Marcus Freeman and the No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish have not exactly gotten off to the start that they were anticipating in the 2025 college football season, and the Irish defense has been a big reason because of it.
In their first three games under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash, the Irish allowed 27 points in their season-opening loss to the Miami Hurricanes, 41 points in a late loss to the Texas A&M Aggies, and even in their lone win thus far against the Purdue Boilermakers, they still gave up 30 points.
For a Notre Dame defense that is typically a tight lock down on their opponents, this is not the standard that the team's defense typically lives by, and head coach Freeman believes he has a solution.
Proper Technique a Must-Have, According to Freeman
In an interview with Irish Sports Daily, the near-national champion head coach pressed how important that using the correct technique on defense is crucial in the college football world, especially for his younger players.
"Anybody can understand I play this guy man-to-man, but the difference between making a play and not making a play usually comes down to some type of technique," Freeman said. "In particular, the young guys have to learn how to play with the proper technique."
With cornerback Leonard Moore questionable with an ankle injury ahead of the Irish's next contest against the Arkansas Razorbacks, it will be critical for the younger defenders to step up and stand their ground, especially against a very game Razorback offense.
But Marcus Freeman is a firm believer that if anyone is capable of it, it's his Irish.
“Our guys are fierce competitors,” said Freeman. “They want to do the things it takes to produce a result that they believe they can achieve. Every one of these guys have owned it. They believe that it's never one person's fault, right? It's all of us. We all gotta buy in. We all gotta work on it.”