Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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N BY WES MORGAN had accomplished that feat in consec- otre Dame's defense allowed fewer than 21 points per game each of the last two seasons, the first time an Irish defense SPRING FOOTBALL DEFENSE utive seasons in 10 years. In 2009, the final year under former head coach Charlie Weis, the Irish were ranked 86th in total defense. In the first two years under current head coach Brian Kelly's watch and with Bob Diaco co- ordinating the defensive effort, Notre Dame finished 50th and 30th, respec- tively. "We did reach many of our goals," Kelly said. "We still have a ways to go as all units do. I don't think any- fumble recoveries (six) and tied for 93rd in interceptions (eight). The eight picks in 409 opponent passing attempts are the second fewest since 1956, behind the 1994 team that pro- duced only seven in 335 attempts. Notre Dame also gave up 35 plays from scrimmage for 20-29 yards, 12 plays for 30-39 yards, seven that went for 40-49 yards, and six that went for 50 or more yards. Few will forget the 64-yard completion from Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson to Jeremy Gallon in the final seconds in Ann Arbor that set up a 16-yard Roy Roundtree touchdown reception with two seconds remaining that sent Notre Dame to an 0-2 start. The Irish defense has had moments UPWARD SWING Irish defense returns solid nucleus, but questions still abound this spring body's ever arrived. But we were pleased with a lot of things and the progress that Coach Diaco has led on the defensive side of the ball. Im- mediately, if we wanted to compete nationally at the highest level we had to improve on the defensive side of the ball, and we have made that im- provement." What must happen next is a more consistent effort across the board, es- pecially against teams at the highest level. Notre Dame didn't fare too well against squads that finished in the top 10 last fall. Michigan, Southern California and Stanford, all with pre- mier quarterbacks in Denard Robin- son, Matt Barkley and Andrew Luck, excelled against the Irish, especially when most needed in the contest. All great defenses give their offense up at night is the defensive line, which is the strongest unit on that side of the ball. Assistant Mike Elston, with a lot of help from stellar recruiting, has the linemen playing at a high level. And without having to worry about coordinating special teams, Elston will be able to focus on developing depth. One thing that won't keep Diaco STRONG IN THE TRENCHES of greatness, but there are enough issues that need to be addressed to keep Diaco plenty busy this spring and summer. les after redshirting as a freshman in 2010. Sophomore defensive ends Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt went through their growing pains as rook- ies last year, but dished out far more discomfort than they received while combining for 63 tackles. Tuitt, who can also line up on the interior in the nickel package, managed to record 30 stops in just nine games. Lynch posted 33 tackles and a team-best 5.5 sacks, and he was selected to the Football Writers Association Fresh- man All-America team. Sophomore Chase Hounshell and junior Kona Schwenke are also both capable of providing solid minutes at end. Sophomore nose guard Tony Springmann impressed the Irish staff last year and helps provide another option after losing Sean Cwynar to graduation. Nation could be heard in Decem- ber when middle (Mike) linebacker Manti Te'o announced he'd return for his senior season. The All-American and Butkus LAST HURRAH FOR MANTI TE'O A collective sigh around Irish Award candidate is 76 tackles shy of becoming only the third player in school history to record at least 400 tackles, joining Bob Crable (521) and Bob Golic (479). He's running out of time on his quest to help Notre Dame climb back to prominence. No matter what hap- pens in 2012, if Te'o remains healthy he'll go down as one of the program's all-time greats and become just the second ND linebacker to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, joining Crable. "WE DID REACH MANY OF OUR GOALS. WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO AS ALL UNITS DO. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S EVER ARRIVED." HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY extra opportunities, and Notre Dame produced only 14 turnovers last sea- son, which is the lowest figure, ac- cording to our research, in the last 60 years of Irish football. The team finished tied for 110th nationally in in school history to record at least 400 tackles. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND www.BLUEANDGOLD.com Senior middle linebacker Manti Te'o needs just 76 stops this fall to become only the third player If Kapron Lewis-Moore is half as excited to play his final season as he was leading the student section at Notre Dame men's basketball games this year, opposing offenses are in trouble. It isn't a surprise the fifth- year senior defensive end had a little pent-up energy after missing the last half of the 2011 campaign with a knee injury. The guys lined up opposite him (in what was once now-gradu- ated Ethan Johnson's spot) aren't too shabby either. Junior nose guard Louis Nix paced the unit last fall with 45 tack- senior tandem of Dan Fox and Carlo Calabrese. They combined for 85 stops last season (48 by Fox and 37 by Calabrese), and Fox was voted Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Just like last season, Diaco, who oversees the Irish linebackers, is waiting for one clear starter to emerge. On the outside, the projection is Next to Te'o on the inside is the that drop (Dog) linebacker Prince Sh- embo will shift to the hybrid Cat line- backer/defensive end role vacated by 2011 senior Darius Fleming. As a freshman in 2010, Shembo was voted APRIL 2012 33