(Notre Dame) — In his final media availability before Saturday’s game with Rice, Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman preached the discipline the Irish defense would need in preparing for the Owls’ triple-option attack.

“Yes, they run it out of the shotgun, which is different,” noted Freeman, “but anytime you face a triple-option team you have to try to take away the dive, the quarterback and the pitch, and you have to be disciplined with your eyes. If we’re not disciplined ad sound in those areas, it’s going to lead to some big plays.”

The Owls racked up 465 yards of rushing last week, albeit against an outmanned opponent in Houston Christian. Freeman is taking nothing for granted.

He says linebacker Kyngston Villiamu-Asa is expected to make his season debut in this game, coming back from a knee injury late last season. Freeman also expects defensive ends Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young — who saw limited to no time in last season’s game with another triple-option team in Navy — will play large roles this week.

Freeman reiterated one of the reasons Notre Dame went in full pads Tuesday was it was needed to prepare for Rice’s offense. “I thought we had a good practice Tuesday and another one on Wednesday.”

But as the fifth-year Irish head coach looks to win just his second home opener (losses to Marshall, Northern Illinois and Texas A&M), he continues to emphasize one specific trait. “The answer is you have to be disciplined,” states Freeman. “Your eyes will tell you what your job is”

Kickoff is shortly after 3:30 Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium. The game is televised by NBC and Peacock.