Hainsey Focused On Capturing Momentum
It's been a dreary week around South Bend, but Notre Dame is focused on getting momentum back as Virginia Tech comes to town this weekend.
Football is a game of momentum and Notre Dame is looking to get positive vibes back on the sideline following Saturday's loss to Michigan.
Momentum can change quickly as the Irish saw last year against the Hokies.
Notre Dame led 17-16 in the third quarter, but had managed -3 rushing yards entering its first possession of the second half.
One 97-yard touchdown run by Dexter Williams changed everything and the Irish won 45-23.
"Last year we had that big run in the second half and kind of blew the game open," stated captain Robert Hainsey. "Football’s a game of momentum and we were able to take advantage."
The Irish will look to get back momentum this Saturday against a 5-2 Hokies squad and it will be a challenge.
Legendary Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster is coaching his final season and would love nothing more than to end it with a win in South Bend, but Hainsey believes the Irish are prepared to handle his exotic schemes.
"I think for us this year, we’ll be ready for what we see on film and everything we see," explained Hainsey. "We just have to be ready for it and adjust. Being able to differentiate when we get out there and see something we haven’t seen (on film), being able to explain it, talk through it and adjust on the fly on the sideline."
Communication will be key this week as Foster will surely have a few new wrinkles, but Notre Dame will be breaking in a new right guard.
Starter Tommy Kraemer will be out four to six weeks with a knee sprain, so graduate student Trevor Ruhland will get the nod.
"The biggest thing is we always talk about seeing it on the offensive line through one set of eyes," said Hainsey. "Not getting too far out of our zones in terms of who needs to be where.
"If we see something, communicate it and once we have it communicated and get it drawn up, say, ‘Hey, if we see this again, we need to do this.’ It’s just big for all of us to be on the same page."
Clemson, Georgia and other programs have made a point to highlight Notre Dame's physicality, which mysteriously disappeared in Ann Arbor.
Brian Kelly has challenged his team to find it and it starts Tuesday through Friday for Hainsey.
"I guess it’s kind of tough to explain but we go out there and just practice hard," Hainsey said. "Hit hard, hit every play and make sure you finish your blocks until the whistle blows. Finish your pass pro till the quarterback throws the ball and just continue to work.
"We know what we need to do and we know how we need to practice to be a great offense and we’re just practicing that way."
When it comes to making sure the Irish avoid a repeat performance of Saturday, Hainsey knows it's simple.
"I’m sure you can go back and point out numerous things, but the biggest thing for us is getting ready this week and moving on to Virginia Tech," said Hainsey. "Having three hard practices, detailed practices and physical practices to really improve. Working on technique, working on our assignments against this defense we’re going to be facing and being ready to execute on Saturday."