Notre Dame HC Brian Kelly Doesn't See Clemson As Short-Handed
Don’t ask Brian Kelly about Clemson potentially being short-handed heading into the Tigers showdown against Notre Dame on Saturday.
"We have their depth chart here,” the Irish head coach said during a Zoom call with reporters on Monday. “I'll take their fourth Sam linebacker. I'll take their fifth defensive tackle. I'll take their fourth defensive end. They're in pretty good shape.”
Clemson will be without defensive end Xavier Thomas for the first half after he was ejected from the Tigers’ 34-28 win over Boston College last weekend.
Of course, the absence on everybody’s mind is that of All-American quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who tested positive for COVID-19 in the middle of last week.
“I don't wish COVID and I do not wish them any injuries,” Kelly said. “They're going to put out a really good product with the other players they have. We're going to prepare for the #1 team in the country and the guys they roll out - they're going to be pretty good."
Freshman quarterback DJ Uiagalelei stepped in Lawrence’s role last week, completing 30 of 41 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 25 yards and another touchdown on six carries.
Kelly said there isn’t much difference in trying to disrupt a freshman quarterback in his second-ever start than any other quarterback.
“We played Trevor Lawrence when he was a freshman and there are some that you think would have difficulty in certain situations relative to third down and different coverages,” said Kelly. “But they’re well-coached. These kids see a lot now and are well-prepared.
“DJ will be well-prepared for the different things we show him. The most important thing is to make sure he’s not comfortable back there. You’ve got to get a great pass rush, you’ve got to get him to move their feet, you’ve got to make sure they don’t get in a rhythm, which is really the case for a lot of quarterbacks.
“I just think whether you’re a freshman or whether you’re a senior, I think a lot of the axioms are still the same. You don’t want a quarterback to feel comfortable. For us, defensively, get him out of a comfort zone, don’t let him in rhythm, don’t give him the easy throws that are comfortable for him and make him do some things he doesn’t want to do.”
Uiagalelei will have All-American running back Travis Etienne to lean on as well.
“I think he's the best running back in the country,” said Kelly. “I'll go on record on saying that. Elite speed. Tough inside-out runner and incredible out of the backfield.
“He's the complete package. When you're looking up complete running back in the dictionary, his picture and name should be there. That's who he is. I don't know there's a back we've gone against and we've gone against some great backs that is complete of a player that he is."
When the Irish have the ball, Kelly knows they’ll need to be ready for a variety of blitzes and pressures from Clemson.
“You have to prepare for a lot of things when you face a Brent Venables defense because there is a different blitz each week,” said Kelly. “There are different looks. It's three-down and four-down. That's what makes them great. That's what makes him one of the best defensive coordinators in the country.”
Kelly said the top-ranked Tigers deserve their ranking.
“Everything they do, they do well in all phases of the game, offense, defense, special teams. Consistent in everything. Their record since 2018 is 36-1, so I’d be repeating if I didn’t say Coach has done an incredible job here. Consistency is really what’s amazing about this football team and what Dabo (Swinney) has done.
“Again, in all phases, their well-coached, prepared for everything. We’re excited about the opportunity to play the #1 team in the country. We have a great deal of respect for them and I know our guys are excited about the opportunity.”