Notre Dame plans to get after Alexander

About Notre Dame's pass rushers (18 sacks this season), John Estes said:
"They have good guys, they make plays. It's just a matter of us doing our techniques and it's time to mount up." (HSB)

About how they have to worry about UH's ability to run the ball, Notre Dame DE Pat Kuntz said:
"Everybody loves the sacks, but they run the football, too. We're focused on the pass, but we have to stop the run, too." (HSB)

Happy to be in Hawaii, Kuntz said:
"It's hot, the beautiful terrain, the trees and everything, a lot of plant life. Like a tropical island." (HSB)

Getting a big smile on his face when the 49 sacks that UH gave up this season was brought up, Kuntz said:
"They do give up a lot of sacks. I HAVE noticed that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Notre Dame has struggled with its pass rush, with only 18 sacks in 12 games, but Kuntz's grin served as an indication of how the Irish plan to stop Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense."

Looking forward to rushing the passer in the Hawaii Bowl, Kuntz said:
"As a defensive lineman, it's a great game to be a part of. It's exciting to be able to go up against a team that passes the ball a lot." (HSB)

About how they faced two other teams that threw the ball a lot, safety Kyle McCarthy said:
"Our opening games (SDSU, Purdue) they throw it pretty heavily, pretty often. It's nothing new to us, but then again, Hawaii does it pretty good and probably better than anyone in the country at throwing the ball around." (HSB)

Aware that Alexander is effective running the ball, CB Terrail Lambert said:
"He'll stay in the pocket and throw, but if he has to, he has the athleticism to get out of the pocket and run. We'll be ready for that." (HSB)

About how he missed their last 3 games due to an ankle injury that he thought would have ended his career, Lambert said:
"As soon as I went down I was thinking 'I'm done.' For what happened, I honestly shouldn't be walking right now." (HSB)

About how he was one of their 9 members of their leadership committee that chose the Hawaii Bowl over their other options, Lambert said:
"It definitely was (the choice) in terms of weather and climate. It's negative 2 back at school and I'm not trying to be there at this point." (HSB)

About how they want to end their season well, Lambert said:
"We feel fortunate to be one of the teams worthy of being here. We welcome that opportunity and want to end the season on a good note and get things rolling for the guys next year." (HSB)