Oct. 18, 2004

Dan Stevenson – senior – guard

On the Boston College game …

There is always a lot of hype around this game just because things have happened in the past. It’s definitely a big game to us. We can’t focus on past games and things like that. You have to use it as motivation but at the same time we have to go out there and play our best game to achieve what we are trying to achieve this year.

On why Notre Dame has a tendency to struggle against Boston College …

I really can’t tell you the exact reason. It seems like they are one of those teams that whenever they play us they bring their best game so we need to rise to the occasion and bring our best game.

Brandon Hoyte – senior – linebacker

On the rivalry with Boston College …

I think over the past couple of years we haven’t had success against them so that’s definitely built up something even higher. But I think the bottom line is that those (past) games have no bearing on what is going to happen this Saturday.

On what it’s like to prepare for a game without classes going on because of fall break …

It’s so much easier. It’s definitely a lower level of stress and it allows you to focus more on the athletic side of things. More time is spent in preparation and focusing in on what this Boston College offense is all about.

Derek Curry – senior – linebacker

On if facing a young Boston College offensive line changes the game plan at all …

Anytime you have young guys the experience level is a little different just like when we played some of the younger quarterbacks this year, it changes up the game plan a little bit. We are just going to go hard every play. It really doesn’t matter who’s out there. We know they are going to give it their all. They have some really good athletes and strong ball players so we are going to have to counteract that.

On if he is surprised that it took this long for Notre Dame to be ranked …

No, I know a lot of people out there have doubts about us especially coming out and losing in the first game so you kind of expected that after the first week. After we beat Michigan we expected not to be ranked for a while and it’s something that we haven’t been focused on. One thing that we have focused our attention on this year, which I think has really helped us out, is winning our next ball game. It’s not about what you’re ranked or what you look like in the country or where you stand, it’s about winning your next ball game. In the end that is what is going to matter.

Justin Tuck – senior – defensive end

On if he considers Boston College a `rivalry game’ and why …

Definitely, we are both Division I Catholic schools and that is one reason. They’ve beaten us three times in a row. It’s a lingering feeling from the last time they were here and they stole our grass. So we are excited about this one, we really are.

On the defense collecting six sacks versus Navy but him not getting any …

In the form of our defense last week they had me dropping back into coverage a lot. I think I got only one true pass rush that whole game. That’s just a credit to the rest of our defensive line. We have talent all the way through it and we showcased it last weekend.

Ryan Grant – senior – running back

On the importance of getting off to a quick start like they did versus Navy …

Every week it’s one of the things that we really focus on and take pride in starting off fast and we know it can put defenses on their heels and it can help our defense out. As an offense we know we can execute and we know we can get the job done. So starting fast sets up the goals that we want to accomplish. I think on Saturday we did a really good job of doing that.

On his vision looking really good during the Navy game …

I have to be a lot more patient and see more things with how my leg is now. So I think that may be a blessing in disguise. It’s helped me to seek things out a little more and not rely on my leg as much. The line did a hell of a job on Saturday. I give all the credit to them because they knew the schemes and knew what Navy was going to do and they got after it. It makes it a lot easier on the (running) backs when they get a push like that.

Anthony Fasano – junior – tight end

On wanting to beat Boston College more because of the recent struggles against them …

It’s another game on the schedule and we want to win every game that we go out and play. But we want to beat them especially since they’ve had our number for the past three years. The losses (against Boston College) seem to hurt us a little more in the past couple years than some other losses.

On not being ranked until now …

I really try not to concentrate on those rankings but I am surprised. We’ve beaten some good teams but we’ve also had some key losses. It’s really not a big deal but we know that we belong up there.

On if people are overlooking Notre Dame when it comes to the rankings …

I think it’s them not having faith in us in the future games to come. It’s really insignificant right now.