Coach Ja’Juan Seider and key playmakers break down the chemistry fueling their explosive start as the Irish prepare for a high-stakes trophy clash under the stadium lights.
Notre Dame is gearing up for their first home night game of the season. Saturday night, they host the Michigan State Spartans in the battle for the Megaphone Trophy. This is their first meeting with Michigan State since 2017 and their first meeting inside of Notre Dame Stadium since 2016.
The Spartans have a new outlook with head coach Pat Fitzgerald taking over in East Lansing. Today, we heard from running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider, safety Luke Talich, wide receivers Micah Gilbert and Jaden Greathouse, tight end Cooper Flanagan and defensive end Bryce Young about their first two games of the 2026 regular season and their preparation for the Spartans Saturday night.
You can watch the entire press conference here:
Here are some of the main quotes from this afternoon's post-practice press conference:
SEIDER ON THE GROWTH OF THE RUNNING BACK ROOM
"The biggest thing is just run your race and play your game," Seider shared. "We're replacing two special talents and they have to get out of the way about being in those shoes and just play their game. In the first game, we were playing too fast in the first half. We were getting in the gap too fast and not letting things develop. I thought we did a great job the second half of settling in and moving the ball versus a really good Wisconsin defense."
GREATHOUSE ON WHAT A GAME LIKE RICE CAN DO FOR HIM
"I mean, that's exactly it, building confidence," Greathouse shared. "Confidence and chemistry with CJ [Carr], with really the whole offense, with the coaching staff, all those kinds of things. You know, it's one thing to be able to draw up things and complete explosive plays in practice. But to do it in the game is another thing and establishes even more confidence."
TALICH ON WHAT KEEPS HIM AT NOTRE DAME
"I never even thought about transferring," Talich said confidently. "It wasn't even a thought in my mind. But I think it's just a brotherhood. I never questioned leaving this place. The people here mean too much to me and this place means too much to me. So I think obviously the degree, I'm still seeking the degree as well. So I think just all the people here is the thing that kept me around. And like I said, I didn't really put any thought into that."
YOUNG ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTAINING CAM EDWARDS
"Yeah, it's a great challenge," Young explained about the Michigan State running back. "We watched the film. He's a very explosive back, kudos to him. But I'm excited to go out there and see what our defense can do. I mean, we've been working at it to tell the scout team, like, y'all got to give us a good look. So, yeah, we're excited."
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