NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Sep. 18—SOUTH BEND — Marcus Freeman certainly loves his taglines.
Discussing the “12-guranteed opportunities” his players have each season is a common calling card. His players have historically cited it too.
Saturday, when the RedHawks of Miami-OH enter into Notre Dame Stadium, it feels as if this “opportunity” is much more magnified than any other time his team has faced off against a Group of Five team.
For the Irish, it’s either show up, or show yourself out.
“Just the preparation, the mindset,” Freeman said when asked what Notre Dame can take away from its 66-7 victory over Purdue Saturday. “It can’t take a loss to have the mentality that we have to have mentally and physically to prepare the right way for an opponent.”
Following the 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois (who remain 2-0 and ranked No. 23 after being idle last week) two weeks ago, Freeman, his staff and Notre Dame players were forced to rough up Purdue in the historic rout of the Boilermakers.
It was probably enjoyable for fans to watch the Irish dismantle a team picked last in the 18-team Big 10. Notre Dame’s offense, the main subject underneath the microscope’s lens, totaled 578 yards with 362 of that on the ground.
Quarterback Riley Leonard rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 112 more yards through the air. Jeremiyah Love, arguably the teams greatest spark on offense, ran for 109 yards in just 10 carries while backfield partner Jadarian Price ran for 86 yards, most from a 70-yard breakaway house call to signal the end of the first half.
While fun, it was also frustrating to see the team fire away without any struggle when a week ago, asking the Irish to not end a drive in three plays was too much to ask.
Those three-and-outs also showed up last weekend. After scoring on its opening drive, the Irish sputtered in a two-yard,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nd-football-two-irish-return-021600122.html
Author : Goshen News, Ind.
Publish date : 2024-09-19 02:16:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
