Quick hitters: Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman on Drew Pyne, Steve Angeli, two-RB sets

Quarterback intrigue never ceases around Notre Dame. Especially when three games have already resulted in a season-ending injury to the starter, a start from the backup and a freshman who is now one play away from taking the controls.

Marcus Freeman saw the latest example Thursday. A 10-minute news conference Thursday that might have been his shortest as Notre Dame head coach featured questions about all three quarterbacks. Here’s what he had to say over Zoom when he spoke with reporters.

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On the viral moment between offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and quarterback Drew Pyne during the win over Cal

“It’s something that might have been a bigger issue to those outside the football program than it was to us inside the program. Tough coaching is what you get every day. I’ve always had a strong belief you can push guys as far as they trust you. To me, that’s a reflection of Coach Rees and Drew Pyne’s relationship. Drew is the first to say, ‘I want tough coaching. I want that type of coaching.’

“Tommy, myself and everyone in this program, we have to be cautious about the language we use. I have to remind myself that I have six kids and little ones are watching. You have to be careful on the language we use. But that’s an intense moment where we had to try to find a way to get Drew to snap out and perform at the level you expect.

“You don’t treat every player the same terms of how you coach them. You treat them in terms of what will help them respond the right way. For that moment, that’s what Drew needed. Drew would be the first one to tell you that.

“I hope people understand it’s a reflection of the relationship they have and plenty of other coaches have with their players. They know it’s not personal because of the relationship we have. It’s a trust issue. If you don’t trust your coach and he’s screaming at you to do your job, that’s not going to get the results you want. If you have a strong relationship with the guys in your room and they trust you, those moments that are intense are never personal.”

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On anxiousness from Pyne in his first start

“He was trying to force the ball, force plays early in the game. He was making uncharacteristic mistakes. That’s a reflection of maybe your first start. Everybody talks about the case of the yips you see in all sports.

‘At the start of the game, easy throws, throws he usually makes, he was throwing them low. We weren’t helping him. That’s the other part. We have to help him as the offense to make sure we’re catching them. Some of the balls were uncatchable, but that was something we have to make sure we’re helping him. Getting the snap, that’s on him.

“I know Drew feels strongly about his performance and how he starts a game. I don’t think you’ll see a repeat performance to start a game. We have the utmost confidence in him.”

On getting freshman backup quarterback Steve Angeli ready to play

“There’s no other option. We have to be comfortable. That’s Coach Rees’ and all of our job is to make sure we have a package. You can’t ask someone to do things they’re not comfortable doing. I don’t think you’re going to ask Steve Angeli to run every single play you have Drew Pyne run. It takes time to learn the entire package, the entire offensive system.

But guess what, Steve Angeli, if he’s presented with the opportunity, has to go in there and execute. He has to go in there and do what we need our quarterbacks to do. We have to meet him halfway. We have to ask Steve Angeli to do the things we know he can do. But it has to be enough where you’re not running one play. I feel strongly about the way he has prepared, not as the scout team quarterback, but as the quarterback who can be ready to go into the game.

“He has the greatest example in Drew Pyne being in that room. I’ve also challenged Drew Pyne to say anytime you’re watching extra film in and studying, you have to drag Steve Angeli with you. You have to bring him with you. He has to learn what it really means to prepare as a college quarterback. You’re seeing a lot of growth between those two this week.”

On the status of Notre Dame sophomore tight end Mitchell Evans (foot fracture)

“He’s not ready yet. Hopefully he’s able to get back by the BYU game or soon thereafter. He’s out of the boot. He’s making his progression towards a return. So we’ll see.”

On how two-running back sets challenge defenses

“It’s the ability to use one of those two backs in a different position. That’s what creates the mismatch. You can use Chris Tyree in the backfield, use him in the slot. Do you treat him as a running back, treat him as a wide receiver? Is it 11 personnel, is it 21 personnel? Those would truly change the way you call defenses depending on what you do. The ability for us to use Chris in so many ways can really present some challenges to a defense.”