Critical Injuries Continue To Hit Notre Dame Defense
By Nick Wilder
@NickCWilder
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Throughout the 11 games that Notre Dame has played so far this season, the Fighting Irish defense has proven to be inconsistent under defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. The team as a whole has endured an up-and-down season, with Notre Dame currently going through a tough stretch in which it has lost three games in a row.
Since Notre Dame started the season 6-0, the team’s defense has given up at least 30 points in each of their games.
It’s no coincidence that Notre Dame’s losing streak started when its defensive leader, linebacker Joe Schmidt, was lost for the season due to injury. The senior linebacker was injured in the team’s victory over Navy on Nov. 1. Schmidt held the defense together through the Fighting Irish’s first eight games, displayed excellent communication skills and led the team in tackles up until that point.
With one regular season game left against rival USC and an eventual bowl game, more injuries continue to take their toll on the Notre Dame defense. Head coach Brian Kelly announced on Tuesday that two starting defensive players, defensive lineman Jarron Jones and safety Drue Tranquill, are now out for the season due to significant injuries suffered by both. The team will also be without defensive lineman Sheldon Day against USC, but Day has a chance to play in their bowl game.
The injuries to Jones and Tranquill occurred in the team’s loss to Louisville last Saturday and may prove to be major hits to this already wavering defense. Jones, a redshirt sophomore, started every game for Notre Dame this season and put up solid stats. He accumulated 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two blocked kicks. Tranquill, who suffered a torn ACL, played well enough to earn a starting spot as a freshman and showed great promise in his first season.
Notre Dame’s defense, specifically the remaining healthy defensive linemen and safeties, will need to step up and fill their teammates’ roles admirably in their final two games in order to end their season on a high note.
Nick Wilder is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickCWilder and add him to your network on Google.
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