Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Sept. 4 press conference

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman gives a final recap of the Fighting Irish’s 56-3 win over Tennessee State and looks ahead to this weekend’s matchup vs. NC State in his Monday press conference at noon ET. Keep up below with a link to watch followed by real-time, written updates from Blue & Gold.

WATCH: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman press conference

LIVE UPDATES: Written text of what Freeman is saying

Keep refreshing this page for line by line updates of what Freeman is saying.

• Freeman says there were some missed assignments in the Tennessee State game, but his Irish played hard for 60 minutes. He says TSU might be a better team than he saw on film beforehand.

• Freeman says he was pleased with Notre Dame’s red zone offense and defense vs. TSU.

• Freeman singles out wide receiver Jayden Thomas for “playing at a high level.” He’s the first player Freeman mentions unprompted today.

• Players of the game: Audric Estimé, Howard Cross III and Jason Onye.

• Freeman says he expects NC State to provide a very hostile environment. Freeman played there as a linebacker at Ohio State in 2004. He remembers it being a great environment for college football.

• Freeman calls NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong “extremely talented.” When Freeman was an assistant at Cincinnati, the Bearcats recruited Armstrong.

• Freeman credits the NC State defense for being an “attacking” unit. NC State was one of the best defenses against the run in college football last year, especially in the ACC.

• Freeman says the Notre Dame defensive players “truly understand the details of the defense” in Al Golden’s second season as defensive coordinator.

• Notre Dame has won 28 straight regular season games against ACC foes. Freeman notes most of those wins came before he was in South Bend. “I didn’t know that number, but it’s a lot.” Freeman credits Brian Kelly and everyone who was here before him.

• Gabriel Rubio had surgery. He should be back in the next couple of weeks.

• Devyn Ford is in concussion protocol. Don’t expect to see him available vs. NC State.

• Drayk Bowen did not play vs. Tennessee State. He should be back for NC State.

• Wide receiver Matt Salerno has a “significant” lower leg injury. He will be out multiple weeks per Freeman.

• Freeman says Notre Dame cannot give Armstrong running lanes. TSU’s QBs were able to run around a little bit vs. Notre Dame. Armstrong is a quarterback who thrives with that, so Freeman says the Irish have to really hone in and keep bodies on him.

• Freeman says even though Notre Dame does not have a lot of sacks to show for it, the Irish pass rush has been effective through two games.

• Freeman is asked about how Notre Dame’s secondary has been tested — or hasn’t been tested because of the level of opposition in Week 0 and Week 1. Freeman says, “We’re going to be tested this week. We know that.”

• Freeman admits the Antonio Carter II play was indeed targeting. “It was. He hit with the crown of his head. He’s got to keep his head up and not launch.”

• Freeman was very pleased with Notre Dame backup quarterback Steve Angeli’s play. He notes, as Notre Dame fans know all too well, you never know when you’ll need a backup QB.

• Freeman says it’s nice having Sam Hartman as a quarterback who can let his teammates know what a game is like at NC State. He says there is no substitute for experience like that.

• Freeman is asked what areas of his team he thinks are good but he might not know yet having played Navy and Tennessee State. He starts with the defense. “We just got to continue to focus on improvement.” He doesn’t want to take anything away from Navy and TSU, but he wants to focus more on Notre Dame’s own execution and how the Irish are playing regardless of opponent.

• Notre Dame had 10 players on the field for a play against Tennessee State. It was the first drive. “That’s on coaching. The players had MAs and the coaches had MAs on that first down. That’s when I told the coaches, ‘OK. Let’s settle down. We can’t beat Notre Dame.'”

• Freeman says Devyn Ford went through proper protocol in evaluating his head injury. “It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about protecting young people.”