Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Nov. 3 press conference
Notre Dame has its biggest home game of the year in just two days. The Fighting Irish (5-3) host No. 4 Clemson (8-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC) in South Bend.
Irish head coach Marcus Freeman speaks to the media Thursday at 12 p.m. ET to give final updates on the status of his team ahead of kickoff. Follow along with live updates below.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Nov. 3 press conference live updates
• Freeman says his team has to be aware of the forecasted windy conditions in South Bend for Saturday night. He says use it to your advantage when you can and understand when the opponent has the wind on its side.
• Freeman says Notre Dame has to make sure its protection is solid. Clemson has a knack for blocking kicks, just like the Irish do. “It’s about playing sound football and protecting your kicker … it comes down to scheme, fundamentals and execution.”
• Freeman says Notre Dame has resources for the players for mental preparation and mental health even after Amber Selking left the program.
• Freeman asked why Notre Dame has played up to better opponents and down to lesser ones. “No matter who the opponent is, we have to focus on what it takes to deserve victory … we cannot let the opponent dictate our ability to focus on that.”
• Freeman says sophomore defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio is healthy. He didn’t play as much vs. Syracuse. “He’s continuing to get better and better. We’ll have a plan for him this game … He has such a bright future for this football team.”
• Freeman says Jason Onye has really improved. He compares his situation to that of Rubio. “I don’t know when the exact moment will be when he gets a whole bunch of playing time, but he is playing better.”
• Freeman says games like this one are huge for the program from a recruiting perspective. “The best thing we can do is put on a good performance. This is what Notre Dame is about. You have a chance to be a part of this.”
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• Freeman is asked about defensive rotations. “We revisit it daily. We have a plan at the start of the week and revisit it on Thursdays and Fridays.” He says it’s a balance between earning the reps in practice and projecting who could player better against particular opponents. “It’s a constant conversation, a constant evaluation.”
• Freeman says Clemson running back Will Shipley is “an ultra competitive individual.” “He’s a heck of a football player who Notre Dame obviously wanted before I got here, and I can see why.”
• Freeman asked about the storyline of Clemson stealing signals. He says it’s nothing new in college football. “If you don’t think it’s real, you’re probably getting your signals stolen.”
• Freeman says Avery Davis has a great pulse on the team even though he hasn’t played a down this season. “He’s been a great asset.”
• Freeman says Notre Dame shrinks its call sheet in the red zone defensively. He says there is more man defense down there. He says this week is about spying Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He says above all, it’s about making a play.
• Freeman asked about the play in which Ben Morrison was lined up one on one with Syracuse’s best pass-catcher. He says Notre Dame was spying Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader. He says given Shrader’s injury concerns, that probably wasn’t the right move. He also says Morrison needed to play with better technique.
