Marcus Freeman made his point without saying a word. Notre Dame believes

Four minutes into Saturday night's Miami-Notre Dame rivalry game, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman communicated his message through actions, not words. The Fighting Irish secured a 31-24 victory over Miami, a win that puts them three wins away from a return to the College Football Playoff. Their star quarterback, CJ Carr, delivered an outstanding performance with 319 yards and three touchdowns on 29-of-40 passing.

Sophomore tailback Nolan James Jr. broke through Miami's defense for a crucial 4th-and-1 gain, setting up a field goal and a 3-0 lead. Throughout the game, Freeman emphasized the team's belief and execution, noting that their plan was unaffected by the opponent, Miami. His trust in his offensive unit helped Notre Dame convert fourth downs and secure the win.

Miami, despite being the No. 1-ranked team to fall to Notre Dame since Clemson in 2020, struggled to secure touchdowns in the red zone and faced frequent penalties that severely impacted their scoring opportunities. The Miami coach, Mario Cristobal, criticized the officiating crew for a missed touchdown call on a pass play, but the abundance of factors leading to the Irish's victory ultimately outweighed any officiating issues.