Marcus Freeman reveals pregame message to Notre Dame ahead of USC matchup

Notre Dame did not play its best game a week ago against Louisville. A tough loss on the road but the journey is not getting any easier. Next up for Marcus Freeman is a home game against USC, arguably the toughest test yet for the Fighting Irish.

Freeman was asked what his pregame message was, comparing the past week to a video game. Notre Dame has the opportunity to “run it back” and release the frustration of the Louisville loss. He believes the players are going to be ready to go.

“Let’s run this thing back,” Freeman said via NBC. “That’s what I told them. You know what, sometimes you lose in video games. The first thing you want to do is run it back. We’ve been waiting seven days. It’s time to run it back. Our boys are ready to go.”

Notre Dame has been in a brutal stretch, playing four ranked matchups in as many weeks. Each game has been its own challenge and USC will be different than the previous four. Playing at home is going to help get the juices going in what is an intense rivalry.

Freeman will be hoping his pregame words were able to add to the adrenaline Notre Dame is about to experience over the next four quarters.

Marcus Freeman reveals gameplan for USC QB Caleb Williams

If anybody is going to beat USC, stopping Caleb Williams has to be priority No. 1. Sure, the defense has some questions and might be the area teams mainly attack. However, there is one player in college football that can outscore any defense, no matter what.

Freeman says Notre Dame is going to take it one play at a time on the defensive end. He recognized how good of a player Williams is, saying he will make plays no matter what. Consistently doing your job will be key for the Irish.

“You got to win on this play,” Freeman said. “He’s going to make plays, he’s the Heisman Trophy winner. He’s athletic, he’s really good. So, on this play, we got to make sure we do our job and get after him.”

When completely healthy, not too many teams have been able to stop Williams. His Heisman Trophy from last season just proves it. Notre Dame is going to have a tough task on their hands, needing to shut down arguably the best player in college football tonight.