Elliott: 'We all want to execute for each other'
No.10 Notre Dame will need its leadership during the week to make sure the Fighting Irish come out sharp on Saturday afternoon against No. 18 Virginia.
Safety Jalen Elliott and his fellow captains called a team-only meeting on Monday to drill in the fact the season isn’t over and there is much to play for despite the loss to Georgia on Saturday.
“We have to make sure we moved on and used that 24-hour rule to forget about it,” stated Elliott. “We have to be ready for Virginia. We have to come out and play hard.”
Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly has gone on record to state Saturday will be a defining moment for the Irish. They can go out and handle business against the Cavaliers, or they can sulk and get beat.
Kelly’s words resonated with Elliott and the team as it was his message before the Georgia game kicked off.
“The important thing is to remember is he said it to us before the game as well,” explained Elliott. “We have to be prepared to execute each week. This week happens to be Virginia and that’s who we have to prepare for and execute against. They’re a really good team and we have to bring our A-game.”
Will 11-1 get Notre Dame in the playoffs? No one knows, but the goal is to find out.
“We all have the same goal in mind,” Elliott said. “We all want to execute for each other. It’s such a tight group that it won’t be a problem for us to move on and get ready for this next one.
“We’ve always had the mindset of making sure we prepare each week as hard as we did the previous week. We’re not too worried about the future or past games. We want to continue to execute for each other each week. We just try to play each week. I don’t really know how we say we’re close enough to our goal. We’re trying to push for each other.”
The Virginia defense has gained the most praise this season as they lead the country in sacks, but they also have several playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and it starts with quarterback Bryce Perkins.
On the year, Perkins has completed 81-of-124 passes (65.3%) for 843 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions while running 51 times for 193 yards and two more scores in four games this season.
“Looking at the offense, Bryce Perkins is a very good player and can make plays with his feet and through the air,” Elliott said. “We have to lock into our coverage, making sure we have him contained and they have athletes on the outside who can get it done as well. They can make plays. We have to be locked into that.”
This weekend will be a special one for Elliott as the Virginia native grew up less than two hours away from Charlottesville.
“It’s a great feeling anytime you play against a team from home,” stated Elliott. “I can’t wait to have all the people watching at home and try to put on a show for them. To travel out here is an 11-hour drive, so not too many people are coming out here. My immediate family will be here.
I’m usually a pretty upbeat guy, but here’s no extra motivation needed. I’m going to go out and try to do my job for my team.”