Marcus Freeman discusses how to reset after two straight close, hard-fought games

Notre Dame is 1-1 the last two weeks, with both games coming down to a final possession in the dying moments of the game. And following the second emotionally-sapping game in as many weeks, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman pondered what it will take to reset.

For him, it starts with each individual taking stock of what needs to happen for them to get right for a trip to play undefeated Louisville. If everyone on the team, coaching and support staffs do that, Freeman thinks the Irish will be alright.

“You as an individual truly figuring out why you’re in the position you’re in and it’s the same things I might’ve told you last week. Why we’re in the position we’re in, as an individual, and what do I need to do to improve. What do I need to do in my process to improve the position I’m in. And if we do that as individuals, collectively our team will improve, hopefully with a lot of urgency,” Freeman said.

And the pace of improvement, Freeman said, will be the differentiator between teams that have merely good seasons and teams that have great, historic seasons.

He and the Irish are still aiming for the historic kind with only one loss, by three points to a Top 10 team, on the record.

“How do we improve faster than our opponents? That’s what I just told the coaches. That’s our challenge. Every, every college football team will improve throughout the season. The ones that improve fastest are the ones that usually are playing for championships and playing at the end of the year for things that are extremely important,” Freeman said. “So, that’s our challenge is to improve faster than our opponents. And how do you do that? It starts with you, as an individual.”

And with Notre Dame having played in Week 0, the Irish have already played six games.

Halfway through the regular season, Freeman doesn’t want his team to lose perspective on valuing the chances they have. Taking care to make sure each game is cherished for the opportunity it is will be paramount for the Irish the rest of the way.

“You only get 12 of these guaranteed and you’ve heard me say that before. The ability to remind yourself that we’re going on Week 7, that these opportunities are dwindling down. So they’ll be grateful, they’ll be ready,” Freeman said.