Notre Dame Football: 3 overreactions from Week 2 win over Duke

3. Notre Dame’s secondary is mediocre

This was quite the overreaction from certain fans and outsiders on Saturday afternoon as Notre Dame allowed 259 passing yards to the Blue Devils. This is a team that used to have no business passing for over 250 yards against a vaunted Irish defense, let alone total 250 yards.

The run game added just 73 rushing yards for Duke, but the Irish secondary was struggling to contain Chase Brice all afternoon.

No, they weren’t torched, by any means, but Brice passed for 259 yards and didn’t turn the ball over while posting a better passer rating than Ian Book had. And Notre Dame’s defense was supposed to be one of the best in the ACC this season.

It’s not the best look to allow a transfer throw for over 250 yards and avoid turnovers in his first game as a starter, but the Irish need to figure out some things before they face the likes of Sam Hartman, Trevor Lawrence, Micale Cunningham, Sam Howell and Kenny Pickett.

Oh, and the Irish must hope that Kyle Hamilton heals quickly from his ankle injury in the opener.