Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/101786
✦ quoting kelly "We've got to get big-chunk plays; I can tell you that right now. They know that and we know that. What are they, 2.5 [yards] per play I think they're giving up? If you think you're going to win the game just trying to pound it in there, you're not going to win the game. We've got to find a way to get those chunk plays." On what Alabama does better defensively than other teams ND faced this year: "Up front they're athletic at 290 pounds. Their athleticism, plus their size, the combination of both up front make them very difficult to go against. And they're well coached. Very disciplined group and athletic in the back end of the defense. It's just a very good football team. "I think there are some other teams across the country you could take one player and go, 'Wow, that's a premier player.' There's not one of the 11 guys that you can go, 'Let's go attack him.' Where other weeks during the year we go, 'Let's go get No. 4; let's go really try to match up.' There's not a guy of the 11 that you can say we're going to do this." On Alabama's red-zone success: "They're certainly in a position where they can run the football effectively; play action pass; they've got a guy that can go one on one and match up if you go man. "So they have a lot of the elements that you need to be successful. And we think we do, too. We feel we've been there and just haven't made the plays necessary. Again, you could use the USC game as an example. A number of field goals that needed to be touchdowns. "We're going to need to score touchdowns when we get in that area against Alabama." On what sophomore quarterback Everett Golson got out of the layoff: "There are so many practices there that you're just looking for continued leadership Head coach Brian Kelly has been pleased with the leadership and growth that sophomore quarterback Everett Golson has demonstrated during Notre Dame's preparation for its showdown with Alabama. photo by bill panzica and growth and a recognition of what you're trying to accomplish. I see all those things every day from him. "I think now he's probably at that level of needing to bring it every day. He gets it now; he knows what's expected of him. Now it's about bringing it every single day. Not just the physical, because he has the physical tools, but bringing that mental edge every single practice. "That's hard to do as a young guy, but I think he's starting to understand that." On using Notre Dame's underdog status as motivation: "I've used that technique before in my time as a head coach. I don't know if that's as pertinent because it's a one game deal. It's all or nothing. Both teams have different dynamics to deal with a long layoff. Preparation is more important than any kind of fire and brimstone speech I can bring them. "The preparation is really where this is going to be at, and getting your football to be at its peak on January 7th. Although I don't disregard that can have influences on other situations, I don't see that as primary to what I'm spending my time on: and that is making sure over this month that our football team is peaking for a one game winner take all." On going from unranked to No. 1: "I'm very proud of my staff and all the players. And when you talk about ✦ Page 8 pride, you talk about pride from within. In other words, all of our players know, as well as our coaches, what we had to sacrifice to get to this point. "I've said this a number of times: what we have done this year more than anything else is our guys care about each other. I'm not going to say they hang out together every one of them and they love each other, but they really care about each other. When you care about each other you have a chance to be a good football team. "That came together this year. They care about each other in the locker room, and then they learned how to play the game the right way. So there is a lot of pride because there is a lot of work behind the scenes that go to those two things in particular, those guys caring about each other and playing the game the right way." On whether or not he thought a title run was possible in three years: "I didn't think that we couldn't. I've always thought in terms of the impediments. What are the things that will cost you … you come here because you want to play for a national championship. "There was nothing that I saw other than practicing and playing the game the right way and developing our talent. That was the only element, and that was just a matter of time. "I didn't think that there was anything that was there that we couldn't do it." ✦