Notre Dame’s Kelly On UVA Defense: ‘They’re All Over The Place’

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is impressed with Virginia’s defense and there are plenty of reasons why.

The Cavaliers (4-0, 2-0 ACC), ranked No. 18th in the AP’s national Top 25 poll, have moved up to No. 14 in the NCAA’s total defense rankings. UVA is giving up 263.8 yards per game (second-best in the ACC). Bronco Mendenhall’s defense is tied for No. 1 in the nation in quarterback sacks with 20 after four games (UVA had 26 in 13 games last season).

“They’re known, certainly, for their defense,” Kelly said of Mendenhall’s teams at BYU, which faced Notre Dame three times during his time in Provo (2005, 2012, 2013). “I know Bronco very well from his time at BYU. We have had great games against them.”

Mendenhall brought that same defensive mentality to Charlottesville, where co-defensive coordinators Nick Howell and Kelly Poppinga run the show. It’s an aggressive 3-4 scheme, much in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ style of an attacking 3-4 back in their heyday. 

“They’ve got elite players on each level of their defense,” Kelly said. “Just love the way they play. They’re aggressive. They’re tough. Well coached.”

Virginia ranks No. 12 nationally in rushing defense (75.0 per game), No. 28 in scoring defense (18.0) and 34th in pass defense (188.8). The Cavaliers are also No. 5 in tackles for loss (9.8), 39th in third-down conversion defense (32.2 pct.) and 65th in opponents’ Red-Zone scoring percentage (81.8 pct.), a number Mendenhall would like to see come down.

“We know about Charles Snowden being the National Player of the Week,” Kelly said of the UVA outside linebacker, who registered a career-best 15 tackles, including 3.5 for losses and two sacks, in sparking the Cavaliers’ 28-17 win over Old Dominion. “[Virginia’s defense] is long and athletic on the edge. Jordan Mack at the inside backer is one of the best inside backers we’re going to see. He’s instinctive.”

Kelly was also impressed with UVA’s depth along the defensive line and in the secondary where he pointed to senior cornerback Bryce Hall as the headliner. 

“[Hall’s] really physical as a run stopper, blitzer,” the Irish coach said. “He’ll be a high pick in the NFL.”

Kelly said he was aware of the No. 14 national ranking in total defense from what he described as a schematically sound defense that causes a lot of issues.

“I mean, they’re in the top 20, top 25 in all of the catagories and deserve to be,” Kelly said. “They’re all over the field. We have got our hands full.”