Sophomore offensive lineman Cade Mays, who signed with UGA in the Bulldogs’ 2018 recruiting class out of Knoxville, TN, has quickly become a fan favorite with his presence on and off the field. On Monday, Mays was one of several players the University of Georgia trotted out for interviews after Kirby Smart’s press conference as the Dawgs’ start to prepare to take on the Fighting Irish on Saturday. The game versus Notre Dame is set for an 8:00 p.m. kickoff under the lights on Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium and is easily one of the biggest regular-season games for Georgia this season if not all of college football.

And speaking of big games under the lights, Mays did not mince his words when sharing his thoughts on this weekend’s primetime affair.

“Yea this is definitely a huge game on Saturday. There’s going to be a huge crowd, huge venue; it’s going to be awesome,” said Mays. “I came here to play in a huge game in a huge atmosphere, to be put on the big stage and perform.”

Mays added, “That’s something you look forward to as a college football player… running out there under the lights. It kind of reminds you of high school because all your games are played at night. In college, you don’t get that all the time; so, being able to run under the lights with that huge crowds, it’s going to be crazy.”

Cade’s dad, Kevin Mays, played for the University of Tennessee when the 13th ranked Volunteers faced the No. 5 Fighting Irish back in 1991 on November 5th at Notre Dame, IN. The Vols would upset the Irish 35-34 on that day.

“He did play on that team. I think he was a freshman or sophomore. He told me he played four snaps in that game,” said Mays. “It was definitely something he told me about growing up.”

But turning his attention back to the present, May’s shares his thoughts on what he and his fellow offensive linemen will be facing in the Notre Dame defensive line on Saturday.

“Speed. They have an older defense, too. They’ve got a bunch of older guys on the defense with a lot of experience and they’re fast,” said Mays. “The defensive line has a really good edge rusher, he’s really fast and uses his hands well and does a really good job of getting off blocks; the interior guys as well.”

Kirby Smart spoke specifically about Notre Dame’s defensive line in his Monday press conference as well.

“Well, I don’t know anybody we’ve played recently that is like them on the defensive line. They have superior size and speed combination. They’ve got really good edge players. Their guys can get off the edge and rush really well. They do a tremendous job,” said Coach Smart. “Their guys can move around, just athletic. They’re very multiple in what they do and they’re disruptive. So I can’t really compare them to anybody that we’ve played thus far upfront. Maybe some individuals that we’ve played upfront, but not as a whole as a group. They do a great job, and they create a lot of issues for you with their movement and their pressure package. They’re really aggressive. We know they’re going to score points offensively.”

You can watch Cade Mays’ full interview from Monday, September 16, 2019, on Bulldawg Illustrated’s YouTube video below.