On Saturday, Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman faces a familiar foe when Miami (Ohio) comes to town. For the second time in Freeman’s coaching career, he will have to defend RedHawks quarterback Brett Gabbert.

Gabbert, the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert, went up against Freeman’s Cincinnati defense in his third career collegiate game in 2019. The 6-foot, 210-pound gunslinger completed 10-18 passes for 143 yards in a 35-14 loss. Since then, he has registered 41 career games, over 1,000 passes, 8,459 passing yards and 61 touchdowns.

Against Freeman, Gabbert could not get the run game going. But he has posted 450 yards and 7 touchdowns in his career. According to Freeman, the Irish will be prepared for both elements of Gabbert’s game on Saturday.

“He is a competitive individual,” Freeman said. “He really runs the offense well. He’s experienced. I went back to 2019 —  we played him when I was at Cincinnati, his freshman year. He throws a really good deep ball and does a really good job of taking care of the football. 

“I don’t know if he’s run as much as he has in the past, but I would assume, this game, that he’s going to do whatever it takes to try to give his offense a chance to have success. So, we’re planning for him to run the ball and throw it, but he is an experienced quarterback that will be difficult to confuse. We’re going to have to really play well on defense versus him.”

Miami (Ohio) will enter Notre Dame Stadium with an 0-2 record on Saturday. The Irish (2-1) will look to get back on track at home after losing to fellow MAC opponent Northern Illinois in the home opener on Sept. 7.

Notre Dame Posts of the Day

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Former Irish wide receiver Golden Tate made one of the most iconic plays in Notre Dame football history 15 years ago Thursday. 

Irish 2026 four-star safety target Joey O’Brien out of Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle College High will unofficially visit Notre Dame for Saturday’s Miami (Ohio) game.

Irish 2025 four-star safety commit JaDon Blair from Winston-Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor returns to campus on an unofficial visit for the Louisville game on Sept. 28. 

Notre Dame Quote of the Day

“Some of the things I do outside of football aren’t to — it isn’t really isn’t to gain recognition or get rewarded for. But part of who I am in the position I’m in — the ability to impact others, to impact your community, are so important to me. Those are values that I have and want to continue to do.”

— Freeman on being named by the AFCA honorary head coach of the year for the Good Works team.

Notre Dame Headlines of the Day

• Lucky Charms: Intel on Notre Dame’s new TE target, Deuce Knight visiting Auburn … again
• Recruiting notes: Explaining Notre Dame football’s plan with 2025 class tight end recruiting
• WATCH: The Notre Dame recruiting update with Singer and Kelly (Sept. 19)
• Touted ATH T’Andre Waverly previews this weekend’s official visit to Notre Dame
• Everything Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Thursday before Miami University game
• Live updates: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman pre-Miami University press conference
• Hey Horka! Could Notre Dame run two-QB system with Riley Leonard and Steve Angeli?
• Charting the Irish: Who are Notre Dame’s core special teamers?
• How to watch Notre Dame football vs. Miami University in Week 4
• Why Notre Dame four-star CB commit Mark Zackery switched positions for his senior season
• Three keys to the game: Notre Dame football vs. Miami University
• WATCH: How difficult is replacing Notre Dame DE Jordan Botelho? | Hey Horka!
• Newsstand: Notre Dame had a top-3 freshman performance in Week 3 per Pro Football Focus

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