Notre Dame Football: Grades – Defense vs. USC

Notre Dame’s defense completely shut down a potent and talented USC offense on Saturday night.

The Trojans entered Saturday’s game with a 34.43 point per game scoring average. After the dust settled, USC only scored 14 points. Heisman hopeful and the possible 1st pick in the NFL Draft Sam Darnold turned the ball over two times. Here are the grades for Notre Dame’s defense.

This spring, fans and experts believe that the Defensive Line represented the worst unit on the Notre Dame football team. Coaches Mike Elko and Mike Elston are making those people look like amateurs. This position group may end up being the best on the team.

Defensive End Khalid Kareem received the game ball following Notre Dame’s 49-14 victory over the Trojans. Kareem’s only 2 tackles of the game were sacks of Darnold.

Kareem was not the only Defensive Linemen to make an impact. Daelin Hayes and Jerry Tillery collected 5 and 4 tackles respectively. Hayes added a sack. 5 Notre Dame Defensive Line tallied tackles for loss.

Linebacker Te’von Coney set the tone for the unit and the entire Notre Dame defense. Coney led the Irish in tackles with 11. He also chipped in a forced fumble, 2 tackles for loss, a sack and a Quarterback hurry. Coney made everyone forget about Greer Martini’s injury.

Drue Tranquill continued his excellent play with a 7 tackle performance. He also recovered a fumble on Special Teams.

Senior Captain Nyles Morgan also performed well 7 tackles.

Coming into Saturday’s game, many people believed that this secondary would finally break against a team with the speed and talent of USC. The receivers definitely had their moments. But, again, the Cornerbacks and Safeties made enough plays to slow down the Trojans.

USC finished with 260 yards passing, an extremely low number when you consider that they threw the ball 36 times.

Senior Cornerback Nick Watkins made the play of the game for the Defensive Backs when he perfectly played the “Cover 2” scheme and picked off Darnold.

Notre Dame completely stifled the USC offense. They only allowed 336 total yards. The defense proved that the Irish defense is completely changed. Mike Elko has done an excellent job with this group.