Here are the 10 best games of Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman's Ohio State football career
Marcus Freeman is making his return to Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Playing linebacker for Ohio State from 2004-08 and joining Jim Tressel's coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2010, the Notre Dame coach returns to Ohio Stadium for the first time since he was Cincinnati's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2019.
As a linebacker for the Buckeyes' defense, Freeman played a large role.
A three-year starter starting in 2006, he finished his career with 264 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, two interceptions, nine pass deflections and two forced fumbles. Freeman was also a two-time second-team All-Big Ten linebacker in 2007 and 2008.
Here's a look at the 10 best games of Freeman's college football career as an Ohio State linebacker:
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Sept. 2, 2006: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Northern Illinois
Arriving as a four-star linebacker in the 2004 recruiting class, the former No. 66 player, No. 5 inside linebacker and No. 4 prospect out of Dayton didn't see the field on defense until his third season with the program.
In the 2006 season-opening 35-12 win against Northern Illinois, Freeman recorded nine tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss and a pass deflection.
Sept. 30, 2006: No. 1 Ohio State at No. 13 Iowa
Freeman recorded his first sack and first interception in Ohio State's 38-17 road win against Iowa, adding in five tackles.
Oct. 14, 2006: No. 1 Ohio State at Michigan State
Freeman recorded his second and final interception of his college career, adding five tackles in the Buckeyes' 38-7 win against the Spartans.
Jan. 8, 2007: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Florida
In the 2007 BCS National Championship against Florida, Freeman finished tied with linebacker James Laurinaitis for the team-lead with 15 tackles — nine solo and six assisted. The Buckeyes lost to the Gators, 41-14.
Sept. 22, 2007: No. 8 Ohio State vs. Northwestern
Freeman was all over the place in the Buckeyes' 58-7 win against the Wildcats, recording three tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack and two pass deflections.
Sept. 29, 2007: No. 4 Ohio State at Minnesota
Freeman joined Laurinatis as Ohio State's only two double-digit tacklers against the Golden Gophers, recording 11 tackles — seven solo and four assisted — along with a tackle-for-loss in the Buckeyes; 30-7 win.
Oct. 27, 2007: No. 1 Ohio State at No. 24 Penn State
Freeman led Ohio State's defense in tackles with 14 — 10 solo and four assisted — along with two tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble, leading the Buckeyes to a 37-17 road win against Penn State.
Nov. 10, 2007: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Illinois
Freeman led the way for Ohio State's defense, recording 18 tackles, a tackle-for-loss and a pass deflection, but still game up short, falling 28-21 to the Fighting Illini.
Jan. 7, 2008: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 LSU
In a return trip to the BCS National Championship, Freeman shined, recording 14 tackles and a forced fumble against LSU. The Buckeyes lost to the Tigers 38-24.
Nov. 22, 2008: No. 10 Ohio State vs. Michigan
In Freeman's final meeting with Michigan, he recorded seven tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, one pass deflection and a fumble recovery. Ohio State beat the Wolverines 42-7.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman's best games at Ohio State
