Notre Dame Football: Defensive position grades vs. Clemson

Notre Dame Football: Defensive position grades vs. Clemson

Secondary

This might be a little harsh but when you allow the most passing yards in a game in the history of Notre Dame football, it’s justifiable.

True freshman D.J. Uiagalelei, in his second career start, completed 29 passes for 439 yards. I understand we can’t just ignore the fact that Uiagalelei is an unreal talent who will be playing on Sundays with multiple weapons outside, but the bottom line is the secondary was outplayed for most of the game.

Shaun Crawford blew an assignment on Clemson’s second drive of the game that led to a 53-yard touchdown to Cornell Powell. Later in the game Powell would rack up 51-yards on another deep pass play that was hardly contested by cornerback Nick McCloud.

The secondary only produced 2 pass deflections on the night and allowed seven plays through the air of at least 22 yards.

Kyle Hamilton was solid per usual, collecting 8 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. Despite Crawford’s early mishap, he did force a key incompletion on 3rd & 24 in the second overtime, timing his hit on the tight end perfectly to prevent a 4th and manageable.

The bottom line is that when Clemson goes back to Trevor Lawrence, the passing game isn’t going to miss a beat, especially with the receiving threats outside. The secondary has to bounce back next week and improve before a possible rematch with Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.