Marcus Freeman happy to prepare for Week 4 with first win under his belt

After an 0-2 start to his Notre Dame tenure as the full-time head coach, Marcus Freeman can officially breathe a bit easier. Though it was a tight game, Freeman and the Fighting Irish secured their first win of the season 24-17 over California on Saturday. Now they can settle into a more normal preparation routine.

That was tough to do going into a season opener on the road at then-No. 2 Ohio State, and Notre Dame responded poorly to a 21-10 loss in that game, dropping its home opener against Marshall 26-21 in Week 2.

Freeman was grateful to be able to move on Monday.

“I think I’ve knocked out all the firsts, right?” he said, a wry smile setting in. “First bowl game but first loss in a bowl game. First loss on the road. First loss at home. So knocked out all those firsts in a negative aspect. Got the first win.

“So as you just said, let’s talk about an opponent, let’s talk about preparing for a game and what it takes to have success.”

Up next is a trip to face 3-0 North Carolina, a team that has certainly had a flair for the dramatic this season.

Notre Dame adjusting to new starting quarterback

Freeman hasn’t had the easiest of transitions into his first head coaching gig. After starting the season 0-2 he learned he’d be without starting quarterback Tyler Buchner the rest of the way after Buchner suffered a high-grade shoulder sprain that required a season-ending surgery.

The Fighting Irish pivoted to little-used sophomore Drew Pyne on Saturday against Cal.

“I think we’re developing identity, but if you think offensively now you were developing identity after two games and then you get a new quarterback,” Freeman said. “But I love the adjustments and really how we were able to execute obviously more proficiently in the second half of the game.”

Pyne went 17-of-23 passing for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Bears. He didn’t throw an interception and also added seven yards rushing.

With him leading the way, Marcus Freeman and company are hoping to settle into a more normal routine.

As the head coach laughingly pointed out to reporters, they’ve been through a road loss already. Now to get a first in the ‘road win’ category at North Carolina, where drama seems virtually assured…

“They’ll know the expectations going on the road,” Freeman said. “A lot of these guys that are playing for us have been to Chapel Hill and played at North Carolina. I have never been down there. So they’ll know what to expect, and I’m looking forward to seeing this group perform on Saturday.”