Notre Dame’s defense is being scrutinized under the spotlight of frustration. The team’s 0-2 start has left fans and analysts questioning Marcus Freeman’s offseason decisions, particularly the gamble on Chris Ash calling the defensive plays. Once a stalwart unit defined by physicality and disciplined coverage, the Irish defense has fallen short of expectations, and one high-profile mistake has intensified the criticism.

Ash’s follies were highlighted against Texas A&M, where a missed holding call on the Aggies’ offensive lineman Chase Bisontis directly led to the game-winning touchdown from Marcel Reed to Nate Boerkircher. Even officiating expert Terry McAulay called the lapse “patently egregious missed offensive holding foul,” saying the penalty should have been flagged regardless of g

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