Everything Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Thursday before Florida State

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

On what he and Notre Dame director of football performance Loren Landow plotted out in keeping the team at max performance:

“Yeah, I think that’s something that, so again, we meet weekly as a sports performance team. So that includes, obviously, Coach Landow, Rob Hunt, our head athletic trainer, Matt Leisler, our team doctor, (associate athletes director, sports performance) John Wagle. We look at all the analytics behind it. We say, ‘Okay, let’s come up with what we perceive as the load, the necessary load they need for each week.’

“So, as you look at the bye week, there was a load that we wanted to make sure that we accomplish with our practices from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to really propel us forward for these last four games.

“As we look at each of these last four games, like, what is this week, the Florida State week, Virginia, Army, then USC, like, how do we see this the four game-span really maximizing what we’re asking our guys to do.

“It’s not, listen, it isn’t like we changed drastically what we did compared to the first bye week. But there’s again, certain loads and numbers that we want to hit in practice while also getting the work that we need to get done schematically. Obviously, it’s going to be different. Just so you know, Eric, it’s going to be different Week 12 than it was Week 1. That’s the flow of the season and what you’re asking your guys to do.”

On what the Florida State defensive line does well:

“I think their defense is extremely talented. It’s led by their D-line. They got four plus guys that really can cause a lot of disruption. It may be, if not, the, one of the top D lines we we’ve seen all year, and we will see.

“So our guys have their work cut out for them. They do a good job of mixing up some movement and pressure. But also, doing some straight rush that can cause some issues if you don’t, one, be able to identify what you think they’re going to do pre-snap. But two, got to get your cleats in the ground and be firm.

“I think their corner(back)s are another big point of emphasis for them. They got two really good corners that have played well all year. I think their defense is doing a really good job.”

On the intangible impact senior Tyler Buchner has made on Notre Dame and his practice duties:

“Each week, your role can change. Obviously, last week he had to spend a lot of time, two weeks ago, a lot of time helping us with being a triple option quarterback. This week is his normal role in terms of being a wide receiver and also signaling for us. So, every week, his role can and does change a little bit.

“As far as the (in)tangible things, man, like, he loves this place. I remember our initial conversation about him coming back was, ‘I want to do whatever I can to help this university, but this program have success.’ Listen, if that means spending time with (senior quarterback) Riley (Leonard), if that means playing wide receiver, he’s willing to do whatever it takes.

“So, I’m sure Riley and him have had some great conversations because, again, very few people understand what it’s like to play quarterback at this place. He’s a team-first guy and a valuable member of our program.”

On how graduate student safety Xavier Watts has improved in 2024:

“He’s a guy that’s just continuing to improve in his skill set, right? He has all the talent in the world now. He’s improving at his skill set as a safety, in terms of tracking the ball, in terms of, making tackles and those types of things.

“The thing I love about X the most is that he’s really improved at is his vocal communication. Like he’s a leader. He is a problem solver. He gets guys lined up. You see him all the time making checks, making calls, and that’s the area that I think he’s made the biggest jump, that is really being a problem solver on the field.

“When he’s out there with (sophomore safety Adon (Shuler) — Adon’s a young guy. Even sometimes with the backers, he’s able to really get everybody on the same page, and that’s where he’s really taken a huge leap.”

On the development of Notre Dame defensive linemen Cole Mullins, Brenan Vernon, Sean Sevillano Jr. and Devan Houstan:

“Well, Cole’s just getting back into practice, obviously, with his knee injury earlier in the season. So, he’s very slowly just kind of getting into the practice load. Whereas those other three guys have been critical in terms of the preparation for our team. Sometimes, they’ll be up with the defense, but the majority of the time, those guys are our scout team D-line.

“I made this comment to the coaching staff yesterday that this might be the best scout team D-line that I’ve been around in a long time. In terms of what they’re able to — the level they’re able to practice at, and give our offensive line a realistic look at what they’re going to see on Saturday, It’s been really impressive.

“Those guys work their tails off, and they’re getting better. That’s how you get better, right? It’s not what you want at the end of the day. Everybody wants to play in the game, but you know what? You have to within your role, find ways to get better.

“Their role right now is to be on scout team and to be ready if we need them in a game. But they are really accomplishing their roles at a high level. I’m really pleased with all three of those guys you mentioned.”