Irish Must Take Noles Seriously
Emotions will be riding high for No. 3 Notre Dame when they host Florida State for its last home game of the season on Saturday night.
Playing with a controlled emotion for a full 60 minutes will be the key to winning against a talented Seminoles team.
“It is the last home game for a number of seniors,” expressed Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. “That's obviously important, as well. I think just playing to that standard that I talked about in terms of that sense of urgency is most important.
“We have to play with a better sense of urgency for the entire four quarters and continue to play to our standard.”
An objective from the start of the season for Notre Dame was to preserve their home field from start to finish during the season and on Saturday. With a win, they can do just that.
“Now we come home,” informed Kelly. “One of our goals this year was to defend our home field. This will be our last opportunity to do that. We certainly want to be able to finish that goal off. One of them internally we had has been to protect this stadium. Finishing that off against Florida State is certainly very important to us.
A win on Saturday isn’t going to be easy.
“Florida State is a talented football team,” praised Kelly. “There's no doubt about it. They've improved throughout the season.”
The Seminoles will trot onto the field with a 4-5 record, but it will be important for Notre Dame not to overlook their threats on the offensive side of the football.
The Notre Dame defense has to play with great discipline.
“They've gone through a lot of flux on the offensive line,” explained Kelly. “But what are consistent are their play-makers. Two quarterbacks, Deondre Francois and James Blackman that can certainly throw the football. They've got a number of really talented play-makers. Cam Akers at the running back position and a big back in Jacques Patrick. Keith Gavin and Nyqwan Murray are as talented a tandem of receivers that we are going to find. All three of them are outstanding players. We'll be really challenged.
“(DJ) Matthews is a great return man, as well. This is what you would expect from Florida State from a skill standpoint, outstanding.”
The Florida State defense has given up 106 points over the last couple of weeks, but it doesn't take away from the talent they have on the defensive side of the football.
The Irish offense needs to be efficient, and the offensive line has to be ready for a battle all game long.
“Defensively, (Brian) Burns is as good as there is off the edge, great pass-rusher with great length. He plays with a good motor,” praised Kelly. “Demarcus Christmas inside. They play a lot of guys, a lot of defensive linemen. They roll them in and out. They’re young at linebacker, but athletic.
“In the secondary, they've lost some really good players, but they got some young guys coming. They’re an improving football team, one that has a lot of talent, one that you have to really respect. If not, they can certainly do some damage.”