GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Last season, Notre Dame’s defense was learning Chris Ash’s system. This season, the Irish believe they are ready to unleash it. The message throughout the offseason has been simple: Make every play feel like “five to six seconds of hell” for the opponent.

“I think we try to cause as much confusion and chaos as possible in terms of pre-snap looks and in terms of bringing guys off the edge,” defensive backs coach Aaron Henry said. “Coach Ash has been speaking a lot about just creating five to six seconds of hell.”

Notre Dame enters Sunday’s season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field with nine returning defensive starters. The experience has allowed Ash to focus less on installation and more on getting his players to react quickly and aggressively.

“We want guys playing with their hair on fire,” Ash said. “We want the guys to play fast and violent. We want to be fundamentally sound, and we want to be disciplined enough to execute the call.”

The Irish are building off a strong 2025 season in which they allowed 17.6 points and 99.3 rushing yards per game. Notre Dame also recorded 21 interceptions and held opponents to a 35% conversion rate on third down.

Much of the talent responsible for those numbers returns. Defensive lineman Boubacar Traore is back after leading the Irish in sacks last season. 

“Violent and fast,” Traore said when describing how the group wants to play. “I just want us to play clear-minded and just physical — just focus on our keys and playing through the whistle.”

The Irish also believe they have enough depth at linebacker to rotate several players without sacrificing production. Drayk Bowen, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Jaiden Ausberry, Jaylen Sneed and Madden Faraimo give new linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary an experienced group to work with. 

However, Notre Dame’s secondary may be the strength of the defense. Brauntae Johnson and Christian Gray return alongside cornerback Leonard Moore, who emerged as one of the nation’s top defensive backs last season. Moore finished 2025 with five interceptions and seven pass breakups while earning unanimous All-America honors and becoming a finalist for the Thorpe Award.

Despite the expectations surrounding the defense, Moore said the Irish understand last year’s success guarantees nothing.

“Every team thinks they are capable of making a playoff run, especially at the beginning of the year,” Moore said. “I think that’s what’s so special about this team — we’re not going to take any days for granted, and we’re going to go out there every day and get better.”

And Notre Dame will get its first chance to prove that Sunday night against Wisconsin.