BK’s Sunday Presser - Nevada Week

The Irish picked up win No.1 on Saturday with an uninspiring 39-10 win over Nevada. It wasn’t flashy, but it was a very workmanlike performance and got the job done. The Irish will set their sights on No.12 Michigan State, but before that let’s check out what Coach Kelly had to say in his weekly Sunday press conference.

This is a huge blow to the Irish secondary. For a little over a year now we’ve all been hearing how great of a player Crawford is going to be and we haven’t been able to see it because of injuries. Aside from being a good cornerback, he gave the Irish the versatility to run nickel packages if need be. What was already a young secondary just got that much younger. Expect to see more Nick Coleman, Donte Vaughn, Julian Love and Troy Pride Jr, three of which are true freshman.

It was pretty much expected that Hunter wouldn’t play on Saturday against Nevada, because after all it was Nevada and they could afford to get by without him. They will sure need him this coming Saturday when the 12th ranked Spartans come rolling into South Bend. Hunter just gives quarterback DeShone Kizer another weapon in an offense that is chalk full of them.

Through two games Irish tight ends have exactly one reception, an eight yarder to Durham Smythe against Texas. If the Irish can incorporate the tight end to this offense it’ll make it that much more dangerous because not only will you have targets on the outside with Hunter and Equanimeous St. Brown, but you’ll also have a weapon in the middle of the field with Smythe or Nic Weishar. We’ll see if the tight ends get more looks Saturday night.

I was at the game on Saturday and when you’re in the stands it’s kinda hard to notice the play of linemen, but I noticed Cage’s play. He consistently was getting a good push on the defensive line. He would have had a sack if Tyler Stewart’s throw would have been ruled a fumble. Cage will be counted on even more so this week against Michigan State’s power running game.