Postgame Quotes vs. Notre Dame (11/3/18)
Northwestern vs. Notre Dame
Ryan Field
November 3, 2018
Postgame Quotes
Northwestern
Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald
Opening Statement
"Thanks everybody for being here tonight on a late night. I wanna start off with my friends at Camp Kesum. They were a group at the game. You know this off-season we partnered with Kesum to hopefully be a guiding light for the rest of the college football teams across the country. It’s a student based organization on a lot of college campuses. It’s student run and we want to become partners with the group on campus to raise awareness and hopefully find funds for young people who have parents are loved ones affected by cancer. And this past summer myself and Fred Wyatt and Joe Spivack and Paddy Fisher had the chance to go up to Wisconsin to be a part of one of the most special 8-10 hours of being a small part of that camp and my hope is that we raise awareness today for that great group so that more football teams across the country can partner with their students because it’s just an absolutely spectacular group. So I’m honored to be a part of that and thanks for letting me share a little bit. As far as the game, we felt like we had to get it to a one score game in the fourth quarter to give ourselves a chance to win. We got it there then obviously they had a great drive to win the game. So first and foremost you tip your cap to Kelly, you tip your hat to the staff and the players, they went out and made the plays you have to make to win a game like this tonight and obviously we did not. We had every opportunity to do it but we didn't make those plays that we needed to make down the stretch in a hard fought battle so congratulations to the Fighting Irish I told Brian after the game that I wish him nothing but the best of luck the rest of the way and now it’s time for us to move forward and get back into conference play.”
On Notre Dame’s last drive of the game…
"We miss fit on the outside as a corner, we had two out of our three linebackers were playing a call, one of the guys at the point of attack was not. We had a lot of self-inflicting wounds tonight Teddy, we had a lot of issues. The first half was fine the second half all of a sudden our guys pressed a little bit and that was indicative of that, especially defensively. There were some plays today that we gave up that should not have happened so we gotta look at it first coaching wise from a semantics standpoint, and then we gotta look at it from an execution standpoint. It looked like on some of those plays we had guys that were positioned that didn't tackle well, so a lot of things we can look at to correct."
On the meaning of “playing a call”...
"So we have a formation and make a call and two out of the three were on the same page. We gotta help them as coaches."
On his thoughts about the chances of winning the game when only down a field goal...
"Well I thought we could win the game the whole game, I still do. I just wish we didn't play as poorly, I wish we didn't coach as poorly. So you guys have been around me enough, I don’t get down, demoralization is not part of my vocabulary, just gotta find a way to coach these guys better and I’ve been proud of how they’ve been grinding and they’ve been working their tails off but we gotta play smarter, cleaner, and execute better. There’s kinda been a theme in our non-conference teams I guess, that’s been our issue, that’s disappointing and it’s my fault. We gotta get it fixed."
On Book’s game…
"They were throwing the whole game. They threw a couple of quick outs and hitches and it looked like we missed some tackles. You know his completion percentage was really high because he just takes what the defense gives him which, again I thought I gave him an incredible compliment when I compared him to Dan Persa, an all Big-Ten level player. If Notre Dame was in our conference, he would be an all whatever type player. He didn't force some things, we got our hands on the ball twice and dropped two interceptions and those are the type of plays you gotta make and there’s a bunch of other ones, Those are the types of plays that when you got an opportunity you gotta capitalize and we weren't able to do that tonight which is something we gotta work on."
On the importance of next week’s game and the vibe leaving this week...
“Yeah, it was a great vibe. Like I told them in the locker room, we have to coach you better so we can execute more cleanly. You have to go execute in the moment and not cause self-inflicted wounds. Guys had an opportunity in today’s game and maybe went into it thinking they may not play as much. That’s what I challenged the team with about a month ago. I’m not sure who is going to have to step in. In November, guys that maybe haven’t played a lot all of a sudden see themselves out on the field and all they rely upon is whether or not they are prepared. We’ll take a look and see how some of those guys played and, obviously if their number is called next week, I’m sure they’ll prepare better. That’s a pretty darn good football team we just played. They made some plays and you have to give credit to them.”
On the Purdue-Iowa game and Northwestern’s status in the Big Ten West...
“I was watching for a little bit, but no I’m not aware of our status.”
On Cam Ruiz’s blocked punt...
“I think it was a really good scheme by Jeff Genyk. It’s actually something we stole from somebody else. Just looking at some different ideas and some different thoughts. Just trying to be aggressive and we go into the last month of the season. We’re trying to make some plays in all three phases. You self-scout all the time. You look at what you do and what you’ve been doing well. Is it the call, the personnel, the execution? You look at all those things which we do every week and sometimes try adding something, so it was a great job by Cam. Number one being on-side, number two, taking it off the punter’s foot. Really good job. ”
On Isaiah Bowser...
“I thought he ran physical. I thought there were some times where we maybe didn't block him as well as we needed to and some things got pushed back up into his lap, which maybe eliminated some cuts. But for the most part, I thought we had a pretty good plan on how to run the ball against these guys. I’m not sure we executed and I’m not sure we won the point of attack consistently for us to go where we want to go in the next three weeks.”
On running the ball 10 more times than throwing the ball...
“Again, we want to try to have balance in every game plan. We were able to control the line of scrimmage for a little while offensively. Then, when you’re chasing two scores, it changes a little bit. I’ve said it for about a month now, we’re not going to stop running the ball. We’re going to keep giving our guys opportunities to succeed. You have to run the ball in the Big Ten to be successful and we’re getting better there. We’re just not where we want to be at this point.”
On takeaways from the game to apply to Iowa next weekend...
“I haven’t watched the tape, so that’s hard for me to say. I thought we had a solid plan going in. We saw what we thought we’d see. We adjusted to the things we thought they would adjust to. Down the stretch, we just didn't come up with enough calls to help our guys be successful. It will start with us as coaches and we’ll try to fix the things we believe we can fix and then we’ll get going on the video and teach our guys what Iowa does.”
Safety Travis Whillock
On Quarterback Ian Book's fourth quarter touchdown run...
"I was on the other side so I didn't really get a great view, but I think maybe we fit it wrong, I'm not sure why, we'll have to go back and look. But now we just need to watch this game, focus on going 1-0 next week and getting back to work. So I'm excited for that."
On how important it is that the loss does not affect Big Ten standings...
"It would've been great to get a win; our goal every week is to go 1-0. But at the same time, we know we play a great team next week. So we need to come prepared, we need to come ready to go and focus on getting better every single day. We'll be prepared and give ourselves a great chance to win next week."
On the mentality after injuries to Trae Williams and Jared McGee...
"It just shows that it's always the next man up and you need to be ready. Taking that from practice to the game, you need to always be ready, always be preparing like you're a starter so that when you get that opportunity you can go out there and not let the team down."
On the playmaking ability of Cameron Ruiz...
"I think he's been an awesome asset this year. I think he's grown in his confidence and that's been allowing him to play fast and make more plays. You saw him on that punt, he just lasered in there. So that was awesome to see, and hopefully he can keep that up for us and keep growing as a player."
Quarterback Clayton Thorson
On what makes Notre Dame's defense so good...
"Their defensive line. Their D-line is really good. Those guys get pressure, their defensive ends and their tackle, they're pretty special. Their safeties come down hard and play fast. Those guys are really good on the edge. I have a lot of respect for them, they played well tonight."
On how the team feels about its performance...
"I think we're a little disappointed. we feel like we could've played better and won the game. But credit to them, when we didn't score some points there they jumped on us and scored a lot. That's why they’re the fourth-ranked team in the country, they're pretty good. So give all the credit to them, but we feel like we could've played better."
On the emotions of the team after pulling within three in the fourth quarter...
"It was great on the sideline. Obviously we were right back in the game. We never felt like we were out of the game, we feel like with our offense and our two-minute offense we never feel like we're out of a game. So we felt confident. But obviously they got a big score and came up with a stop, and that was it."
On how much Notre Dame's front seven forced him into decisions...
"Yeah I think, like you said, that's one of their biggest strengths. We knew coming in, after watching last Sunday afternoon, watching them get up there and force pressure, they're special. So you need to get the ball out, and those defensive backs are there waiting and they're pretty good. I thought for the most part we handled them well. I knew I had to step up and make some throws, and I would've liked to make a few more plays here and there, but they're a really good team so give them credit."
On positives to be taken away for next week...
"I think in the first half we ran the ball really well. That was big because they run the ball well and we know that. I liked how we came back and kept fighting and kept going. We know we're going to get a good one next week in Iowa. So I think there are some good things to take away from this game and some things to learn from, because I think we let one get away, and good teams pounce on that and that's what they did."
Offensive Lineman Tommy Doles
On feelings after the game given the divisional matchup with Iowa next week…
"Well, it's really disappointing because we had such a great crowd tonight. Shout out to our student section and our fans, that was the best atmosphere I've ever played in at Ryan Field. We were really excited for this game, so very disappointed. But all our goals are still ahead of us; we set out to win the West this year and that's what we're planning to do. So we're going to learn our lessons from this game and then put it away really fast, because we have a big one coming up next week."
On how to prepare for a game of this magnitude...
"I think any time you're competing there's always this zone you want to be in. You always say you don't want to be too high, you don't want to be too low, you always want to be in that box in between. I think with a game like this, there's no worry about coming out flat, so it's just making sure that you stay focused. Because once you get out there on the line of scrimmage, it's about doing your job. It's about your footwork, it's about the way you finish, and all that technique and physicality. So I think we can let the atmosphere inspire us, but if you let it distract you then that's where you're in trouble. But we've got a group that's really maturing, so I wasn't worried about us doing that."
On what stood out about Notre Dame's defensive line...
"They've got a lot of athleticism. But at the same time, we know we're a Big Ten offensive line, so our plan was to come in and run the ball up the middle. We did that at times, but not consistently enough to win. They're definitely very athletic; [defensive lineman Jerry Tillery is a great player. It'll be interesting to watch them going forward this year because they're a great team."
Notre Dame
Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Brian Kelly
On the decision-making before Quarterback Ian Book's 23-yard touchdown run...
"Yeah we certainly had held that play for an opportunity to end the game. It was an unbalanced situation, we got the numbers the way we wanted it. We could've handed it off, but we got a good look and we felt like we'd be able to pick up the first down. We were going to run the ball regardless, but just something that we had held on to and executed it well."
On adjustments made by both teams...
"They did make some adjustments; they did some things they haven't done before. They brought a lot of free safety blitz, and pressures that they hadn't run a lot of. It was a new look for [quarterback Ian Book], and he got caught a couple of times. They dropped the defensive end in coverage which caused us some concern. So we made a few adjustments too, and picked them up extremely well."
On his team reacting well to momentum changes in the second half...
"Yeah they've been like that all year. They play one play at a time. They don't get too high and they don't get too low. In the second half they played much better football, especially offensively. We had too many penalties, had the turnover obviously. That's been uncharacteristic for us relative to the kind of games that we've played all year. That was a little outside the rails compared to how we've been playing, but we cleaned it up in the second half and played some pretty good football."
On what it meant to the team to have Linebacker Drue Tranquill play through an injury...
"He's a leader and he's inspirational. We didn't know exactly what he could do until pregame. He practiced a little for us, but he did a lot more than we had thought he'd be able to do. We played pretty much our dime defense the last couple drives, and he was on the field pretty much the whole time and he's remarkable."
On how quarterback Ian Book has improved since taking over as starter...
"I think making those adjustments. It's taken some film study for him to be able to make those adjustments, and then they usually go into action the next week. Now he can make them at halftime; he can draw them up and see them clearly, and then access those when we go into the third quarter."
On the energy of the team and the mistakes that were made…
"I wasn't worried about the energy, it’s the turnovers in the last two games. We’ve turned the ball over in the first series. I never felt a sense of not having that snap or that energy as much as, you know, we had some uncharacteristic penalties, and I don’t think we’re as in sync as much as we have been all year, but I didn't sense a lack of energy at any time."
On whether those mistakes comes from the pressure of 9-0…
"I didn't sense a tightness with the group. Again, I think we haven’t had those penalties on the offensive line so we’ll have a conversation a little bit more in depth with some of the guys there, but they played fast and free in the second half and that’s really the most important thing."
On WR Chase Claypool and the meaning of this game for his development…
"It was really big. He has really ascended this year. I want to be careful with the way I put it in the sense that his maturity has allowed that growth in everything that he’s done, his work ethic, the way he practices. I think anyone that’s been around the game all know that the great players are the great practice players, and the way he practices now carries over to the way he plays. It’s great to see him have that kind of success and it’s showing itself in his maturity and the way he practices."
On the team’s past experiences in the same situation...
"They’ve been down this road a little bit. I have to caution them a little bit because it’s almost too much “don’t do this,” because we’ve been down this road relative to last year, “don’t do what we did last year,” instead of “just be yourself.” Let’s not worry too much about what happened last year as much as let’s continue to grow and let’s still be who we are because we’re not last year’s team. I think what’s happening with this group more than anything else is that they sometimes worry a little bit too much about what happened last year instead of just being themselves, because they’re not last year’s team. It’s a different group of guys out front, and I’ve gotta remind them about that."
On what this win means going forward…
"It’s a good first step. But the next goal we had was to win games at home, and we’ve got one more, so this’ll be the next goal for us is to clean that slate and win at home. The guys are really locked in on what the next step is, and that’s to win all of our games at home, and we’ve got one left. We’ll take it one step at a time, and they are pretty locked in as a group. They practiced this week with a very intentional focus. I was a little concerned at times because it lacked energy at times, but they were so locked in that I wasn’t concerned, and when I watched them play, they were a little jittery at times on offense, but I think we can clean that up as we move forward."
On the progression of special teams this year…
"I have [seen a progression]. We just make some silly mistakes, I mean, any time your kicker comes in and nails something from 43 [yards], you can’t have a blocked punt. But we have a guy who’s one of our best players in that position, so we just have to better with attention to detail. We’re putting our best players on the field, and they’ve got to be better every single snap."
Wide Receiver Chase Claypool
"On finding a new gear down the stretch...
“It’s by our emphasis as of late to react. The first half of the season, we were more possession receivers, but we’ve been emphasizing different aspects at this point, so that is kind of where that comes from.”
On playing with physicality...
“I think it gives me an edge. If I can go attack the guy one play and then slip by and catch a ball the next, it makes it hard for the defender. So whatever I can do to try to get that advantage, I’ll do it.”
On playing a little DB in the second quarter...
“I just rotated the coverage. It happened pretty quick, but I knew the situation. It was a good play by him. I just had to make sure he didn't complete it.”
On the offense coming alive in the third quarter...
“We came out kind of slow. We had the opportunities, we just had to capitalize on them. It’s all about finishing and we talk about being a second-half team and making sure we don’t get down so I think that’s how it started.”
On being a big target for Ian...
“I don’t know if it changes too much. We work around it for sure, but we always have targets to hit. Going into the game, you always want to feel like you’re going to play a big role.”
On being 9-0...
“We have to stay humble. Last year around this time, Miami happened. We have to keep our focus because you never know who’s looking to beat you.”
Linebacker Te'Von Coney
On the mentality on the defensive side of the ball in the fourth quarter...
“Don’t quit no matter what. We’ve faced adversity all year long. Our coach has been doing a great job putting us in a situation to go out there and win the game, so on the sideline we just tell each other not to break. Just play good football and it will go our way.”
On Drue Tranquill...
“He’s a warrior. He cares about his teammates. He’s a great brother, so I’m happy to have him out there. He did a great job tonight stepping up big for us.”
On being 9-0...
“We are focused. Each and every day, we’re focused on something to get better. Not letting the pressure for the outside get inside. We’re focused on what we have to do and our coaches do a good job of continuing to prepare us every week. As a group, we’re just going out each week and doing the best job we can do. We’re focusing on what we need to do to get better every week. It feels great to be 9-0 but we have a lot more to do. We have things that we want to accomplish this year and it’s going to take a lot. We have to get back to work on Monday and continue to build this program up.”
On being successful in November...
“We train to be more focused. We’ve done a great job of just taking each day one at a time and doing what we need to do to get better each day.’
Quarterback Ian Book
On the offense’s success in the third quarter...
“I was just really focusing and I think the coaches had a great plan. Just playing the way we’ve been playing. I just do what coach says to do and give the ball to all of our playmakers. We definitely wanted to put the ball out on the perimeter for our playmakers. We also wanted to take some shots, so we were able to hit some of those.”
On the third-and-five that he took for a touchdown...
“I just had one guy to read and was able to get a nice read. It was a great feeling. It was awesome. There’s no better feeling [than seeing 25 yards of open grass].”
On Chase Claypool’s performance...
“Chase did awesome. It was really good to see. I know how hard he works at practice and he was due for a big night like tonight. He can make every play and every catch that is out there, so it’s awesome for Chase to have such a big night like that.”
On bringing energy in the first half...
“I thought we brought good energy, especially right when we came out at half time. I was proud of the team for doing that. It was something we talked about all week.”
On scoring and melting time off the clock late in the game...
“It was huge. Give our defense a break. They’ve been playing well for us all year, so we need to do that as an offense. I think everyone just did their part.”
On the fumble that started the game...
“Just a miscommunication. It stinks to start like that, but it’s something we forget about and you have to move on and I thought the whole team did that tonight.”
On being 9-0...
“It’s a pretty awesome feeling. It’s hard to win in November. We’re in such a good situation and we know that, but I think this team does such a good job of focusing on one week at a time. Everyone is excited, but everyone is just ready for Florida State.”
On anticipating Coach’s calls...
“I’m never surprised, but I think as the season goes on, the chemistry between Coach Long and I is getting better. Sometimes I’ll be thinking of what he calls, which is awesome. We rep what we want to run we’re confident in what he’s calling. The touchdown run was strictly a read.”
On the team’s mentality...
“It’s really hard to win in November in college football and we know that. Two weeks in a row starting off on the wrong foot stinks a little bit, but this team does such a good job of just forgetting what happened and moving on.”
Cornerback Julian Love
On how his defense responded after it was a three-point game...
“I think our defense is a sleeping beast really when games are close. When we were up by three everybody were running up and down the sideline yelling at each other, motivating and screaming at each other, saying like ‘lets go’. Not yelling at each other, but with each other to really finish the game off and we knew that if they scored more points...game over."
On how coach Kelly handled halftime...
"I mean he’s been stressing all week how Northwestern is a tough team, which they are, and we knew that they were gonna put up a battle, it’s a night game, a lot of hype for them. Like I said, we were motivated, we were all encouraging each other, we didn't think we played with enough energy in the first half and that really showed when we got it going in the second half."
On what it’s like to go up against Flynn Nagel again…
"It was like it was freshman year, sophomore year, junior year and so-on. He’s a tough competitor and we trained together growing up, we’re similar guys and it was great. He’s doing well for his team and that’s all you can want for a friend. Obviously on the field today we weren't friends and it was great to see him succeed but we had to do what we had to do."
On what it’s like to be undefeated…
"I think with the experience that we have it’s easier than it’s been in the past. I think the average team feels that pressure building every single week which it does but were just gonna keep doing what we’ve been doing and that has lead us to be 9-0. I think we realize that we’ve been coached through that and it’s just a bunch of seniors, a bunch of vets that are really leading us in that confidence, not the pressure."
On if he can see the “finish line” now after being 9-0...
"I mean it’s a great feeling. It feels like the Michigan game was so long ago so it’s definitely been a great season. But, the next step is 10-1, and then 11, and then thinking about 12 and it’s one game at a time, and we do that, focusing on our process and playing our best every single game."
