What NC State coach Dave Doeren said about Notre Dame football after Irish win

RALEIGH, N.C. — Notre Dame took it to NC State when it mattered most. The Fighting Irish outscored the Wolfpack 21-7 in the fourth quarter of a 45-24 victory for the Blue and Gold.

Here is what NC State (1-1) head coach Dave Doeren said about Notre Dame (3-0) in his postgame press conference.

Opening statement

“First of all you have to give Notre Dame credit. Every time we got in that game and made it a game within one possession, [Notre Dame] responded. And that’s what good teams do. We had our opportunities throughout that football game. There were times when we did some really good things and too many times when we self-inflicted things. Uncharacteristically gave up big plays on defense at inopportune, critical moments in the game that swung the momentum their way.

“Weird day, obviously, with the break after the first quarter and then the second quarter and a halftime and all those things. Six-hour, five-hour game there. Coming out of the first quarter after that long break, obviously [Notre Dame junior running back Audric Estimé] busts a long run. We got back in the game. We score, and if we stop them we’re going to come out of the half with the football. They do a good job offensively. Scrambles around and makes a play.

“We got some guys playing really bad technique at times. Poor eyes at times. We got a lot to fix. I think it’s going to be great film, I really do, to learn from. Games like this are not lost by any one person or player or coach. They’re lot by teams, and they’re won by teams. This will be a team loss and learn what we can do better in moments and make layups, gimme plays. I said that was a critical part of this game plan. Had some opportunities to extend drives on just basic things, throw and catch, and we’re not getting that done to the ability level that we have.”

On NC State QB Brennan Armstrong, who was intercepted by Notre Dame three times

“It’s hard when you look at a stat line to really understand how a guy played. And obviously, how guys play with your quarterback matters too. I know the players that had the ball hit them in the hands and ricochet up and end up being interceptions would tel you that that’s on them. And then there was another play when he was a little late on an in-breaking route and their DB stepped in front and made a nice play.

“When you’re down two possessions or two scores or three scores, you’re pressing a little bit. Trust me, our game plan wasn’t to be in that situation in that time. When you get down and you study takeaways on defense, most of them happen in two-minute situations. Third and longs.

“I look forward to studying the tape. Clearly, there are a lot of things that Brennan will tell ya and his coaches will tell you he can do better, and he will, but this is a group thing. Second game in the offense. A lot of things we got to clean up. I know coach [Robert] Anae will look hard at what we’re doing well and what we’re not and grow from there.”

On the 105-minute weather delay

“It was hard because it’s not like they said, ‘Hey, we’ll see ya in 90 minutes.’ Every 30 minutes we got a new update. We brought them inside and told them to take off their wet gear and put on dry stuff. Strength coaches, nutritionists, trainers, everyone is walking around. Our coaches, we met. And then we got with our guys. We were waiting on information and relaying it.

“It was a pretty fluid situation for the team. It really wasn’t like a halftime. If someone said you got 60 minutes, you can plan that out accordingly. So, I thought we managed it as good as we could have. Obviously it doesn’t look like it the way [Notre Dame] busted out the door there with that run. But that was a disappointing start, obviously, and uncharacteristic for us to give up a run like that.”

On overall takeaways from a game Notre Dame played better in

“We had too many penalties that were self-inficlted, for one. Too many drops. And we turjned ther football over. Wer lost the turnover margin. tjose are things we did not do well. We gave up too many explosive plays. Those are areas we did not do well. I hit on some of the things we did do well. Our kids don’t quit. Thought there was a lot of fight in them.

“There were guys who made plays. It was good to see Noah Potter get another takeaway. Red Hibbler forced another fumble early in the game. We were breaking on the football. We were knocking guys back. There were good things in there. We were toe-to-toe with the No. 10 team in the country for a long period of time. It just got away from us there toward the end.”

On Notre Dame continuing to pull away any time the game got close

“I think you gave to give them credit, first. [Notre Dame] came out and executed on drives after we did. [Notre Dame] responded. We did the same thing a week ago. Any time the previous team we played made something happen, the other side came in and quickly shut it down and gave the momentum back. And [Notre Dame] was able to do that on us.

“Obviously there are things we had to do with that. We get a takeaway on defense inside the red zone and we get a penalty, a false start on offense, that leads to first and 15. Self-inflicted things like that, that’s on us. But you have to give Notre Dame credit as a team for their response. When [Notre Dame] got in those positions, they did a nice job.”