Notre Dame’s Watts: Marcus Freeman Was ‘Angry’ After James Franklin’s Presser Remarks

Zach BacharContributor IJanuary 10, 2025

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Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts revealed that head coach Marcus Freeman was upset about comments that Penn State head coach James Franklin made prior to a 27-24 win by the Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff on Thursday night.

“He was angry,” Watts said, per Pete Sampson of The Athletic. “He was angry with the press conference thing, whatever was going on between that. He was mad about that. All the anger went toward us and that anger went onto the field.”

During a joint press conference with the two coaches prior to Thursday’s contest, Franklin playfully asked Freeman how old he was and emphasized that “everybody should be in a conference.”

FOX College Football @CFBONFOX”This is no knock at coach or Notre Dame, but I think everybody should be in a conference.” 👀

James Franklin shares his thoughts about the consistency across the college football landscape during a presser with Marcus Freeman ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/apfFqZfNzx

Notre Dame is one of three FBS independents, and the only one to qualify for the playoff.

Freeman’s team started off slow on Thursday, facing a 10-3 halftime deficit. The Irish tied the game in the third quarter, but ended up trailing 24-17 with just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth.

Quarterback Riley Leonard found sophomore wide receiver Jaden Greathouse for a 54-yard touchdown to tie the contest once again, then an interception by cornerback Christian Gray off Nittany Lions passer Drew Allar set up a 41-yard field goal that clinched the victory.

Notre Dame Football @NDFootballGOOD FROM 4️⃣1️⃣

MITCH JETER IS CLUTCH.

MR. JANUARY. #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/W3HO408OHQ

Freeman and Franklin had a brief conversation on the field after the final result.

SportsCenter @SportsCenterAll the respect between Marcus Freeman and James Franklin 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tcWjXr1Ykb

Tensions between both sides didn’t appear to be high following the game, as Franklin complimented his opponent when speaking to reporters.

“If you’re going to lose to somebody — I don’t want to lose to anybody, to be honest with you, but you’ve got to give Notre Dame credit,” Franklin said, via 247Sports’ Tyler Donohue. “I know Marcus will do a phenomenal job, and I’m happy for him and their university.”

Freeman has experienced immediate success with the Irish, as their win total has improved in each of his first three full years leading the team. With Thursday’s win, Notre Dame sits at 14-1 and will have an opportunity to win a national championship for the first time since 1988.

While the Irish may not have needed extra motivation to compete against Penn State, Franklin’s comments seemingly added some fuel to the fire.