Notre Dame should be better than losing to teams like NIU. Under Marcus Freeman, it’s not

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — All-American defensive tackle Howard Cross III was the last player off the field after Notre Dame’s stunning 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois. Head coach Marcus Freeman had long retreated into the tunnel, leaving Cross to walk off in silence, helmet in hand, as boos echoed through Notre Dame Stadium. The defeat, as a four-touchdown favorite, has sent shockwaves through the Fighting Irish fanbase, potentially derailing the season before it truly began.

Freeman, still searching for answers, couldn’t explain how his most talented team lost at home in one of the program’s worst upsets since 1995. Quarterback Riley Leonard, who threw a costly second-half interception, struggled to make sense of the moment. But it was Cross who captured the emotional weight of the loss, reflecting on past upsets—Marshall in 2022 and Cincinnati in 2021—while acknowledging the sting of falling short against a MAC opponent once again.

“Yeah, this sucks. We know that. All of our fans know that. Our coaches know that,” Cross admitted. “They’re gonna be hearing it all week, ‘We suck.’ But we’ve got seven days to get back out there. Are we just gonna give up, or are we gonna keep moving?”

The question looms large. Freeman’s postgame press conference offered few solutions, as he acknowledged that something went wrong with the preparation despite the team practicing well all week. The offense, led by Leonard, faltered with an ill-timed interception late in the fourth quarter. What could have been a clock-killing run turned into a game-sealing pick, allowing NIU to drive for the winning field goal. It was a collapse not only of the offense but of the defense, which had shown flashes of strength the previous week against Texas A&M.

“We’ve been here before,” Freeman said, recalling Notre Dame’s history of heartbreaking losses under his tenure. “Now it’s time to fix it.”

Freeman’s Tenure Under Scrutiny

Since taking over as head coach, Marcus Freeman has compiled a 20-9 record, but Notre Dame’s repeated failures in winnable games have raised serious concerns about his leadership. Former head coach Brian Kelly’s consistent, if unspectacular, record of success (54-9 in his last five seasons) now looks enviable in comparison. Freeman’s decisions, from offensive schemes to defensive alignments, have been questioned after multiple upset losses.

Notre Dame’s administration has spared no effort in supporting Freeman, from the hiring of offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to the extension of defensive coordinator Al Golden. The investment in NIL and the continued partnership with NBC have reinforced Notre Dame’s commitment to success. Yet, despite these resources, Saturday’s defeat marks another setback in Freeman’s quest to solidify his place as the right leader for the Irish.

Looking Ahead

As Freeman admitted, the loss falls on his shoulders. “We’ve got to own this,” he said, insisting that every coach and player must take responsibility. With an expanded College Football Playoff on the horizon, Notre Dame’s season isn’t over, but the road to redemption has become much steeper.

The next game will be pivotal for Freeman and his team, as they look to bounce back from a loss that cuts deeper than just a disappointing performance—it calls into question the direction of the entire program. For now, the pressure mounts, and all eyes will be on whether Freeman can turn things around before it’s too late.