SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly apologized to his players in the locker room after the loss at North Carolina State, sorry that he couldnt find a way to win.Ive got to look hard at how Im doing it to figure out a way to get a win for you guys, because you deserve it, he said.Kelly has done a bit of everything to try to turn around Notre Dames fortunes. He said after the loss to Michigan State that he and his coaches needed to do better. He placed the blame for the loss to Duke on his players, saying they needed to play with more passion. He fired his defensive coordinator and told the other assistants and the players that everyones job was in jeopardy, including his own. Hes taken a more active role in coaching the defense and hes encouraged the Irish to play with more enthusiasm.So midway into a season thats quickly spiraling out of control, what move can Kelly make to help the Irish (2-4) as he tries to avoid his first losing season since his first year at Central Michigan in 2004? Kellys push this week as the Irish prepare for Stanford (3-2) is for players to finish games stronger.I need your best in these moments, he said.He sounded a similar theme following a 50-47 double overtime loss to Texas in the opener. Kelly is 21-16 in games decided by a touchdown or less in his seven seasons at Notre Dame, including 0-3 this season.We expect to win some of the close games that were going to be playing in over the next six weeks, Kelly said.The Irish were 3-2 in those games last season -- and that includes a 38-36 loss at Stanford where DeShone Kizer led the Irish on a 15-play, 88-yard drive that used up 6 minutes and 18 seconds before Kizer scored on a 2-yard run with 30 seconds left. But the Irish defense allowed the Cardinal to drive 45 yards on five plays for the 45-yard game-winning field goal that ended Notre Dames playoff hopes.The Irish havent won a close game since.Kelly said he should have done a better job preparing the Irish for close games.On the level of what we were trying to do, I think that kind of fell lower on the list of priorities, he said. I think priority one was getting them lined up and getting them to play at a high level against Texas right out of the gate. And then, we had some issues on defense.Kelly wouldnt get into the specifics about what changes he is planning to finish stronger, but said part of the focus will be on awareness.Youve got to say, `All right, four minutes to go in the game. Lets move the chains. Let us go up and down the field with that same kind of process so everybody is alert, locked in and understands. Lets go win the game, he said.Because of the close losses, the Irish have gone from being ranked No. 10 in the preseason to a team that desperately needs wins with the toughest games still ahead, including No. 16 Miami, No. 17 Virginia Tech and No. 25 Navy. The struggles have some questioning whether Kellys job could be in jeopardy. Kelly said he doesnt pay attention.Everybody has struggles. Everybody goes through some tough times. Youre going to have some adversity. If you cave to adversity then how strong are you really? Im looking for guys that are strong, guys that bounce back higher when there is some adversity, he said Fake Air Jordan 12 .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Fake Air Jordan 29 . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.fakeairjordan.com/fake-air-jordan-20/ . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Fake Air Jordan 3 . As the crowd erupted, Davis knocked the ball off the glass and back into his hands. With 1:14 to go in overtime, Davis sixth block also became his 17th rebound. That, along with his 32 points -- which tied a career high -- proved too much for Denver to overcome, and the Pelicans held on for their third straight victory, 111-107 on Sunday night. Fake Air Jordan 28 .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend.Rory McIlroy admitted to being a little bit disappointed after an opening round of 70 in the Masters at Augusta. The world No 3 was four under going into the final three holes but bogeys on the 16th and the last saw him slip back to two under, four off leader Jordan Spieth.However, despite some frustration at how he finished the round, McIlroy insisted that he feels in a good position to post a better score in his second round.It wouldve been nice to get it in at four under but saying that, standing on the first tee this afternoon, I probably wouldve taken a 70, the Northern Irishman told Sky Sports.It was tricky out there, it was tough conditions. There were some holes where you just had to make a par and move on, there were others you could take advantage of but Im a little bit disappointed with 70. McIlroy bogeyed the last, but remains in the top 10 It probably couldve been better but I can go out there tomorrow [Friday] and know that I can be aggressive on some holes.I think the wind is going to be pretty much from the same direction so at least I know how the course is going to play and hopefully I can shoot a few better tomorrow.Asked if Spieths round of 66 affected how he approached his own round, McIlroy maintained that he was simply focused on his own game. Watch a selection of the best shots from the opening round Masters Not really, I think if anything the breeze did freshen this afternoon and I couldnt look at that, I didnt need to look at it, I needed to just take care of myself, he added.This course is hard enough when youre just looking after yourself, let alone when youre thinking of other people so I was just trying to concentrate and shoot the best score I could. That added up to a 70 today but Ive seen the golf course now, Ive got a feel of how its playing and I feel like tomorrow I can improve on that.The 26-year-old was pleased with how he played the par fives and believes similar showings over the next three days will keep him in contention.I think I played the par fives here last year in 14 under and Ive played them today in four, said McIlroy. Colin Montgomerie picks apart a mixed round for Rory McIlroy If you can do that around this golf course then youre never going to be far away so hopefully I can continue to do that - pick up a few birdies here and there on the par threes and par fours.ddddddddddddEarly progressShane Lowry, meanwhile, is tied for second with New Zealander Danny Lee after making a flying start to go four under after five holes.I was just trying to keep it going as long as I could, said the Irishman. I started off nicely and I holed a 12-footer on the first for par and that settled me down and got me going. Shane Lowry showed his delight with his round of 68 to put him joint second I hit it in tight and then holed a couple of 15 or 20-footers and then I was off and running. I played really well today and Im pretty happy with where I sitting.It was quite difficult today and any birdie you could get was tough work. Par was a good score and I was lucky, I made a few putts, but coming in I felt I missed a few chances - 15, 17 and then I burned the edge there on 18. But if you had given me this at the start of the day I wouldve taken your hand off. Get a Sky Sports Week Pass Dont miss the Masters. Watch live on NOW TV from ￡6.99. No contract. Also See: Rose: Toughest Augusta conditions Spieth: One of my best Monty reviews Rorys round When to watch the Masters ' ' '