CB Moore: Irish on 'revenge tour' after CFP snub
Why it matters: Notre Dame's public "revenge tour" narrative could either fuel a successful season or create early distractions for the team.
- Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore declared the team is on a "revenge tour" following their exclusion from the College Football Playoff last fall, specifically citing the 27-24 season-opening loss to Miami and a Week 3 loss to Texas A&M as key motivators.
- Quarterback CJ Carr admitted it's "impossible" not to think about the upcoming Miami game, describing last year's first half against the Hurricanes as the "worst" offensive performance all year.
- Coach Marcus Freeman expressed a contrasting view, smirking at his players' candor and stressing the importance of focusing on the Sept. 6 season opener against Wisconsin to avoid losing the "opportunity right here" by daydreaming about Miami.
- Moore revealed that Freeman was blunt in his assessment of the secondary after the Miami loss, telling them they were "weak" and "soft," with the defensive backs shouldering much of the blame for Miami quarterback Carson Beck's efficient performance (20 of 30 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions).
Notre Dame players, including cornerback Leonard Moore and quarterback CJ Carr, are openly framing the upcoming season as a "revenge tour" after their College Football Playoff snub, specifically targeting their November 7 home game against Miami to atone for last year's season-opening loss. While players are vocal about past defeats to Miami and Texas A&M, coach Marcus Freeman emphasizes focusing on the immediate challenge of their season opener against Wisconsin, cautioning against dwelling on future matchups or past disappointments.
