Despite erratic execution and a masterclass from Bobby Petrino, the Irish stifled North Carolina on key possessions, highlighted by Luke Talich’s ball-hawking brilliance and resilient secondary play.
This was a rough performance for the Notre Dame defense, no 'ifs' or 'buts' about it. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash was facing offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino for the second time in almost a calendar year. This round went to Petrino after putting together three long scoring drives against one of the best defenses in the country. Having said that, today was not all on Ash, despite what some people may want to believe.
Did he call a perfect game? No, but there were also lapses in execution that put the Irish behind the eight ball defensively as well. Despite the overall disappointing performance, the Notre Dame defense still only allowed 14 points in meaningful snaps of regulation, taking away the kickoff return for a touchdown and their final touchdown drive of the game. Here are my key takeaways from the Notre Dame defense in their 37-26 win over the Tar Heels.
FEAST OR FAMINE
It was a very weird afternoon for the Notre Dame defense. North Carolina had nine total offensive possessions. In six of those offensive possessions, the Irish held the Tar Heel offense to 41 total yards and picked off quarterback Billy Edwards twice. In their three other offensive possessions, North Carolina ripped off a 7-play, 74-yard touchdown drive, a 17-play, 97-yard touchdown drive and an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
It was poor play calling and lapses in execution that put them in those scenarios. Throughout the week, we talked about how it isn't a mystery as to what North Carolina wishes to do on offense. Wide receiver Jordan Shipp and tight end Jelani Thurman were their two top targets. Yesterday, Shipp caught seven passes for 109 yards while Thurman had five catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Is the sky falling? Absolutely not. This is the 'outlier performance' of the season, and it gives the Notre Dame defensive coaching staff things to continue to improve upon and work on.
OL' RELIABLE LUKE TALICH
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has gone on record to say that he views senior safety Luke Talich as a starter. Sometimes, when a head coach says things like that, it's to instill confidence in a first-time starter ahead of their first game. That couldn't be further from the truth with Talich. Once again, he showed that he's more than capable of performing in the starting lineup of this talented Notre Dame defense. He's now up to six career interceptions after his exceptional play yesterday afternoon.
From the hash, he was able to intercept a pass despite the wide receiver taking an outside release on a slot-fade. Talich showed impressive range and instinct on the play and broke on the route the second he saw Edward's head turn to the slot fade. The 6-4, 222-pound safety also blocked an extra point. Oh, and he did that all while wearing a very thick, and heavily taped, wrist brace on his right hand.
WAS THIS THE GAME THEY NEEDED?
You never want to be 'okay' with a poor defensive performance, and that's what yesterday was for this Notre Dame defense. Having said that, this could have been the performance they needed to maintain their level of focus coming down the stretch. I don't want this to sound like spin, because the Fighting Irish defense did NOT play up to the standard of play. But over the last couple of weeks, they've been told that they're one of the best units in the country, and based on their performance through the first four games, that sentiment is correct.
As we know, the bulk of their schedule is coming up with BYU on the road, Miami at home and SMU on Senior Day looming in the near future. This was a performance that will serve as a wake up call to Ash and the Notre Dame defense in a 'you're not as good as you think you are' type of message. Is the sky falling? No. Is this the Ash defense from Texas A&M? No. But this level of performance should, and most likely will, serve as a wake up call to this exceptionally talented unit.
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