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It's mid-season. The Journal Gazette's Midseason Notre Dame review is in papers Friday. So Insights is releasing its midseason grades for Notre Dame, just as the players and Notre Dame students finish up midterms and get a week-long fall break (football players excluded. They have to be back next week). Here are the defensive grades by position group:
DEFENSIVE LINE
GRADE: C-
Why: This group really misses Trevor Laws, as no one has been able to match his production. As a group, it's tough to say they even equal it. Senior Pat Kuntz, the team cut-up, has been the best lineman, registering 17 tackles and three sacks. He's eighth on the team in tackles and the only one ahead of special teams stalwart Mike Anello, who only plays on coverage teams. The guys who play every down have had more trouble making tackles than him. The Irish are 100th nationally in sacks, 108th in tackles for loss and of the Irish's 25 tackles for loss, only 7.5 are made by players classified as defensive linemen. Ian Williams, for as much hype as the sophomore has had, has disappeared in games, as had the combination of Justin Brown and Morrice Richardson on the end opposite Kuntz. Ethan Johnson has been a surprise. He just hasn't been playing much.
LINEBACKERS
GRADE: C
Why: Most of this grade goes to the blitzing nature of this team and again, the lack of sacks. Brian Smith could be an All-American one day and seems to be around the ball often, tied for third on the team in tackles with fellow linebacker Maurice Crum Jr. But the two also combine for only two sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss, which puts more pressure on the secondary. Harrison Smith has played well on the outside after converting from linebacker to safety in the offseason and has helped make the unit formidable. But too often, the linebackers are leaving the defensive backs with a lot of ground to cover. They need to get to the quarterback more and the team needs to be better at reaching running backs at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
GRADE: B+
Why: Safeties Kyle McCarthy and David Bruton have been sensational. The two combined for a game-saving play against San Diego State and McCarthy seemingly is in on almost every play the Irish have made. Bruton was named a Midseason All-American by Collegefootballnews.com. McCarthy leads Notre Dame in tackles (56) and Bruton is second (53). Both are in the top 40 nationally in tackles per game. They also combine for three interceptions. Four of the top seven tacklers Notre Dame has are in the secondary, including cornerbacks Raeshon McNeil and Terrail Lambert. Neither corner has an interception, but freshman cornerback Robert Blanton returned one for a touchdown. McNeil and Lambert have also broken up a combined seven passes. The reason this grade isn't a sure A is that the Irish have given up 231.33 yards per game in the air, ranked 91st nationally.
Agree? Disagree? Send your comments/questions to mrothstein@jg.net or drop them in the comment boxes below. Best comments/questions make Thursday's Mailbag.
