Notre Dame’s Isaac Rochelle and Julian Love celebrate after a play against Army on Saturday, November 12, 2016 (Photo: South Bend Tribune – Becky Malewitz)

This season of Notre Dame football has been anything but consistent, so it’s no surprise that after losing to Navy last weekend, the team rebounded in remarkable fashion, on a huge stage in San Antonio, to beat the Black Knights of Army. Let’s take a look at how the Notre Dame defense performed last Saturday and how they were able to hold Army to a mere six points.

The Irish defense came out in a blaze of glory, holding Army to a three-and-out on its first offensive possession. The Notre Dame defense held the Army offense to 10 first downs, nine rushing and one passing. The Fighting Irish defense was able to hold the Black Knight offense to 242 total yards of rushing, which breaks down to 229 yards of net yards rushing, and 13 yards of net passing. Army’s offense was only able to convert on third down 3-of-11 times, and on fourth down 1-of-3 times. Army had possession of the ball for 25:38 minutes, and Notre Dame had possession of the ball for 34:22 minutes.

How did the rest of the defense look? James Onwualu had three solo tackles and nine assists, Greer Martini had four solo tackles and five assists, Nyles Morgan had five assists, Cole Luke, Jonathan Bonner, and Jalen Elliott had one solo tackle and three assists, Drue Tranquill and Jamir Jones had three solo tackles, and Jerry Tillery, Julian Love and Isaac Rochell had one solo tackle and two assists.Who were the standouts on defense? Senior James Onwualu had one of this best games of the season, leading the Irish with 13 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 tackles for loss. Another highlight was when Freshman Julian Love recorded his first career interception. On the goal line, in the fourth quarter, Love intercepted the Black Knights to end an Army scoring threat.

Coach Kelly’s thoughts on the defense:

Q. I wondered if there were any personnel shifts that you made just for the option defense, or defending the option rather, that maybe said, hey, Jonathan Bonner or somebody, you saw them in a little bit different light, something that you can pull, and when you’re playing these conventional offenses that this might be valuable to you?

Brian Kelly: Yeah, we’re definitely looking at the option offense different than the traditional offenses, in terms of where they may be able to fit in a specific role. Jonathan is much more athletic in terms of the position that we wanted him to play, could get off the scramble blocks, and really just fit a lot better into that scheme, and that’s why he got his first start. It doesn’t mean he can’t help us, and he will continue to help us in the role that he has, but certainly he’s fit into the scheme.

Same thing with Julian at safety. He’s not moving to safety, but in terms of what we were asking him to do, he was the better fit in that scheme.

Q. Since the last six games you guys have climbed from 103rd in total defense to 39th, which is actually higher than you finished last season, I’m wondering if beyond the enthusiasm part with Hudson if you can talk a little bit about what you have seen in him and also from Mike Elston during the stretch.

Brian Kelly: Well, I think, first and foremost, a very detailed, organized plan, well-coached during the week of practice, a focus on the fundamentals, and in-game adjustments that have been followed through by the players. So I think just a coordinated effort that has seen this defense get better and better. I think the utilization of some more of the freshmen that have really matured and have gotten better by obviously later in the season, you know, they’ve gotten more and more playing time, but I think all of that has come together through really good preparation, great morale, and at the end of the day, kids executing the game plan.

Q. I know you’re sick of probably being asked about Jarron Jones, so I’m going to ask you about Jamir Jones. He had three tackles yesterday and maybe a couple in the game before. Can you talk about what you’re seeing from Jamir?

Brian Kelly: Yeah, Jamir is obviously starting to show himself. His physical traits are ones that we have been very impressed with. We think he’s going to come on quite quickly for us in the spring and over the summer where he can be a very valuable player for us. He played very, very physical for us. Some big hits on our special teams, and I think he’s just a young man that’s going to continue to grow and be a big part of what we do.

Q. Talk about Martini, your defensive guy, No. 48. Seems like he’s always around the football during these option games. Just talk a little bit about him.

Brian Kelly: Well, Greer is a very smart football player. He has a good sense for finding the football. But he’s a very disciplined player, which you have to have that trait when you’re playing option teams. You know, I think when you look at some of the traits that great players have, very disciplined players are going to find the football, and he does that quite well.

**

I myself am very excited about the upcoming “Senior Day” game against Virginia Tech. I think we’re finally seeing some excellent growth and learnings from this team, and I am anxious to see how they do in transitioning from two weeks of facing triple option teams, to facing a traditional offense once again. I know the season is quickly drawing to a close, but I think a strong finish to this season will set this team up for much greater success next year. What say you?

Cheers & GO IRISH!

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Lisa

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Lisa Kelly is a multidimensional marketing professional. She has over two decades of marketing experience and earned a bachelor of business administration and marketing from the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1993 ... Siegfried Hall!). She is a Digital Publishing Manager by day and by night is writing her third book, a continuation of "Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became" and its sequel "The Men We Became: MORE Echoes From the End Zone." In 2012, Lisa was crowned the "Biggest Fan of the Big East" in a blogging and social media contest, representing Notre Dame.



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