2024 ND Football – Page 5 – Syndication Server

Notre Dame Week 12 highlight: Former Irish muffs kickoff

Notre Dame gets a gift to start the day.

No. 8 Notre Dame is hosting Virginia today, and the opening kickoff nearly turned into a Fighting Irish touchdown.

The thing is, the Irish were kicking off.

Former Irish player [autotag]Chris Tyree[/autotag] muffed the kickoff and Notre Dame special teamer [autotag]Max Hurleman[/autotag] appeared to recover it for a touchdown.

However, since it was a muff and not a fumble, by rule Notre Dame could not advance the ball.

Nevertheless, the Irish were setup with great field position to start their final home game at Notre Dame Stadium this year.

Notre Dame football drops its game trailer against Purdue — Notre Dame running back Chris Tyree (25) runs the ball against Purdue linebacker Jalen Graham (6) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

Cfb Notre Dame Vs Purdue

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame football schedule: Are the Irish playing today?

Is Notre Dame playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come.

Will the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish be on the field today in Week 12 of the college football schedule?

Following a decisive victory over Florida State last week, Notre Dame is hosting the Virginia Cavaliers this week.

Notre Dame should be able to handle business against a less-talented Virginia team. The Fighting Irish need to, since they are continuing to push for the College Football Playoff and probably can’t afford another loss.

Notre Dame schedule

Aug. 31: at No. 15 Texas A&M (W, 23-13)
Sept. 7: vs. Northern Illinois (L, 16-14)
Sept. 14: at Purdue (W, 66-7)
Sept. 21: vs. Miami (Ohio) (W, 28-3)
Sept. 28: vs. No. 22 Louisville (W, 31-24)
Oct. 5: Bye
Oct. 12: vs. Stanford (W, 49-7)
Oct. 19: at Georgia Tech (game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)(W, 31-13)
Oct. 26: at Navy (game played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey) (W, 51-14)
Nov. 2: Bye
Nov. 9: vs. Florida St. (W, 52-3)
Nov. 16: vs. Virginia
Nov. 23: vs. No. 16 Army (game to be played at Yankee Stadium in New York City)
Nov. 30: at USC
Record: 8-1

Notre Dame jumps on some key lists. — Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser (24) lines up during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Is Howard Cross III playing today? Injury updates for Notre Dame defensive line

Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross III is dealing with a left ankle injury. Here are the latest updates.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

No. 8 Notre Dame defensive lineman [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] has a left ankle injury and will miss Saturday’s game against the Virginia Cavaliers.

The Fighting Irish have used a stout defense to push their way towards the College Football Playoff, and Cross has been one of their best, if not their best, defensive linemen all season long. His loss will hurt, though it is not expected to be long-term.

Graduate running back [autotag]Devyn Ford[/autotag] is also unavailable for today’s game.

Howard Cross injury update

Cross could return as soon as next week for the Irish’s tilt against No. 16 Army in New York.

“It’s not a long-term thing, but our doctors made the determination he’s going to be out this week,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Monday, according to the South Bend Tribune. “We hope to get him back the following week depending on how the rehab continues to happen.”

How long will Howard Cross be out?

Cross might miss just one game, but it’s hard to say for sure.

Notre Dame defensive linemen depth chart

[autotag]Rylie Mills[/autotag] and [autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag]will be tasked with stepping up — Mills had a monster game last week against Florida State. [autotag]Armel Mukam[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Sevillano[/autotag] are other depth options.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Experts predict that Notre Dame will roll over Virginia

The experts expect Notre Dame to have an easy one this weekend.

No. 8 Notre Dame should roll over the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday.

So say the experts.

Let’s start with The Athletic’s Pete Sampson, who has Notre Dame winning 35-14.

“After two-plus seasons of searching, it feels like Freeman has found his groove on the sidelines. Mentions of his inexperience are down. Consistent performances are up. That reliability should carry through the regular-season home finale,” he writes. “It’s hard to see the Cavaliers finding much success against one of the nation’s best defenses. It’s also hard to see Virginia bottling up Leonard. It all means the Irish will pull away in the second half, continuing their push toward the Playoff.”

Notre Dame moves up two spots in the AP Top 25 poll after beating Florida State 52-3. — Notre Dame wide receiver Jayden Harrison (2) celebrates making a catch during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

Pages: 12

Xavier Watts named as semifinalist for major award

Xavier Watts is one of 20 semifinalists for a major award.

Notre Dame safety [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] is a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award.

Watts has been one of the best, if not the best, defensive players for the No. 8 Fighting Irish, and now he might get rewarded for it.

The Bednarik award, named after Chuck Bednarik, was founded in 1995 by the Maxwell Football Club and given to the best defensive player in college football.

Watts has 35 tackles — 22 solo — one forced fumble and three interceptions so far this season.

Other semifinalists include Iowa’s Jay Higgins, South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard, and Jahdae Barron and Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas. There are 20 semifinalists overall.

Xavier Watts could be headed for another national award this fall — Oct 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates after an interception against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 11 highlight — pick-six seals the deal

Notre Dame’s Luke Talich put a bow on this one.

No. 10 Notre Dame appeared to be cruising to a 45-3 win over the Florida State Seminoles when [autotag]Luke Talich[/autotag] decided that the margin of victory just wasn’t enough.

The Fighting Irish safety stepped in front of a [autotag]Brock Glenn[/autotag] pass and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown.

The struggling Seminoles looked like they might go punch-for-punch with the Irish early, but after a strong first drive ended in a field goal, Florida State’s offense stalled before being outright throttled by an impressive Notre Dame defense.

Impressive? Nah, make that dominant.

Talich’s pick-six put the final exclamation point on a blowout over Florida State that the Irish will point to as they try to impress the College Football Playoff committee.

Apr 20, 2024; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Luke Talich (28) is upended after an interception in the Blue-Gold game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 11 highlight — the backups are getting it done

Notre Dame’s Steve Angeli is in on the scoring act.

It’s officially backup time for No. 10 Notre Dame as it faces the Florida State Seminoles.

This is a good thing, since the Fighting Irish are now leading 45-3 late in the game.

Backup quarterback [autotag]Steve Angeli[/autotag] tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver [autotag]Deion Colzie[/autotag] to end an 8-play, 57-yard drive that burned 4:20 off the clock.

Notre Dame is looking not just to beat Florida State, but it to make it into a statement win in order to impress the College Football Playoff committee, and the Fighting Irish are well on their way.

The struggling Seminoles are about to drop to 1-9.

Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli warms up before a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 11 highlight — Jeremiyah Love gets in on the act

Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love keeps his TD streak alive.

(This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.)

Despite No. 10 Notre Dame blowing out the Florida State Seminoles tonight, Fighting Irish running back [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] has been relatively quiet.

Sure, his fellow running back [autotag]Jadarian Price[/autotag] has a rushing touchdown and quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] has two. Love had under 10 carries when took the ball in for a rushing touchdown in his ninth consecutive game.

The 1-yard touchdown run followed a 26-yard catch by [autotag]Jaden Greathouse[/autotag] and ended a 7-play, 65-yard drive that took 3:51 off the clock.

Notre Dame leads the Seminoles 38-3 as it looks for a statement win.

Jeremiyah Love had a 64-yard touchdown run against Navy. — Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball down the sideline on his way to score a touchdown during a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 11 highlight — Riley Leonard runs for another score

Riley Leonard does it again — again. He continues to have games with multiple rushing touchdowns.

It’s starting to sound like a broken record, and it challenges our headline-writing ability/creativity, but once again quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] has a rushing touchdown for the No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

That’s his second in tonight’s game against the Florida State Seminoles and 13 on the season by this author’s count.

Leonard’s 6-yard scamper caps off a 6-play, 38-yard drive that took 2:55 off the clock. It followed a [autotag]Jordan Clark[/autotag] interception.

Leonard had a 34-yard touchdown run to finish the Fighting Irish’s opening drive.

Notre Dame now leads the 1-8 Seminoles 28-3 late in the third quarter.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) leaps over Florida State defensive back Shyheim Brown (1) for a touchdown during a NCAA college football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 11 highlight — Jordan Clark takes it away

Notre Dame gets the ball back with enthusiasm.

No. 10 has made a statement to start the second half against Florida State.

Nickel corner [autotag]Jordan Clark[/autotag] picked off a [autotag]Brock Glenn[/autotag] as the Seminoles faced 3rd-down-and-17 at their own 36.

The pick set the Irish up with a short field with 12:38 remaining in the third quarter.

Notre Dame is looking to keep the Seminoles from getting back in the game, as the Fighting Irish lead 21-3 and are trying to pull away from the upset-minded Seminoles.

Florida State has talent but is jut 1-8. The Irish have struggled a little early, but are now looking to break things open.

Jordan Clark and former Notre Dame star Shaun Crawford to do a podcast — Notre Dame graduate senior Jordan Clark walks into football practice Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey