I’ll have the Hangover up soon, but right now, I want to give special mention to the defense of the Fighting Irish. It can’t be stressed enough, how much this unit has improved from the Navy game up to now. To put it simply; the defense has only allowed 1 TD since the Navy game, and that was in the 1st quarter of the Tulsa game… 11 quarters ago. 1 TD and 4 FG’s later, the Notre Dame defense has gone from a national joke to a legitimate strength of this team.
Darrin Walls helped win this game, and in the process, he helped end a streak that has hung over this team like a black cloud. Walls took an interception 43 yards to the house, and ended a scoreless streak for the Irish defense that started after Robert Blanton returned an interception of his own for a touchdown against Purdue in September of 2008.
That’s a long time ago.
Walls didn’t just make that 1 play. He was second on the team in tackles with 7, including 1 tackle for a loss.
Perhaps an even better storyline, was the redemption of Bob Diaco. Diaco was crucified and left for dead by Irish fans and the media after the Navy game. Since then, as noted, his defense has done pretty well for itself. In fact, the lasttime Notre Dame didn’t allow a touchdown in 2 consecutive games was… wait for it… 1988.
That stat is pretty awesome, but facing a triple option team after getting destroyed by another triple option team just 3 games ago, and completely dominating said team… Priceless. But, is it as priceless as almost falling while standing on a chair and singing the Victory March– gameball in hand???? Maybe.
Congratulations to Notre Dame on the 27-3 victory over Army, and on becoming bowl eligible. I’ll have more in the Hangover.
GO IRISH!!!
