Quick-hitters: Marcus Freeman on Boston College offense, run game vs. Navy, emotions of Senior Day
Notre Dame is in its final home game week of the year. The No. 20 Irish (7-3) play their Senior Day game Saturday against Boston College (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC), the last of six contests at Notre Dame Stadium this season. Head coach Marcus Freeman met with reporters Monday for the first of two press conferences before the game. Here are some topics he addressed.
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On the lack of a run game vs. Navy
“It comes down to a couple things, one being the execution. They were bringing a lot of pressure. But they did in the first half too. We were able to get the guys blocked. At times, you’re not able to run the ball when they have that many people in the box and you have to throw it.
“We weren’t able to complete some of those passes we wanted to throw, for multiple reasons. It could have been protection. It could have been getting the ball out of your hand. It could have been precision of your routes.
“We weren’t able to really establish a passing game, and they continued to bring pressure, which is really hard to run the ball against. There was a difference in defenses in what Clemson did and what Navy was doing defensively against our offense. To get them out of all that pressure, you’re going to have to complete some passes.”
On Boston College’s offense with quarterback Emmett Morehead in place of Phil Jurkovec (knee)
“I’ve really just gone through the last two games so far and seen Morehead at quarterback. From what I hear talking to the defensive coaches and the offensive coaches, there are some similarities between Phil and Morehead. I don’t think defensively you’ll change depending on quarterback. But the Morehead kid does a really good job extending plays with his legs.
“The ability to not get rattled – that last-minute drive vs. North Carolina State [in Saturday’s 21-20 win] was so impressive – and hit [tight end] George [Takacs] on a couple third downs and a fourth down on that last drive, throw the touchdown. It shows a maturity for a young player.”
On Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers
“He will be one of the best, if not the best, we’ve seen all year. He brings an element of speed that I don’t know if we’ve seen in a while in terms of being a deep threat and run by defenders. He’s quick, but the speed he brings to Boston College’s offense will be a big challenge for us. We’re going to have some different plans and change-ups coverage-wise for him.”
On Notre Dame linebackers Junior Tuihalamaka and Prince Kollie’s play vs. Navy
“Your first time facing the triple option, you can’t simulate it in practice. It’s really hard. Prince has played some meaningful action at linebacker, but for Junior, this was his first meaningful time at linebacker. Were they exactly where you need them to be? No. but I think they showed they can help us. They played good. There is always room for improvement.
“It’s really difficult to have that be your first game playing inside linebacker, because it happens so fast. The minute you think it’s an inside zone or a dive, there’s a puller and it’s hard to see the puller because it happens so fast. That was a good learning experience for those two and Marist. That was Marist’s first time facing the triple option offense.
“It will be something as we go into next year – we face [Navy] first game of the year – we can go back and reflect on and have good film to show those three guys. Here’s you in the game and how fast it is, and how can you see the different keys and triggers to help you fit where you need to fit?”
On kicker Blake Grupe’s recent struggles
“We have to and I have to do a great job of building confidence in him. We have the utmost confidence in Blake Grupe. I have to make sure he continues to know that. Do I expect him to make that [45-yard] field goal [against Navy]? Absolutely. That’s why we kicked it. I have to make sure he continues to know that. We could have went for it, it was fourth-and-2, and I said, ‘Let’s kick the field goal and get the guaranteed points.’
“We have to find ways to help build his confidence in practice and even in the game. That was one of those decisions of, ‘Should we go for it or should we not?’ Let’s build his confidence and keep kicking. As I told him yesterday, we have the utmost confidence in you and we’ll give you another opportunity to go kick a field goal. I have 100 percent faith you’ll make it. But don’t make me a liar. Grupe is going to continuously work at it, and I’m excited for his opportunity.”
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On the recovery of running back Jadarian Price (Achilles tear)
“That’s such a good room. Coach [Deland] McCullough has done a great job, and there are three guys right now sharing the load this season, and you add JD, who did a great job last spring. You have to be unselfish. You have to understand the better the room is, the better you’re going to be as an individual. JD has been great learning, watching, evaluating. As he gets back for next year, we’ll figure out what his role is.”
On the emotions of senior day
“What I’ll continue to reiterate to the team is the ability to get your emotions under control after that moment. That’s a special moment. I don’t want you to not enjoy and embrace and be in that moment.
“The challenge will be to get yourself under control after that moment. Our team will be out there as our seniors will come out. I want our team be part of it. I want our team to really thank them for what they’ve done for this program and be part of that moment when they run out. But still, when the clock gets to zero and you’re ready to kick the ball off, everybody’s emotion has to be under control. You have to be ready to refocus and we have to focus our energy toward what it will take to win.”
