Nevada’s Brian Polian Talks Matchup With Notre Dame
Nevada head coach Brian Polian met with Reno-area reporters Tuesday to discuss his team’s upcoming game against Notre Dame. Some highlights:
• Polian was a Notre Dame assistant under Charlie Weis from 2005-09. He knows a thing or two about the Irish and Notre Dame Stadium.
“In my opinion, it’s one of the great cathedrals in college football,” he said.
• Polian said the Wolf Pack — who opened with a win over Football Championship Subdivision foe Cal Poly in week one — are preparing for both senior Malik Zaire and junior DeShone Kizer. He said the Irish offense is the same with both quarterbacks.
• Polian also had an opinion on the controversial hit on Irish wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr.: “If that’s a minor concussion, I’d hate to see what a major one is. It made me nervous just watching it on TV.”
• The Nevada coach raved about Notre Dame left tackle Mike McGlinchey. Polian said McGlinchey will be a high draft pick.
• Polian also spoke about Notre Dame’s one-two running back punch of sophomore Josh Adams and senior Tarean Folston: “Adams and Folston, the backs, are both big dudes.”
• He also said he expects Notre Dame’s maligned defense to be significantly improved.
“Defensively they’re young, but I expect their defense to be much improved after [the Texas game],” Polian said. “I think there’s part of the fan base that thinks the sky is falling right now, and I can assure them it’s not.
“Apparently every Notre Dame fan in America is a football expert.”
• Polian compared the Notre Dame brand to the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys and General Electric. “Everybody knows it,” he said.
He added: “Notre Dame was my team from the time I was a small boy.”
Polian made it clear that Nevada is embracing the experience.
“Who wouldn’t want to play in front of Touchdown Jesus?” he asked.
• Despite the fact Nevada is playing at historic Notre Dame Stadium, he won’t have his team practice in South Bend on Friday. “A football field’s a football field,” Polian explained.
His team will leave Nevada on Thursday since it’s a three time zone trip.
“We’re excited to go play at a really cool place,” he said.
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