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Notre Dame's Defense Seeks Redemption in Pivotal Boise State Clash
3 Oct
Summary
- Notre Dame's defensive coordinator Chris Ash under pressure after poor start
- Boise State's defense poses a significant challenge with its blitz-heavy scheme
- Notre Dame's offensive line must protect QB Carr to counter Boise State's pressure
As of October 4th, 2025, the Notre Dame football team is grappling with a challenging start to the season. After a tepid opening night loss at Miami, followed by a disaster against Texas A&M and an annoyance against Purdue, the Irish's first-year defensive coordinator Chris Ash has come under pressure.
However, Ash's players and head coach Marcus Freeman believe he is the right man to lead the defense. "He's a competitor and he's a leader. He's not pointing fingers at other people. He's saying, 'I have to get this fixed,'" Freeman said.
Notre Dame (2-2) will have a chance to turn things around against Boise State (3-1) on October 7th. The Broncos' defense, which has already created 82 pressures in four games, poses a significant challenge for the Irish offense. Boise State's blitz-heavy scheme will test Notre Dame's offensive line, which struggled in its first high-pressure moment at Miami.
If the Irish can protect quarterback CJ Carr and establish a consistent run game, they could find success against the Broncos. Carr has shown the ability to thrive under pressure, going 11-of-13 for 167 yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas' blitz.
The outcome of this pivotal matchup could determine the trajectory of Notre Dame's season. A win would keep the Irish's hopes of returning to the College Football Playoff alive, while a loss would deal a significant blow to their aspirations.
