Quick-hitters: Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees on 0-2 start, concerns, Drew Pyne, Chris Tyree

On3 imageby:Tyler Horka09/13/22

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Times are tough for Notre Dame football. Times are especially tough for the man in charge of Notre Dame’s offense, which ranks No. 117 nationally at 302 yards per game.

That man is Tommy Rees.

Rees commands a Notre Dame offensive unit that ranks No. 118 in the country in third-down conversion percentage, No. 117 in scoring offense, No. 111 in rushing offense and No. 97 in passing offense.

The 30-year-old offensive coordinator spoke to the media Tuesday night after the Irish’s practice. Here’s what he had to say on a wide range of topics, from Notre Dame’s new starting quarterback to what he can do to help the team pull through its unexpected 0-2 start.

On how he can help the Irish through Notre Dame’s 0-2 start

“Be around the people who know what we’re doing and what we’re going through and understand. Surround yourself by people who care. Try to block out as much noise as you can. I’ve been in harder times here before, personally and as a team. You could look to a couple years early on. You try to bring perspective that way. You try to allow guys to focus on us and improving as much as you can these days.

“But look, every individual handles this stuff differently. As a staff, I think it’s really important that we lead by example and we’re out in front having energy, continuing to be ourselves. Not changing who we are. None of that stuff. As much as we can, be the example for how we want to push through this and rally together.”

On preseason concerns that have manifested on the field

“Before a season, before a game, you kind of go through worst-case scenarios. I think there were certainly some question marks going into the season. Some young players, some inexperienced players, some guys who have expanded roles. You hope the progress they have throughout training camp translates to the field. Certainly, you’re seeing some progress but not as quickly as we’d like it. I’ve got to put them in better positions. I have to ask them to do things that puts the offense in a good spot all the time. That’s my job.

“With a group that’s young or hasn’t played a ton, it’s even more important to put them in spots that’s going to be positive for them. You don’t have a veteran group that’s going to be able to answer all those questions on their own. Look, it starts with me. I take full ownership. And I want to take full ownership. And I want to be a part of the solution here and continue to push our players, push our staff and find a way through all this.”

On new Notre Dame starting QB Drew Pyne

“You guys know Drew. His care-factor is through the roof. He gives a s***, a lot. He’s going to walk in the building and do everything in his power Saturday. That’s just who the kid is, and that’s why he’s here. He has that energy. He kind of has that respect of his teammates that can inject some life into our group right now, which we need. He has that, which is tremendous. I told him Sunday, ‘You’re the perfect guy to help us through this right now. Perfect mentality, energy, all that stuff is great.’ He had a sharp practice today. He’s going to continue to be sharp mentality. We want to get him to a point Saturday where he can go out there and doesn’t have to go out there and press. He can play free and play with some confidence and go be himself.”

On freshman QB and current backup Steve Angeli

“We have a great support staff of guys who help with the quarterbacks. I have a lot of trust in the guys we have in place. Obviously I drive it, but if I’m with Drew, somebody is with Steve. And if I’m with the offense, somebody is with both of them. Just making sure they stay sharp. I texted Steve at 7 o’clock last night and said, ‘Why aren’t you in the building still?’ He was here at 7:05. He said, ‘I’m still down here coach.’ I said, ‘OK. Just making sure.’

“Steve is a kid whose demeanor is perfect. Pretty unflappable. Got a nice confidence to him. Plays the position with ease. I told him there is no easing into this thing. When he’s in the offense his expectations are the same as any quarterback who plays for us. We have to continue to hold him to that and put him in positions to be challenged. He’s gotten more work this week than he has in a while, but he has handled it well. He had a good day today. Just continue to build the confidence in him and build his ability to run the show.”

On junior running back Chris Tyree’s lack of touches

“Just expand what we want him to do. We have three backs who we think can all help us win. It’s hard to play three backs. That’s just the truth of the matter. It’s hard to play three guys at that position. Chris is somebody who we explicitly trust. He’s been through this with us for three years. We’ve counted on him through a lot of really good wins and a lot of big moments. I have nothing but trust in Chris Tyree. I love that kid. And we have to find a way to highlight his ability. That’s my job.”

On the Notre Dame offensive line’s struggles in the run game

“First and foremost, whether it’s running the ball, protecting the quarterback, whatever it is, people are just pointing to the offensive line. It really takes all 11. There are probably other issues that are naked to some eyes. I won’t point at it, but it could have been this, it could have been that. It takes all 11 to be successful in the run game. Quarterbacks, tight ends, receivers — all 11. It takes all 11 to be successful protecting the quarterback. The backs, the communication to the routes, the sights — whatever it may be. It takes all 11. We look at this thing completely as how do us as a group continue to improve?”

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