Finishing The Season Strong Important To DeShone Kizer

Finishing the season with two wins and qualifying for a bowl game is important to Notre Dame junior quarterback DeShone Kizer.

It would show that the program is heading in the right direction.

“In the beginning of the year we really weren't, and it was apparent through our record that we weren't on the line that we wanted to be on, and since we've acknowledged that and put forth the effort and the time to change that,” Kizer said.

Things began to change after a 38-35 loss to Duke, a game in which the Irish offense stalled after building a 14-0 lead. Since then, Notre Dame has stumbled at times, but Kizer believes the offense now has a more solid foundation.

“(That was) a time where we really changed our mental and focused in on it and had a couple of heart to hearts in here to figure out the best way to go about it,” Kizer said. “Our mentality and our program is heading right back on the right direction of winning.”

Notre Dame scored 30 points against Miami, 27 against Navy and 44 against Army in its past three games entering Saturday’s Senior Day matchup with Virginia Tech.

Notre Dame needs to beat the Hokies (7-3) and Southern Cal (7-3) to qualify for a lower-tier bowl game.

“To get to a bowl game would be the best part of this season that shows that we are back on that track of winning and getting ourselves in position to continue on the winning tradition that Notre Dame has always had,” Kizer said.

Making the bowl game would be nice, but reaching six wins — a potential seven with a bowl victory — is also a motivating factor for Kizer.

“Six and six is a big feat to get to rather than being 5-7,” Kizer said. “We want to be a team who continues on a winning tradition at Notre Dame, and in order to get to a bowl game, it aligns right along with that. But right now our main focus that we've learned through the losses that we've gone through is just to win this week.

“Not only do we have two games out there, but we have two games against two really good opponents. Virginia Tech is one of the hotter teams in the country right now, playing really good defense, throwing the ball all over the place, really electric. And obviously, not to look ahead, but USC is doing the same exact thing. So for us it's us focusing in on how we can do whatever we can to just go 1-0 this week to experience the fight song in the locker room and take on those amazing traditions of winning here.”

Kizer said the thought has crossed his mind that Saturday could be his final game at Notre Dame Stadium. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is projected by some as a first-round NFL Draft pick, and the way this season has gone could push the Toledo, Ohio, native toward the pros.

“I can definitely acknowledge that,” Kizer said. “But I think that with that, you have to treat every game like it's your last. This season has really shown me that to appreciate every opportunity that you have to step in that stadium.”