FREEMAN’S FOCUS: Aiming to clean up slow starts and finish drives ahead of USC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Marcus Freeman’s message this week was simple — focus, focus, focus.

The Notre Dame head coach has emphasized sharper execution in short-yardage situations and faster starts out of the gate as his team prepares to face one of the top-scoring offenses in the nation.

“We have to be better in short yardage,” Freeman said. “We’ve got to convert when it’s fourth-and-one or two.”

Last week, the Irish were stopped twice inside the ten-yard line and went just five-for-eight in the red zone. Over the past month, they’ve converted only three of twelve true fourth-down attempts — and their red-zone scoring rate has dropped to 82 percent, ranking outside the top 75 nationally.

Another concern? Slow starts. Against Miami, Notre Dame was shut out in the first quarter. Boise State led 14–7 at halftime. Even in the big win over NC State, it was just 10–7 at the break.

But when the Irish settle in, they dominate — outscoring opponents 65–7 in the second half of their last three games.

“Competitors want to play the best, and we have one of the best coming in,” Freeman said, referring to USC’s high-powered offense ranked top three nationally.

With focus, discipline, and sharper execution, the Irish will look to prove they’re ready for the challenge.