NEWS » cy doesnt get the start, he is confident h

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is getting frustrated at explaining why his defense is struggling so mightily.The Irish defense has missed far too many tackles in losses at Texas and at home against Michigan State, giving up more than 239 yards rushing and 500 yards total offense in each and a combined 86 points in those two games. The Spartans averaged 6.4 yards a play in a 36-28 victory Saturday night.Kelly, who after the loss to Texas said critics of his defensive staff needed to tap the brakes and relax, took a more urgent tone Saturday night after another disappointing defensive performance.Those are the guys we have. We cant trade them. Theyre not getting cut. We recruited them, so I dont want to hear anybody ... I told our staff, `Those are our guys, so weve got to get them better. Weve got to put them in better position to make plays, Kelly said.The Irish (1-2) had a chance to get the ball back twice in the final two minutes but gave up big plays on third down. The Irish rank 102nd in the nation in total defense, giving up 439.3 yards a game, 99th in rush defense and 103rd in pass efficiency defense. The Irish, who fell out of the AP poll , still dont have a sack this season.Kelly said Sunday he and his staff have to do a better job of teaching and communicating and find ways to develop players more efficiently. He said he has confidence in defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and his scheme. He said someone on his staff with access to his Twitter account had inadvertently liked a Tweet that said it was time for him to shake up his staff because Clearly its not working (hash)FireVangorder.Kelly became agitated after the game when asked if DeShone Kizer, who passed for a career-high 344 yards against the Spartans and has accounted for 13 of Notre Dames 15 touchdowns this season and ran the option on another, was going to have to overcome Notre Dames defensive deficiencies, saying it was a typical question after a team gives up a lot of points.Look at college football. Defenses give up points all over. What we have to do is clean up some things and were going to continue to work on it, he said. But, no, DeShone Kizer is not going to be asked to carry us. The entire football team, and my coaching staff in particular, is in a position where they have to coach better. Ive got to coach better.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.orgCheap Avalanche Jerseys . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. Custom Colorado Avalanche Jerseys .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Wholesale Avalanche Jerseys . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. Colorado Avalanche Gear .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place.NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans safety DaNorris Searcy expects to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns after missing the past two games with a high left ankle sprain and couldnt be happier.Searcy, who suffered the injury late in the Titans loss to Oakland two weeks ago, went through full practices this week and is excited about contributing to what Tennessee hopes will be a win.Its kind of hard sitting on the side, Searcy said Friday. I was my guys biggest cheerleader while I was out. But Im glad to be out there playing again.Searcy hurt his ankle late in the Titans loss to Oakland last month. After practicing this week, the question now is whether Searcy will immediately return to the starting lineup. Daimion Stafford has filled in the past two games, but Searcy has started 16 of 18 games since signing with Tennessee as a free agent last year.Even if Searcy doesnt get the start, he is confident he will play because the Tittans have been rotating their safeties since the start of the season.ddddddddddddIm just glad to be back out there and competing with them, Searcy said.Titans coach Mike Mularkey also is happy to have Searcy back, who was playing well before the injury.He was really playing well for us, especially in run support. Hes a good tackler and were going to have to have that this game, Mularkey said.Cornerback Cody Riggs, who has missed two weeks with a hamstring injury, practiced fully Friday. He is questionable for Sundays game but hopes he can play.Well see what happens. Ive made a lot of progress this week, Riggs said.Nose tackle Al Woods did not practice again this week and was declared out against the Browns (0-5).---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '