Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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you've got the right kind of guys in that locker room, it's always going to sustain you," he said, before naming linebacker Joe Schmidt and defensive back Matthias Farley, both seniors, as prime examples moving forward. "It's going to sustain you in tough times, and it's going to help you when things are going really well to keep them rounded." T h i n g s h a d n o t gone really well in quite some time when Utupo first joined the Irish in 2010. Only Utupo, safety Austin Collinsworth and of- fensive lineman Chris- tian Lombard remain from Kelly's first re- cruiting class, and all three have wit- nessed nearly the entire spectrum of the ups and downs of Notre Dame football. "They looked at us to help build this winning culture," Utupo said. "I've seen when we were bad, and I've seen when we were really good. That ex- perience, I can use that to help other guys. Let them know after a loss, what we need to do. After a win, what we need to do to continue to win." This season has certainly brought both highs and lows, with Utupo playing more during the latter simply due to the attrition that has worn the defensive line to patchwork status. Freshman Daniel Cage suffered a knee sprain against Northwestern Nov. 15 that continues to limit him. Jones tore a ligament in his foot against Lou- isville, ending his season. Day was sidelined the final two regular-season contests due to a sprained knee, but may return for a bowl game. Senior Ishaq Williams has appeared on the absentee list the entire season due to the academic dishonesty investigation. In their places, Utupo stepped up — but even with Cage, Day and Jones healthy, Utupo started against Navy. Kelly cited his physicality and abil- ity to get off blocks. H e u n d o u b t e d l y never expected the 290-pounder to snag a late interception against the Midship- men. When Utupo did, it was the first time he'd toted the ball since high school. Against Northwest- ern, Utupo had an- other chance with the ball in his hands when the Wildcats sent a squib kick up the field and into the up man's hands. As a veteran, he knew to ignore the voice inside his head. "I wanted to score," he said with a smile nearly as big as Jones' was when the media scrum began. "I wanted to try and get in the end zone, but I really wanted to make sure we had the ball, so I went down." That calming influence of a player who has seen it all, endured the frus- tration of waiting on the sideline and now finally has reached his time, is the reason Kelly brought Utupo back. It is the reason he's earned starts, in- cluding in front of the majority of his family at USC. It is the reason the young defensive linemen were so happy to see their older brother getting his moment in the spotlight. ✦ "I SEE MYSELF AS A GUY THE YOUNGER GUYS LOOK UP TO. I WAS COMING IN TO HELP THE TEAM OUT, HELP THE LOCKER ROOM, KEEP THIS WINNING CULTURE GOING AND KEEP BUILDING OFF THAT. YOU NEED FIFTH- YEAR GUYS FOR THAT." UTUPO