Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/904117
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 27, 2017 29 NOTRE DAME HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY … On how important the Irish touchdown before half- time was: "It was critical. … We even thought about sur- render defense, when Navy got down to the 3-yard line [on its touchdown drive that preceded Notre Dame's scoring drive] … Let them score at the 3, and let's get the ball back. "It was just one of those things where the clock had been utilized to the point where we needed the ball back … we felt like we could score if we just got the ball back. "There were a lot of things going through my head at that time. I'm considering surrender, do I use another timeout here? But the way it ended up playing out is we had enough time, and it was crucial that we do some- thing right before the half." On how appropriate it was for the seniors to win that way in their final game at home: "They got a chance to do something not a lot of teams can do, and that is win 10 games. Eight to 10 teams a year win 10 games. "They can be an elite class two out of the last three years of winning 10 games or more. They can win 11. So there's a lot to play for these guys, and they have done an incredible job of leading us back to where we should be." NOTRE DAME JUNIOR QUARTERBACK BRANDON WIMBUSH … On what sophomore wide receiver Kevin Stepherson has meant to the offense: "You see from the results that he is a huge factor now in our offense, and he just adds to the already dynamic receiving corps. He's been with us since January in the process of rebuilding this pro- gram, and we turned this thing around. "I think he did a good job of all the way through to when he was able to get back on the field of preparing himself and being ready for this opportunity." NOTRE DAME JUNIOR RUNNING BACK JOSH ADAMS … On the importance of responding offensively when Navy went up by seven points: "That was great. We had to be efficient with the ball on offense and make our opportunities count. "Responding to plays like that was big for us as an of- fense, being able to respond and keep pushing. Feed off of our defense and help those guys out and bring energy to the entire team." NOTRE DAME SENIOR LINEBACKER GREER MARTINI … On if he'll miss playing the option: "After the ice bath I get into tonight, I don't know. I'll miss it just be- cause it's another chance to play football." NOTRE DAME SOPHOMORE CORNERBACK JULIAN LOVE … On the message in the huddle during Navy's last drive knowing the defense needed a stop: "When you play Navy, you know they're always going to come at you, and they're not going to stop no matter what. Com- ing out in the fourth quarter, obviously we had to make these plays because they just wind the clock down when they have the ball. "… It was gut-check time and we battled. The interior did such a great job, too. Greer Martini had a great day as well. When you have all those components working for each other, you get a stop." NOTRE DAME FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR LEFT TACKLE MIKE MCGLINCHEY … On playing his final game at Notre Dame Stadium on Senior Day: "It means the world. Anytime I got to put on that uniform and play for our school in front of our home crowd — I'm just very, very fortunate to be able to do that, and for the last time today I was hit with a lot of emotions. "It's heavy on the heart, but we've still have a job to do for this next game or two." NOTRE DAME SENIOR LINEBACKER NYLES MORGAN … On Mike Elko's preparation for the option compared to past years … "I would say the biggest thing was he really broke it down for us. He kept us in a few defenses, and we ran all throughout those defenses. "Guys got a taste of everything, and we made sure that any chance we got to practice option we were practicing option. He had us practicing option in our sleep." NOTRE DAME SENIOR ROVER DRUE TRANQUILL … On if it was his last game at Notre Dame Stadium: "I play every game here like it's my last. You just never know. Obviously, there are some guys, whether I come back or not, that I'll never play with again. "I played this game like it was my last game. We'll wait on that decision." — Corey Bodden FROM THE LOCKER ROOM Sophomore Julian Love started at safety against the Midshipmen and racked up a career-high 14 tackles (10 solo). PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA