Pride Feeding Off Michigan Loss, Grateful for Football
Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride Jr. is looking forward to another tough challenge this weekend at Duke.
The No. 15 Irish will get to face another dual-threat quarterback, who can put pressure on a defense in a number of ways.
"They're a very precise, well-coached group who does their job to the utmost and can make plays against anybody," Pride stated.
"We have to be technical and detail-oriented. Doing your job, reading your keys, being on your technique, footwork and hand placement is setting yourself up for success."
Notre Dame prepared for three very different quarterbacks a week ago, so while there are some similarities, the preparation for Duke has been different.
Pride and his teammates were also focused on getting the bad taste of the Michigan game out of their mouth, as the senior admitted it's still in the back of their minds.
"This week is a different mindset, but at the same time, we have the same work mentality," explained Pride. "That's always going to be in the back of your mind. It's a moment you feed off of for the remainder of the year or years to come. You never want to get back to that point again.
"We're bringing energy, flying around and we're going to be who we are. And who we are is that dog mentality and that's coming each and every day we go out there."
Head coach Brian Kelly felt his team was tight to start the game last week and this week, the Irish are less uptight, but there is a sense of urgency around the program.
"I won't say relaxed," said Pride. "You never want to feel like that again. With that, you take it and build off of it. We got a very resilient win this past weekend, but it's about never feeling like that again.
"Whatever we have to do to not feel like that ever again is what we have to do. We're still very detail and goal-oriented to continue our brand of football and play to the best of our ability."
Wins and losses are important at Notre Dame, but the South Carolina native is also just grateful to be playing football.
Pride and his parents were driving to South Bend to start his senior year when their car was clipped from behind and flipped over a guard rail.
"I had to get on my knees and thank God for that moment," explained Pride. "It was just crazy. I'm driving on the highway back to school to start my senior year and get everything going.
"It was an accident you never really could have expected. We got rear-ended, hit the side railing and flipped twice."
There were no injuries, which is hard to believe and it's given Pride a new perspective on life.
"We came out with no scratches and fine," said Pride. "I've prayed millions of times, but my guardian angels are absolutely with me.
"My Lord and Savior has protected me for a lot of things. I've thanked him for allowing me to be on the field laughing or getting a 29-second win against Virginia Tech because that could have been taken away in one moment.
"I'll never forget that."
