Quick-hitters: Marcus Freeman on Stanford rivalry, Prince Kollie, BYU second half

Marcus Freeman will experience his first rivalry game as Notre Dame head coach Saturday. The Irish (3-2) host Stanford (1-4, 0-4 Pac-12) looking for their fourth straight win this year and fourth in a row against the Cardinal.

Saturday’s game (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) is the 32nd battle for the Legends Trophy and 36th all-time meeting. The series doesn’t carry the magnitude and prestige of Notre Dame’s rivalries with USC or Michigan, but Freeman recognizes it as a notable annual game for the program just the same.

“It starts with respecting the rivalry,” Freeman said. “I’m fortunate I played in one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. That’s one thing [former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel] used to always do. We respected the rivalry. When it was that week of that game, you understood what the rivalry meant and the history behind it. I think that’s the same theme for this week. They have to understand what the Legends Trophy is all about.”

Freeman met with reporters Monday to begin Stanford week and wrap up the Oct. 8 win over BYU. Here are some of the highlights from his press conference.

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On moments of doubt vs. BYU

“I don’t think the offense at any point – over the headset or just being on the field – lost confidence in continuing to execute. I know we threw the interception, but we were driving down the field and the ball gets tipped.

“Defensively, I know there was some frustrations with the two touchdowns in the third and fourth quarter. I challenged them and they challenged each other – we can’t continue to allow this to happen. They went and got a three-and-out, which was huge for their momentum. Then the last series, they get the ball to third-and-short and fourth-and-short and we get stops.

“I don’t feel good until the game is over, especially if it’s a five-point game or an eight-point game, I’m holding my breath at times. The players, their confidence is a lot higher than mine.”

On senior linebacker Jack Kiser earning Notre Dame’s defensive player of the week honor

“We’re gaining more and more confidence with him. He’s doing a good job in there. Jack is an extremely intelligent player. He’s probably one of the most, if not the most, athletic linebackers we have. That’s why we played him a lot at rover and we’re playing him out in space. He can do so many different things. What you’re seeing now is him playing middle linebacker getting everyone lined up, but also executing at a high level.

“It’s healthy competition. If we end up with two linebackers on the field vs. Stanford, who’s the first two out there? JD [Bertrand] is back, and he came back in the second half and played really well. Jack overall played really well. Marist [Liufau] is a guy we need to play better, but he’s playing well.”

On sophomore linebacker Prince Kollie’s play vs. BYU and his progress

“I challenged him last week. Prince, you continue to build trust in practice…Your team needs you to be a great practice player. That’s my challenge with Prince and my challenge to many others in our football program. Everyone talks about [tight end] Michael Mayer – Michael Mayer is one of the best practice players I’ve been around. That’s what we need our young guys to be.”

“For Prince to go and make a play like that, it was good to see. He’s a talented football player. He played more this past week than he ever has. We still challenged him and you have to challenge yourself. We need great practice players, because that builds confidence coaches to put you out there in a game.”

“That’s what I hope to see him do. Talent sets the ceiling for how good you can be. Prince has a high ceiling. Continue to put the work in practice to gain confidence from coaches.”

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On grad student wide receiver Joe Wilkins Jr.

“No setbacks [from an offseason foot injury]. Joe is a guy who has played a lot of ball for us previously. I think he will. I challenged Joe and challenged [wide receivers coach Chansi] Stuckey to continue to communicate on what he has to do to get in the rotation. There are a lot of guys who want to get in that rotation. You have to earn it in practice.”

On sophomore receiver Jayden Thomas

“Last year as defensive coordinator, I didn’t know much about him. I kept hearing throughout the course of the year about Jayden Thomas, he’s big, physical, runs great routes. As we got to the spring, same thing, and fall camp, but the production wasn’t there. He’s having great practices, but the production isn’t there.

“What you’re finally starting to see is he had 3 catches, but they were big catches. The one was a touchdown, one was a third down. He’s probably one of our best route-runners and can be one of our best receivers and playmakers on offense. We just have to continue to improve. He has to continue to do it in a game, because he’s practicing at a high level.”

On cornerback Clarence Lewis’ near pick-6 and keeping confidence up after it

“That was a heck of a play. Could have been a SportsCenter-type play, pick-6. He did a great job of having outside leverage, doing his job, doing exactly what he’s coached to do. Just has to make the pick to make it a spectacular play. That’s an example of what you have to do. You have to make sure you praise the things they do well, and you point out the things they have to improve at.

“You have to make that catch and take it to the house, but you aligned correctly, kept your leverage and did exactly what you’re supposed to do until the end of it.”