Quick Hits: Notre Dame

NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt hits the road for the first time in 2018 this Saturday when it ventures to play Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. CT on NBC.
 
To preview the matchup, head coach Derek Mason met the media on Tuesday. He was joined by running back Khari Blasingame, safety LaDarius Wiley and linebacker Charles Wright.
 
Here’s what the Commodores had to say:
 
 • Mason said playing at Notre Dame is a special experience in college football. “It’s a great place to play. College football at its best. A lot of history and intrigue in this ballgame.”
 
 • Mason said the Fighting Irish are playing good football through their 2-0 start. “You see Notre Dame playing Notre Dame football. They don’t beat themselves. They play well on special teams. They’re well-coached.”
 
 • Does Notre Dame look like an SEC team? Mason: “Absolutely. Anytime you play a top-10 team, they’re what you see in the SEC. The caliber of skill players, what you see up front is a physical unit on both sides of the ball.”
 
 • Mason on AD David Williams, who announced his retirement on Tuesday: “David Williams, what can I say about his tenure? He brought me here four, five years ago. In that time I’ve gotten a chance to know the man and history of what he’s done here at Vanderbilt. Five bowl games, four national titles, the performance of student-athletes on and off the field, graduation rates. What he’s done with this athletic department in leading this department, he will leave this place better than the way he found it.”
 
 • Mason said the Commodores will have to overcome obstacles vs. the Irish. “Notre Dame is going to expose our weaknesses. The bottom line is, can we overcome that adversity to play well?”
 
 • Mason on Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush: “He’s gotten older, he’s better and playing out of the bucket. He will run to scramble and run to run. If he looks up and there’s an alleyway, he’s going to take it.”
 
 • Mason said Vanderbilt’s 2-0 start will mean very little when it kicks off vs. Notre Dame. “We’re humble in the simple fact that we don’t make anything of where we are.”
 
 • Blasingame said Vanderbilt is preparing for Notre Dame like any other opponent. “They’re a pretty good team. They play physical, good-looking guys on defense. [But] it’s just another game for us. We’re going to prepare hard and do what we need to do.”
 
 • Wright said Wimbush can beat you with his arm or his feet. “He’s a little bit of both. There are times he’s running out the pocket downfield, and times he’s running out of the pocket looking to make a play. You’ve got to be prepared for both.”
 
 • Is Wiley looking forward to playing in a historic place like Notre Dame? “I’m interested in playing the game and getting on the field and going 1-0 this week.”
 
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.