Everything Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Thursday before Miami University game

Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman addressed the media for the final time before No. 17 Notre Dame faces Miami University on Saturday. Here is everything he told reporters in his about 10-minute news conference over Zoom.

On how Notre Dame defensive lineman Joshua Burnham has looked on the practice field this week and his availability Saturday:

“We put out an injury report. I just want to refer to the injury report on all those questions concerning injuries.”

On the rundown of what they’re looking for at vyper with Notre Dame defensive lineman Jordan Botelho out and whether Loghan Thomas and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa are viable options:

“Kyngstonn (Viliamu-Asa), no. He’s playing linebacker, but Loghan (Thomas) will be available and has a chance to play on Saturday. (He) had a good week of practice. 

“Boubacar’s (Traore) done a really good job in stepping up in the starting role. And then Junior’s (Tuihalama) had probably one of his best weeks of practice. So, (I’m) looking forward to seeing all three of them out there on Saturday being competitive and getting their job done.”

On being named by the AFCA honorary head coach of the year for the Good Works team:

“Some of the things I do outside of football aren’t to — it isn’t really isn’t to gain recognition or get rewarded for. But part of who I am in the position I’m in — the ability to impact others, to impact your community, are so important to me. Those are values that I have and want to continue to do.”

On why it is important to empower Notre Dame DB Jordan Clark to build their own brand through a podcast and the benefit that has on the program using their platform to share their experiences:

“You know, that’s a part of, hopefully, the enticement to come to Notre Dame — is that you’re going to be able to utilize this huge platform that we have. We want our guys to be well-rounded individuals. And when they have time, to be able to do some things that are outside the interest of being a football player. 

“So, I’m glad Jordan is able to capitalize off of that opportunity and still get everything in terms of football that we asked him to do — complete it. I think it’s important to understand these are more than just football players. These guys understand, at some point, this game will be over, and they’re capitalizing off of the opportunities that they have here to utilize all the resources that we have, but also that they can truly capitalize off of.”

On WR Jaden Greathouse not getting multiple reps was due to tight end usage and KK Smith’s increased opportunities and whether he has been able to build off those in practice: 

“We wanted to probably be in a little bit more 12-personnel to start the game versus Purdue, just the way to try to attack their defense that we thought would give us the best chance to have success. And then, (Greathouse) didn’t play much in the second half, just because of the lead, and I wanted to give some other guys some opportunities. 

“But he did a great job again with the opportunities he had in the first half. I know he had the 25-yard catch that was negated by the holding penalties. So, Jaden did exactly what we asked out of him.

“As far as KK, it was good to see him out there getting his first catch. He is constantly improving. And again, we’ll see what opportunities present on Saturday. But he is doing everything you asked in terms of practicing at a high level and continuous improvement, and it was good to see him get a little bit of a reward on Saturday with this first catch versus Purdue.”

On what stands out about Miami University quarterback Brett Gabbert:

“He is a competitive individual. He really runs the offense well. He’s experienced. I went back to 2019 —  we played him when I was at Cincinnati, his freshman year. He throws a really good deep ball and does a really good job of taking care of the football. 

“I don’t know if he’s run as much as he has in the past, but I would assume, this game, that he’s going to do whatever it takes to try to give his offense a chance to have success. 

“So, we’re planning for him to run the ball and to throw the ball, but he is an experienced quarterback that it’s going to be difficult to confuse. We’re going to have to really play well on defense versus him.”

On if he has seen enough of Notre Dame WR Kris Mitchell in practice where his skill set from FIU could translate into the game:

“Kris has done a great job of coming in, learning the new offense. It’s hard to play the wide-out position because, a lot of times, you can do exactly what you’re supposed to do, but you don’t get credit because you don’t get the catches or the yardage. 

“I can’t speak any more highly of Kris Mitchell in terms of what he’s done for our offense, the threat that he is, and if the game dictates that he has a lot of catches, I won’t be surprised. 

“But again, as a wide receiver, you’re just a product of what the offense needs at that moment and the quarterback’s decision-making. But I don’t think that’s a reflection of the value he has to our offense.”

On Notre Dame running back Kedren Young and Aneyas Williams’ assets:

“Yeah, I’ll start with Aneyas. He’s done a really good job of all those things that we’ve asked him to do, to be one of the most trusted guys we have on third down to be in there, to put the ball in his hands in crucial situations, speaks to really the job he’s done and the trust that he’s earned in his coaches. 

“Kedren played really well in his reps on Saturday. He gives you something —probably that not every back we have here gives you — that big, powerful thumper-type runner that probably simulates Audric (Estimé), probably more than anyone. But again, he is getting better. He is going to do great things for us, and we’ll see really how this season progresses in terms of the workload he’ll get with our offense.”

On the sense of the Notre Dame offensive line’s progress after plugging in Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler:

“As I look at it, big picture-wise, we’re going to continue to progress. Those guys are capable starters. They’re ready. They’ve been prepared. It speaks to the maturity of those two, to at any moment, they knew they were going to be thrust into action, and we picked up right where we left off. And they did a great job and had two really great days of practice this week. 

“I think there’s a chemistry between centers, guards and tackles that will continue to progress as we move forward. I don’t play that position, but I know that there’s a comfort, obviously, knowing that guy who’s inside of you, if I’m a tackle, and obviously the communication between a center and the guard.

“So, that is something that there’s nothing that can expedite that process, but time. But the progress of our entire offensive line, it won’t stop. I think it just picked up right where we left off.”