Notre Dame football fans ‘sentiment’ isn’t forcing QB change, says Marcus Freeman
When the Notre Dame football team was struggling to beat the Miami Redhawks on Saturday, the anger and surprise at the start to the season boiled over. The offense under Riley Leonard had problems moving the ball and completing passes.
The fans had problems sitting there without letting their feelings be known. And so, as the first half wound to an end, boos started to rain down from the stands. Then the second half started and the Irish might have showed off exactly the kind of offensive attack offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock was aiming for.
The Notre Dame football team finished off Miami 28-3. Riley Leonard set a personal record for rushing yards in a game. He ran for over 100 yards in a game for the second straight appearance. He also completed 16-of-25 passes for 154 yards and his first touchdown pass as a member of the Fighting Irish.
Afterwards, his head coach, Marcus Freeman made it clear there was never a chance Leonard would be benched in the first half. And he made it clear no amount of boos was changing his mind.
Notre Dame football fans ‘sentiment’ isn’t forcing change says Marcus Freeman
When talking to the media, Freeman told those assembled that he is “confident in Riley Leonard making the right decision in the pass and run game.”
More than that, the fans pressuring a change isn’t going to work. “We don’t make decisions on the sentiment of the stadium.”
"People boo me. We can't perform to make sure everybody cheers for us. That's a part of the game. If you don't do your job, people are going to boo you."
As for why Freeman is dedicated to Leonard at quarterback even if the passing game simply isn’t thaat impressive. The coach likes that his quarterback can turn into a weapon on the ground in the blink of an eye.
“If you miss a tackle, he has the ability to take it all the way.”
For this week at least, Notre Dame football fans need to just accept a change at the position isn’t coming. Now, all the attention turns to a Top 25 tilt against Louisville.