Over the last four seasons, Notre Dame has handled business in their final home game of the season, also known as Senior Day. It's a bittersweet moment for Fighting Irish seniors as they get the chance to run out of the tunnel, potentially, for the final time in the blue and gold. Since Marcus Freeman arrived in South Bend, even as defensive coordinator, Notre Dame has yet to play a semi-competitive game on Senior Day. They've outscored their opponents 179-21 since 2021 and 124-21 since Freeman took over as head coach.
There's a delicate balance that you have to have on Senior Day and pay homage to the players who got the program to this point, but at the end of the day, there's still a game to be played and once the festivities are over, it's time to lock in. Freeman talked about the meaning of this special week in today's press conference.
"We do some things during the week to honor them as a team," Freeman explained. "Obviously, we honor them as they run out Saturday before the game, but we always remind them that it's an emotional moment as you run out. I remember my Senior Day. You run out there for what could be your last time in Notre Dame Stadium, but after you see your families and you get back to that sideline, you have to flip the switch back to competition mode."
“It's something that you have to be proactive about as a coach to warn them and remind them, and then they have to do it," Freeman continued. "I think it's more important to honor them the right way for what they've done for our program and how they've left this program better than they found it. I think that's important to honor those guys."
Notre Dame is on the brink of another playoff bid, but they have to handle business in their final two games against inferior opponents. Syracuse started the season 3-1, but after quarterback Steve Angeli suffered an achilles injury, the Orange have dropped six-straight games and have yet to score 20 points in either of those six matchups. The Irish are in a position where they can't afford to overlook either of their two final opponents, starting with the Orange on Saturday.
"Our guys watch the film," Freeman stated. "I don't care what the record says. They're a good football team. You keep the lessons you've learned from the past; if you don't believe you can be beaten by anybody, we can remind you what happened in the past. If you respect the opportunity that we have on Saturday and understand how great of an opportunity it is, you'll value the moments that you have now. You'll value what you have right in front of you and work and do the things it takes to grasp that opportunity that you have Saturday night."
"Every test, as we continue to move forward, will be tougher," Freeman continued. "It's not always the record of the opponent, but there's also the added human element of the outside noise of playoffs, the outside noise of this team's record. That's why I say each test as we go forward is a greater challenge. As much as I can tell them to control the noise that goes into your head, there's enough of it that they might hear some of it. It's my job to make sure that the noise we're putting in their heads are the loudest ones. We're all human, but if we understand that the purpose is bigger than ourselves, we'll choose to have the right thought."
Notre Dame and Syracuse face off for the 12th time this Saturday afternoon on Senior Day. The Irish lead the all time series 8-3 and have won the last five matchups. They've also won eight-straight games this season and are looking to extend their win streak to nine in a row. The playoffs are right around the corner, and a strong showing on Senior Day will further their campaign to the playoffs.
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