Five things Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden said before Pitt game

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden spoke to the media Tuesday night coming off the Fighting Irish’s bye week. Here are five things he said before No. 14 Notre Dame (6-2) hosts Pitt (2-5) in South Bend this Saturday.

On what he was looking for during bye week practices

“We wanted to move the younger guys forward. Get them playing at a higher standard and show that they can be trustworthy in the game. And I think that’s a big element, especially with the younger guys, just trying to move them forward. So that’s No. 1. No. 2, there were certain things at each position that we had to clean up and fix with urgency. No. 3, there were some things that needed to be installed for the home stretch that we really needed to prioritize, practice, drill, and be able to execute starting [Monday]. So, that was really the plan that we had on defense.”  

On young players who stood out in those practices

“I think Drayk Bowen is getting close. Adon Shuler and Luke Talich. I think there are a bunch of guys that are moving forward. Boubacar [Traore] saw his first action. He’s going to have to take the next step now. He’s got to be able to play on early downs and that type of thing. I’m probably missing a few guys, but those are some of the guys that obviously, again, confidence comes from demonstrated performance. Their confidence and our confidence, right? Our confidence in them, their teammates’ confidence in them, and their own individual confidence. And that’s what last week was about for a lot of those young guys, just going out there and showing that you can demonstrate that you understand the defense, you can execute it. And a lot of those guys made a good move.”  

On what the Notre Dame defense can do better in the final four games of the regular season

“Certain things structurally we don’t like. Maybe it’s looking at some plays that we were not in the right position. All right, how can we coach it better? And, then obviously, what do we need? What do we need to conduct the game over the last month? And so, those are are the things — without getting in detail —those are the things that we addressed.

“And, obviously, we want to get better at tackling. We want to get better at ball disruptions. We want to get better on third [down] — you know, all those things. But there are certain elements of the game that had to be addressed last week and, hopefully, they’ll help us, moving forward.”  

On using Xavier Watts’ performance vs. USC as an example for the rest of the Notre Dame defense

“I think analyzing what led you to that performance, not that you can have that performance every time out. But I think the one thing that X did really well was when he was in position to make the plays, he converted. And there’s been a lot of guys like, for instance, the play at the end of the game. There’s been a lot of guys in that pile, how ever many games I’ve been here. There’s been a lot of guys in that pile, but the wherewithal to see the ball and reach for the ball at that moment and get the ball out. And that’s what I mean by converting in that opportunity. We’re trying to get every kid on our team to see that opportunity. What’s the stimulus that the running back is giving you? What is our response to it? And, obviously, that will help the probability of a good outcome for us.”

On linebacker Nolan Ziegler seeing the field

“He’s coming along. He’s making a lot of progress. I like Nolan a lot. He’s talented. The game means something to him. He’s a competitor. So yeah, I mean, we’re just going to keep pushing him and getting him ready to go.”