Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman did his regular Monday afternoon press conference with the media, as he wrapped up the win over North Carolina and then previewed this coming weekends “Irish Wear Green” home game against Stanford.
Not only that, the Irish leader went over some injuries that a plaguing the team, others that are returning from injury, what can be corrected this week and much more.
Check out below my biggest takeaways from what Freeman said on Monday afternoon.
Notre Dame handled adversity at North Carolina
Weathered the storm.#GoIrish☘️ | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/KEKKwpq6qW
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 5, 2026
Notre Dame didn’t have the easiest game against the Tar Heels, and Freeman thinks they will be better for it. He said that “it was good to see one thing not turn into another,” especially considering the lead
was down to just a point following the opening kickoff of the second half. Freeman knew that the effort wasn’t perfect but “there is no success without struggle.”
Correctable mistakes made by Notre Dame vs. UNC
This kick return to start the half for the Heels was electric ⚡️
— CFP (@CFBPlayoff) October 3, 2026
📺 ESPN x @ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/OP2S5AZEKf
While the final score looked good, there were more than a few issues that popped up during the game for the Irish. The positive spin from Freeman was that some of the problems that arised are more than correctable. He knows that letting up a kickoff return is unacceptable, and that the special teams will be better going forward.
Stanford preview for Notre Dame
Davis Warren showed up & showed out with a career-high 396 passing yards 😤 pic.twitter.com/ufPnLVK0QT
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 30, 2026
Looking ahead to next week, Stanford quarterback Davis Warren is solid, as Freeman said the defense needs to be “detailed out in pass defense.” There were some lapses against North Carolina, but it’s something should be fixed as noted above. Freeman also is aware that the Cardinal defense might not be statistically dominant, but those “don’t reflect the type of defense they have.” He also stressed on how important this rivalry is to Notre Dame.
The struggle for Notre Dame vs. UNC was important
In the third quarter today against UNC @NDFootball rushed 20 times for 122 yards and possessed the ball for 13:18 of the quarter's 15 minutes.
— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) October 3, 2026
Now Notre Dame can say we’ve been here before, Freeman pointed out the mental aspect of it, and I alluded to it on Sunday as well. Apparently we saw the same for the battle with the Tar Heels. This is something you just can’t practice, and now the Irish have the experience.
Improvement on pass defense starts with fundamentals
North Carolina WR Jordan Shipp (6-2, 200) having his first 100-yard game lined up across Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore is NFL Draft tape fuel for 2028 pic.twitter.com/ChpziE1NB3
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) October 3, 2026
“Eye control” is something that Freeman spoke about, it’s a “habit they want to continually improve on” The man coverage needs to be better, it’s all correctable mistakes and that’s a good sign.
Wide receiver snap count dictated short rotation
Air Faison ✈️
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 3, 2026
The first Notre Dame WR to have 130+ yards and 2+ receiving touchdowns in a game since 2016.#GoIrish☘️ | @Jordan6Faison pic.twitter.com/sHCy6nDDtv
With more running in the second half, due to personnel trying to run the ball, the Irish played with more tight ends over the receivers. The game dictated the throwing, and it was not a reflection of the talent at the position. “We’re trying to find a way to get the ball in their hands a bit,” is how he put it. Makes sense, but it would be nice for others to emerge, which could happen in better conditions.
Matty Augustine is close to coming back, questionable for this weekend
Marcus Freeman confirms that Matt Augustine will get limited practice work this week ahead of Stanford. The offensive guard hasn't played all season and how Tuesday/Wednesday goes in practice will determine whether he plays on Saturday.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) October 5, 2026
He’s going to be pushed in practice this week and the coaching staff will decide later in the week if he is ready to see the field against Stanford. The decision will come later in the week, but it looks like Augustine is close to his return. Freeman will do what is best for the team on Saturday’s, and that could mean holding him back for another week.
Boubacar Traore’s rise is due to practice habits
Notre Dame ED Boubacar Traore is an example having to reevaluate summer scouting because I was way too low.
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) October 3, 2026
Kid has played like a 1st Round pick this season at 6-5, 253 pic.twitter.com/jQIzdR8jJF
There’s a competition in practice and it has bled over into games for Traore. He’s really putting the work in during the week and it’s showing during games. Freeman thinks he’s just scratching the surface, and can play better than he is. Scary thought for opposing offenses.
Jonaz Walton has a different type of gear
Freeman: Jonaz Walton does have a different type of gear. When he goes zero to 100, (snaps fingers) it's like that.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) October 5, 2026
Walton has the speed factor that Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price has, and the trust is starting to develop. “He’s doing an excellent job,” but it was interesting to see that he didn’t move up the depth chart this week. Walton to me looked like RB1 against UNC, but the coaches don’t see it that way. He should get plenty of run this weekend, regardless of where he slots in the pecking order.
Not going to able to slow CJ Carr down from running
C.J. Carr takes off and runs it in himself!
— Jordan On Sports (@JordanOnSports1) October 3, 2026
Notre Dame extends the lead. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/AJwhizZ3Wi
He’s team over self, he’s a competitor and while Freeman doesn’t love him running as much as he has, Carr is the ultimate competitor. He going to do whatever it takes for his team to win, and taking an extra hit or two is part of that. That’s leadership.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Takeaways on Marcus Freeman’s presser wrapping UNC & previews Stanford
