Notre Dame Dominates USF: 5 Takeaways

Notre Dame dominated South Florida 52-0 on Saturday. Here are five quick takeaways from the blowout victory that moved the Irish to 2-0.

Not only was it a shutout but it was a shutdown put on South Florida by Notre Dame’s defense as the Bulls totaled just 231 yards on 62 plays, good for an average of just 3.7 yards per play.

Apr 13, 2019; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defensive Coordinator Clark Lea greets players during warmups before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s take it a step beyond that, though.

If you take out the longest South Florida play of the day, a 42 yard run in the first quarter by Johnny Ford, you’re looking at 61 South Florida totaling just 189 yards on 61 plays, an average of under 3.1 yards per play.

I know the opponent wasn’t exactly a powerhouse but I’ll say this week what I said last – enjoy these now nine remaining regular season games with Clark Lea as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator because he’s going to have a head coaching opportunity if he wants one.