April 23, 2005
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Notre Dame Blue/Gold Game
April 23, 2005
Post Game Quotes
Head Coach Charlie Weis Quotes
On the progress of the offense…
“I’ve been very pleased with the progress of the offense as far as mentally picking it up. I think it is not a question of whether or not you can exploit a defense. Rather, it is whether or not your players can handle exploiting them. I have been encouraged by Brady (Quinn) and all the offensive players in this respect.”
On the level of competition between personnel of the Blue and Gold Teams…
“There was a bit of a mismatch in the personnel of the Blue Team over the Gold Team. I am encouraged, however, that some players are beginning to play themselves into the mix and we can start to establish some depth. I feel we are moving in the right direction and this is going to end up being a very competitive group.”
On the players involved in punt and kick returns…
“We have the candidates for returners in our minds. I don’t care if it is an offensive or a defensive guy. When you have someone who can catch the ball and run fast, it makes his blockers that much better.”
On the current talent level of Darius Walker and his potential in the upcoming years…
“He has all the qualities to be as front-line a player as you can possibly have. He has great vision and is not small. He is built very well and has a world of talent. The sky is the limit for him.”
On the presence of the special guest coaches…
“They did a great job with the teams. Three of them talked yesterday to the team during our team meeting and it was awesome.”
On his biggest concern coming out of spring practice…
“My biggest concern is that I will not be hands-on until August. I am used to having my players year-round but in this case, it is time for them to return to being college students. I feel good about our team right now. The concern is based on the level of retention come August.”
On the atmosphere surrounding the game…
“To me, we were just playing a game. I am more concerned with the X’s and O’s or how many mental errors there are. It wasn’t the weather or crowd that I was worried about. I was more concerned with watching the team and seeing how they perform in front of twenty-five thousand fans.”
Honorary Head Coach Chris Zorich Quote
On the play of the defensive line…
“I was excited that they had the opportunity to play together. Having those players together on the same team in a game situation can be very beneficial to your team.”
Honorary Head Coach Joe Montana Quote
On his impressions of Brady Quinn…
“I’ve always been excited about him and his capabilities. It is still a learning process for him on the leadership part but I feel he is doing a tremendous job. He has all the tools.”
Honorary Head Coach Joe Theismann
On the disparity between the rosters…
“The way Charlie explained it, I thought it was a very good idea. You want to try and maintain as much continuity as you can and when you’re putting in a new system and everything is new for these guys, the worst thing you can do is to bring them into a game situation, then all of sudden say, `Ok, half of the offense goes over here and the other half over there.’ It defeats the purpose of why you practice so much. Unfortunately, we had the guys that weren’t on the first team. But I want to tell you, our guys played really hard.”
Honorary Head Coach Tim Brown
On the receivers …
“I think with this offense that Charlie’s bringing in, it sort of works hand in hand with the schemes that they have here right now. Obviously, I know that the goal is to get more explosive type guys in here, but I think with Maurice [Stovall], Rhema [McKnight] and [Jeff Samardzija] everything is working hand in hand. When you looked at the Patriots over the years we always said, `Oh, we can shut that offense down.’ But it was Charlie’s ability to make calls and the guys’ abilities to make plays that always put them over the top, and I think it will be the same situation here. I think Charlie came here to put these guys into optimum situations where they can go out and perform and it won’t be the kind of stressful situation where one guy has to make a play. I think with those three guys running around out there, this offense is really going to benefit them.”
Sophomore QB Brady Quinn, Offensive MVP
On the amount of the offense he has acquired…
“It’s too hard to tell right now. I feel like we have a strong foundation. I don’t think I could put a percentage on that, but we have a good idea of what is being put in and what we are trying to do as an offense. But, I don’t think we are anywhere close to what is going to be put in next fall.”
On the difference between spring practice and playing in front of a crowd at the Spring Game…
“I think playing in front of 20,000 people would spook some people, maybe get them off their game a little bit, or effect them in they way they play or how they think. Obviously playing in front of a crowd changes some things. It might boost some players and effect they way the perform.”
Freshman RB Darius Walker
On how spring practice went for him…
“For me it went very well. We ended up good as a team. I think I played hard and I know my plays and everything like that. Everything’s going great.”
On what the team got out of today’s game…
“Off of today I think the camaraderie of the team is strong. I think it was good that we got a chance to play with the first team against the second team. We are all gelling and clicking as a team.”
On his performance today…
“I think I ran very well today. I was seeing the holes and gelling with the holes.”
Sophomore defensive lineman and Defensive MVP Trevor Laws
On rotating players on the defensive line…
“Defensive line is a position where you play so many guys anyway. You can really play with anybody and I think I got a good feel for playing with a lot of the other guys. You know they’re going to be there in the games sometimes because everyone gets tired.”
On how the defensive line looks after today’s game…
“I think we played great out there. Everyone seemed really solid – we really had no mental errors. We shut them down pretty good and everybody looked good.”
On being named the Defensive MVP…
“I was flattered – it was pretty neat. It was a nice little accolade to get. A lot of our other guys could have been awarded it, so I was pretty excited to get it. Being awarded the MVP by Chris Zorich was really awesome. Everyone calls me ‘Little Zorich’ so I’ve got to live up to that. It was great having him here – he’s my mentor.”
Sophomore safety Chinedum Ndukwe
On learning both the linebacker and defensive back positions…
“I’ve been put in a lot of different situations and I’m learning how to handle new responsibilities. I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team and go wherever they need me. It’s fun – I love challenges. I love being asked “Can you handle this, or should we go with somebody else?”
On the biggest adjustment he has to make between the two positions…
“It’s basically the reads. Being up close, you don’t have too much margin for error. You have to read things really quick. At safety, you kind of feel what’s developing in front of you and I think that’s probably the biggest adjustment.”
On how the defense has progressed this spring…
“This spring we’ve come together as a defense. I hope the DBs will be the strongest part of our defense – last year it was the weakest part. With Mike Richardson setting the tone with a pass breakup on the first play, we hope that that’s how it’s going to be from now on – there aren’t going to be any deep balls like that.”
Senior Kicker DJ Fitzpatrick
On returning for a fifth year …
“It’s a big honor to back to Notre Dame for a fifth year. It’s been a great four years so far, and I’m looking forward to another one. I just want to come back and help the team as much as I can, and I’m excited for the season. Being a fifth-year, I’m one of the older guys on the team, and I’ve been through coaching changes before and practically every situation that can happen, so it’s my job to lead the younger guys.”
On being named captain of special teams …
“It comes with the duties of being the elder of my position. I’m excited; the kicker is never really looked upon as a leader, but in this case I want to step up. I’ve been here for a while, and I think I have some of their respect and I respect them.”
On serving as both Notre Dame kicker and punter …
“I’ve done it the past two years. You know, it’s great just getting out there as much as I can to help the team. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d like to be out there as much as possible and whatever the coaches decide, that’s what I’m going to do. I came in as a natural kicker, but I’ve picked up punting as well. I’m just trying to excel in all of it and be a complete player and help out as much I can.”