SI.com · Sep 17, 2022
Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman’s First Win Came Down to A Single Play
Notre Dame fans, you can collectively release the breath you were likely holding.
The Fighting Irish had started the Marcus Freeman era 0–3 heading into Saturday’s matchup against Cal, dating back to Notre Dame’s bowl game. After last Saturday’s loss to Marshall, the program is the third team since 2000 to lose its first two games after being a preseason top 5-ranked squad, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
But now, Notre Dame sits at 1–2 after narrowly escaping Cal, 24–17. It wasn’t pretty. The passing game seemed to be a hit-or-miss all day, and it was one Hail Mary away from either facing overtime or losing by a single point in those final seconds.