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ATLANTA — Mike Mickens, defensive pass-game coordinator for Notre Dame football, had no problem with freshman cornerback Leonard Moore announcing publicly the Irish will play man coverage against Ohio State.
“That’s fine; that’s fine,” Mickens said at Saturday’s media day for the College Football Playoff championship. “Our system is our system. That’s just what we do. We play it to our scheme. That’s what we have to do. That’s how it’s been all year.”
The FBS leader in defensive pass efficiency the past two seasons, Notre Dame starts sophomore Christian Gray at field corner. Gray’s last-minute interception against Penn State was the 19th of the year for the Irish and their 35th in the past 28 games.
“That’s just one of the things we do,” Mickens said of man-to-man coverage. “We prepare and we get ready to compete. They’re a great team with great receivers, but we have to go for a challenge.”
Buckeyes senior wideout Emeka Egbuka, who had seven catches for 96 yards in the 2023 meeting with Notre Dame, leads a recast receiving corps that now features freshman Jeremiah Smith and sophomore Carnell Tate as well.
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That trio has combined for 196 catches for 2,872 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“At the core we’re wide receivers, so we love the opportunity to be able to go at a (defensive back) one on one,” Egbuka said. “Whatever coverage they play, our coaches will have a great game plan and we’re going to go out there and do what we’re coached to do.”
In the 2022 meeting in Columbus, a 21-10 Buckeyes win, Egbuka had nine catches for 90 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown.
“He’s been a mainstay,” Mickens said. “The common thread is they’ve always been talented. The last two years that…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-football-secondary-ready-203705472.html
Author : South Bend Tribune
Publish date : 2025-01-18 20:37:00
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