The Notre Dame football team got its first win of the season. Despite blowing out Purdue, Marcus Freeman isn't happy. Nor should he be.
Despite scoring 56 on Saturday afternoon and evening, the Irish also gave up 30 points. While the defense played better as the game went on, the fact of the matter is that Chris Ash's unit looked bad again. For the third straight week.
Marcus Freeman calls out Notre Dame football defense after Purdue win
After the game, the Notre Dame head coach made it clear that he felt his players started to "panic" when they couldn't stop Purdue's attack. He said that his team put every type of coverage scheme out there, but nothing was stopping Purdue.
Earlier in the game, just before the two teams went through a weather delay, he demonstrated a level of frustration he doesn't show all that often.
"Our front and our coverage have to work together," Freeman told NBC. "When we bring pressure, we have to get pressure so that our (defensive backs) don't have to cover so long. If we're not bringing pressure, DBs and back seven, you have to cover longer to give the front four time to get there."
"When the explosive plays happen, we’re not working together. We’re bringing pressure, not getting pressure, and now you’re exposing your DBs. Or we’re dropping seven and we’re not getting enough coverage help so the (defensive) line can get there. We have to improve that."
The Notre Dame football team is finally on the board as a team with a win. However, the defense continues to be borderline terrible. Another week, another game where it allows over 300 yards of offense. Another week where it's permitted multiple touchdowns. And Marcus Freeman seems worried it's not getting fixed anytime soon.