Notre Dame's offense has hit a little slump at the halfway point in the season. They scored 105 combined points between Purdue and Arkansas but only posted 62 total points between Boise State and NC State. With that being said, Mike Denbrock's unit still ranks No. 14 in the country in points per game, No. 10 in the country in yards per play, No. 19 in the country in passing yards per game and No. 16 in the country in rushing touchdowns per game. Their offensive slump is relative to their ceiling on offense and their standard is extremely high.
This weekend, they host the 20th-ranked USC Trojans in their annual battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh. The Trojan's defense has struggled this season, specifically against the pass, but they still have players Notre Dame will have to account for, and it starts with their disruptive defensive end up front.
Defensive End #6 Anthony Lucas
Defensive end Anthony Lucas currently leads USC's defense in total pressures with 16. He's also generated 10 hits plus sacks on the quarterback and has 2.0 tackles for a loss on the season. The 6-5, 285-pound Arizona native has started every game for the Trojans on defense this season. Lucas, along with fellow edge rusher Braylan Shelby, have combined for 31 total pressures, 15 hits plus sacks on the quarterback and 7.0 tackles for a loss. Lucas has done a tremendous job this season generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks with his season high coming against Michigan State where he pressured Aidan Chiles seven times and had four hits on the quarterback.
Matchup To Watch: Notre Dame's offensive tackles will have their hands full this weekend. In the past few games both left tackle Anthonie Knapp and right tackle Aamil Wagner have improved drastically in pass protection. This will also arguably be their hardest test of the regular season since week one in Miami, and we know how that unfolded. In their last three outings, Knapp or Wagner have not allowed a single hit or sack on the quarterback according to PFF. Both tackles will have to execute and perform at a high level against Lucas and the other USC edge rushers.
Defensive Tackle #8 Devan Thompkins
Devan Thompkins is a 6-5, 290-pound interior defensive lineman who's extremely long and can eat up some space. The California native has 15 total pressures this season including four hits plus sacks on the quarterback and 4.0 tackles for a loss. Thompkins is also second on the team in sacks with three, has one batted pass and one forced fumble. He's an extremely productive player on the interior and is coming off of his best game of the season against Michigan. Thompkins generated two sacks, three run stops and a forced fumble against the Wolverines. He's a force on the interior and one that has to be accounted for on Saturday night.
Matchup To Watch: Redshirt sophomore Joe Otting is stepping into the starting lineup at center for the first time in his career Saturday night due to a season-ending injury to Ashton Craig. Otting played 21 snaps against NC State after Craig went down and played a clean game. He didn't allow a single pressure in the eight pass blocking snaps he played, but facing this USC interior defensive line, headlined by Thompkins, is a different task entirely. All three of Notre Dame's interior offensive lineman will be responsible for keeping him at bay, but all eyes will be on Otting in his first collegiate start.
Linebacker #18 Eric Gentry
When Notre Dame traveled to the Coliseum in the final week of the regular season in 2024, USC was without one of their better defensive players in the front seven, linebacker Eric Gentry. This Saturday night, Gentry will get his opportunity to play against this high powered Fighting Irish offense. The Philadelphia native currently leads the team in tackles with 41, tackles for a loss with 7.0 and run stops with 21 on the season. At 6-6, 225-pounds, he's an extremely rangy linebacker that has really good size and athleticism. USC doesn't blitz him much, but when they do he's efficient. Gentry only has six total pressures on the season, but five of those have resulted in a hit or sack on the quarterback.
Matchup To Watch: Last season, Notre Dame's running backs ran wild on this USC defense. This weekend, they'll have to do it against a 6-6, 225-pound rangy linebacker. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price combined for 210 rushing yards on just 25 carries and both backs got into the end zone. Love and Price have been on an absolute tear this season, but have yet to face a linebacker with the size and range that Gentry possesses in the USC front seven. This matchup will be one to watch in both the run game and pass game. The knock on Gentry is in pass coverage; he's been targeted 15 times, allowed 11 receptions and has given up 51 yards after the catch. Look for Denbrock to take advantage of this matchup in space.
Safety #19 Bishop Fitzgerald
NC State transfer Bishop Fitzgerald has found a home in the defensive backfield for the Trojans and he's been extremely productive. The 5-11, 205-pound safety is second on the team in tackles with 30, leads the team in interceptions with five on the year and has returned one for a touchdown. His overall performance in the secondary, however, has been hit or miss. Fitzgerald has been targeted 14 times this season, allowed nine receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He's only missed one tackle this season which is a big reason why he's only allowed 52 yards after the catch; Fitzgerald is a solid tackler in space. He brings a lot of experience to the back end of this Trojan's secondary and will look to try to shut down a dominant Notre Dame passing attack.
Matchup To Watch: Tight end Eli Raridon is coming off of the best game of his career in the blue and gold. Last season, the 6-7, 252-pound tight end caught a touchdown against USC in the redzone and will look to have a repeat performance this weekend. At times, Fitzgerald will be matched up with the Notre Dame tight end, and quarterback CJ Carr has to be willing to take advantage of that matchup. There's a clear size advantage in Raridon's favor; both Raridon and Carr will have to do their jobs when going against Fitzgerald considering he has five interceptions through six games this season.
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