Notre Dame Notebook: Defense, Pass Game, Running Backs, Two-Minute Drills

Notre Dame’s defense has been stingy through its first three games. The Fighting Irish currently rank No. 4 in the nation in pass efficiency defense, tied for No. 14 in turnovers forced and No. 20 in turnover margin.

The Irish defense went nearly 10 quarters into the season before it finally allowed its first touchdown of 2023 when NC State reached the end zone with 1:16 to play in the first half last Saturday. Three interceptions against Wolfpack quarterback Brennan Armstrong helped Notre Dame to a 45-17 fourth quarter lead before giving up a meaningless final touchdown with 2:03 to play in the game.

For all that’s gone exceptionally well for the Irish defense, one thing that hasn’t happened yet is sacks. The Irish sacked the mobile Armstrong once last week and have just four total sacks through three games. Every team and every coach, including Irish head coach Marcus Freeman, want more sacks, but he is at least satisfied with the production his defense is getting.

“If it generates interceptions and great pass efficiency defense I’m great with it,” Freeman said this week. “We kind of calculated, (Armstrong) was getting the ball out of his hands around four seconds, which isn’t a lot of time to get a sack. I know we hit him, I think, double digits, we got some QB hurries. But I know everybody looks, and even (defensive line coach Al Washington), I have to talk to Coach Wash like, don’t get frustrated with the numbers. We can sometimes be outcome driven. What is the number of sacks? Let’s look at the number of times we hit him. We hit the quarterback.

“We affected him with our coverages and really look at the interceptions that are a result of the pressure you got on him,” Freeman continued. “We were very strategic in how we wanted to rush this quarterback. We could not be out of control and just free rush this guy. We wanted to create pass rush gains that forced him to do certain things. So, I’m really pleased with the execution and the outcome of what happened. I know the sacks, the numbers, weren’t what we all aspire to have but the outcome in terms of the interceptions and in terms of the pass efficiency was exactly what we needed.”

Pass Game Production

Notre Dame’s passing game has been evenly distributed so far. A total of 16 different players have at least one reception through the first three games after 13 players had a catch all of last year. Former Irish tight Michael Mayer was the focal point of last year’s offense, leading the team with 67 catches for 809 yards.

There is no Irish receiver who is currently on pace to touch Mayer’s production this season. Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse currently share the team lead with eight receptions each. Chris Tyree is next with six and three other receivers have five receptions.

“I love what we’re doing,” Freeman said of Notre Dame’s pass distribution. “The ability to spread the ball out. Last year, you look at almost the Michael Mayer effect. It was as if Michael Mayer is single covered you’re going to Michael Mayer. I think the ability for us to really go through a progression...it really puts the defense at a disadvantage because you can’t just double cover one guy and that’s the great thing about the weapons we have at tight end, at wide receiver and the backfield. We’re using our backs, too, in the pass game. We’re able to go through a progression and not just say this is the go-to guy and I think that’s a reflection of how you see the ball being spread around. So, you’re going to be the guy when the ball comes your way, but you always have to anticipate the ball’s coming your way and I think that’s the beautiful part about how we’re playing offensive right now is that anybody on any play has the chance to get the ball thrown their way.”

The Running Back Room

Notre Dame’s running backs continue to produce every week. Audric Estime’s 352 yards and 8.0 yards per carry lead the team, while Jeremiyah Love (110/7.3), Gi’Bran Payne (64/4.0), and Jadarian Price (61/4.7) are filling the roles created by running backs coach Deland McCullough.

“We have discussions throughout the week on our game plan on how many reps we’re going to get guys, what (do) the packages include,” Freeman explained. “But a lot of it is personnel based. We have certain packages with certain running backs. So, we know Audric is Audric and he’s going to be the guy that we give the ball to and say run this thing but we have some really good players in that running back room that when they come in the game, they’re making big plays.

"Jadarian Price had a really good game, had some really positive plays. Jeremiyah Love, same thing. So, we have to continue to utilize the strengths of each guy in that room but we’re not going to get away from who we are. We never make decisions based on appeasing...hey we have to appease this guy. No, what’s best for us to have success? When you do that, you create that unit strength amongst that room. Hey guys, everybody’s in this for a reason. It’s about the team. It’s about Notre Dame football having success. Here’s your role. Here’s what we’re thinking of doing. So, it’s a reflection of Coach McCullough but also the guys in that room saying, ok I’m going to be unselfish and do whatever is asked of me.”

Two Minute Success

Sam Hartman has led the Irish on end of half touchdown drives in each of the first three games. Navy’s two-minute drill was a nine-play, 80 yard march in 1:42 that ended with a touchdown pass to Jayden Thomas. Against Tennessee State, it was 80 yards in six plays and :38 seconds, ending with a touchdown pass to Holden Staes. Last week vs NC State the Irish covered 78 yards in just three plays, with Hartman hitting Jaden Greathouse for a touchdown at the end of a :30 second drive.

“We do two-minute drills every week in practice,” Freeman began. “That’s why you work it. You put different situations, different time on the clock, different timeouts, you move the ball, is it two minutes before half (or) two minutes at the end of the game. That builds confidence in the coordinator and that builds confidence in the players. So, the offense always doesn’t win in practice, but I have a lot of confidence in (offensive coordinator) Gerad Parker as our offensive coordinator and the guys we have on that field in a two-minute situation, really man, and throughout the whole game.”

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Irish Breakdown Content

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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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