2013 Notre Dame football
The 2013 Notre Dame football season was my second covering the team. Last season, I was surprised – as I imagine most people were – to see the Irish go 12-0 in the regular season, eventually losing to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. As a follow-up to their perfect regular season, the Irish struggled to an 8-4 record and will play Rutgers in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28. The big difference for me between last season and this season was comfort. I was more comfortable working within the crammed confines of Notre Dame Stadium because I was more accustomed to it and knew my way around the stadium. After checking it out last year, I used the photo deck of the stadium on a few occasions this season to find interesting and unique angles. I would be lying if I didn’t mention probably the biggest difference though: gear. This summer our staff upgraded me from a Canon EOS-1D Mark III to a Canon EOS-1D X. This made a huge difference. With the 1D X, I was better able to capture peak-action moments I often missed and/or back focused last season with the 1D Mark III. Despite Notre Dame’s disappointing follow-up to their title-game berth, it was a fun season for my colleague Robert Franklin and me.
A formation of six F/A-18 Hornets from the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, fly over Notre Dame Stadium as the Band of the Fighting Irish spells out “Irish” on the field before a game against Navy on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Michigan State running back Jeremy Langford (33) gets physical with Notre Dame cornerback Bennett Jackson (2) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Fans wait near the tunnel with their cameras ready to catch a glimpse of Notre Dame players leaving the field after television interviews on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame wide receiver Chris Brown makes a catch over Temple defensive back Anthony Robey (2) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame players sing the alma mater after a 28-6 win against Temple on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Michigan wide receiver Jeremy Gallon (21) makes a catch in front of Notre Dame cornerback Bennett Jackson (2) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame wide receiver TJ Jones (7) celebrates with teammate DaVaris Daniels after Jones caught a touchdown during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at Falcon Stadium in Air Force Academy, Colo. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (10) makes a catch in front of Purdue cornerback Ricardo Allen (21) before running for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, in West Lafayette, Ind. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame linebacker Carlo Calabrese (44) celebrates a 28-6 win against Temple on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees (11) sits on the turf after a Michigan State player ripped off his helmet during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame wide receiver Corey Robinson knocks an interception out of the hands of Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes (15) at the goal line during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at Notre Dame. Waynes was flagged for pass interference on the play. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame quarterback Andrew Hendrix (12) goes airborne after being upended by a USC defender during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick, center, and president the Rev. John Jenkins walk off the field after a 35-21 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
At left: Notre Dame wide receiver TJ Jones (7) catches a touchdown in front of Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31). At right: Notre Dame running back Tarean Folston (25) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Navy. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Pittsburgh defensive back Ray Vinopal (9) intercepts a pass intended for Notre Dame wide receiver Chris Brown (2) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly reacts to a 35-21 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)
The Notre Dame marching band performs after a 23-13 win against BYU on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)