With quarterback Trevor Lawrence sidelined, the foremost objective of the Irish defense was to not allow All-American running back Travis Etienne, the ACC’s all-time rusher and two-time MVP, be a game-wrecker. Mission accomplished with his 18 carries netting only 28 yards. Seven times he was thrown for lost yardage, and six others he totaled zero to three yards. Senior nose tackle Kurt Hinish particularly controlled the middle that became impregnable.

Equally vital is 250-pound but mobile freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei also was held in check on the zone read or option plays, finishing with just two yards rushing on 13 attempts. Thirty-three carries for 34 yards says it all. Irish defenders, led by senior rover Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, consistently stayed home in their lanes while not permitting containment to be broken.

Advantage: Notre Dame