Freeman: Irish lost due to the fact that they thought buzz

• Heather Dinich, ESPN Senior WriterSep 9, 2024, 01:43 PM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of Indiana University

After evaluating his group’s shocking 16-14 home loss to Northern Illinois on Saturday, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said on Monday that in addition to the errors the Irish made on the field, it was also clear his group needs to find out how to deal with success.One week after making a statement season-opening win at Texas A&M and looking like legitimate contenders for the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Irish suffered among the program’s most significant upsets in years, losing a game they were preferred to win by 28.5 points.

“This is the very first time in my three years as a head coach that we have won the big game early in the season,” Freeman stated. “Two losses to Ohio State and after that suddenly, we win and everybody says, ‘Hey, you’re going to the playoff. You have actually got a simple schedule.’ All of us hear it, and I believe we began to believe that.Editor’s Picks 2 Related”There is

a physical technique to getting ready for a game, and I think physically we prepared properly,” he stated, “however there’s likewise a psychological technique and a frame of mind that you need to have each and every single week, and I believe that’s where we failed.”

Freeman likewise indicated in-game aspects like losing the turnover margin 2-0, enabling six explosive plays for 186 lawns while getting five for 94 lawns. NIU also won the time of possession, outgained Notre Dame on the ground and was much better on third downs.Not considering that 1995 against Northwestern had Notre Dame lost a game it was preferred by 28 points to win. The Combating Irish gotten in Saturday with a 71% chance to make the CFP, according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor, and that sank to 24 %with the loss.Freeman, whose group will take a trip to Purdue on Saturday, stated his team isn’t concentrated on attempting to run the table.”That doesn’t matter, “he said.

“Today matters. Who appreciates the rest of that stuff, man? We’ve got to take care of this week, and that’s got to be our frame of mind.”Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard completed 20 of 32 passes versus NIU for 163 backyards, 2 interceptions and no goals. Freeman said that he never ever considered changing quarterbacks in the game and that the staff has”a lot of belief in Riley and him running our offense. “”There are times that he has to toss the ball much better, “Freeman stated.”

He knows that, and his principles need to be much better. His decision-making has to be much better, but we also need to be better around him. That’s coaches, and what we’re asking him to do and what we’re asking him to read. We’ve got to catch the ball when he throws it. We’ve got to be much better on contested catches. There’re fingers at everybody. We’re pointing our finger at everybody.”Notre Dame entered this season with a young offending line that had actually a combined 6

profession begins, and Freeman said he saw development from the group over the past week. He said that there was excellent defense however that there needs to be trust to step up “and make those throws.” Freeman said starting pass receiver Jordan Faison, who hurt his ankle at Texas A&M, is anticipated to return to practice Tuesday and will be available against Purdue.Notre Dame has yet to string together more than five successive wins under Freeman, who is entering his third season. He stated he didn’t have a response regarding why Notre Dame has actually had a hard time to find consistency. “That’s the supreme obstacle, “he said.”And every year presents a different difficulty. … That’s why it took me a little bit of time to look back and state

,’OK, what do we have? What do we need to learn from this game? Yeah, schematic things we’ve got to repair, however here’s what’s different about this one, is that we’ve got to manage success the proper way.” “I understand we’ll get it right,”he said.”… We have individuals because structure to ensure we get this thing where it requires to go.”