Notre Dame DT Jerry Tillery: "I’m rooting for Notre Dame in this one”
Notre Dame took on LSU in 2014 when defensive lineman Jerry Tillery was committed to the Irish and the Louisiana native is looking forward to playing the team he grew up rooting for as a kid.
“It’s exciting,” Tillery said of the Citrus Bowl matchup. “I’ve been to countless LSU football games. It’s a great atmosphere, and they have great fans, but I’m rooting for Notre Dame in this one.”
The Tigers offensive line presents a tough task for the Notre Dame defensive line, and Tillery knows his guys will have to bring it mentally and physically on Monday.
“They have a great offensive line,” stated Tillery. “They present us with a good challenge. They’re big, fast and strong. They're a physical team, and we’re going to have our hands full. “That’s why we’re here preparing, and we’re all excited to meet them head-on.”
LSU running back Derrius Guice has benefitted from the Tigers physical line as the junior has rushed for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns this fall.
The key to stopping Guice starts with the defensive line and the task is pretty simple for Tillery.
“Fitting our gaps,” Tillery stated. “That’s the key to stopping any great back. If we’re able to fit our gaps and keep him from running north and south, I think we’ll be fine.”
Monday could be Tillery’s last game in a Notre Dame uniform, but the 6-foot-6, 306-pounder isn’t ready to make any decision public.
“I haven’t given that any thought,” Tillery said of a decision on the NFL. “We have another game to play for Notre Dame. Once that one is over, we’ll consider that.
“There are a lot of variables to consider when making a decision of that caliber. It’s something I’ll pray about, and we’ll get through it in detail.”
Head coach Brian Kelly said grades have come back from the NFL, but Tillery wasn’t disclosing the grade and didn’t even acknowledge he had seen the grade.
“It’s something I’ll view and see after the bowl game,” explained Tillery. “That’s when all those decisions will be made.”
As mentioned by his teammates, Tillery is set on winning a 10th game as it would be a statement made by a program that was 4-8 a year ago.
“To win 10 games in college football isn’t easy, especially given the schedule we play,” Tilley said. “That’s our goal and mission. If we continue to prepare adequately, then we’ll achieve our goals.”
“Our goal is to win every game, but to get our 10th win, it hasn’t happened here in a while. It would be big for us.”
Tilley also had a simple New Year’s resolution.
“To be 1-0 starting the new year,” said Tillery.