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Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs. Bowling Green

By Connor McJunkin

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 28: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drops back to pass during the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 28: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drops back to pass during the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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VanGorder
SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 09: Louisville Cardinals defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder speaks with TreSean Smith #4 of the Louisville Cardinals during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Brian VanGorder Returns

It’s not a secret that this is the biggest headline of the weekend. Brian VanGorder, who was hired by Brian Kelly and served as the defensive coordinator for the 2015 season and the first four games of the 2016 season, is largely considered as the worst Kelly hire during his Notre Dame tenure.

VanGorder’s confusing and complicated defensive schemes hindered his players, mainly limiting the talents of guys like Jaylon Smith. His firing 1/3 of the way into the 2016 season came after allowing 134 points through the first four games. No previous Fighting Irish team had ever allowed that many points in its first four games.

After leaving South Bend, VanGorder hopped around as a defensive analyst before he found himself at the defensive coordinator for Louisville in 2018, where he promptly picked up where he left off at Notre Dame and headed one of the worst defenses in the nation. The Cardinals were ranked 121st in total defense, 122nd in total yards per game, 127th in rush yards per game, and 128th in points per game — all out of 130 teams.

Not surprisingly, he did not return as Louisville’s defensive coordinator. After making his way to Bowling Green in the off-season, like a broken clock, his defense this year is near the bottom of most statistical categories four games into the season — highlighted by their 38 points allowed per game, ranked 120th in the country.

The mention of Brian VanGorder is enough to make any Notre Dame football fan cringe a little bit, and the only scenario the fanbase would ever welcome him back into Notre Dame stadium was if he was the opposing team’s defensive coordinator. Luckily, that’s just the case this weekend.

Look for the Irish offense to head that welcoming party with points, points, and more points.

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