(Photo: Chad Ryan)
On a day when Notre Dame’s offense showed a few cracks, the Irish defense strutted back into the spotlight — fierce, disciplined, and dominant.
In the 28–7 win over Boise State, Notre Dame didn’t dazzle; they bullied. The kind of win that smells like “old-school” Irish football — circa 2024.
The defense notched four sacks and forced four interceptions, matching its total from the first four games of the season, and dismantled a Boise State offense that had averaged nearly 50 points over a three-game win streak. Quarterback Maddux Madsen, who entered the game 16-3 as the Broncos’ starter, was harassed all afternoon — picked off four times and buried under a relentless pass rush.
“It was a low point for our defense a couple weeks ago,” head coach Marcus Freeman said. “To see the way they stayed committed, stayed together — I’m so proud of them. They worked hard.”
No one embodied the resurgence more than All-America cornerback Leonard Moore. Returning from injury, he made a statement early and loud — two interceptions and airtight coverage that erased Boise’s top weapons, turning the Broncos’ passing game into a nonfactor. “We’re just finding our identity again,” Moore said. “Playing fast, playing violent — that’s us.”
Tae Johnson and Luke Talich joined the takeaway party with a pick each. For the second straight week, Notre Dame’s defense looked like the turnover machine that carried it through 2024, dominating the line of scrimmage and sending a message: this is Notre Dame football again.
The offense? Not as smooth. CJ Carr was efficient — 15-of-23 for 189 yards and two touchdowns — but he missed some open receivers and the opening drive stalled at the goalline. A blocked extra point early on summed up the uneven afternoon. Still, Carr’s mobility and poise under pressure allowed Notre Dame to maintain control when it mattered most.
The ground game continued to deliver. Jeremiyah Love fought through a first-half injury scare to post 103 yards and a 4-yard touchdown, while Jadarian Price broke the game open late with a 49-yard sprint to the end zone.
The only thing uglier than Boise’s turnovers might’ve been the yellow flags that littered the field all game long. The two teams combined for 24 penalties totaling 244 yards. On the sidelines Freeman was visibly frustrated and not happy about the way the game was called. As the officials headed up the tunnel postgame, they were serenaded with a chorus of boos.
Earlier in the week, Freeman had praised defensive coordinator Chris Ash, calling him “a competitor and leader who takes ownership, sets clear expectations, and goes to work without wavering.” Against the Broncos, that work showed obvious signs of paying off as Ash’s defense delivered. After a shaky start to the season, it has now allowed just 20 points over its last two games, rediscovering much of the speed, edge, and swagger that made it elite a year ago.
“Flaws on offense? Sure. But Notre Dame’s defensive identity has returned — fierce, disciplined, and dominant.
Because in South Bend, defense is back in style.