Everything Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said after the Blue-Gold Game

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman addressed the media for about 10 minutes after Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game. Here is everything he told reporters.

Opening statement

“(I’m) really pleased. A lot of good from that scrimmage. We had close to 100 plays between both groups, including some of the seven-on-seven. For the most part, no injuries. I’m sure there are some bumps and bruises.

“It was good. There was a lot of good on both sides of the ball. I told them in the locker, ‘I need to fix the scoring system a little bit. Find a way to get the defense some more points.’ Both sides of the ball did a lot of good.

“Offensively, the ability to run the ball drive. Early in the scrimmage, every drive that didn’t result in points, there was some type of negative play — there (was a) penalty, a tackle for loss. So, again, great teaching opportunities to understand how to continue to sustain those drives offensively.

“Defensively, did a great job of stepping up in plus territory. There was a fourth down stop on the 1-yard line, which, again, we want the offense to score and the defense to stop.

“So it’s a lot of good. A lot of good teaching. Really pleased with really everybody that was on field. The effort and the execution they played with today.”

On what he hopes to accomplish with the three remaining practices after the Blue-Gold Game

“The spring game fell where it fell. Usually, it’s the end of spring. But the reason why it was earlier is just because of pushing the start of spring back with the length of the season.

“We’ll go, and we’ll look. I’m going to have some ideas of what I want to see these next two to three practices—talk with the coaches about what else we want to see. But a lot is going to be some play of situations, two-minute situations, where you’ve got to make your guys think and execute. But also, there’s going to be great teaching opportunities from those situations and practice.”

On what the next two weeks look like from a roster management standpoint with the spring transfer portal window looming

“(General manager Mike Martin, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and defensive coordinator Chris Ash) spend time every day together. Again, if a guy on our current roster is interested in getting into the (transfer) portal, I’m sure we’ll have those conversations. At the end of the day, figure out what’s best for them, for us.

“The same thing is, again, we’re not actively seeking to add to our roster. We’re really happy with what we got. If something comes to our attention and we see adds value to our roster and our program, then we have to have a conversation about it.

“But there’s nothing intentional right now about these upcoming weeks. We’re going to practice, we’re going to be together, we’re going to work, and if somebody decides to go into the portal, then we’ll adapt.”

On the first impressions of how the quarterbacks performed in the Blue-Gold Game

“A lot of good, lot of good. A lot of teaching opportunities, I’m sure. I’m not truly outcome-driven.
“(Sophomore) CJ (Carr), we had one turnover. And I don’t know if it was the route (or) the throw, but it was a lot good. A lot of good from all three guys. And a lot of teaching opportunities. We’ll go back and watch.

“It was a reflection of how the first 11 practices (have) been. Those guys have been battling. They’ve all improved. They’re all doing some really good things. It’s crazy to think that you got three guys that all can lead your program to a victory and be your starting quarterback.

“So we’ll evaluate it. We’ll talk about it and have discussions moving forward. You would like to be able to kind of go in the fall with a two-quarterback battle. It’s really hard with truly having a three-quarterback battle. But we’ve got to sit down and have conversations about what’s best for our program, what’s best for our quarterbacks, and we’ll make those decisions in the future.”

On the spring practice plan for OL sophomore Anthonie Knapp and senior Billy Schrauth

“Yeah, it was a progression. Those two guys both were postseason or at the end of the season surgical guys. It was a progression for them to get back.

“We knew that at some point in the spring, we would get them out there and get some work in. They played a lot of plays (last) season. It was important to us to get the physical strength conditioning aspect of the development for those guys. It was more important to do that than it was to just get them back to practice.

“They got out there this week and competed, did some really good things. We limited their number just because it’s really the spring. But it was good to see those guys out there, right? We had a lot of good work for the young guys that have been practicing most of the spring. But it’s a little bit different when you have (junior right tackle) Aamil (Wagner), Billy and Knapp and some of those guys in there with ones. It’s different for our offense.”

On junior safety Luke Talich’s Blue-Gold Game performance

“He’s really done a good job. That’s a reflection of how he’s been this spring. A guy that’s taking advantage of his opportunities and has really been focused on improvement, right? Some of that improvement is production, as you saw today, and some is areas that we got to continue to attack and improve.

“But he’s been really consistent. That’s been a challenge for him and our entire team. But it’s really good to see a guy out there performing consistently, and with the reflection of Luke’s performance all spring.”

On what he learned about the Notre Dame tight ends this spring

“(Graduate student) Kevin (Bauman’s) a guy that played a lot of ball for us two years ago and has battled some injuries. To have him back this spring in some type of role has been good. (Senior) Eli (Raridon), we’ve held him in certain areas of spring ball. But again, he’s a guy, you know what you’re gonna get out Eli Reardon. Again, he showed today to do some good things.

“It was good to see (sophomore) Jack (Larsen) make a huge catch today. Jack and Kevin, but Jack, it was good to see that throw and catch in that critical situation.

“I think that group as a whole. (Walk-on Henry) Garrity’s done some good things. (Walk-on) Justin Fisher’s done some good things. Like, it’s good to see with (junior) Cooper (Flanagan) being down, Eli being limited at times, Kevin early in spring being limited, like, guys are stepping up. It’s a reflection of the leadership in the room, but also the depth of that room. So (they’ve) done some really good things. I’m really pleased with that room.”

On if the Notre Dame safeties surprised him this spring

“Not surprise, but it’s a group that I believe is deep and talented, just inexperienced and game reps. I know Luke Talich and what he can do, and (sophomore) Brauntae Johnson and the talent he has. And (graduate student) (Jalen) Stroman, you obviously have seen it on film, but you haven’t seen it much in person with injury.

“But you have a room that’s talented and can get the job done. They just don’t have a whole bunch of in-game experience doing it here at Notre Dame. So there’s a strong confidence we have in that safety room, and I’m looking forward to seeing those guys improve, but go do it when it matters the most.”

On what he likes about how junior Sullivan Absher has attacked playing multiple positions on the offensive line

“Yeah, you’re going to be asked to have a couple of those guys that can go in at any position. Sully’s a guy that’s played tackle for us, guard and center. The more value you have, the more opportunity you have to play. That’s what we’ve been trying to do with Sully and some other guys.

“Just say, ‘Hey, is he the next best guy?’ And if you are, it doesn’t matter if you’re practicing the center, guard or tackle, you’re going to be the guy that goes in.

“So, he’s done a wonderful job at all three positions. We have to continue to get reps at snapping the ball. That’s the one thing that we have to (do) with all of our new staffers—continue to get valuable reps doing that. But I’m really pleased with Sullivan Absher.”

On sophomore defensive end Loghan Thomas, junior defensive lineman Brenan Vernon and sophomore linebacker Teddy Rezac not being in uniform for the Blue-Gold Game

“Loghan Thomas, I think he pulled his hamstring. You put me on the spot. You know what I mean? Teddy was an ankle sprain. He sprained his ankle the other day in practice. And Brenan Vernon, he had a knee sprain actually, Wednesday in practice. So having to keep those guys out.”