Marcus Freeman reveals Notre Dame's Week 0 Players of the Week
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish put on a show in their Week 0 season opener against the Navy Midshipmen, defeating them 42-3. And the top Fighting Irish players from that game have been rewarded with player of the week recognition from the program and head coach Marcus Freeman.
From his social media account, the Fighting Irish head coach posted the picture below highlighting the team’s offensive, defensive, and special teams players of the week following their huge victory over Navy in Dublin, Ireland.
Chris Tyree was awarded Notre Dame’s special teams player of the week. The 5-foot-9 senior running back was all over the field for the Fighting Irish in their blowout victory. Tyree finished the game with three catches for 36 yards, one rushing attempt, and one punt return for 11 yards.
Senior linebacker Marist Liufau was the Fighting Irish’s defensive player of the week. He recorded seven total tackles, four solo, and forced one fumble. Liufau also played a massive role in keeping Navy’s dangerous running game in check, helping to limit the midshipmen to just 126 yards on the ground and 169 yards of total offense.
Notre Dame transfer quarterback Sam Hartman lit up Navy’s defense, earning offensive player of the week in the process. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback led a Fighting Irish offense that looked like a well-oiled machine in their opening game of the 2023 season. Hartman finished the game, completing 19 of his 23 pass attempts for 251 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Freeman satisfied with how Notre Dame offensive line held up vs. Navy
There was a lot to be happy about after Notre Dame‘s 42-3 win over Navy. However, the Fighting Irish’s front five left head coach Marcus Freeman smiling ear-to-ear.
“I guess we found out those two guards can play, right,” Freeman said during the postgame press conference. “We knew three of those guys had game experience but both Pat [Coogan] and Rocco [Spindler] both stepped up. They did a real good job.”
A real good job, indeed. Notre Dame’s offensive line gave up zero sacks in the team’s season opener. Further, the front five blasted away the Midshipmen’s defensive front, allowing Notre Dame to rush for 191 yards.
The showing becomes even more impressive when you realize neither Coogan nor Spinder had started in a game before Saturday. Coogan entered Saturday’s contest with essentially no experience, appearing in just one game last season.
Spinder wasn’t quite as green. The junior lineman made 12 appearances last season. However, many of his appearances were on special teams units. Freeman claims Navy wasn’t an easy first matchup for the Inexperienced offensive linemen.
“Again, Navy’s defense is almost as exotic as their offense,” Freeman said. “You don’t see some of the things they do, so for them to execute, run the ball, play physical, man, credit to obviously [offensive line] coach [Joe] Rudolph and just really credit to those guys, man, for what they were able to do in their first game.”