Notre Dame has held 32-of-35 opponents during ClarkLea’s tenure as defensive coordinator to 30 points or less.That includes ranked opponents LSU, Michigan, Stanford,Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Clemson, Georgia, Virginia, Navyand North Carolina. In 2019, Lea’s Notre Dame defense ranked third in the FBS in pass defense, fifth in pass efficiency defense, 12th in scoring defense and 18th in total defense.
Notre Dame’s defense features All-America candidates in linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and safety Kyle Hamilton. Individual player stats do not jump off the page, because this group finds its success as a very balanced unit.
Notre Dame is currently ranked second in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Associated Press poll and the Coaches poll. The Irish are 9-0 heading into the regular season finale against Syracuse and have clinched a spot on the ACC Championship game.
Notre Dame is currently ranked second in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Associated Press poll and the Coaches poll. The Irish are 9-0 heading into the regular season finale against Syracuse and have clinched a spot on the ACC Championship game.
Under Clark Lea’s guidance the Notre Dame defense ranks in the top 10 in the FBS in third down defense (3), rushing defense (4) and total defense (10), while ranking 11th in scoring defense. The second-ranked Irish top the ACC in third down defense, rushing defense and scoring defense. Notre Dame has held its opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in all but two games in 2020. Of the Top 10 rushers in the ACC, the Irish have faced five–limiting those five running backs to an average of 34.2 yards (171 yards total on 57 carries). At North Carolina, UNC entered the game averaging 563 yards per game. Notre Dame held Carolina to 298 yards of total offense, the first time they have been limited to 400 yards or less this season. Additionally, the Irish shutout the Tar Heels in the second half, the first time North Carolina has been shut out in any half this season. While facing then-top-ranked Clemson, the Tigers finished with 34 yards rushing on 33 carries. The last time Clemson was held to less than 34 yards of rushing was January 1, 2009 vs. Nebraska.
