"I’m grateful for this opportunity" - Notre Dame S Alohi Gilman
No. 8 Notre Dame was tested against Vanderbilt on Saturday, but the Irish came away with a 22-17 win.
Vanderbilt made things interesting in the fourth quarter, and the Irish defense came up with a game-winning stop as junior safety was able to break up a pass on fourth down.
Safety Alohi Gilman admits he was a little nervous on the play, but he believed Elliott would finish the play.
“Maybe a little bit.,” laughed Gilman when asked he was nervous. “I have faith in my guy, Jalen. He’s been balling out. Our whole defense has been balling out.”
Gilman also saved a touchdown as he was able to rip the ball from the hands of a Vanderbilt receiver at the goal line, which led to a touchback and gave the Irish offense the ball back.
“I was just trying to stop him from scoring,” Gilman stated. “At that point, it’s like playing park ball. I was channeling my inner Shaun (Crawford). Shaun’s my idol.”
The two plays were game-changing plays and led to the Notre Dame win, but it was also something the Irish staff drilled into the team during the week of practice.
“In our preparation this week we were drilling on finishing in the fourth quarter and finish in general,” explained Gilman. “That was in our minds coming into this game, so we knew we had to buckle down in tough situations and execute to make plays.”
Through three games, Gilman has racked up 17 tackles and improved the safety play with his aggressive style of play. However, the Hawaii native is quick to point out the improved safety play is across the board and the success doesn’t rest on one player’s shoulders.
“It’s a group effort,” said Gilman. “Coach (Terry) Joseph prepares us well and trains us hard. He pushes our limits during the week of practice. It’s a combined effort. It’s not one guy. I stepped in, but it’s a combined effort with Jalen (Elliott), Devin (Studstill), Nick, (Coleman), Houston (Griffith) and Nicco (Fertitta). We’re contributing each week to work on our weakness and contribute with our strengths.”
It’s clear Joseph has made a positive impact since taking the job in the winter, but the safety room isn’t ‘a young group anymore.
“We have a lot more experience back there,” Gilman stated. “Confidence is the second thing. We come out to practice, and we know how we work. We put confidence in each other. Jalen puts confidence in me, and I put confidence in Jalen. When we do that, you play with an edge.
“I try to come out with an edge. I have a chip on my shoulder along with all of our other safeties.”
Notre Dame will take its 3-0 record on the road to Wake Forest, and the undefeated record is something Gilman is cherishing.
“It means a lot,” said Gilman. “We work hard. We come to practice to figure out what we can do better. To be able to get his win with my team is awesome. I’m grateful for this opportunity.”