Tranquill: "It’s what I came back for"
On December 8th, Notre Dame captain Drue Tranquill announced he would return for his fifth year at The Echoes.
“We’re going to finish what we started because this is special and I want to be part of it,” stated Tranquill to his teammates.
Fast forward 11 months and No. 3 Notre Dame is fresh off a 24-17 win at USC and a perfect 12-0 regular season.
“To come in here and have a game that wasn’t easy is a testament to this team and everything we’ve built over the past year,” Tranquill said following the win. “We had to fight. It was their Senior Night. They were playing for a bowl bid and what happened last year.
“We had to match their emotional energy. It was such a special moment at the end.”
Notre Dame faced adversity many times during the last 12 games, and Tranquill’s defense has always risen to the occasion.
The Irish defense limited USC to just 154 total yards in the second half, and it was led by adjustments by defensive coordinator Clark Lea, who has made a habit of significant changes after the half.
Lea’s defense should get credit for Notre Dame outscoring teams 103-45 (+58) in the third quarter this year, and it was crucial for the Irish on Saturday night.
While things might have been uneasy for Notre Dame fans, Tranquill and the defense never felt the pressure.
“We’re a really cool, calm and collected team,” explained Tranquill. “I looked over at Julian Love, and he was smiling getting his breath. We knew we were going to go out there and get a stop. It’s just trusting each other.”
The Fort Wayne (Ind.) native has been through it all at Notre Dame over his five years. Two ACL injuries, a 4-8 season and three playoff-caliber seasons in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
But Saturday night was about completing a process that started two years ago after losing the 2016 game to end the 4-8 year.
“We stared ourselves in the face two years ago and made a choice we’re going to decide where the ship goes,” Tranquill stated. “I’m so proud of the guys. Chris Finke was getting it going for us in the first half. Guys were making plays. Jerry (Tillery) getting a sack and Julian Okwara. It’s just a special group.”
As for Tranquill, the 12-0 record is a team accomplishment, but it’s precisely why he decided to come back 11 months ago.
“It means everything,” said Tranquill. “It means the world. It’s what I came back for. We’re not done yet. We got two more games to go.
“To put our name on the wall as one of the few teams in Notre Dame history to go 12-0 means the world. When I came to Notre Dame, I talked about coming to Notre Dame for tradition. For a while, we weren’t building that tradition and keeping the legacy going.”