Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FROM THE LOCKER ROOM Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly … On emotions during the game: "It's different for me because I'm so focused on the next play. I never feel like we've got anything in control. We're always trying to look towards the next play, and that's the way we want our kids to play. "We don't want them to succumb or to be sucked into highs and lows, and I think they've done a very, very good job. That's the way I want my football team to play, and I think they are playing that way." Notre Dame senior wide receiver Michael Floyd … On his chest injury: "I have to go and talk to the doc- tor when I get back to the hotel and see what's going on. It's tough knowing that you could be in there possibly making plays, and there's nothing you can do about it. "It hurts me, and I'm sure it hurts my teammates, too, that I can't be out there." On his 41-yard punt return in the first quarter: "Coach [Mike] Elston said we have to make big plays in the special teams. I felt like that was a time that we could possibly make a game-changer, and I did what I can and I switched the field position." On junior safety Zeke Motta's play: "I think it's defi- nitely important; it gives Zeke the confidence boost. He's a great player — he might not have played great at certain times but he is still a great player — and I think that will mold him into a greater player next year." Notre Dame fifth-year senior safety Harrison Smith … On what the team needs to do better next year: "If you're thinking just [statistics] specifically, I'd probably say ball control, limiting turnovers and getting more turnovers. That's the biggest stat on who wins games. That's where you start. "The guys already have the passion; they already have the drive; they have the fight. We've never lied down; we've always fought to the end. That's something this team will always have no matter what." On looking back on his career: "It always takes me a little time to let everything sink in, especially after a game. I never feel good after a loss. I know it will hit me in a few days. "I won't be working out with these guys anymore; I won't be practicing with them. I'll miss these coaches, hanging out with them and getting to know their fami- lies. All that is stuff that I'll miss, but it hasn't quite hit me yet." Notre Dame sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees … On the offense's overall performance: "There were situations where we had the ball and the lead, and we could have put the game away, but we came up short. We have to get better at closing out games, and that starts with the quarterback position. "We missed some things here and there. We definitely let this one get away." On sharing snaps with sophomore Andrew Hendrix: "I think Coach [Kelly] does a good job communicating, so we have time to warm up and get our arm back. It hurts the rhythm a little bit having to come out, but it's something that Coach thought would help our team win and definitely worked here and there." Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher … On having faith in his guys: "Weren't no changes Senior wide receiver Michael Floyd provided an instant spark with his 41-yard punt return — the first of his career — in the first quarter. Notre www.BLUEANDGOLD.com Dame came into the game with a national-low three yards on punt returns. PHOTO BY GREG OYSTER to be made. Weren't nobody else to put in. They're all banged and bruised. You've got to have patience. You've got to understand when freshman go out there, they are not going to be perfect. We knew it'd take time. "The game was not out of reach, and I thought the second half EJ [Manuel] did a great job of competing. He was banged and bruised and his leg hurt. EJ is a competitor and a winner. Our kids believe in him. He knows if he gives the ball to Rashad [Greene] and the re- ceivers, and all the guys out there, they're going to make plays for him. … EJ is winner and competitor. He's a guy you're proud to be the leader of your football team, the face of your organization." FEBRUARY 2012 33