Live updates: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman pre-Miami University press conference
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is set to address reporters for the final time before Saturday’s game vs. Miami (Ohio) The Irish take on the RedHawks at 3:30 p.m. ET in South Bend, and the game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Here are Blue & Gold’s live updates from Freeman’s Thursday Zoom press conference, which begins at noon ET.
**Keep refreshing this page for real-time, written updates from Notre Dame’s Zoom press conference.**
What Freeman is saying
• Freeman declines to give an update on Joshua Burnham’s status, saying “refer to the injury report.” Burnham is questionable with an ankle injury.
• Regarding the vyper position, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa won’t be helping out there with Botelho out. But Loghan Thomas will be available, backing up Boubacar Traore and Junior Tuihalamaka.
• Good question about Jordan Clark’s new podcast, and how it helps build his own brand. Freeman said it’s an enticement to come to Notre Dame, to be able to utilize the platform. He wants his players to be “well-rounded individuals” and use his time off the field productively.
“I think it’s important to understand these are more than just football players.”
• Freeman said Notre Dame wanted to be more 12 personnel-heavy, which decreased Jaden Greathouse’s reps. And then he didn’t play in the second half due to the blowout. That’s why Greathouse only played 12 snaps; it’s not a reflection on No. 1’s play.
• “We’ll see what opportunities he gets on Saturday,” Freeman said about KK Smith. He said Smith has progressed consistently in the past year.
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• Freeman has played against Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert, back in 2019 when the Notre Dame head coach was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator. He said Gabbert is an experienced quarterback with a “really good deep ball,” and that the defense is going to have to step up.
• On Kris Mitchell, Freeman said he’s done a “great job of coming in, learning a new offense.” His explanation for Mitchell’s lack of production so far is essentially that it’s more a product of the passing game being down than Mitchell himself.
“I don’t think his stats are a reflection of the value he has to our offense.”
• Aneyas Williams’ reps in “crucial situations,” Freeman explained, speaks to the trust Notre Dame has in him. Kedren Young “simulates Audric [Estimé] more than anyone,” and Freeman left the door open for Young to get more opportunities as the season progresses.
• Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler are “capable starters,” Freeman said. He thinks there’s a chemistry between centers, guards and tackles that will “continue to progress” as the offensive line takes snaps together.
• That will do it for Freeman’s presser.
