Notre Dame’s football program hasn’t adopted the message board mindset of sulking for two weeks after the BYU game.
The Irish have gone to work, and while the results won’t show up this weekend against Navy, there is excitement about getting back on the field and putting the trip to Provo in the rearview.
Fifth-year linebacker Jaylen Sneed knows the standard at Notre Dame. The South Carolina native has been focused on making sure it doesn’t slip following the loss.
“I just keep pushing them to be better,” Sneed said of his message to the younger players. “Everybody knows we didn't play to the best of our ability. I just want to make sure practice looks better every day. Making sure the younger guys are on top of their stuff. Making sure the older guys are on top of their stuff. Really just trying to lead by example and lead with my vocalness. Just trying to get everybody on the same page just so we can play better.”
For senior safety Luke Talich, the bye week also provided an opportunity to reflect on the first seven games of the season and get some much-needed rest.
It was the first extended break for the Irish since fall camp, giving the team time to reset. In Talich’s case, it was also an opportunity to get mentally prepared for the stretch run.
“Bye week is a great opportunity to get your body recovered and get your feet under you for the second half of that season,” said Talich. “I just got ready mentally. It hurts following a bye week after a loss and so it gives you more time to reflect, more time to think about what you can do to do better.”
The bye also provided an opportunity for injured players to recover. Talich missed the Purdue game with a thumb injury and has played every game since in a cast.
That cast could come off this week, which would be a welcome development for a safety who has had to adjust to playing defense with limited use of one hand.
“It's challenging, but it's something I can overcome, figuring out how to tackle with half a hand,” Talich said. “I figured it out a little bit. I've definitely missed some tackles because I can't grab as well, but it is what it is. You've just got to work through that and play through that. I think I've done a decent job of that.”
The bye week also provided motivation. Notre Dame knows it left doubt following the loss to BYU, serving as a reminder that there is always more work to do.
“I feel like it lit a fire under this team that we had before, but didn’t have all the way,” said Sneed. “It taught this team that we can lose if we don’t prepare the right way. I feel like it brought us closer together. Just having that bye week to come closer together, really talk to the coaches, and really hone in on what went wrong just helped us so much.”
Now, Notre Dame turns its attention to Navy, a program the Irish have beaten eight consecutive times.
The Midshipmen’s triple-option attack remains as tricky as ever, particularly with Navy evolving its scheme over the last few years. Discipline is always crucial against the option and Talich believes Notre Dame’s defense will be ready for the challenge.
“Navy's a unique offense and they run a different type of scheme,” Talich stated. “We definitely change a lot of things. Pretty much our whole package is completely changed. It's more so just discipline and assignment football and just kind of focusing and keeping your eyes on the right thing. You just got to do your job.
“That's kind of how you got to play a team like Navy because they do different eye candy, shifts, motions, all kinds of things.”
Sneed has put together some of the best performances of his career against Navy. The reason for his success? The coaching staff has given him opportunities to attack.
“My favorite thing to do is run and hit,” smiled Sneed. “So I can't complain. That's all you do.”
Beyond discipline, Notre Dame will need to communicate at a high level, something the Irish struggled to do in Provo.
That lesson came at a cost and Sneed expects the defense to be much cleaner Saturday.
“I feel like we learned we have to communicate,” Sneed explained. “We have to all be on the same page.”
Like Sneed, Talich enjoys playing Navy. The option attack presents a challenge, but at the core, it’s about stopping the run and physicality.
“It's downhill football,” said Talich. “You're getting a lot of run and play action pass off of it. You kind of know what you're going to get in a physical game. Those guys are tough dudes and they're going to come out and hit you in the mouth. It's just who's going to who's going to do it more.
“I love this game. It's kind of how I was made playing football just coming downhill, hitting guys. I love this matchup and I'm excited for it.”
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