Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Oct. 31 press conference

Marcus Freeman has two victories over currently-ranked teams, including this past weekend’s 41-24 triumph over No. 22 Syracuse. He could notch another this week when Notre Dame (5-3) hosts No. 5 Clemson (8-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Freeman previews the matchup against Dabo Swinney‘s Tigers and puts a final synopsis on the victory over Syracuse at 12 p.m. ET in his weekly Monday press conference.

Follow along below with live updates.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Oct. 31 press conference live updates

• Freeman says he was pleased with the way Notre Dame played in all three phases vs. Syracuse.

• Players of the game vs. Syracuse: Jarrett Patterson, Brandon Joseph, Clarence Lewis.

• Freeman says the message to his team remains to enhance what the Irish are doing well and improve in every area.

• Freeman says there is a “highly respected” program coming to Notre Dame Stadium this week.

• Freeman says he wasn’t really aware just how banged up Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader might have been leading into the game last week. He was expecting to see him play, and the game plan was always going to be physical with him.

• Freeman says senior linebacker JD Bertrand “sets the standard” of physicality for the Notre Dame defense.

• Freeman says there would be times last year when Bertrand would want to watch film with Freeman and Freeman would go, “Shoot, you’re back. You remembered.” Freeman says Bertrand maximizes his potential because of his preparation. He compares Bertrand to former Ohio State LB AJ Hawk in that way.

• Freeman says Jordan Botelho is a great example of there still being healthy competition at some positions on defense this far into the season. Botelho made an impact vs. Syracuse despite registering defensive snaps in just two of the first seven games of the season.

• Freeman repeating something he said earlier in the year: “There is no room for gamers. We need great practice players.”

• Freeman says victories do two things; they give you a great feeling, and they give you confidence. “That’s what losing sometimes does, it takes away confidence … But there are a lot of lessons you learn in losing.”

• Freeman: “That emotional feeling you get when you’re victorious, there is no better feeling in the world.”

• Freeman: “What I’ve learned in the first eight games is it’s never as you planned.”

• Freeman: “It’s really important as a coach to make sure your players know you believe in them.” This was in reference to Audric Estime having a good game after getting benched because of fumbling issues the week prior.

• Freeman says Howard Cross III is a “tough guy, man.” “Howard Cross is a warrior. He’s been doing great things for us and will continue to do great things for us.”

• Freeman asked about the potential for there being a ton of Clemson fans at Notre Dame Stadium. He dismisses the thought. He says it will be a huge advantage for this game to be in South Bend.

• Freeman on Clemson: “There are a few schools that have an elite defensive line. This is one of them. … Let’s measure ourselves against the best.”

• Freeman says he does not know Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, but he has the utmost respect for him.

• Freeman says he watched the Notre Dame / Clemson game in 2020 when he was the DC at Cincinnati. “That’s a heavyweight battle. That’s what you get with a team like Notre Dame and Clemson.”

• Freeman on Drew Pyne: “He’s got to improve. He’s got to improve with his accuracy.” He says there is a whole lot that goes into that. He says there were some friendly players in Pyne’s throwing lane vs. Syracuse.

• Freeman: “I want our guys to understand, you’re Notre Dame. This is what we do. We play in big football games. This is not David vs. Goliath.”

• Freeman says the more time he spends in the wide receivers room the more he realizes how unselfish you have to be to play the position. “You can go as hard as you can and get no rewards out of it.”

• Freeman on the Michigan vs. Michigan State postgame assault, because let’s call it what it is. “That’s not what you want to see in the game of football, the game we love … You have to be able to control your emotions.”