Brian Kelly Notebook: Nov. 9

Despite last week’s performance against Wake Forest, Notre Dame’s defensive numbers still remain solid through the first nine weeks of the season.

The Irish rank 17th nationally in scoring defense allowing just 18.4 points per contest and 49th in total defense giving up 375.6 total yards per game.

But Mike Elko and his unit are looking to bounce back after allowing 587 total yards and 37 points against the Demon Deacons in South Bend. Wake Forest was able to accumulate yards through the air (348) and on the ground as well (239).

Notre Dame faces another the challenge Saturday night against the No. 7 Miami Hurricanes. Mark Richt’s team boasts the nation’s No. 25 offense averaging 461.0 yards per game and 31.5 points scored per contest (44th overall).

Miami’s strength through eight games has been passing the ball averaging 288.3 yards per game (No. 23 nationally). So far, Notre Dame’s weakness has been defending the pass when examining the numbers. The Irish rank 90th in the nation allowing 245.3 yards through the air.

Irish head coach Brian Kelly noted that his team’s defense didn’t practice up to par last week, but that has changed leading into Saturday.

“They practiced the way they had practiced leading up to last week,” Kelly stated this evening. “Every week they had created a new line of scrimmage. Last week they did not create a new line of scrimmage in practice. Coach Elko did a terrific job. He took six practice clips of last week’s practice that were duplicate plays of the game. In those six practice clips, you could see that we did not execute very well in practice and you can see the same six plays how they weren’t executed well in the game.

“It was easy to go back to how we prepared and he was great at showing out players it’s in their preparation. They’ve prepared very well defensively this week.”

A bounce back performance will likely be needed for the Irish to leave 9-1 and one step closer to a playoff berth.

Kelly touched on a few players who have been recovering from various injuries in recent weeks. He’s happy with where the team is health wise at this point in the season.

RB JOSH ADAMS: “Had a good week. Player load up all week. I think we got him back where he need to be physically … Full activity in everything that he is doing. Mirrored the North Carolina State week.”

QB BRANDON WIMBUSH: “No ill effects from the hand. Did everything. Got most of the swelling out of the hand. Wore a glove with a pad on it. Whether he does that on Saturday, I’m not really sure. But no ill effects there.”

RB DEXTER WILLIAMS: “Better. I don’t see him as 100 percent. He can still definitely help us. I wouldn’t say he’s at 100 percent yet.”

DE KHALID KAREEM: “Good. Good to go. Got his normal rotation of reps throughout the week.”

TE ALIZÉ MACK: “Cleared to participate.”

WR CAM SMITH: “Cam is out. We PRPed him yesterday. We took another image of that hamstring and found some adema in there. Had that repaired yesterday.”

CB NICK WATKINS: “Nick good. Had a little tendentious [in his knee]. Just manageable.”

When talking about the Miami defense this week, the word athletic seemed to be the focal point from Kelly.

That continued Thursday night when Kelly was asked to compare Miami’s defense to other units the Irish have faced. In terms of athleticism, Kelly doesn’t see much.

“Maybe some similarities in the back end of their defense to say USC,” Kelly said. “I don’t know if there is a peer in terms of their athleticism in their front seven. But, they’re not quite as physical maybe at the point of attack as say Georgia. But every bit as athletic as any defense we play. That’s not to knock them because they are physical.

“Georgia was extremely physical, but they’re just built differently. It’s not that they can’t be physical, but they are much more athletic than Georgia … These are leaner, longer and more athletic guys. You’re comparing two different body types.”

Miami’s passing attack has also been a focal point and Kelly has been complementary of Hurricanes quarterback Malik Rosier and two of his playmakers wide receiver Braxton Berrios and tight end Christopher Herndon.

“Offensively, very opportunistic,” Kelly said of the Hurricanes. “Berrios is a guy that concerns us and their tight end. Two very good players. They quarterback is a guy that just makes plays. He’s got a pension for finding ways to win.”

Against Wake Forest, sophomore wide receiver Chase Claypool caught nine passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. The number of catches and yards were both career highs.

The effort eclipsed his former previous high for yardage by 124 when he caught four passes for 56 yards against Michigan State this season.

Kelly believes Claypool’s progression will continue to go up with his willingness to learn and improve.

“I think he’s ascending still,” Kelly stated. “He’s learning the game continuously. Practice for him is still about understanding how the details matter the most. He’s figuring that out. He’s a young guy that I wouldn’t say that he’s got it all figured out yet. He’s learning every day.

“He comes with a great attitude and he wants to get better. He’s definitely ascending. He’s not going to be a guy that plateaus out. He’s anxious to learn, eager to learn. There’s a lot of teaching going on there.”

Irish offensive coordinator Chip Long has been on the sidelines this season calling plays rather than in the booth as many programs across the country do.

Kelly touched on the reasoning and if that will continue to be the case next season.

“I think he just early wanted to feel the personnel and get a sense of the players because he didn’t know the players as well in a game-like situation,” Kelly said. “So, being on the sideline this year gives him a better sense of how they react in certain situation and gets him down there. I think each year we’ll evaluate where that ends up, but I think this year it gave him a better insight into how the players react during the game.”

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