Marcus Freeman didn't get more than a few minutes into his Sunday press conference before he was asked about who the starting quarterback against Miami would be. His answer will likely leave Fighting Irish fans deflated as he made it clear there is not a QB1 just yet.
Freeman talked about how the race between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey is as close as it's been all spring, summer, and fall camp. While he knows that the Irish need to name a starter soon, he's not ready to do it yet, and continued to make it clear there isn't a timeline. In other words, "back off, stop asking, you'll know when we want you to know."
CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey continue pushing each other in Notre Dame football's fall camp
The Notre Dame head coach added that the competition isn't about two quarterbacks failing to rise to the occasion, but rather a race that has seen both Minchey and Carr step up and take their performances to another level. "Both of those two have elevated their level of play," he said on Sunday.
"We have to make a decision before we play, but the moment hasn't happened where a guy is clearly the starter... I never put a timeline on it. I didn't because, why? It only will make you frustrated if you do it. As soon as one is clearly the starter, then we'll make a decision."
One interesting tidbit that did come from what was otherwise a non-announcement announcement is that while Freeman had talked about possibly rotating quarterbacks in the fall, that's not the plan anymore.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock doubled down on that during his time at the podium when he said that Notre Dame needs to have "continuity" at the quarterback position.
Denbrock added that there will be a learning curve for whoever wins the job, adding that going to Miami isn't an easy task, even for an established veteran quarterback.
Notre Dame's QB1 question will likely be answered by this time next week at the latest. The Irish take on the Hurricanes in two weeks, and while Freeman said there isn't a rush, knowing who will be under center to open the year is essential.