Leonard Moore (15) will be called on to play a key role in Notre Dame’s quest to upend #1 Miami Saturday. (Photo: Chad Ryan/Fighting Irish Preview)
Miami has spent the season making opposing defenses look ordinary. Notre Dame has spent the season doing the same thing to opposing offenses.
Saturday night in Notre Dame Stadium, something has to give.
The top-ranked Hurricanes arrive averaging a nation-leading 47.6 points and 534.9 yards per game. Fourth-ranked Notre Dame counters with the nation’s No. 1 total defense, allowing just 236.3 yards and 13.4 points per contest. For Marcus Freeman’s defense, it’s an opportunity to prove those impressive numbers hold up against the most explosive offense it has faced.
The Mensah Problem
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah has completed 80.7 percent of his passes for 2,425 yards, 25 touchdowns and just one interception. He’s rarely been forced out of his comfort zone, getting the football out quickly and delivering with remarkable accuracy.
Giving Mensah time is dangerous. Allowing him to establish a rhythm could be disastrous.
Notre Dame defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, speaking with reporters Tuesday night following practice, said the answer begins with winning individual matchups, identifying weaknesses in Miami’s protection and moving Mensah off his preferred throwing spot. “You gotta do everything you can to get quick wins, identify protection, see if there’s a weak point,” Partridge said.
But pressure alone won’t solve the problem. Mensah’s quick release demands coordinated coverage. “If you can disguise the coverage and show him something different, that has a chance to slow him down,” Partridge explained.
Miami’s offensive balance complicates matters. The Hurricanes average 202.5 rushing yards per game, while Notre Dame allows just 85.4. If the Irish can contain the run without committing additional defenders, they’ll have more flexibility to disrupt Mensah.
The Toney Assignment
Then there’s Malachi Toney.
Miami’s dynamic receiver has caught 73 passes for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns. His speed, route running and ability to turn short completions into explosive gains make him one of the nation’s most dangerous weapons.
But Notre Dame has an answer few opponents can offer: Leonard Moore.
The Irish cornerback, held out against Navy after being banged up against BYU, said Tuesday night he was available if needed against the Midshipmen and is feeling fine heading into Saturday.
“Real explosive dude. Very, very shifty, and he’s super good after the catch,” Moore said of Toney. “That’s something that’s giving people a lot of trouble.”
Moore’s versatility gives Notre Dame options. Last season, he followed an opposing receiver into the slot despite normally playing outside. He emphasized getting physical with receivers and “presenting different looks so it’s not predictable.”
But Toney isn’t Miami’s only threat. The Hurricanes average 332.4 passing yards per game, and Mensah has plenty of other options. “They’ve got a lot of good receivers over there,” Moore said. “I’m looking forward to us matching up with all of them.”
Next Man Up Isn’t Just a Slogan
Notre Dame’s defensive depth faces a significant test Saturday night. Linebacker Drayk Bowen has been ruled out, while defensive tackles Francis Brewu and Jason Onye remain questionable. Those are meaningful concerns against an offense as balanced and explosive as Miami’s.
But Freeman has built a roster capable of absorbing injuries through strong recruiting, player development and retention.
Every team has injuries. Not every team has Notre Dame’s depth.
Jaiden Ausberry is among those assuming greater responsibility without Bowen. “Drayk is a communicator. He’s our Mike backer,” Ausberry said Tuesday night. “But we always have a next-man-up mentality.”
Replacing Bowen involves more than making tackles. The middle linebacker directs defensive calls and adjustments, responsibilities Ausberry said he, Kingston Viliamu-Asa, Jaylen Sneed and others must share.
Partridge acknowledged the concerns at defensive tackle but emphasized that younger players have been preparing throughout the season. That depth could prove essential against Miami’s physical offensive line and downhill running game.
Communication will be particularly important. Notre Dame’s crowd can disrupt Mensah, but the noise also complicates defensive calls. Against Miami, one missed assignment could turn a routine completion into a touchdown.
Third Down Could Tell the Story
Miami converts 54.5 percent of its third-down opportunities, second-best nationally. The Hurricanes extend possessions and wear down defenses with quick throws, crossing routes, screens and a powerful running game.
Notre Dame must limit first-down gains, create unfavorable down-and-distance situations and force Mensah into obvious passing downs. For Ausberry, execution across all 11 defensive positions is essential. “We’re gonna have to put pressure on him. We’re gonna have to cover well,” he said. “All 11 on defense are gonna have to do their job.”
Then there’s the turnover battle. Mensah has thrown just one interception, while Notre Dame has generated 16 takeaways through eight games. The Irish can’t count on Miami making mistakes. They’ll have to create them.
One takeaway at the right moment could change everything.
A Chance to Make a Statement
Notre Dame has earned its No. 1 defensive ranking through physical play, disciplined execution and remarkable consistency. But Miami presents a challenge that will test every level of Chris Ash’s defense.
Mensah will complete passes. Toney will make plays. The Hurricanes will move the football. But the Irish don’t have to shut Miami down to win. They have to make the Hurricanes work harder for every yard, every first down and every point than they’ve had to work all season.
The difference could come down to a handful of plays. A third-down stop. A sack that disrupts a drive. A turnover that changes momentum. Those are the moments when great defenses separate themselves from merely good ones.
Notre Dame has spent eight games building a reputation as the nation’s best defense. Saturday night, against the nation’s most productive offense, the Irish have an opportunity to prove that reputation is deserved.