Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/396685
BY ANDREW OWENS N ew defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder 's seemingly constant blitzing schemes on passing downs have received the bulk of the publicity during the Notre Dame defense's surprising start in 2014. Whether it's the pressure that forced an end-of-game intentional grounding to secure the win against Stanford or the blitz on Michigan's Devin Gardner to secure a shutout, it's almost as if the rush defense is a footnote of the unit's success. That, however, should not be the case. Through games of Oct. 4, Notre Dame was one of only 10 teams na- tionally to allow fewer than 100 rush- ing yards per game (95.8) and one of 18 units to keep the opposition below an average of 3.0 yards per rush (2.94). Considering the losses among the front seven — sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith and junior defensive lineman Sheldon Day are the lone re- turning starters — it's been relatively surprising that the Irish are among the nation's elite in that category. "Surprised isn't a word that we use too much in coaching," head coach Brian Kelly said. "We had hopes that we would develop in time. We've de- veloped a little bit quicker. Some of our young players have really stepped up and played very good defense early on. "[Junior defensive tackle] Jarron Jones, [sophomore defensive end] Isaac Rochell, [freshman defensive end] Andrew Trumbetti, those guys, young players, have played at a high level earlier than maybe we would have imagined. "But we felt like we were capable. They have really played well early on, and I think that's really been key for us defensively." A year ago, among the trio Kelly listed, Jones and Rochell played on a part-time basis and Trumbetti was still a high school senior. Midway through the 2014 season, it's difficult to imag- ine the composition of the unit with- out them. Much of that is due to the FILLING THE GAPS Originally perceived as a weakness, the Irish front seven has excelled in stopping opposing rushing attacks