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✦ QUOTING KELLY "I believe that we have all of the things in place for us here to win a national championship and we believe we are building our program towards that end." On his impressions of MSU quarterback Andrew Maxwell: "Very strong arm. He's got good vision, tall guy that can see down the field. I really just think it's game experience that he's gaining each and every week. You can see that there was a big difference in his play from week one to week two, I'll tell you that. "And you can see that they put him in very good posi- tion to run the offense. So I think what we're seeing is a guy developing his confidence from week one to week two." On watching the film from 2010 this week and stomaching the end: "No, I didn't watch that particu- lar set of circumstances. I think that we know playing Michigan State and playing them last year, it's going to come down to a couple of plays and it probably will this year, as well. "I think our focus has strictly been on each and every play to make a difference in the game, as evidenced in 2010." have been hired as head coach at Michigan State in 2006: "That was so long ago for me. My brain is full of so many different things now. "I think if I'm on a golf course in Michigan and mak- On when there was a realistic chance that he could ing the turn and having a hot dog, maybe I would think about it. But other than that, I'm focused on what I'm doing right here." be what it wants to be: "Well, certainly I'm here for one reason and that's to graduate our kids and win a national championship. You would have a hard time moving me off that spot. What others think and perceive, that's up to them to think. "But I believe that we have all of the things in place for On the outside perception that this program can't us here to win a national championship and we believe we are building our program towards that end." game in 2010, Michigan State has generated about 23 rushing yards: "Yeah, we know what kind of game it's going to be. It's going to be a physical game. You can't win those games unless you play good run defense, there's no chance. You're going to find yourself on the short end of most of those games. "I'm sure there are some games where a rushing de- On the last five quarters going back to the overtime fense didn't factor in, but we built the program and started to build the program and the foundations for it, a good run defense. And games like this are going to test you, because both defenses are very stingy as it comes to running the football." against Purdue: "Well, all of the younger players gained valuable experience as it relates to potential distractions on game day, and all of the things that go along with that. So I would say more than anything it was a good learning experience for them. "There are some things that maybe we could have done On playing so many young guys in the home opener a little bit better in preparing them. But having said that, all of them competed. There is not one guy that didn't go out there with a competitive edge to them. Now, there are things we can do a little bit better to streamline com- munication; all of the things that go with being a better football player. So it was a great experience for them and now we look to build on it; and now, going into which is going to be a very loud and, you know, a great environ- ment at Michigan State." the combo at running back this week: "Versatility. I mean, great versatility. As I mentioned before, I think I had even said this on my conference call, was that we have to get George [Atkinson III] some more touches, as well, because we think we have got really three backs that have equal starting ability. "They all can be stars and starters. We have to make On having Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick being sure that we integrate them all into the offense. I think the answer to your question is, it gives us great versatility." On the challenges of facing MSU running back ✦ PAGE 9 Head coach Brian Kelly said the return of senior running back Cierre Wood this week will bring great versatility to the Irish offense. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA Le'Veon Bell: "The challenge is that he plays, and he plays every down, and he keeps coming after you. He's relentless, physical and I don't know if this is fair to him, but he's just a throw back. I mean, he just keeps going. And the more carries he gets, the better he gets. "But you know, that's typical to the kind of runners that Michigan State has had. They are recruiting those kind of guys that just keep pounding the ball at you. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He is the complete back." ✦