— Notre Dame opens fall camp Thursday with something it has not enjoyed in several years: a roster shaped by experience, a returning starting quarterback and continuity across all three coordinator positions. Freeman said Notre Dame must select a backup for the opener, though that decision may evolve as the season progresses. Notre Dame must learn which combinations work, which reserves can be trusted and how many players can contribute meaningful snaps in September and beyond. Correcting it required Notre Dame to evaluate its entire offseason operation, not search for a quick fix during camp. Freeman said Notre Dame did not earn that opportunity and cannot allow future ambitions to distract from daily preparation.