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Friday, December 13, 2002
Player Q&A -- Notre Dame linebacker Anthony Denman
BCSfootball.com
Notre Dame inside linebacker Anthony Denman has been one of the keys to the Fighting Irish's 2-1 start against Top 25 teams following last week's last-second win over then-No. 12 Purdue. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior, who is a member of coach Bob Davie's initial recruiting class, leads ND in tackles with 29 and is tied for the team lead in tackles-for-loss and sacks. The Texan spoke with BCSfootball.com before Saturday's game between No. 18 Notre Dame and No. 20 Michigan State (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).
The team was able to bounce back very well after the loss to Nebraska. Who was instrumental in that?
|  | | Senior Anthony Denman leads the Irish in tackles and is tied for the team lead in sacks and tackles-for-loss. |
Anthony Denman: The team was confident it was going to be able to shut down good offenses like Nebraska's and Purdue's. Even though Nebraska was a letdown, we knew we had to bounce back. We couldn't dwell on that. Football is an every week game.
Last season, Notre Dame lost back-to-back games early in the season in late minute situations and then the season went downhill near the end. After losing the Nebraska game, how important was it for the team to win a close game like it did last week?
Anthony Denman: It was definitely important. As you remember, we had the heartbreaker at Purdue last year, (when we) lost on the goal line on a busted play. They thought they were going to come in and score 40 points like they did against Kent State and Central Michigan. We knew we had to play a good game on defense. We lost (quarterback) Arnaz (Battle) and Grant Irons, our defensive end, so we knew that we had to step it up on defense and special teams, so we did.
Did Gary Godsey surprise you against Purdue?
Anthony Denman: Not really. I know that Gary Godsey is a good quarterback. I have been watching him all spring behind Arnaz and he has been throwing the ball pretty well. On that last drive, he proved he could be a good quarterback here.
Were you surprised that Drew Brees threw just 22 times? And more importantly, what did the Irish defense do to limit his effectiveness?
Anthony Denman: First, we came with a little man, then we came with a little zone, faking blitzes. We had him checking out bubble routes. I think we kind of confused him and made him check out of his regular passing game for a short passing game.
I was surprised that they didn't throw 50 times and they ran a lot. That was a big surprise to me because I thought they would come in like this is a Heisman Trophy game and pass 50 times and try to win the game with his arm.
I wanted them to pass more. I was looking forward to getting a big hit or an interception.
Before the season, you said the two players that were going to surprise people this year would be Arnaz Battle and Grant Irons. How has the team rallied around them after their injuries in the Nebraska game?
Anthony Denman: People on our side knew Arnaz from the USC game (last year), when he came in with a hurt shoulder and hadn't practiced in three or four weeks, he didn't have a good outing. People thought he was going to come in and be the same quarterback that he was against USC. I knew Arnaz was a better quarterback than that. He's fast, has a great arm, and he came out fired up and ready to play.
Last year, the D didn't get many sacks, so people talked about the pass rush and the front four. Grant Irons worked hard over the summer, and I knew he put a lot into it. I knew he would come out and have a good year. It's unfortunate that we lost both of those kids.
How are Grant and Arnaz doing emotionally?
Anthony Denman: They are coming out, being team supporters. They are coaching the guys behind them. I see Arnaz talking to Gary and I see Grant Irons with a dumbbell in his hand, talking to Ryan Roberts and John Owens. They are like coaches on the field.
The defense is giving up 180.3 yards rushing a game, while Michigan State boasts one of the nation's top running backs this season in 252-pounder T.J. Duckett. What are you expecting in this matchup?
Anthony Denman: We're giving up how many yards a game? Wow, that's a lot.
Playing against Nebraska, they were running the ball. Purdue tricked us by running it so much, but that's no excuse. We know that T.J. Duckett is a good back. We have to come out and lay some licks on him. The defense is going to be swarming him all day. I see that every time I turn the film on from the previous week. He's going to be tough to bring down, but this defense is ready to swarm whoever has the ball.
The Spartans are likely going to start a freshman quarterback in Jeff Smoker. Are there any tactics you use to rattle young quarterbacks?
Anthony Denman: Go out there and get the front four on him, put some pressure on him, get some hits on him, get some sacks. They are going to be home, so I am pretty sure he is going to be confident this week. We just have to go out there and play hard. They have had our number the last three years. It's our time to get back in it.
Many people say Notre Dame does not have the mystique it used to have. Do you disagree?
Anthony Denman: I can see where they say that since Notre Dame hasn't been in the Top 10 the last couple of years, and people don't fear Notre Dame anymore because it isn't in the Top 10. When we get back to being a Top 5, Top 10 caliber team, people will realize that Notre Dame is back. I can understand why they don't see the mystique, but I am pretty sure they will see it soon.
How has the reaction been on campus with so many fans scalping their tickets and giving Notre Dame Stadium a less-home crowd feeling?
Anthony Denman: Coming in and seeing all the fans in red for the Nebraska game, a lot of players were disappointed. I can't control that. I have to go out and play the best I can on the field. I can't control who sells their tickets and who is in the stands. I have to go out there and make a difference on the field.
As a member of Bob Davie's first recruiting class, do you feel extra motivation to do well this season when many Notre Dame fans are critical of him?
Anthony Denman: It is important to everybody to have a good season. A lot of people have a lot invested in this. All the players stayed over the summer. The coaches worked hard with the schemes. We are doing it for everybody that is involved with the program.
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