Nov. 17, 2007

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• Coach Weis Quotes
• Notre Dame Player Quotes
• Coach Roof Quotes
• Duke Player Quotes

Coach Weis Quotes

COACH Charlie Weis: Fire away.

Q. Obviously most pressing question is whether you go with Jimmy (Clausen) or Zibby (Tom Zbikowski) at quarterback.

COACH Charlie Weis: I was just glad. He's been on me for three years about getting a few snaps in there. And the game, it had to present itself a specific way.

You know, at 21, you know, it was already on my mind I'm like a lot of people, when we finally got a three touchdown lead, I wanted to get these seniors into the game, and I would have felt a lot more comfortable if we got to four. So when it did, it gave me an opportunity to get those guys in there.

And I know for them, it means a lot though those kids who practice every day and hardly ever get in there. And for Zibby, you know, at least I could shut him up now. But I think the answer will be Clausen.

Q. This game doesn't necessarily undo all that has happened before it obviously, but is there some sense of relief? The celebrations, the smiles on their faces, is that the best you could hope for at this point is some sense of enjoyment?

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, you know how it is when you're in college. You're involved in a football program, when there's a win, the whole atmosphere at the whole university is different than when there's a loss. I mean, it's a whole atmosphere.

So it isn't just for the players; it's for the student body and everyone else, the whole atmosphere. It's almost like a weight is lifted. Like tonight will be -- everyone will have fun. They are going to classes here for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; they will feel good. They will go home for Thanksgiving. It won't be that you're 2 9; it will be at least they won the game at home. So I felt happy especially for the seniors.

Q. Can you talk about the last 1:17 of the first half?

COACH Charlie Weis: It was quite a change, get one on the board and then get the turnover and they got into that area where I had to decide, you know, I was down, I had used time outs during the first half during a couple critical situations to try not to get us in a bad play, which were ran a couple of times.

I used up the timeouts and got to those last couple plays where now I've got 12 seconds left, we've got one score and 12 seconds left. So, I really haven't time to run the ball to get better position to kick a field goal; so we'll take one shot to the end zone, and, you know, fortunately the ball came up a dead play and that was a big momentum changer going to the locker room.

Q. Did you feel the way the first half was going, both teams struggling, a quick strike like that --

COACH Charlie Weis: I thought if we were up two scores, it was going to be a tough task for the other team to win the way things were going at that time.

Now, the second half, running game was going, Armando had a couple big runs, but the first half going into the locker room, I think those two scores right before half time really, you know, really changed the complexion of the game.

Q. The senior group, can you talk about where they have come from that first meeting to now going out the door?

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, it's been quite a transition. You know, you always -- it's always tough when you're in college and you have to go -- first of all, you have to go through a coaching change. That's never an easy thing, okay. No one ever wants the coach -- the players never want the coach to leave. And the new coach comes in and the players are trying to transition and get used to the new coach, so they have had to go through that transition, which is never an easy one.

But the bottom line is these guys have gone through a couple of coaches and a lot of the ups and downs, and I think that it was really, really important for me and for our team to let these guys walk off this field today with a win. It was really important. More important than people realize because this was -- it's not just the fact that they are 0 6 at home going into this game. It's the fact that this is the last game ever in the stadium, and sometimes you don't understand the magnitude of that statement and I'm really happy for those guys.

Q. On Senior Day, you also have some freshmen step up a lot, (Robert) Hughes; can you talk about that?

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, you've got those young running backs -- it wasn't just Robert. Armando (Allen) was right there with him. He had a couple of big runs, especially that one on third and five right before Robert ran it in. But those young runners ran well. And Jimmy played another solid game, no picks, knock on wood, three touchdown passes. So, I mean, there's a lot of promising things out there when you watch.

Q. What was it about Robert's play today?

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, at half time the field started to get really slick around half time, so, you know, we had designed outside runs in there. And really at half time, I kind of nixed the outside run, because I felt that it was getting a little too sloppy to try to get to the edge.

So really, you know, James (Aldridge) rolled his ankle a little bit in the first half and we thought we were just going to go into a pound it mentality, and he's just the guy to do it. He got a head of steam going, and once he got going, I just started feeding him. That was one of the questions somebody asked me early this week, I forget who it was, but once you get a hot hand -- well, somebody asked me a question about a senior; in this case it happened to be a freshman. So you keep on rolling and just keep on giving it to him.

Q. How are things going for him these last few weeks?

COACH Charlie Weis: He's starting to rally. He started to rally emotionally, which that happened a week ago Monday. He started to rally some. Instead of hoping he went to class, you know, I could say, okay, get your butt to study hall, get back to normal. His teammates have done a great job with him. And Armando is almost his caddie; drags him, "Come on, get to class, do this, do that." But I think the team is really happy for him and I was really happy for him, as well.

Q. Certainly with the pressure and performance on the seniors is that your biggest optimism about where things are going in the big picture?

COACH Charlie Weis: Oh, I think it's a combination of things. Probably the biggest reason for optimism in reality is the fact that these guys have had so many opportunities to throw in the towel. I think that's really the biggest reason. And I go to practice every day, and you know, this team does not practice like a team that's not winning. This team practices like a team that's trying to get better and they prepare to win.

And I look for the same things that you guys ask me. I look for those same things. I wait to see the signs of, hey, it's over. And that's why at the end of the year when a lot of teams can say that's it, I think we come out, played a nice solid game, played stout on defense, not turn the ball over on offense, throw some, run some, and that's really the biggest reason.

You know, obviously you always talk about the development of your freshmen and sophomores and your new guys coming in. But the most important, matter of fact thing I can say is they practice to win. They don't practice just to go through the motions, and I think that's a critical factor.

Q. The call for unsportsmanlike conduct for signaling on John Carlson

COACH Charlie Weis: I obviously didn't have a good day with the officials. (Laughing) It was not a good day. But, you know, what can I tell you.

Actually, the off setting penalty, that off setting penalty where they actually were calling the penalty on a guy for call holding, they decided to call an off setting penalty because they thought Carlson was taunting him when the guy was laying on the ground holding his leg. But today is not a day I'm going to argue. We won the game, I'm not going to complain.

Q. After about ten minutes of celebrating, John Carlson was pulling people out of the tunnel to go back to the student section; how important is that relationship between the team and students?

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, it's probably unique by the fact that our football players feel that they are every bit as much of the student body as you are. They don't feel like they are segregated or on a pedestal. They feel like they are part of that group, and I think that our players like to share those moments with the students, because the students are the ones that have been there for us during all these trials and tribulations. I think that it was only right that they shared the time with them.

Q. A couple personnel questions. Do you have a new tight end in number 59 (Chris Stewart)?

COACH Charlie Weis: Yeah, well, he played tight end tackle and guard today. He was showing his versatility.

But because we're going with Hord early in the week, I had to put the pound it package in there, and having a healthy Carlson and healthy Yeatman; so even though he was ready to go as the week went on, it didn't seem like now is the time to go ahead and change something you've been practicing for a few days. So that's why we had that personnel.

Q. And Eric (Olsen), having an opportunity to return the ball in the wedge

COACH Charlie Weis: It was kind of funny because that play, that return was designed to go out other way. And the first play, I had the screen called for left formation because we were running the ball to the right hand side, so he kind of messed the play call up.

But he said he's showing his lacrosse versatility from when he was in high school. He's showing his true athleticism. I think that was his comment.

Q. Can you talk about the defense; you held them to under a hundred yesterday yards rushing.

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, I think the defense played well the whole game. You know and even giving up the shutout at the end of the game, you don't want to give up a shutout, but I would rather get those kids in the game than worry about the shutout.

But I think that they did a really good job even when the few times there was a play -- they played stout right off the bat, got off the field and turned the ball over a couple of times, and I thought really they were the ones, the defense in the second quarter, they are the reason why were in position to go in.

Q. When did you make the decision that you were going to feature Robert this week?

COACH Charlie Weis: We said that -- we follow the weather, you know. I always follow the weather. And you know, they said it was going to be mid 40s and potential drizzle and snow. And you know, really, Robert's game is ramming it down your throat.

So we knew; he repped more this week, but more importantly we knew when we went in at half time, I tweaked what we were going and said, look we are going from this to that and we are going to try to ram it right at them, and then a couple adjustments.

So he ended up doing a nice job for us. But we anticipated this week checking the weather that it might turn into an inside run game as the game went on.

Q. With a few of those impressive runs last week you said about your quarterback, you may have found your future running back?

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, we may not be saying that if James wouldn't have rolled his ankle. He might still be in there carrying, so I really don't know that. We have some guys going out the door, but with James and Robert and Armando, you have to say it's pretty promising at that position right there.

Q. How did you feel (Dan) Wenger played today?

COACH Charlie Weis: I didn't notice him too much, so I guess he must have played pretty good. That's the easiest way to identify an offensive lineman. When you don't notice them, that's usually when you notice them, it usually means something bad just happened. So he must have played okay.

Q. If only for this night, can you put the words, the sense of relief you feel of victory?

COACH Charlie Weis: I'm very happy for our seniors. I'm real consistent as you know. I'm really happy for our seniors. I don't try to look at things selfishly like relief for me. I really like to have a vision and have a purpose, and this whole purpose this week was to win a game for the seniors. So for that, okay, I feel good for that.

Q. Along those lines, the last touchdown went to Carlson, and obviously there were a couple options, were you hoping it would go his way?

COACH Charlie Weis: No, I was hoping we wouldn't get a delay game penalty on third and one is what we were hoping for. I was really hoping Travis Thomas with our goal line package would run the ball in the end zone. It wasn't like I was designing to go ahead and throw the ball. We got the penalty and now it's third and six, and now you have to go to a pass and I thought the ball, when I called the play, I thought the ball would probably go to him.

Q. Last week you said looking forward that you like what you had seen at practice, but you need to see evidence on game day. I take it you saw some of that today?

COACH Charlie Weis: Well, let's start with the defense. Basically they pitched a shutout. So any time you pitch a shutout, regardless of what you're playing against, you have to feel pretty good about that.

On offense, we threw it some and we ran it some. Still had too many dropped balls, which could have led to even a bigger day which was one of the downers, but for the most part, I'm pretty pleased.

Q. How do you think a win today relieves the pressure and criticism building over the course of the season?

COACH Charlie Weis: I really don't worry about the criticism and the pressure because if you get too wrapped up in that, then you're not really dealing with the matter at hand.

And really the matter at hand is you have Thanksgiving week. They just came off a nice win for the seniors, you have a little messed up week going out to California with Thanksgiving. So you want to give them some time to eat like a pig and lay on the couch like everyone else on Thanksgiving, so you have to tweak your schedule.

Go out to Stanford, it would be great to close the season with another win and then get on the road and recruit and see if we can't get some more players in here.

Q. What would you say is the most encouraging or promising thing you saw?

COACH Charlie Weis: Sort of along the same track, along the same track. We've had the same -- probably the most encouraging thing, and it wasn't just the seniors or freshmen, because we are talking about both ends of it right now. It was the fact that the team, who has had a lot of adverse things happen this year, has just continued to practice and practice and practice like a team that expects to win, and the fruits of their labor showed up today with a victory.

Q. Can you put into words why you've had a special affinity for Zibby well before today; what is it about him?

COACH Charlie Weis: He reminds me of my boys from Jersey. That's what he reminds me of. He reminds me of like all the kids that I grew up with. You know, you just I look at him and I smirk a lot of times because I've seen a hundred Zibbies that I grew up with. They might have had different last names, but they were him.

Q. Did you have to go find him or did he find you when it came time?

COACH Charlie Weis: No, I told him as soon as we scored the fourth score. I told him, because I was yanking the defense. I said, get a couple shotgun snaps, okay, because you're going in there, and he had a big smile on his face. And he knew I wasn't kidding because I told him I was actually going to do it.

So this wasn't like something that just came out and was a surprise. Although we looked like the Bad News Bears when we went out there.

Q. You didn't want to let him throw one in the air?

COACH Charlie Weis: I actually had two passes in there but I thought that would be disrespectful to Duke to tell you the truth. That's the last thing anyone is going to do is throw a pass.

Q. You alluded to it earlier but can you talk about Jimmy's improvement?

COACH Charlie Weis: I don't think it really started with he was not playing, I really think his greatest improvement might have taken place when he was out, not while he was in. Because not only was he getting better physically, but he got to really see the game from a different perspective. And I think that the game to him is happening a lot slower and any time the game slows down, you're starting to understand how to play.

Q. Jimmy seems to be able to find the ball a lot and with that core of three or four guys, starting to play together

COACH Charlie Weis: I don't know if that's by design, but any good quarterback will start looking for people to make plays for him. And I think that, you know, most of our plays are designed to go based off of coverage, not off of where our guy is. All bets being even, he's looking for the big guy.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports ...

Notre Dame Player Quotes

Senior DL Trevor Laws

Q. Great feeling?

Trevor Laws: Definitely great.

Q. What was that whole scene after the game like?

Trevor Laws: It was awesome. It was great, I had my family up there, my teammates. It was just pure enjoyment. It was a great feeling.

Q. Nice to get the win?

Trevor Laws: Yeah, it was so great so many different guys in there playing, it was awesome. It was definitely great.

Q. What was the difference today?

Trevor Laws: What was the difference? Playing good, knowing that, you know, we have one more chance out on the Notre Dame field and going out, making plays with my friends, getting a W at home, finally, this season.

So many things were awesome, so many things were great. Just a combination of all those things I guess.

Q. What was it like seeing your family up there?

Trevor Laws: It was great, my mom and my brother, his wife, my dad, they are all there and smiling and loving it and got a big 'ole group hug up there with them. They were happy and proud of me, so it was a great feeling.

Q. Even better getting the win at home?

Trevor Laws: It feels good, relief to get a win at home. Played pretty good football out there. So I guess you know it makes it feel a little bit better feeling.

Q. How important was that this week

Trevor Laws: Yeah, it was just a good feeling. I just really wanted to go out with a win. Our whole team was focused on one thing that was the most important was the win and we got it. It all came through for us.

Q. Zibby (Tom Zbikowski) got to play some snaps at quarterback; were you going to play a little running back?

Trevor Laws: Thought I was going to be a little option back back there. Coach Weis, I think he lied to me would have played some fullback, you never know.

Q. Talk about four hours in the rain, the student body still cheering you guys on.

Trevor Laws: That's what it was all about. We were 1 9 and they were there with us the whole time. They stayed out in the freezing rain the whole game to be part of us. All the senior students, the whole student body, that's part of our program, too. It's great and I don't think anywhere else, any other school in the nation has that kind of support. It's just a great feeling.

Q. Can you talk about (Robert) Hughes today, freshman

Trevor Laws: Yeah I didn't get a chance to watch that much offense, but seemed like we were moving the ball and Robert Hughes had a great game, scoring touchdowns. So, yeah, definitely it's good to play well end of the season and carry over to next year.

Q. How would you like this senior class to be remembered?

Trevor Laws: Just fighters. We never gave up. This year might not have gone the way we wanted to go, but every practice we went hard, every game we played our butt off. All of these guys we gave it our all every single game.

Q. What was it like

Trevor Laws: It was amazing in there. People were going crazy. I brought some champagne to pop it but I forgot it. People were going crazy. It was a once in a lifetime experience. It can't be topped. It can't be topped right now. Compared to some of the other games this year, over here talking to you guys, it's a whole different 180 of emotions. I'm on top of the world right now, I'm feeling great.

Q. (no microphone)

Trevor Laws: Oh, yeah, the "Lambeau leap" at Notre Dame, it was a good feeling, all of the people loving on me, me loving on them; it was a good thing.

Q. To get a win next week at Stanford

Trevor Laws: It definitely will be the great to get a win, end of the season.

I'm not even thinking about anything that happens the rest of the year. I feel great right now, knowing we got the win, my boys are smiling and happy and can't way to see them after this, so it's a good thing.

Q. A catapult to go into Stanford and another good feeling next week?

Trevor Laws: That's what I'm hoping man, next week is my last game of my college career. We'd better win, that's all I can say. It's my last game, a lot of people's last game so it will be a big win for us hopefully.

Q. The freshmen today on offense

Trevor Laws: Just playing hard, people flying around. It was tough out there. The field was so terrible the whole game. It was tough to plant and get around. But most people found their footing when they needed to and we made the plays we needed to to win.

Q. Jimmy (Clausen's) play today

Trevor Laws: Oh, yeah, for sure it's always nice, the best defense you watch him moving the ball down the field and you're sitting there relaxing on the bench, it's a good thing.

Q. How does it feel

Trevor Laws: I feel like I'm going out on top, even though the season didn't go the way I wanted it to, I just feel good. Our goal was to win; we won, and everybody in the locker room is fired up.

Q. Was there a different feeling before the game?

Trevor Laws: Oh, yeah, it's the last time I'm doing it ever, so ran out of the tunnel as fast as I could, it was a great feeling. We play hard every game, but when you know it's your last game ever playing at Notre Dame Stadium, you're going to give it a little extra.

Q. I like this Trevor Laws, standing up in a suit.

Trevor Laws: I feel good right now. It's a lot different being hunched over in those chairs and feeling terrible. So it's a good feeling.

Q. I've got to think that there was no way this team was going to let Trevor Laws have that look again.

Trevor Laws: No one want to see that. I mean, the whole team wilted, but the seniors we fought out there and we beat a good team.

Q. Just caring on this feeling today

Trevor Laws: In the locker room, we were so excited. Everybody is celebrating making plans for the night. It's a great thing.

Q. And what's your plans for tonight?

Trevor Laws: Having a good time. That's all that matters is having a good time with my teammates.

Q. How did this team hang in there the last two months?

Trevor Laws: It's one of the most miraculous things, people didn't give up. Some teams night not practice hard, not really care about what happens in the game but every game after the loss, we started working, and finally we have another win under our belt.

Q. Coach Weis says it bodes well for next year.

Trevor Laws: Oh, definitely, definitely, knowing the guys are playing like that at end of the season, when they grow up a little bit, come into their bodies and their positions, with that work ethic, it's going to be great.

Q. You guys had a lot of big moments in your careers, but last game in the stadium, does this rank up there with one of your best moments?

Trevor Laws: Have to be No. 1. There's some pretty crazy things that happened out there. But running around that stadium, seeing my family and all of the students

Q. If you just took a snapshot what would be?

Trevor Laws: Standing there, seeing my teammates, them applauding us, us applauding them, that's going to be burned in my memory to the day I die.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports ...

Senior SS Tom Zbikowski

Q. What's it like at quarterback?

Tom Zbikowski: I had to take the role. I think it was a bye week or something like that, we through it in there, was thinking about using it sometime, and I thank Coach Weis for putting it in and letting me run it.

Q. Were you always harping on him for that?

Tom Zbikowski: Well, no, I mean he knew I wanted to play there. So I just got to thank him for giving me that opportunity. I've been waiting awhile to get the opportunity.

Q. Were you shocked, getting the run

Tom Zbikowski: I mean, a little bit. But it was just fun just going through that, just that bye week. We were getting ready for Navy, kind of threw some different stuff.

I was a little shocked, but he let me know a little bit before that that he was thinking about doing it. I had to quiet down the crowd for a little bit. I thought my crowd control was pretty good. But you know, it was fun.

Q. Talk about the emotions.

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, I mean, just what we've gone through this year and to finally get a win, you know, for us and for the fans, too, they have been supporting us all year. It was one of the loudest I've heard that stadium just cheering up. But as the time wound down, seeing families and seeing close friends that on the team, their families and stuff, it's a special moment.

Q. What the team has gone through this year, makes it that much more special?

Tom Zbikowski: Coaches, all the players, we've been through some ups and downs definitely. You get a lot closer when your back is against the wall, definitely, like a season like this. It makes this win so much sweeter.

Q. Cross your mind to throw a pass or anything?

Tom Zbikowski: I was thinking about it but I didn't get a chance to warm up my arm. If I was I was going to take off running or throw it as far as I could, one of the two was going to happen.

Q. Great to finish the year.

Tom Zbikowski: It was a rough season but you always remember your last game, and you know, especially the last game at home.

And then next week, like we've been saying all week, we're just going to get back to work, watch film tomorrow and get back to work Tuesday and try to beat Stanford.

Q. How strongly were you considering Nebraska?

Tom Zbikowski: I was definitely pretty serious if I was offered by Nebraska pretty early, that's what they were still pretty much running, kind of an option. That was pretty much my second choice.

Q. (Inaudible).

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, definitely, that's what was my thought process, and that I might be, you know, headed to someplace like that. I was pretty much an offensive player my entire life. When I got to high school, I played quarterback. I didn't really have too much experience on defense.

Q. (Inaudible).

Tom Zbikowski: You know, I think my first year was the toughest, especially, sitting out thinking about having the ball in your hand pretty much every single play to not even playing at all, you question it, whether I made the right decision. But definitely it was a lot of fun today.

Q. Back then

Tom Zbikowski: I was thinking about it, you know, that that's what I wanted to do, that I wasn't cut out for playing defense.

Q. But that was the right decision?

Tom Zbikowski: Oh, definitely.

Q. (Inaudible).

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, I think so. It was pretty close. I went home, just started talking with my family and friends, guys on the team. I think that's when I first really got a glimpses of what Notre Dame was all about. When I had like 20 some messages from all of the guys calling me just checking up on me, not even trying to get me to come back, but just worried about my future, you could feel their concern from individuals, you talk about Notre Dame people

Q. Was there a point today that you realized it's your last game here?

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, when you take that last lap, you try and enjoy it as much as possible. You get a chance to see for the fans -- they stick around. You get to kind of go I had a pretty strong contingency and a lot of people, and just to see different people from around the stadium, you want to get a chance to thank people. Those people are thanking you for always playing.

Q. Special for you?

Tom Zbikowski: It definitely will be, just the people and the relationships.

Q. How many people?

Tom Zbikowski: Oh, like a hundred people, it's ridiculous. I don't know how we got all the tickets.

Q. Can you comment on your relationship, not just you but the whole team with the student body?

Tom Zbikowski: Oh, definitely, they have always been supportive of us. I've been here and then it was pretty easy, going to BCS games. And then for them to always being there after every single game no matter win or lose, it makes you feel good about the school that you're representing.

Q. Do you get frustrated when there are a couple penalties

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, had to go to the crowd control. But worked it out and then, you know, just had fun with it. That's me.

Q. Did you notice the crowd reaction when you ran out there?

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, they were pretty loud. So I was trying to yell at snaps.

Q. How many people knew that might happen today outside of the program?

Tom Zbikowski: I mean, I told my (laughter) so, probably half I mean, a couple of my friends I told them there might be a chance.

Q. Friends on campus?

Tom Zbikowski: Back home, text messages all the time. Now they are starting to call me quarterback, not defensive player anymore.

Q. Lot of texts after the game?

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, I had like seven or eight just all with the word quarterback in pretty much all of them.

Q. What was the difference today?

Tom Zbikowski: Good game plan and executing well. I think guys just want to make sure we got this win and played hard, and we knew we would match up with them pretty well talent wise.

Q. (Inaudible).

Tom Zbikowski: For me it will probably sink in later tonight and once the game is over next week they are still working on the next game coming up.

But when you get a chance to share a moment like that, it's always good when you get guys like Trevor and pretty much all the fifth year guys, all the different stuff we've gone through and how much we've grown together, it will definitely be tough not being able to play here anymore.

Q. The parallel talent wise is there, but certainly the parallels, last home game of the season, was Rudy an inspiration?

Tom Zbikowski: Rudy? Not really. (Laughter) I think he was just looking in the locker room, you know, the faces of the other guys got to give a hand to the younger guys for understanding, trying to get a win for the older guys.

You know, when you're younger, it's hard to realize what it's like for a person's last game. For the most part, they were there for us and playing hard all the way through.

Q. (Inaudible).

Tom Zbikowski: I was waiting for it one way or another. I was hoping for that fourth touchdown and time on the clock once I got my wristband they said we were going in, and I went over to George West and told him if he fumbles, I'll never talk to him again so make sure he caught it.

Q. Did you understand what was on the wristband?

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, we worked on it pretty extensive during the bye week. That was like my first introduction to it and then just the same calls as the week progressed so it wasn't too hard.

Q. How often did you work on it in practice?

Tom Zbikowski: It was like a period of a week, maybe just like for five, six minutes after we got pretty much we scrimmaged a little bit with it. Most of the guys got to rest and I was running the plays, so I was on offense, so I'd take the extra practice.

Q. Can you talk about Coach Weis, the respect for him for having a moment of levity, a moment for people a fifth year senior running out there at quarterback, just a little lighter?

Tom Zbikowski: Yeah, I definitely think so. You know, you've still got to remember, it's just a game. You go out there, play every day, I mean you obviously play to win all the time but there's much worse things than losing a football game. You know, get a chance to see I think some of the defensive guys were more excited. I was pretty excited, don't get me wrong, but some of those guys were just telling me ready to go out there.

Q. Is there like a snapshot from today -- I'm sure you took a little longer to take moments in when you could, but is there a snapshot that's just going to be burned in for you?

Tom Zbikowski: I think seeing my mom, getting a chance to hug her right before I was taking a lap; a hundred and some family and friends up there with tee shirts on, knowing that that's who I represent every single week, along with obviously Notre Dame, too, but you represent your family pretty much every time you play. And I wanted to let them know that I appreciate them and all of the support they have given me since I first started playing.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports ...

Junior FS David Bruton On the last home game of the season... "We were very up from the beginning, from the first whistle to the very end. We knew that we had to come in with energy. The season hasn't really gone our way but we knew we wanted to send the seniors out on a positive note."

On the goals of the defense... "It's always to get a lot of three-and-outs, try to get turnovers, try to shut the offense out, just try to eliminate all the big plays. I feel like we did that today."

On whether it was the defense's best performance... "I wouldn't necessarily say it was our best. UCLA would be our best showing. This game is up there. We played as a unit; as a team. We made plays.

On the big hit in the first half... "A lot was going through my mind when the ball was in the air. It looked like it was sailing, so I was either going to pick it, or, once I saw his hands touch it, I was just going lead with the forearm and let him have it. It was fun. That was something that, as a safety, I haven't done all season.

On the freshmen... "We know we're going to have a unit next year. We have Robert Hughes making plays. We have Ian Williams making his start, making plays left and right. We've got Brian Smith, Kerry Neal, Armando Allen. We've got everybody in places where they can make plays."

Senior ILB Maurice Crum Jr. On the win for the seniors... "It's always good to win. It's a much better feeling to win. But being senior night, it makes it extra special. For us, it's something we can build upon. If we play like we're supposed to, good things will happen. I think it's definitely a confidence booster."

On Tom Zbikowski as quarterback... "I was happy to see that. He always talks about it - if he can play quarterback. So I was happy to see him have the chance to do it."

Senior TE John Carlson On his final touchdown... "It's not something I was thinking about while it was going on. That was my last offensive play and it's pretty special."

On the mood in the locker room... "We haven't felt that feeling enough this year. I've been fortunate in the past to be on some teams that have won a lot of games, but these young guys haven't been a part of that. I think in the near future, they'll feel that more and more."

On not giving up... "We've said it all along that we've got high-character guys on this team. We have too much pride to throw in the towel. We've put too much effort into this, and we're going to work hard until the end."

On what the win means for next week... "I think next week, being our last game, we would have been motivated anyways. But it's nice to have a little momentum, and we'll feel good Tuesday coming into practice and hopefully we can get one next week too."

On how he wants the senior class to be remembered... "That's a tough question. Hopefully not just the senior class, but this team is remembered as high-character guys who don't give up. We've had a tough year. Things didn't go the way we had planned. But we kept fighting and we'll continue to fight. We've got one more week."

On recognizing the student section a second time... "Actually, Coach Weis told me to go back. But it's kind of our way to show some thanks to them. I feel like they've stuck behind us all year long and we really appreciate that. It really makes a difference. It's been a really tough year, but had they [the students] turned on us, it could have been even harder. But I never felt we lost their support. And like I said, that means a lot."

On the freshmen... "Their statistics speak for themselves. Jimmy made some great throws. Robert (Hughes) ran hard and made some great plays. And Duval (Kamara) had a heck of a catch in the endzone. I think it's a glimpse of some things that are to come. I think it's great that they've gotten so much game experience. They've been in the heat of the battle and I think that will help them next year."

Sophomore LT Sam Young On winning the game... "It feels good. To send the seniors out like this, end up with a win at home this year, it's just a good feeling."

On offense starting to make progress... "I think today was a huge step forward. We had a lot of production, not only in the running game, but in the passing game also. Jimmy (Clausen) had a great game, Robert (Hughes) had a great game. We just tried to take a big step forward."

On Hughes adjusting with the weather... "He's from Chicago. It doesn't quite fit me as well, but he had one heck of a game, busting plays. And on the third and short, he just busted out there. I tip my hat to him. He did a great job."

Senior ILB Joe Brockington On feelings about last game... "I was just happy that we won. It really hasn't set in yet that it's my last time. I think it'll be next year when I'm actually watching these guys play. The reality of it really hasn't set in yet."

On the postgame celebration and victory lap... "It ranks up there with one of my better moments here at school, that's for sure."

On the importance of getting the win... "It was very important, not just for us guys going out, but for the younger guys for next year. It was definitely big."

On how he would like the senior class to be remembered... "Just as a bunch of hardworking guys. Everyone came back and we all were in it for one goal. It didn't work out all as planned, but I think we did a good job coming in here working and trying to get these younger guys where they need to be."

Sophomore C Dan Wenger On if he felt good about his play today... "I felt pretty decent about how I played. Obviously there are some things that need to be corrected. I had Sully (John Sullivan) out there helping me out with everything. It's just going to be a matter of watching film and making some corrections for me to feel real comfortable out there."

On Jimmy Clausen's performance in the huddle and on the field... "He's a lot better. He's grown as a player and as a person overall. It's been rough for us and he's handled it real well, being able to bounce back and be the player that he's become."

Junior WR David Grimes On getting the last win at home... "It felt real good. Obviously this year we haven't had that many, but to send the seniors out on the last win-it was pretty good."

On going into Stanford... "We'll try to take the momentum. We like this feeling and we want to keep on winning."

On the last two minutes of the first half... "The last two minutes for us in the second quarter were clutch. Obviously there weren't that many plays made in the first half and we got the opportunity and capitalized on it."

On if Jimmy has progressed... "The more reps he takes, the more confident he is in the system.

"He's putting up better numbers, and everyone can see that, but he's doing a lot better. He's better with timing and he's doing a better job of leading the team."

Coach Roof Quotes

COACH TED ROOF: Frustrating and disappointing loss. The turnovers were huge like they always are, and our performance on third down, I thought those were the two most critical factors in the football game.

Q. Can you talk about the atmosphere in the game, Notre Dame is up 28 0 and have their second team in and the crowd was very much in the game; what was that like?

COACH TED ROOF: Well, it's no surprise. Notre Dame is a great atmosphere for college football. They are fans are very supportive, and they have reason to be celebrating and it certainly wasn't a shock to me.

Q. The way that they turned it around so quickly, what were you thinking, trying to get into the locker room and say to your team?

COACH TED ROOF: Well, here is what we were trying to do. We were trying to run out the clock. And we checked to a pass, and then fumbled and then they were able to get it. And if we were going to have to fight our way back one play at a time, it was going to require a lot better performance than we had in the first half. And it was going to have to be done one play at a time, and it was doable, but we didn't get it done.

Q. How much was of a factor was the weather today?

COACH TED ROOF: The weather was the same for both teams. We slipped some. They slipped some. But I'm certainly not blaming the weather on that football game.

Q. Did you know a lot about their freshman running back (Robert Hughes) coming in and what were your impressions?

COACH TED ROOF: I thought he ran really hard. Thought he ran well. At that point in the game, they had run several more plays than we had. We had been on the field too long defensively. And offensively we had not been on the field long enough.

But I was very impressed with him, and I thought he ran hard and added some punch to their offense.

Q. With the way this game has built up, and the opportunity for Duke to get on national television and really showcase itself, for it to play out like this, how disappointing is that for the program in general?

COACH TED ROOF: It's very disappointing. It's 0 0 and what did they get, 14 points in the last minute in the first half? So you're talking about a one play game that could go either way, and then what happened, happened, and you know, it went from there.

But yeah, it was certainly a great opportunity for us that didn't work out.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports...

Duke Player Quotes

Sophomore DT Vince Oghobaase
On whether the weather had an impact on the number of missed tackles...
"Most definitely. The field was quite affecting the game I would say. I'm not used to playing on a muddy field like that, but we knew coming to the game that it would be muddy and we would have to adjust, and we can't blame the field for that."

On the emotional reaction to the two quick ND scores at the end of the half...
"Any time you have two scores like that in a certain amount of time, it's like a dagger, but we knew we had to come back out and fight. And we tried to fight back, but it just wasn't going our way."

On whether or not Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen took them by surprise today...
"I mean, we've seen him on the field and we knew how to prepare for him and whatnot, but he just came out today and executed as a quarterback. He's the first quarterback, and he did pretty well today. That's our fault as a defense by not taking charge of him. He capitalized on our mistakes and made great big plays down the field for Notre Dame."

On the frustration of allowing Notre Dame third-down conversions...
"We, as a team, have been having problems with getting them off the field on third down the whole season and we knew that in this game it was going to be a big factor in being successful. They converted and we went down the field which wasn't good for our blocker. We didn't get the ball back for our offense."

On the disappointment of the loss...
"It's very, very disappointing. We didn't expect the outcome to be like this at all. Notre Dame came out to play and we didn't -- point blank."

On whether or not there was anything to the Notre Dame hype...
"No, we didn't play into the Notre Dame hype, Notre Dame this, Notre Dame that. We played Notre Dame and that's all it was. They came out to play and we didn't. They won the game."

"In a nutshell, (it was) big plays on defense, lack of offensive production, not getting the offense the ball on the short field, and the defense not covering kicks very well with our special teams. It was mix of a lot of things, but the big thing was really the execution that we've been stressing all season long."

Sophomore QB Thaddeus Lewis
Offensive plan entering the game ...
"We were definitely trying to go deep, establish the passing game and take advantage of what they were going to give us. We had some success running the football so we tried to mix it up, but they just played harder."

On the opportunity to beat Notre Dame ...
"We just look at it as another game. We're just trying to get a win against anyone we can. People hyped the game up more than what it was. It was basically just another game for us, and Notre Dame came out and out-played us today."

Matching up with Notre Dame ...
"We feel like we can match up athletically with anyone. This is Division I football where everyone gets recruited and they just came out and wanted it more today."

Junior WR Eron Riley
On getting the passing game going ...
"Going downfield has been one of our strengths this year and we came in trying to do that, but we couldn't get it established as much as we wanted to. We feel like our receivers can match up with any team in the country."

Notre Dame's late first-half touchdowns ...
"It was a 0-0 game at that point and those two touchdowns hurt a lot. We made a mistake that we can't make."

Playing at Notre Dame ...
"You try to put the history and all that out of the way and just try and play the game. They just got the better of us today."