USF DC Glen Spencer Notebook | 9.16
South Florida defensive coordinator Glen Spencer spoke on Wednesday as the Bulls prepare for Notre Dame.
On Notre Dame's offensive line and power run game:
"Big difference than last week. It's hard to simulate the size and quickness of the big men, especially the tight ends. Just all the 11, 12 and 13 personnel groupings they can get is a big challenge. Movement, holding point, playing gap control - you have to play with leverage and keep low pads and do the best you can. Try to be as physical as you can.
"As last week, it's tough to simulate that as our scout team doesn’t have that type of talent. You have to rely on your guys fundamentally doing what they're supposed to do and being where they are supposed to be and being aggressive."
On Notre Dame's history and tradition being a distraction:
"It's pretty much irrelevant. Nothing has been said about it. What's relevant is what you see on tape.
"Obviously, the nostalgia for us is different. I've coached there before when I was at Duke. Matter of fact, Charlie Jr. was on the sideline when his dad was there. I think maybe down the road a few years, they'll maybe look at it differently, but right now, it's like The Citadel. It's about what those 11 guys in front of you are doing and how much you can get in on the game plan and react to what they do. Get off blocks and tackle. That's kind of all we've talked about."
On Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams:
"There are weapons everywhere, obviously. That wasn't a surprise. It's kind of who is up next. They do a phenomenal job of recruiting and developing some depth up there.
"It's not so much who that is, but what we do to be where we're supposed to be and get the right leverage, have the right read and do your job. Anybody that talented that has the ball in his hand, you gotta finish well. That will be the challenge. Do your job and let's get as many people to the ball to finish to try to limit some of their big-play capability they have."
On Notre Dame QB Ian Book:
"Anybody with that many reps, he's kind of seen it all. It's not like we're going to do anything he hasn't seen. He knows how to read rotation and where to go with the ball.
"I don't think he gets as much credit - to be able to move around is one thing, but to be able to throw accurately on the run - a lot of guys can't do that. He can make those throws. He's got a cannon. But to be accurate on the run, I've faced a few of those guys in the past and they are really a pain.
"You put the talent of the big tight ends and big receiver and the tailback around him, they have a lot of things in their arsenal. They have a lot of tools in their toolbox with big playmaking ability.
"The experience of him seeing everything and being to manage a game, I've been super impressed with that."