Notre Dame linebackers embrace leadership roles as Irish navigate defensive injuries

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- With three games remaining in the regular season, No. 5 Notre Dame is leaning on its linebackers to help carry an injury-plagued defense through the final stretch of its College Football Playoff push.

The Fighting Irish (8-1) showed significant growth in their win over top-ranked Miami, particularly in their ability to respond to adversity.

“Sometimes when a bad play happens, it takes the life out of it because they want to be perfectionists,” linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary said. “I think we stayed together as a defense, as a staff and as players, and they really believed and played at a high level. And when they needed to make plays, they made plays.”

Notre Dame built a 24-3 lead before Miami rallied to cut the deficit to seven points. The Irish held on, limiting the nation’s top-scoring offense to 24 points and 101 rushing yards.

The linebackers played a significant role in that performance. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa finished with seven tackles and a sack, while Jaiden Ausberry recorded nine tackles.

Jean-Mary also praised sophomore Madden Faraimo’s recent development, acknowledging that his progression was slower than the coaching staff initially anticipated coming out of fall camp. However, Faraimo has made noticeable strides over the past two games.

With defensive captain Drayk Bowen sidelined, Viliamu-Asa has taken on additional responsibility directing the defense. He played 70 of Notre Dame’s 76 defensive snaps against Miami but credited his teammates for making the transition easier.

“I think guys were just doing their jobs,” Viliamu-Asa said. “I never felt like I had too much pressure on me. I had Jaide next to me, Sneed next to me, the whole front and the DBs communicating and getting lined up and executing.”

Bowen remains out for Notre Dame’s upcoming matchup against Boston College, putting additional leadership responsibilities on Viliamu-Asa, Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed.