How the Aztec package succeeded for the Notre Dame defense vs. TSU

Notre Dame defensive players told the media in fall camp the “Aztec” package — which is the Irish’s cue for six defensive backs on the field at the same time, more commonly referred to as a dime defense — would be a third-down heavy look for the Fighting Irish this season. Defensive coordinator Al Golden didn’t disappoint in Week 1.

There were six DBs — cornerbacks Cam Hart and Benjamin Morrison, safeties DJ Brown, Ramon Henderson and Xavier Watts and slot corner Thomas Harper — on the field at once on Tennessee State’s first third down try of last Saturday’s ballgame. That was the look, with varying combinations of personnel, for every third down thereafter until the fourth quarter.

Golden elected to employ more of a base defense with third-stringers galore with the game well in hand in the final frame. He showed some mercy, essentially, because outside of two pass interference calls and one completion for 22 yards, the Notre Dame defense held Tennessee State forced to four incomplete passes and generated a five-yard sack with the Aztec package. In all, it was very effective.

Here is a look at every instance of the Aztec look from the Notre Dame defense vs. Tennessee State.

Third and 8 from the Tennessee State 27

Notre Dame sends a blitz with three down linemen and two linebackers. The pressure works; Tennessee State’s quarterback is flushed out to the right. Linebacker Marist Liufau nearly shoe-string tackles him, but he whiffs. Vyper Jordan Botelho is a step too slow on a stunt with strong-side defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

The TSU pass still falls incomplete, but Harper is called for pass interference. He arrives with a hit on the pass-catching target a tad too early. It is probably the right call, but the defensive call was the right one too.

Notre Dame’s DBs are all over the receivers downfield. The only reason TSU attempts the throw is because the wideout Harper is responsible for improvises and cuts out toward the sideline. It needs to be a perfect throw to complete it. If Harper keeps his hands off the player, the Notre Dame defense gets off the field.

It’ll go down as an unsuccessful play for Notre Dame, but it works well enough for Golden to keep going to the Aztec. And so he does.

Third and 10 from the Notre Dame 12

A five-man Irish rush comprised of two linebackers and three linemen doesn’t make the pocket too uncomfortable, but the TSU quarterback is still sitting around in it because there aren’t any downfield options. He eventually flushes right and looks for the man Morrison is covering. Morrison nearly comes away with his first interception of the season but settles for a pass breakup.

The Irish get a field goal block on the next snap. Credit the Aztec with an assist.

Third and 4 from the Tennessee State 26

Notre Dame has three defensive ends on the field in Botelho, Jean-Baptiste and Joshua Burnham. That’s a scary sight. Then throw in linebacker Jaylen Sneed, another pass-rushing specialist, for good measure. He’s on the same side of the field as Burnham, and Botelho and Jean-Baptiste are next to each other on the other. Big Rylie Mills is in the middle. All five of those players rush the quarterback. Notre Dame leaves its six defensive backs — Morrison, Hart, Henderson, Brown, Watts and Clarence Lewis this time — back in coverage.

Sneed overwhelms the left tackle. Jean-Baptiste pushes the right tackle into the pocket. The quarterback steps up and flips an incomplete pass to a well-covered man in the flat. Notre Dame’s Aztec defense strikes again with solid pass rush and excellent coverage.

Third and goal from the Notre Dame 13

This is Aztec mastery from Golden and company.

There are only three Irish defensive linemen down on the line of scrimmage. Of them, Cross III is the only one in a three-point stance. Jean-Baptiste and Botelho are set up as rush ends. Golden brings linebackers JD Bertrand and Liufau as well as Harper, serving as THE “Aztec” DB on this play, on a blitz. This pressure up the middle breaks the TSU offensive line, and Botelho squirts his way right into a five-yard sack. Liufau is right there too.

With 13 yards needed in the condensed area of the field, this is absolute brilliance in defensive play calling from Golden. Sit five defensive backs deep covering the goal line and rush six. It ends up in a loss of five, and Tennessee State misses the ensuing field goal.

Third and 6 from the Tennessee State 29

This was not as much of a masterclass for Golden’s unit.

Notre Dame only rushes four. Cross III wins his rep, but the TSU QB steps up and to the right and has enough room to do so. If Botelho comes off his block better, the QB would be stepping into another sack. Instead, he steps into just enough room to flip a pass out over the middle. The intended target is wide open. That’s the risk a defense runs when playing zone in a somewhat complicated scheme like the Aztec. TSU gains 22 yards to move the chains.

Third and 10 from the Notre Dame 49

Notre Dame doesn’t mess around with the rush again this time and sends five from the start. Liufau wins easily around the left tackle. The right tackle lets Bertrand and Burnham through without touching them. He seems more worried about Harper, who delay rushes off the right side.

Harper is the true Aztec on this play again. He lines up in coverage in the slot then eventually rushes. That worries the right tackle, who ends up hanging his QB out to dry without chipping Bertrand and Burnham. The QB back-foots a throw that is supposed to be a running back screen right at Botelho, who nearly picks the pass off. Harper almost sprawls out to intercept the deflected ball too.

Notre Dame is ALL over this play. Well done by the Aztec.

Third and five from the Tennessee State 25

Notre Dame only sends four rushers here. Coverage is the preferred play. And it’s solid coverage all around, but Lewis is flagged for pass interference on a ball the wide receiver probably has no chance of catching. It’s the second instance of pass interference called against the Irish on third down.

Third and 9 from the Tennessee State 36

Sneed unblocked with a head of steam is a serious problem. He flies off the edge right by the right side of the TSU offensive line. The intended play for the Tigers is a screen once again, but it’s completely blown up by Sneed and his Notre Dame teammates behind him. Brown comes up from the secondary and is there to make a punishing blow on the target if he catches the ball, but it’s not even close. The Notre Dame Aztec package wins again.

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