In the previous three seasons, Notre Dame Football has lost to Marshall and Northern Illinois at home. Marcus Freeman earned his best win at Notre Dame last week in College Station against Texas A&M.
However, his shortcoming in running the program reared its ugly head on Saturday in a 16-14 NIU upset of the Irish.
Notre Dame football is not developing QB talent
Notre Dame has not been able to develop an elite quarterback under Brian Kelly or Freeman.
Riley Leonard did enough with his feet to outlast the Aggies last week. But his inability to throw the ball downfield hurt Notre Dame’s chances of making the College Football Playoff.
Two years ago, Freeman stubbornly played Tyler Buchner until Marshall defeated Notre Dame 26-21 at home. While Leonard deserved a chance to start against NIU, Freeman should have pulled Leonard for Steve Angeli before throwing away another game to a nonpower program.
QB Riley Leonard has had a rough start to, you know, throwing the ball
Leonard finished the day 20/32 passing for 163 yards and two interceptions against the NIU defense. His final interception sealed the team’s fate as NIU would march down the field for a game-winning field goal with only around 30 seconds remaining.
Like he had all game, Leonard struggled to step up from the pocket on the final drive and couldn’t lead the Irish into field goal range. For Freeman, Leonard is Sam Hartman 2.0.
Frankly, the Irish need to either start Angeli or develop CJ Carr for the rest of the season. Notre Dame’s offensive line and wide receivers are not good enough this year to compensate for mediocre quarterback play and win a national title.
Leonard is 38/62 passing for 321 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions on the season.
Fans want Steve Angeli to start next week
Fans are done with the Leonard experiment. Here are the top takes of fans wanting Leonard benched and Steve Anegeli to get the start against Purdue.
Notre Dame won’t be a *legit* title contender without high-level quarterback play.
This is a BRUTAL throw by Riley Leonard😮💨pic.twitter.com/9Xpfrv5MUn
— Ryan🎙️ (@RyanKnowsBall) September 7, 2024
If Riley Leonard starts next week, Marcus Freeman needs to be fired. This is unacceptable. Two years in a row, two transfers. Both are dogshit QB’s.
— r00nat1ck (@r00nat1ck) September 7, 2024
Someone start a Petition on X to have Riley Leonard shipped back to Duke…#GoIrish
— Perp_Isle_Six (@LossPrevInv) September 7, 2024
It’s over and Riley Leonard could be the worst QB to ever wear a ND uniform. NIL $$$$ that was absolutely wasted.
— thesurlybadger (@thesurlybadger1) September 7, 2024
Riley Leonard should not be QB1 at ND what a waste if a transfer
— Silence Cris Collinsworth (@Irish_Boh_Packs) September 7, 2024
Can’t convince me he’s better than Steve Angeli you CANNOT
— Bryan Gallagher (@Bgall15) September 7, 2024
Steve Angeli time. Please. Now.
— Connor McGuire (@CoachMcGuireSP) September 7, 2024
I couldn’t be any more disgusted with #NotreDame‘s performance today against #NorthernIllinois if I was getting paid a congressional salary to feel this way.
Steve Angeli is clearly the better QB. If only we could get #MarcusFreeman to see that.
— Don Kissick (@DonCKissick) September 7, 2024
Steve Angeli better be the starting QB by monday. Riley is awful.
— Saint (@SainttWolf) September 7, 2024
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