Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs Virginia

Is the Defense For Real?

It’s no secret that the first two weeks left a lot to be desired from a defensive standpoint — especially from the linebacking corps. Going into the Georgia game, many rightfully expected and anticipated the Dawgs to run through the Irish all night, as they came into the game averaging just under 300 yards on the ground per contest.

What happened instead was an energized and physical defensive effort that absolutely shut down a high-powered Georgia offense (for three quarters at least). Georgia was held to just 67 rushing yards in the first half and seven points. They finished the night with just 152 rushing yards and 339 total yards — over 200 yards below their season average to that point.

Though the front seven didn’t force any sacks, as a unit the defense had six tackles for loss, lead by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s 2.5 TFLs. Drew White chipped in two TFLs as well, as the linebackers in general picked a great time to play their best game of the season thus far.

Despite having every reason to not play as well as they did — inexperience at linebacker, no pass rush, constant three and outs by the offense, bad field position, and a juggernaut of an offense to stop — Clark Lea and his group answered just about every call and seemed to turn a corner between the hedges.

Now the question is whether or not that type of play continues vs. a Virginia team that has a mediocre offense — ranked in the middle of the pack in passing yards and 94th in the country in rushing yards per game.

The ceiling of this team is not close to being reached if this defensive unit can consistently play at the same level they showed in Athens. If you add the improved linebacker play, a bigger pass-rush element from Okwara and Kareem, and the ridiculous talent in the secondary, you get a defense that’s going to give a lot of teams headaches.