Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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WINNING MENTALITY UNDER THE DOME DEVELOPING A Brigham Young 17-14 Oct. 20, it improved to not only 7-0 but also 4-0 this season in games decided by seven points or less. That already tied it for fourth most such victories during one season. The 1939 team had six victories by seven or fewer points, while the 1937 team was 5-1-1 and the 2002 unit was 5-1. "When we get into these close After Notre Dame defeated then you can say we absolutely did something," Wood said. "Un- til then, we haven't done any- thing." While maintaining such an games, the mentality now is we are going to do whatever it takes to win," said senior All-Ameri- can linebacker Manti Te'o. "It's no longer just crossing our fin- gers and going, 'Please, please, please', waiting for the next shoe to drop. We are always just trying to be that person — making things happen." Following the victory against BYU, one of the main stories af- ter the game was how the Notre Dame players were a little dis- gruntled. "A lot of guys were just disap- pointed in the way they played," fifth-year senior center Braxston edge is a positive, head coach Brian Kelly wants his players to walk that fine line between erad- icating complacency, but also be- ing able to savor, for 24 hours anyway, the rewards. "There's so much work and MANTI TE'O Cave said. "Everybody has high expectations for themselves, and when you don't meet those expec- tations you kind of get down on yourself. "We won and that's great, but I think guys hold themselves to a higher standard than what we put out there on the field today." Senior running back Cierre Wood echoed similar sentiments. "When the season is done and over with and if we've got a ring, Notre DameFootball Tickets BEST SELECTION & PRICES www.NotreDameTickets.com 24 years in business BUY ✦ SELL ✦ TRADE Call 1-800-925-2500 around each other, when they enjoy being around the coaches, when they still enjoy playing the game. "I've always felt that teams in preparation that goes into this that if it doesn't become fun for you, then you lose your edge," Kelly said. "I've always felt like your team keeps its edge in No- vember when they enjoy being November have a distinct advan- tage if they're enjoying the pro- cess, if they really come over here and feel good about practice and understand how it's all part of their experience. "We don't come over here and have s'mores and campfires and sing songs. But I think you really have to enjoy the process and en- joy winning, in particular." Deep down, Cave said the play- "Coach Kelly said that. To get to 7-0, nobody could be any happier than we are." ers are rejoicing, but they don't want to lose their hunger. "Winning is hard," Cave said.