Press Conference Recap: Marcus Freeman Turns the Page to Navy as Notre Dame Looks to Rebound From BYU Heartbreak
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman used Monday’s press conference to reflect on the heartbreaking loss to BYU, discuss areas that need improvement, and explain how the Fighting Irish plan to move forward as they prepare for Navy.
With the bye week providing valuable time to evaluate the performance, Freeman emphasized accountability, execution, and the importance of learning from the mistakes that contributed to the defeat.
While the final seconds of the BYU game remain a major talking point, Freeman made it clear that Notre Dame cannot allow one controversial moment to overshadow the many opportunities the Irish had to win.
The message was clear: Notre Dame must take ownership, correct its mistakes, and turn the loss into an opportunity for growth.
The Bye Week Was About Accountability and Improvement
The bye week gave Notre Dame an opportunity to step back, examine the BYU game, and identify what needs to change moving forward. Freeman stressed that the coaching staff and players must take responsibility for the shortcomings rather than simply move on without addressing them.
“The bye week gave us an opportunity to evaluate the BYU game, among other things. It was important we all took ownership of the shortcomings, and we could figure out why it happened, and it gave us an opportunity to fix those things.”
That evaluation will be especially important as Notre Dame enters the next stretch of its schedule. The Irish have shown they can compete at a high level, but the challenge now is eliminating the mistakes that have prevented them from consistently finishing games.
Freeman’s emphasis on ownership is an important starting point. Improvement begins with an honest assessment of what went wrong, followed by the work necessary to ensure those problems do not continue.
Freeman Refuses to Blame the Final Second
One of the biggest talking points following Notre Dame’s loss to BYU was the final second on the clock and whether another opportunity should have been available. Freeman refused to allow that moment to become an excuse for the defeat.
“I use the 1 second left as an example. We can’t use that as an excuse for that loss. There are so many other plays we had in that game. We don’t deserve that extra play. We had many other opportunities to win that game.”
Freeman was also asked about the decision not to challenge the final second. According to Freeman, the replay official indicated that the game was over, leaving Notre Dame without another option in that situation.
“The head of replay official said it was over, so there’s nothing you can do in that situation.”
While the ending will undoubtedly remain frustrating for Notre Dame fans, Freeman’s response shifts the focus back to the larger picture. The Irish had opportunities throughout the game to make the plays necessary to secure a victory.
That is where the attention must remain. Great teams find ways to finish games, and Notre Dame will need to demonstrate that ability moving forward.
Red-Zone Execution Must Improve on Both Sides
Another major area of concern coming out of the BYU game is Notre Dame’s red-zone performance. Freeman acknowledged that the Irish must become more efficient offensively while also doing a better job defensively when opponents threaten to score.
“We have got to be better on both sides of the ball in the Redzone. We have to be better on 3rd down in the Redzone. QB runs have been an issue for us defensively. We have to execute those plays better and be more efficient.”
The red zone is where small mistakes can have an outsized impact. Offensively, Notre Dame needs to capitalize on scoring opportunities instead of allowing promising drives to fall short of their potential. Defensively, the Irish must find ways to tighten up when opponents are close to the end zone.
Quarterback runs were specifically identified as an issue, making defensive discipline and assignment execution critical points of emphasis. Against a Navy offense that relies heavily on quarterback runs and option concepts, those concerns become particularly relevant.
Notre Dame cannot afford to lose track of its responsibilities or allow small breakdowns to turn into costly plays. The upcoming matchup provides an immediate opportunity to show progress.
Notre Dame’s Defense Must Get Off the Field
Freeman also discussed the defense’s performance against BYU, describing the first half as a chess match before noting that Notre Dame played better defensively after halftime.
However, he pointed to a critical third-down situation that highlighted the need for improvement.
“As I look at BYU the 1st half it was a chess match. I thought in the second half we played a much better game defensively. But we really got to be better in that 3 and 6. We got to get off the field.”
Getting off the field on third down is essential to controlling the flow of a game. Extending defensive possessions forces the offense to spend more time on the field, limits scoring opportunities, and can shift momentum.
Notre Dame will need to be more consistent in those situations, particularly against Navy. The Midshipmen’s ability to sustain drives and control possession makes every defensive stop important.
The Irish must combine sound tackling, disciplined assignments, and improved third-down execution to prevent opponents from extending drives and wearing down the defense.
Freeman Addresses the Wide Receiver Rotation
Freeman was also asked why Notre Dame has not used a larger rotation of wide receivers during games. He explained that while the staff enters each matchup with a plan for getting different players involved, the circumstances of the game can dictate who ultimately receives opportunities.
“You always come into a game of when you want to get certain guys in the game, but sometimes the game dictates who you end up playing at that moment.”
The challenge is finding the right balance between maintaining offensive rhythm and getting more playmakers involved. Notre Dame has several players who can contribute, and expanding their opportunities could give the offense additional flexibility.
That discussion also ties into the possibility of getting Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Jr on the field together.
Can Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Share the Field?
When asked whether there is a way to use Walton and James together, Freeman confirmed that it is possible, even though Notre Dame has not yet implemented that combination.
“Yes, there is a way. We haven’t done that yet, but we can. We want to get Jonaz on the field more, but it goes back to what I said about the WR rotation situation. So that limits the opportunities he gets, but we have to do a better job of that and getting him the ball more.”
Freeman’s comments suggest that getting Walton more involved is something the coaching staff recognizes as an area for improvement. The question now becomes how Notre Dame can create additional opportunities without disrupting the overall offensive structure.
Finding ways to feature multiple playmakers could give opposing defenses more to account for and create additional options for the Irish offense.
With important games ahead, expanding the ways Notre Dame utilizes its personnel could become a valuable part of the team’s offensive development.
CJ Carr’s Performance Against BYU: Room to Improve, but Plenty to Build On
Freeman also addressed quarterback CJ Carr’s performance against BYU, acknowledging that there were opportunities the young quarterback would like to have back.
“There are some one-on-one balls I noted he wishes he could do again. He missed on some 50/50 balls that he normally makes, but I don’t want to take away from some things he did in that two minute drill I don’t think I’ve ever seen from a QB. Period!”
Freeman’s assessment was balanced. Carr had missed opportunities, including some contested throws he has demonstrated the ability to complete, but his performance during the two-minute drill stood out to his head coach.
That distinction matters. Developing quarterbacks must learn from mistakes without losing confidence in the abilities that make them effective.
Carr will need to improve his consistency, especially when opportunities arise to make contested throws. At the same time, his ability to operate during a high-pressure two-minute situation provides Notre Dame with something positive to build upon.
The goal is to turn those flashes of execution into a more complete performance over four quarters.
Freeman: Notre Dame Will Not Lose Confidence
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the press conference was Freeman’s response when asked whether the team remains confident following the loss to BYU.
His answer was emphatic.
“Oh yeah. I’ll never allow our program to lose confidence. If we use this loss correctly, we’ll only get that much better moving forward.”
Freeman’s message reflects the challenge facing Notre Dame at this point in the season. The loss was disappointing, but it does not have to define the team’s direction.
Confidence must be supported by action. Notre Dame has to take the lessons from BYU and translate them into better execution, improved situational football, and a more consistent performance against the opponents ahead.
Freeman’s job is to ensure the team does not dwell on the defeat while still learning everything possible from it. That means maintaining belief in the players while demanding the accountability necessary to improve.
The Bottom Line: Notre Dame Must Turn Lessons Into Results
Freeman’s comments addressed several of the biggest questions surrounding Notre Dame following the BYU loss. From red-zone execution and third-down defense to the wide receiver rotation and Carr’s development, the Irish have specific areas to address as they prepare for Navy.
The refusal to use the final second as an excuse was particularly telling. Freeman understands the frustration surrounding the ending, but he also recognizes that Notre Dame had other opportunities to win the game. That mindset places responsibility where it belongs: on the team and its ability to execute when it matters most.
The upcoming matchup with Navy will test the Irish in a different way, especially defensively. Notre Dame must demonstrate improved discipline, limit quarterback runs, and find ways to get off the field on third down.
The bye week has provided the opportunity to evaluate and correct mistakes. Now comes the harder part: proving that the work has made a difference.
Notre Dame still has plenty to play for, but the response must begin on the field. Freeman has made it clear that confidence will not be lost inside the program. The next step is showing that confidence through better football.
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