www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 29, 2018 19
"Focus on doing your assignment
and the production will come."
Elston instructed the defensive line
in 2010-14 before getting switched
to linebackers coach and recruiting
coordinator. He spearheaded the
signing of the plethora of current ju-
nior edge rushers, but more impor-
tantly, his move back to the line last
year, after teaching the linebackers in
2015-16, has been instrumental in the
developmental model.
"The first word would be patience,"
Kelly said of Elston's role in honing
the line's skills "Very rarely is it plug-
and-play. We're fortunate that we've
had some players over the years, but
there has to be a level of patience in
developing our players from a fit
standpoint, and then having the abil-
ity to go out and impact the game."
Through the first half of 2018, few
defensive lines have matched Notre
Dame's level of production. ✦
Junior defensive end Khalid Kareem compiled seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in the first six games of the season, and also made big plays like the forced
fumble at Virginia Tech that led to Julian Love's 42-yard touchdown return.
PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL
