Best game by a defender EVER? | Irish Access: Game 8 vs Southern Cal | Notre Dame Football

Bob Hinton Defensive Coordinator Al Golden put on a master class in pass rush defense against the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams. Safety Xavier Watts had the best night of his career as the Irish dominated No. 10 Southern Cal with a score of 48-20 in the Jeweled Shillelagh Rivalry, presented by ‪@DIRECTV‬. Watts was involved in 4 of the 5 turnovers, including two interceptions, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and a forced fumble. The Irish offense scored 28 of its points off of turnovers.
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[@jacobstehly8777]

That was amazing! Watts went off and I’m so happy for that kid. Took him time to find his way, faced adversity and position changes… kids a freaking stud! Al Golden, that defense was awesome. Congrats to all the players and coaches. Starts with Freeman☘️☘️☘️

[@patrickfinneran3129]

This is how ND should always play. Go Irish

[@delowg7805]

Amazing! I’m so happy and proud to be a ND fan. These young men rose up and defended our house!!! If you coming to the 574 be prepared to get that heat baby! Go IRISH!☘️

[@southernprideperformance2951]

Coach Freeman is bringing about a new era for ND Football. The culture he instills & his recruiting prowess… as well as the small things like these videos… will have a lot of elite players gravitating this way. Not to mention the NIL deals evening the playing field a bit between Notre Dame and some of the schools that had some “under the table” deals going on to get players to sign with them.

[@Ghidorah00]

Terrell Lambert against MSU 06 is a contender for best defensive game ever too. Watts dominated great to see him have a game like that

[@goodluckchuck9311]

Best video of the year!!! Best game we have played defensively!!! Love the SH “Hey this is Mission Control…WE GOT HIM…” hahaah

[@Cookiefruit]

I LOVE the Mission Control line. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@allaboutNDIRISH]

this D has been stellar all year. Shut down Duke, OH St, and now USC. Held them all under 20 points

[@dashx1103]

Xavier Watts, from my hometown -- Omaha. Unbelievable game for him. So happy for him.

[@anthonypearson7853]

Love thee. It would be hard to debate. I'm glad Xavier had the game he deserved. I also loved that coach Free still " coached him up". Go Irish.

[@dashx1103]

Agree. I noticed that "coaching him up" too. When Watts showboated into the EZ on the last TD you could tell that Freeman's first comment to him was "that can't happen." Then he hugged the kid and patted him on the helmet. That was absolutely the way to handle that. I love Freeman, and I really hope he succeeds.

[@anthonypearson7853]

@@dashx1103 same, and I think he will. I believe him to be the right man for the job. He has to get his players in and MORE WRS

[@1Phepsi]

​@@anthonypearson7853 They've got 3 outstanding wide receivers coming in next year in Cam Williams, Micah Gilbert and Logan Saldate, wouldn't be at all surprised if all three play early next year.

[@LiverpoolRules4Ever]

Awesome video. That's what great defence brings. Now they need to bring that EVERY WEEK. That's the hard part.

[@nathancowne4178]

Goosebumps! Go Irish!

[@lenoxseer]

I got shivers from that video. Love this team!

[@BrianJohns]

The social media team at ND has been knocking it out of the park. Keep up the great work!

[@mikecalderon9441]

Pure dominance. ☘️

[@quinnyellstrom719]

Buckeye fan, but wow that was an impressive game by the Irish, and especially Watts. Playoffs might be off the table for ND, but still the potential for a great rest of the season and bowl game.

[@Nite2012Mare]

Loved EVERY SECOND of this game! 👍👍 Freeman is a good coach! Go Irish

[@fcfp14A]

Great work. Go Irish !

[@TheGolfClan]

Would've loved to see Price's kick return to the house included, but still a great video! Go Irish

[@FightingIrish]

We left it out so it could have its OWN video... kzbin.info/www/bejne/laWteGR6hZetmqs

[@johnatkinson5103]

Chills. Go Irish 💚

[@josephtierney6090]

More than a stellar outcome .

[@lucasandmaggie4313]

I've been waiting all year for this! GO IRISH

[@JeffBiggs1982]

This is such a freaking amazing video! What a great job!! GO 🍀🏈

[@Im_KyWolfie]

theres a swagger, sparks of near perfection from this team and the coaching, i want Ohio State to lose to game and meet them for a Rematch, the loss to Louisville humbled the Irish and made them focused

[@krisis8736]

I’d rather have the rematch with Louisville. That was a fluke.

[@yuanyao5824]

@@krisis8736 we will destroy Louisville if there would be a rematch

[@wadegarrett2376]

it's up there. Maurice Crum vs UCLA was amazing too. But Watts had a touchdown so that may trump it

[@bill2953]

Brady Quinn is loving life...

[@ChrisDeanpixiecd]

The best game for the defense in a llllloooonnnnngggh time!!!

[@eric_bonny_bontrager]

Awesome game! Badass video!

[@cnordegren]

It feels great to get revenge on Caleb Willuams for his taunting last year.

[@ND-9]

Playing California Love as they started to exit the field tho…Chef’s Kiss ☘️

[@ethanmyers4882]

I do appreciate the energy and how he interacts with them, Kelly was too conservative for me, great win and let’s beat pitt 🍀🤘🏻

[@JB00741]

Man said "he looked pedestrian all night" 😂

[@davemancinelli4556]

Harrison Smith, Sun Bowl versus Miami, Florida The great Luther Bradley, 50 years ago versus USC… similar stat line… Ask Lynn Swann what he remembers

[@Necile2]

Luther was a BEAST!!! Another great one was Ross Browner against Texas in the Cotton Bowl after the '77 season.

[@larry690]

Goose bumps.

[@patrickdonner3542]

Consistency is what the team lacks. Offense, defense, coaching. They should be in top five if it wasn't for the rollercoaster play. I remain hopeful.

[@SavageWorkouts]

Freeman has been HC less than two years. Relax

[@patrickdonner3542]

@SavageWorkouts ....he is not the only coach who is responsible. It's a team with many components. You relax too.

[@domerguy88]

Me and my pop stormed the field that night 😁

[@Necile2]

Hard to say who was better: Xavier Watts vs. USC or Benjamin Morrison vs. Clemson last year. Both won the Defensive Player of the Week award - as they should have.

[@josephtierney6090]

They finally played like I knew that they are capable.

[@DCSk8er529]

The Heisman Winner-Caleb Williams met The Heisman Killer-Xavier Watts!

[@Tony-rz4ks]

so i was thinking about all the Notre Dame games since 1987, when I first became a fan, I really wish they would but Penn St, Michigan and Tennessee back on their schedule. This would be a perfect schedule for Notre Dame every year. 1. Navy 2. Pitt 3. Penn St. 4. North Carolina 5. Tennessee 6. Boston College 7. Michigan 8. BYU 9. Florida St. 10. Stanford 11. Purdue 12. USC

[@Pilney35]

When you see this, you know CMF is the right fit for ND.

[@BMLocal374]

Onward Notre Dame

[@TheBenFlock]

Tuimoloao vs. Penn State last year: 2 interceptions - 1 TD 1 tipped pass to an interception 1 FF 1 Fumble Recovery 3 TFLs 2 sacks.

[@DCSk8er529]

That's cute. Xavier Watts did this against a 6-0 USC team that had the Heisman winner. You can't top what Xavier Watts did. How many defensive players do you see spot his more points than the opposing offense alone that has the Heisman winner?

[@TheBenFlock]

I think probably the opposing offensive line and the talent of the QB is probably the most important consideration here. Watts did this against a generational talent at quarterback, protected by a failing offensive line being challenged by a very good defensive line. Tuiomoloao did this against a good offensive line and a good quarterback kicking around as a backup in the NFL right now. It’s really hard to know what’s better, but Caleb Williams was under duress the whole game which Watts brilliantly capitalized on. Tuiomoloao was the duress. He sort of just took over the game and ended it, pretty single-handedly. I’d encourage you to watch the game and make your own decision. Having seen both I was more impressed by Tuiomoloao’s performance but if you’re asking me to draft one, I’m going Watts. He could do it again. No one will ever do what Tuiomoloao did again.

[@TheBenFlock]

Including Tuiomoloao

[@DCSk8er529]

@TheBenFlock Not taking anything away from Tuiomoloa, I just never seen anyone humiliate a Heisman winner before. Interceptions are interceptions man. It doesn't matter how you get them. At the end of the day, Watts leads the nation in interceptions with 6, and total take aways being 8. He is also 3'rd I believe in interception yards. Not like all of them were tipped either. It would be a crime for the defensive back to leads in interceptions to not be a Thorpe award finalist.

[@TheBenFlock]

I think Watts is the better player. You should really watch Tuiomoloao vs Penn State. Give it a looksee

[@michaelw9089]

That's my cousin!!

[@TimHydecoach]

Here Come The Irish ☘️ #BeatUSC

[@Global_Ignition]

❤

[@skylark2001]

the only individual defensive performance I can think of that might be better than watts in the last decade is tuimoloau last year against penn state. best player in college football last week

[@Necile2]

Or Benjamin Morrison against Clemson last year.

[@cdubwingo]

Go Irish☘️

[@Dane-xv7go]

Go Irish ☘️

[@Rjb0224]

Pat Terrell against Miami in 1988.

[@PUDZZ124]

JT Tuimoloau last year vs Penn State

[@Rjb0224]

Watt’s performance is definitely #2.

[@bigkilla2608]

That last fumble was caused by John Baptiste

[@itssFlexx]

future steeler please god make it happen

[@bigneiltoo]

Did any game ever have more exciting plays?

[@paddy9449]

IRISH!!!!!!!!!! 🍀 They took Williams out of the game.... That was a HUGE blow 2 his moral..... BYE BYE Heisman!!!!!!

[@quawnadotson381]

Zeros my cousin Xavier locked in my cousin

[@YouTubeViolates1A]

Streaks go to die at Notre Dame Stadium!

[@OptimusProvost]

Worst game by a reigning Heisman winner ever???

[@ce7388]

Miami '88

[@quawnadotson381]

Zoe