Marcus Freeman Updates Kicking Plan & Scouting Report on NC State Stars
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman provided a key update on Thursday as the Irish wrap up preparations for this weekend’s game against NC State.
Graduate transfer kicker Noah Burnette is trending towards making his return to the field after missing last week with a hip injury.
“Right now, Noah (Burnette) will be ready to go,” stated Freeman. “He'll kick today and we plan on Noah being our kicker. If he's not, then probably go with Erik (Schmidt) right now.”
Freeman and special teams coach Marty Biagi had a lengthy conversation on Sunday about ending the competition for the backup kicker role between Schmidt and Marcello Diomede.
Schmidt still could have a role with the field goal unit despite Burnette’s return.
“We already plan on Erik probably being a longer distance (kicker), depending on where Noah's line will be,” Freeman said. “But Noah will be our kicker.”
The kicking situation is a little concerning, as Notre Dame will be in a close game at some point, and they can’t afford to have another Texas A&M moment.
NC State’s offensive attack also has the full attention of the Notre Dame defense this week. Quarterback CJ Bailey is No. 5 the country with 1,660 passing yards, while running back Hollywood Smothers checks in at No. 3 in the nation with 693 rushing yards on the year.
“The length of the quarterback and his ability to throw it and spread it out,” Freeman highlighted. “I know the tight end has the most receptions, but he does a good job of spreading the ball, making good decisions. Smothers is a real problem. He's a challenge. He is really good. He's got great contact balance. He makes you miss, really good spin move.”
Chris Ash’s defense has started to turn the tide, but Saturday will be a good test to see how far they’ve come.
Freeman wants to see the Irish play as a cohesive unit, locked into the details to avoid giving up explosive plays that plagued the defense early in the season.
“We have to continue to pursue to the ball,” explained Freeman. “There's going to be missed tackles and in any game there are missed tackles, but we have to make sure that we're gang tackling Smothers, that we're relentlessly pursuing the football. We're physical when we get there and we're taking good and proper angles.”
Freshman receiver Scrap Richardson once again played a key role on special teams this week as he played the role of Bailey, while freshman quarterback Blake Hebert also helped.
“With Bailey, you've got to try to make him uncomfortable with pre-snap reads,” said Freeman. “You have to try to get pressure on him and you can't let him escape vertically. You can't let him escape through the B-gap and run vertically to extend plays as a passer.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Under Armour Navy Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sideline Meridian Cold Weather Sweatshirt
