Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/219972
From The Locker Room Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly … On playing better in November than at the start of the year: "I guess I've got to find a way to get better in September. I guess that's the way to do it." On bowl options after falling to 8-4: "I couldn't tell you for sure. I think [athletics director] Jack [Swarbrick] would know better than I, but there are going to be some opportunities for us. We're going to have to sit and evaluate, and find out. There are a lot of schools that still obviously have an opportunity to take some of those spots that are there. "We're in a unique situation this year without having a tie-in. We're appreciative of any bowl that would take a good hard look at us." On Tommy Rees' legacy at Notre Dame: "Legacy is such a big word for me. I just love the way the kid competes out there. He's not going to go into the College Football Hall of Fame. He doesn't have those incredible skills, but he just puts his heart and soul into what he does. "As a coach, what you appreciate is when somebody gives you all he has." Notre Dame fifth-year senior offensive tackle Zack Martin … On Tommy Rees and the chess match with the Stanford defense: Head coach Brian Kelly said he loves the way senior signal-caller Tommy Rees has competed throughout his Notre Dame career. photo by bill panzica "He's been great all season, but tonight you really saw it. "Hats off to Stanford, they're a great team, and they're really well coached. They gave a lot of different looks, and you have to be on your 'A' game especially at Tom's position. I'm very proud of him." On playing Stanford: "We love playing this team. I know they like playing us. To go down in a close one in your last regular-season game is tough. "I'm proud of the guys on the team and proud of the senior class for coming out here, but we wanted to come out and win. It's very tough." Notre Dame senior wide receiver TJ Jones … On losing a close game: "I don't