BY ANDREW OWENS
T
hree years ago, a veteran-laden
team took Notre Dame to the
BCS National Championship
Game with an undefeated reg-
ular season. But if you ask head coach
Brian Kelly, this 2015 group outpaces
the 2012 version in three vital areas.
"It's a faster team," Kelly said
at his media day press conference
Aug. 18. "It's a more athletic team.
We are deeper at virtually all posi-
tions across the board, both on the
offensive line and the defensive line.
Maybe we don't have singularly one
superstar here or there, but the depth
of the group is a whole different foot-
ball team than that group. That was a
unique group in that they knew how
to win, had great leadership … win-
ning teams have a special group of
guys that find ways to win, and that
group did.
"But this is, from an athletic stand-
point and from a physical prowess
FORWARD
PROGRESS
Head coach Brian Kelly feels his
2015 squad is more
talented than the 2012 national
runner-up team
Kelly enters his sixth season at Notre Dame look-
ing to eclipse the 10-win mark for the second time.
PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND
