Published: Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Irish's Weis hopes bowl's bitter taste motivates players in the offseason
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR
TEMPE, Ariz. — In the days leading up to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis talked often about the importance of winning the game to set the tone for next season.
After the Fighting Irish lost to Ohio State, 34-20, Monday night, Weis issued a public challenge to his players returning for the 2006 season.
"There's two ways you can go after a loss," he said. "One way is to sit there and feel sorry for yourselves, or you can take that bitter taste in your mouth and say, 'I don't want to have that bitter taste again next year.'
"I told them they can count on me, I'll always be there for them, but they're the ones that have to make that decision because it ultimately really comes down to the players."
Weis said he was most disappointed in the big plays the Notre Dame defense gave up. The Buckeyes had 13 plays of 15 yards or more.
"That was one of our goals coming into the game, that this was going to be a game getting the big plays," Weis said. "A lot of times when you look at statistics, if they're nickel and diming you, and getting 5 and 10 [yards], you can live with it and say they're physically kicking your butt. But when you give up that many plays that was disappointing."
Buckeyes' offense strong
Ohio State finished with 617 total yards, averaging 9.6 yards per play. Quarterback Troy Smith accounted for 408 total yards and engineered four scoring drives of 80 yards or more.
"He didn't disappoint," said Weis of Smith. "His best football is ahead of him. He's definitely on the rise."
Still, Weis took a positive note that, despite his team's porous defense, the Fighting Irish were still one or two plays from getting the ball back and being down by just seven points.
"[With] a couple minutes to go and we have third and 9, third and 11 [the Buckeyes converted both and eventually scored their last touchdown] you get off the field, and who knows, the game is tied and you're playing overtime," he said. "We lost by 14, but if we lose by 21 and we're not competitive, it's different when you're fighting with two minutes left in the game and you still have a chance to win.
"[The players] know how bad this feels and how important that it is to them," Weis added. "They're the ones that are going to have to make the strides and take it to the next level.
"Obviously, today wasn't good enough."
todor@vindy.com
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR
TEMPE, Ariz. — In the days leading up to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis talked often about the importance of winning the game to set the tone for next season.
After the Fighting Irish lost to Ohio State, 34-20, Monday night, Weis issued a public challenge to his players returning for the 2006 season.
"There's two ways you can go after a loss," he said. "One way is to sit there and feel sorry for yourselves, or you can take that bitter taste in your mouth and say, 'I don't want to have that bitter taste again next year.'
"I told them they can count on me, I'll always be there for them, but they're the ones that have to make that decision because it ultimately really comes down to the players."
Weis said he was most disappointed in the big plays the Notre Dame defense gave up. The Buckeyes had 13 plays of 15 yards or more.
"That was one of our goals coming into the game, that this was going to be a game getting the big plays," Weis said. "A lot of times when you look at statistics, if they're nickel and diming you, and getting 5 and 10 [yards], you can live with it and say they're physically kicking your butt. But when you give up that many plays that was disappointing."
Buckeyes' offense strong
Ohio State finished with 617 total yards, averaging 9.6 yards per play. Quarterback Troy Smith accounted for 408 total yards and engineered four scoring drives of 80 yards or more.
"He didn't disappoint," said Weis of Smith. "His best football is ahead of him. He's definitely on the rise."
Still, Weis took a positive note that, despite his team's porous defense, the Fighting Irish were still one or two plays from getting the ball back and being down by just seven points.
"[With] a couple minutes to go and we have third and 9, third and 11 [the Buckeyes converted both and eventually scored their last touchdown] you get off the field, and who knows, the game is tied and you're playing overtime," he said. "We lost by 14, but if we lose by 21 and we're not competitive, it's different when you're fighting with two minutes left in the game and you still have a chance to win.
"[The players] know how bad this feels and how important that it is to them," Weis added. "They're the ones that are going to have to make the strides and take it to the next level.
"Obviously, today wasn't good enough."
todor@vindy.com
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
In the days leading up to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis talked often about the importance of...
