COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s defense has just one challenge left.
After a few talented offenses have been stopped by the Buckeyes, just run-heavy Notre Dame is on deck in the national title game.
- Knowles gave a humorous response to the team’s goal line stand. He said that on the third-down play, the team was in a red zone coverage that they hadn’t used before, and on the fourth-down play, they kept it the same.
- “Our mantra has been, since I’ve got here, to be able to win games on defense. So yeah, we embrace it.”
- Knowles said he expects Notre Dame to keep the screen game up, as Texas did. “Screens are hard, that’s why people run them. They’re hard on defenses … Recognition is key.”
- He said that it’s a constant battle to find the balance between when to be aggressive, and when to not be. He’s always fighting for that balance — specifically, his first call as defensive coordinator at Ohio State was a blitz that led to a massive game for Notre Dame in 2022.
- “Jordan Hancock had a great game last game, he was really exceptional.” Knowles said that the three-safety look has really allowed him to play into his skills.
- “Every game takes its own form and shape. And the statistics, they don’t get you any sacks or TFLs. It’s just a matter of executing the game plan.”
- When asked about facing 12 personnel (two tight ends, one running back), he said that they’ll have to get the nickel defense off the field.
- On why Caleb Downs is so good at making shoe-string tackles, specifically tackles that save big plays from happening: “That’s a good question. I don’t know if I have an answer to that. We have great players who make great plays.”
- On Notre Dame’s run game: “Back’s really good, (the offensive) line, they challenge you a lot of different ways in the run game.”
- On defensive end Jack Sawyer, and what he’s meant to the team: “He’s done it since I’ve gotten here. Just a great young man, personality, respect, work, he smiles, can be tough when it’s time to be tough, he can have fun when it’s time to have fun. He’s the kind of guy you want to coach. If it’s a fistfight, he’ll fight. If it’s finesse, he’ll finesse.”
- On cornerback Jermaine Mathews: “I’m from Philly, so I like that confidence … Jermaine’s one of those guys if you say something to in practice, he’ll bark back at you. Which I’m OK with, because he’s a competitor.”
- On his thoughts about winning a national title, which he hasn’t done in his career yet: “Nope. Just staying in the process … I’ll think about that when I’m old.”
- Knowles said that the team is repping Notre Dame’s various special teams looks a ton this week: “A ton. Their special teams have a lot of non-standard things to them.”
- On coach Ryan Day: “He deserves all the recognition and support — anyone who’s a fan of this program, if you saw how Coach Day works, and how consistent he is, and then look at the players, we have really good kids.”
- On how the team is using Downs, Knowles chuckled: “I’m not going to divulge any of that information!”
- Knowles said that, as far as he knows, cornerback Denzel Burke is going to play. Burke didn’t play in the second half against Texas.
- On the benefit of having a veteran unit: “I don’t think you can really quantify it. It’s amazing. It’d be hard to put it into actual words.” He added that everywhere he’s been, that’s paid off.
- He said that the wheel routes the team gave up against Texas really bothered him, and that they need to coach it better. “Not the kid’s fault. My fault.”
- On what Notre Dame presents that’s different: “Great running back. Great quarterback (Riley Leonard) who is an incredible competitor. I know him from Duke, he came in after me, but the way everybody talked about him there, he’ll scrape himself off the ground and keep playing. He’s going to keep coming at you.”