Notre Dame Football fighting to save their season after falling to Marshall in home opener

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame battling tough news all in one weekend after losing to Marshall as 21 point favorites.

Just two games into the season, the Irish lose their starting quarterback, drop out of the top 25 National ranking, and Head Coach Marcus Freeman becomes the coach in program history to start his tenure 0-3.

“We are still very positive and optimistic about our future,” said Freeman.

In today’s press conference, Freeman addressed the loss to unranked Marshall in his first home game.

“You know, obviously, the last 36 hours has been, you know, a reality check for all of us, from the coaches, the head coach to the assistant coaches, to our players, and doing a deep evaluation,” Freeman mentioned.

Similar to the loss at Ohio State, the Irish lead early on but then gave up a 94 yard drive for a touchdown and never recovered.

“I don't think it's a guy that is causing the issues we're having defensively. If that was the case, we pull them out right now,” Freeman added.

Trying to improve the team as a whole and avoid going 0-3 to start the season, Freeman has to replace starting Quarterback Tyler Buchner who suffered a grade five shoulder strain late in the fourth quarter against Marshall and is out for the season.

Stepping in is junior quarterback Drew Pyne.

“I didn't know when his time was going to go. And but I knew it was going to come at some point. And here it is,” Freeman said.

Pyne played in just two games last year and will make his first start against Cal on Saturday, after throwing one interception and one touchdown late in the game against Marshall.

“Drew Pyne will be our starter. And, as I said, when we addressed the quarterback competition in fall camp, I had the utmost confidence in both of those guys being able to lead our offense and lead this football team,” said Freeman.