Notre Dame got a much needed win against Purdue this past Saturday. What's next?
Photo by The Irish Tribune
Marcus Freeman dropped the hammer on Purdue, and scored the most points by Notre Dame following a loss since 1908, but was it ever a question that Freeman could bounce back through the adversity of a bad loss? Considering he had done it twice prior, it didn’t come as a surprise that Freeman would figure out a way to right the ship. The question remains - how did he allow himself yet again to be put into this situation, and will it be the last time? Those questions we may never have the answer to, or won’t know until the season progresses, but the fact remains that Freeman and this team responded, and we have to live for the moment and not in the past.
As I stated in a previous article, there's nothing wrong with dropping the hammer and pounding your opponent into dust as they did against Purdue. I would argue it’s more charitable to do so versus taking it easy on an opponent. By letting up, you're not allowing them to grow and realize their true mistakes. This brings me to the controversy surrounding the news that NIU’s Head Coach, Thomas Hammock, reached out to Freeman after his team beat Notre Dame. What was described of the phone conversation was that Hammock alerted Freeman to what he saw as deficiencies that ultimately allowed his team to beat Notre Dame.
While I personally do not have a problem with Hammock making that call or Freeman even allowing it, what I have a problem with is that it became public knowledge. There are certain things that should remain in the locker room, and between two individuals in the privacy of a phone call. I know Hammock was the one who allowed it to get out there, but it really took away from what he was trying to do. It appeared to fans that it was a mockery and embarrassment to the fanbase and the Head Coach. I personally don’t see it that way, but I'll admit it I can understand why some people think that. Did it actually even help? We may never know that answer.
What does look good is the fact that Freeman was open to it, as it shows humility and a willingness to create change. One of the greatest qualities in a leader is the ability to listen to constructive criticism and make changes. Freeman was open to both, and that bodes well moving forward. What he now needs to figure out is how to never let this happen again. Every week you have to have the same energy and motivation to win. The Marcus Freeman we saw in the tunnel before the Texas A&M game was not the same guy we saw before the NIU game. He has to find a way to rally this team each and every week like his job depends on it, because ultimately it does. Freeman did exactly that on Saturday.
The Purdue game was over at halftime by way of a blowout, and the backups were able to see the game for live reps. That is exactly the goal for the progression of the future of the program. You pound the weak teams into the dirt so the younger players can see the field. That’s what the big boys of college football do, and why they continue to have plug and play athletes ready to play at any moment. They have the experience to do so.
The team for the most part on Saturday looked like a well oiled machine. The O-line continues to grow and gain experience, while giving much more time to the QB in the pocket. The running game is top five in the country, and they continue to show that every week. The defense is also one of the best in the country, and hasn’t allowed a team to score more than 16 points through three games, but there is still one issue that needs to be addressed. The QB position is still very much a weakness. Although Riley Leonard is very good at taking off and running, making defenders miss and gaining ground in large chunks, his passing has left a lot to be desired.
He continues to struggle seeing downfield with wide receivers open on multiple plays throughout the game. Instead of trusting the pocket and stepping into it, he gets happy feet and takes off, relying on his legs when he doesn’t have to. He continues to throw off his back foot, which has led to inaccurate throws and missed opportunities. For Riley, I believe it's a confidence thing, because he just doesn’t seem to be very comfortable in what he’s seeing or in his arm.
Should Marcus Freeman move on from Leonard is the question that many are asking. I personally think that question has to be asked after watching Angeli come in and score the team’s first passing touchdowns with ease. He did suffer some sacks that Riley Leonard likely wouldn’t have, but sacks aren’t necessarily a rhythm killer, as you live to fight another down. Angeli may take sacks, but he protects the ball and doesn’t allow turnovers. I can live with a sack here or there much better than I can missing or not seeing open wide receivers.
The other question I’ve seen is could a two QB system work between Leonard and Angeli? I’m not necessarily a fan of a two QB system because it can kill momentum and confidence when one or both get into a good rhythm. But it’s not like it hasn’t worked before, as Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators immediately come to mind. Again, I'm not a fan of it and really think they need to stay with a one QB offense. So, if Freeman is going to stay with Riley Leonard, he has to figure out why he’s struggling to move the ball downfield and mitigate it - quickly. With a team like Miami (OH) coming up next on the schedule, he needs to get Leonard comfortable and in rhythm early. If Leonard continues to struggle, Freeman will have to make a change, as he can’t afford to continue to ride this train with a QB who lacks meaningful passing ability.
With all this said, you have to take the wins when they come sometimes and ride that feeling to the following week. For Freeman, he hasn’t erased the memory of the NIU game, but if he can figure out a way to right the ship and pound teams every week like this, he will begin to regain the full respect of the fanbase. Until then, it’s one game at a time. Onward to Miami (OH).
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