Notre Dame Football: Brian VanGorder's Stout Defense Continues to Impress

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Through four games, Notre Dame’s defense had yet to face a potent offense. After Saturday’s 17-14 win over Stanford, Notre Dame made it look like it still hasn’t.

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The Irish stymied the Cardinal for four quarters, allowing just 205 yards of total offense. Stanford’s 3.0 yard-per-play output was its lowest since 2006. The 47 rushing yards were the fewest since 2007.

“I think they’ve got an outstanding defensive coordinator,” Stanford head coach David Shaw said of Notre Dame’s Brian VanGorder. “He mixes it up. A lot of pressure.”

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The Irish deployed different looks and sent pressure from all over the defense. Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan finished 18-of-36 for 158 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked four times, and Notre Dame tallied seven quarterback hurries.

“They did an outstanding scheme on the defensive side, and their guys played hard,” Shaw said. “They played fast. And you can tell they're very well coached because they're running full speed where they're supposed to be.”

VanGorder’s aggressive and attacking mentality was expected to be more fun to watch than former defensive coordinator Bob Diaco’s bend-don’t-break scheme. It’s been entertaining, yes, and also wildly successful. The Irish rank tied for third in the nation in scoring defense, per CFBStats.com, allowing an average of 12 points per game.

Irish head coach Brian Kelly said Notre Dame’s success on defense starts with aggressive, shutdown cornerback play.

“If you're going to play great defense you have to clamp down [on the perimeter],” Kelly said. “I think that's where we've really made significant improvement over the course of the year.”

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Graduate student cornerback Cody Riggs has been rock-solid on one side, while sophomore cornerback Cole Luke had been quietly consistent on the other. Luke spoke up Saturday with his first two career interceptions—picking off Hogan in the first and third quarter, respectively.

Luke also helped key the efforts in containing Stanford speedster Ty Montgomery. Outside of a late 42-yard kickoff return, Notre Dame limited the playmaker to nine touches for 26 yards.

“One thing that was stressed to me before the game is that you have to have no fear,” Luke said. “It does not matter what receiver you are going against or what offense. We knew he was a great player, but when the lights come on and you are on the field, it does not really matter. You just have to make plays and play ball.”

The Irish continually did so Saturday. They now sit at 5-0, poised to rise into the top-five after the college football world crumbled this weekend. They’ve ascended thanks to a defense that has yet to succumb to its opponents.

The real test looms in two weeks when Notre Dame will battle Jameis Winston and Florida State. But for now, the Irish defense has proven itself.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Mike Monaco is a lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow @MikeMonaco_ on Twitter.