Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Ohio State week press conference

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman steps to the microphone to say some final words on the Fighting Irish’s 41-17 win over Central Michigan and looks ahead to Saturday’s big game against No. 6 Ohio State in his weekly Monday press conference. The presser begins at noon ET.

Watch live by clicking play on the YouTube link below. Follow along with real-time written updates from Blue & Gold below the video player.

WATCH: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman press conference (Sept. 18)

What Freeman is saying in real time

**Keep refreshing this page for real-time written updates of Freeman’s press conference.**

• Freeman says Notre Dame was able to “win and learn” vs. Central Michigan. He says there are several teaching points to look to from that 41-17 win, from missed tackles to taking too many penalties.

• Players of the game vs. CMU were Audric Estimé, Jack Kiser and Devyn Ford.

• Freeman shouts out Obi as the “fan of the game.” Obi was shown on the video board several times Saturday, shirtless and wearing his shirt around like a rally towel.

• Freeman says he is excited about what the atmosphere has in store this weekend for Ohio State at Notre Dame. He also says OSU is a really good opponent with really good players and great coaching.

• Freeman says he is much more prepared to face a team like Ohio State in game five this season as opposed to game one last year. That was the first season opener of his career.

• Freeman says the team needs to focus on fundamentals and technique to eliminate the penalties that have plagued the program the last couple weeks.

• Freeman is asked about “the drift” once again. He says it’s human nature to look at the future. “But in order to make sure you’re most prepared for what’s upcoming, you have to stay in the moment.”

• Freeman says Notre Dame will continue to put its best players on special teams. He says that best player might not be a starter on offense or defense; a walk-on could be best for a certain special teams spot. But there will be plenty of starters out there too.

• Freeman says he thinks the Ohio State offense has evolved over the course of three games, and he attributes that to the Buckeyes using more tempo lately.

• Freeman says the Ohio State offense “finds ways to be innovative.” He says that starts with the running game. The Buckeyes can throw it, yes, but the running game is also very important.

• Freeman says Ohio State has a bunch of defensive linemen are “very disruptive.” He says the Notre dame offensive line has to be very good this week.

• Notre Dame injury updates…
-JD Bertrand will play vs. Ohio State.
-DJ Brown will be back too.
-Mitchell Evans should be on track to play vs. OSU, but he is a little behind Bertrand.
-Gabriel Rubio will start practicing Tuesday after knee surgery
-Eli Raridon will not play

• Freeman makes it clear he is not worried about sack totals. Notre Dame is the No. 1 pass efficiency defense in the country, and that’s a statistic Freeman is more interested in.

• Freeman admits his mindset was to “hold the ball and huddle” last year to take possessions away from Ohio State. The Buckeyes won 21-10. Now he thinks the Irish can play not to lose.

• Freeman says he wants to see Notre Dame stadium packed with green on Saturday.

• Freeman says he has confidence the Notre Dame wide receivers can make plays against a talented Ohio State secondary.

• Freeman says Jason Onye played his best football game in a Notre Dame uniform vs. CMU.

• Freeman says he thinks Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman knows what he needs to do to be successful vs. Ohio State. This will be Hartman’s 50th career start.

• Freeman: “We’re going to have to protect the quarterback this week. It’s going to be a great challenge for our guys.”

• Freeman says Notre Dame wide receiver Chris Tyree has worked tirelessly over the last nine months to be a productive wideout. “That’s what we’ve seen him do.”

• Freeman says he doesn’t want Notre Dame to be an outcome-driven program. He says you can look at 41-17 over Central Michigan and think, “That’s a big win.” But he says there are so many things that could have been better for the Irish that day.”