Defensive coordinator leads to historic shut out
Posted: Sep 8, 2014 12:52 AM EST | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 11:55 AM EST
Fighting Irish defensive coordinator, Brian VanGorder, wears his heart and his emotions on his sleeve. The proof of his intensity is being plastered all over social media today.
It was the icing on the cake for VanGorder last night when Elijah Shumate apparently picked off Michigan's Devin Gardner in closing seconds of the game. The play would be called back for a penalty, but at that point, VanGorder already had many reasons to be hyped up.
"I mean, that's his style. We felt comfortable with both of us being on the sideline," Brian Kelly said in his weekly teleconference about his defensive coordinator. He said their coaching history creates chemistry that makes a good duo.
The defense has just given up two touchdowns in eight quarters of football this season.
"We're starting to evolve into the kind of offensive and defensive structure that allows us to play fast and play aggressive."
Three different defenders picked off Gardner last night, "Turnovers obviously have a major influence in how games are won and lost at all levels."
Kelly said he is happy his team capitalized on those opportunities, because the Irish made mistakes which Michigan failed to take advantage of, "Michigan is a group that moved a lot on us and we weren't able to sustain."
Despite the 31-0 outcome, the Wolverines had forty-six more yards on the ground than the Irish did last night. Coach Kelly said he is pleased with the way the team has developed on both ends of the ball, as they move into preparation for Saturday's Shamrock Series Showdown in Indianapolis, "But there are plenty of things for us to clean up moving into the Purdue game."
Coach Brian Kelly said there are no updates on the investigations of the five suspended players at this time.