Notre Dame’s secret to beating USC isn’t a secret.
It comes down to physicality.
The Trojans beat up a physical Michigan team last weekend by running for 224 yards on the ground on 36 carries, which included third-string running back King Miller rushing for 158 yards on 18 carries.
Notre Dame’s defense has taken notice of the Trojans' uptick in physicality.
Sophomore linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa lives for physical play and is looking forward to the chance to hit his hometown team.
“Anytime you have a chance to hit the ball-carrier, it sends a message to the other team and to our own team,” stated Viliamu-Asa. “It’s definitely part of the game and you keep going.”
The Irish linebackers have laid the wood on several occasions over the past few weeks, and the mindset has been reinforced in them in the days leading up to Saturday.
“It comes back to what we do in practice,” Viliamu-Asa said. “The reps we get in practice, whether it’s tackling drills or just during team situations. Finishing reps, so when you get to the game, it’s our second nature.”
Notre Dame’s big hits have made highlight clips, but the improvements on defense have the nation’s attention.
NC State brought one of the nation’s top offenses into South Bend last week and were held to just 233 total yards.
There hasn’t been a magic formula for the defense outside of hard work.
“Just the way we practice,” Viliamu-Asa said of the defense turning the corner. “I think we’ve been able to communicate a lot better. Get aligned. We play with a level of violence and effort that’s allowing us to be successful.”
On a personal level, Viliamu-Asa is starting to play at a different speed. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder believes the game started to slow down for him before the season started and it’s allowed him to take the next step.
“I think just the reps that I got through spring ball, fall camp, and then the summer leading into the season allowed me to be a lot more comfortable and play faster,” explained Viliamu-Asa.
Saturday will be the first time Viliamu-Asa will get to play the Trojans as he missed the game a year ago due to a knee injury.
“I’d do anything to be out there with my brothers, but I know God has a plan,” Viliamu-Asas stated. “He doesn’t make mistakes, so I was right where I needed to be at that moment and I was proud to see my team win.”
Viliamu-Asa will face plenty of familiar faces when the ball is put down, including two St. John Bosco (Calif.) alumni in Kobe Pepe and Marcelles Williams.
Those friendships will be put on hold this week.
“Yeah,” Viliamu-Asa said when asked if he had friends on the USC squad. “Not this week.”
