Marcus Freeman Proved He Leads “Anti-Fragile Program” in Rout of No. 10 USC

What a difference a week makes.

Last Sunday, Notre Dame was coming off a pitiful 33-20 loss to Louisville, where quarterback Sam Hartman turned the ball over five times, and the Fighting Irish rushed for a measly 1.6 yards per game.

”Weeks that you lose are really long, especially around here,” coach Marcus Freeman said. “The expectation is that you win every game you play.”

During that time, questions swirled the program.

Why did they come out so flat? Was it time to move on from Gerad Parker? Does Marcus Freeman lack the experience to lead such a high-profile program? 

Were they too tired? Did Jack Swarbrick drop the ball by forcing Notre Dame to play eight games without a bye?

Freeman entered last week with a rallying cry for a program the outside world believed was on the ropes. 

“I said I want to be an anti-fragile program,” he said. “We have to be an anti-fragile program. What does that mean? We just didn't get through adversity. We are better because of the adversity we faced. That's easy to say. 

“The challenge is to do the things that it takes to make sure we're better.”

Notre Dame’s coaches and players proved they were in fact, better on Saturday night by demoralizing No. 10 USC in a 28-point romp.

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Caleb Williams likely played his worst game since his freshman season at Oklahoma, throwing three interceptions.

Of course, overcoming adversity this past week also meant pushing through the aches and pains that come from playing eight straight games to open the season, including the last four against top-25 opponents at night. 

“It's been a bumpy season,” quarterback Sam Hartman said. “You start hot, and you lose a close one to Ohio State, and so it's one of those things where being in those situations before prepares you for the ridicule, the feeling, the pit in your stomach.”

The Irish went 2-2 through its trying four-game stretch. 

They likely needed to win at three of them to remain in the hunt for the College Football Playoffs, but his team also could’ve folded, using the daunting mid-season schedule as an excuse. 

“It's a credit to our head coach. Without his leadership and guidance through a new landscape where losses aren't acceptable, and not to say that other losses are,” Hartman said. “But it was something that just from day one, from Monday night when we were in there, and guys are beat up, and we're all kind of like, ‘shoot, man, we got to go.’

“It was something we said all week, too, is what better opportunity than to have USC come play at home.”

Of course, it’s not as if the entire university shunned the football program for losing to Louisville. Internally, there’s still plenty of faith that Freeman can return the program to its former glory. 

That faith has led to several disappointing lows, such as losses to Marshall, Stanford and Louisville, as well as eye-opening highs. 

In 10 home games, Freeman now has as many top 10 wins inside Notre Dame Stadium as previous coach Brian Kelly had in 12 years in South Bend, per Tim Bourret.

“You realize the support through adversity sometimes, and the amount of people around this university and our players, they understand how special it is to be a part of this football program,” Freeman said. “We had a lot of support, and I'm proud that our players were able to go out there and be able to enjoy the feeling that you get after a victory like this together.”

Notre Dame is still likely eliminated from the CFP discussion, but there’s a good chance the program could receive a top-tier bowl invite by winning out. 

It’s been 30 years since the Irish won a major bowl game. Could this be the year that streak ends?

Under Freeman, Notre Dame is proving it can compete with anyone. 

“It was just the next step forward and just saw where we can get better from last game,” linebacker JD Bertrand said. “I think it showed how we could get better.”

Notre Dame gets a much-needed off week before wrapping up the season with games against Pitt (2-4), Clemson (4-2), Wake Forest (3-3) and Stanford (2-4).

Can they build off the victory over USC and finish the year 10-2?

The players are betting on it.

“The crazy thing is we can still get better from this game,” Bertrand said, “and we can take it a step up.”