Transcript: Brian Kelly's post-game press conference

            COACH KELLY:  Throw the ball away, we're fine.  We sent two receivers to the field:  one to hold the safety, one to hold the one-on-one route.  If we have one-on-one coverage, we're going to take it, if not, we're going to get rid of it.  Didn't work out that way.

            But, again, if confronted with the same situation again, and I'm not trying to bully the answer to you, I've always reacted with if you give me that matchup, let's take it, if we don't, we'll throw it away and run it on third down and kick the field goal.  We didn't get a chance to run it on third down.

            Q.  How would you describe the guys before the game?

            COACH KELLY:  Really good.  Really went through all of the emotions.  We had a wide range of emotions that our guys were dealing with.  We provided resources.  Our university provided counseling, provided opportunities for our guys to speak.  Our coaches were available.  We really went through those emotions and got to today, and our kids were ready to play.  They were loose, they played hard.

            Q.  Ever in your coaching career, this week, Declan's death, the way this turned out, has there ever been a more difficult week for you?

            COACH KELLY:  As a football coach, there's been more difficult weeks relative to the game itself.  But in terms of the tragedy that occurred, there's never been a more difficult time in my life.