SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame escaped Chapel Hill with a victory, but head coach Marcus Freeman made one thing clear: The defense has work to do.

And now, the Irish may have to make those corrections without two of their biggest playmakers.

Freeman pointed to execution rather than scheme following Notre Dame’s win over North Carolina, emphasizing poor eye discipline in man coverage and communication breakdowns.

“We all know that the game we played last week wasn’t to our standard,” defensive lineman Armel Mukam said. “But at least we got something to work off of.”

The challenge only grows with linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa sidelined by a thumb injury and cornerback Leonard Moore dealing with a concussion.

Viliamu-Asa, who battled back from a second ACL tear, recorded an interception against North Carolina. His absence puts additional responsibility on Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed.

If Moore cannot play, Freeman said Jayden Sanders will step in alongside DJ McKinney.

But defensive lineman Boubacar Traore believes the responsibility extends well beyond the replacements.

“We have to, as a D-line, help whoever’s stepping in for Leonard Moore by applying more pressure to the quarterback,” Traore said.

That pressure could prove critical against a Stanford offense capable of testing Notre Dame’s secondary.

Fortunately for the Irish, the preparation started long before this week’s injuries.

Defensive coordinator Chris Ash had Ausberry and Sneed working together at middle linebacker during spring practices, specifically emphasizing communication and versatility.

Now, that preparation could pay off. With a top-10 showdown against BYU looming, Notre Dame’s defense has an opportunity to prove its depth is more than a talking point.