Ade Ogundeji: 'We have to play football the right way'

Notre Dame’s defensive line entered the 2019 season as one of the best in the country. The date circled was September 21st as the Irish would get a big-time test from Georgia, who very likely has the top offensive line in the country. 

It’s not only a test as a team, but it’s a chance for Notre Dame’s defensive ends to raise their stock with the NFL with a quality game. 

Senior defensive end Ade Ogundeji knows they will be tested by Georgia’s massive offensive line and knows Notre Dame will need to win critical battles despite the size difference.

“They are a big group,” stated Ogundeji. “They play physical and on the attack. They are a well-coached team. That definitely stands out for us.” 

Notre Dame cleaned up the self-inflicted wounds against Louisville in the win over New Mexico, but they also can’t regress on the road in Athens. 

“They do things the right way and they aren’t going to beat themselves,” explained Ogundeji. “We have to go out and play hard. We have to beat them. We can’t have penalties and we have to play football the right way.

“We know the mistakes we made in past games and we’re trying to correct those. We’re learning from those in practice. We’re working to fix those mistakes that happened in previous games before Georgia.” 

Despite the hype of the game, Notre Dame wants to treat this just like any other game during the week.

“I feel like we’re working like we were the last two weeks and how we worked all of fall camp,” stated Ogundeji. “I don’t think we’re making it a big game like everyone else is. We’re taking it as a regular game like Louisville and New Mexico.” 

What allows Notre Dame to keep its emotions in check during week of a top ten showdown? It starts with leadership and experience.

“We’ve together for a while,” Ogundeji said. “This is a senior (led) defensive side of the ball. We understand the ups and downs. We’ve been through bad seasons and good seasons. We understand what it takes to come out and win the games.” 

The Irish will enter the game No. 3 passing efficiency and sit No. 9 in tackles for loss in the country. 

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm presents a significant challenge as he has the talent to make big plays, but also the ability to get his offense into better plays. 

“He’s a great quarterback and a very accurate quarterback,” stated Ogundeji. “He reads the defense. He makes checks during the play and before the snap. He’s very smart and intellectual. He’s a tough quarterback to be going against. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.” 

Notre Dame’s defensive line has risen up in big games over the last few years and Ogundeji expects they will do the same on Saturday night. 

“Even before the season, we tried to come in here and prove we are the best defensive line,” said Ogundeji. “We’re continuing to do that. It’s a game we’re going out there and play. We’re not making it bigger than it is. It’s a game we’re trying to focus on. It’s the third game for us.

“We’re going to prepare the right way we can handle whatever comes on Saturday.”