Notre Dame went to Miami hoping its defensive line would anchor the team the way Marcus Freeman has always envisioned and the way it did in 2024 when the Irish won a program record 14 games. Instead, the Irish front was largely neutralized in a 27–24 loss, managing just a single sack and rarely affecting Miami quarterback Carson Beck. The Hurricanes controlled the trenches in key moments, and Freeman didn’t hide his disappointment afterward.
“My expectation for that unit is to dominate the game in the run and the pass, put pressure on the quarterback and stop the run,” Freeman said.