THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2025 | VOL. LX, NO. 26
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Notre Dame survives Boston College in Holy War Ben Hicks
Associate Sports Editor
Marcus Freeman and No. 12 Notre Dame overcame a comedy of errors, including turnovers, penalties and missed kicks to claim the Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl over Catholic rival Boston College for the 10th straight time. For the better part of 45 minutes, the Irish appeared inconvenienced to have to share the field with the 1-7 Eagles, who made just as many dumbfounded mistakes as their counterparts. Notre Dame was unable to create separation until star junior running back Jeremiyah Love saved his team and boosted his Heisman candidacy with a 94-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to seal the 25-10 Holy War victory. Despite being the only two Catholic institutions competing at the highest level of intercollegiate football, Boston College and Notre Dame didn’t meet on the gridiron until 1975. Saturday marked the 28th
Declan Lee | The Observer
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish earned a 25-10 victory over Boston College Saturday evening in their path to the College Football Playoff. The Irish moved up to No. 10 in the AP poll, despite a lackluster performance.
Dowd notes challenges to University in faculty address
News Writers
The University of Notre Dame’s Democracy Initiative is establishing the institution as a leader in the study of democracy in the United States and worldwide through the Democracy Talks, Democracy Fellows program and
Fr. Robert Dowd provides speech to faculty and staff members at the president’s faculty address on Thursday evening in Washington Hall, along with other town halls providing insight on Universiy plans.
By Matthew Morin
see “Football” on page 8
ND Democracy initiative expands By Maria Alice Souza Maia and Marie Stier
Matthew Morin | The Observer
meeting between the programs, which Notre Dame now leads 18-9. The Eagles have not defeated the Irish since 2008. Both BC and ND were coached by legendary Irish alum Frank Leahy, who guided the Eagles to a national title in 1940 and the Irish to four championships in 1943, 1946, 1947 and 1949. The winner of the rivalry earns the right to hoist the Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl, a cut-crystal trophy presented by the Notre Dame Club of Boston. Speaking postgame on the importance of the rivalry, Freeman said, “It means a lot for the universities. But it also means a lot to the guys in our locker room.” On the field, the Eagles have struggled mightily in year two under head coach Bill O’Brien. After a promising 7-6 campaign a season ago, Boston College has sputtered to a disappointing 1-7 start in 2025.
Democracy Catalyst Funds for research projects. David Campbell, director of the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative, highlighted that the initiatives focus on advocacy and student engagement. “The initiative is designed to deepen and broaden the work we see “Democracy” on page 3
SMC club hosts immigrant nonprofit
On Thursday at 4 p.m., Notre Dame President Fr. Robert Dowd addressed faculty and academic staff members in the president’s faculty address inside Washington Hall. The University also hosted staff town halls on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Dowd began his remarks
by thanking those present for their work and for attending the address. He quickly began discussing the “pace and degree of disruption in higher education,” including the increase in the endowment tax, reductions in research grants and financial aid, and “the dismantling of DEI programs.” Dowd called this “an important inflection point in higher education in
the United States.” Quoting the late Pope Francis, he said, “We are living in not just in an era of change, but in a change of era.” However, amid the changes, Dowd told the faculty of his pride and gratitude for their work during a difficult time, when the University has “implemented a staff
NEWS | PAGE 3
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 7
SPORTS | PAGE 10
SPORTS | PAGE 12
ND student tour guides share how they deal with an influx of visitors on gamedays.
Columnist Amaris O’Connor decries the misuse of “Communist” in politics.
What worked and what didn’t in “Death Becomes Here,” “SIX” and “The Great Gatsby.”
Relive the key moments from the Irish’ 25-10 win against Boston College.
Only a redshirt freshman, CJ Carr carries himself like a fouryear starter.
News Writer
Tour guides
Zohran Mamdani
see “Dowd” on page 2
Broadway
By Ella Novak News Writer
Saint Mary’s Belles Unite Borders (BUBs) hosted Andrea Cramer, the founder of Neighbor to Neighbor, a local nonprofit organization that seeks to raise awareness for immigrants and refugees, on Thursday evening at Haggar College Center. Cramer highlighted the
Notre Dame vs. BC
organization’s mission and urged her audience to advocate for immigrants in the talk. “We’re trying to mitigate isolation for newcomers while also growing empathy and understanding among the community about what the newcomer experience is,” see “Immigration” on page 3
CJ Carr feature