Blue and Gold Illustrated

Nov. 12, 2018

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1047749

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 28 of 63

www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 12, 2018 29 NOTRE DAME HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY … On not flinching when Northwestern cut the Irish lead to three points with seven minutes left in the game: "They've been like that all year. They play one play at a time. They don't get too high, and they don't get too low. "They knew in the second half they needed to play much better football. Offensively, we had too many penalties and the turnover. It was a bit uncharacteristic for us relative to the kind of game we've played all year. "They cleaned it up in the second half and played pretty good football." NOTRE DAME JUNIOR QUARTERBACK IAN BOOK … On the feeling of being 9-0: "It's pretty awesome. … We're in such a good situation, and we know that, but I think this team does such a good job of focusing one week at a time. "Everyone's excited, and everyone is ready for Florida State." NOTRE DAME JUNIOR WIDE RECEIVER CHASE CLAYPOOL … On what changed offensively after halftime: "We came out kind of slow. We had the opportunities — we just had to capitalize. It's all about what we do in prac- tice each week. "We always talk about finishing and being a second half team and making sure we don't dip down. I think that's where it started from." On if there was an emphasis on yards after the catch (YAC) heading into game: "The first half of the season we haven't really been getting YAC. We've been more possession receivers. "We emphasized throughout the week getting YAC turns up the field." NOTRE DAME SENIOR LINEBACKER TE'VON CONEY … On having fifth-year senior linebacker Drue Tran- quill on the field despite injury: "He's a warrior. He's going to do anything to go out there and be with us. "He's a great brother, and I'm happy to have him out there. He did a great job tonight stepping up big for us." On sophomore linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath's first career start: "He did a great job. All week, he was very focused and prepared. All our backups do a great job of preparing each and every week. They never know when their numbers are going to be called. "He was ready tonight to step up for us. He knew how much was on the line, and he did a great job for us." NOTRE DAME JUNIOR CORNERBACK JULIAN LOVE … On if the team relaxed after going up 24-7 in the fourth quarter: "A little bit. I think Northwestern is good at being resilient. They had the punt block. That was crucial, and they scored off that. "It was just about little details and being ready for everything they threw at us. They threw a lot at us when we were up by a lot. I could say we relaxed a little bit, but I think it was just Northwestern throwing their last punch." On the defense's response when it was a three-point game: "I think our defense is like waking up a sleeping beast when games are close. When were up by only three, everybody was pacing up and down the sidelines yelling at each other, screaming and motivating each other. "We knew that if they didn't score anymore points it was game over, and that's what we did." On if it is easier to play loose with each win: "With the experience we have, it is easier than it's been in years past. We're just going to keep doing what we've been doing that's lead us to be 9-0. "We realized that, and we've been coached that. It's just a bunch of seniors and a bunch of vets who are really leading us in that confidence." — Corey Bodden and David McKinney FROM THE LOCKER ROOM Senior linebacker Te'von Coney paced the Fighting Irish defense with 10 tackles and a pair of sacks. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Blue and Gold Illustrated - Nov. 12, 2018