Freeman: Notre Dame didn't have right 'mindset' in Northern Illinois upset
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said his team needs to learn how to handle success following its stunning upset loss to Northern Illinois on Saturday.
"This is the first time in my three years as a head coach that we have won the big game early in the season," Freeman said Monday, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich. "Two losses to Ohio State and then all of a sudden, we win and everybody says, 'Hey, you're going to the playoff. You've got an easy schedule.' We all hear it, and I think we started to believe that."
The Fighting Irish began their 2024 season with a statement win over Texas A&M that established them as possible contenders for the 12-team College Football Playoff. Notre Dame followed that up by losing 16-14 at home to MAC opponent Northern Illinois, which entered the game as a 28.5-point underdog.
"There is a physical approach to preparing for a game, and I think physically we prepared the right way, but there's also a mental approach and a mindset that you have to have every single week, and I think that's where we failed," Freeman said.
The Huskies owned the edge in turnovers, total yards, and time of possession, among other statistical categories, on their way to the most memorable win in program history. The defeat knocked the Fighting Irish from No. 5 to No. 18 in the latest AP poll.
Quarterback Riley Leonard couldn't spark Notre Dame's offense, completing 20 of 32 passes for 163 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. Freeman said he never considered a quarterback switch and insisted the staff has "a lot of belief in Riley and him running our offense." The coach said the Duke transfer needs to improve his decision-making, but Leonard also needs help from his pass-catchers.
Freeman said his team wouldn't focus on running the table in a bid to qualify for the CFP field.
"That doesn't matter. This week matters. Who cares about the rest of that stuff, man? We've got to take care of this week, and that's got to be our mindset," Freeman said.
Notre Dame's next game is a road date with Purdue on Sept. 14.