Everything Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said in Sun Bowl selection press conference
The Notre Dame football program is going bowling in El Paso, Texas. On Sunday, the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl announced it would host the No. 16 Fighting Irish (9-3) and No. 19 Oregon State (8-4) on Dec. 29.
On Monday, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman met with the media to react to his program’s bowl game destination. Here is everything Freeman told reporters.
Opening statement
“First off, I want to thank you guys for this opportunity. We are honored and excited to play Oregon State in El Paso, Texas, in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Really, since the announcement, I’ve seen videos just showing the excitement and emotion from the committee, the people of El Paso, and even executive director Bernie Olivas.
“I thought it really hit me. I want to make sure that everybody knows how excited we are. The feeling is so mutual. I’m excited to take this team to El Paso, Texas, and experience everything that encompasses the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and compete against another top 25 opponent.
“We look forward to getting down there. We’ve talked all year about these 12 guaranteed opportunities, so we’re fortunate now to have opportunity 13.”
On why Notre Dame went 9-3 and made the Sun Bowl:
“I thought our players truly handled some of the adversity we had this year. We had a tough loss to Ohio State and found a way to bounce back. Then, two weeks later, you lose to Louisville, and it’s a resilient group. I’m proud of our coaches and the players for continuously being resilient, continuously improving.
“The opportunity to play for 10 wins is something very few college football programs get the chance to do. So just credit to our leaders and players for the work they put in.”
On decisions being made of which players are available for the bowl game:
“I know, and we know who’s playing and who’s going to opt out. We’re moving forward with the guys that we have. But I want to make sure we let those guys who are not going to play make their announcements in the next few days. I want to give them the opportunity to do that.”
On if Sam Hartman is playing:
“As I said, I am going to let the guys that are not playing make their announcements.”
On his reaction to the excitement from the people of El Paso when they heard Notre Dame was playing in the Sun Bowl:
“It reminds you how honored we are to be able to play in the Sun Bowl, but to be able to play in game 13. Our guys have worked tremendously hard to put ourselves in this position. We are embracing that. We’re just as excited to get down there to experience the city of El Paso and everything that comes along with the Sun Bowl.”
On Oregon State:
“I’ve been on the road recruiting since we found out we’re playing them. We’ve watched them in a few crossover games. I know most recently, as we were preparing for Stanford, we were able to watch — I was able to watch — Oregon State play Stanford. So I know they’re a heck of a football team.
“There’s a reason why they’re ranked in the top 25. I know they’ll present some great challenges for our program. So we’re excited for this opportunity to play against a really good football team.”
On the wide receiver movement in the portal following wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey’s dismissal:
“From the last time we spoke, it was 24 hours of deep thought and difficult conversations with a lot of players and a lot of coaches regarding our overall performance at wideout. I had to make a difficult decision. I am truly just thankful for Chansi (Stuckey) and everything he’s done and given to this program. But we had to move forward, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
On his reaction when learning Notre Dame was selected by lottery to come to El Paso:
“I think everybody tries to project where you’re going to go. We don’t have a say in that. So we were waiting for the ACC to make their decisions, and when I found out we were going to the Sun Bowl— I have a lot of respect for that bowl, and to play a great opponent like Oregon State — it was exciting. I was in between a couple of home visits, so I was pretty busy at the time. Finally, when I got the news that where we are going, it’s an exciting time for our program.”
On the timeline of the strength and conditioning coach search:
“No, that’s definitely at the top of our priorities, my priority. (I’m) still working through this process and going through some interviews. I hope to make a decision here sooner rather than later.”
On the program’s schedule from now until they leave for El Paso:
“I was trying to do it a little bit on the plane here a minute ago. We’ll be back this weekend from recruiting and have a couple of practices. Then we got to go back on the road, and some players have finals. Then, after the following week, recruiting will be over. We’ll really dive deep into the practice plans.
“I can’t remember the exact date we’re going to let them go home. We’re going to give them a couple of days to go home before we get to El Paso on the 24th (of December). So that’s kind of how it’s going to be the next two weekends. We’ll practice during the week, we’ll be on the road recruiting and then we’ll have a good five, six days before let our players go home.”
On the challenges and opportunities of Notre Dame bowl game opt-outs:
“I think the challenges are to really kind of figure out exactly what guys are going to be in what positions and what team you’re going to have as you prepare for this game. But again, I have a good idea of the guys that will be opting out.
“It’s a great opportunity for some guys that maybe don’t have as much experience to really show how talented they are, right? How they can help your football team. So, I really look at it as a great opportunity for the core nucleus of our team as we continue to move forward into next year to No. 1 improve but to showcase our ability in the Sun Bowl versus a great opponent.”
On if he would have Chris Tyree and Rico Florees back and his reaction to their decision to enter the portal:
“Well, when guys earn their degree and seek more playing time or a different opportunity, I support that. I’m always disappointed when a guy leaves without his degree. So that’s really the situation with those two.”
On evaluating Oregon State with a new quarterback:
“I think concepts are concepts. We’ll look into it as we really get a chance to dive deep into the preparation. I know our coaches right now are currently on the road. You look at personnel, just to, again, know who you’re going against and what are their strengths and weaknesses. But concepts are still concepts in terms of as you prepare for opponents.
“So there will be some challenges not knowing exactly, maybe if there’s not a lot of film of a certain individual playing in the game at that position. But again, your game plan is mostly with concepts. That’s something we’ll continue to do.”
