Notre Dame Football: Report card for win over Virginia in Week 5
By Dante Pryor
Defense
The defense gave up some big plays in the first half, and the Cavaliers did have two wide receivers go over 100 yards for the game. However, you can’t ignore the fact that Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea might be as good as there is in the country at making half-time adjustments. You also can’t ignore eight sacks, and four rushing yards on the day.
Defensive Line: A+
Even when the defense gave up some plays in the first half, the defensive line was spectacular. They are the reason the score wasn’t worse in the first half. They made the Wahoos one-dimensional all game long, and had Cavalier quarterback Bryce Perkins running for his life.
Linebackers: A
The linebackers made the Cavalier running game look exactly like what it is: unremarkable. The Cavaliers came into this game without a running back averaging 4.0 yards a carry, so the Irish had no problem with anyone running past them.
Defensive Backs: B
You look at the fact the Irish gave up 100 yards to two different receivers and instantly you might say that the grade it too high. However, the secondary did pick Perkins off twice, and limit him in the second half. Joe Reed’s yards came mostly on one catch, and it was a missed tackle by defensive end Julian Okwara dropping into coverage, not a defensive back that sprung the run after the catch.
Ranking college football's top 50 fanbases. dark. Next
Special Teams: B-
Special teams were solid, but not great. They don’t have a dynamic returner on kicks or punts, and that shows. They didn’t kick a field goal, and the punting was marginal. What was outstanding was both the kickoff and punt coverage. Virginia wasn’t able to spring any big returns during the game.