Marcus Freeman Makes Honest Carson Beck Admission as Notre Dame Dealt Painful Reality

Notre Dame’s vaunted four-man defensive line, the same group that dominated opponents and powered last year’s championship aspirations, completely disappeared against Miami. The unit, which fans had raved about all offseason, was a shadow of its former self. Carson Beck enjoyed all the time in the world, as if it were a 7-on-7 practice, and the “relentless pressure” Marcus Freeman emphasizes never materialized. Sacks were absent until late in the game. There was no disruption, and no edge. The plays were there, but they fooled no one. After just one game, the championship-caliber defense already feels like a legend that died under the Hard Rock Stadium lights.

Notre Dame’s defense, the team’s strength last season, struggled against Miami. They didn’t sack the quarterback until the fourth quarter and repeatedly lost at the line of scrimmage, especially during a long touchdown drive by the Hurricanes that ate up much of the third quarter. The secondary also gave up big plays, including a 28-yard touchdown and a spectacular one-handed catch. To their credit, the Irish did tighten up late, forcing punts and sparking a comeback.

But the inability to consistently pressure the quarterback or stop Miami’s running game proved costly, exposing defensive weaknesses for Marcus Freeman’s squad. Even Freeman himself acknowledged the issues. As Notre Dame’s insider Tyler Horka hits X with Freeman’s admission saying, “Marcus Freeman admits Notre Dame did not do a good enough job of getting pressure on Carson Beck with a four-man rush. The Irish only sacked Beck once. They were also only credited with one quarterback hurry as a team.” That regret makes sense.

Marcus Freeman admits Notre Dame did not do a good enough job of getting pressure on Carson Beck with a four-man rush.

The Irish only sacked Beck once. They were also only credited with one quarterback hurry as a team.

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) September 1, 2025

Carson Beck, the Georgia transfer who had elbow surgery, started off the Hurricanes early. He connected with freshman Malachi Toney for a 28-yard touchdown, and then found CJ Daniels for an impressive one-handed score just before halftime. Beck finished 20 of 31 for 205 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating chemistry with a rebuilt receiving corps that had been a concern all offseason. The win improved Miami’s home opener record at Hard Rock to 18-0 and marked only their second victory against a top-10 opponent in the last ten years, both against Notre Dame.

Then comes in the worst part as ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg lands him with more pressure. As he hits X with a warning for Freeman saying, “Marcus Freeman has lost a Week 1 or Week 2 game in three out of four years as Notre Dame’s coach. Will need to beat Texas A&M on Sept. 13 to avoid second 0-2 start as Irish coach.”

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