Brian Kelly Notebook: Virginia Tech

Notre Dame has endured a season of tough losses, but Saturday’s loss to Virginia Tech might turn out to be the toughest of them all. The Irish led twice by 17 points in the second quarter only to fall 34-31 to the Hokies on a snowy 35-degree day in South Bend.

The Irish offense led by DeShone Kizer was hitting on all cylinders in the first half, as they rolled up 299 yards of total offense. However as normal, Notre Dame sputtered in the second half and churned out just 150 yards in the second half.

“I couldn't tell you until I watch the film specifically,” explained Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. “We missed some -- we had some balls that were catchable that we didn't catch.

“You know, I just don't think we executed quite as well offensively. I would have to really watch it specifically to tell you. I thought we weren't as sharp in the second half as we were in the first half.”

Notre Dame has a three-headed monster in the offensive side of the ball in Mike Denbrock, Mike Sanford and Kelly. The seventh-year head coach admitted there might be too many ideas on that side of the ball, but as the leader, he has to trust those up top.

“You know, too many cooks at that point really creates problems,” Kelly said of the three offensive minds. “So I'm trying the best I can to offer some solutions, but you really have to trust in the play calling. And the execution, quite frankly is part of that.

“We had some opportunities we didn't convert. You know, really a tale of two paths. You're right. Obviously offensively we got it going very well in the first half; in the second half we weren't as sharp.”

DK
One piece of the puzzle that could have led to the offensive struggles was the health of quarterback DeShone Kizer. The junior quarterback took a big shot in the first half to the head, but then later was knocked out of the game before the final play.

The Irish have been on the negative side of ‘targeting’ this fall and Kelly was pretty fired up about making sure his quarterback was kept safe.

“I mean, we're talking about protecting the quarterback,” a fired up Kelly stated. “I've been on the wrong end of that play now this year at Syracuse and here against Virginia Tech. That was clearly a quarterback that gave himself up and then was hit.

“So we're either going to protect the quarterback or we're not. So I don't quite understand what the rule is, because it's being officiated clearly differently.”

Kizer is listed at 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, but it’s a safe bet he weighs upwards of that and Kelly felt his quarterback’s situation might be similar to that of Cam Newton.

“I'm going to ask them to go see Roger Goodell,” joked Kelly when asked if Kizer was officiated differently. “That may be the way to do it. Maybe he could do something about it.

“I think Cam Newton feels the same way in the NFL. It's just not right. We're either going to protect the quarterback or we're not going to protect the quarterback. I've had this go against me, the same exact play. We lost a kid for the game.”

Kelly continued.

“The supervisor of officials has got to make a clear edict as to how they want this officiated,” Kelly stated. “He clearly has not made it clear enough how this is going to go.

“So that's all I'm going to say on it.”

In terms of health, Kelly and Kizer both had the same quick answer in relation to a head injury.

"Yes, he's fine," stated Kelly. "He's clear. He has no symptoms."

Lack of Pass Rush
Notre Dame had just one quarterback hurry and one sack on the day. Granted, James Onwualu’s sack-fumble was a huge play early in the game, but once again a Notre Dame opponent figured out the Irish defense and took advantage of it.

“I think when he had, you know, down-the-field routes, we were forcing the ball,” Kelly said of the pressure. “We were giving him some pressure.

“When he got into his five-wides, the ball was coming up too quick. We weren't going to be able to get to him. It was catch and release. You know, then there were some matchups which we didn't quite like. The fullback, when he's in the game, you know, you have to be careful with your personnel. You can't take out and go -- so you get some favorable matchups, and they were able to exploit that a couple times.”

PI?
Another hot topic was the pass interference called on Cole Luke on a 2nd and 7 to put the Hokies deep into Irish territory.

Kelly tried to stay away from ripping on the officials, as he said Luke did exactly what they teach.

“I mean, listen, Virginia Tech won the game,” Kelly explained. “It's not one play. We teach that. I told them that he did exactly what we asked him to do. That's force the defender up the sideline. So he executed the technique that I've been told over and over again when we have officials that come to you are practices and tell us that that technique is acceptable.

“It was not an acceptable technique tonight.”

USC
It’s been a long season for the Irish, but if there is a positive to take, Notre Dame has come to play and they aren’t losing from a lack of effort. It’s going to take more than effort against a tough USC squad next weekend, but Kelly knows his team is going to fight.

“I just love our kids,” said Kelly. “I love the way they battle. You know, we're going to wake up from this nightmare and we're going to be 11-0 I think. Maybe not. I just don't -- they work hard. They did everything I wanted them to do. There are some things we're going to have to do in the off-season to address it.

“There are a lot of inexperienced players that are going to benefit from this. I'm not benefitting at all being in front of you losing this football game. It's not helping me any. It's going to help those guys that have gone through it.

“So we'll bank on that.”