Love Looking For Turnovers Against LSU

As Notre Dame arrives in Orlando for the Citrus Bowl on Tuesday, sophomore cornerback Julian Love and his teammates are looking turnovers. 

The 5-foot-11, 193-pounder recorded three interceptions in 2017 and hopes to get a few more on January 1st against LSU. 

"Defensively, we have the chance to create turnovers as we did earlier in the year," stated Love. "Toward the end of the year, I felt we were emotionally broken down a little bit. We’re recovering and getting back after it. We’re going to keep at it and try to get more turnovers." 

The shift in mentality changed before the game at Miami. Love felt a change in the team as the Irish entered the game ranked No. 3 in the country. 

"It started before that week, honestly," Love explained. "The hype of being that highly ranked, the pressure of that game, celebrities were there, and a lot of guys were emotionally under stress. 

"It started there and obviously continued throughout the season." 

With a big-time SEC opponent on the schedule, Love is looking for the Irish to lock back in this week. 

"I want to see us lock-in," stated Love. "Orlando has a lot of distractions that could happen, but I want us to lock in on the game plan and get that 10th win to propel us going forward.

"We're really hungry. We had a chance to rest the few weeks.  We're rejuvenated, and we can just attack this game." 

Notre Dame will be without two of its receiving options as sophomore receiver Kevin Stepherson and tight end Alizè Mack are suspended for the Citrus Bowl, but Love has seen two guys step up in recent weeks. 

"Miles Boykin has been having really good practices and a good last couple weeks," said Love. "With certain guys down, he's really powering through and showcasing himself. 

"Michael Young is doing a great job of filling in some roles in the best way he can. 

"They both have different traits about them that make them really good."

The offensive staff never quite got Young into the rotation consistently this fall, but the freshman receiver has gained the respect of his teammates over the past few months. 

"Michael is really fast," added Love. "He's a quick-twitch guy. He's tough. If he gets hit, he'll get back up and comes back. That's something you just love to see." 

Love also addressed the suspensions of freshman running back CJ Holmes, Mack and Stepherson. 

"We love them," Love said. "They're our brothers. To be at Notre Dame, there is a certain level of accountability that you have to have. Coach made a decision to suspend them, and we will respect that decision. 

"We hope to see them back here because we love them. When you make mistakes like that, it's tough for us as a team."

As one of the leaders of the team, Love was disappointed he couldn't have done more.

"It's very sad," explained Love. "We always want the best for everyone. We try to hold each other accountable and be there for everyone in times of need and to keep everyone on the straight path. 

"To see this happen from a leadership perspective, we felt we let it slip through our fingers. It's on all of us as well as the individuals involved. We hope the best for them and hope they can come back." 

While Signing Day turned somber with the news of Holmes and Stepherson, there was good news earlier in the day. 

2018 four-star cornerback Houston Griffith signed with the Irish and will reunite with Love and freshman safety Isaiah Robertson in South Bend.

All three players played on the same 7-on-7 team for BOOM Football a few years ago, and Griffith was a player that caught Love's eye early. 

"When I joined BOOM Football, I was playing corner, and Houston was rotating in a lot," said Love. "I thought he was my age or a year younger than me. It wasn't until very late that I realized he was two years younger.

"I was amazed all the potential that he had. He has great size and speed. He's technically sound too."