Tied for the lead among all Power 5 Defensive Linemen in tackles on the season (64), and ranks tied for fourth among all FBS defensive linemen.
Lott IMPACT Trophy Quarterfinalist
Bednarik Award Midseason Watch List
Named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week, Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week, Bednarik Award Player of the Week and Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week for his performance at Duke (9/30).
Notre Dame’s defense has been one of the best in the country this season, tied for the FBS lead in defensive touchdowns (4) and ranking second in team passing efficiency defense (95.81), second in red zone defense (0.667), third in passing yards allowed (148.5), sixth in interceptions (14), sixth in total defense (276.0), seventh in scoring defense (16.0), 10th in turnovers gained (21) and 12th in first downs defense (178).
IN 2023:
NAVY (8/26): Recorded four tackles in his season debut against the Midshipmen in Dublin, Ireland
TENNESSEE STATE (9/2): Led the team with six tackles in the victory … Knocked down a pass … Added one quarterback hurry
at NORTH CAROLINA STATE (9/9): Totaled five tackles, two solo in the win
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (9/16): Finished with a solo tackle in the victory
OHIO STATE (9/23): Six stops in the contest, four solo
at DUKE (9/30): Earned Bednarik Player of the Week honors … Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week … Lott Impact Trophy Player of the Week … Career-high 13 tackles, second game of his career with double-digit tackles … Added a sack for a loss of four in the fourth quarter, also forcing a fumble and securing the victory … Recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, dropped Duke for a loss of seven yards … Recorded two forced fumbles … Added a quarterback hurry
at LOUISVILLE (10/7): Recorded seven tackles, two solo … Added 1.5 tackles for loss
USC (10/14): Finished with three tackles, one solo … Added a tackle for a one-yard loss … Batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage
PITTSBURGH (10/28): Earned two tackles in the victory … Finished with a quarterback hit
at CLEMSON (11/4): Totaled seven tackles (four solo) at Clemson
WAKE FOREST (11/18): Led the Irish with nine tackles in the 45-7 win. The defense held Wake to just 232 yards of total offense (98 passing, 134 rushing).
at STANFORD (11/25): Posted one tackle and one QB hurry in the 56-23 win.
GAME SPOTLIGHT: 9/30 at DUKE
Howard Cross III led Notre Dame with 13 tackles, a single-game high for the Irish this season, adding 3.5 TFL (loss of seven yards) including a solo sack, two forced fumbles and a QB hurry in the 21-14 win over No. 17 Duke. Cross’ 13 tackles were the most in a single game by any FBS defensive lineman that weekend, at that time tied for the most in a single game by a defensive lineman against an FBS offense this season and tied for the second-most in a single game by an FBS defensive lineman this season (14 by Adin Huntington vs. Lamar, 9/9).
With the game on the line, Cross made Notre Dame’s final stop of the night to cement the win, forcing a Duke fumble which was recovered by the Irish with 18 seconds remaining. Cross’ 13 tackles tied the most by a single player against Duke this season.
In addition to his 3.5 TFL, Cross compiled two-consecutive stops of rushes for 0 yards on second and third down at the Notre Dame 20-yard line in the first quarter, setting up Duke’s first missed field goal of the night. Then, Cross’ first forced fumble against Duke came on third down at the end of the second quarter, as Cross stripped the ball from the quarterback at Notre Dame’s seven-yard line, forcing a field goal attempt that was no good.
Duke entered the game averaging 224 passing yards per game, but Notre Dame’s defense held Duke to just 134 yards in the air. Similarly, Duke averaged 424.5 offensive yards per game entering Saturday, and the Irish held the Duke offense to just 323 yards.
ENTERING 2023
Played in 12 games and made a pair of starts in his junior season
Added 33 Total tackles, most among all Irish interior defensive linemen
Finished with 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks
Added a pass breakup and a forced fumble
Recorded the team’s first sack of the 2022 season for a loss of five on the first drive of the Ohio State contest
Set a season-best mark of 11 tackles against Marshall
Added seven tackles the following week in the win over California
Recorded a sack in the team’s victory over No.5/5 Clemson at Notre Dame Stadium
