Asked if Saturday's 35-17 loss to Navy changed his thoughts on what this team can accomplish in 2010, Brian Kelly paused. It seemed like he was trying to figure out if he should say what every other coach would say, or say what he really thinks.

He did both.

''I believe if our kids continue to work and stay together we have a chance to win every game we play, he said. ''But we could lose every game we play, too. We have no margin [for error].''

And then his penchant for candor seemed to get the best of him. Dayne Crist getting stopped for no gain on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line on Notre Dame's first possession really bugged him.

''If you can't punch it in to start the game from the one-foot line with the big guys we've got up front and a 230-pound quarterback, that says something right there.''