Notre Dame Fighting Irish News: Former star away from team, season opening win, more

Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer is currently away from the Las Vegas Raiders and has been given no timetable for his return to the field due to personal reasons. Mayer hasn’t played in a game since September 22 and only has four catches on the season.

As a rookie in 2023, he totaled 27 receptions, 304 yards, and two touchdowns. However, the Raiders drafted former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers this past spring and that was always going to lead to a less prominent role for Mayer.

During his weekly press conference, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce briefly addressed Mayer, saying that he wasn’t going into too much detail but that he was away from the team for “personal reasons”

Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey wins season opener

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team opened its 2024-25 campaign on the road at St. Lawrence University, defeating the Saints 4-1. 

New Irish star Blake Biondi netted his first official goal with the Irish at 6:45 of the first period Friday night, outstretching for the rebound and lifting the puck over the pads of Mason Kucenski in the St. Lawrence net.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on Clarkson on Saturday night, looking to start the season 2-0.

Riley Leonard on key watch list

While Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans are hoping that Riley Leonard can continue to improve this season, the quarterback has landed himself on a key watch list. He’s now a finalist for comeback player of the year. 

While there are still 58 players on the list, he’s looking like one of the front runners. Especially if he continues to improve the way he has so far this season.