Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME 10 AUGUST 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED Prepping for what could be his final season with the Notre Dame football program this sum- mer, graduate student linebacker Marist Liufau explained how something feels different this last time around — a greater urgency — both personally as player and collectively as a team. Liufau has been a valuable member of the Irish defense since he arrived on campus in 2019, but never more than last season when he started all 13 games at Will linebacker and finished third on the team with 51 tackles (22 solo). The Kalihi, Hawai'i, native also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery in 2022. For his career, he has played in 27 games, made 16 starts and recorded 73 total tackles. Expect to see Liufau back as a second-year starter at his familiar Will position. But in an effort to better utilize his athleticism and make him more involved in the pass rush, Liufau cross- trained some off the edge at the vyper and strong-side defensive end positions during fall training camp. There are times, in fact, that Liufau works individual unit drills with the Irish defensive line instead of with the linebackers. With the Notre Dame defensive coaches moving Liufau around throughout camp practices, expect to see him more involved and working from different align- ments during his final season. Blue & Gold Illustrated recently caught up with Liufau and discussed his expectations for 2023, the preseason mood of the team, and his time at Notre Dame. BGI: You're one of three graduate student line- backers. How does that experience help the unit? Liufau: "It helps a lot. We're really like second coaches to the young guys. We bring them along as much as we can. It helps to be able to set an example for the young guys." BGI: Given what looks like an expanded role for you, how has your preparation changed? Liufau: "It hasn't really changed much from last year. I just think there is more of an empha- sis on my pass rush. I continue to improve in that. I work so much off the ball, not just pass rush, but a lot of edge technique." BGI: This is your second season under lineback- ers coach Al Golden; what's different this year? Liufau: "We're a lot more confident in the game plan, because he's back for a second year and the defense is the same this year as last year. We just feel more comfortable in our game plan, which allowed us to play faster early on in fall camp." BGI: What's been the mood of the team dur- ing camp? Liufau: "Everybody has had such a great mind- set coming out here every day. No one is ever dragging around. Everyone has a pep in their step, an urgency, and that's emphasized every day." BGI: What has your time at Notre Dame meant to you? Liufau: "It's meant everything. It's helped me grow as a person, on and off the field. It's really special. I'm looking forward to playing my last year and making the most of it." — Todd D. Burlage Five Questions With … GRADUATE STUDENT LINEBACKER MARIST LIUFAU Liufau, who recorded 51 tackles as the team's starting Will linebacker last year, has cross-trained at the vyper and strong-side end positions during fall training camp. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER No, The Schedule Is Too Difficult By Todd D. Burlage ESPN recently used a preseason prediction formula to project overall regular- season win totals for every FBS team. The formula predicted Notre Dame to win 9.3 games this regular season, which is what makes this debate so lively. The Fighting Irish are listed as an underdog in only two of their games — home against Ohio State and at Clemson. Both of those games will be tough for Notre Dame to win. The Tigers have won 39 of their last 40 home games, and Ohio State — the No. 1 team in the 2023 ESPN preseason poll — is listed as an early eight-point favorite in the game. Can Notre Dame win the rest of 'em and get to 10 wins? Not likely. Preseason No. 7 USC comes to South Bend with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in quar- terback Caleb Williams and as a strong candidate to be a College Football Playoff contender. And here's where things get even more interesting. Notre Dame enters the 2023 season riding a 28-game regular-season winning streak against ACC opponents, a streak that will be put to the test this fall. The Irish play at North Carolina State, at Duke, at Louisville and at Clemson, and host Pitt and Wake Forest. All six of these 2023 ACC opponents won at least eight games last season, and three won at least nine games. It's the toughest slate of ACC opponents Notre Dame has ever played in a season and the primary reason the Irish will fall short of 10 wins in 2023. Yes, I'm Buying Notre Dame's Offense By Jack Soble Todd is absolutely right that Notre Dame's ACC slate is tough, to say nothing of Ohio State and USC. However, a balanced offense with a dynamic aerial at- tack makes any schedule look much easier. And I believe Notre Dame has that. Graduate student Sam Hartman is the most talented and battle-tested quarterback Notre Dame has had in quite some time. He will be well protected by two elite offensive tackles. Junior running back Audric Estimé can grind games down into dust with his powerful running style. Those are the strengths we know. We don't know if the Irish receivers will be one, but call it a hunch, a feeling, whatever — I like this group. Sophomore Tobias Merriweather, senior Chris Tyree and junior Jayden Thomas need to prove it on the field, but they check so many boxes. Size, speed, route running, versatility, hands. It's a deep group, too; there's a lot of promise among junior Deion Colzie and the three freshmen. Call it another hunch, but graduate student Matt Salerno will help this team win a game at some point. As long as the Notre Dame guards are not complete disasters, I believe the Irish can score on anyone. Load the box? Hartman will beat you 20 yards downfield. Back off? Estimé runs behind junior tackles Joe Alt and Fisher for 15 yards. The defense should be good enough to not need this every game, but Hart- man played in and won many shootouts as Wake Forest's quarterback. Notre Dame will steal one of their "Big Three" games and run the table the rest of the way. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WILL NOTRE DAME MAKE IT TO 10 WINS IN 2023? Head coach Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish face a tough schedule this fall, but may be able to over- come it thanks to a talented offense. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER