So much of Notre Dame football’s success this season has been thanks to its defense. Because of that, when the unit struggles, it sticks out like a sore thumb. It certainly stuck out against USC in the Fighting Irish season finale.
ND allowed 35 points thanks in large part to 360 yards passing. Christian Gray had more than his fair share of blame for those numbers. According to PFF, he was targeted a season high 12 times and the Trojans completed 8 of those passes for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Earlier this week, Notre Dame football defensive coordinator Al Golden made it clear that if Irish fans wanted to get mad about Gray’s performance against USC, they should talke to him. Golden said that he didn’t call a defense that was fair to Gray and that the defensive back showed how good he was against Indiana in the first round of the College Football playoffs.
Notre Dame football DC takes blame for Christian Gray’s struggles
““He bounced back,” Golden said about Gray’s game versus the Hoosiers. “Again, most of that was my fault, to be honest with you. I keep saying it. You keep asking it. So, I’m going to keep saying it. Most of it was. It was my fault. I put him in a bad position given the circumstance, and I had to rethink some things.”
“I put him in better position the other night and put him in better position for a lot of games this year. Didn’t do a good job against USC. I’m sorry it manifested on his plate. It should not have. But at the end of the day, he showed his mettle when he made an interception and saved the day for us. God bless him. Great kid. Fighter.”
The game against USC wasn’t just a weird game for Gray. A defense that had been dominant all year allowed 35 points to its hated rival. But it showed things were fixed against IU.
Notre Dame football will need Gray to play good again against Georgia. They’ll face off on Wednesday night in the Sugar Bowl.