Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Oct. 6 press conference before NC State

Watch a replay in the video player above and/or scroll down for the updates.

“You get what you emphasize, and there’s ways to emphasize tackling in practice [during the season] … You have to make a decision of what you want to emphasize during practice. You have to be creative — you can’t just live tackle but you can be creative with drills. It’s the way you emphasize those things in practice that helps you improve on Saturdays.”

“There’s so much he brings to our team. It’s obvious that he’s a great, gifted football player, but there’s a leadership aspect that he brings in his own way and a confidence be brings to that defensive backfield and his coordinator. You can trust and count on that he’s going to take care of the boundary. You have a lot of faith in him playing man.

“It’s great to have him back.”

“Being with Coach Ash through good times and tough times, I know the type of competitor, person and leader he is. He’s stayed steady as a leader and has made decisions personnel-wise and schematically. I’ve been impressed with him and it’ll only get better.”

Freeman pointed out that every drive Notre Dame didn’t commit a penalty, they scored a touchdown.

“That’s not the only reason, but that’s a huge reason.”

Freeman said he’s okay with aggressive penalties, but not undisciplined penalties (i.e. false starts).

Freeman said on Boise State’s fourth-and-goal stop, the Broncos had a different look than the Irish expected.

“We thought it was going to hit right there in the C or D gap, and there were a lot of people in that C or D gap.”

“He’s getting closer. He started getting reps last week in practice. We’re going to add more reps to add to his capacity of what he can do in a game. It’s the value — when he’s back and ready to roll, we want to get the most value out of Flanagan. He will be a huge addition when he’s ready — I don’t know if it’ll be this week or next week, but he’s getting closer. Right now, it’s not the injury as much as the capacity to give us what we need on the field. He’s an impact player. When we can get him back, you’ll see him on the field.”

“We have to have a good defensive plan for what they’re going to present. It’s going to be another good challenge.”

He has nothing but good things to say about NC State. Freeman said NC State’s quarterback (CJ Bailey), running back (Hollywood Smothers) and tight end (Justin Joly) will be problems this week.