DALLAS — Notre Dame guard Sullivan Absher earned Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors after helping the Fighting Irish produce 426 yards of offense in a 35–13 victory over Navy in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
The Football Writers Association of America announced the selection Nov. 3, recognizing Absher’s performance during the weekend of Oct. 31. The senior anchored the right side of an offensive line that helped Notre Dame finish with 204 rushing yards and 222 passing yards.
Absher is the fourth Notre Dame player to receive the weekly award and the first since guard Billy Schrauth earned the honor for the week of Oct. 18, 2025. The selection also adds Absher to the Outland Trophy watch list. Football Writers Association of America
Strong blocking supports balanced offense
The 6-foot-7, 320-pound senior from Belmont, North Carolina, made his seventh start at right guard this season. According to the FWAA announcement, he earned an 82.1 overall grade and an 89.0 run-blocking grade from PFF.
Absher helped Notre Dame control the line of scrimmage during a 28–0 scoring run, with the Irish’s physical play particularly evident in the second half.
Notre Dame averaged 7.0 yards per rushing attempt. Nolan James Jr. led the ground game with 107 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
The offensive line also went a fifth consecutive game without allowing a sack, giving quarterback CJ Carr time to throw for 210 yards and two touchdowns.
Absher has started at right guard in 12 of Notre Dame’s past 13 games. The Irish are 11–1 in those starts.
Irish prepare for top-ranked Miami
Notre Dame improved to 7–1 and entered the week ranked fourth. According to the announcement, the Irish were tied for fifth nationally in scoring at 40.1 points per game and had the second-largest point differential among FBS teams at plus-216.
The Irish next host No. 1 Miami, which enters the matchup at 8–0, on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff at Notre Dame Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. Notre Dame Athletics
Outland Trophy selection dates approach
The FWAA will announce Outland Trophy semifinalists Nov. 18 and narrow the field to three finalists Nov. 24. The winner will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on Dec. 11.
The formal presentation is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2027, at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner in Omaha, Nebraska.
The award recognizes the best interior lineman in college football, with players on both offense and defense eligible. Notre Dame has produced three winners — George Connor in 1946, Bill Fisher in 1948, and Ross Browner in 1976. More recent Irish finalists include Quenton Nelson in 2017 and Liam Eichenberg in 2020.
Established in 1946, the Outland Trophy is named for former Pennsylvania All-American Dr. John Outland, who sought greater recognition for linemen. National College Football Awards Association
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