Freeman and Bowden have only had two full recruiting classes, and that group makes up the current sophomore and freshman classes. That group has made an early impact at Notre Dame, and the success on the trail has allowed the program to overcome an abnormally high number of injuries and still be able to beat a really good Louisville team yesterday.

The win against Louisville was No. 9 in his three years in South Bend, which is right behind the school record for most wins against top-25 opponents to start one’s career. Frank Leahy is the current holder, with 10 wins, started all the way back in 1941.

Notre Dame Football coach Marcus Freeman is just one game away from tying a massive milestone and becoming the second coach in the team’s history to have 10 wins over ranked opponents in his first three years in the job.