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College football has been one big transition for Notre Dame's Darius Fleming -- from defensive end to linebacker, from Charlie Weis to Brian Kelly, from a 3-4 to a 4-3 to a 3-4 again and three defensive coordinators in three seasons.
But through it all, the former St. Rita star hasn't lost his knack for big plays.
The 6-2, 247-pound Fleming, who's still figuring out the nuances of the ''cat'' outside linebacker position in coordinator Bob Diaco's 3-4 defense, made only two tackles against Western Michigan but had an interception that led to a tiebreaking touchdown and shared a sack on his next play in the Irish's 44-20 victory Saturday in South Bend, Ind.
''That's the first [interception] of my life,'' said Fleming, a junior who played defensive end at St. Rita. ''I just did what the play told me to do. He threw it right to me, so I had to catch it.''
The half-sack gave him four this season -- all in the last five games -- to eclipse his total of 3? last season as a defensive end/linebacker. Fleming had one tackle in the opener against Purdue.
''I felt great,'' Fleming said. ''I'm definitely a lot more comfortable at the position. I feel like I'm growing every week and learning everything and adapting to it really well.''
FILER HANGING IN THERE
Steve Filer, Fleming's Catholic League rival from Mount Carmel, is making the most of limited playing time, most of it on special teams.
Filer, a 6-3, 235-pound junior, had four tackles against Western Michigan -- three on special teams -- and has 11 for the season. Kelly has him pegged for a starting role next season, though Filer should know by now there are no guarantees.
''Rather than have a victimized attitude, he's maximized some opportunities,'' Diaco said. ''Some players go in the game on kickoff, and they're floatin' around. He's in there making plays and getting his blocks on kickoff returns.
''He's a guy you can really admire for maintaining a positive attitude. He's got a really healthy perspective on why he's on this planet. So he's always got high energy, and he's very positive, and that bleeds into the other guys.''
WALKING WOUNDED
Notre Dame is expected to release injury updates today on wide receivers Michael Floyd (Grade I hamstring pull) and Theo Riddick (sprained ankle) and safety Jamoris Slaughter (sprained ankle). Riddick was in a walking boot Sunday and is scheduled for an MRI test.
