Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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ing drive, a possession that lasted 8:08, by missing a 38-yard attempt wide of the left upright. However, he con‑ verted his other three attempts in the three-point win. He drilled a 53-yard field goal early in the third quarter to put the Irish up 17-13. The kick was one yard longer than Brindza's previous career high, a make of 52 yards at USC last No‑ vember, and tied a school record from 1976. Brindza's third make lifted the Irish to a 30-27 lead with 3:03 remaining in the game. He also set up fifth-year se‑ nior linebacker Dan Fox's interception return for a touchdown by pinning the Sun Devils at their own 1-yard line with a 53-yard punt. "I would say he's a pretty clutch guy in the fourth quarter," Brian Kelly said. "He missed one early, but you've got to look at his track record. … He just has that feeling that he's a clutch player for us, and he has been since he's been here. … He's that kind of player for us. We can really rely on him." ✦ From The Locker Room Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly … On Arizona State's offense: "They are a very difficult offense to defend. They do so many things well. [Quarterback Taylor] Kelly is difficult to keep in the pocket, and when he gets outside, he has outstanding receivers. "It's just a difficult offense to defend, and I thought we did a pretty darned good job." On whether or not senior quarterback Tommy Rees silenced his critics: "No, they will still be there." Notre Dame senior cornerback Bennett Jackson … On fifth-year senior linebacker Dan Fox's dive at the end of a touchdown return: "I was kind of jealous, actually. I wished I had done it, but he deserved it. He's a great guy. He's been working his tail off. "I tried tackling him in the end zone, but he wouldn't go down. I was happy for him." Notre Dame senior wide receiver TJ Jones … On a resilient offensive performance: "I think that's something important that our coaches try to instill in us as an offense and as a team in those situations — to lean on each other, trust one another, regardless of who it is next to you in those tough situations." On limiting Arizona State's offensive possessions: "It's just taking care of the ball. Taking the opportunities that we're given and maximizing them. "Not giving the ball back to the defense. Not going backwards as an offense helps to take care of some of those possessions." On his chemistry with Rees: "It's a great chemistry. We lived together for two and a half years. We enrolled early together. We've been here from day one together, not only on the field, but off the field. "There's a lot of chemistry between us, and it shows in our performance on the field." … Notre Dame freshman linebacker Jaylon Smith On the atmosphere at AT&T Stadium: "It was incredible. It was a dream come true playing in these types of atmospheres week in and week out. "I've never had a chance to play in front of 80,000 every week."