Nov 7 | Pittsburgh

[beryirish]

Red Zone efficiency: Irish TD rate almost identical to Kelly era average.

 

[beryirish]

BK points out that three of ND's last 4 opponents were undefeated, other was rival USC.

BK told the team it has been "really tested" the last four weeks with Clemson, Navy, USC, and Temple.

 

[beryirish]

Kelly says leadership and command of the offense by Kizer better than Everett Golson.

More confident than Golson in '12.

Feels the Texas game was most complete game of the year in all three phases of the game.

 

[beryirish]

BK direct quote: The confidence I think more than anything else is probably the big difference between the two. Everett was a great athlete. Could do a lot of things. Strong arm. But the makeup of the QB position in itself. Leadership. Command. I think i'd have to give the nod to Deshone at this point.

 

[beryirish]

BK says he thinks ND's best football is "still in front of us"

BK told his team they've been tested in October (opponents 25-6). "let's use that to our advantage in the way we play."

Kelly said CJ Prosise stuggles vs Temple were "a great learning experience for him" Saw that not every play can be a 30-yard gain. Learned to put his head down and by physical.

 

[beryirish]

BK: OL didn't give up a sack and learned some things about assignments in the run game.

Kelly said it would have to be a "dire need situation" for Mykelti Williams' redshirt to be taken away to play in 2015.

 

[beryirish]

States Baratti and Fertitta would see PT before Williams

 

[beryirish]

Nicco Fertitta will get work at safety this week if Nicky Baratti gets hurt in the first half (likely). Elijah will return in 2nd half.

Note: John Turners mom passed.

Diaco watched ND-Temple game without mixed emotions. "I'm all about the American Conference. We're a family." ---- so much for ND family.

 

[beryirish]

BK: hasn't been a more dedicated WR than Chris Brown. Tough, gritty kid. Committed to blocking and reflects on unit.

 

[beryirish]

BK said the red zone issues don't fall on just one person, which makes finding one individual fix tough to find.

Can you live with your QB being your short-yardage back? BK: They seem to live with it in Charlotte.

BK calls Kizer "arm flapping" totally unacceptable. Kizer understands that. (Me: I don't know how he didn't get penalized)

Said Kizer was an Eagles fan. "It won't happen again."

 

[beryirish]

Kelly said he didn't notice Matt Rhule talking to Cole Luke until last night. Plants to talk with his CB about it today.

 

[beryirish]

Kelly said he would've been upset if told in August that ND would be 7-1 at this point, even with the losses to injury.

 

[beryirish]

BK states 2015 much deeper than 2012 team. Able to sustain depth with injuries in 2015.

Asked if the '12 team could have withstood this number of injuries. "absolutely not, no way."

 

[beryirish]

BK: Kizer will need to exhibit patience this week. 3rd and long against Narduzzi very difficult.

 

[beryirish]

Asked where ND stands through eight games, Kelly said he will stand ND's schedule up against anyone's.

 

[beryirish]

Brian Fremeau: No team that will be ranked in the initial CFBPlayoff rankings has played a tougher schedule to date than ND.

BK: Cage is explosive and has been dealing with a foot injury, but is coming around. Temple fits Cage's game vs triple option teams.

 

[beryirish]

Kelly doesn't really get into playoff stump speeches but notes ND's schedule holds up nationally, notes the one loss too.

BK: more on Cage: Cage physical at POA and can really control LOS. Explosive first step.

BK points out that ND only plays FBS opponents.

BK: the red zone is so gameplan-oriented that it "requires all players to be functioning together."

 

[beryirish]

BK: goal to be in playoff conversation into December. Only way to do that is to clean up things from the Temple game.

Favors playoff over BCS. "I think it's the better way of doing things."

 

[beryirish]

BK: sideline was not where it needed to be. Falls on his shoulders. Have made changes on how things will be done on sidelines.

Says he's met with Grimes about sideline incident and "we've moved past it"

...stay home Grimes

 

[beryirish]

Kelly said that he regrets what happened with Grimes on Saturday. Calls him a "valuable employee." will be with ND for a long time.

 

[beryirish]

Kelly said Sheldon Day is playing "off the charts" and that he's not sure if he gets enough credit.

Kelly on CFP rankings: "we won't think much about it at all other than talking about what we need to do and what we need to do better."

BK: Happy with interior of DL. Wants a little more pressure from DE in pass rush situations.

 

[tko]

Trying to embed Jonas Gray's 79 yard TD versus Pitt

 

[beryirish]

BK: This weeks game wrecker: Pitt WR Tyler Boyd

 

[beryirish]

Tyler Newsome was off mechanically. Added the sophomore needs to be able to make in-game adjustments. Part of maturation of a young punter.

 

[beryirish]

BK: previous game wreckers - Deshaun Watson, Justin Thomas, Adoree Jackson

BK on Keith Gilmore bringing D-line together. "There's one heartbeat in that room. It's led by Sheldon."

 

[ulukinatme]

BK on noon start:

Glad this isn't another damn prime time game. Not that I think Pitt need a prime time game to play hard against us, but I think there's just less energy from the crowd (Less tailgating maybe, less anticipation) for a noon game. I still expect Pitt to come out and play us as hard as they'll play anyone this season

Kelly says leadership and command of the offense by Kizer better than Everett Golson.

More confident than Golson in '12.

Feels the Texas game was most complete game of the year in all three phases of the game.

BK direct quote: The confidence I think more than anything else is probably the big difference between the two. Everett was a great athlete. Could do a lot of things. Strong arm. But the makeup of the QB position in itself. Leadership. Command. I think i'd have to give the nod to Deshone at this point.

Boom. I know Kelly said in the Spring he liked our QB situation over anyone in the country, and obviously he meant our QBs fit Notre Dame better than any other QBs would fit in, but even with the loss to Golson we're in a damn fine position. You gotta love where we're at with QBs in Zaire, Kizer, and Wimbush right now. We are light years ahead of where we were at that position even two years ago. We have more athleticism, more leadership, and more camaraderie than in years past, love it.

Nicco Fertitta will get work at safety this week if Nicky Baratti gets hurt in the first half (likely).

Did you add the "likely" part? If so, probably accurate. Not bagging on the kid, you can't help injuries, and I credit him for fighting back each time. That's a testament to his mental strength and desire to play.

 

[beryirish]

Trying to embed Jonas Gray's 79 yard TD versus Pitt

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/58GhK358UUQ?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ulukinatme]

Trying to embed Jonas Gray's 79 yard TD versus Pitt

[EDIT] Damn it, Berry, you beat me all while doing the press conference updates

 

[RDU Irish]

Kelly said he didn't notice Matt Rhule talking to Cole Luke until last night. Plants to talk with his CB about it today.

WTF is this all about?

 

[beryirish]

[EDIT] Damn it, Bery, you beat me all while doing the press conference updates

haha the feeds are coming in slow - but no word on it being done yet.