THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 | VOL. LX, NO. 4
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Notre Dame falls short in back-and-forth opener Noah Cahill Sports Editor
Like in 2024, Notre Dame opened their season in a hostile environment against a ranked opponent. This time around, it was a trip to Hard Rock Stadium to face No. 10 Miami, renewing the ‘Catholics vs. Convicts’ rivalry for the first time since their visit in 2017. Unlike the game eight years ago, which was a 41-8 domination of the Irish, tonight’s contest was a back-and-forth affair decided in the final minutes. After winning the toss, Miami elected to defer, leaving sophomore quarterback CJ Carr and the Irish offense up first. To the surprise of many, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s opening script began with five straight passes, a series of short throws and simple run-pass reads. The first-time starter looked comfortable out of the gate, completing all five attempts, albeit only for a
KIERA JONES | The Observer
Junior running back Jeremiyah Love hurdles over a teammate and a defender on the 10-yard-line Sunday evening. Notre Dame lost 24-27 to The University of Miami after tying the game late in the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame student takes on ‘American Ninja Warrior’
Courtesy of Trae Patton/NBC.
Sophomore Austin Baron competes to raise awareness for hunger. He also operates a nonprofit, Knot Perfect, selling dog toys for the cause.
sparked when he went rock climbing on a cliff over the Atlantic Ocean. Later, his brother learned about the show from a friend, and they started watching the show together. After going to a gym with courses similar to the show for his little brother’s birthday, he started taking classes to learn to conquer the show’s iconic obstacles and became part of their community. “I really fell in love with the Ninja Warrior community because everyone’s so supportive of each other.” Baron said. “The first season I competed, on the first night of competition, it was the qualifying episode, and it was my seventeenth birthday. Some of the competitors that I grew up watching sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me, and that was really cool.” When asked about the head-to-head finals format, a new addition to the show, Baron
single first down. “It was creating some easy throws, some easy decisions,” head coach Marcus Freeman said about the play call after the game. Junior running back Jeremiyah Love finally saw his first touch on the ensuing play, but after a mere one-yard gain and a pair of incompletions to follow, the Irish punted it away. It was transfer quarterback Carson Beck’s turn. The former Georgia Bulldog connected on a few passes, but was unable to generate much more during his first drive for the Hurricanes. After a pair of first downs, sophomore edge rusher Boubacar Traore came up with a big stop on thirdand-short to put the ball back in Carr’s hands. The next three Notre Dame drives: fumble, three-and-out, three-and-out. see “Miami” on page 8
Major construction projects continue By Megan Cornell Associate News Editor
With students returning to campus last week, they may have since spotted a little more dust in the air or heard the sound of power tools ringing across quads. There are multiple major construction projects underway, including a remodel of the Main
Circle entrance, a new addition to the Mendoza College of Business and two new residence halls on South Quad. Construction of the Main Circle entrance began at the end of last school year and is expected to be completed in a few weeks. Originally announced in 2022, the see “Construction” on page 4
Vielhauer previews plans for term
Austin Baron is climbing to a whole new level in his quest to promote activism to alleviate global hunger. The sophomore at Notre Dame is using his love for “American Ninja Warrior,” and the grand stage it affords on national television, as a platform to promote his nonprofit, Knot
Perfect. The business creates dog toys to support community food packing events and raises awareness for people who face hunger around the world. Barron has competed on two seasons of American Ninja Warrior: in 2023 for season 15 and this year for the competition’s 17th season. According to Barron, his passion for the show was
NEWS | PAGE 2
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 7
SPORTS | PAGE 10
SPORTS | PAGE 12
The newly-renamed Division of Belonging continues to provide resources to first-gen students.
Columnist Zora Rodgers explains why the WNBA should be more fair and increase wages.
Singer-songwriter The Weeknd tried his hand at acting. Maybe leave that to the actors, Abel.
The Irish will travel to East Lansing for a high-profile showdown with the Spartans.
Despite Sunday’s setback, teammates and coaches were impressed with the quarterback.
By Isabella Ponciroli News Writer
Belonging at SMC
WNBA: Up their pay
see “Ninja” on page 2
By David Murphy Associate News Editor
With the beginning of the fall semester and the 20252026 academic year, the Vielhauer administration is poised to hit the ground running. Following an eventful first week of classes, Notre Dame student body president Jerry Vielhauer, along
‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ ND WSOC preview
with his vice president Sonia Lumley and chief of staff Ethan Chiang, outlined their plans for the upcoming year, pledging to continue their focus on transparency, student advocacy and community belonging. “Yeah, all of those things are definitely still priorities see “Vielhauer” on page 4
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