Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 20, 2017 29 NOTRE DAME HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY … On if Miami's drive to go up 34-0 settled things: "It was pretty apparent to me that that drive was a back- breaker in the game, for them to go up 34-0. "{The 40-yard run that set up the score] was the fly sweep counter that we didn't fit very well, and let's give Travis Homer some credit, his acceleration through the hole. He may be as fast as any back that hits the hole that we've seen, and we were a step behind him." On the challenges for the coaching staff moving for- ward: "It's really about how we respond now individu- ally and collectively as a group after a disappointing per- formance. The challenge really is about bouncing back. I gave them an example of USC and the way we handled them, and now they've come back and have won all their games since that time. "We're looking at our markers within our own locker room of how guys respond. Football is a game that builds character and builds resolve. That's what we're looking for." NOTRE DAME FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR LEFT TACKLE MIKE MCGLINCHEY … On the team moving forward: "The team will be fine. We have high character in our locker room and tremen- dous coaches in place, and nothing is going to falter from here." On the crowd noise and its impact: "It just affected the snap count. It didn't affect us too much. Other than using a silent count, the crowd noise really wasn't too bad for us." On the Irish offense moving forward: "I don't think it really changes much at all. You have to stick to it. Things were there that we didn't capitalize on today. We are who we are, and we're going stick to what we do no matter what the circumstance is. "I'm proud of our guys for fighting and staying true to who we are, but we have to execute a lot better through- out the game. We didn't put together 60 minutes of foot- ball. We didn't do enough well today at all." On goals rest of the season: "Win out the rest of our games. That's all there is to it. We know we're a very good football team. We know we're better than what we played tonight. "It's pride. We have a lot of good people and a lot of good seniors." NOTRE DAME SENIOR ROVER DRUE TRANQUILL … On if Miami had the Irish defense off balance: "I think just give credit to them all over the place. They played a whole game and made plays when they needed to make plays on the offensive side of the ball and defen- sive side of the ball. "Credit their fans. That was the loudest game I've ever played in. I think they really added an element to help them. "We've got to focus on coming back and beating Navy." On how the crowd noise impacted the game: "It probably affected us more offensively with snap counts. Defensively, you have to communicate with your hands. When the crowd is super into it, it's hard to catch a rhythm. "Miami's fans did an incredible job of providing the home field advantage for them." On if the team's goals are readjusted now that play- offs are off the table: "I don't think you readjust any goals. I think our mission from the start has been to restore the pride and tradition of Notre Dame football, and that's what we're going to continue to do. "This one hurts. It hurts when you're a competitor and a team smacks you in the mouth like Miami did tonight. But there's a lot of pride in that locker room. "There's a lot of guys who love and care for each other. I expect us to come back next week, punish Navy and play well." — Corey Bodden FROM THE LOCKER ROOM Head coach Brian Kelly is hoping his team's disappointing loss to Miami will help build character and resolve. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA