SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dames new defensive philosophy is to do less with more.After three seasons using a complicated scheme

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dames new defensive philosophy is to do less with more.After three seasons using a complicated scheme that depended heavily on a core of players under defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, coach Brian Kelly has changed things up after firing his long-time friend. He has simplified the defense, requiring fewer play call changes. He also gave more players opportunities to get on the field in a 50-33 victory win over Syracuse, a game where the Irish held the Orange to six points in the second half.That might not seem like a major improvement, but for a team with the nations 106th-rated defense that is giving up 461 yards and 33.4 points per game, any sign of progress is welcome. The next challenge for the struggling Irish (2-3) is a game Saturday at North Carolina State (3-1), which has the nations 21st- rated offense at 505 yards a game.The Irish have allowed six straight teams from Power Five conferences to score at least 30 points and the Wolfpack is averaging 40. Irish players are confident that the new simpler scheme, using more players and the enthusiasm brought by new defensive coordinator Greg Hudson will lead to better play.We knew we had to change something, because obviously what we were doing wasnt working, defensive end Isaac Rochell said.With Kelly making the decisions on defense, the Irish reverted to using more three-man fronts -- the style they used before VanGorder arrived with his 4-3 scheme -- and defensive backs played more conservatively. Irish players said they were able to play faster because the scheme was simpler.I would say its not overly basic, but its not overly complicated, Rochell said.Defensive end Jay Hayes said players felt comfortable.So guys were playing loose, playing free, running around with a lot of energy, he said.The Irish used five freshmen defensive backs against Syracuse and had four of them on the field at the same time. The Irish have played 13 freshmen already this season, the most ever in Kellys seven seasons as Irish coach.Kelly had said last week that he couldnt take a player who hadnt played in game yet and suddenly put them in for 70 plays. But he came close with freshman cornerback Troy Pride Jr., who was on the field for about 60 plays after not playing previously.I wanted to play him, and I thought we should have played him. So Im making those personnel decisions, Kelly said. We played him a little too much, quite frankly.Irish players said playing fewer plays as they rotated in and out allowed them to play with more energy.Its great for us. If we wouldnt have rotated, I would have played 90-plus plays. Its counter-productive. So its great. I love the rotation, Rochell said.Kelly believes the way the Irish played in the second half against Syracuse built confidence.I think that there was that sense of, this is going to work out pretty good. So I think there is a bigger trust and understanding and knowing that go were going to be in pretty good shape defensively, he said.Its been a while since the Irish have been able to say that. Jesper Horsted Jersey .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Mike Tomczak Jersey . 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Texas administration is receiving extreme pressure from prominent boosters to dismiss Charlie Strong and hire Houston coach Tom Herman, sources told ESPN.Earlier this week, Strongs job was considered safe if the Longhorns (5-6, 3-5 Big 12) won out against Kansas?and TCU. However, that all changed with Houstons upset of No. 5 Louisville?on Thursday and Texas 24-21 overtime loss to Kansas on Saturday, sources said.Texas stunning loss likely sealed Strongs fate, although he is still expected to coach the season finale Friday against TCU, according to sources.I do not see how he can survive, a source said. He has been given every chance to succeed. Everyone wanted him to.Sources said they dont expect an official decision on Strong until after the completion of the regular season Friday.?He dropped to 16-20 since arriving at Texas -- including 12-14 in league play -- and not even the $10 million buyout he would be due could be enough to keep him from getting fired.We just had our opportunities there, Strong said after Saturdays loss. Not much needed to be said.Asked what it means for his future, Strong replied: No idea.Texas president Greg Fenves and athletic director Mike Perrin have been consistent and very outspoken about their support of Strong. In October, sources told ESPN that Strong would not be fired in-season and be allowed to complete the season.Perrin declined to speak with reporters after the game, looking away when he approached them. Strongs wife, Victoria, was crying outside the Longhorns locker room.Kansas had won only two of its past 31 games. It was Kansas first Big 12 victory since November 2014 and denied Texas a bowl-qualifying win.?The Longhorns must beat TCU on Friday to get bowl-eligible.The lure of Herman, always considered Texas No. 1 target, had dulled with Houstons losses to Navy and SMU and close wins against Tulsa and UCF. The SMU loss was extremely troubling to Texas boosters because it was to a perceived lesser school in the state, sources said.ddddddddddddThat all changed with Herman improving to 22-3 at Houston by dominating Louisville. After that win, the bidding war for Herman is expected to start at a minimum of $5.5 million, an industry source said.According to a source close to the situation, Houston athletic director Hunter Yurachek met with Hermans agent for about two hours last week, but that was before Houston beat Louisville and Hermans stock began to soar again.The source said Houston is prepared to add another seven figures to Hermans current contract, but that if Texas were to offer Herman the job, theres no way the program could compete financially.Houston is trying to raise between $35 and $40 million for a football operations building Herman has asked for that he thinks will help the program win a national championship.Herman is considered among the leading candidates at Texas and LSU, if Jimbo Fisher remains at Florida State, as well as Oregon, if the Ducks fire Mark Helfrich, sources said. Herman also would be a top target of Florida State, if Fisher left for LSU, a source said.Another concern of Texas top boosters is the possibility Texas A&M decides to part ways with Kevin Sumlin for the opportunity to grab Herman, sources said.Herman was dead in the water [with Texas] when he lost to SMU [Oct. 22], a source said. And now hes hotter than ever.Herman was Ohio States offensive coordinator before being named Houstons coach. He has won 22 of 25 games, including all five contests as an underdog against Oklahoma and Louisville this season and Louisville, Navy and Florida State in 2015.Information from ESPNs Heather Dinich and The Associated Press was included in this report. ' ' '