Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/81334
FROM THE LOCKER ROOM Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly … On winning the season opener: “It was a great way to open the season. When you’re playing a team like Navy, it requires you to be so disciplined. Those are the concerns any coach would have — playing your first game after such a long time away from the speed of what we were seeing today. “I was really proud of the way the team handled the travel and the maturity they showed in preparing that allowed us to play physical football today.” On what was different this year compared to a season-opening loss in 2011: “I think all of our players understood. They looked at last season like we did as coaches. I had to improve as a coach. I think each player took it upon themselves to pay attention to all the little things that are necessary to be successful. I think it’s a cumulative effect of everybody pulling together and making sure we do all the little things right. “These guys have been tremendous, and everything we’ve asked them to do they’ve done it. It’s getting close to that time where they’re going to start getting paid back.” On what he took away from the overall performance: “I think the story for me is the ability to control both lines, offensively and defensively, and to play between 15-20 first-time participants. We had a lot of young players get some valuable experience today.” Notre Dame senior left tackle Zack Martin … On so many players getting on the field for the first time: “It was good to get some of the younger guys in. They work hard in practice, too. They deserve a little something. I’m glad they got in, and I think for maybe all of them it was their first snaps ever in college. That’s pretty special to have in Ireland. I thought they did a nice job.” Notre Dame senior linebacker Manti Te’o … On the defense holding Navy to 10 points: “I think we knew what we could do coming into this game. We knew what we were capable of. The locker room is just a celebration. All the work we put in the winter, spring, summer and during fall camp — I’m very happy and very proud of our guys the way we came out. We played as one. We played as a full team. It was a good team win for us. “I have some animals up in front of me, and it makes my job a lot easier. When you have No. 7 [sophomore defensive end Stephon Tuitt] who can pretty much outrun any skill player on the offense, that makes things a lot more fun.” Notre Dame sophomore running back George Atkinson III … On teammate Theo Riddick’s run in the first half that appeared to knock out a Navy defender: “After I saw him knock that guy out there’s no question that he was a physical runner. That kind of startled me. I want to knock some guys out, too.” On his brief touchdown celebration: “I watched a lot of guys in the NFL, and I like to see big runs getting broken. I’ve seen Chris Johnson do it. I watch a lot of highlight tapes. I was like I want to do that when I score a big one. I was just trying to imitate those guys in the pros. [Assistant coach Tony Alford said] not to do it again. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.” Notre Dame senior running back Theo Riddick … On sophomore quarterback Everett Golson: “There were a lot of worries in terms of him getting overexcited, but he has this poise about him. You saw it today; he was very calm. He made a mistake early in the game and came right back as if it never happened. That’s something you want in a QB.” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo … On being the home team against Notre Dame in Ireland: “I have no complaints on the atmosphere. We received unbelievable support from the people of Ireland. Everything that happened outside of the white lines on the field was great. “Unfortunately for us, everything that happened inside of the white lines wasn’t as great.” On missed opportunities in the first half: “Against a team like Notre Dame, you can’t miss when you have those opportunities. [Quarterback] Trey [Miller] understands that. We have to capitalize when given the chance. Doing so has been the blueprint to our success in the past.”