Lea's D Shines On Soggy Day

Clark Lea already had carved a reputation as one of college football’s burgeoning defensive coaching stars long before Saturday’s Camping World Bowl or previous reports this month of Lea emerging as a head coaching candidate for several offerings.

Notre Dame’s second-year defensive coordinator merely further burnished that reputation as the No. 15 Fighting Irish throttled Iowa State, 33-9, in capping their 11-win season with a six-game winning streak.

Iowa State, a trendy upset-pick leading into the contest, had not been held without a touchdown in 24 consecutive games.

Moreover, the Cyclones had not lost by more than two touchdowns since their season-finale of the 2016 campaign --- coach Matt Campbell’s first year.

But Iowa State never got untracked against an aggressive Notre Dame defense that limited the Cyclones to just 272 yards and 14 first downs. The Cyclones had seven possessions of five or fewer plays, three three-and-outs and had nine of 12 possessions end in turnovers (two), punts (five) or downs (two).

“I thought the defensive performance, when you hold an offense that put 40 points on a team that’s playing in the playoffs in Oklahoma to no touchdowns, you can’t hide from that,” Irish coach Brian Kelly said postgame. “A team that is a prolific offense, to not score a touchdown today, they had plenty of time to prepare.

“The defense is without some really good players as well. Just did an outstanding job today.”

The Irish special teams actually established the defensive tone, but it was captain and eventual game-ball recipient Alohi Gilman who forced a fumble that was recovered by Chase Claypool on the game’s first punt.

After Iowa State mounted a modest drive into Irish territory, the opportunistic defense struck again when Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah both forced and recovered the fumble of Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy.

Iowa State didn’t have an offensive play via air or ground of 30 or more yards, and it finished just 5-for-17 combined on third and fourth downs.

“Well, we are who we are,” Kelly said. “All year we’ve been stingy in the passing defense efficiency. We felt like we were going to be in a good position as long as we rerouted, did some good things that we did.

“Clark did a good job with the linebackers, you know getting in passing lanes and making it difficult. And again, our pass rush is so effective because you’re never getting settled. And that’s been who we are all year. So I didn’t think we were going to be somebody different. Because we go against our defense all the time, and I know how difficult it us for us to throw the football against them.”

Owusu-Koramoah finished with a game-high nine tackles, including three sacks and four total tackles for losses, while Gilman added eight stops.

The Irish finished with six total tackles for losses and held an opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the seventh time in their 13 games this season.