Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Monday press conference
Notre Dame is riding a three-game winning streak. The Fighting Irish (3-2) can make it four in a row with a win over Stanford (1-4) this Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
Notre Dame is coming off its best victory of the season, a 28-20 triumph over then-No. 16 BYU (4-2) in the Shamrock Series in Las Vegas. Stanford is coming off its most heartbreaking defeat, meanwhile. The Cardinal allowed a last-minute 56-yard touchdown pass to Oregon State to lose at home, 28-27.
The Irish have won the last three meetings in the series after losing three straight from 2015-17. Notre Dame was favored by 16.5 points according to BetMGM as of Monday morning. Watch head coach Marcus Freeman‘s press conference at noon ET via the video player below and/or follow along with live updates of everything he says under the video player.
Marcus Freeman press conference live updates
• Freeman says the Shamrock Series in Las Vegas was “unique and special.” He says that’s what makes Notre Dame, Notre Dame.
• Michael Mayer, Jack Kiser and kickoff special Zac Yoakam were the players of the game vs. BYU.
• Freeman on Stanford: “It’s a rivalry game. We’ll have a motivated Stanford team.”
• Freeman says Stanford “should have won” the Oregon State game. The Cardinal allowed a last-minute, 56-yard touchdown.
• Freeman asked about the label of Notre Dame’s offense as a “scan” offense. He says it has to do with varying tempos, three or four different speeds. The tempo changes in terms of what defenses are doing schematically.
• Freeman on the offensive line: “Over the course of five games, you see a group that’s getting better and gelling.”
• Freeman on quarterback Drew Pyne: “He’s starting to make some plays where he’s improvising a little bit… That comes with confidence.” He says he was wowed by the flip to Audric Estime, as was everyone else.
• Freeman says he does not feel the offense lost confidence in being able to execute at any point against BYU. He says the defense, meanwhile, felt some frustration in the second half. “They challenged each other.”
• Freeman says Jack Kiser is one of the most athletic linebackers he’s worked with, and he really stepped up with JD Bertrand missing two of the last four halves Notre Dame has played.
• Freeman: “There is a very fine line between executing and giving up a long touchdown… We have to be better.” He’s referencing BYU’s 53-yard touchdown pass. He says giving up third and 18 on the ground fits into this category too.
• Freeman asked if there is room in the linebacker rotation for Prince Kollie. He says Kollie has to keep playing well in practice, and the reps on Saturday will come. He said he had one of his best weeks of practice last week. He played eight snaps against BYU.
• TaRiq Bracy is questionable this week with a hamstring issue. “It’s grade 1. It’s not a bad thing.” Freeman says he saw Bracy yesterday, and he looked confident.
• Freeman on Jaden Mickey: “He’s a good football player. He’s playing more than probably 90% of our freshmen right now.”
• Howard Cross III is expected to play against Stanford. He missed the BYU game with a high-ankle sprain.
• Freeman asked about Joe Wilkins’ lack of playing time. He hasn’t had any setbacks. He just hasn’t done enough in practice to crack the rotation at wide receiver.
• Freeman said he didn’t know much about wide receiver Jayden Thomas when he was a defensive coordinator. When he became the head coach, he kept hearing about Thomas but didn’t see the production in practices. That’s starting to change. “He’s one of our best route runners and can be one of our best receivers and playmakers.” He says he’s been practicing at as high a level as ever.
• Freeman says he’s fortunate to have played in one of the best rivalries in sports, Ohio State vs. Michigan. He says he respects rivalries and says that should be the case this week against Stanford.
• Freeman asked if Notre Dame made the wrong decision in naming Tyler Buchner the Week 1 starter over Drew Pyne: “I don’t question that decision at all. That was earned.”
• Freeman says Clarence Lewis is an example of what he wants everyone in the Notre Dame program to be. He lost his starting job, but he still works as hard as ever. “If you embrace your role, more is coming for you… He embraces it, but he’s not satisfied.” He says he is in Mike Mickens’ office everyday asking what he can do to get better.
• Freeman has said time and again in the last 48 hours that Michael Mayer is a great practice player. That’s what stands out to him the most. Not all the records. He says Mayer texted tight ends coach Gerad Parker this morning asking what he could do better in a game he caught 11 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Notre Dame vs. BYU recap links
Irish survive, beats BYU 28-20 in Las Vegas
Game balls: Five standouts from a solid Irish 28-20 win Saturday over BYU
Report card: Grading Fighting Irish football in win over BYU
Five thoughts: Michael Mayer, Drew Pyne shine in Irish win over BYU
How it happened: A detailed look at the Irish’s win over BYU
Michael Mayer’s case as the Irish’s best-ever tight end keeps growing after dominant day vs. BYU
What they’re saying about the Irish’s 28-20 win against BYU
Breaking down PFF grades for Irish football in win over BYU
What BYU coach Kalani Sitake said about Notre Dame football after Irish win
How Jayson Ademilola, Notre Dame DL answered the call with fourth-down stuff
