Notre Dame wide receiver Will Pauling (2) celebrates a TD with his teammates, Sept. 27 at Arkansas.
Chad Weaver/Blue & Gold
Marcus Freemanon Monday played down the potentially challenging transition for his Notre Dame defense, going in one week from defending the nation’s 129th-ranked passing offense in the FBS (out of 134) to the 10th-most prolific.
Former Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden, though, said it was real last season when his ND defense had to play Army one week and USC’s pass-happy attack the next.
It’s 23rd-ranked Pitt (7-2) that follows triple-option-heavy Navy on the schedule this year, with a noon kickoff on ABC for the ninth-ranked Irish (7-2).
The good news is Notre Dame’s secondary will be the healthiest it’s been since the Aug. 31 season opener in Miami. Cornerback Christian Gray (left hip) is off the Monday injury report after missing the past two Irish games.
Nickel DeVonta Smith has logged 45-plus snaps in each of the past two games after missing four games earlier this season.
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Added to the longer-term injury report — definitely out for at least the Pitt game — are kicker Noah Burnette (right hip), who did not play Saturday night vs. Navy, and backup nose guard Sean Sevillano Jr. (left ankle), who did play (8 snaps) in the 49-10 rout of the Mids.
At Blue & Gold, we’re committed to a depth chart projection on Mondays, and anytime there’s a change. The difference is we’ll go beyond the two-deeps for the Irish.
A few things to note. Players with an -x after their names have been ruled out for the season. Players with -y have been ruled out for at least the upcoming game. Players with -q were listed as questionable in Thursday’s official availability report from Notre Dame. OR denotes players tied for a spot on the depth chart.
With Notre Dame shifting to eligibility year as its primary identifier this season for the first time ever, we will follow that lead, but clarify between a redshirt freshman, for instance, and a true freshman.
Heights and weights were refreshed at the start of preseason camp on July 31.
