Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/187176
Under the Dome Charting The Irish Strong Finish The fourth quarter was easily Notre Dame's best period through five games in the 2013 season. The Irish outscored opponents by 20 points in the fourth quarter. They were similarly dominant in the final 15 minutes during the 2012 season. While the third quarter remains the toughest period to score on Notre Dame — 19.3 percent of points allowed came in the third quarter — they've been far less stingy than in the past two seasons under Bob Diaco. In 2012, the defense allowed only 14.5 percent of its points in the third quarter. Two years ago that number was 5.9 percent, or a meager 16 total points in the third quarter. It's also been significantly easier for opponents to score in the first quarter this fall than in the past two seasons based on averages. The second quarter remains Notre Dame's worst defensively, as it has been in each of the last three seasons. At least 30 percent of the points the Irish surrendered each season were scored in the second quarter. 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 2013 Notre Dame 31 pts. (24.4%) 23 pts. (18.1%) 28 pts. (22.0%) Opponents 31 pts. (26.1%) 40 pts. (33.6%) 2012 Notre Dame 85 pts. (25.4%) Opponents 2011 Notre Dame Opponents 23 pts. (13.9%) 114 pts. (30.0%) 53 pts. (19.7%) 73 pts. (21.8%) 4th Quarter 45 pts. (35.4%) 23 pts. (19.3%) 25 pts. (21.0%) 71 pts. (21.2%) 74 pts. (44.6%) 93 pts. (24.5%) 106 pts. (31.6%) 24 pts. (14.5%) 91 pts. (23.9%) 81 pts. (30.1%) 16 pts. (5.9%) 45 pts. (27.1%) 82 pts. (21.6%) 119 pts. (44.2%) A Growing Corner Market The Notre Dame coaches have not been shy about playing freshman cornerbacks. KeiVarae Russell was a Freshman All-American last year, Cole Luke had an extensive role from day one this year, first as a nickel, and now Devin Butler also is working into the rotation. The coaches named Butler their special teams player of the week against Oklahoma for his physical play, and he also earned more time at corner. "We see a young man there that's growing quickly," head coach Brian Kelly said of Butler. "Both of those freshman corners have shown not only the physical ability but the mental capacity to be able to go in there and compete."