Brian Kelly Notebook | 8.15

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly spoke to Jack Nolan following Thursday’s practice.
 
On returning from a day off:
“As I told them, ramping up the intensity is important. We started early with some run action and playaction. I think the offense was ready to go. The defense picked it up as we went along. These are opportunities for our guys to learn and get better.
 
“We’re in an in-season routine with three days on and one day off. Our guys are starting to understand what it takes to practice on this kind of routine.
 
“A lot of situations at the end of practice. Some were executed the way we want and some weren’t on both sides of the ball. We kicked it pretty good. We tried a 55-yarder and it was just a little short. We hit a 52-yarder. We’re making the progress we need.”
 
On the kicker Jon Doerer:
“We’re getting a lot of work. When you have to replace the all-time leading kicker in Justin Yoon, those are big shoes to fill. We don’t ask him to come in and duplicate that, but we need some consistency at that position. He has a big leg. We have to give him every opportunity to kick in preseason camp and we’ve created a lot of those opportunities. I think he’s making progress.”
 
On what he’s looking for in practice:
“We’re starting to find out where we are going to get that consistency and performance from the key players and key backups – the guys who will be counted on during the long season. We’re trying to find where there the depth is coming from. You have to have great depth. You can’t just count on 22 players. 

 Who are those guys who will step in and contribute and make this football team a better football team when we sustain an injury? Injuries are part of the game and you have to get that depth. That’s what we’re starting to see right now.”