Notre Dame football: Clark Lea coaching his way into head coaching job

Apr 21, 2018; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea watches warmups before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2018; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea watches warmups before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clark Lea  Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Clark Lea  Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Clark Lea coaching his way into head coaching job

Lea has held some elite running backs in check

In two of their last three games, the Notre Dame football team took on one of the premier running backs in the country. Against No. 1 Clemson, the Irish had to come up with a game plan for Clemson star Travis Etienne, who many believe will be the only running back to land in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

On Friday, Notre Dame would take on the talented duo of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams, two players who came into the game averaging over seven yards per carrying. Williams, in particular, was one of the more explosive players in the country in terms of finding the end zone, leading all players with 18 touchdowns.

While both Etienne and Williams have dominated the college football landscape, that has not been the case against the Irish, as they racked up 28 yards respectively against Lea’s defense. It was another standout performance by not only the players but also by the defensive coordinator, who is becoming one of the best in the business at his job.