Okwara: 'You get to the feeling no one can really block you'

Notre Dame defensive end Julian Okwara had a career game last weekend against Virginia. The senior captain recorded three sacks and forced two fumbles in Notre Dame’s 35-20 win.

Okwara had been held in check for most of the first three weeks, so the chance to unleash was a good feeling.

“That was a good game,” smiled Okwara. “I’ve never really performed like that in a game. It was exciting to feel what that felt like having however many pressures. We had a good overall game on the defensive line. It’s expected. We hold ourselves to a standard where we have to be the best defensive line out there.”

While Okwara had three sacks, the Notre Dame defensive line tallied five more on the day. The eight sacks was the most since the 2008 Hawaii Bowl, where the Irish racked up the same amount.

“It was nice,” stated Okwara. “Our defensive line did a great job of assignments and pressure we had on the quarterback. Going into the spring, those were the expectations and we expect that for the rest of the season.

“We still have work to do. I’m excited about our performance and how our defense played overall, but we have work to do.”

The dominating performance had to make defensive coordinator Clark Lea smile as the Irish only gave up four rushing yards on the day in addition to the sacks.

“He’s a great guy and we love having him out there at practice,” said Okwara. “He always brings energy and expectations before practice, so we know our goals for the game. He’s a great guy and we love feeding off his energy. We give it back too.”

The daily focus and energy from Lea has paid off as the Notre Dame defense keeps improving by the week.

“We’re definitely all bought in and guys know the standard,” Okwara explained. “We have to work every day for the rest of the season and keep building off of it.

“It’s all mental. The decision to come out at practice and be great is mental. Going out there and knowing you have to dominate each day, but you have to know you have work harder each day leading up to the game.”

Notre Dame might not get eight sacks again this year, but Okwara admitted once they get one, it can steamroll into what we witnessed against Virginia.

“You feel confidence, especially on the defensive line,” said Okwara. “When you get one, you feel the energy and it keeps building. Then you get to the feeling no one can really block you. That’s what the defensive line felt overall.”