Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Postgame Quote, 01/09/2025

On the game’s emotional swings:

Something that Coach Freeman harps on is this one play, one life, right? So no matter the outcome of a play, don’t let that affect the next one. And certainly seeing Christian (Gray) come up with a big play at the end of the game – he’s a gamer. That’s what you want. I am so happy for him, so proud of him, and just proud of the defense and how we were able to make a stop when we needed it.

On what this means to an Indiana native:

This is a special group of guys being in Indiana, knowing Notre Dame football, knowing the program, seeing how far we come this year, especially after the hiccup early on (against NIU). A lot of people wrote us off and just to know that we got one last one guaranteed (game) is so exciting.

On if this season’s experience has been worth returning to ND for:

It’s funny, when a lot of people ask why you come back (it was because) I want to play for a national championship. I want to do something special here at Notre Dame. I want to do my part for this team to reach this ultimate goal. A lot of people brush that off or assume that (is just talk). But it wasn’t like that. It was truly the biggest reason I came back here was because I knew that this locker room was special. I knew this coaching staff was special. Now we get a chance to go do it and get it done.