Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame Football
Rochell: “More than just winning it for the seniors.”
November 18, 2016
1,123
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – On Saturday, Notre Dame will host Virginia Tech in the programs’ first-ever matchup. The game will also honor the seniors on the Notre Dame football team. However, only eight players on Notre Dame’s roster will run out of eligibility this year, among them, Isaac Rochell.
“It affects guys. I’m not overly concerned about it,” the captain talked about the emotional aspect of the game. “My hope and expectation is that emotion will turn into performance.”
Currently sitting at a 4-6 record, Notre Dame will need to win against Virginia Tech to keep their bowl hopes alive.
“I think it’s unique this year because we need to win these last two games,” Rochell talked about the pressure of the game. “There’s more that goes into it than just winning it for the seniors.”
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman has played in 47 games for the Irish and has started 35 of the last 36 games at defensive line. Even though he’s tallied 159 tackles during Notre Dame’s 30-19 record over the past four seasons, his most memorable experiences consist of those spent with his teammates.
“I would like to think that I would just think back to spending time with my teammates,” Rochell reflected. “I’ve lived with teammates for the last two years and so I’ll probably think about sitting in the living room just talking to my teammates.”
It has been Rochell’s leadership and example that has kept the Notre Dame football team together and focused through a frustrating year.
“I’ve always said the same thing. My message is just keep grinding,” Rochell said. “It’s easy when you have a team full of guys who are going to keep grinding, young guys who are hungry. One thing that I think has helped was that, when we were 1-3 or 2-3, younger guys were playing more. That helps keep guys engaged. Ultimately we just have to get guys to play for the pride of playing and for the pride of winning.”
Defensively, the Irish have had one obstacle after another. Before the season even began, Max Redfield (S) was dismissed from the team and Devin Butler (DB) was suspended. After just four games, defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was let go following a humbling loss to Duke. And in the meantime the secondary in particular has been plagued by injuries including season-ending injuries for Shaun Crawford (DB) and Nick Watkins (CB), while Daniel Cage (DL) is questionable for the upcoming game after a concussion.
“I think we’ve done a great job, and statistically that shows,” Rochell evaluated the defense’s resiliency under new coordinator Greg Hudson. “I think that it speaks to the players we have in individuals. Guys are willing to come back no matter what adversities or changes were made, willing to come back and listen to the people in charge, then work really really hard to sharpen their craft.”
Rick Kimball/ISD
Isaac Rochell
But with the Irish defense finally gaining confidence is about to meet an efficient and dangerous Virginia Tech offense. While stumbling in their lopsided 20-30 loss to Georgia Tech last week, the Hokies started the season with back-to-back 500-plus yard games. Who can be sure which offense the Irish will line up against on Saturday.
Not to mention this will be the first time since October that the Irish have seen a traditional offense as opposed to the triple option offenses they saw against Army and Navy.
“The first challenge is just not playing a triple option team,” Rochell said realistically. “You get used to playing a dive or playing a veer, so it’s hard to get your mind back into it. From there, they have a very good offensive line. Virginia Tech is a team that is always has a good offensive line. And I think they have one of the better quarterbacks. I think (Jerod Evan)’s a big threat. They have really good receivers. Ultimately I think they have a very solid offense.”
But with a Notre Dame defense on the rise and a Virginia Tech offense that seems to have hit a dry spell, who can be sure what team will show up to play on Saturday? But for Notre Dame, and especially the seniors, this game represents their ability to battle back even when they were down.
“It would be tremendous and speak highly of the team and our character and what the older guys have put in to keep the culture intact,” Rochell said about his teammates desire to win against the Hokies. “Ultimately we’re playing two good teams and I think it would be huge for the program to have two wins at the end of the regular season against two good programs.”
For Isaac Rochell, and all Notre Dame seniors, this game is a must-win.
“It affects guys. I’m not overly concerned about it,” the captain talked about the emotional aspect of the game. “My hope and expectation is that emotion will turn into performance.”
Currently sitting at a 4-6 record, Notre Dame will need to win against Virginia Tech to keep their bowl hopes alive.
“I think it’s unique this year because we need to win these last two games,” Rochell talked about the pressure of the game. “There’s more that goes into it than just winning it for the seniors.”
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman has played in 47 games for the Irish and has started 35 of the last 36 games at defensive line. Even though he’s tallied 159 tackles during Notre Dame’s 30-19 record over the past four seasons, his most memorable experiences consist of those spent with his teammates.
“I would like to think that I would just think back to spending time with my teammates,” Rochell reflected. “I’ve lived with teammates for the last two years and so I’ll probably think about sitting in the living room just talking to my teammates.”
It has been Rochell’s leadership and example that has kept the Notre Dame football team together and focused through a frustrating year.
“I’ve always said the same thing. My message is just keep grinding,” Rochell said. “It’s easy when you have a team full of guys who are going to keep grinding, young guys who are hungry. One thing that I think has helped was that, when we were 1-3 or 2-3, younger guys were playing more. That helps keep guys engaged. Ultimately we just have to get guys to play for the pride of playing and for the pride of winning.”
Defensively, the Irish have had one obstacle after another. Before the season even began, Max Redfield (S) was dismissed from the team and Devin Butler (DB) was suspended. After just four games, defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was let go following a humbling loss to Duke. And in the meantime the secondary in particular has been plagued by injuries including season-ending injuries for Shaun Crawford (DB) and Nick Watkins (CB), while Daniel Cage (DL) is questionable for the upcoming game after a concussion.
“I think we’ve done a great job, and statistically that shows,” Rochell evaluated the defense’s resiliency under new coordinator Greg Hudson. “I think that it speaks to the players we have in individuals. Guys are willing to come back no matter what adversities or changes were made, willing to come back and listen to the people in charge, then work really really hard to sharpen their craft.”
Rick Kimball/ISD
Isaac Rochell
Not to mention this will be the first time since October that the Irish have seen a traditional offense as opposed to the triple option offenses they saw against Army and Navy.
“The first challenge is just not playing a triple option team,” Rochell said realistically. “You get used to playing a dive or playing a veer, so it’s hard to get your mind back into it. From there, they have a very good offensive line. Virginia Tech is a team that is always has a good offensive line. And I think they have one of the better quarterbacks. I think (Jerod Evan)’s a big threat. They have really good receivers. Ultimately I think they have a very solid offense.”
But with a Notre Dame defense on the rise and a Virginia Tech offense that seems to have hit a dry spell, who can be sure what team will show up to play on Saturday? But for Notre Dame, and especially the seniors, this game represents their ability to battle back even when they were down.
“It would be tremendous and speak highly of the team and our character and what the older guys have put in to keep the culture intact,” Rochell said about his teammates desire to win against the Hokies. “Ultimately we’re playing two good teams and I think it would be huge for the program to have two wins at the end of the regular season against two good programs.”
For Isaac Rochell, and all Notre Dame seniors, this game is a must-win.
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