GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — No. 5 Notre Dame lost its coach and its chance at playing in the College Football Playoff in a span of six days, a tumultuous stretch that could have sent the program spiraling.
Michigan pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan and Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard were among nine college football players selected as semifinalists for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year award.
No. 5 Notre Dame (11-1, independent, No. 5 CFP) vs No. 9 Oklahoma State (11-2, Big 12, No. 9 CFP), Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET
Georgia Tech (3-7) at No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1, No. 8 CFP), Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EST (NBC).
Line: Notre Dame by 16 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Michael Mayer’s return from injury started the same way as his season: with the football in his hands on the first snap of the game.
On Saturday, that took the form of a quick 4-yard pickup to kickstart Notre Dame’s 31-16 win over USC.
USC (3-3) at No. 13 Notre Dame (5-1), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBC).
Line: Notre Dame by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton and Clemson receiver Justyn Ross, both of whom faced potentially career-threatening injuries, are among the nominees for college football's Comeback Player of the Year award.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said quarterback Jack Coan’s availability for the ninth-ranked Fighting Irish's showdown with No. 7 Cincinnati this weekend won’t be known until Tuesday.
CHICAGO (AP) — To win more games than any coach in the storied history of Notre Dame football, Brian Kelly has needed to be adaptable.
Maybe never more than the first month of this season. The Fighting Irish have used three quarterbacks and four left tackles, moved away from their run-first mentality and added new wrinkles on defense to head into October unbeaten.
CHICAGO (AP) — Quarterback Jack Coan went to the locker room with what appeared to be a left leg injury halfway through the third quarter of No. 12 Notre Dame’s game against No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday.
When it comes to producing NFL-quality offensive linemen, Notre Dame and Wisconsin have been among the best programs in the country.
The Fighting Irish have 12 offensive linemen on NFL rosters to start this season and the Badgers have eight.
No. 18 Wisconsin (1-1) vs. No. 12 Notre Dame (3-0) at Solider Field in Chicago, Saturday at noon EDT (Fox).
Line: Wisconsin by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Things to watch during Week 4 of play in the Big Ten Conference:
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 18 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 Notre Dame, at Soldier Field, Chicago
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jack Coan admits it is going to be a little strange this Saturday when No. 12 Notre Dame takes on his old team, No. 18 Wisconsin, at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
“It’s definitely going to be weird,” the 22-year-old grad transfer quarterback said.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Coach Brian Kelly knows his No. 9 Fighting Irish need to improve in several areas. A difficult season opener on the road was all the proof he needed.
Notre Dame blew an 18-point lead at Florida State on Sunday night before regrouping to win 41-38 in overtime.
No. 9 Notre Dame (0-0) at Florida State (0-0), Sunday at 7:30 p.m. EDT (ABC).
Line: Notre Dame by 7 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No quarterback since Tony Rice has delivered the goods Notre Dame’s fanatical following has longed for since 1988 – a national championship.
Not Rick Mirer, not Kevin McDougal, not Ron Powlus, not Brady Quinn, not Tommy Rees, not Everett Golson, and not the winningest Irish starting quarterback of them all – Ian Book, who twice led coach Brian Kelly’s team to the College Football Playoff..