Title: Marcus Freeman Anticipated Notre Dame's Devine Run with a Heavy Dose of Self-Help
Sitting across from Notre Dame's football coach, Marcus Freeman, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, I reminded him of our previous chat in early November. That conversation was about destiny and the incredible path his Fighting Irish were about to embark on.
After our discussion, Freeman's team continued to defy expectations, rolling through the rest of the regular season and into the first, quarterfinals, and then the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Their stellar performance earned them a spot in the championship game against Ohio State, netting the Irish a nice $20 million prize.
The last few months have been nothing short of miraculous for the Fighting Irish. After an unexpected loss at home to Northern Illinois during the second week of the season, many predicted a disappointing finish for Notre Dame. VegasInsider.com labeled them as the seventh-choice to reach the CFP, with odds of +2000. But the Irish refused to succumb to their perceived fate.
Instead, they dominated opponents, particularly on defense. Finishing second only to Ohio State in points allowed per game (14.3 to 12.2), they were also among the top 10 in yards allowed while leading the nation in turnovers produced (32). On offense, quarterback Riley Leonard proved his mettle, relying on both his arm and legs to lead the team's top 10 rushing attack.
The duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price led the way on the ground, with Love's right knee injury proving to be less of an issue as the season progressed. Irish running backs coach Deland McCullough shared that Love was healthier now than before the win over Penn State, where he showed his grit and determination by pushing through four defenders for a historic 2-yard touchdown run.
Marcus Freeman's coaching staff, including coordinators Al Golden, Mike Denbrock, and McCullough, have demonstrated their adaptability, particularly in the second half of games. They can make lightning-fast adjustments to turn the tide of the game, as proven by their impressive comeback against Penn State.
When we spoke in early November, I was curious about the impact of Notre Dame's storied history on Freeman and the team. The legacy of Knute Rockne, George Gipp, the Four Horsemen, and coaches like Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, and Lou Holtz undeniably looms over the Notre Dame campus.
Freeman acknowledged the significance of the past but emphasized the importance of hard work and focus on the present. Though he believed in a higher power guiding their journey, he never lost sight of the fact that the team had to put in the effort to succeed.
As the Irish prepare to face Ohio State in the championship game, their foundational values, unwavering commitment, and indomitable spirit will undoubtedly serve them well. Despite the odds stacked against them, they've proven time and time again that miracles can and do happen in Notre Dame's world.
Marcus Freeman reflected on our earlier discussion about destiny and Notre Dame's journey, now in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love continued to excel on the ground, with Love overcoming his knee injury and delivering a historic touchdown run. Notre Dame's coaching staff, led by Al Golden, Mike Denbrock, and Deland McCullough, showed their adaptability, making crucial second-half adjustments. Freeman acknowledged the legacy of coaches like Lou Holtz while emphasizing the team's focus on hard work and the present, hoping to carry their foundational values and spirit into the championship game against Ohio State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
