Quick hitters: Notre Dame DC Al Golden explains Week 1 linebacker rotation
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden spoke to reporters Tuesday evening, and he discussed linebacker rotations, what the defense can improve upon and his first impressions of a few newcomers.
Here are some highlights from Golden’s media availability this week.
Golden on graduate linebackers Marist Liufau and JD Bertrand heavily outsnapping graduate linebacker Jack Kiser:
“It was because it went from a competitive first quarter, to then being over. And then once we felt like it was out of hand, especially at halftime, any progression that we had at that point, we just went on to the threes.
“Oh, no doubt [Kiser would be closer to Bertrand and Liufau if the game was closer]. For us, it just became paramount to protect the guys that are playing, because the game was in hand. And then it went to guys that maybe haven’t played as much or haven’t played yet this year.”
On wanting to get off to a better start:
“I would love to start with a three-and-out or start with a turnover or start with something positive. But again, games are tough. Guys are on scripts. They work on the scripts for a really long time. A lot of the scripts are uncharted concepts. So you gotta get them off the script and then settle in. I think we’ve done that the past few games, just settle in. It’s always tricky in the beginning. I don’t get too stressed out about that.”
On what he’d like the Notre Dame defense to improve from the first two games:
“I think the guys know there are certain things that we need to improve. It’s not really public knowledge. But in general, we need to tackle better than we did last week, for sure. We need to get more pressure on the quarterback. I’d like to see us keep attacking the football. Then there’s some other in-house things, but those would be three off the top of my head.”
On which of the top red zone defenses he watched this offseason to improve Notre Dame’s:
“I watch everything. Nothing in particular, just whatever we need to watch, we watch, in every situation on defense. As I said to you guys before, that’s what we did in the offseason that we didn’t have the luxury of doing the previous year.”
On his first impressions of Notre Dame graduate safety Antonio Carter II:
“Good. He missed the benefit of spring, going through installs, because he got here late. But yeah, I’m excited about him and his attitude and the way he handles himself and the way he goes about his business, so I’m excited about that.”
On freshman Vyper Boubacar Traore and freshman defensive lineman Brenan Vernon:
“They’re doing a good job. They’re talented. They like the game. They compete. They just gotta keep learning, keep studying, keep growing. Put the time in in the individual drills and techniques. But my first impression is good.
On Vernon’s long-term position:
“We’ll see long-term where his body takes him. But he’s naturally a big man. He’s gonna be a big man. So we’ll see where it goes.”
