Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Week 12 press conference live updates

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman speaks to the media at 12:30 p.m. ET today to recap the Fighting Irish’s 52-3 win over Florida State and preview the upcoming game against Virginia. Watch the press conference via the YouTube video player and/or follow along with real-time, written updates of what Freeman is saying from Blue & Gold at the bottom of this page.

WATCH: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Week 12 press conference

What Freeman is saying

**Keep refreshing this page for real-time, written updates of what Freeman is saying.**

• Freeman starts by wishing everyone a happy Veterans Day. It’s a special day to him because his father served. The Irish have current players who have served too.

• Freeman says the greatest sign of success is consistency. That’s what Notre Dame is striving for — consistent results like the ones they’ve had the last two months.

• Freeman recognizes the Notre Dame students and the rest of the South Bend crowd for showing up for the primetime Florida State game. “It was really a sight to see. It was a great environment and truly had an impact on the game.”

• Notre Dame players of the game vs. Florida State: Jadarian Price, Rylie Mills and Adon Shuler.

• Freeman says Notre Dame defensive tackle Howard Cross III will not play vs. Virginia. The Irish do not fear it is a long-term ankle injury, though.”We hope to get him back the following week.”

• Freeman says he is not worried about facing a Virginia player in Chris Tyree who spent so much time on the Fighting Irish roster in terms of what Tyree knows about the program, playing style, etc.

• Freeman says he loves night games at Notre Dame Stadium, but the physical and mental toll they take on players and coaches on the back end adds up. “That’s the cost of having some of those electric games at night. But if Pete [Bevacqua] wants to schedule more of them, I’m all for it.”

• Freeman says Aneyas Williams has built a lot of trust in the Notre Dame coaching staff. “It takes time, and he’s expedited that process by the work he’s put in. He’s really helped us tremendously.”

• Really great stuff from Freeman on how he handles playing time during blowouts and how he coaches the guys through those “garbage time” moments. “As you look at the totality of the game, that’s a way you can tell, ‘Hey, can this group handle success?'” He truly is a hammer down all the time kind of coach, and you have to respect that.

• Freeman: “We’re not going to take a bunch of undersized d-tackles, but the ones we do take will have an impact on the game.” That’s in reference to the production of Howard Cross III and Donovan Hinish.

• Freeman says Mitchell Evans said he played the most complete game he’s played all year. “That’s the Mitchell Evans we’ve been waiting on. He’s finally getting back to being that guy.”

• How is Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame approaching being this late into the season and still being a part of the College Football Playoff picture? “Every game is the Super Bowl.” He says if you don’t treat every game that way anyway, you don’t love this sport enough.

• Freeman says the reps Notre Dame’s reserves have gotten late in blowouts is invaluable. Going against even a 1-9 Florida State team in a 49-point game is more than a practice look could ever give a player.

• Freeman says the fear of complacency is what keeps him up at night. He doesn’t want Notre Dame to be “miserable” after wins as big as the 52-3 romp of Florida State, but the Irish are never going to celebrate a regular season win more than they should. Complacency is not an option.

• Freeman says Luke Talich is a heck of an athlete and he’s a heck of a team guy. Works hard. Paid off in an INT returned for a touchdown vs. FSU.

• Freeman says he wants Notre Dame’s Senior Day to be special this weekend, but he also mentions the guys who are walking needing to get their emotions in check and prepared to play a football game.