Notre Dame prepares for Fiesta Bowl

Notre Dame, Ind -- Notre Dame is putting their finishing touches on their preparation for the #9 Oklahoma State Cowboys before they depart for the valley of the sun. Irish defensive players saying that they’re focused on finishing the season with a win for the sen

“The biggest thing is just finishing out the season for the seniors I mean that’s the biggest focus and we’re going to make sure we prepare and do all that we can to make sure we finish strong,” senior linebacker JD Bertrand said. 

It’s been the theme since Notre Dame announced Marcus Freeman as the next Irish head coach, finish as champions for the seniors. The Irish tasked with containing Oklahoma state’s offense in route to Notre Dame’s first ever new year’s six bowl win. The team’s practices in prep for the bowl game have looked different with Freeman at head coach. Cornerback Cam Hart saying today practices have become easier due to their competitive nature. 

“It’s easier because it’s not a lot of sitting around, it’s efficient, and we get right to it,” junior cornerback Cam Hart said. “I think part of it being fun and more competitive makes the practice easier.”

With the Irish’s practices being more competitive and the end goal to win the Fiesta Bowl for the seniors, there’s still one aspect of the bowl game Notre Dame has heard too often. The Irish without a New Year’s Six bowl game victory. Defensive back Xavier Watts saying today it’s time for the Irish to get that monkey off their back,”

“Everyone says we can’t really win bowl games, so I think it would be a really good accomplishment for all of us,” sophomore linebacker Xavier Watts said.

The Irish depart for Phoenix on Dec. 26. We’ll keep you updated on air and online with all the latest on Notre Dame news leading up to the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.