Notre Dame vs Boston College Gameday Primer

Key Defensive Player for Boston College: Tanner Karafa, DL

The senior DL does everything for this BC defense. A guy that has changed positions a few times in his career at BC, Karafa’s versatility and play-making ability have made him indispensable to this defense.

In 10 games played this season, Karafa has tallied 44 tackles (25 solo), three tackles for loss, one interception and two passes defended. For a defensive lineman, that is very versatile.

Karafa is going to be tasked with getting pressure on Ian Book and he is going to need to do just that if he and the BC defense want to come out of South Bend with a win. Boston College has surely seen what pressure has done to Ian Book this season and will likely dial it up a few times to see how he handles it. Karafa will be the one getting to Book on the BC defense if anyone does.

Key Defensive Player for Notre Dame: Drew White, LB

When a team runs the ball like Boston College does, your best tackler becomes your most important or ‘key’ player on the defensive side of the ball. Drew White is that man.

Seemingly coming out of nowhere last season in the Navy game and now solidifying himself as a starter in this Notre Dame defense, White is about as sure of a tackler as you can be at the middle linebacker position. He will be put to test against BC.

Boston College running backs have broken over 100 tackles on the season, hence why their yards after carry and overall rushing stats are so high. AJ Dillon and Co. do NOT go down easy.

White, as well as the rest of the Notre Dame defense, will need to be sure tacklers in order to make sure that Dillon doesn’t break any huge plays and let BC stick around in a game in which they shouldn’t.