Notre Dame’s Kelly says he’ll ‘absolutely’ be back next year

Saturday in Los Angeles, the off-field issues and on-field disappointment met in a single USC red-zone trip. For the first time all year, the Irish lost a game by more than eight points, and poor special teams play was a big reason why.

In January, Kelly signed a six-year extension with the school, after the Fighting Irish finished with a 10-2 record.

The Trojans outgained Notre Dame slightly, 409-408 yards.

After he hurdled Notre Dame’s last defender, Adoree’ Jackson had enough time as he raced down the sideline to contemplate his touchdown celebration.

It was an ensemble win led by USC’s most thrilling soloist since Reggie Bush. The Irish scored only two touchdowns in those eight games, including the meaningless one versus the Trojans, while going 3-5.

“What an accomplishment by a group of kids that have been through some adversity and come out the other side of it”, USC coach Clay Helton said.

“I want to do some exit interviews with our players because I haven’t been able to do that because I stay on the West Coast for the whole weekend”.

In his first season at Notre Dame in 2010, Kelly was under fire over his program’s involvement or possible involvement in a pair of tragedies. These were the third, fourth and fifth of his junior season. Tillery wasn’t penalized for that play, but got a tongue-lashing from his coaches, while teammate Nicco Fertitta was ejected for targeting.

“He’s a super-figure hero”, Helton said. Ironically, his most prolific series of the game was his first of the game, when he completed five-of-six for 45 yards, yet managed only a field goal. He does a great job, but when you do that you expend a lot of energy. “I know he got a personal foul penalty, and I subsequently took him out of the game”.

Jackson initially returned a punt on a bounce 55 yards for a touchdown.

“I’d been looking to get a kickoff return all along”, he said. It’s unclear where the school will look for a new football coach (Charlie Strong?), but a preliminary search could easily already be under way.

In a clean jump, Jackson leaped over Chereson.

But the punt return was more consequential. But it perfectly illustrated USC’s season, as even the loyal fan base remained skeptical despite the Trojans being close to a top-10 ranking. He’s presided over an academic scandal at Notre Dame. Kizer said he has not made a decision yet.

“I thought we could play with anybody this year”, Kelly said. New faces will be plentiful next season, and I believe that to be a good thing.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly strongly denied a report that stated he is casting eyes elsewhere. Notre Dame is 4-8 and didn’t win back-to-back games all season.

The run followed the team’s 1-3 start, its worst since 2001, that began with a 52-6 drubbing by Alabama on Labor Day weekend. If Utah beats Colorado later Saturday, the Trojans will face Washington in the conference title game next week.

As for the seniors, the disappointment of Saturday’s loss stemmed from the Irish’s inability to send them out on a positive note from a game with little else on the line. Previous year it was 62nd.

“Whatever they choose to do with that one report is what they choose to do. We’re playing our best ball in November and that’s how we’ll be remembered”. “As of right now just feels pretty bruised”.