Notre Dame Defense Will Have To Improve Their Gameplan Against Tight Ends

A common theme this week is that the Notre Dame defense has to get back on track. The unit that we saw the last three weeks is not the same unit we saw dominate their September slate. Teams are moving the ball on them more, scoring more points and being more effective down field. One of those reasons is the damage that opposing tight ends have done to the Fighting Irish defense. 

In their first three games against P4 opponents (Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue), tight ends totaled 10 receptions for 74 yards and zero touchdowns. In their last three games against P4 opponents (North Carolina, Stanford and BYU), opposing tight ends have ripped up this defense. 

The Tar Heel's tight ends, Jelani Thurman and Shamar Easter went for a combined eight catches, 74 yards and three touchdowns. Stanford tight end Benji Blackburn caught three passes for 27 yards and one touchdown. In this past outing, BYU tight end Walker Lyons caught five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. Despite only allowed 10 receptions for 74 yards and zero touchdowns against P4 tight ends in their first four games, the last three opponent's tight ends went for a combined 17 receptions, 151 yards and five touchdowns. 

Notre Dame has only given up eight passing touchdowns this season as a defense, but five of those have came against tight ends and all five have came in the past three games. On the season, they've allowed 27 receptions for 225 yards, 8.3 yards per catch and five touchdowns. Some of the efficiency numbers have been dragged down by No. 2 tight ends like Roger Saleapaga II from BYU or Jacob Harris from Wisconsin or Kai Rios from Michigan State who finished their matchups against Notre Dame with a combined three catches for 14 yards. 

A lot of the attention is one Miami's stout receiving corps, understandable so. They have arguably the best offense in the country led by quarterback Darien Mensah and wide receivers Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate. But preventing tight ends from becoming game wreckers isn't just specific to the Hurricanes who have Elija Lofton. Lofton has yet to break out this season but still has 15 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns on the season. 

Down the road, they'll face SMU and their tight end duo of Theo Melin Ohrstrom and Randy Pittman who have combined for 32 receptions, 310 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Even Syracuse, their tight end Dauntae Bacheyie is their second leading pass catcher with 16 receptions, 246 yards and four touchdowns. There's talented tight ends spread throughout their remaining regular season schedule. 

If they handle business the rest of the season, the Irish could also face some talented tight ends in the College Football Playoffs as well. A rematch with Lyons and the Cougars is certainly on the table. They could square off against Lawson Luckie at Georgia, Patrick Overmeyer at Houston or Nate Roberts at Ohio State. Having a better gameplan against tight ends is imperative this season. Notre Dame has been dominant against the run, but that's not the only thing to hone in and focus on. 

------ 

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER 

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @TTrow5
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook