Defense travels.
It’s a quality championship teams possess, even in today’s game, where explosive offenses often dominate the conversation.
No. 2 Notre Dame has a defense capable of traveling anywhere in the country, and the Fighting Irish enter Saturday’s matchup against No. 8 BYU, ranked among the nation’s best in several key categories.
DEFENSIVE MARKS
| CATEGORY | PER GAME AVERAGE | NATIONAL RANK |
| Scoring Defense | 11.0 | 4 |
| Passing Defense | 155.8 | 12 |
| Run Defense | 58.3 | 3 |
| Total Defense | 214.2 | 1 |
The challenge in Provo starts with BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
Bachmeier will have more responsibility on his shoulders with starting running back LJ Martin expected to miss Saturday’s game. However, Bachmeier is no stranger to carrying the load.
Through the first six games, Bachmeier has thrown for 1,033 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception while adding 239 rushing yards and two more scores.
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash has already faced a similar quarterback in Colton Joseph in the season-opener.
Joseph completed 19-of-30 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown and one interception while tallying just three yards rushing.
Ash made it clear Bachmeier and Joseph are different types of playmakers, but their legs need to be accounted for on every play.
“He’s a lot bigger and he runs physically,” Ash said of Bachmeier. “He’s not going to slide. He’s going to lower his shoulder and get the extra yards, but he’s also a guy that can make you miss if you’re not tracking him properly. Whether it’s up the middle, out on the perimeter, in the pocket or taking off scrambling. He’s a threat. He can throw it, he can run it, they can design quarterback runs. The thing that’s really unique is just the size and he’s physical.”
Bachmeier has Notre Dame’s attention, but that doesn't mean Ash is changing his approach as the Irish wrap up preparations Friday.
The focus remains on Notre Dame's own execution.
“Each week provides different challenges,” explained Ash. “Each week it’s about what we’re doing, who we’re doing it with and how we’re matching up based on the personnel.
“This game is no different from that standpoint because they could go three wides, two tights, three tights, and what they’re doing with the people they have in the game will dictate what we do as the game goes on. We’ll have a plan going in, but each week we adjust and adapt.”
Ash’s defense has made a habit of starting quickly this season.
The Irish forced turnovers on the opening series against Rice and Stanford, while North Carolina is the only opponent to score on its opening possession.
A fast start in Provo would give Notre Dame early momentum, but it would also establish the tone Ash wants his defense to set.
“It's about execution,” Ash stated. “When we make a call, we line up. If all 11 guys are doing their job, we have a chance for success. When it doesn't go that way, then bad things can happen. The other day, the first play, we had something different we kind of did. We had all 11 guys execute and the result was positive.”
Against Stanford, Notre Dame showed a look that forced the Cardinal to slide their protection, leaving defensive end Boubacar Traore unblocked to deliver a strip sack.
That kind of execution can change a game, but Ash knows BYU’s coaching staff will have answers of its own. The Cougars will look for opportunities to present unfamiliar looks and catch the Irish defense out of position.
“If we give up a big play, it was typically because someone messed up or it was something that we hadn't seen,” explained Ash. “That happens, too.
“Offenses can game plan and put something new in and sometimes you get hit on something new. That's happened this year. When that happens, we've got to make sure that we coach it and get through it and make sure it doesn't happen again.”
When Notre Dame takes the field Saturday night, the defensive philosophy won't change.
Stop the run.
Ash has prioritized defending the run since arriving at Notre Dame and the Irish have built their identity around making opponents earn every yard on the ground.
“My whole career it’s been about stopping the run,” stated Ash. “If you can stop the run and force them to pass and you have good pass rushers, that's when sacks start to happen. That's when you start to impact the quarterback. They make mistakes, and we can take the ball away.
“If they can run the ball on you, they never have to pass. If they never have to pass, you're not going to get sacks. You're not going to get interceptions. If you're going to start somewhere and hang your hat on something, hang on stopping the run. Force them to do something they may not necessarily want to do and let good players go impact the game.”
Notre Dame's defense has embraced that mentality and the results have followed.
“It's not real complicated, but that's our foundation,” said Ash. “That's what we believe in. Once the players really started to see that happen, they really take a lot of pride in it.”
Want the latest scoop on Notre Dame Football and Recruiting? Become an ISD Premium Subscriber and never miss the inside information. Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish '47 Operation Hat Trick Adjustable Trucker Hat
