Nov. 22, 2014

Recap | Box Score | Notes | USA Today

Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly Quotes

Q. Brian, bad hold or did Kyle just miss it?
COACH KELLY: I don’t think it was executed at the level it needed to be.

Q. By that do you mean by the whole entire battery?
COACH KELLY: I didn’t see it. I’ll have to watch it on film, but in talking to Kyle, it did not appear to be handled cleanly.

Q. What was your message to the seniors after this game?
COACH KELLY: That they came in five years ago and our program — they came in a program that had not had won a bowl game in 20 years. Now have won two and played for a National Championship and obviously are part of developing and building a winning program. I’m proud of them.

Q. Today with the defense it seemed like they had spurts of really good play, spurts where they were kind of on their heels. Could you talk about that and what was happening there?
COACH KELLY: Yeah, we played the whole game pretty much without Jarron Jones and Sheldon Day and Joe Schmidt. I mean, we played a lot of freshmen in there and a lot of young guys. They battled as best they could. We’re getting everything out of them. I mean, they played with great effort, just made some mistakes.
Zone read, we’re great coverage and we’ve got two guys playing the wrong coverage, just we made mistakes. When we were lined up properly and in our right fits and doing the right things, we did a pretty good job. I think we battled. We played with effort and great attitude, and we had a chance with the ball with the ball in our own hands with a minute to go and a chance to win and we’ve got to cash that in and score. That’s how I see it.

Q. Just Everett’s play overall, how did you feel like he handled pressure today and just sort of saw the field?
COACH KELLY: Yeah, you know, I think he did some good things. There are some things that we want to do better, but he made some great plays with his feet. It’s so hard right after the game to give you a great analysis of it. There are some things that I thought could have gotten the ball out quicker, but I’m not right behind the center. I want to be careful. We’ve got to look at the film. There are some things that I think he did really well. There are some things that I think we can get better at.

Q. The 2nd and goal there at the end, I think Nick kind of got beaten. Was that just a designed run there? Could you take me through that call?
COACH KELLY: Which one?

Q. It was 2nd and goal at the 9?
COACH KELLY: We ran a quarter draw and we got our butts kicked up front.

Q. Then Cody dressed. How did you feel like Cole Luke played today overall?
COACH KELLY: Outstanding, except we didn’t get the match up on the touchdown. We had matched them up all day and didn’t get that match up and they threw a touchdown.

Q. Nyles Morgan, penalty there, what did you see on that play?
COACH KELLY: It was a penalty that did not need to occur. I mean, he had a free shot at him. He did not need to go high. It was a careless, careless mistake.

Q. That’s three personal fouls on him in two weeks. Do you see that from him in practice or does he just get a little over the top in games?
COACH KELLY: No we see it? No. Yeah, we let him do whatever he wants during practice. No, I mean, he’s a young player that has got to understand he’s got to play within himself. He’s extremely athletic, and he’s got to understand that he’s got to play within himself and meaning that when he gets a shot, and he gets a clear shot, finish it off the right way. He’s taught the right way to do it, and he’s a little bit out of control at times. We’ve got to obviously get him to mature in that area.

Q. Pretty small sample size from Greer going in after that. What did you see from him, for that matter, Jay Hayes?
COACH KELLY: Jay Hayes played well. Yeah, he gave us what we thought we’d give him, about 30, 35 snaps. Plays hard, plays physical, and Greer made a great play tracking down the quarterback with the sack. Smart player, did a nice job, played both Mike and Will for us today.

Q. There was difficulty stopping them on 3rd and long in the first half. And in the second half far improved. What adjustment was made, if any?
COACH KELLY: We didn’t blow the coverage. We were in two (indiscernible), we’re supposed to cover the middle of the field. We don’t get deep enough. The other time we’re in nickel, and our nickel runs up the field. We don’t squeeze it down. We did a much better job fundamentally of doing the things that we should be doing. Again, I think it’s just fundamentally just paying attention to your fits and executing your assignments. I think we did a better job of that.

Q. When you look at next year’s team, and I know you probably haven’t done it. But a lot of people coming back and a lot of promise and a lot of healthy bodies coming back, what can you expect out of this year that will help you not only finish this year off good, but set the tone for off season and that 2015 year?
COACH KELLY: Well, we’ve lost back to back games because we couldn’t put down a ball and kick it 32 yards, so, and we lost the game by four points at Florida State. So three of our four losses are easily games that we could win with a lot of freshmen playing a lot of football. I think at one time I looked out there, and I think we had Collinsworth. I think it was just Collinsworth. Everybody else was freshmen and sophomores on defense, so great experience. The ability to carry over will obviously be something that we believe that we can grow from. So, close losses, difficult losses that we hope that our team will grow from.

Q. Coach, with the defense, a lot of injuries, lot of young players, like you said. Do you worry about their confidence going forward if they don’t start seeing some wins here or a win?
COACH KELLY: No, they’re too young. I mean, they’re going to play. They’re going to do what we ask them to do. No, they’re just going to keep playing. I mean, again, you look at the two games, right, we’ve got a chance to win that football game at the end. Worst case scenario we make a kick and we go into overtime and win the game. Same thing against Northwestern.
So if we’re getting blown out, right, and embarrassed, yeah, maybe you’ve got a bit of a problem where you’ve got to blow your guys up a little bit. They know that they easily could win any of the games they’ve played in. A mistake here or there and not executing at the time necessary has been the difference between a win and loss with this team, razor thin.

Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino Quotes

On being able to run late in the game…
“We felt like we had a little bit of fight in the third quarter. Our coaches did a great job of calming them down. Reggie (Bonnafon) did an unbelievable job in the fourth quarter leading us down. We felt like we could run the ball and we did that late in the game. That is really important to win games.”

On Reggie Bonnafon’s rushing today…
“He runs really hard. Reggie is fast and it was great to see. I thought (Michael) Dyer gave us some really good runs and Reggie’s ability to run the ball in the first half was huge for us getting a couple balls in the end zone. They made some adjustments and that opened up the inside run for us.”

On Reggie Bonnafon’s poise…
“He is a pretty calm guy. I am really proud of him. Reggie is a great young man and great leader. Everybody’s behind him, all his teammates are behind him and he kept his poise and just kept competing.”

On winning at Notre Dame…
“It is a great win for us. It will help us in recruiting and also gets us to eight wins so far. It is a great win. [Notre Dame] is a fun place to come and play. The city of Louisville came up here and supported us; an unbelievable crowd. Something I felt like we knew we would have. When the schedule came out early, I cannot tell you how many people said, “yeah, I already have my tickets”, so it’s pretty cool. I did not know it would be this many people. It was pretty awesome when we got off the bus to come in. It was almost as if he were at home with our Card march. Great support. They were pretty loud, they helped us out, no doubt about that.”

On start to the game…
“It is hard to execute on the road. We always worry about getting the cadence and getting going. It certainly hurt us at points in the game. However, they kept competing and we were able to convert some first and fifteens and first downs that allowed us to go score.”

On how they pulled out the win late…
“I am not sure. I think we just came out and competed hard. It looked like it could be back to overtime. We missed a field goal there and we had a chance to go score and did not get it in. We started thinking about it but our defense came up with some big plays. I think that is what is fun to watch: when the pressure is on how hard our guys competed.”

On growth as a team…
“They are fun to coach because they go out and work hard in practice. They have a good attitude and tremendous amount of energy. I think the defense did a great job early in the year understanding it is a team game. We did not have any separation when the offense could not move the ball and could not get it in the end zone a couple of games. I am really proud of our defensive staff making sure everyone understood this is a team game. It is the offense’s job to score one more point and the defensive job to hold them to one less point. They held together and I think that was really fun.”

On difference in winning or losing games like this…
“They missed a field goal and we made it. “

On it being that simple…
“Every play out there makes a difference. I am just proud of our coaching staff and our players for keeping their poise and understanding that we just need to keep calling the game and keep making plays. Their quarterback is really good. I watched him throw the ball; he can really make throws. We did a good job putting pressure on him. We sacked him a few times and it really affected the game. It was a battle; they are a really good football team and we’re proud that we came away with the win.”

On its comparison to the Orange Bowl…
“I am not really good on the biggest in that. I think that at the moment it’s a great win for us.”

On upcoming game with Kentucky…
“Yeah, we will get ready for that game. We will be ready for that game; it will be fun.”

On defensive line play, especially DeAngelo Brown…
“He has been playing really well for us. He has been doing a good job with the run and he has learned how to rush the passer, which has really helped us late in the year. [Sheldon] Rankins is a great player. He is as good as it is with his technique and understands what offenses are trying to do. DeAngelo is a really calm guy out there and helps everybody get lined up. He is a tremendous leader for us.”

On going with Brandon Radcliff in second half…
“His speed. We wanted to get him to the secondary and get some long runs. We wanted to utilize his speed. It is a good changeup. I was happy with the way (Michael) Dyer was running the ball in the first half; he made some great plays for us. We just felt we should give Brandon a chance and see if his speed shows up. Our offensive front was feeling good about running the ball and we made some really good runs to win the game.”

On Radcliff’s strength…
“He works hard. If you have seen him work in practice, he goes hard every play in practice. He is really a lot of fun to coach and he is really tough. We have to make sure he tucks the ball away and runs all the way to the back of the end zone.”

On today’s win…
“It is a good win for us. I am really proud of our players and our assistant coaches.”

Q. Everett, (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: It definitely hurts. I think it hurts more so for the seniors, my classmates, guys who don’t have another year. That’s how they kind of leave. That’s their lasting impression at Notre Dame Stadium.

Q. (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, he just said obviously he loved us. He’s proud of the way our guys fought. I think that was the consensus message from him and Coach Kelly is that we did a good job controlling our attitude and our ethics.

Q. (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, I mean, it hurts. It hurts.

Q. What went right on the first two possessions in the third quarter, and then everything after that?
EVERETT GOLSON: I think we definitely got back to running the ball a little bit more. I think that opened up a couple things for us. We had a couple run pass options where they were going five in the box and we were running the ball and getting some good yardage. I think that’s what went well for us.

Q. (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: It’s cool. I’m good.

Q. (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, but, no. I mean, I think we did some stuff to hurt ourselves. I mean, you can’t take it away. They’re a good defense. They do pretty good things. No. 3, he does some good things. So they definitely are a good defense, but I think we kind of shot ourselves in the foot a little bit.

Q. Talk about Will (No microphone). He seemed to come up big for you guys again today. Talk about having him?
EVERETT GOLSON: I said it before. Will is a dog. I mean, in crunch situations, in crunch time he’s going to ball out. I think he did a great job for us today.

Q. Did you see that touchdown he made?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, I did. I did. That’s kind of one of those things where I was thinking I get Corey Robinson, my 6’5″ guy a shot. The guy tipped it, and you see Will come out of nowhere and take it.

Q. What do you talk to the younger players about keeping their heads up?
EVERETT GOLSON: I mean, I can say some cliché things, but I think everybody just has to keep their head up. We’ve got a lot of young guys that have a lot of potential. Going back to your question, just a test of what Ken was saying in his message, we have a lot of potential. It’s kind of one of those things where it’s kind of heartbreaking for us to lose, but you can’t stay down because we do have so much talent. We’ve got to still play with confidence. We’ve got to still play aggressive. I think if we do that, like I said, the talent is there, so I think that will kind of show itself.

Q. Have you ever lost to them before?
EVERETT GOLSON: No, this is a first for me.

Q. How do you describe the feelings?
EVERETT GOLSON: I don’t know. Like I said, I don’t like losing at all. That’s kind of one of those things. But you’ve got to, I guess, take it in stride and see the positives from it. I still say day in and day out I love our team. I think we fight hard. Maybe we just definitely got to come with it a little bit more in the first quarter and not put ourselves in holes and then try to come back from it.

Q. What are some of the positives that you can take away from this?
EVERETT GOLSON: The attitude. I think I guess one of the first times I saw just the energy on the sideline, Breezy getting hyped. He made some tremendous catches today too. So I think he did a great job. Just seeing kind of all the young guys around me and how bad they want it, I think that inspires me.

Q. Coach Kelly said that the snap looked like a bad hold. Will you talk to him at all?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, I talked to him vaguely about it. I think he took accountability for it. I think like I said, that’s one of the messages you want to really try to get from him as a quarterback, you have to take responsibility for it. So I think he’s done that. You know, he still progresses, so he’s going to be good.

Q. Was he frustrated at all?
EVERETT GOLSON: I wasn’t in his mind, but it’s a big pressure moment. Like I said, he’s still progressing. He’s still getting there, but I think the most important thing for him is for me to just keep a positive mental state.

Q. (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, like I said. He took accountability for it. So, like I said, that was a positive in itself.

Q. The touchdown, what did you see, how did the play break down with the catch by Will?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, I was trying to get out and give my 6’5″ wide receiver a chance. Ended up not going that way and tipped ball. That is kind of one of those things where you’re taking a big risk, especially during that time. But I think it was something that we probably needed at that time. But like I said, Will came out of nowhere and made a great play.

Q. (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: Oh, yeah. I mean, I think our relationship is definitely those guys are like my brothers. I came in early. I was kind of between with those guys being in their first years and things like that. So like I said, it just really hurts for us not to bring one out for them.

Q. That moment when you get to run out there and hug your family. What’s that moment like?
EVERETT GOLSON: Yeah, it’s a great moment, for sure. It’s a great moment. My mom doesn’t get up to too many games, so just seeing them on the field. Usually she’ll send me a text or something like that too, just some advice or something like that. She was there in person to actually give it to me on the field, so that was a special moment for me.

Q. What was it?
EVERETT GOLSON: Just basically told me to have fun and take care of the ball. She always tells me to take care of the ball, so I’ve definitely got to do a better job of that.

Q. (No microphone)?
EVERETT GOLSON: Simple as that. You can’t correct the past. You’ve got to move forward and continue striving for greatness, really. Like I said, you can’t correct the past, so you’ve just got to move forward.

Notre Dame Player Quotes

Isaac Rochell – Sophomore – Defensive End

On the defense’s ups and downs…
“I think a lot of it had to do with just mental errors. When we got to the point where we were playing pretty well, it was just the little mistakes adding up to big plays was the thing that were killing us.”

On the missed field at the end of the game…
“We know the red zone has been a point of our defense we’ve struggled with this year and so we talked to each other and said we need to bulk up and make a stop and that’s what we did…I think Kyle probably feels pretty bad after that. He probably doesn’t want people talking to him. I know it’s tough on him and I’m sure the other specialists kind of rallied around him and were there for him.”

On how Jay Hayes’ play…
“I think he played really well. I think the biggest thing was the mental aspect of it and not playing timid and not playing like he’s never played before. He did a really good job of just getting in there communicating just acting like he’s always played, so that was the biggest thing. He did a really good job of that.”

On personal improvement…
“I think the biggest thing is going to be focusing on all the details, learning the playbook in and out and having everyone just find the detail in their work.”

Cole Luke- Sophomore – Cornerback

On team adjustment after the first drive…
“We talked it over on the sidelines and went over the mistakes that we made. We had a few injuries and a few personal fouls, but we played Notre Dame ball and got our cleats in the grass. We stuck to it.”

On the play of the freshmen…
“Obviously, it’s hard adjusting to the game speed. You know it’s different than practice. I can vouch for it myself. It’s good letting them get time in and get a few plays. You know it’s good for the future to let the young guys get some reps.”

On maintaining confidence…
“We really have to finish and we have to play hard all four quarters. I feel like we had an outstanding fourth quarter as a defense, but we struggled during the first two or three. We have to play a full, contained game and go in. We know we are a good team, which is the crazy part about it. We have to play to our ability really–eliminate mistakes, eliminate big plays and play like we did at the beginning of the season. I know it’s not that hard and I know we have two more games coming up, so I hope we rise to the occasion.”

Tarean Folston – So. – Running Back

On the attitude of the team after the game…
“We want to fight hard to get a win next week.”

On the last two losses …
“It’s in the past now, and we have to move on to the next opponent.”

On the play of the offense in the second half…
“In the second half we continued to play hard and execute better.”

On the team’s youth…
“I think the youth is great for the future. We’re going to have a great team ahead of us. We have a great team now. I think the future will be bright for us.”

On playing USC next week…
“I feel like we look at every game as a big game. Not just because of the rivalry, but because it’s college football and we have to play a tough opponent each and every week. Next week is going to be a great challenge for us.”

Jaylon Smith – So. – Linebacker

On wearing Joe Schmidt’s number…
“How much Joe has meant not only to the team, but to me. He’s been the heart and soul of our defense. I felt it was appropriate on senior day and acknowledging the fact that it’s not about me. It wasn’t about anyone else but the seniors this week. We didn’t get the job done, but it was an honor to wear Joe’s number.”

On the play of the defense…
“Great effort. The effort was there. It’s about having that physical and mental mentality to the point where we’re not going to be denied. That’s where age plays a picture. We had two rookies playing in their first game up front with Jarron going out. I’m very proud of them. They gave it their all. We just have to find a way to keep improving.”

On improvements to be made…
“It’s experience. The whole atmosphere. Even losing, in this case, is something we’re all learning. I’m young myself. I’m a sophomore. I’m 19 years old. We’re all just continuing to learn. Obviously, it’s not acceptable to lose at any cost. There’s no moral victory, so you can’t look at it like that. We’re not even focused on next year right now. Right now, it’s all about our rivalry next week and finding a way to get a victory.”

Will Fuller – Sophomore – Wide Receiver

On his touchdown reception…
“Thank to Everett for keeping the play alive. We have rules for when he starts scrambling, so I turned vertical, saw Corey and was waiting to catch it.”

On Louisville’s secondary…
“We just had to run our routes very well this week. We practiced getting out of our breaks all week in practice. They were real physical so we just practiced it all week at practice.”

On the locker room environment after the game…
“Real sad. We wanted to give the seniors a win their last game here. I wish we could do anything to have that moment back and win. Cam talked after Coach Kelly and told us that we have to win these last two games. He said he was real proud of us and the way we fought today.”

On the youth of the team…
“I’m proud of our younger guys, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They really stepped up and played big today.”

On the sting of the loss…
“All losses feel the same. We hate losing, especially at home and on senior night.”

Nick Martin – Senior – Offensive Line

On moving on …
“We practice the 24-hour rule. You have to learn from your mistakes then regroup. We’re a close team. Cam McDaniel talked to us after the game. We have to come together and finish strong. You’re going to get hit in the face, there’s no doubt about it. Every team faces adversity and our team is facing adversity right now. It’s really about how you respond and come together. You have to learn from it. In big games like this, you have to learn from your mistakes and then bring them with you.”

On the play of Tarean Folston…
“He’s been great. His vision and most of all his patience. Waiting to find the hole and then really exploding through when he sees it.”

On senior day…
“First senior day that Coach Kelly hasn’t won. It doesn’t feel good, no doubt about it. You want to send the seniors off with a win for their last game.”

Austin Collinsworth – Graduate Student – Safety

On the team…
“This is a great group of guys and I know there’s a great deal of success for them in the future. This team never quits. They really genuinely love each other and will do anything for each other. Eventually, these guys will be champions, and I know that.”

On the blown coverages…
“We have to close in the middle of the field, and we came up a little short on it. I have to be able to overlap a little bit better than I did.”

On the youth of the team…
“It’s tough playing when you don’t have much experience out there, especially in this defense. It’s a really complicated defense. These guys are doing a great job of picking it up. I know I couldn’t have done what they’re doing as a freshman.”

On the environment in the locker room following the game…
“I just walked around to all of the players and told them I love them and thanked them, because they gave it their all. I told them beforehand that you leave your soul on the field and there’s no regrets. They did, and I love them for it.”

On thoughts going out for senior night…
“How lucky and blessed I am to be here for the last five years. It’s the greatest fan base and the greatest university in the world and I am so happy and blessed to be a part of it. To lose is frustrating and it’s sad, but the greatest joy I ever get is to be a part of these guys. I really count myself being blessed.”

Louisville Player Quotes

Lorenzo Mauldin – Senior – Defensive End

On the win…
“Besides Florida State, this game is one of the biggest games I’ve ever played. We just told ourselves we gave away one big game, we can’t give away another.”

On the Notre Dame field goal attempt…
“As soon as I gave contact to the offensive lineman, I just turned around and saw that it was wide then ran down the field.”

On the Florida State loss…
“Going into halftime, we told ourselves they [Notre Dame] will come out hard in the second half just like Florida State, so we weren’t going to do what we did in that game. We had to play two good halves.”

On the scene in the locker room after the game…
“It was a little rowdy. Everybody just raided the locker room and was just throwing things around. The guys were pretty happy.”

On this win compared to others…
“I can say the Sugar Bowl was the first big win, the second is against Miami, and this is definitely the third.”

On maintaining focus despite the back-and-forth score…
“We know that’s just how football goes. You just have to stay in the game because anything can happen. You have to fight to the last minute. When we get the mood swings going on with the defense and the offense, it depends on wherever we are when it comes to the score. Whether we’re up and we need the defense to work, or we’re down and we need the offense to score.”

On the amount of Louisville fans…
“All we did was look over to the crowd. On the sidelines that’s all we talked about, how many fans there were tonight. We appreciate them coming out.”

On quarterback Reggie Bonnafon’s confidence after this win…
“Reggie is a freshman obviously, but he doesn’t play like a freshman. Reggie has a bright future in the ACC, and I wish him luck when it comes to making other big games.”

Reggie Bonnafon – Freshman – Quarterback

On coming to Notre Dame…
“It is a great experience for myself and the team to come out here and play in a stadium like this. It is great to come out here and experience new things. It was a great opportunity.”

On Notre Dame’s field goal attempt…
“I was just speechless. I was sitting there hoping that something would go right for us and it did.”

On coming back from behind…
“Things were a bit rough there for a minute. We just kept our composure and knew that we were going to turn it back around and keep executing our game plan and that’s what happened.”

On his father being on his mind…
“Definitely. I was talking to him throughout the game today. I was getting a little emotional around the third quarter, which doesn’t really happen a lot. I could tell he was with me. At the start of the fourth quarter I got the chills too. I could feel his presence with me.”

Brandon Radcliff – RS Sophomore – Running Back

On the offensive line…
“Never got rattled. We just stayed poised and came out there and did what we had to do.”

On the number of fans…
“It was great to see our fans travel. It’s a great feeling. They were just as loud [as the Notre Dame fans].”