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock cannot seem to let go of eschews play-action, despite it being one of the most effective ways of creating big plays in the passing game. While Denbrock simply does not view it as vital to an offense, Notre Dame’s personnel seems tailor-made for it — it boasts a good offensive line,
a commitment to the run and a highly reliable and dynamic quarterback at the helm. Even if he does not see play-action as the answer, Denbrock needs to be more varied with the game plan. The play calls are nothing short of predictable. The unit must start utilizing the more than capable slot receivers and tight ends. Furthermore, while the running backs have yet to ascend to elite status, junior Aneyas Williams and sophomore Nolan James Jr. are elite receivers who should be targeted more. Coaches rave about Carr’s great football intellect and ability to be a coach on the field, yet it feels like they are holding him back. The Irish should be able to feast on a highly suspect Purdue defense. The best approach may be simply letting Carr unleash the deep ball, opening up the run game late instead of toiling in the trenches early on. All said, as a heavy favorite, Notre Dame and Freeman should leave Ross-Ade Stadium and the month of September undefeated. The road to victory, however, is a mystery for now. Contact Ellie Collins at ecollin9@nd.edu
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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Football beat picks: Notre Dame vs. Purdue By Observer Sports Staff Football Beat
Noah Cahill I wouldn’t call Purdue the pseudo-FCS team of the past couple of seasons, but that doesn’t mean the Irish won’t roll inside Ross-Ade Stadium once again. The Boilermaker offense has some juice under second-year starter Ryan Browne, who leads the Big Ten in passing through three contests. That said, the secondaries they’ve faced thus far pale in comparison to this Notre Dame unit. The bigger issue for the Boilermakers is on the other side of the ball, where they’ve allowed opponents 446.7 yards of total offense per game. With 207 of those coming on the ground, look for Notre Dame’s backs to finally break the seal after a slow start to 2026. The Shillelagh Trophy stays in South Bend. Prediction: Notre Dame 49, Purdue 10 Ellie Collins Purdue has its flaws, particularly on the defensive side, but its passing attack will be the first true test for Notre Dame’s vaunted secondary. Boilermaker quarterback Ryan Browne, who made some big-time throws in the first half of last year’s tilt against the Irish, has taken a giant leap this year, averaging 341 yards passing per game and spearheading a Purdue attack posting 39 points per outing. However, that has not come against defensive backs like Leonard Moore and Adon Shuler or menacing pass rushers such as Boubacar Traore or Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. Browne will find some success, but not enough, as Notre Dame’s offense will feast on a terrible Purdue defense allowing 36 points per game and 7 yards per play. If the Irish open it up, CJ Carr will find wide-open receivers — hopefully offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will decide to expand the playbook and more actively involve the slot receivers and tight ends in the passing game. I am not sure Notre Dame will be able to match the 66-7 romp the last time it played at Ross-Ade Stadium in 2024, but it will not be too far off. Prediction: Notre Dame 52, Purdue 14 Chris Dailey Before I provide the pick that will surely be the finest of the bunch, I’d be remiss not to mention how excited I am to cover this game for The Observer. Although the rivalry isn’t the heavyweight battle fans may hope for, it’s still a classic Notre Dame game nonetheless. It’s no secret that Notre Dame is the far superior team here. The goal in this game should be to see Noah Grubbs take the field. Prior to that, it should be to let CJ Carr sling the rock. Although I do think
it’s perfectly acceptable to “cool it” on the premature Heisman talk, regardless of whether he was a preseason betting favorite, Carr is still one of the most efficient passers in the nation. Besides the excellence of Micah Gilbert, it will be interesting to see if Jaden Greathouse can get involved following a quiet start to the season. Ultimately, I believe Purdue will run out of steam by halftime. Give me the Irish … by a lot. Prediction: Notre Dame 52, Purdue 7 Payton Dymek Notre Dame will be leaving West Lafayette victorious — however, I don’t think it will be by nearly as much as some are hop-
will need to clean up given their difficult slate ahead. Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Purdue 10 Ben Hicks Notre Dame should comfortably retain the Shillelagh Trophy on Saturday, but I doubt the Irish put up 61 — their average points against Purdue the last two seasons. While Notre Dame won’t break the scoring record of 66 set two years ago in Ross-Ade Stadium, Chris Ash’s defense could very well post the rivalry’s first shutout in 30 years. The Boilermakers’ offense is much improved from a season ago, with quarterback Ryan Browne already over 1,000 yards through the air, including 300+ in each of their
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Junior quarterback CJ Carr escapes the pocket in Notre Dame’s win over Michigan State. Carr found the end zone with his legs in the win.
ing. The Irish are struggling to figure out their run game, which contributed to many of the points fans saw in the last few years’ matchups against Purdue. Will the Boilermakers’ defense allow for a different story? I’m willing to give the Notre Dame running backs more credit, but that will come after the game. On the other side of things, Purdue won’t stop fighting to score. Backed by quarterback Ryan Browne, who has 1,024 passing yards — 298 more than CJ Carr — the Boilermakers have established a strong passing game with Asaad Waseem. They also boast a stronger tackle game than the Irish, with their lead defender John Slaughter having 22 tackles, beating out Drayk Bowen’s 19. I expect Notre Dame to escape with a win, but Purdue will expose a few vulnerabilities that the Irish
two games against power conference opponents. Unfortunately for him, Notre Dame’s defense has been the best unit in the country so far, and has already demolished two Big Ten offenses with its physicality. I’ll be more interested to see if the Irish offensive line and rushing game can get going against a Purdue team that has allowed 90 points over the last two weeks. Look for Nolan James Jr. to receive the lion’s share of carries this week, and CJ Carr to continue his efficient connection with Micah Gilbert. All told, the Irish win big in West Lafayette. Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Purdue 7 Ethan Laslo Notre Dame still looks like a wagon, even if Michigan State slowed them down a bit last week.
The 27-10 victory over the Spartans showed that the Irish have the capability to win a grind-it-out type of game, which is good to know going forward. Fortunately, that shouldn’t be needed this week. Quarterback Ryan Browne could present a new challenge for the secondary, but I have plenty of faith they’ll handle him and the Boilermaker receivers just fine. The running game for Purdue should also be a non-factor, as the Irish front seven have looked unstoppable. If anything, Notre Dame needs exactly what it’s gotten from Purdue each of the last few matchups: an offensive explosion. The Irish offense has put up plenty of points so far, but a true offensive masterclass would only bolster their case as the nation’s best team. In particular, the Irish need this to be the game where the running game finds its footing. Purdue is currently allowing 277.5 rushing yards per game to opponents, putting them 135th out of 138 teams in the country. It’s the perfect chance to establish a dominant ground presence. Regardless, the Irish dominate for the Shillelagh once again. Prediction: Notre Dame 56, Purdue 10 Henry Lytle The Irish travel to 1-2 Purdue following a sluggish 27-10 victory in the rain over Michigan State at home. Purdue’s offense led by Ryan Browne at quarterback is averaging 37 points per game and over 470 yards per contest. The Boilermakers will certainly present the biggest defensive challenge for the Irish so far, with an established passing game throwing for over 300 yards per game. Notre Dame’s pass defense has been ferocious thus far though, and I don’t expect that to change. Purdue’s defense, meanwhile, has conceded 36 points and over 400 yards per game. Additionally, the Boilermakers are coming off consecutive losses against Wake Forest in double overtime and UCLA. Everything lines up for Notre Dame’s offense to feast against a struggling defense that hasn’t been able to stop a runny nose yet. I expect a huge game for the Irish through the air and CJ Carr’s first 300-yard passing game. Notre Dame should win big in kicker Spencer Porath’s return game to Purdue. Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Purdue 10 Jack Muething Purdue has had one of the strongest offenses in college football to start the season, as quarterback Ryan Browne is fifth in the country in passing yards and running back Fame Ijeboi is tied for third in the country in rushing touchdowns. Their defense, however, has been one of the worst in college football, giving up an average of 446.7 yards per game. Meanwhile, Notre Dame comes
into this one with one of the best defenses in the country, only allowing 193 yards per game. They will be far and away the best defense the Boilermakers have played by this point, and I expect the scoreline to reflect that. Purdue may be the best offense the Irish have seen at this point in the year, but the Boilermakers simply don’t have the skill to compete with Notre Dame. Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Purdue 16 Nikki Stachurski Notre Dame has gotten some of its biggest ghosts of the season out of the way. Away game at a storied stadium? Massive victory. First home game? No curse here — we finally won. Undefeated and maintaining No. 3 AP poll ranking? Consistently holding on. So the Purdue game this weekend does not concern me, nor should it concern you. The Irish are considerable favorites, due to the depth of their lines and ability to see the field from a unique standpoint. Purdue has yet to win against a high-caliber team, but the state rivalry may reignite some fire under their cleats. Plus, the Boilermakers have not easily forgotten about the Irish’s acquisition of junior kicker Spencer Porath, who has gone 5 of 6 on field goals and has been a much-needed addition to the Irish special teams. Purdue has every opportunity to come out and play some gritty football against Notre Dame, especially if they can make the Irish uncomfortable. Notre Dame’s defense needs to sort itself out and recalibrate, and the offense could benefit from more variety in their playbook. With the second-half consistency of this Irish team, there is little doubt that they will bring the Shillelagh home yet again. Prediction: Notre Dame 48, Purdue 7 Claire Watson While Notre Dame sits at 3-0 on their season so far, they should not get comfortable. Not to mention that this weekend, they are not on home turf. Every game weekend is a battle, and while Notre Dame blew Purdue out of the water last season, they are without Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, two players that contributed massively to the win. That being said, with Williams, Faison and Carr leading the offense, there should be no reason why the Irish don’t win the game, so long as the defense is able to hold off the Purdue offense. While the Purdue Boilermakers are riding a two-game losing streak, they have shown tremendous fight, something that should not be ignored when going into this upcoming game. Prediction: Notre Dame 60, Purdue 12