Carnell Tate identifies traits, challenges that Notre Dame defensive backs bring

Ohio State has arguably the most talented group of receivers in the country, but the unit will be going up against one of the best secondaries in the nation in the national title game.

Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame coaching staff have done an excellent job slowing down opposing passing attacks this season. Entering Monday’s championship game, the Fighting Irish have the second-best pass defense in the country at 165.3 yards per game, behind only Ohio State.

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Notre Dame also has the fifth-most interceptions in the country with 19 and is allowing less than one passing touchdown per game. Buckeyes receiver Carnell Tate recently spoke about how the Notre Dame secondary can challenge Ohio State and its receivers.

“They’ve got a little more size on them and stuff like that and they play man across the board,” Carnell Tate said. “That’s what they’ve been doing all year and stuff like that, so they’ve got a lot of reps at it.”

Opposing teams have struggled at times when playing man defense against Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Tate and the OSU receiving corps. Still, that is what Tate is expecting to see on Monday.

“We’re going to assume that they’re going to do the same in this game. They’ve been putting it on film all year, going one-high with man coverage and stuff like that,” Tate said of Notre Dame. “So we’re going to assume and then react to it if they come out in something different.”

Ohio State is averaging 306 yards per game through the air in the College Football Playoff, while Notre Dame has held its opponents to 190 yards passing per game in the CFP. Something will have to give in the national championship game when Notre Dame and Ohio State face off.

Notre Dame DB Christian Gray describes emotions of making late-game interception on Drew Allar

The Notre Dame secondary had the play of the game for the Fighting Irish against Penn State to send ND to the national title game.

The Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State was a thriller and with less than a minute left the Nittany Lions had the ball and were looking to find a go-ahead score. Instead, quarterback Drew Allar was intercepted late in the game by Christian Gray, setting up the Irish to win and advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Following the game, Gray shared his emotions and what was going through his head following the interception.

“To be honest with you, I really didn’t think about anything after I caught the ball,” Christian Gray said. “I just knew I was just blessed and I just felt God over me after I caught the ball. So, that’s pretty much it.”