Cardinal players talk about win

Andrew Luck - Jr. - Quarterback

On next weeks game...

"Oregon has it all; great defense, great offense. We're gearing up for a tough football game."

On what can be Improved on...

"Finishing in the red zone is something we need to improve on, and getting touchdowns."

On what is different about this team from last year...

"Towards the end of spring ball guys were playing with more confidence. Guys grew up a lot and got playing experience. They were playing with a tenacity and chip on their shoulder attitude."

On the 3rd-down conversions...

"Anytime you convert on a 3rd down, all of the kudos goes to the offensive line. Whether its third and short and they're pounding the ball or third and long and they're bringing the pressure, I think the credit goes to them."

On not receiving lots of national hype...

"Honestly, we don't think about it too much. We understand playing on the west coast is different but we're fine with that and use it as a little motivation."

On what happened on his first interception...

"It was underthrown and my second was a bad ball. The linebacker made a good play on it. It was one of those where I kind of knew it when I threw it."

On what the teams mentality was entering the game...

"Coach (Harbaugh) stresses to come in, whether it's at home or at away, just fists up and ready to go, ready to swing. We came in like that. Obviously it's a great tradition, great atmosphere here in South Bend, but we knew to be successful in this game we had to come out early and I think we did a good job."

On winning the battle up front...

"Notre Dame's front 7 is very good. I saw Manti Teo had 21 tackles, talk about a great football player. I think our offensive line stepped up to the challenge. I think both teams will take a look at the film and say wow that was a really physical type of game. But I guess we won, so we get the win in that too."

Shayne Skov - So. - Linebacker

On how did you get hurt...

"No, no, I was fine. I had a little equipment malfunction and no one was subbing in, so I had to go down. I guess I win an Oscar for that one. I'm fine. The chinstraps were broken off and I needed to get off the field but nobody was coming back on."

On trying to jump the snap and pressure Crist...

"Yeah, They pass the ball a lot to kind of shake the quick tempo of the offense, shake them up. Our defensive line did a great line opening up the lanes for blitzing. That was part of our game plan to attack the offense."

On containing the Notre Dame pass game...

"We focused a lot on their passing game. I'm not saying they can't run, but they had some weapons in the passing game that we wanted to stop, so that's what we focused on."

Nate Whitaker - 5th year Sr. - Kicker

On how he felt coming into the game...

"I always come in motivated to a game, but I do have a little extra motivation for Notre Dame because of the situation and transferring. Konrad (Reuland) and I both love it out here but we made our decision for a lot of reasons and it was proved in our win tonight."

On if he feels he has proved something since transferring...

"I like to think I proved a little something to the people out here today. I felt like I missed some opportunities when I was out here at Notre Dame and it was nice to come out here and show people what I am capable of."

Owen Marecic - Sr. - Fullback

On how he felt Stanford's defense played today...

"I definitely have to tip my hat to the other guys. The defensive backfield was shutting the big plays down all day and we had a really great rush from the defensive line, as well as getting sacks all day. They made sure the quarterback didn't feel too comfortable back there."

On how he feels about playing on both sides of the ball...

"I'm just playing football, that's why we are all here and doing whatever we can to help the team win. I'm fortunate to even be on the field at all, offense, defense, or special teams. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to help out the team wherever I can. I've been an offensive guy for a few years and now actually being on defense for the big plays on the field gives me a little extra juice. I just get in the rhythm of the game and play ball."

Chase Thomas - Jr. - Linebacker

On Owen Marecic...

"He'll work out in the morning, and we have 2 lifting groups, and when I come back he'll just be finishing up. The kid's an animal."

On being a physical team...

"New coaching staff have been preaching all along, be relentless and cold-blooded, out-hit the other opponent. I feel like for these first four games we have done that as a defense."

On the defense...

"Our first (team) defense has only let in one touchdown this year, and that was against Wake Forest. We're not satisfied at all; too many passing yards this week, but we'll look at that, look at the film, and get ready for Oregon next week."

On ND's touchdowns...

"The defense did what they wanted to do this game, I feel like as a whole defense that's what we did. We had 44 yards rushing, and they had some passing yards against us, but that was mostly in the last 2 series where the first defense was out."

Konrad Reuland - Sr. - Tight End

On success in the middle...

"I think the coaches gave us a great game plan, and we just executed it. There were a couple of holes in their defense we were able to exploit."

On Andrew Luck...

"He is an awesome quarterback, and an even better person. He's awesome. It's an honor to line up with him in the huddle, and catch passes from him. It's all on the money. It makes my job much easier when everything is placed right where it needs to be. He's a great leader and stepped up a lot this year as a leader as well."

On beating Notre Dame...

"I'm trying to keep a cool head about it, but it's definitely a great feeling. I heard about that we are the only Stanford team to beat ND twice in a row in the locker room after the game, It's a little surprising. It feels great to beat them the two years I was able to play here, to never lose to them. It's a great feeling."