Hard Hats in Hard Rock: No. 6 Notre Dame Preparing for Physical Battle with No. 10 Miami
When Marcus Freeman took over as head coach in December of 2021, he sent a clear message: Notre Dame would be built on the offensive and defensive lines.
It wasn’t a groundbreaking philosophy. Every coach in America preaches winning in the trenches, but the difference for the Irish was that they backed it up.
The Irish made a trip to the National Title game and it was powered by physical play up front.
Now, No. 6 Notre Dame will travel to No. 10 Miami for a Sunday night showdown, and Freeman’s team plans to lean on that same physicality inside Hard Rock Stadium.
“It’s important,” said Hinish of playing violently. “We gotta send a message. We have to let people know we’re back. We’re not the same team as last year. We’re a new team. Watch out for us, too. We’re not backing out from nobody.
“I’m not going to try to hype it up like it’s an MMA fight, but it’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re definitely going to have to send a message with this game.”
Hinish, a native of Pittsburgh, was voted captain and knows it’s on him to set a tone. He also has a little scouting report on what to expect in Miami, as his older brother, Kurt, played there in 2017.
“It's not gonna be just 60 minutes of patty cake,” explained Hinish. “It's gonna be strap on your boots, put on your hard hat and go into work. We're not gonna be able to just walk in there and go through the motions. We have to go in and go to work. Straight up.
“We're not gonna be able to mess up because the second we mess up, they're going to be right there. They're a good team. They got good coaches.”
Much of the offseason buzz has centered on quarterback Carson Beck transferring to Miami, but what makes the Hurricanes dangerous is their ground game.
In 2024, Miami finished No. 31 nationally in rushing yards per game (188.9) and No. 6 in yards per carry (5.67).
Notre Dame captain Drayk Bowen knows stopping the run has to be the priority.
“For us, the way we’ve talked so far, it’s a downhill run game,” stated Bowen. “It starts with their offensive line. We have to set the tone. A big thing for us this week is stopping the run. They want to run the ball downhill. That’s something they did last year. we’re going to have to play downhill and meet them at the line of scrimmage.”
The Hurricanes will boast one of the nation’s top offensive and defensive lines, which has caught Freeman's attention.
“As I watch them, they're probably developed a little bit like I view our teams in terms of being O-line, D-line driven,” Freeman said. “Their offensive line is returning four starters, and they've got the center, who transferred in from TCU, who has experience.
“Their D-line, No. 3 and No. 4, are as good as you'll see coming off the edge. They'll move them inside. The depth of their D-line is impressive.”
Notre Dame right tackle and captain Aamil Wagner faced some of the nation’s top edge rushers a year ago and he’s embracing starting the year against one of the nation’s top pass rushers in Reuben Bain Jr., who
“I’m extremely excited,” stated Wagner. “I’m extremely excited to play anyone. I think we’re always going to focus on the game ahead of us. It turns out Miami has two extremely talented pass rushers. I’m excited to compete against them. I know Reuben (Bain Jr.) is a hell of a player. They’re great athletes and I’m excited to get after them.”
On the inside, Miami will feature former Notre Dame recruiting target Justin Scott and a host of other big-bodied defensive linemen.
Running the ball won’t be easy, but to win, Notre Dame has to do it.
“It starts up front,” Notre Dame left guard Billy Schrauth stated. “We’re excited. It’s going to be a great matchup. A lot of history between these two teams. I’m fired up to get out there.”
Sunday night will be a bar fight and Notre Dame is more than fine with it.
“I'll mix it up,” said Hinish. “Whoever, wherever. I'm not gonna say, 'Oh yeah, bar fight.' I'm not gonna try to act like a tough guy. I think that there are a lot of guys on this team that I know for sure will enjoy that kind of game.”
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