Marcus Freeman explains prep for undefeated Navy

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind -- Notre Dame preps for top 25 matchup versus #24 Navy in their 97th overall matchup.

Notre Dame is 6-1 overall after the 31-13 win against Georgia Tech in week seven, but now they have a familiar opponent with an undefeated record.

The Irish and Midshipmen are gearing up for their 97th meeting and Navy has turned a new leaf, looking like a completely different team than previous years.

"It's going to be a great challenge for our program. They're putting up big numbers offensively, and you know, their offensive scheme is enhanced from what we saw last year," Head Coach Marcus Freeman said.

Navy has historically run the triple option but this season, they've enhanced the style in which they run their offense.

It starts with their quarterback Blake Horvath, who's thrown 13 touchdowns in six games. The most since 2010.

"He's a threat with his legs, but he's also been doing really well in the past game, and so he's experienced, and he's doing a great job leading that offense," Freeman mentioned.

As for the production of the offense, Freeman's noticed plenty of changes since the last time the two teams met in Dublin, Ireland in week zero last year.

"This year, they're about 45% in the gun and that's something that I know it wasn't that percentage last year. They were some in the gun, but not in the gun and so, you know, it's not your traditional just every play quarterback under center, triple option. It's some type of option, but they can do it at a gun. Under center. They have some good play makers and the thing I notice is they play with clarity, they play fast, they do what they do, and that's something that we're going to have to make sure that we truly prepare for," Freeman added.

Even though the two teams meet annually, Freeman has made sure to get his guys ready since the start of football season.

"You're intentional about having Navy periods on certain days during fall camp, we attacked it again during the bye week, and so we had a good base for what we a foundation for what we've planned on doing, and we've enhanced it, obviously," Freeman said.

Because of the enhancements to Navy's offense, it will force Freeman's young, and somewhat inexperienced defense, to stick to their assignment.

"You got to be disciplined, and it's really hard to simulate and practice the speed at which they run their offense. So it can take a little time, especially for guys that have not faced that type of offense, to realize the speed at which they run their offense, and then when all sudden you're trying to adjust to the speed you can lose your eyes on put keeping your eyes on your assignment and so we have to be disciplined. We got to practice until we can't get it wrong," Freeman added.