Marcus Freeman Reflects on Notre Dame's 'Historic' Win vs. Indiana in CFP Bracket
Dec 21, 2024
SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 20: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after a touchdown in the first half during the CFP First Round game against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 20, 2024 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is a big fan of the new College Football Playoff after his team's 27-17 win over Indiana in the first-ever game with a 12-team format.
Freeman called the win a "historic" moment while speaking to reporters after the game.
"I've never been part of an environment like that," Freeman said. "Not many times in life you're the first to do something, and as I told the [team] in there, we were the first to win and play a playoff game in Notre Dame Stadium. That's historic. Something we'll cherish for the rest of our lives."
The Fighting Irish, who earned the No. 7 seed in the bracket, hosted their in-state rivals at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday night.
After a sloppy start that saw a punt and interceptions by both teams on the first three drives of the game, Notre Dame struck first on Jeremiyah Love's 98-yard touchdown run on the first play after the defense got a turnover.
The Irish eventually went up 27-3 before Indiana got two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make the score look more competitive than it was.
Notre Dame has won 11 straight games since a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois. It's the program's longest in-season winning streak since starting 12-0 in 2018 before losing to Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Next up for Freeman and the Fighting Irish is a showdown with No. 2 Georgia at Sanford Stadium in the Playoff quarterfinal on Jan. 1. Notre Dame has never defeated Georgia in three all-time meetings, most recently losing 23-17 in 2019.
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame Wow CFB Fans in Win vs. Indiana to Advance in CFP Bracket
Dec 21, 2024
The 12-team College Football Playoff kicked off on Friday night, with Notre Dame coming out on top.
The No. 7 seed Fighting Irish took down Indiana, the No. 10 seed, by the final score of 27-17 at Notre Dame Stadium.
Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard wasn't flawless by any means, but he was able to consistently move the chains and help Notre Dame build its lead throughout the contest. Leonard finished 23-of-32 for 201 yards and a touchdown to go along with an interception. He also picked up 30 yards and a second score on the ground.
The Hoosiers entered the contest with the highest scoring average among all Big Ten teams in 2024, but they were unable to gain traction against Freeman's defense until the game was out of hand.
Indiana amassed a mere 278 yards of offense which included 63 rush yards, recording 2.3 yards per carry.
Fans and pundits were impressed with Notre Dame during the victory.
Simple story to explain this game. Notre Dame has far better players than Indiana.
Such a great night for CFB! Incredible to watch a true playoff game on campus in that environment.@NDFootball totally owned Hoosiers...Every aspect...The conservative coaching decisions from @IndianaFootball was not what I expected
Notre Dame looked dominant tonight… in part because the lights were too bright for Indiana. I like Georgia, even with the backup QB. Especially with the backup QB.
Now, Notre Dame will face off against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl for an opportunity to earn one of the final four spots in the CFP.
The Bulldogs will be shorthanded, as quarterback Carson Beck is in danger of missing the contest with an elbow injury.
The Fighting Irish are set to battle Georgia on Jan. 1.
Riley Leonard NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Notre Dame QB
Dec 18, 2024
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 14: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Quarterback Riley Leonard (13) advances the ball during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Purdue Boilermakers on September 14, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'4"
WEIGHT: 216
POSITIVES
— Good athleticism and mobility to expand the playbook with designed QB runs.
— Arm talent to drive the football between the hashes into the middle of the field.
— Deep passes are catchable and thrown with good timing, touch, and ball placement.
— Throws with good touch to layer passes over underneath defenders against zone coverages.
NEGATIVES
— Inconsistent lower body mechanics negatively impacts his accuracy.
— Decision-making when pressure gets home, tries to throw out of sacks.
— Inconsistent ball placement and accuracy in short and intermediate areas of the field.
— 2024: Comeback Player of the Year Award Semifinalist
— 2022 Military Bowl MVP; Honorable Mention All-ACC selection
OVERALL
Riley Leonard is a well-experienced and cool operator under center.
Leonard plays with a calmness that NFL coaches should appreciate. He does not appear to get too high or too low, no matter how the game progresses. He is in full command of the offense at the LOS to make audibles/play changes and set the protection based on the pre-snap defensive look.
He is a plus-level and dual-threat athlete. Leonard can climb and navigate the pocket to avoid the pass rush, managing the defense's pressure. If the pass rushers lack discipline and rush outside their lanes, he will escape, keeping his eyes down the field but ultimately taking off for as many yards as allowed. Leonard's athleticism should be weaponized in the red zone by extending the playbook for designed QB runs; like QB power, sweep, draw, and counter. He does well-creating second-reaction passing opportunities with his legs and athleticism.
Leonard is a good passer from the pocket when in rhythm with proper mechanics. His effectiveness in the short and intermediate areas of the field is impressive. Leonard throws with good anticipation of windows/lane availability. He targets the middle of the field with a nice touch to layer passes over the head of underneath coverage defenders at the second level. He has high-level accurate throws inside the hashes and against zone defenses. Leonard throws a pretty deep ball with outstanding touch and placement down the field. He can place passes over the correct shoulder to play keep away with the coverage defender. He flashes the ability to throw his receiver open against tight man coverage.
Consistency with lower body mechanics is one of the biggest concerns with Leonard's game. He rarely takes snaps under center and his shotgun footwork can be erratic. Furthermore, his dropback can be slower than desired with a heel-clicking tendency—leading to inconsistencies with accuracy. Decision-making when pressure breaks through the offensive line needs to improve. He tries to throw out of sacks instead of taking the loss and not placing the ball in harm's way. Consistency will go a long way for Leonard's NFL future.
In conclusion, Riley Leonard is a talented dual-threat functional quarterback prospect. His game is similar to that of Ryan Tannehill, who had multiple successful seasons. His running ability raises his floor to match his passing upside.
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.
Report: Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame Football Agree to Long-Term Contract Extension
Dec 16, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with his players after defeating the USC Trojans 49-35 at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Marcus Freeman is sticking around in South Bend after leading Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff this season.
Per ESPN's Heather Dinich, Freeman and Notre Dame agreed to a long-term contract extension which is "believed to be a four year extension." The deal keeps Freeman under contract with the Fighting Irish for six more years.
Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports reported that the extension will make Freeman "one of the highest-paid coaches in the country."
Freeman, 38, was Notre Dame's defensive coordinator in 2021 and took over the head coaching job after Brian Kelly left for LSU. Things started rough in Freeman's first season as the Fighting Irish were upset by Marshall in their second game of the 2022 season, but he managed to turn things around and Notre Dame finished 9-4.
The Fighting Irish showed improvement a season ago, finishing 10-3 with a 40-8 walloping of Oregon State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.
The 2024 season has been Freeman's best at the helm. Notre Dame faced an early upset against Northern Illinois, but quickly inserted itself back in the College Football Playoff conversation by winning 10 straight games to close out the season.
The 11-1 season was enough for Notre Dame to put its trust in Freeman and he'll now look to lead the Fighting Irish to their first national championship since 1988.
His first task following his extension will be taking on No. 10 Indiana in the first round of the CFP. The 11-1 Hoosiers come into the matchup looking to prove that they can hang with college football's best after managing a relatively weak schedule throughout the regular season.
The winner of the matchup will square off with SEC champion No. 2 Georgia. If Freeman can get past Indiana and take down the Bulldogs, Notre Dame will be more than happy with hits decision to give him an extension.
Riley Leonard, No. 5 Notre Dame Beat USC as CFB Fans Hype Irish's CFP Title Odds
Dec 1, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Riley Leonard #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting dives for the end zone as he is stopped by cornerback Jacobe Covington #14 of the USC Trojans during the first half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
In what has been a topsy-turvy season near the top of the college football rankings, one thing has become a constant—No. 5 Notre Dame just keeps on winning.
The Fighting Irish made it 10 in a row on Saturday, beating USC 49-35 in what proved to be a stiffer challenge than expected despite the final scoreline.
While the defense didn't continue its dominant ways, the offense kept on rolling, led by quarterback Riley Leonard (17-of-23 for 155 yards, two touchdowns and an interception) and the dynamic duo at running back of Jeremiyah Love (99 rushing yards, one touchdown; three catches for 38 yards) and Jadarian Price (111 rushing yards, one touchdown).
Notre Dame is now off to the College Football Playoff and will enter as one of the steadier teams in the country, likely locked into the No. 5 seed unless a major upset during the conference championships shakes up the rankings yet again.
All in all, Notre Dame's CFP prospects are looking promising, with fans excited about the team's future after Saturday's tough win:
If you're still judging Notre Dame in any way off the NIU loss from almost 3 months ago .. time to wake up. This team is really good. And may now get the No. 5 seed.
Yup put @NDFootball in the @CFBPlayoff !!! Massive win and we deserve to host a playoff game. Nobody wants to come to South Bend in the snow and face a Notre Dame team.
I think Notre Dame has a legitimate shot considering how weak the field looks
— Multiverse Capt. Pete Mitchell (@Tweets_n_Nike) December 1, 2024
Throughout the team's winning streak, the defense has been rock solid, holding teams to two touchdowns or less in eight of the past nine games. That didn't happen on Saturday, as the USC offense managed 557 yards and five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) from quarterback Jayden Maiava.
But the defense did come up big when it mattered most, as Christian Gray and Xavier Watts had a pair of pick-sixes late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, stifling USC's comeback bid:
Whether Notre Dame is among the favorites to win the title this season is up for debate. At the moment, teams like Oregon or Texas are probably safer bets, while the talent of teams like Ohio State and Georgia makes them dangerous.
But Notre Dame turned its season around after a brutal upset loss to Northern Illinois in early September. The reward will be hosting a playoff game in three weeks and the chance to pursue a national championship.
Riley Leonard, No. 6 Notre Dame Thrill CFB Fans in Win vs. Undefeated No. 19 Army
Nov 24, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Riley Leonard #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Army Black Knights at Yankee Stadium on November 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Army is undefeated no more.
The sensational 2024 season for the Black Knights hit a road bump on Saturday when No. 6 Notre Dame cruised to a 49-14 victory over them at Yankee Stadium.
It was set to be a test for the Fighting Irish and they passed it with flying colors. The offense produced 462 total yards while limiting the Black Knights to just 233.
Army isn't a pass-heavy team to begin with, but Notre Dame completely took the air out of the game by limiting quarterback Bryson Daily to just 26 yards on 4-of-8 passing.
Notre Dame was led by a spirited effort from running back Jeremiyah Love, who had seven carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while adding a receiving touchdown as well.
Overall a Good 1st half of football by Notre Dame. O-Line hasn't played well at the goal line could have been stopped twice from getting a TD inside the 3 Yard Line. Notre Dame had 5 Plays at the goal line where they weren't able to gain yards.
I know Army had no shot tonight but, Notre Dame is showing dominance in every game now. You can say they are no different from Indiana but ND crushed ranked teams. This is the best ND team Ive seen in 20 years. Go Irish 🍀 pic.twitter.com/awYzBGt1u4
A loss to Northern Illinois earlier in the season is the only thing hurting Notre Dame's candidacy, but the rest of the resume should make that only a bump in the road.
The Fighting Irish have outscored opponents 429-121 this season and have only allowed more than 20 points once on the season. It enters the final week of the regular season with a 10-1 record and a win over USC next week should make a strong argument for the team to be awarded a home playoff game.
NFL Rumors: Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman 'On the Radar' as Possible HC Candidate
Nov 20, 2024
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 09, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is "on the radar" of NFL teams looking for coaching staff changes, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Fowler named both Freeman and Oregon's Dan Lanning as coaches who have "generated intrigue in some NFL circles."
"Neither Lanning nor Freeman have any NFL experience, but if there's a year to think creatively, this might be it," Fowler wrote.
Freeman, formerly the Notre Dame defensive coordinator, was promoted to replace Brian Kelly as head coach in December 2021. He has since led the Fighting Irish to a 28-9 record and two bowl wins.
Fowler noted that Lanning's NFL candidacy is complicated by the buyout clause contained in his contract with Oregon.
The buyout in Lanning's contract is $20 million, but hiring him away from the Ducks could cost more than that due to a separate contract he reportedly holds with Nike, according to college football insider Bruce Feldman.
It sounds like NFL teams might have an easier time hiring Freeman, who reportedly has a buyout of less than $4 million, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
After coaching linebackers at Kent State and Purdue, Freeman graduated to a co-defensive coordinator job with Purdue in 2016 before taking a DC role in Cincinnati the following season.
Following four seasons with Cincinnati, Freeman arrived at Notre Dame, putting himself in position to succeed Kelly following the head coach's move to LSU.
The Fighting Irish are 9-1 in Freeman's third full season at the helm, and despite the team's lone loss of the season coming in historic fashion—Notre Dame became the first AP top-five team to lose to an MAC opponent following a 16-14 upset by Northern Illinois on Sept. 7—the team has since remained on track for a potential berth in the expanded College Football Playoff.
Since the Los Angeles Rams hired Sean McVay, then 30 years old, as head coach in 2017, new head coaching hires have overall trended younger. Between McVay's hiring and the beginning of the 2023 season, almost half of the coaches hired were under 45 and had no prior NFL head coaching experience, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Freeman, 38, could potentially benefit from that trend.
Notre Dame, Texas Schedule Home-and-Home CFB Series in 2028, 2029 Seasons
Nov 19, 2024
04 September 2016: Notre Dame RB Tarean Folston (25) is swarmed by the Longhorns defense during game at Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Two national college football powers in Notre Dame and Texas have agreed to play against each other in 2028 and 2029.
According to Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone, the home-and-home series will see Notre Dame host Texas on Sept. 9, 2028, and Texas host Notre Dame on Sept. 22, 2029:
NEWS: Notre Dame will face Texas in 2028 and 2029.
The Fighting Irish and Longhorns have not faced each other since 2016 when Texas prevailed 50-47 in double overtime.
Over the course of their illustrious histories, the programs have faced each other only 12 times in football with Notre Dame holding a 9-3 edge.
Prior to Texas' win in 2016, the Irish had beaten the Longhorns five times in a row, including a 38-3 drubbing at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, in 2015.
While Notre Dame and Texas are not scheduled to face each other before 2028, that could change if they meet in the College Football Playoff or in an unaffiliated bowl game before then.
Both the Fighting Irish and Longhorns are trending toward a spot in the CFP this season, as they are ranked No. 8 and No. 3, respectively, with matching 9-1 records.
Notre Dame's only loss was a shocking, 16-14 home defeat to MAC school Northern Illinois in its second game of the season. Since then, the Irish have reeled off eight consecutive wins, most of which have been blowouts.
As for Texas, a 30-15 loss to the Georgia is the only blemish on its record. The Longhorns have bounced back with three consecutive wins since then, including a narrow three-point victory over then-No. 25 Vanderbilt.
With a 5-1 SEC record, Texas controls its own destiny in terms of playing in the SEC Championship Game. Should the Longhorns reach that game and win it, they will receive a first-round bye in the CFP.
As an independent, Notre Dame is at a disadvantage since it cannot receive a first-round bye.
That means the Irish must play in the first round of the CFP regardless of their rankings, and should they make the CFP and win their first game, it could potentially lead to a quarterfinal matchup with an SEC champion Texas team.
However, for now, the Irish and Longhorns are not scheduled to play against each other for another four years.
Xavier Watts NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Notre Dame S
Nov 13, 2024
ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 19: Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) reacts after intercepting a pass during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on October 19th, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 203
POSITIVES
— High motor player who plays every snap at full speed and maximum intensity.
— Good backpedal and quick feet to keep cushion and leverage. Displays control with quick transitions on intermediate and short routes.
— Triggers quickly to the run, screaming downhill to the ball. See ball, get ball.
— Physical tackler who runs through the point of attack, fronts up ball carriers and stops momentum.
NEGATIVES
— Shows some tightness in his midsection, paired with subpar change of direction and lateral movement skills.
— Can get over-extended with speed on the edge. Lacks the desired speed to run the alley.
— Average awareness for threats in his zone, can ultimately lead to him covering space at times.
Xavier Watts is a high-motor safety who plays with intensity and physicality on every snap. His aggressive playstyle, combined with quick reactions and ability to stop ball carriers in their tracks, makes him an impactful defender. Watts has shown consistent effort and toughness, contributing both in coverage and against the run.
Watts exhibits a solid backpedal and quick footwork, allowing him to maintain cushion and leverage in coverage. He transitions well on short and intermediate routes but displays tightness in his midsection, limiting his change of direction and lateral quickness. While he has good control, his awareness in zone coverage is average, sometimes leaving him covering space rather than immediate threats.
Watts shines as a run defender. He triggers quickly, aggressively coming downhill to the ball, and tackles with physicality. His ability to stop ball carriers with minimal yards after contact is notable. However, his lack of elite speed may lead to overextension on the edge, limiting his effectiveness when running the alley.
Xavier Watts projects as a late first-round pick with the potential to be a year-one starter. His toughness and aggressiveness make him an ideal fit for teams looking for a physical safety who can play close to the line of scrimmage. If he can improve his change of direction and awareness in coverage, Watts has the potential to develop into a versatile and reliable safety.
GRADE: 7.9 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 27
POSITION RANK: S2
PRO COMPARISON: Landon Collins
Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.
Marcus Freeman Says Notre Dame Has Used NIU Upset as Fuel: 'Can't Lose the Pain'
Oct 26, 2024
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 19: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman during warm ups before the college football game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on October 19, 2024 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman revealed that the Fighting Irish have used an upset loss to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7 as motivation during their current six-game win streak.
"We can't lose the pain," Freeman said on Saturday, per ESPN's Heather Dinich. "That's what I want to make sure our guys understand. I don't want to lose the pain from that game because at times we are motivated by fear. We don't want this to repeat itself. We've got to use that."
He stressed the importance of using the loss as fuel and ensuring that his team doesn't get complacent amid the current stretch of victories.
"When you have success sometimes, you forget about that pain of what NIU left in all of our hearts and our guts," Freeman said. "There's moments I want to reflect on that and I don't want them to lose it."
The Fighting Irish improved to 7-1 following a lopsided 51-14 win over No. 24 Navy on Saturday. Freeman's squad wrapped up an exceptional performance on both sides of the ball, racking up 466 total yards.
Navy was also held to a season-low 14 points, which is even more impressive considering the Midshipmen surpassed the 30-point threshold in each of their first six games of the year.
Notre Dame's College Football Playoff hopes appeared to be shrinking following the 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, falling from No. 5 to No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. It was an unprecedented outcome for the Huskies, as it represented their first victory against a top-10 opponent in school history.
However, the Fighting Irish have put themselves back in CFP contention following their win streak. As they attempt to earn a seventh consecutive victory against Florida State on Nov. 9, Freeman wants his team to keep the loss to Northern Illinois in mind.
