Marcus Freeman: 'This was a special one'

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame made a statement last night. After free-falling out of the AP Poll, the Irish had gone on a 5-1 stretch since then. They pushed it to five wins in six games, though, with their biggest victory of the season last night in their 35-14 defeat of Clemson.

Freeman beamed during his opening statement after Notre Dame’s Top-5 win against the Tigers. He says he can’t just treat it like another win because he knows how big of an opportunity that he and his team had just capitalized on.

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“I wish I could get up here and just say, ‘Man, we’re happy with the win’. (But) this is a special one,” said Freeman. “Not every day do you get the opportunity to play in this place, jam-packed with those fans, and have an opportunity to beat a Top-5 team in the country. It’s really special.”

Notre Dame was up 28-0 earlier in the fourth quarter against a team that had yet to be removed from the Top-5 all season. It speaks to the way the Irish have grown since their 0-2 start to the Freeman. That’s what makes the program’s head coach so proud. After a tough start, Freeman says the players have maintained their level of buy-in, which is why the program’s massive win last night is all owed to them.

“I’m so proud of our guys. The way they continued to trust us coaches? They do exactly what you ask them to do. That’s exactly what makes them so special,” Freeman said. “They’re willing to do whatever you tell them to do to help us have success. It’s an honor to coach them.”

The victory wasn’t just a statement one for Freeman in his inaugural season. It also made Notre Dame bowl-eligible for the 2022 season. Last night was the perfect example of what South Bend can be with Freeman at the helm. Even though they’ll push onward starting next weekend, this will be a moment he says will go down as an unforgettable one for him.

“I really didn’t want to leave that field…This is a game that I’ll never forget,” Freeman said. “We’re gonna enjoy this one. We’re gonna enjoy it tonight, enjoy it tomorrow, and then, at some point tomorrow, we’re gonna get back and get back to work and get ready for Navy. But this is a special win for me and for this football program.