No. 3 Notre Dame tries to avoid another early season stumble in home opener against Rice, tell me about this news in (https://www.wral.com/news/ap/60967-no-3-notre-dame-tries-to-avoid-another-early-season-stumble-in-home-opener-against-rice/)
09-09-2026
This Associated Press report previews the upcoming college football matchup where the No. 3-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the Rice Owls in their home opener at Notre Dame Stadium.Here are the key points from the news:
- Context and Focus: Having opened their season with a victory over Wisconsin, Notre Dame (1-0) is heavily favored against Rice. However, head coach Marcus Freeman and the Irish are squarely focused on avoiding complacency and early-season stumbles at home, referencing past upset losses in South Bend (such as early-season home losses in previous years like Marshall and Northern Illinois).
- Team Objectives: The Irish coaching staff emphasized the need for a faster start and more consistent execution across all four quarters rather than playing down to their competition. Freeman noted that strengthening the team’s home-field advantage has been an offseason priority evaluated continuously since January.
- Key Injuries: Notre Dame enters the game dealing with significant defensive absences. Two key starterssafety Brauntae Johnson (an AP second-team preseason All-American) and defensive tackle Jason Onyehave both been ruled out for the Rice matchup after suffering left foot injuries in the opener against Wisconsin.
- Opponent Outlook: Rice enters South Bend looking to challenge the top-three program, but faces a tough task against a Notre Dame squad determined to protect home turf and maintain its standing in the AP Top 25 rankings.