Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman didn’t hide his excitement to coach his first home game on Monday, but more importantly, Saturday will serve as a chance for the first-year head coach to get his first win in the blue and gold.
The Fighting Irish desperately need to get a win as the program looks to rebound from a disappointing loss in Columbus last week where Notre Dame did earn a bit of national respect for playing the Buckeyes tough.
Freeman also expects his offense to open things up a bit as there won’t be an effort to control the clock in this game. Look for Tommy Rees to give Tyler Buchner opportunities to make splash plays and for the sophomore quarterback to make big plays as he won’t have the speed of Ohio State’s defense to deal with on Saturday.
Five Players To Watch
Notre Dame WR Lorenzo Styles
He opened the game with a splash last week, but only saw one target after that. They need to get him more touches and open up the passing game against Marshall.
Marshall RB Khalan Laborn
The former 5-star recruit who originally signed with Florida State hadn't played a game since 2019 before Marshall's opening game this season. He showed plenty of flashes of the talent he possesses on his way to a 100-yard game. A shifty runner, Notre Dame is going to have to swarm him and not let him get loose in the open field.
Notre Dame RG Josh Lugg
After a rough opening night for the offensive line, all eyes will be on Lugg as the veteran of the group this week. The line as a whole needs to play to a higher standard and Lugg has to be one of the players who leads the way.
Marshall CB Donnie Abraham
The son of former NFL DB Donnie Abraham, he was 8th in the country in passes defended last season and had a pick in their opener. Marshall has good players in the secondary and he's a legitimate NFL prospect.
Notre Dame DE Isaiah Foskey
It was a game to forget for Foskey against Ohio State, but he has to wipe the slate clean and has a chance to bounce back in a big way against Marshall. His matchup with LT Ethan Driskell should be one that favors the Irish heavily.
Quotes of the Week
Notre Dame DL Rylie Mills:
"We're right there. We can do it. We can be those guys. If we keep preparing and being intense in practice working on finishing - by the end of the season, we'll play those guys again. I know we'll be way more prepared and ready to go."
Notre Dame TE Kevin Bauman:
I think everyone agrees when we say we're not here for moral victories. We came to Notre Dame to win games. We didn't end up winning the game, but then again, things are never as bad as they seem or as good. There was a lot of good in the tape and a lot of stuff to fix.
"Last week, our preparation was the floor. Coach Freeman has been hitting on that. There is a ton of room to grow and we're excited to keep going one week at a time."
Notre Dame CB TaRiq Bracy:
"The message sent was we're here to play ball. It doesn't matter the team we play. We want to compete at the highest level. We're ready. We just want to play and compete."
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
"The playbook is open. The parameters from the head coach aren't as tight as they were last week in terms of wanting to continue to control the clock, keep the ball in play and keep the clock running. I want to be able to take advantage of the different looks the defense is going to give us this week and have a plan and not be afraid to take shots and not be afraid to take advantage of those different opportunities they are going to give us."
Marshall head coach Charles Huff:
“When you get in the transfer portal and the world we’re in now where talent goes all over the country, for the fans and for the history part of it, yeah that gold helmet is important, but for these guys, it’s kind of like, ‘Alright, yeah, we’re playing Notre Dame.’ To me, as a coach, it helps. In the past you had to fight the David and Goliath and trying to get the little guys to play against the big guys. Henry (Colombi) is from Texas Tech. I’m sure Texas Tech feels like they could beat Notre Dame. I’m sure Florida State guys feel like they could beat Notre Dame. Isaiah Gibson is from Kentucky. I’m sure he’s been against Alabama before. So, when you start talking about where we are in college football now, I think it’s changing. Now, let me say this, they’ve still got Notre Dame football players. All of them. Not some. There is a difference.”
Buchner has little confidence in a line that is having difficulty with Marshall across the entire front. When you dont have confidence in your line you have little confidence in running the play called. When you have little confidence in the play and your ability to execute your feet are moving, your head is swirling and you lose concentration which means "busted plays". RB's have no where to go when they get the ball.
If you watched the AL-TEX game those were two teams that battled each other, played tough D, tough O and the players you watched were part of two well coached teams who knew how to execute. The difference between that game, the teams who played and this one, like night and day and you know which one is "day".
No offense, but as great as the game was, it was NOT well coached and the offenses were stuck in quick sand for most of it.
Alabama had what? 13 penalties in the FIRST HALF! Bryce Young was absolutely awful for 3 1/2 quarters.
Yeah, great game, but it was far from well coached.
