Quick-hitters: Al Golden on Caleb Williams, Notre Dame LBs
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden faced the offense that is currently ranked first in yards per play Week 1. He goes up against the team ranked No. 2 in that category to close the regular season: USC.
The No. 15 Irish (8-3) play the No. 6 Trojans (10-1, 8-1 Pac-12) Saturday in Los Angeles. Golden held his usual game week press conference Tuesday night and discussed the matchup, among other topics.
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On USC quarterback Caleb Williams
“He’s really talented. Big-league arm. He’s really getting the ball out right now. He’s seeing the field really well. He can create on the run. His eyes are downfield, even though the rush is telling him to move his feet. He’s able to convert on the move. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands and equally with the vertical game. So, he’s really a complete package.”
On Williams’ tackle-breaking ability
“It’s frustrating. He has the ability to contort and get out of it, and obviously the moxie to do that. So, it’s going to be a great challenge for us. Not just the rushers, but in general, making sure we’re staying on our targets, containing him and doing whatever we’ve got to do once he does get out to get him on the ground.”
On maintaining rush lanes vs. Williams
“You’ve got to have a fine line. When can you rush? When do you have to be conservative and keep them in there? That’s all part of the game within the game, and he makes it more challenging. Not just because he has the long speed to hurt you, but he’s got two hands on the ball and vision down the field, so he can let it rip.”
On the Notre Dame linebackers’ growth
“I think JD [Bertrand] has progressed and has become a more physical player. His block destruction has improved from a year ago and his overall command of the defense has improved. Those are big steps. Marist [Liufau], I think, as of late, has just done his job. What he’s finding now is that he’s talented enough that when he does his job, opportunities are going to come his way. He’s not searching for it. He’s making some really, really good plays now just by playing the defense.
“Jack Kiser, same thing, showing up and playing a lot more. And [Prince Kollie]. I’m happy with all those guys. I’m excited that Jaylen [Sneed] is making progress. Hopefully, we can keep moving.”
On freshman linebacker Jaylen Sneed knowing what led him to playing time and what delayed his debut
“I hope that juxtaposition is there for him. I hope he can see the contrast between when you get rewarded with playing time and when you don’t. I’m speaking in general terms now, not just Jaylen — it’s pretty glaring.
“If you’re dependable, you prepare and you mitigate your mental errors and things of that nature, obviously you become more reliable. The unit trusts you, the coaching staff trusts you, the head coach trusts you. That’s not just Jaylen, but just in general on defense.”
On where Notre Dame’s defense is better than it was earlier this season
“We’re taking the ball away and converting those…There was a little bit [of a] drought in terms of that. The effort was there. The preparation was there. The mentality was there. It wasn’t happening. The Stanford game was a big game, because I think we had four or five [fumbles] on the ground that game and didn’t get any. I think there was a little bit of, ‘We’ve got to get these now.’ And it started to turn after that, and it’s been more positive now.
“Turnovers, adding that to some of the other things we’ve done better in the last month or two months, I think that would probably be the biggest jump.”
