Notre Dame Football preparing for big defensive absences vs USC

The Notre Dame football team knows just how important the game against USC is to their playoff hopes. While the Trojans are just 6-5 on the season, they have a ton of talent. 

That’s why the team likely being without two of its better defenders is something to worry about. It’s something to worry about even though the Irish have done a phenomenal job of honoring the idea of “next man up.”

Freshman linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was added to Notre Dame Football's injury report Monday after being knocked out of Saturday's 49-14 win over Army due to a knee injury. Viliamu-Asa has been declared out with a sprained knee. But he’s not the only starter who might end up missing the game.

Notre Dame Football preparing for big absences vs USC

Starting nose tackle Howard Cross III remains listed as questionable for the Blue and Gold this week. Cross suffered a left ankle injury during the Florida State game. He’s missed the last two games and now looks like he miss a third.

However, the book is totally closed on the dominant defensive lineman playing against the Trojans.  Cross practiced a bit last week, so a return to play this week is be realistic if far from guaranteed. So far, he’s recorded 23 tackles, four sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries in the nine games he’s appeared in.

With the Trojans finding new confidence after getting bowl eligible this past weekend, it will be all hands on deck for Notre Dame Football in L.A. this weekend when they face off at 2:30pm.