Ohio State 17, Notre Dame 14: Marcus Freeman Press Conference

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman discusses his team's last second loss to Ohio State, 17-14.
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[@charlesdepenti6128]

OSU fan.... Freeman is pure class. Any team would be lucky to have him.

[@MH-dj5im]

Two great teams fought very hard until the last second! Both teams should be very proud!!! Go coach! OH-

[@soccerboy1996]

I-O!

[@AnthonyRichardson64OH]

IO.

[@kylecollins3755]

I had a bunch of classes with Marcus Freeman at OSU. He could not be a nicer guy. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in Columbus again.

[@user-hw6iv7ql2p]

Agreed and wearing the Scarlet and Gray again!

[@mecahhannah]

Couldn't agree more

[@FAAO1776]

What a game! In a CFB world dominated by and catered to offense, it was awesome to have a defensive nail biter. Freeman is a helluva coach (10 men on the field aside). Class act. Won't be shocked to see ND in the playoffs this year. The USC game is going to be must watch.

[@debankrom6636]

We Buckeyes know when we've played a tough game. This game will be one that we'll remember for a long, long time. Thanks for the class remarks, Marcus....But what I want to know is.....Where's LOU??????😉

[@anthonymiller7992]

Hats off to ND great game! Been rooting for you for a few years ( as long as your not playing ohio st ) There is a lot of football to be played. Hope to see you at the top of the polls Go buckeyes Go ND

[@osusilverbullets4423]

Love coach freeman as an ohio state fan. he gives really good interview my goodness

[@Shap23]

I loved his asinine decision to go with 10 defenders on those last 2 plays versus "risking a penalty" by adding an 11th defender. I know he's a decent recruiter, but I wonder how long the ND fan base will put up with his horrible in-game decision making.

[@stevemineer2857]

@@Shap23The last three plays. There were only 10 players that ran down to the 1 to get lined up. Then the spiked ball, then the final play. They had a lot of time to figure it out and they never did.

[@TheHordent]

He should have also acknowledged that OSU likely didn't play to their full potential either. That's college football.

[@carreralicious]

From a Buckeye fan, respect to coach Freeman who is class. We had big problems with your run game and I didn’t think we’d pull it off. I hope ND beats USC and we meet again in the playoffs.

[@toddjohnson271]

I never want ND in playoffs as they skip conference title game.

[@swoody632]

Did you watch the game or highlights 😂 they literally only had 2 drives of running the ball well and that wasn’t until the 3rd quarter

[@carreralicious]

@@swoody632 Even Knowles said after the game that, “we were having some problems with their run”. I thought they ran pretty well even in the first half while using all their backs. Trey was good on that long 60 yd run but overall, I wouldn’t say our run game was better than theirs. Just counted when it mattered. They still gave us a heck of a hard time, and we needed every last second to pull it out.

[@JosephHurtsellers]

That would be epic!

[@johnbahl234]

​@@toddjohnson271 so did ohio state last year and I'm a buckeye fan. If you're one of the best teams in college football you deserve a spot

[@duke5867]

ND had a tough physical team. Much respect to them. I’ve watched a lot of teams play this year and not many (if any) are as physical. What a game! Go Bucks!!

[@UrbanKnightMedia]

They are a physical team! He coaches like one of his mentors Coach Tress!

[@chevyone5512]

Great game coach both teams left points on that field do not feel bad you will be in playoffs

[@dondrewnyc]

I must say, The Ohio State fan base is a classy crew. I am. a BC grad with 2 sons at ND. I was at the Horseshoe in ‘89 to watch BC vs. Ohio St. and we were warmly welcomed by many outstanding tailgates.

[@JaveanGhghg-iu7lz]

Ohio State fan here I like Notre Dame's head coach Freeman he is a wonderful coach and respectful guy

[@ThereGoVader]

He went to Ohio st

[@CoachMT4000]

Great game coach Freeman! #GoBucks

[@osuftb]

The last 2 plays for OSU Marcus only had 10 players on the field. And that was coming after a timeout. Unconscionable.

[@tjholz71]

Buckeyes fan here and this is a great coach here

[@PECKERWOOD249]

I’m a buckeye and I’m like the rest of us and HATE losing but I don’t think I could be mad losing to Marcus cause he’s a buckeye at heart

[@jaydogtitan-ok3vw]

Ohio State and Notre Dame took it to one another, Great game.

[@haveaknifeday6253]

Coach Freeman you are a GREAT Coach and have a talented team I wish both teams could have won. I can’t wait to see your future. Respect to your entire team. I am a Buckeyes fan but I always root for ND (except for when they play OSU). May the rest of your season be positive. Good luck Irish ☘️

[@marcusxavier4436]

OSU silenced that stadium 😂😂😂😂

[@stevemineer2857]

It was spooky how quiet it got.

[@KB3TLE]

Marcus is right about not playing as well as they would have liked - however Ryan Day also feels as though they left a couple of TD's out there - that they should have easily had as well - so that works both ways ? -- (24 - 14) --?-- BOTH ARE LEFT WITH WHAT WAS. Hindsight's are 20-20.

[@tamarabuirley1379]

Great Game Coach.. Best of Luck 🍀

[@ThereGoVader]

People forgot coach freeman went to OHIO ST . He wanted this game but I’m glad we Won! Good luck to Coach Freeman the Dayton Ohio/ Ohio state Product!!!

[@gunnerocks]

Inexcusable mistake by the coaching staff. 10 on the field is bad.

[@ryanturner9958]

He came a long way in coaching. Good to see him doing well.

[@igottaspeak]

Usually a Buckeye fan but grew up in the Hoosier state, leaning slightly for the Irish to pull it out. Loved Rudy! feel bad for Coach Freeman! In the end overplayed the safe defense. What a great route by receiver plus he and the QB were on the same page on that last completion to get to the goalline. When you have two good teams opposing each other its hard to do "your best!" It's usually a mistake ,a lucky bounce or the big play that makes the difference ie. the long TD run. Didn't realize they had only ten men on the field for the last play. Day has coached in a lot of big games. Freeman hasn't. It makes a difference when you have that kind of experience I don't care what level you coach; Pros, colleges, high school or pee wee league.

[@8Scorpions]

Hats off to Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Football Team, what an nail bitter of a game. O-H-

[@laurastone6578]

I-O

[@finnmacdiarmid3250]

Buckeye here, that was a real football game there at the end. Even if we lost it, I could walk away content that both teams left it all on the field. Both teams should be proud and with some luck, both teams will have the opportunity to face off again in the playoff, because Notre Dame is for real, that offensive line and run game is unstoppable! Much credit to the Irish. Beat Duke!

[@williamboyle8918]

Blah blah......O H !!

[@mag1631]

Sad, ND could have won this. Some confusing choices made. I kinda knew ND was screwed when OSU got the ball back with that much time left. Well good job I guess osu. Stressful game to watch.

[@davemcginnis1568]

ND has nothing to be ashamed of, they played a great game and just come up one play short. They're still gonna have a great season.

[@samuelpancake4084]

I remember when this man disrespected us on firday and around then and we made him eat his words . Go buckeyes

[@live_free_or_die7260]

This Buckeye want's to thank Notre Dame for an awesome game. I have nothing but respect for them. It could've gone their way but I'm still in shock. O-H-

[@LT33013]

Best of luck Marcus Freeman, Go Bucks!

[@b.d.sonstrucking1915]

Fighting Irish fan my whole life. Both teams should be proud of that great game. And living in the Buckeye state, it's not hard to cheer on Ohio St. Hope we meet again. Go irish!

[@scottpowers5191]

Great game, Wish all of college football would play big boy football all the time:))😊

[@OfficiallyOrca]

Freeman is learning on the job just like Ryan Day in some ways. As a Buckeyes fan, I'm super proud of that backyard old-school slugfest that took place. ND time and game management I believe help put Ohio State in a position to win. The time-outs situation and 10 men on the field. Hats off to both teams. 👏 #GoBucks

[@gregorylibra5114]

Coaching 101, keep your head up

[@chrissmith1364]

Wonderful coach, better man. Irish has the right guy

[@mikedean2529]

If Day ever leaves for the NFL I want Marcus to come back home - the dude is a class act.

[@knappjs]

He makes a decent assistant coach

[@scottrogers1493]

He hasn't shown any qualification yet. Go win huge games. He hasn't even had a 10 win season yet with a top ten recruiting roster

[@6.4hemidriver44]

Day will be available Nov. 26th after he loses to Meatchicken for the third time in a row! 😉😁

[@Twyer24]

Hartline would def get the job of hc first

[@Eduardo99922]

Notre Dame played a great game. I'm so glad Ohio State win the game.

[@ilov3ohio2002]

Coach sent out 10 guys on the last 2 plays.

[@laurastone6578]

When I see Marcus Freeman as coach of Notre Dame, I think of the Peter Principle. He’s reached his level of incompetence.

[@devistation11]

Coach you did a heck of a Job and you have created an amazing team you have nothing to hang your head on. As a Buckeye fan respect to you and your team.

[@RKA91]

Neither team played their BEST…. Battled till the end! Great Game!

[@billieg826]

Notre Dame played to win. They have a good team. Their quarterback is great. They attracted a lot of top recruits. This is not another overrated Notre Dame team. Ohio State found a way to win. I hope the Buckeyes get them in Columbus next time they play.

[@JosephHurtsellers]

A great game... Thanks to both schools for putting some great product on the field!

[@Ezj9727]

Big respect to this guy. He is a hell of a coach and a hell of a leader

[@jessiidoug8183]

To the coach and team. Good game. To the fans. Not talkin shit now😂😂

[@Neubs-xv8tw]

Who was talking shit?

[@JimneyCriquet]

No one was lol. They just gotta have the “against the world” mentality despite having a nation wide fan base lol

[@stevenray3029]

Freeman is a X buckeye. Let’s keep it that way. No way he should coach at THE OHIO STATE.

[@SewerMan69]

Notre Dame is a very good team. Much respect!!

[@greystreetdetour]

How was MHJr’s catch on the sideline not a catch? The NBC (Notre Dame) commentators kept talking about his hand hitting out of bounds but his right foot was clearly in bounds. So what does his hand being out of bounds have to do with anything? Goethe’s refs were awful. Missed calls on BOTH sides of the ball but that was awful especially after review.

[@xdude2x]

You gave em the game, now Cooper 2.0 thinks he woke up on third base

[@JamesPetroff]

Playing with 10 players on the goal line with the game on the line is a bonehead move. No matter how much you underestimate Ohio State, you made Ryan Day look like a smart play caller. But it is the ONLY call to make. TD has fewer defenders on that side, so you must run at it on the one yard line. It was like choosing to kick an extra point if the game was tied. Having 10 people is ridiculous.

[@allequal5564]

OSU left points on the board for sure. This game was in South Bend remember. As in most years,OSU has more talent, if OSU plays their best and doesn’t make mistakes or beat themselves they would win. Should of had a National Champ last year, injuries really hurt them last year.

[@garysimons1608]

And the Irish still haven’t beat the Buckeyes since 1995. 28 years!

[@BuckeyeHuddle]

Uh, last time ND won was 1936.

[@brandongray1059]

Yep, nothing but respect toward ND's team and coaching staff. They are an excellent team that fought us really hard. They are going to win a ton of games this year.

[@Xhal123]

Ohio State didn't play as well as they could of either, if they did this game probably looked worse for ND.

[@Neubs-xv8tw]

😂😂

[@Aaron_R]

Last two plays, 10 men on the field.... Can you explain how you screwed up and the refs didn't throw a flag?

[@greystreetdetour]

The rule states you can’t have more than 11 men in the field. You can have 1, or 2, or 10…. still not a penalty.

[@Aaron_R]

@@greystreetdetour Reason to fire some coach...

[@gmoney31641]

I agree with the aggressiveness, don’t fault MF - 10 on field is very concerning tho

[@perfectsense3240]

Full choke job by the Irish. Had that game in the bag. Literally no excuse for that

[@DoctorDeuce2011]

That's what you get Benedict Freeman. Just another "poor decision" involving Ohio State for you and your 10 defenders.

[@fcruz43215]

Keep your chin up coach. Go Bucks!

[@brandonmcbroom9209]

ND poorly managed the end of that game lol

[@moonrich3492]

Classy coach. Resolve, not anger.

[@hornwarriorking3959]

It sucks when you’re former player and lose to them because you want to destroy them and show them that you’re the best coach in college football

[@coganblaster]

Class act. Man, we were lucky to pull that off at the end. Ryan Day, please take that elephant goal line formation & scrap it. Spread them out, for God's sake!

[@tblightningbolt8902]

He’s getting really good at these conferences. Says the same thing. Unprepared. Hired him to a premier job with virtually no experience. Now he is learning the job on NDs dime. Making mistakes that cost wins. Nice guy though. Likeable

[@pjdgoblue8852]

Felt like both coach’s had many questionable calls

[@hehateme542]

Still trying to figure out how Hartmans run on the 4th down in the first half wasn't a first down. How do you overturn that?!

[@klaws32]

its where the ball is when you go out of bounds. it was behind the line to gain.

[@greystreetdetour]

You overturn it because of the visual evidence that the ball was short of the first down marker.

[@hehateme542]

@@klaws32 No, the ball was over the line they seem to put it back where he stepped out. Still a bad overturn IMO

[@hehateme542]

@@greystreetdetour You see what you want to see

[@klaws32]

refs and replay booths know more than couch potatoes like us. @@hehateme542

[@brandonmcbroom9209]

Quarters coverage called on 3rd and 19 🤣 yeah that’s why the middle of the field was open

[@wtloss100]

How did Irish head coach Marcus Freeman choke away the 2023 Ohio State game in the waning minutes? I'm 80 years old and in my 70 years of watching football, i've watched every televised ND game in that stretch with the exception of the almost 2 years I spent in Vietnam in the late 1960's. During all that time I have disdained being an armchair quarterback...until now. Thanks to Freeman's boneheaded decision-making in the final 2 and a half minutes, ND lost, and it just about broke my heart. So now, for the first time ever, I'm going to have my say so. CHOKE #1 When ND had possession with a first down on their own 34-yard line, the emphasis was to get a couple of first downs and put this game in the books. But after Hartman lost 5 yards getting sacked, the strategy for ND had to shift from "Let's get a first down" to let's run the clock down & force Ohio State to burn a time out. Which would prove crucial in OSU's final drive. After Sam Hartman got sacked, Ohio State used their 2nd timeout. ND had OSU's whole time out to think about what plays to call. All ND had to do was run the ball, that's all, don't put the ball in the air...just run it twice. But Freeman called a pass play anyway which went incomplete resulting in stopping the clock. This dumb play call allowed OSU to save a timeout that put them in position to win the game in the last 3 seconds...seconds OSU would not have had if ND had forced them to burn a timeout. Thus depriving ND of what should have been their greatest win in a long, long time. CHOKE #2 With ND leading 14 to 10, OSU had possession with 3rd & 19 and only 15 seconds left, i couldn't believe my eyes as I watched ND line up to defend that play with only 3 down linemen! That was beyond stupid given how little success they had the entire game when rushing only 3 and the overwhelming success they had when applying pressure. In the previous 7 plays, ND applied pressure 7 times, 6 times with a blitzing linebacker or DB and once with only the 4 down lineman. This pressure on McCord was intense, resulting in only 2 completions, one for a harmless 3 yards and the other for an 11-yard completion resulting in a big 1st down. Kudos to McCord for that one, that was a big-time play under relentless pressure. The other 5 plays resulted in 5 incompletions, two of which were almost intercepted and one intentional grounding resulting in the loss of OSU's final timeout, called to save a 10-second runoff that would have left them with only 5 seconds on the clock (a timeout they never would have had if ND had run the ball instead of throwing that ill-conceived screen pass with 2:30 left in the 4th quarter). Applying pressure resulted in 6 out of 7 highly successful defensive plays for ND. But Freeman chose to ignore all that excellent defensive execution in favor of doing the exact opposite, rushing only 3 linemen, putting no pressure on McCord whatsoever, and giving him the time he would need, a tactic that had not worked once for ND in the entire game. What's more, Freeman didn't even bother to disguise ND's intentions by lining up as though they were going to apply pressure then dropping guys back in pass defense after the snap. After seeing ND's defensive formation with only 3 down linemen all alone on the line of scrimmage, McCord knew before he even got the snap that there would be no pressure coming from ND. All he needed to do was relax and just be patient until one of his many talented receivers got open. Think of the pressure that alone took off the young QB's back. And Freeman had a whole timeout to think about it. And that's what he came up with...a loser 3-man rush play call??? I thought Seattle's pass play call from the 1-yard line in the closing seconds of their Superbowl loss to the Patriots was just about the dumbest play call I had ever witnessed. But after seeing that undisguised 3-man rush with zero pressure, on 3rd & 19 with only 15 seconds left, maybe I gotta rethink that dumbest play call ever thing. I mean it cost ND a victory in what would have been their biggest win in 30 years, just like Seattle's dumb play call cost them a victory in the Superbowl. If you're not a ND fan, you probably don't equate a regular season loss by a college team to a loss in the Super Bowl. But if you are a ND fan, you get it. Both are big-time losses. CHOKE #3 On the final play of the game, check out the ND players...total confusion on how to lineup...indecision across the board. The constant movement by most of the players not knowing where to line up, a step towards the line of scrimmage then a step back, a step to the right, then back to the left, a db pointing in the direction of the OSU players shouting something to another db, with that db pointing in the same direction and shouting something back. It was as if the first db asked the 2nd db if he had that left side gap covered, to which the 2nd db replied, no, don't you? If OSU had run fast, any number of guys could have scored, such was the state of ND's unpreparedness on that last play. There had just been ND's final timeout during which the coaches would normally go over defensive assignments, not only for the next play but for succeeding plays as well. Freeman apparently didn't discuss anything beyond the next play during that timeout or the communication was so bad, the team didn't have any idea what they were supposed to do beyond that. Coming out of the timeout ND only had 10 men on the field. How could a big-time football program allow that to happen at that stage of a game at all, but especially after a timeout? It boggles the mind really. Freeman had lost control of the most important timeout of his career. Imagine, as a player being totally unprepared for the last and victory-deciding play of the game after busting your ass for 59 minutes and 57 seconds. The confusion clearly showed when they lined up for that final play. The formation revealed a weakness on the left side, inviting OSU to run there. OSU accepted the invitation, thank you very much. Ball game. A few days ago, Lou Holtz said Marcus Freeman would win a national championship during his tenure at ND. I agreed with Lou then, and I still do, despite the OSU loss. I called out Marcus Freeman here for all the mistakes he made in the OSU game because they cost my beloved Irish a well-deserved victory. But that doesn't mean I don't admire him and the program he is building at ND. The truth is I love him as ND's head coach, much the way I loved Lou Holtz, and in a way I never loved Brian Kelly despite his success. The hallmark of all national championship-winning coaches is that they know how to make the right calls during crunch time. Marcus hasn't mastered that yet (witness the Stanford loss last year and the OSU game this year) but he will, and when he does, ND will win national championship(s) during his watch. All the best to the Fighting Irish and Marcus Freeman going forward!!!

[@mattnorcia5593]

I was impressed with ND tonight. I everyone kept saying there were too slow. Not at all the case.

[@pjdgoblue8852]

You have to run the ball and clock ND big mistake.

[@toddb5537]

If ands and buts where candies and nuts!! OSU played a C+ game. They should have been up 28-7. Even if they kicked Field goals in red zone it would have been 22-14!! OSU should have had 2 picks. Harrison Jrs catch getting called back. Fryars pancake block being called a personal foul. Egbukas TD drop. Etc. Thats what happens in a game. OSU made the plays they needed to win. ND didn't both teams have plays an calls they want back...

[@ejp123md6]

The Irish 10 let em in goal line defense

[@ayyejayy4195]

He was talking alot a shit before the game, what happen 😂😂😂

[@joshuathebuckeyeartistbarton]

Ohio state left more points on the board than nd. Ohio state is much better

[@das8771]

10 men on D, 3 seconds left, just jump offside. It doesn’t cost you anything, and you can get your proper D set up.

[@prrsd4046]

When you cant burn the last four minutes and drop a game ending INT that hits you dead in your hands, you dont deserve to win. This is what makes great teams. Oh, and cant tackle.

[@manpresager12]

Can't tell me the coaches cost ND this game. Poor play calling on offense, 2 passes when up in the final 2 min after we had been dominating the run. Not the mention back-to-back plays with only 10 players on defense. Coaches were out coached in the final 2 minutes and it showed

[@stevenray3029]

You don’t want to play to lose? You mean like 10 defensive players the last 2 plays? Horrible coaching. You need to step up and take the blame instead of blaming other things.

[@jeffreyullmer2831]

osu you was outplayed and got lucky

[@AFPride0764]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA EAT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA EAT IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Shap23]

Ohio State did ND a big favor in scheduling this home and away series. I'm sure NBC (and ND) made a bundle on this game as the ratings were probably through the roof. As long as they insist on staying independent, all Big 10 teams should suspend scheduling future games with ND.

[@fw8465]

Yep, bounce them from the schedule because your ratings with indiana must be astronomical. 😂 The notre dame AD must wake up every morning thinking, "nobody will watch us if we aren't playing Ohio st." SC, Clemson, Florida state, Georgia, Oklahoma....who needs em? We must play Ohio st. And Michigan still wants to play ND more than ND wants to play them. ND used to play Purdue and northwestern (occasionally Nebraska/Ill/Wisc) every year as a $favor$ home/home. Didn't do anything for ND. The big ten had chances to add ND but now it's too late. The ACC was smart to add them to bolster their cred and it worked. ND doesn't need the big ten. They are doing just fine.

[@melvinjohnson7033]

An embarrassing and humiliating loss for Markus Freeman at home against a backup QB.

[@yankeesny1572]

Ohio St is a lot better than notre dame

[@Regnisab]

Is Freeman, OSU deep state? Lol. Much respect.

[@jimmy5634]

I just wish Hairball had to play these guys. Instead Myth-again is playing high school teams. Pathetic.

[@robj5995]

Why? Because OSU can't beat Michigan need someone else to do it. Lmao

[@toddjohnson271]

No....The Domers are scammers trying to avoid conference.

[@mattnorcia5593]

I do miss the ND vs TTUN game

[@toddjohnson271]

@@mattnorcia5593 No way.....join the Big 10 then

[@drewluke]

​@@robj5995I love how Michigan loses to OSU for like a decade straight, then wins 2 finally and now they are all cocky

[@sonistowe1448]

sam hartman got beat by a first year starter...wtg irish..

[@user-qc7vu2qj2i]

Freeman as OSU coach? He whined to officials whole game, didn't wanna take a 1/2 yd penalty to get 11th man on field (what?), has no fire in belly..... CMON!!!

[@CLEVEMAN691]

THE BEST TEAM WON !!!!!!!

[@jeffdeng1652]

Two crappy coaches, but the better coach won.

[@mattmartinez1491]

You cost them the game

[@JohnS-go3he]

Big Mistake at crucial moment of the game... Having only 10 players on the field for the final two plays of the game😮

[@stevenray3029]

Freeman the reality is. It’s your fault. 10 men on the field? You should be fired for that and you know it.

[@scottpowers5191]

Ryan Day , A disrespectful boy. It was a game game. Act like a grown up and a leader. Not a 5th grader.🇺🇸

[@newfdog9602]

If ND was this close to winning the game.....The Ohio Soft University will get destroyed by Michigan!!!!

[@ThatOneGuyAround]

BAD COACHING

[@coganblaster]

Class act. Man, we were lucky to pull that off at the end. Ryan Day, please take that elephant goal line formation & scrap it. Spread them out, for God's sake!