Marcus Freeman, Steve Angeli reflect on 'bumpy road' en route to 10-win season

Marcus Freeman’s second season as Notre Dame head coach saw some high highs and some low lows. From a victory over No. 10 USC to a last-second gut punch loss to Ohio State, it was an up-and-down season for the Fighting Irish — but it still resulted in a 10-win campaign.

Notre Dame capped off the season with a resounding 40-8 victory over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl on Saturday, led by backup quarterback Steve Angeli, who got the start after Sam Hartman opted out. If there was a way to sum up this rollercoaster season, Freeman did it perfectly in his postgame interview with Jenny Dell.

“We got this thing, it’s called a bumpy road,” Freeman said. “But this bumpy road ended really well. I’m proud of these guys and this university, the fans, our band, our cheer squad. This is a wonderful opportunity. But I’m proud of these players the most, and it’s a pleasure to coach them.”

Angeli looked impressive in his first career start, completing 14 of 18 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns to lead the charge. He made four appearances during the regular season — totaling 272 yards and four touchdowns — but had yet to start a game at the college level.

His head coach knew he’d handle it well.

“The way I knew he would,” Marcus Freeman said of Angeli’s mentality entering the game. “He’s resilient, he’s prepared, he’s ready for this opportunity and went out and showed he could be the starting quarterback at Notre Dame.”

Angeli’s impressive day was one for the books. It also came under unique circumstances with multiple opt-outs on the offensive line and quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli calling plays after Gerad Parker left for Troy.

Suffice to say, he was taking it all in afterward.

“This is a moment I’ll remember the rest of my life,” Angeli said. “But it’s really not about me. It’s about these guys around me, the guys up front, my receivers, Coach Free, Coach Gino, Kurt Rawlings. All those guys that have been in my room that have nurtured me, especially Sam Hartman, who has done a great job teaching me the ways and allowing me to come out and have this opportunity. I’m just so proud of this team and there’s no better way to finish it off than a win.”

Throughout the up-and-down season, Angeli said the Fighting Irish stuck together to get that 10th win. It wasn’t easy, with some losses the players would like back. But they got to double digits, and Angeli knew the word to define this group.

“I would say brotherhood,” Angeli said. “This team was special. We went through a lot of adversity, a lot of ups and downs. But no matter what, the guys in that locker room had each other’s backs, and the coaching staff had our backs throughout everything. It really meant the world to me.”