Monday marked the end of Notre Dame’s third, and LSU’s first, post-season practice in anticipation of their upcoming clash in the Music City Bowl on December 30th. Louisiana State University’s Head Coach Les Miles and Notre Dame’s Head Coach Brian Kelly each addressed the media to give the lay of the land. Coincidentally, both coaches gave over the first half of their pressers to off-topic issues. In this post, I’ll give you both the highlights and the links to each.
BRIAN KELLY: The biggest news to come out of today’s press conference is the decision to play both quarterbacks, Everett Golson and Malik Zaire, in the bowl game. Coach has seen “a real focus and attention to some specific things that will make them better quarterbacks” and stated that each has “benefited from the last three practices and film time.” As an aside, if you belong to Camp “Only Go Bowling When You DESERVE It,” listen to Coach’s words, for he gives at least three specific examples of players who have used the extra practice time to improve their game. Golson has “handled [the competition] great,” according to Coach, while Mike McGlinchey, fresh on the heels of ousting Christian Lombard at Right Offensive Tackle, has made that position “very competitive.” Freshman Greg Bryant has also distinguished himself in practice, demonstrating “a good sense of what we are trying to accomplish.” On the injury front, Coach is hopeful to have Sheldon Day, Max Redfield, and Jay Hayes ready to play. Eilar Hardy, who graduates at the end of the semester, will be eligible and will play. On the NFL front, Kelly has a good sense of the four players’ (Stanley, Day, Golson, Martin) draft status given his communications with NFL coaches and GM’s. Stanley is the only one of the group who, if he leaves early, will not leave with a degree.
Equally noteworthy, Paqui Kelly was on hand at the start of the presser to announce the Kelly Cares foundation’s donation of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, who will use the money to support its Food 4 Kids Fun Packs Program. The donation was made on behalf of ND’s coaching staff, who give their time to the Kelly Cares Football 101 program, which you can learn more about, here.
LES MILES: The Mad Hatter began his press conference with no audio or video recording because, well, he’s mad. Actually, he spoke into the void to address the “Miles to Michigan” situation. Suffice it to say that Les is not going anywhere. The cynic in me says he’ll still go, but I do think that he feels a genuine attachment to his players, an emotion that comes across clearly in today’s remarks. Today was “LSU versus LSU.” The Tigers practiced at a fast tempo and will continue to do so in their next practice. In their third, they will start practicing for Notre Dame. I’ll leave it to you if Les was making an SEC-speed dig there. Injury-wise, the Tigers are expecting to have Kenny Hilliard back for the Music City Bowl. That’s bad news for Notre Dame. Their center, Elliott Porter, however, will not.
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HLS NEWS: This last Sunday was Gaudete Sunday, and we here at HLS were extra joyful, as our own Molly Moran successfully completed her nursing school program last week. That joy, though, was tempered by the news that our own Lisa Kelly lost her grandmother on Sunday. Our prayers of condolence and peace are with her and family at this time.
Hating Hurricanes Since 1990.
Bayou Irish is a Jersey boy and Double Domer who fell under New Orleans' spell in 1995. He's been through Katrina and fourteen years in the Coast Guard, so we cut him some slack, mostly in the form of HLS-subsidized sazeracs. But, when he's not face down on the bar and communing with the ghosts of Faulkner and Capote at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone, he's our man in SEC-land, doing his best to convince everyone around him that Graduation Success Rate is a better indicator of success than the number of MNC's won in the last five years.
- Finding Flaws in a Diamond: Clemson’s Rushing Offense - December 17, 2018
- Why Nobody Will Cotton to Notre Dame - December 3, 2018
- Irish Finish Regular Season Perfect 12-0 - November 26, 2018
I like LSU and over, Notre Dame will struggle greatly.