Darian Mensah Notre Dame Previews, Defensive Challenges, and Expanding His Game

You've praised the offensive line a lot this year, all throughout the year, even as they've had ups and downs. On Saturday, it seemed like they had their best game of the year. It seemed like they were able to clear running lanes, did a good job protecting you. How have you seen them step up and improve over the last couple weeks? I think that they've just accepted the challenge, which is, you know, to be the most physical team and to push the piles and just dominate the line of scrimmage. And I think that's super encouraging to see. Thank And I think that, you know, with Mirabal at the head, you know, he's always pushing his guys to strive to be better after every week. And then the second one from me, you've gotten to know Mark over the last, you know, nine, ten months. If you had to pick, I guess, one thing, what stands out the most about him off the field and what stands out the most about him on the field? you. I'd say, you know, just his charisma off the field. You know, he's just somebody who you want to be around, a super fun guy and just overall a cool dude. And so, yeah, he's one of my best friends on this team. Great leader on and off the field. Just an all-around great dude. And then just on the field, what stands out about him the most? I think one of his better traits is his ability to understand protection and, you know, where he has to be and the pride that he takes in protecting me, I feel like is something that stands out. All right, next we'll go to Matt. Hey, Darian. A few weeks ago, Shannon Dawson mentioned that he was encouraging you to maybe run with the ball more to add that other dimension. And then this past game, obviously, you have the two third down conversion runs, the long 24 yard run. But it seemed a bit off script. You know, is you running with the ball something that that you think can be integrated more as an intentional additional way to put pressure on defenses? Um, if Dawson thinks so, then, then, yeah, um, you know, I'm really just trying to go out there and win games for my football team. Um, and if, you know, coach wants me to do that, then I'm willing to do it. You know, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to, to go out and win. So, yeah. And I also just wanted to ask you about the Notre Dame defense, top rated, you know, how big a challenge is this for you guys? Yeah, obviously a big challenge. You know, we've got a bunch of great players across the board. Um, we got to come in and prepare the right way so we, you know, we can be successful on Saturday. All right, next we'll go to Jordan. Yeah. Hey, Darian, wanted to follow up on the defense, specifically their secondary. I mean, a couple of their guys like Leonard Moore in particular, just what do they do well that you guys have to prepare for? I think they just play a lot of man covers. You know, I think they they're super sound defense. You know, they know how they want to attack you and, you know, they know their identity and they stay true to it. So, yeah, I think they do a great job of staying sticky on their man. All right. Next, we'll go to Andrea. Hey, Darian, how are you? I'm good. How are you? I'm good, thanks. Appreciate you doing this. Obviously, you're playing at a really high level, and a lot of people now have you as the Heisman frontrunner. I'm wondering, from your perspective, at this point in the season, where do you feel like you've improved the most this year? I'd say just my ability to communicate with all positions across the field, not just my O-line, but receivers as well, I'd say is where I improved the most. I feel like in my previous years, More focused on making reads, but now I'm focusing more on, you know, changing routes and changing stuff to attack certain looks that I did. And how has that helped you? A lot. You know, I think that, I mean, the big play to Coop, I kind of, you know, I gave him that double move right there. It wasn't called, but that's just one example of many, I feel like, where I'm, you know, changing a route or a protection to, you know, make a better play. And do you feel like that's just come with more comfort level, not just in this offense, but just as the starting quarterback, the experience you have? Yeah, I think it's just, you know, the amount of reps I have, you know, just quarterbacking. I think you just become more comfortable with, you know, seeing what they're what they're trying to do and trying to go out and attack that. And one more, if I could, because I don't see any other hands being raised. Just how do you guys prepare for this? Knowing there's game day is going to be there. There's a lot of outside noise trying to make this game bigger than any other game that you've played. How do you just kind of staying focused on getting the win here and not making it bigger than what it is? Yeah, you prepare the same way as every other week. Thank Don't add any external factors into it. You just go out, practice hard, you know, you prepare the right way and, you know, just you have a lot of confidence in what you're doing throughout the week and go out and try to execute on Saturday. very Are you looking forward to playing at a place like Notre Dame? Absolutely. much.