Notre Dame Football

No Moral Victories for Notre Dame & TE Kevin Bauman

By Matt Freeman

September 9, 2022

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Notre Dame tight end Kevin Bauman didn’t hold back on Tuesday as the Irish started preparations for Marshall.

The New Jersey native wasn’t pleased with last weekend’s loss to Ohio State and made it clear the Irish weren’t sulking and going to work to get in the win column.

"I think everyone agrees when we say we're not here for moral victories,” stated Bauman. “We came to Notre Dame to win games. We didn't end up winning the game, but then again, things are never as bad as they seem or as good. There was a lot of good in the tape and a lot of stuff to fix.

"Last week, our preparation was the floor. Coach Freeman has been hitting on that. There is a ton of room to grow and we're excited to keep going one week at a time."

A positive Bauman can build on was his 22-yard catch that set up a second quarter touchdown. It was a timely play and one that happened due to execution from the entire offense.

"Once I heard the play call, I knew either of us tight ends had a chance of getting the ball,” explained Bauman. “Execution was all that was going through my head. We prepared well throughout the week for that play. Execution is what it comes down to and making the play. We ended up scoring on that drive, so it came down to execution by the whole offense."

Notre Dame’s offense hit big plays, but also struggled to find consistency at times against the Buckeyes. The fix is simple as the Irish offense doesn’t lack confidence in their abilities.

"It just comes to us being able to execute the play call,” Bauman said. “We weren't able to in some of the situations and that falls on us to prepare a little harder and put more into our preparation throughout the week. We're confident as an offense and we're going to keep working to execute. It comes down to getting the job done when the play is called."

Saturday also marked the first time Bauman was on the field healthy in quite some time. The junior tight end missed much of last year with a leg injury and then played the final few games under 100 percent.

"It meant a lot just personally as a player and as a person,” Bauman stated. “That's what I came here for and what I've worked so hard for and what we prepare for. That's just what we're here to do.

"Blessed to have that opportunity and get some good experience, but that's just the start of things. I'm excited to keep going and we're nowhere near our ceiling."

While Bauman is grateful to be in good health, it doesn’t mean he’s satisfied. The Irish know Saturday wasn’t good enough and they’ve dialed in on making sure that doesn’t happen again.

"Intense,” said Bauman. “We came out here today and we were flying around. It was a physical day. No one is happy with the outcome from last week, so we have a little bit of an edge to us. We don't want to have that feeling again the rest of the season.

"The intensity is higher than it's ever been and everyone is chomping at the bit for Saturday."