Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/93567
✦ QUOTING KELLY "It's at a point in the season where you know what to expect, you know how to prepare and you know how to do the things necessary to get yourself to Saturday. We'll start that today in our preparation for a team that obviously in the ACC has played great competition." On Wake Forest's offensive weapons: "[Wideout Michael] Campanaro on offense gave us fits last year. [Quarterback] Tanner Price is very elusive in the pocket, and can make plays and extend plays. [Running back Josh] Harris is the veteran running back. We know the guys on offense." throw a lot at you. You're going to get blitzed from every formation. We have to do a great job of making sure that we protect our quarterback, find ways to get after them on the offensive line and run the football. "They are very athletic and as good as some of the very On the Wake Forest defense: "Defensively they best in the country in the back end of their defense with two very good corners, athletic safeties. They match up very well against the top skill players in the country. "They also have an outstanding punter that can flip field position. So, again, another challenge for our foot- ball team." "It's been a great year, there's no question. I will tell you that winning helps in recruiting. It also solidifies those commitments. We have a number of mid-year enrollees that obviously are very excited about the direction of the football program. There is no mistaking that that kind of success helps you in recruiting. "Having said that, I think we had made great progress coming into the season where we had a number of com- mitments already in place. The winning has obviously enhanced that and strengthened those commitments. I don't think there is any question that winning definitely gives you a bump in recruiting." On how this year has affected recruiting in 2013-14: Junior quarterback Tanner Price completed 189 of 341 throws (55.4 percent) for 1,965 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in Wake Forest's first 10 games. PHOTO COURTESY WAKE FOREST grown: "All relationships over time evolve. You learn more about each other. You learn about the strengths and weaknesses that you have. But more than anything else, you begin to trust each other, trust that everybody is here for the same reasons. "We're here to develop them to be the best they can be On how his relationship with current seniors has both on and off the field. Once they understand that and they know you're not here just to get something out of them — I want to get more football out of you, I want to ✦ PAGE 12 get more out of you as a young man — once that wall has been broken, then it allows you to have to some fun with those guys. I think that is what we've seen this year." older players: "I spent more time with the team this year. I think that helped in developing and strengthening those relationships. But it's a process. They would tell you from day one to today they were pretty clear on what the mission was, what we wanted to accomplish. "As you develop closer relationships with your players On when he thought he was getting through to the they start to go, 'Oh, I now know what you were talking about.' I think we're at that point now." his parents on the sideline: "It's probably one of the great moments here at Notre Dame when my family gets to be actively involved in what I'm doing. Because you don't get a chance to spend a lot of time with your fam- ily, I think one the great things at Notre Dame is family is included. "We've got coach's kids that come to dinner. We really On being able to share moments this season with do a great job of including them. My parents have been with me every game that I've coached. It's great to see them after the game and be part of Notre Dame football." beginning of the season: "I would say that our pass defense has really improved. Now, a lot of that has to do with some experience. If you watch Bennett Jackson, he was alone to the field a number of times one on one and had great breaks on the ball. KeiVarae Russell is a more accomplished player and understands our defense. "Matthias Farley came in early in the season just trying On where the defense has improved most from the to figure out how to play that position. The emergence of Danny Spond — he is playing very good pass coverage for us. That's probably got to be the area we made the most progress since game one." We're not good enough to do that. We went back, talked about it and practiced it. "I don't believe it's an epidemic. I don't believe it's On recent turnovers: "We can't turn the ball over. a situation where we need to change anything. We just understand that turnovers in the game will affect our production." ✦