Notre Dame football's Howard Cross fill-in will 'try to play to break you'

Donovan Hinish hasn’t had much of a chance to show what he can really do for the Notre Football team so far this season. However, that started to change in their game against Florida State. It’s going to change big time in their game against Virginia.

Hinish has been pressed into duty thanks to the injury to Howard Cross III. However, as someone who was pressed into duty, he’s played quite well so far. He’s got the right attitude to keep playing well.

"I’m going to try to play to break you," Hinish said this week in the leadup to the game against the Cavaliers. He was also quite solid in the Notre Dame football team’s game against Texas A&M. 

Notre Dame Football leaning on Donovan Hinish after loss of Howard Cross III

Hinish made 5 tackles, including 2 defensive stops (tackles that result in a failure for the offense) that night. He helped the Irish escape College Station, with a 23-13 victory.

Now he’ll try to help them keep a steady march to the playoffs. 

“As you look at what Kurt did and the impact Kurt Hinish had on our defense, without hesitation, you say, ‘Hey, Donnie might not be 6-3, 6-4 but we know what we’re getting out of him,’” Nottre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman said. “Part of it is the way he was raised. He’s a tough dude who really has worked his way to be a really good player.”

They’ll be looking for more out of the defensive lineman, who has logged 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks so far this year. Two of those came against Florida State. It would seem he’s hitting his stride at the right time. Until Cross is back from his sprained ankle, Donovan Hinish will be the man in the middle.