Notre Dame: Key Defensive Matchups Against Virginia

The Notre Dame defense needs to impose its will on Virginia this weekend.

Despite not being ranked in the top 50 in the nation in total defense, Notre Dame does rank 36th in college football in total yards allowed and the Irish defense looked very capable against a high powered Georgia offense, keeping the Bulldogs in check most of the game.

Defense may very well be the name of the game in this critical matchup between two top 20 ranked teams. Here are three key defensive matchups to keep an eye on as 10th ranked Notre Dame and 18th ranked Virginia square off on Saturday.

Notre Dame Cornerback Shaun Crawford vs Virginia Wide Receiver Joe Reed

Senior wide receiver Joe Reed is Virginia’s leading receiver this year, with 23 receptions for 215 yards and three receiving touchdowns. As a result, Notre Dame’s top cornerback, Shaun Crawford will likely draw the majority of one-on-one assignments against Reed.

Crawford has proven to be solid in pass coverage this year, following his return from three major leg injuries in prior seasons. Crawford has displayed the big-play ability that Notre Dame coaches and fans were excited about, prior to devastating injuries claiming the majority of his collegiate career.

He is currently tied for fourth on the team in tackles with nine, and has one interception and pass deflection each on the year. How the 5’9″ graduate student fares in coverage against the 6’1″ Reed may dictate whether or not the Irish can shut down the Virginia passing attack on Saturday.

Notre Dame’s Linebacking Group vs Dual Threat Quarterback Bryce Perkins

Last time we saw a dual threat quarterback against this Irish defense, it was against Jawon Pass and Louisville in Week One. The initial results were not favorable to the inexperienced linebacker group of the Irish, as Pass and the Cardinal offense ran all over Notre Dame’s defense in the first half. The second half of that game was a stark contrast of the first, as the Irish were able to contain Pass and the dual threat option.

Since the first half of the Louisville game, the Irish linebackers have played extremely well.  That said, Bryce Perkins presents Notre Dame’s defense with a similar challenge to that of Louisville, but he is far more talented than Pass.

Last week, the linebacking group excelled against a difficult Georgia offense, that ranks among the best in the nation in rushing.  The Irish will need linebackers Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Drew White and Asmar Bilal to continue their progression in order to contain Perkins and the Cavalier offense this weekend.

If their improved play since the first half of the Louisville game is any indication of what is in store from Notre Dame’s linebackers for the remainder of the season, then the Irish should fare well against the Virginia offense.

Notre Dame’s Pass Rush vs Virginia’s Offensive Line

Virginia’s offensive line has given up seven sacks on the season, which bodes well for a Notre Dame defense that features elite pass rushers. Despite having two giants bookending their offensive line, with 6’10”, 300 pound Ryan Swoboda at left tackle and 6’6″, 300 pound right tackle Dillion Reinkensmeyer, the Cavalier offensive line has still been suspect against the pass rush.

Although they came into the season with a great deal of preseason hype surrounding their pass rushing ability, Notre Dame has only three sacks through three games. Ironically, none of those sacks were tallied by potential first round draft picks Julian Okwara or Khalid Kareem.

This may be the game where they announce themselves in the national spotlight against a ranked Virginia team.

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins is a true dual threat quarterback, amassing 2,680 yards passing and 923 yards rushing in 2018. Thus, the pass rush of the Irish will need to step up and contain Perkins if they hope to come away victorious and continue to keep their playoff dreams alive.