Defense, Special Teams Do it Again
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
September 16, 2000

Notre Dame, Ind - For the third week in a row Notre Dame's defense and special teams have carried a sluggish offense.  In two of these week's the defensive and special teams effort was enough to get Notre Dame the win.   The most recent game, earlier this afternoon, Notre Dame's special teams blocked a punt which gave Notre Dame the ball on Purdue's four yard line and the defense picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Notre Dame's defense held Purdue to only 21 points and 398 yards after the Boilermakers had averaged 543 yards and 46.5 points a game.   Notre Dame also registered the first two sacks on Drew Brees this season (we all know that the Irish very likely had Brees down a 3rd time but the ref said he wasn't down and proceeded to let Brees ground the ball with no flag - if it sounds like I am bitter about this play.... I most definitely am since it was quite simply the worst call I have seen in my life).

Notre Dame's special teams were also just that today.   Nick Setta hit on three of four field goals, including the game winning 38 yard field goal and made both extra point attempts.  He is now 5-6 on field goals and is 8-8 on PAT's.  Nick is also leading the team with 23 points.  On punts, Joey Hildbold has averaged 43.4 yards per punt this year and has kicked eight inside the 20.   His punts have pinned opponents deep in their own territory letting Notre Dame win the field position game.

Notre Dame's return team has also been spectacular.   The Irish only got to take two punts out of the end zone this week.  One of them was stuff, but the other was one missed tackle away from being a huge gain.

The Notre Dame offense has struggled out of the gates. The final drive of the Purdue game in which Gary Godsey just sat back and let it rip was one of only a few sustained drives the Irish have had all season.  If the offense can come alive Notre Dame will have a chance to run the table heading into the USC game.

The biggest problem on offense is the predictability.   I would estimate that Notre Dame has called a run up the middle on first down about 80-85% of the time this season.  This was certainly the case today.  Notre Dame would run up the middle on first down, get no where, then run again for little gain forcing Godsey into a 3rd and long.  For Notre Dame make a run heading into the USC game, the offense HAS to become more explosive and dynamic.

The defense and special teams can only carry this team so long.  Next week Notre Dame MUST come out firing.  If they become predictable as they were against Purdue and Nebraska, Michigan State could beat the Irish.  If however, Notre Dame comes out with some play action and deep routes the running game will open up and Julius Jones can finally get going rushing the ball.  There have been no holes for him because everyone has stacked the line.

Hats off to the defense on holding Brees to 221 yards passing and for holding the Purdue offense to only 21 points.  This was a must win for Notre Dame and the Irish won mainly because of their defense and special teams.   Glenn Earl blocked his second punt of the year and both kickers, Joey Hildbold and Nick Setta came up with big kicks.