Notre Dame Football: Key Defensive Matchups vs. Virginia Tech

Notre Dame football returns to South Bend this week to take on Virginia Tech. Here are some of the key matchups to watch for when the Irish are on defense.

On Saturday, Notre Dame football will play their third ACC opponent of the season. That opponent is Justin Fuente and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The two teams enter the game with identical records of 5-2, but Notre Dame’s schedule has been objectively tougher up to this point.

The Hokies rode a three-game win streak into their bye week last weekend. Now, they hope to put together a promising performance in South Bend before entering the final stretch of their conference schedule.

After allowing the most points in a game since 2016, the Irish defense is in need of a rebound performance. Here are the key matchups they will need to win in order to do so.

Deshawn McClease vs. Notre Dame Linebackers

McClease is the lead running back for the Virginia Tech offense. At 5′ 9” and 190 lbs, he is not a prototypical every-down back, but he shoulders a significant workload.

Through seven games this season, McClease has 97 carries for 475 yards and three touchdowns. He also brings a big-play threat to this offense. He has had a carry of at least 21 yards in five games.

The Hokies like to run read option with McClease and quarterback Hendon Hooker. In order to stop that, the Notre Dame front seven will need to maintain gap integrity and play with discipline.

After giving up 303 rushing yards last weekend against Michigan, stopping the run will be the top priority for the Irish defense on Saturday. If they are unable to accomplish that, this could become a high-scoring affair.

Virginia Tech Wide Receivers vs. Notre Dame Secondary

The main criticism of the Notre Dame defense last weekend was their run defense. However, they also allowed three passing touchdowns in a rainstorm, which made Brian Kelly very jealous.

The Irish defensive backs need to tighten up their coverage and do a better job of locating the ball when it is in the air. In both of their losses this season, you can find examples of Notre Dame defensive backs being beat on plays that resulted in touchdowns.

Virginia Tech does not have the same level of talent at the wide receiver position that Georgia, USC, or Michigan have. However, they do not lack talent there either.

Their top receiver, Damon Hazelton, now appears to be close to full health after missing some time early this season with a hamstring injury. He posted 745 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season. In the four games he played this year, Hazelton has 237 yards and five touchdowns, four of which came in the last two games.

Alongside Hazelton is Tre Turner, who also missed a couple of games this season with a lower body injury. Turner returned to action in the Virginia Tech’s last game against North Carolina. The sophomore had 106 receiving yards in that game and caught his second touchdown of the season.

Hendon Hooker vs. Notre Dame Front Seven

Hooker began the season as the backup quarterback for the Hokies. He was named as the starter before their game against Miami four weeks ago and has led the Hokies to three straight victories.

In those three starts, Hooker has thrown for 572 yards and seven touchdowns. He has also rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown.

The 572 passing yards in three games may not jump off the page, but the seven touchdown passes definitely do. Opposing defenses tend focus on Hooker’s running ability, and that opens things up in the passing game — especially in the redzone.

The Notre Dame defense has faced four quarterbacks this season that could be classified as dual-threat. After Jawon Pass’ two rushing touchdowns in the first half of the season-opener, the Irish have not conceded a rushing touchdown to those quarterbacks.

The Irish need to neutralize Hooker’s rushing in this game. If they can do that and force him to keep drives alive by throwing the ball, they should be able to limit the Hokies to less than 20 points.