Tenutacious D

The 2007 Irish defense finished 39th in the country in total defense, about 28th against the pass in the nation, and about 55th against the run. This was the best Irish defensive performance since 2003, sadly. The defense gave up fewer big plays that past years, and was generally better than 2006 team, which gave up 40 points 3 times, including a 38 point performance by North Carolina (pre-Butch Davis). Only two teams scored 40 points against the 2007 Irish, ironically both being service academies (Navy & Air Force - both with top 5 running games in the country last season).

Giving up 40 points is hardly the best measure of a defense. Rankings against the pass and against the run can also be misleading, especially when opposing offense preferred and were successful using one attack instead of the other. However, no matter which way you view the numbers, the 2007 defense was clearly improved under first year Defensive Coordinator, Corwin Brown. The 2007 Irish finished better significantly better against the pass, and about the same against the run, while giving up fewer points and fewer 40+ point games.

Now enter new co-Defensive Coordinator, Jon Tenuta. Tenuta had previously been Defensive Coordinator at Georgia Tech for the past 6 years. Much has been written about Tenuta, including a spring post on this blog. During his time in Atlanta, Tech's defense compiled some DECENT stats:

• Top 30 in the Nation in defense - yards allowed, defense - scoring, and sacks for the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 seasons.


• 2007 Tech Defense led the nation in sacks, averaging 3.5 per game; in addition, the unit finished 4th in the nation in tackles for loss.

These accomplishments at Georgia Tech are extraordinary, given that theTech program did not have elite athletes like the surround SEC or ACC schools may have had. Certainly there was talent at Tech, but that talent is a rung below what the Irish have in the Sophomore and Freshman classes, as well as what's coming into the program.

As if Irish fans need anything else to fire them up, a few quotes from Tenuta surfaced at a charity golf event recently:

Such was the reaction when new Notre Dame assistant head coach for defense Jon
Tenuta told the crowd of local Irish-backers on Friday that, this fall, the
team will "blitz about 80 percent of the time."

(in reference to the '07 Tech defense's success)

"We did it with an attacking, ball-hawking defense that brings it all the
time," said Tenuta, who will share responsibilities with last year's
defensive coordinator, Corwin Brown, a fragile alliance in which who has the
final word is not clear.

"That's the same way we're going to play up here. It's not three
yards and a cloud of dust any more, it's all this spread stuff. We're going to
try and confuse the front five and never let the quarterback set his feet."

Hard not to get excited about that as the season rapidly approaches (6.5 weeks until first college games on August 30th, 7.5 weeks until Irish open against San Diego St on September 6th).

So remember, when at some point this fall or next fall, you begin to hear about the surge in talent at Notre Dame, don't forget the biggest "signing" we had all off-season - Jon Tenuta.