Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1165986
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 23, 2019 29 NOTRE DAME HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY … On younger players emerging in a game situation: "That's part and parcel in terms of what I was saying. [Sophomore wide receiver] Braden Lenzy needed to make a play, right? He needed to make that big catch. I think [sophomore running back] C'Bo [Flemister] needed to go in there and pick up a couple of blitzes and make a couple plays and a couple of good runs. "[Senior wide receiver] Javon McKinley needed to make a big play — which he made a couple of really big plays. He's been a guy that has been kind of lost in cyberspace, and now he's going to have play a significant role." On senior quarterback Ian Book's improvement: "Technically, settled down. Was in the pocket, got pres- sured. Had to deliver the football under duress. Setting his feet. Just all those things that we didn't see against Louisville. "… I want to caution everybody that it's so different when you practice — for us, almost six, eight, seven weeks now where you've only played one game; you need to play at real speed." NOTRE DAME SENIOR WIDE RECEIVER CHASE CLAYPOOL … On Javon McKinley: "He's practicing like a superstar, and it was only a matter of time before they got him on the field and he got a touchdown. I am super excited for him. I told him his time was coming and it came. "He was my roommate freshman summer year, so to see that growth and to see him stay true to everything we talked about, I am so excited for him and I hope he enjoys every moment of it." NOTRE DAME SENIOR QUARTERBACK IAN BOOK … On how he felt in the pocket: "We had a great week of preparation, so I felt comfortable in the pocket. All those guys up front have played for a long time and know what's going on. I trust all of them to do their assignments. "I felt comfortable in the pocket today and that's huge for the offense, and it's my job to stay in there and give the ball to all of our play-makers." On Javon McKinley and Avery Davis making huge touchdown plays: "Coach Kelly talks about 'next man in' mentality. That's something I clearly remember him say- ing since I was a freshman. "To see Javon ready when his name was called and same with Avery, going from offense to defense back to offense, winning the game ball tonight, there's nothing better than that." NOTRE DAME FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR CORNERBACK SHAUN CRAWFORD … On what went right for the defense today: "We just played to our standard and throughout the week we fo- cused on coming out, starting fast, playing physical and covering on the back end. I think we did that. "We wanted to focus on the details and play to our standard." On how it felt to get the interception: "We have gone over that play many times while playing cover two, and things happen like that throughout the week of practice. So when it happened, I turned my head at the perfect time and caught the ball and just wanted to go celebrate with my teammates. "Without them I wouldn't be here. They helped me through all the adversity and I just wanted to celebrate with them." NOTRE DAME SENIOR DEFENSIVE END DAELIN HAYES … On how opposing teams prepare for their pass rush: "Teams are very scared of our pass rush, so a lot of times they don't give us a lot of drop-back opportunities. "They get the ball out quick — speed option to try and neutralize hard count and anything that they can really do to try and neutralize our pass rush." On how many young guys are ready to play on this team: "This team's got juice, baby. This team can roll. Y'all see it once we get rolling. Like I said, you invest so much. "Everybody just wants to perform to the best of his ability. So when guys get their opportunity, they're going to maximize it." NOTRE DAME SENIOR SAFETY JALEN ELLIOT … On Crawford's interception: "It's a great feeling. I al- ways say Shaun is one of the strongest guys I know. So anytime you see him out there balling and just having a good time, it's great for us. "When he got to the sideline, we were excited for him, hope for many more." On taking it game by game: "We kind of take it oppo- nent by opponent. It's never really like a looking forward to [another game]. It's just what are we doing to beat New Mexico while we're playing New Mexico. "Now that we've gotten past that, what are we going to do to go out and try to play our best game against Georgia?" — Andrew Mentock and Vince DeDario FROM THE LOCKER ROOM Senior quarterback Ian Book completed 15 of 24 throws for 360 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions, and also ran for a team-high 46 yards. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS