Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Isaac Rochell Welcomes Being Sore After Games Soreness never felt so good for Notre Dame sophomore defensive end Isaac Rochell. After seeing spot duty as a freshman in 2013, the 6‑3½, 287‑pound Rochell, one of the strongest play‑ ers in the program, has noticed a change this season on Sundays and Mondays. "I would come in Monday and guys would be complaining about being sore. I was like, 'I don't really feel it.' But this year I come in on Monday and I'm still a little sore. It's a big difference." During Notre Dame's 4‑0 start, Rochell cher‑ ished the Sept. 20 bye week for some recovery. He had become more and more active as an an‑ chor against the run and with his pass pressure (his four quarterback hurries were second only to junior Sheldon Day's six), even though he is not a natural speed rusher off the edge. The defensive line was projected as possibly the team's Achilles heel prior to the season with the graduation of current pros Louis Nix III and Kona Schwenke, the early exit to the NFL by Stephon Tuitt, senior Tony Springmann's football career ending because of injury and senior Ishaq Williams getting shelved because of an academic investigation. However, Rochell said he wasn't surprised that Notre Dame still had the nation's fourth‑ranked scoring defense during the undefeated start, and it uplifted everyone on the entire unit. "Last year, I wasn't very productive and it was annoying and frustrating," he said. "Being more productive, you feel like you're contributing to the win." The combination of Day's leadership, veterans such as junior defensive linemen Romeo Okwara and Jarron Jones improving along with Rochell, four freshmen (ends Andrew Trumbetti and Grant Blankenship, nose guard Daniel Cage and pass rush specialist Kolin Hill) contributing quality snaps, and new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder's schemes all have played a part. Rochell said with the line such a question mark, there is a galvanizing effect to not let each other down. "We have a lot of camaraderie," replied Rochell when asked what made the defense effective. "Two, it's a more aggressive defense, and you have young guys who just want to play and who are hungry. We are just out there getting after it." By no means does that mean the line is a fully polished product. "It's the same for every college athlete: Even when you think you play well you come in and you get blasted [in the film room]," Rochell said with a laugh. Victory heals a lot of sores, though. "It's easier to play when you're enjoying the season," he said. Through four games, Rochell, a sophomore defen- sive end, had 13 tackles (1.5 for loss) and ranked second on the team with four quarterback hurries. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA