Before the Irish depart for California on Friday to battle Stanford Saturday night in the regular season finale, the team took the day to enjoy Thanksgiving. While some players had the opportunity to head home, many others stayed in town and celebrated Thanksgiving together.

So what are some of the Irish players thankful for?

"There is a lot in life to be thankful for," quarterback Tommy Rees says. "Good health, family and getting a chance to play the game I love."

"I'm thankful for my family and thankful for this team and this opportunity to be at Notre Dame," linebacker Manti Te'o explains.

"I'm thankful to be here--still working out with my teammates," 5th year senior and captain Harrison Smith says. "It will be fun just spending time with these guys."

And what's a Thanksgiving like and Coach Kelly's?

"Oh, it's chaos," Kelly explains. "It's family and friends over. You get a few hours to spend time with your kids. But I think we all know for me it's more about the football."

"You're still so wrapped up into the week of preparation. I think what we take from it more than anything else in our household is I get a little time with our family."

Kelly says players who didn't have a place to go where being matched up with an assistant coach.

"No one is getting stunk in the dorm," Kelly said.

Notre Dame faces Stanford Saturday night.