After watching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team struggle against Miami (OH), and head coach Marcus Freeman speaking on the win, there are still plenty of thoughts about what happened on Saturday afternoon.
Some of what we saw made us question the direction of this team, considering how they should have not been in a competitive game into the fourth quarter. The good news is that while Notre Dame didn’t play its A-game, they still came out victorious.
As I do every week, here are my final lasting thoughts on Notre Dame’s sluggish win over Miami (OH).
Marcus Freeman has blind faith in Riley Leonard
Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs for a touchdown as Miami Redhawks linebacker Matt Salopek (15) defends in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
At this point of the season, we have all have our own opinions on how the Irish quarterback situation should be shaking out. Some are still in Leonard’s camp, many others want to see Steve Angeli get a shot, but that isn’t how this works. Marcus Freeman still has faith in his transfer, even though it seems now like he’s not a fit for the offense. A change would make the most sense, or at least to see if Angeli can run the first-team offense, but here we are.
The MAC struggles make no sense
Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) loses the ball as he crossed the goal line for a touchdown while Miami Redhawks safety Silas Walters (29) defends in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
I find it so hard to comprehend why Notre Dame has had issues with the MAC conference over the last few years. The majority of teams in this conference aren’t even close to the talent level that the Irish have, but they continue to struggle against those teams. This once again has to be with the team’s approach, although it was better today, the score should have been much more lopsided than it was. If Notre Dame plays with the intensity we saw today against Louisville, it’s going to be a long afternoon.
Notre Dame’s schedule strength took a huge hit this weekend
Sep 21, 2024; DeKalb, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Bulls wide receiver Victor Snow (0) reacts after a touchdown catch against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second half at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Looking around the country, it was the best results for former and future Irish opponents in 2024. Northern Illinois lost at home to Buffalo, Purdue lost to Oregon State while USC fell on the road to Michigan. Louisville beat Georgia Tech, so this was a wash, while Texas A&M also struggled against a MAC team in Bowling Green. In a season where there was so much more opportunity to make the College Football Playoff, it’s looking like the door is closing on the Irish quickly.
Super Soph’s strike again
Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (29) intercepts a pass intended for Miami Redhawks wide receiver Kam Perry (10) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
The Irish were once again carried by multiple sophomores, on offense it was running back Jeremiyah Love, who had 60-yards on the ground with a score and add in a catch for 9-yards. Defensively linebacker Drayk Bowen came up clutch late and ended up with 4 tackles and a sack. Defensive end Boubacar Traore got his first start and showed he belonged with 5 tackles and two sacks. Cornerback Christin Gray grabbed one of the Irish’s two interceptions on the day. While some in this class struggled, offensive lineman Sam Pendleton and wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, it was still a big time performance from the soph’s.
The defense is elite, but the offense isn’t even close
Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defenisve lineman Boubacar Traore (5) pressures Miami Redhawks quarterback Brett Gabbert (5) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
It’s a tale of two significantly different production from these groups. The Irish defense has shown it is elite, the group will keep them in games all year. Offensively, it looks like it’s going to be a struggle, as this unit is so one-dimensional. There is no threat passing, so many teams will continue to stack the box and dare Notre Dame to throw the ball. There is so much to be desired out of this unit, they just look dysfunctional. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock was billed as the savior, but that has not been the case. He’ll need to fix this area quickly or else the season could spiral.
What happened to special teams?
Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Bryce Young (30) blocks a field goal attempt by the Miami Redhawks in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
It’s hard to say exactly what the issues were, but Freeman did say in his post-game presser that they had switched snappers when Mitch Jeter had one of his field goal attempts blocked. The fumble by Jordan Faison was attributed to a teammate bumping into him, which just can’t happen. Love’s reverse on the kickoff with was called back for a holding was questionable, so that one gets a pass from me. The blocked field goal was a saving grace, but overall this group needs work like the offense.
Where is this so-called plan to improve?
Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman prepares to lead his players onto the field for the game against the Miami Redhawks at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
Freeman said “you can’t take any win for granted” which is true, but expanded saying that they will “come up with a plan to attack the issues that we’ve had. We come up with a plan to enhance the things we did well, and then we move forward throughout the week.” What bothers me about this statement is that these issues Freeman is speaking of have been the same, it’s the lack of a balanced offense.
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Publish date : 2024-09-22 03:51:00
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