Coney Focused On Finishing Strong
With five weeks left and in prime playoff contention, Notre Dame is coming off a much-needed break from football before clashing with Navy on Saturday night in San Diego.
Senior linebacker Te’von Coney enjoyed the bye week and emphasized its importance.
“It was important for the whole staff and the whole football team to get away from football, to rest your body and reset the focus,” he said“We have the next five weeks, so it was nice to go home, see our families. The coaches got to spend time with their kids, but we are glad to be back, we are on a mission, we are focused, and we are ready to get this thing rolling.”
A mix up in the top-four occurred during the break, former number three Ohio State was defeated by Purdue which bumped the Irish up a spot to number three in the rankings, but for Notre Dame, the mindset is the same as it was before the upset.
“I was watching a movie, Halloween, but I got a text during the movie saying that they lost,” Coney explained about the Buckeye’s loss. “We are focused on us, and what it is going to take for us to complete our mission which is to get in the National Championship, so we are going to focus each and every week on our opponent.”
Beating Navy is the only thing on their mind. They’re next on the road to their end goal.
“Stay humble, we know we have a lot left on the season our coaches are challenging us each and every week to work hard, stay in the moment and continue to do what we have been doing,” Coney explained about their upcoming matchup. “Following our process and doing what it takes every each and every week to win. This week it is going to take everything to go out and beat Navy. We were focused on our process and the game plan, that we have to go out there execute to win the game.”
The Midshipmen will challenge Notre Dame with a 2-5 record, but both sides have a history. Saturday will be their 92nd consecutive meeting, 100 percent effort on every snap will be required for an Irish win.
“To play an opponent that is going to come out there and play with passion, you can’t ask more than for an opponent that wants to play hard, to give you their best,” Coney expressed about the Navy’s every play effort. “As a competitor you always want the opponent to give you their best. Being able to play them this weekend and knowing they’re going to give us their best motivates us more to go out and win.
“We’re playing an opponent that doesn’t take any plays off. Each and every play they’re going to come hard and be physical, so the challenge is to be locked in on every play.”
Expect the Notre Dame defense to continue their great play. The mastermind behind their game planning has full support from the defense.
“He (Clark Lea) is very important he is a guy who cares about all of his players so to have a coach that cares about you on and off the field, you can’t ask for more,” expressed Coney. “We love him and the passion and energy he brings every day. He is the same guy every day, and when you have someone who cares about you that is never going to change up, you can’t ask for more.”