NEWS » he sat out against Tampa Bay due to a hamstring injury.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Notre Dame defense is about to find out just how much it has improved since its dismal start.Statistically, the Irish look much better since Brian VanGorder was fired as defensive coordinator on Sept. 25, the day after 38-35 loss to Duke. The Irish were ranked 103rd out of 128 teams in total defense, giving up 456 yards a game, when they fell to 1-3.Heading into their final two games against Virginia Tech (7-3) and USC, Notre Dame (4-6) ranks 39th in the nation in total defense, giving up an average of 371 yards a game. Take away those first four games and the Irish are surrendering 315 yards a game, which would place them 14th in the nation in total defense.The Irish, though, are about to face two of the three best offenses theyve faced all season. The Hokies rank 43rd in the nation in total offense at 444 yards a game and USC (7-3) ranks No. 29 at 469 yards a game.The only team the Irish have faced with a higher-rated offense is Texas at No. 14 at 503 yards a game. The Longhorns beat the Irish 50-47 in double overtime in the season opener.Coach Brian Kelly said while the Irish could become bowl eligible with two victories and improve their image with wins over Virginia Tech, which was ranked No. 18 before being upset by Georgia Tech last week, and No. 15 Southern California, which has won six straight after a 1/3 start, his focus is building on Notre Dames best all-around performance in a 44-6 win over Army on Saturday.You want all of the things that you worked so hard on all year to come together in these last two games, he said. That is, for us, finishing games, playing the game for us with a mental and physical toughness that at times was not at its best. Its now coming together. And I think that regardless of how were perceived, I think the most important thing is to play the way were capable of playing. Thats what Im looking at more than anything else.Kelly said hes not losing sleep over whether the Irish will get to a bowl. Kelly was asked whether he would want to play in a bowl with a 5-7 record. Last season three 5-7 teams went to bowl games because there werent enough teams with records above .500.I havent given it much thought, to be honest with you. I think those scenarios I would address at the end of the year, he said.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org Rodolfo Pizarro Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Blank Mexico Jersey . 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The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. RENTON, Wash. -- It was one thing for the Seattle Seahawks to know they would be without safety Earl Thomas for one game, maybe two.Now that the former All-Pro safety is done for the rest of the 2016 season -- no matter how far Seattle may advance in the playoffs -- the Seahawks are facing a new reality for the rest of this year that doesnt include arguably their most important defensive player on the field.I dont think youre going to replace Earl Thomas. Hes a very unique player. But hes very quiet. Hes not a guy who adds a whole lot on the vocal side. He does it with his play, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said on Monday. Earl is Earl.The Seahawks now know the earliest they will see Thomas back on the field is the 2017 season after he suffered a broken lower left leg in Sundays 40-7 win over Carolina. While there was an initial thought that Thomas could return if the Seahawks made a deep run in the playoffs, Carroll said further examination on Monday determined the recovery for the fractured tibia is too extensive for the star safety to make it back this season.Its a crushing injury to the player that makes Seattles defense function perhaps more than any other. And while Steven Terrell is a solid replacement with experience in Seattles system and one start already this season, hes not Thomas, as Carroll said.You cant make up for it. You just try to find some others who can do half of what he does, Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett said Sunday night. Its hard to replace that kind of player whos a Hall of Fame type of player. You cant really replace (them).Thomas was injured in the second quarter of the blowout victory, colliding with teammate Kam Chancellor as each tried to intercept a pass from Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. It was a violent and high-speed collision that Carroll said Monday also left Chancellor a little bangedd up.dddddddddddd.Its the first major injury of Thomas career and the emotional safety immediately became reflective, tweeting during the game that he was contemplating retirement.I know its really generated a lot of curiosity, Carroll said. Hes going through, at the time, the emotional part of dealing with an injury thats a serious setback. I dont know much more about it than that.Thomas has been a constant in Seattles secondary since he arrived in 2010 as the second draft pick made by Carroll and general manager John Schneider. He started 106 consecutive games, a streak that was snapped last week when he sat out against Tampa Bay due to a hamstring injury.Thomas furiously rehabbed the injury in order to play against the Panthers. And he lasted barely one quarter before suffering an even more significant blow.Carroll said the freedom with how Thomas plays is the most difficult aspect to replace.The experience that Earl has, has given him freedom to see things, make plays, feel confident making breaks on balls and taking shots on stuff. That comes from a lot of success, confidence building success, Carroll said. You get bold. Earl has become that kind of player for us.Terrell has been with Seattle since 2014, signed in part because of the quickness he brought to the secondary. Hes mostly been a special teams contributor, but played well a week ago against Tampa Bay with Thomas sidelined.Its really important because were playing a lot of three-deep and youve got to cover a lot of ground out there, Carroll said of Terrell. Weve had guys who dont have 4.3 (40-yard dash) speed that have played over the years but it sure helps.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '