Wimbush: "We're all rejuvenated, and we're ready to go"
On Wednesday afternoon, Notre Dame hit the practice field for the first time in Orlando as they prepare for the Citrus Bowl on January 1st.
Quarterback Brandon Wimbush felt his team was dialed in the first practice session coming back from Christmas break.
“We had a chance to get out for a couple of hours, coach (Brian) Kelly made an emphasis on being able to flip the switch when we come out for practice,” Wimbush stated. “The guys did a good job of doing that today.”
“Everyone is fresh. We’re playing at a speed that we were playing at earlier in the season. I think it will show come game time. Everyone is focused and locked in on our mission to beat LSU.”
The time off allowed Notre Dame’s players to catch up mentality after a long season and Wimbush expects that to pay off.
“To have 12 weeks of straight ball, mental reps and school, the guys needed a break,” Wimbush stated. “This month has been good in doing that for us.
“We’re all rejuvenated, and we’re ready to go.”
Over the last month, the 6-foot-2, 228-pounder had a chance to work on his own game, which meant he got back to fundamentals for a few weeks.
There wasn’t game planning or time to spend going against a specific scheme, but merely working on becoming a better passer.
“You always work on your fundamentals,” explained Wimbush. “During the season, you have individual periods to work on fundamentals to work on things that are causing deficiencies. I take pride in my fundamentals and try to become the best quarterback I can be.
“Those two weeks before Christmas break, you don’t have to work on reading a defense or understanding what they’re going to do, but you’re back to just throwing the football like you did in seventh grade.”
Wimbush also had to spend time working with some of Notre Dame’s younger receivers, as Chase Claypool (shoulder), Alizè Mack (suspension) and Kevin Stepherson (suspension) are out for the Citrus Bowl.
“I think we’re on the same page,” Wimbush said of the younger receivers. “Guys step up. The younger guys are stepping up, Jafar (Armstrong), Mike Young and Cole Kmet. They’ve all looked great, and we’re clicking pretty well.
“It’s come along in a manner that it needs to. We lost some weapons, but these guys have stepped up, and we’re on a good page now. I think you’ll see a more efficient passing game and a balanced offense come January 1st.”
The young receivers will look to boost a passing game that struggled over the last three weeks of the season, but they will also be facing one of nation’s top secondary units in LSU.
“LSU’s defense is really good,” Wimbush stated. “We’ve been preparing. They have athletic guys. They’re fast and one of the fastest defenses we have seen since Georgia. We’re pretty excited for the challenge and getting our bodies back to where we were early in the season has been pivotal.”
For the Irish offense, the goal is simple.
“Coach Long always says it, “Play physical, play fast, take care of the ball, no penalties.’ Those are some of his mantras. If we play our game and play how we played earlier in the year – just executing. Those are some of the key factors that go into us hopefully winning this game.”
After finishing 4-8 in 2016, Notre Dame has the chance to get to 10 wins this season, and Wimbush knows it’s an important mark for this year’s team, but also as a springboard for 2018.
“A tenth win, I think about the seniors and what they’ve put into this program and getting it to where it is now. Coach (Tom) Rees always says “If you can come away with 10 wins with the schedule we play, that’s a pretty damn good season for us.’
“It’s important to get the win and head into 2018 season on a positive note.”