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Source: BroBible
Summary
The Notre Dame football team defeated Michigan State 27-10 in Week 3. Running back Aneyas Williams received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after scoring a touchdown. Head coach Marcus Freeman criticized Williams on the sidelines, leading to a 15-yard penalty. The Spartans capitalized, cutting the lead to 17-10 before halftime. Freeman later acknowledged the poor optics of his reaction and admitted it should have been handled internally.
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Author: Evan Null
Marcus Freeman Berated Aneyas Williams for an Unsportsmanlike Celebration
The Notre Dame football team picked up a Week 3 win over Michigan State on Saturday in South Bend. Running back Aneyas Williams scored a second quarter touchdown in the contest to put the Irish up by 14 points in the first half.
He received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the fact thanks to a choreographed celebration. The ball carrier was then scolded by head coach Marcus Freeman on the sidelines.
Freeman erupted after seeing flags thrown in the endzone during what was still a close game. It cost the Fighting Irish 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff, setting the Spartans up great field position before the end of the half.
Michigan State would take advantage, pushing the ball down the field to score a touchdown in just three plays. Freeman wasn’t happy.
Marcus Freeman Acknowledges Poor Optics After Berating Notre Dame Player For Celebrating
The head coach was livid with his running back for the costly penalty. His mistake helped Michigan State cut the lead to 17-10 before the intermission.
Notre Dame would later win the contest 27-10. The celebration did not impact the outcome of the game. Still, Freeman viewed it as a teachable moment, though he admits it should’ve been handled in a different fashion.
“I think we all learned from that play, and that moment,” he said in a follow-up press conference. “We can’t hurt our team, but I’ve got to be more aware of what environment I’m in, too…”
“We’ve got to keep things in the kitchen… The kitchen is messy and dirty, but nobody can see inside the kitchen. If that situation happened in practice, I have no problem with my animation…”
Freeman Admits Optics Were Poor, Acknowledges Negative Storyline
Freeman admitted that the optics were poor. He acknowledged that his reaction created a negative storyline. It allows rivals to form a narrative on the recruiting trail about his treatment of players.
He should’ve handled it in-house, similar to how he dealt with a similar situation involving Jeremiyah Love.
With that said, the coach wasn’t completely wrong in his response. He preaches accountability. The penalty could’ve been more costly. The timing wasn’t right, but the message was.
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