It was a dominant defensive performance by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and head coach Marcus Freeman during the team’s 52-0 win on Saturday.

During the shutout, Notre Dame managed to give up just 128 total yards of offense. The Fighting Irish were efficient against both the run and the pass, a tremendous effort when you consider the starters didn’t play from minute one to minute 60. A plethora of talented players saw the field, including youngsters who will be the next wave of stars for defensive coordinator Chris Ash and Freeman.

Two of Notre Dame’s most important defensive players for the remainder of the 2026 season also took a massive step forward.

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa explosive return

The first was star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who had his first game action since tearing his ACL late during the 2025 college football season. Despite not getting a ton of run, especially in the second half, KVA finished with five total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. From the very moment he stepped onto the field, you saw the explosiveness, the length, and the closing speed that No. 27 brings to the table.

While Notre Dame has a good linebacker room overall that includes Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, Jaylen Sneed, and Madden Faraimo, it is not hyperbole to say quite simply that KVA is a different animal at the position. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder has unreal playmaking potential.

Most will dismiss it because it came against a poor Rice team, but it’s impossible not to appreciate the flashes he showed, especially coming off that previous injury.

Bryce Young’s breakout continues

Junior defensive end Bryce Young also had a tremendous game, finishing the day with three total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. He was active throughout, and truthfully, over the first two games of the season, Young has arguably been Notre Dame’s best overall defender outside of All-American cornerback Leonard Moore.

At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, Young lost weight this offseason after playing in the 270s a year ago. That body transformation has showed out in a big way in terms of his flexibility and closing speed. He looks like he’s moving better than a year ago, with a much improved ability to change direction and finish plays.

The games are going to get a lot harder from here on out, but this showing against Rice and the first two games of the season in general should have people extremely optimistic about what Young can continue to evolve into.

The bigger picture for Notre Dame’s defense

When Freeman first took the job after spending a year as defensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish, he talked about wanting to get longer and more explosive on defense. Young and KVA are two great examples of that initiative. You can throw guys like Moore and safety Brauntae Johnson into that conversation as well, but two of the biggest stars being Young and KVA was a great sign for where things are heading.

Whether it was against Rice, SMU, BYU, Miami, or one of the playoff teams Notre Dame hopefully plays later in the year, seeing those two players in particular make so many plays should have everyone optimistic. This has a chance to be another elite Notre Dame defense, and maybe the best one we have seen during the Marcus Freeman tenure.