Nov 3 | Pittsburgh

[RDU Irish]

Last year's game was one of the ugliest football games I have ever seen.

Remember- we are coming off of a tough three week stretch of Stanford, BYU and Oklahoma. Pitt has a balanced offense with an experience signal caller (albeit not overly mobile) and a good defense. If we make a few mistakes, come out flat, or they bring the A+ game we could be in for a fight.

Last year I thought we would beat them by thirty. I think I was a year early on that.

 

[peoriairish]

For a fan base who likes to tell people to not compare this years team to those of yersteryear, some of you sure are doing that quite a bit with these upcoming games.

I understand the trepidation and classic ND uneasiness, but this ND team is outstanding. We will win this game by >21 points and not allow more than 6 points.

These boys are focused.

 

[ickythump1225]

I don't see this as a trap game. The next 'big' game is weeks away. BYU was the definition of trap game (Coming off big emotional win, huge road game next).


Kelly is keeping them focused 1 game at a time. Players cheered when he said "now find a way to beat Pitt" in the locker room after the OU game.

The only "trap" element I see is we are coming off the biggest win for this program in the last decade and we're #3. However I'm impressed with how Kelly always seems to have his players focused and ready to go. Plus Pitt is a rival and we've struggled with them the past few years so we should be focused and ready to go.

 

[beryirish]

BK PITT conference up in a bit...

for those who can watch: NBC Sports

for those who can't I'll post the comments.

 

[beryirish]

BK last week recap: Most pleased - team smart and disciplined. They took care of the football. We did not go back, disciplined in following the plan. No turnovers

 

[beryirish]

Our guys really showed how important those little things are, in winning on the road. those good habits in the daily work win games.

The process is about developing habits nexessary to win games, and in particular big games on the road.

 

[beryirish]

BK on Pitt: They have clearly found themselves with a new coach.

Pitt has played us extremely well over the last couple of years. Incredible what they have been able to overcome in the last year.

 

[beryirish]

BK on handling prosperity: This is not a first time conversation with our football team.

Handled success early and they did well. Prepare properly or success ends.

 

[beryirish]

(You know the season's going well when Kelly gets asked about avoiding a letdownn with a reference to '93 Boston College)

BK: Hisotry will have no affect on how this team plays. Our focus is on how we prepare. Take care of what we can control.

I do not use history lessons as much as I want them to realize what it takes to win week in, week out.

 

[beryirish]

BK: I am focused on the guys in the room. We focus on the week ahead.

Q: On winning close margins at home?
A: I think teams that come into Notre Dame stadium play their very, very best.

 

[beryirish]

on QB Sunseri: He has really matured as a QB. Really impressed with his play this year.

Really grown up. He's taking care of the football, the offense fits him well, and he's playing the best football of his career.

 

[beryirish]

on Battering Cam: You have a guy that knows he's going to impact the program. It's just a matter of time.

 

[arrowryan]

on Battering Cam: You have a guy that knows he's going to impact the program. It's just a matter of time.

Who is Battering Cam?

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Who is Battering Cam?

McDaniel

 

[beryirish]

Q: path to 8-0?
A: It's a climb. Developing a program with a consistency you want your program to have. The challenges is each year you have different players.

 

[beryirish]

on Coach Elliott: He's an important part of the operation. Great recruiter, he was a coordinator, he coached some of our coaches.

 

[beryirish]

on Pitt running game: They're two really good RBs and we'll be challenged to slow them down.

Ray Graham and Rushel Shell

 

[beryirish]

Q: time of possession a priority?
A: Yes, we want time of possession to equal a certain amount of plays.

 

[beryirish]

BK says he's happy with TOP for ND, but wants offense to fit more plays into that time.

on Cave: He's improved, in all areas. Wanted him to be more physical, he's starting to do that on a more consistent basis.

 

[beryirish]

Q: next for Golson?
A: Passing game needs to improve. See a higher passing efficiency. We need now a string of games back to back.

 

[beryirish]

Q: Manti - has an affect on his teammates' games?
A: Across the defensive front, he can't but influence their play because they're asked to do similar things.

 

[beryirish]

Kelly said Manti Te'o put Everett Golson at ease with a pre-game sitdown conversation shortly before kickoff in Oklahoma.

 

[beryirish]

Q: Leadership from Everett last weekend?
A: Something that's coming together. Communication is improving, the players feel it.

 

[beryirish]

Q: How close is Golson to being the guy you can just put out there?
A: Not this year, fixing the little things, and he's committed to that.

 

[beryirish]

BK: 18% mistakes this weekend (goal is under 10%). You could make the case that htye played clean, and they are close. We still work on it.

 

[beryirish]

on Chris Brown: we think he's ready now for a part-time role, but certainly not a full-time role yet.

 

[beryirish]

Q: emphasis on first few minutes of the half?
A: 4 quarters for winning, first quarter is start fast, second quarter is attention to detail, third quarter is effort and enthusiam and fourth quarter is finish strong.

 

[NDdomer2]

the guy asking questions right now must be a tad slow or something he cant just spit it out.

 

[beryirish]

There's a number of guys that are impacting the way we play at wide receiver.

 

[beryirish]

BK - the ILBs are tackling better and playing better in space. They are doing a much better job on the inside receiver.