Quick Hitters: Notre Dame DC Al Golden discloses LB Marist Liufau was not ‘fully healed’ in 2022
For the second time this season, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden held his weekly pregame press conference at the Irish Athletics Center on Tuesday. As did offensive coordinator Gerad Parker and special teams coordinator Marty Biagi. Wide receiver Deion Colzie, linebacker Jack Kiser, running back Jadarian Price and safety Xavier Watts also spoke to reporters.
Here are five key things Golden told reporters: from the difference he’s seen in Liufau to his sleep schedule. Let’s dive in.
On the start to linebacker Marist Liufau’s 2023 season:
“I just think there were times last year during the season that we would be trying to protect him because he was not fully healed. Like, he was not himself. And I saw the young man the other night that everybody told me about when I got here. That’s how I felt.
“I saw a knee bender. I saw somebody with suddenness and lateral quickness. And I saw ruggedness to take on blocks and knock ball carriers back. I saw him attack the ball. I’m excited about him. He’s worked really, really hard from the injury to get to this point. So just blessings to him and excited about his future.”
On defensive lineman Jordan Botelho’s Week 0 performance:
“You can argue that he’s made the most progress of anybody. Maturity, unselfishness. buying into the system of Coach Freeman’s way of doing things. That kid’s been amazing. His strength gains, his size. I couldn’t be more excited about him and equally excited to see him back in our regular defense.”
On what to expect from the safeties transitioning from Navy to Tennessee State:
“Defend the deep ball, number one, right? Tackle really well in the alley, which they did last week because that’s really important. And then run your defense, like those guys, we challenge them every day to be vocal and demonstrative to get us in the right call.
“Those are three characteristics of great safeties. And so that’s the challenge for them in addition to what they have to do individually to improve.”
On who will replace defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio:
“I think Hinish, I think (Aidan) Keanaaina, I think (Jason) Onye. I think all of those guys made significant progress and then played in the game as such. We’re gonna miss Gabe (Rubio). Gabe’s been really, really steady, strong. He’s a great anchor at the point of attack. We’re gonna miss him, but it shouldn’t be too long.”
On how he’s feeling physically after returning from Ireland:
“I just stayed on East Coast (time) the whole time. So, I do that no matter where I travel. I don’t change my clock. So I was up late, slept in out there and slept on the plane. I was able to get about seven hours on the plane and get right to work Sunday. …
“So there shouldn’t be any lag. There shouldn’t be any. Our staff did an amazing job. Coach (Marcus) Free(man) had an awesome plan. We should we should be fresh. We have to make sure we’re hydrating. You get one of those late heats, so we got to make sure we hydrate.”
