Dink and dunk. Football's answer to rope-a-dope.
Patience will be as much a part of Notre Dame's defensive game plan against Southern Cal Saturday night as solid tackling.
Remember Oklahoma? The Irish scheme was to render yards in small increments to the Sooner passing game, but not points.
It worked like a charm. Oklahoma completed 36 passes for 364 yards, but didn't get into the end zone until the fourth quarter.
Southern Cal receivers Marqise Lee and Robert Woods are both faster than anyone who plays the position at Oklahoma, but the basic premise will likely be similar.
Keep them in front of the defense. Give them that four-yard gain. Limit YACs (Yards After Catch). Sooner or later, something will give.
Notre Dame's defensive approach to solving Southern Cal isn't sophisticated or complex.
"Tackle, tackle, tackle and tackle," said Irish head coach Brian Kelly.
Sounds easy enough.
The Trojan passing attack is anywhere from impressive to daunting. Last year it was Woods who was impossible for the Irish to contain. This year, Woods (66 receptions, 721 yards, 10 TDs) is playing second fiddle to Lee (107, 1,605, 14). They average 307 receiving yards as a team.
Double the weapons. Double trouble.
Even with redshirt freshman quarterback Max Wittek under center, rather than veteran Matt Barkley, Southern Cal will feature a dangerous, quick-strike attack.
"They'll take a short pass all the way across the field; or halfway across the field," said Irish safety Zeke Motta, describing one of the plays that has worked wonders for the trojans. "They'll make a cut straight up the middle. Because people are waiting (to make the tackle), that sets up more blocks. If you run straight at them, no one will be able to block you."
"They're similar (to Oklahoma) in speed, but Woods and Lee, USC's receiving corps, is on another level," said Notre Dame corner Bennett Jackson. "They have great speed, great hands; even their backups.
"It would have been great to play against (Barkley), but I don't care who steps in for them.
"USC takes a lot more chances downfield (than Oklahoma). They take a lot more shots. They give their guys a lot more opportunities."
Lee has made the most of those opportunities this season. His presence gives the Irish plenty to worry about.
"(Lee's) acceleration after the catch (is incredible)," said Kelly. "If you look at what he does after the catch, that's where it gets scary.
"They do a great job of setting up formations to get him one-on-one matchups. They're always prodding your defense to get him matched up where they get some great one-on-one looks. He's not catching a hitch route and having three guys hammer him. They're putting him in a great position to catch the football and get big-chunk plays."
Motta and fellow safety Matthias Farley will be the cavalry coming to support those corners on an island.
