How essential was the rest for Notre Dame?

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind – Players and coaches weigh in on the needed rest and defensive performance against USC.

July 25 to October 14--that's how long the Irish had been at it without a break.

“Felt good to like, you know, sit, sit back on Saturday, watch somebody else play finally on a TV to rest our bodies,” freshman wide receiver Rico Flores Jr said.

Rest was an obvious necessity after the loss to Louisville.

Having to face USC, the number one offense in the country, defensive production was next on the list for the Irish.

“It needs to be said from anybody and everybody what a hell of an effort from our defense,” offensive coordinator Gerad Parker mentioned.

High praise coming from the offensive coordinator, who didn’t have to use much of his game plan in the 48-20 win.

Three interceptions, five sacks, and two fumble recoveries, man it would be nice if the Irish could copy and paste that performance Saturday against a 2-5 Pitt team, who looks nothing like their record.

“That's our floor, we can do way more than that. But that is the bare minimum of what we should be doing every game,” defensive lineman Howard Cross said.

“The only thing we're getting ready for is the best, the best version of Pitt on Saturday night, you know, Saturday afternoon, I mean, that's what we're getting ready for, and, you know, to fight that, you know, we have to be better than we were, you know, two Saturdays ago. And, and that's really what our focus is on getting better,” defensive coordinator Al Golden added.