For the most part, Notre Dame’s defense lived up to its strong billing during the season-opening win at Texas A&M. It could have gone better on the rushing side, and the whole unit will need to clean up the numerous penalties it committed that kept the game close.
The good news is another game means another chance to show just how good you can be. It’s hard to believe the Irish defenders won’t do that with the reputation and talent they have.
The huge offensive numbers Northern Illinois put up in its first game have to be misleading. When you open your season with a Football Championship Subdivision opponent like Western Illinois, that’s expected to happen. Still, it’s hard to believe the Irish are going to let the Huskies have their way with them, especially inside Notre Dame Stadium.
Here’s how the Irish’s defense stacks up with the Huskies’ offense statistically after one game apiece:
Passing yards/game
Notre Dame ranks 15th nationally with 100.0 passing yards allowed a game.
Northern Illinois ranks 10th nationally with 394.0 passing yards a game.
Passing yards/attempt
Notre Dame ranks seventh nationally with 3.3 passing yards allowed an attempt.
Northern Illinois ranks fourth nationally with 13.6 passing yards an attempt.
Rushing yards/game
Notre Dame ranks 87th nationally with 146.0 rushing yards allowed a game.
Northern Illinois ranks ninth nationally with 312.0 rushing yards a game.
Rushing yards/attempt
Notre Dame ranked 75th nationally with 3.84 yards allowed a carry.
Northern Illinois ranked 14th nationally with 7.61 yards a carry.
Points/game
Notre Dame is tied for 48th nationally with 13.0 points allowed a game.
Northern Illinois ranks 16th nationally with 54.0 points a game.
This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Tale of the Tape: Notre Dame defense vs. Northern Illinois offense
