Sports

Capece: “The honeymoon stage is over”

Irish offense breaks records left and right in Fiesta Bowl appearance

Fueled by early failure, Freeman remains motivated, confident

Drew White embodies Notre Dame captainship, will pass torch after Fiesta Bowl

While Drew White has not yet made a decision in terms of his future with the Irish, he played in Saturday’s game as though it was his last appearance in the blue and gold. Although the Irish fell to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 37-35, White played a role in most of the defensive successes on the day. Individually, the game capped off White’s third straight statistically impressive season. The graduate student linebacker (with one year of eligibility remaining) arrived in South Bend in 2017 and rose from a 3-star recruit to one of seven 2021 captains. 

Despite brutal loss, Irish youth shine bright

A 'tale of two halves': Irish drop 21-point lead to Cowboys, fall 37-35

The Fiesta Bowl was nothing short of a test for the Irish. It tested a defense, and more specifically a secondary, without Kyle Hamilton. It tested a Chris Tyree-led running back room. It tested Tommy Rees and his unbridled offensive play calling. And it set the tone as the Irish stepped into the Marcus Freeman era.

Irish Insider Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State

Taking over: Tyree leads running back room in preparation after Williams departure

Coan prepared to finish off successful season in Fiesta Bowl victory

Taking over: Tyree leads running back room in preparation after Williams departure

A Captain’s Orders: Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa helps usher defense into Freeman Era 

Rees takes charge, leads Irish charge into Fiesta Bowl

Keys to victory: What every Irish position group must do against Oklahoma State

Capece: Fiesta Bowl is Notre Dame’s most important game in recent memory

Staff Reactions: Irish haul in top-10 recruiting class

This is the obvious choice here, but man, can Jaylen Sneed play. He’s the best defensive recruit Notre Dame has drawn since Kyle Hamilton. While the linebacker room is crowded at the moment, Sneed will be a game-changer soon. He reminds me a lot of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with his ability to run sideline to sideline, covering running backs and tight ends. His instincts are what really stand out and make him one of the best linebacker prospects in the country. Marcus Freeman should be hyped to have a player of his caliber joining his defense.

Lynn, Riley celebrate season as tournament run ends in semifinals

Notre Dame Men's Soccer falls to Clemson in College Cup semi-final shootout

Williams and Hamilton declare for draft, will not play in Fiesta Bowl

Notre Dame men’s soccer prepares for College Cup showdown with Clemson

‘You have to be elite defensively’: Giacobello, Irish defense stepping up in College Cup run

‘You are my why’: Freeman thanks family, players, Notre Dame culture

If nothing else, the chaotic happenings within the Notre Dame football program over the past week, made it clear that the Irish are built from a culture.