The Irish defense improved big time on Saturday, giving up just 14 points as Notre Dame beat Boston College 20-16 to improve to 5-2 on the season.

There were so more glaring glitches however in the Irish pass defense. Notre Dame gave up tons of big gains to the Eagles.

Of course, many of those plays were negated by the five turnovers Notre Dame caused, including two interceptions by safety and captain Kyle McCarthy.

Both of McCarthy’s interceptions came with BC in Notre Dame territory. The first came at the end of the 3rd quarter with the second coming with just four minutes left in the game after a Raeshon McNeil tip.

“Total team effort,” McCarthy said. “Defensive line was getting some pressure on the 1st one and on the 2nd one, Raeshon made a great play, undercutting the route and tipping it to me.

“Obviously great play by those guys. I get the credit for it but they made the play.”

McCarthy now has five interceptions on the season.

Saturday was the 3rd time this season, McCarthy helped clinched a win for the Irish.

First it was Michigan State with a game saving interception in the final minutes.

Then against Washington, McCarthy sealed the game in overtime with a huge hit on Huskies’ defender on the game’s final play.

"He's a guy who's made game changing plays,” head coach Charlie Weis said of his defensive captain. “Besides the plays he makes during the game, he's also making game changing plays---seal the victory type of plays."

Former Irish captain and safety David Bruton was in attendance for yesterday's game. Bruton, now a member of the undefeated Denver Broncos in the NFL, isn’t surprised what McCarthy is doing.

"I taught him a lot of what he knows,” Bruton said with a big smile.

“I'm proud of Kyle. He couldn't be playing any better right now. I'm happy for him. He's showing his toughness and how hard he works on the field."

And for Coach Weis, McCarthy is the perfect example of a player who works his way up the system to become something special.

"You come in, you pay your dues, and you just keep on working your butt off and eventually you get your opportunity to get on the field and make the most of it,” Weis explained. “That's what he's done.”

“He's a perfect person for a lot of the younger guys to emulate."