Coach Brian Kelly Feels Running Game Was Key To Success

Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly Met With The Media On Sunday

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame showed they have plenty of fight after they outplayed and out-hit Georgia Tech in a game where the final score did not indicate Notre Dame’s dominance. Unfortunately, the Fighting Irish paid a price for the victory and that was Dave Tranquill’s knee injury.

Brian Kelly addressed Tranquill’s injury at the beginning of his press conference. When asked about surgery for Tranquill, Kelly stated “I think Rob Hunt, our trainer, would like to rehab him a little bit first before we have surgery.”

Drue joins Jarron Jones, Shaun Crawford, Torean Folston, Malik Zaire, and Durham Symthe with season-ending injuries. Kelly mentioned that he did not play Max Redfield because of his injury and because of Georgia Tech’s option offense. Kelly also mentioned he would talk with Max about starting this week for game with U Mass.

Coach Kelly was asked about Mike McGlinchey’s play at offensive tackle and his demeanor. He stated “he’s what we consider a tough gentleman; a gentleman off the field and a real tough guy on the field.” Kelly has been impressed with McGlinchey’s improvement with each game.

Coach Kelly discussed how aggressive the defense was and how he hopes that that aggressiveness lasts the entire season. Kelly stated he wants backup quarterback Brandon Wimbush to play as soon as possible. While discussing the Fighting Irish’s offense complimented DeShone Kizer for his game management. He said that C.J. Prosise ran well in spite of Georgia Tech’s loading the box.

Coach Kelly was very complimentary of U Mass, Notre Dame’s opponent next week. “They had Temple beat. Temple is a team that’s already beaten Cincinnati and Penn State.” U Mass returned ten of eleven starters from their defense and the Fighting Irish will have to be at their best to win the game. Kelly discussed the recruiting of Robert Regan, a preferred walk-on who runs the option in practice against the Notre Dame defense. Since the Irish play Navy every year, Kelly deserves credit for having a team member that has experience in running the option.

Kelly stated how receiver Chris Brown gives everything he has and has a big heart.  And, C.J. Prosise is a great athlete and will do anything for the team.

With Drue Tranquill’s season-ending injury, Kelly expressed his confidence in Matthias Farley, who has played in various defensive packages his entire career. He also stated that Farley has a knack for making the big play. He showed that ability on his first play, when he caused a fumble that Jaylon Smith ran back to the Georgia Tech 18 yard line.

Notre Dame meets UMASS this weekend at 3:30 p.m.