Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly … On the fourth-and-two play call from the last drive: "It was actually a read pass-run, so if he had zone cov- erage we were going to throw a little quick game to pick up the first down. If he had man and the numbers were favorable we wanted to pick up the first down [running]. "We only needed [two] yards, so it was really just about converting in that situation. I took the timeout there, and we gave him a run-pass option play. He is a big enough kid, and even if the numbers weren't great we felt he could get us the two yards." Notre Dame sophomore quarter- back DeShone Kizer … On what he was thinking when he went into the game for injured starter Malik Zaire: "Not much went through my mind. I go to bed the night before a game preparing for that to happen, and I just kind of blanked. "It was time to play football, and that's the only way I can look at it. I wasn't going to be the guy to come in and lose a game for the Irish. I prepare way too much for me not to give my all during a game." On the support he received from his teammates: "Jaylon Smith's words really stuck with me. Jaylon doesn't say too much. He came up to me and said he trusted me and that we have to go win a game. We didn't get the stop we needed, and it was time for me to take over. "With that in mind, there was no stopping the Irish. The coaches and I talked earlier about the 2012 team and how they went about their sea- son. They talked about never losing. We just had to go out there on that last drive and not lose in that situa- tion." Notre Dame senior running back C.J. Prosise … On getting through the physical part of having a lot of carries per game: "I've just got to keep getting treatment and stay in the training room. I have to keep my body fresh and let it heal. "I know I'm going to be sore to- morrow, but I know my body will be back and okay when we start prac- tice again Tuesday." On his lack of experience at his position: "At this point, I feel like I can do anything in the position. I have been very comfortable in it now. "At first, it was hard moving into something new, but now I think I've got what I need to succeed in the position." Notre Dame junior wide receiver Will Fuller … On the last play: "Time just freezes for a second, when the ball is in the air it's just silent — it felt like the ball was in the air for a thousand years." FROM THE LOCKER ROOM