NEPD Staff Writer: Dan Hope
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are making as much noise as any program in college football through the first four weeks of the season. The Fighting Irish are off to a 4-0 start. With an impressive set of wins already including back-to-back victories over Big Ten powers Michigan State and Michigan, Notre Dame looks like they are finally back to being one of college football’s top contenders.
The No. 10 Fighting Irish have talent on both sides of the ball as well as on special teams, but it is their defense that is making them a contender. Notre Dame ranks fourth nationally with only 9 points allowed per game, and are 16th nationally in total defense with 291.3 yards allowed per game.
The leader of that defense is senior inside linebacker Manti Te’o. If you’re a college football fan, you’ve known who Te’o was since he became an immediate star as a freshman at Notre Dame. If you’re an NFL fan, you should get to know him soon.