Sports

ND Volleyball: Irish to host Golden Dome Invitational

After an opening nine matches that would rival most any other in terms of difficulty, the Irish have one more opportunity to make an out-of-conference statement this weekend as Xavier, Loyola Marymount and Kansas descend on the Joyce Center for the Golden Dome Invitational.

Cross Country: ND hosts invitational

The Irish men and women are hoping to benefit from some home cooking this weekend as they participate in the National Catholic Championships on Friday - their first home meet of the season.

Men's Tennis: Irish to split up over weekend

Two weeks have passed since the Notre Dame squad traveled to Ireland to face members of the country's elite players.

SMC Soccer: Belles defend undefeated record

Men's Soccer: Irish challenge Spartans, Wolverines

Before the undefeated Irish football squad takes on Michigan State on Saturday in East Lansing, Mich., the No. 8 Notre Dame men's soccer team will try to remain undefeated against the Spartans at Alumni Stadium on Friday. The Irish will conclude the weekend with a Sunday trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face Michigan.

Men's Golf: Squad to tee off season in North Carolina

The Irish will begin their season Saturday when they travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., for the Tar Heel Intercollegiate.

Irish Insider Live, Week 3: Michigan State

Football beat writers Allan Joseph and Matthew DeFranks break down the keys to the Notre Dame-Michigan State game Saturday and offer their predictions.

Men's Interhall: Confident Keenan squad faces Dillon

Keenan vs. Dillon

SMC Golf: No. 1 team to visit Saint Mary's

After a successful preseason showing by the young team, Saint Mary's prepares to face off against some of the best teams in Division III as it hosts the O'Brien National Invitational at Warren Golf Course.

Men's Soccer: Irish challenge Spartans, Wolverines

Before the undefeated Irish football squad takes on Michigan State on Saturday in East Lansing, Mich., the No. 8 Notre Dame men's soccer team will try to remain undefeated against the Spartans at Alumni Stadium on Friday. The Irish will conclude the weekend with a Sunday trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face Michigan.

Ties to ACC impact football recruiting

Notre Dame's announcement of a move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) may have been nominally in all sports except football, but the commitment to play five games per year against ACC opponents has sweeping effects, Irish recruiting analyst Mike Frank said.

Staff Predictions: Notre Dame vs. Michigan State

Allan Joseph Editor-in-Chief

Former QB recalls late win over Spartans in '02

Editor's note: This is the third of a new Observer feature. The "Waking the Echoes" series intends to inform fans about some former players and will feature weekly stories profiling them and their lives since Notre Dame.

Injured players return from Purdue setbacks

Just two games into a grueling schedule many consider the toughest in the nation, the Irish are already fighting a spate of injuries, most of which occurred in last week's 20-17 win over Purdue.

ND Women's Soccer: Laddish and Roccaro return to face Louisville

After bringing pride to both their college and their country by winning the Women's Under-20 World Cup, junior Mandy Laddish and freshman CariRoccaro will look to continue their success when they swap out the Stars and Stripes for their familiar blue and gold jerseys this weekend.

Head-to-Head: Notre Dame vs. Michigan State

SPARTANS PASSING Gone are the Kirk Cousins days for the Spartans. Now, Michigan State will turn to junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell to lead the offense through the air. And already, Maxwell has done something Cousins didn't do: win his first two starts. Maxwell made his starting debut against Boise State in the season opener two weeks ago with mixed results. He completed 22 of 38 passes for 248 yards but threw three interceptions. Maxwell responded last week when Central Michigan stacked the box to stop junior running back Le'Veon Bell by throwing two touchdowns in the 41-7 Spartan victory.

SMC Volleyball: Saint Mary's defeats Adrian

Saint Mary's scored a huge conference win Wednesday night, downing Adrian 3-1 on its home court.

SMC Soccer: Belles open conference play against Olivet

Just like last year, the Belles went undefeated through non-conference play. And just like last year, the Belles (2-0-1) will try to kick off the MIAA calendar with a win against Olivet when the teams square off Thursday in Olivet, Mich.

Bell presents tough test for defense

Before facing the likes of quarterbacks Denard Robinson, Landry Jones and Matt Barkley, the Irish will have to contain yet another Heisman candidate in Michigan State junior running back Le'Veon Bell.

SMC Volleyball: Belles to take on conference rival Albion

After claiming their first conference win over Albion last Saturday, the Belles will look to start a winning streak in the MIAA as they face off against rival Adrian tonight.