Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Tennessee State postgame press conference
Notre Dame romped Tennessee State in the Fighting Irish’s home opener, 56-3. Eight different players scored Notre Dame’s eight touchdowns. Thirteen different Irish players caught at least one pass.
Here is what Irish head coach Marcus Freeman is saying after his team improved to 2-0 in a big way.
WATCH: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman postgame press conference
What Freeman is saying
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• Freeman said he and Tennessee State head coach Eddie George soaked in the magnitude of the moment with Notre Dame playing an FCS/HBCU team for the first time ever today. He said “this is what you want in college football.”
• Freeman says he saw Devyn Ford in the second half. He’s fine, but his head hurts a little bit. Ford was popped in the head on a kickoff in the first quarter. The play was not reviewed for targeting. Freeman said he can agree to disagree about that, but “it is what it is.”
• Freeman joked, “We finally got to see Bryce [McFerson] punt.” Notre Dame’s first punt of the year came six and a half quarters into this season.
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• Freeman said quarterback Sam Hartman was “really good” today. Freeman likes when Hartman comes to the sideline and shakes off mistakes. Freeman said there are many moments in the game when Hartman gets back and says, “I’m good. I’m good.” He said the experience is very evident.
• Freeman said he feels much more comfortable as a head coach on the sideline. There was a time when he was a defensive coordinator and he wanted everything to be perfect. He has now realized mistakes happen. Winners usually minimize them and respond to them the right way.
• Freeman said he got onto the defensive backs after Ramon Henderson’s interception because he did not hand the ball to the official. Notre Dame has a team rule about that. “It’s respect for the game of football. I don’t want to see guys throwing the ball down… A couple guys needed that reminder today.”
• Freeman winced when asked about Hartman leaping into the end zone for his rushing touchdown. He said he wouldn’t really like to see his start quarterback do that in the future. For the record, Hartman stuck the landing and played it off with a wave to the Notre Dame fans. Freeman said Hartman told him, “I just wanted to thank them for coming.”
