Notre Dame Is Prepping For A Central Michigan Challenge

Central Michigan dual threat quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr leads the Chippewas into Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday

With a 3-0 start in hand, 9th-ranked Notre Dame returns home this weekend to face Central Michigan. After a well-earned 45-24 road win at NC State last weekend, and with a prime-time matchup next week against Ohio State looming, Central Michigan is the potential classic trap game. But Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman is saying all the right things entering the week.

"I know somebody’s going to ask about Ohio State coming up,” Freeman said at his Monday press conference. "Man, it doesn’t take long to put on the film and understand we’ve got a challenge and as I’ve always said, we get 12 guaranteed opportunities, so we’re down to nine and for us to overlook any opponent would be just crazy. We’re going to look forward to this opportunity to play in Notre Dame Stadium versus a good opponent.”

The Chippewas are led by former Florida head coach Jim McElwain. He’s 25-22 heading into the third game of his fifth season as head coach after going 22-12 in two plus seasons as head coach at Florida.

"(I am) looking forward to getting a chance to meet him,” Freeman said of McElwain. "He’s got a good football team. It doesn’t take long to really watch that, their offense is explosive.”

The offense is led by redshirt freshman quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr, the son of former NFL wide receiver Bert Emanuel, who was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week last week. Emanuel had 21 carries for 101 yards and two touchdown runs to go with 193 passing yards and two more touchdowns in Central Michigan’s 45-42 win over New Hampshire.

“Their quarterback makes it go,” Freeman said of Emanuel. “He is an athletic quarterback, and he can run it. You watch the first series of their last game, he takes the ball 40-50 yards and scores a touchdown. So, we have to be ready for that. I think they’ve got some good skill and our defense will have a good challenge.”

Emanuel’s touchdown run actually covered 66 yards on Central Michigan’s fourth offensive play of the game. He scored on a five-yard run later for his ninth career touchdown run.

The Chippewas (1-1) lost 31-7 to Michigan State to open the season and then beat New Hampshire last weekend.

"They have been a high scoring offense,” Freeman remarked. "You look at what they did last week, I know the first one they didn’t score as many points versus Michigan State but last week they scored 40-plus points. So, we have to understand the challenges that presents.”

The Central Michigan defense has been another story. They have allowed 73 points through the first two games. New Hampshire scored on touchdown passes of 71 and 80 yards last week, but Freeman was still complimentary.

"Really you look at last year’s numbers over the course of the season, they were really good, especially stopping the run,” Freeman said. "A team that ranked one of the top teams in the MAC defensively. I think they have nine of 11 returning starters. So, an experienced group that again is going to be attacking, creates chaos, a lot of TFLs. So, we will have a challenge and we look forward to this challenge.”

Central Michigan’s defense had 104 tackles for loss and 36.5 sacks last season. They have 10 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks through two games this season. They have also forced one fumble and have one interception so far in 2023.  

Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge

Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

———————

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @SeanStires
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter