Breaking down what Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman said ahead of Miami

DAMAKORONKOWA - It’s officially Miami week for Notre Dame football, and with that head coach Marcus Freeman made it to the podium on Monday for his game week press conference.

While he started off wrapping up the win over Navy, his attention quickly turned to the Hurricanes, as this game will most likely dictate the Irish’s future for the rest of the season. Another loss and we could be experiencing some 2025 deja vu, and Freeman knows the importance of this contest.

There was a major focus on his conversation yesterday, and here is a breakdown of what Freeman said about Miami.

Miami is tough, physical … will be a battle at the line of scrimmage

Freeman started off by saying that the Hurricanes are driven by their lines, both sides of the ball, just like the Irish are. The bad news for Notre Dame is that they could be without two of its major contributors on its defensive line, Francis Brewu and Jason Onye, who were both listed as questionable on Monday’s availability report.

Darian Mensah makes some great decisions

“He’s a really good game manager, doesn’t make bad decisions” is how Freeman described the Hurricane quarterback. He’d name off an impressive state that Mensah has, with 40 touchdowns to no interceptions in the red zone. That’s major production when it counts the most, as Notre Dame will have to play sound defense since the 20-yard line.

Malachi Toney is elite

Freeman gushed about the sophomore as he said that “he does everything well, not only does he catch, he runs, he blocks, he plays the game the right way.” Toney is currently third nationally is receiving yards, tied for second in touchdowns with 13, and is a threat to run the ball as well. He’s going to test the Irish secondary, as stopping his is paramount to winning this game for Notre Dame. Toney should be a freshman this season after reclassifying, but that doesn’t matter much now.

Miami’s offense isn’t all that different from last year

Miami has some different personnel, but Freeman sees it more as being a scheme as opposed to players. “They do what they do on both sides of the ball,” as he doesn’t see what the Hurricanes do a gimmicky. Freeman knows that the Hurricanes will try and run the ball down team’s throats with its big offensive line and running backs. This could play into Notre Dame’s hands, as they have already seen it live what Miami likes to do offensively.

Notre Dame has a good idea of Miami will try defensively

With multiple games of film to study the Hurricanes, Freeman believes that he knows how Miami will try and attack the Irish. As the nation’s best team in stopping the run, just allowing 60.8 yards-per-game, they’ll most likely try and stop the run. When Notre Dame passes, Freeman thinks it will be zone coverage first, but the Hurricanes have the ability to play man if that fails. I’d expect that Miami heard him say that, and it could be some gamesmanship between the two teams. We’ll see what happens on Saturday, as adjustments will surely be made.

Could Leonard Moore be shadowing Malachi Toney?

Moore “his toolbox is extremely large, has skillset to play corner, nickel or safety” He didn’t say that he’s shadow but there is a possibility as he did against USC and Makai Lemon last season. Freeman would go on to say that Toney has improved from last year to this one. He know’s they’ll get him plenty of targets on Sunday, as the other Hurricane receivers could hurt the Irish as well. It might be a pick your poison situation.

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Breaking down what Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman said ahead of Miami