The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Notre Dame goes for its first win of the season Saturday as it hosts in-state rival Purdue. Can Marcus Freeman's Fighting Irish take out their frustrations against the Boilermakers again, like they did last season? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to preview that game and much more. Plus, special guest Ivan Maisel joins the show to talk about his new book: "American Coach: The Triumph and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy."

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Notre Dame is 0-2 after losing a heartbearker to Texas A&M, 41-40. How will Marcus Freeman's Fighting Irish respond? What's up with Chris Ash's defense? Can CJ Carr dig the offense out of this hole? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break it all down with a live episode.

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Notre Dame returns from its bye week with a showdown against Texas A&M. Can Marcus Freeman and Co. make it two in a row against Mike Elko and the Aggies? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break it all down. Plus, team chaplain Father Nate Wills joins the show to talk about his new book, "Pray Like a Champion Today."

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As Notre Dame turns the page from its season-opening loss at Miami, Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson of The Independent take a look at what went right, what went wrong, and how that all will affect the Fighting Irish come next week against Texas A&M. Plus, former Irish offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. joins the show to share his insights into what really goes down in the trenches.

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Convicts 1, Catholics 0. That's the scoreboard after Notre Dame fell to Miami in a 27-24 contest at Hard Rock Stadium that came down to the final minute. How did CJ Carr perform in his debut? How did defensive coordinator Chris Ash look? And where do Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish program turn to now with a huge game against Texas A&M on-deck? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break it all down and take your questions on the postgame live edition of The Independent.

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Football is back! And Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to preview Notre Dame's 2025 season and much more. Submit your questions for those two and special guest Tim Murray here as the trio previews Marcus Freeman's squad's game this weekend at Miami and much more!

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Marcus Freeman named CJ Carr Notre Dame's starting quarterback for the 2025 season, a surprise move given how well Kenny Minchey played in fall camp. Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson react to the news plus share notes on the team captains and what this means for the season opener against Miami. 

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Matt & Pete breakdown the latest out of Fall camp for Marcus Freeman and the Irish as CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey battle for the Notre Dame starting quarterback spot. Mike Denbrock’s offense has had success with duel threat QBs and with CJ Carr struggling with three picks in practice, the competition has become more serious for the Notre Dame signal caller. Plus, thoughts on how the quarterbacks could be used in the opener against Miami and other news and notes out of Notre Dame camp.

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Matt & Pete are joined by Jack Kiser to look back on his career with the Irish, training camp in Jacksonville and thoughts on this year’s Notre Dame team. Plus, expectations of camp opening in South Bend and what Marcus Freeman’s team can do to repeat last year’s success. When will C.J. Carr be anointed and thoughts on the offensive line following the injury to Charles Jagusah.

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Matt & Pete are joined by former Major Leaguer and World Series Champion Trey Mancini to hear about his experience as a Notre Dame baseball player, an Irish football fan and an avid listener of the Independent. Plus, Matt & Pete discuss latest out of South Bend this summer, Marcus Freeman’s recruiting run as of late and what to expect as the season draws closer.

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Matt & Pete return for Pete’s annual Notre Dame Fan Survey. Tune in for thoughts from the fan base on the USC series potentially ending, where are Notre Dame’s strength, how they view Marcus Freeman three years in and who will be the breakout start for 2025? Plus, thoughts on the NBC broadcast crew and their ideal booth pairing.

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Matt & Pete are joined by ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy to get his perspective of the state of the Irish heading into the 2025 season. What are his impressions of Marcus Freeman after covering the team so closely during the playoff run last year, how does he feel like Notre Dame is setup in terms of depth for the season and does he expect another deep playoff run for 2025?

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It may be May, but there is no shortage of Notre Dame football news to cover. Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson have you covered on the latest from Marcus Freeman, the USC rivalry, College Football Playoff talks and much, much more.

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Matt & Pete are back to talk about the latest news from the Fighting Irish and are joined by David Hale of ESPN to talk about the Clemson Series and the ACC. Never too early to look ahead at the Notre Dame season and with the news of the kick times for games on NBC, Matt & Pete share their thoughts on the lineup Marcus Freeman’s team will face once the Fall begins.

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Marcus Freeman officially put a bow on Notre Dame's spring campaign Wednesday, and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break down the Fighting Irish coach's press conference and deliver their big takeaways from the spring. What does the departure of Steve Angeli mean? Who has the edge in the QB battle between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey? How has Chris Ash put his fingerprints on the defense? The gang discusses all of that and more, and takes your questions as well.

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Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold Spring game is just around the corner, and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to preview the weekend. What should folks watch for with QBs Steve Angeli, CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey? Plus, which team would you like to see the Fighting Irish face in a hypothetical scrimmage?

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Matt & Pete are joined by Tim Murray to discuss Notre Dame's Spring Football latest news including the quarterback competition and Steve Angeli's place in it. What does Tim think of the QB battle between Steve Angeli, CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey? Tune in for the latest on Marcus Freeman's squad as well as thoughts on the biggest impact player to expect coming out of the transfer portal. 

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Notre Dame kicked off spring football on Wednesday, and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break down Marcus Freeman’s fourth season in charge. How is the quarterback battle shaping up with Steve Angeli, CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey? How will players like Jeremiyah Love be used after a long season? How will Chris Ash and the rest of the new faces on staff fit in? One thing is for certain: It will be a spring like no other, after the longest Fighting Irish season ever.

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Spring ball is less than two weeks away at Notre Dame, and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to get you ready. The guys break down the hire of new GM Mike Martin, and they take a look at the upcoming quarterback battle of Steve Angeli, CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey. Plus, Matt and Pete go down memory lane of some of the best Fighting Irish offensive linemen they have covered, in honor of Zack Martin’s retirement from the Dallas Cowboys

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It's been a short but busy offseason for Notre Dame, with the Irish hiring running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider away from Penn State to replace Deland McCullough, and with the search for a new general manager still going, as James Blanchard elected to stay at Texas Tech. What's next for Marcus Freeman and his squad? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break it all down, take your questions and much more, on the latest episode of The Independent.

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Matt & Pete return to discuss the news that Notre Dame is bringing in former Rutgers head coach and Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash to take on the open DC role for the Irish. Find out their thoughts on the hire and what it will mean for Marcus Freeman's team next season. Plus, thoughts on timing announcement for the schedule next fall.

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Notre Dame's season came to an end Monday night, with the Fighting Irish falling to Ohio State, 34-23. Marcus Freeman's squad fought back from a 24-point deficit to make it interesting in the fourth quarter, and Riley Leonard showed plenty of guts, but in the end it wasn't enough.

Notre Dame finishes the 2024-25 season at 14-2 after a remarkable College Football Playoff run. Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break down what happened in Atlanta and to close the book on this season.

Co-hosts: Matt Fortuna, Pete Sampson

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Matt & Pete weigh in with their picks for the National Championship between Notre Dame and Ohio State with guest Tim Murray. Plus, they talk about the build up to this game and the cultural conversation around Notre Dame including Shane Gillis’ latest ad with Under Armour. 

How do the Fighting Irish matchup with Ohio State? What can Al Golden do to scheme against Jeremiah Smith and how can Notre Dame rattle Will Howard. Now that Jeremiyah Love is 100% how will that impact the game and do the Irish win the turnover battle against Ohio State? What would it...

Matt & Pete are back for another episode in the build up to the National Championship matchup with Ohio State on Monday night in Atlanta. They are joined by Tony Simeone, play-by-play voice of the Fighting Irish to talk about this season to date and what he expects from the matchup with the Buckeyes. How did Notre Dame turn things around after the loss to Northern Illinois and he assesses the coaching job of Marcus Freeman. Plus what will the legacy be for this Notre Dame team and Freeman if they are able to pull off the win and earn...

Matt & Pete are joined by Ari Wasserman of On3 for their first look at Notre Dame vs. Ohio State for the National Championship. Get early impressions of the matchup, what areas of the game Notre Dame will have the advantage against the Buckeyes and Ari's thoughts on if this is a team of destiny for the Irish? Plus, who wins the coaching matchup between Marcus Freeman and Ryan Day and which College Football coach would actually be good to hang out with at Chili's?

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Notre Dame came back from a 10-point deficit to upset Penn State, 27-24, and punch its ticket to Atlanta for the Jan. 20 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. There, the Fighting Irish will face Ohio State or Texas.

Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break it all down. Orange Bowl Defensive MVP Christian Gray came up with the timely interception to set up Mitch Jeter's game-winning field goal. Riley Leonard won Offensive MVP honors, but not without some help from backup QB Steve Angeli and WR Jaden Greathouse.

Now, Marcus Freeman will looks...

Matt & Pete share the latest on the Fighting Irish heading into their semifinal matchup with Penn State on Thursday night. Tune in for injury updates on Jeremiyah Love and Abdul Carter, what Marcus Freeman shared with press this week as well as predictions for the matchup in South Florida. Can Riley Leonard take this game on his back like he did against Georgia? Will the defense get pressure on Drew Allar? Can Jadarian Price take over the workload if Love is not 100%.

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Get ready for the 2025 Orange Bowl as Notre Dame faces Penn State for the chance to move on to the National Championship. Matt Fortuna & Pete Sampson join from The Independent and Audrey Snyder and Jon Sauber from The Nittany Dispatch to give a preview of the upcoming semifinal. Find out what both sets of reporters think of the opposing team and how Riley Leonard, Drew Allar, Jeremiyah Love, Nick Singleton, Jadarian Price, Kaytron Allen, Abdul Carter and Xavier Watt will play in this massive game for both teams. Also, which coach has the edge between Marcus Freeman and James...

Notre Dame punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinal with an emphatic win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Marcus Freeman out-coached Kirby Smart throughout the entire game and the Irish made enough plays to hold the margin over the Bulldogs to earn the win. The Notre Dame defense stifled Georgia and Gunner Stockton all game long and Riley Leonard used his legs and his arm to give the Irish the lead. The 98-yard kick return by Jayden Harrison helped create the separation they needed to earn the win. Next, the Irish head to the Orange Bowl...

The Fighting Irish head to New Orleans to take on Georgia for the right to move on to the semfinal of the College Football Playoff. Tune in for thoughts from Matt, Pete and a host of fans who share their perspective before one of the biggest games for Notre Dame in the last decade. What has Marcus Freeman said in the lead up to the matchup and how will he match wits with Kirby Smart? Is Riley Leonard ready for the Bulldogs defense and Jeremiyah Love continue to break big runs against this vaunted defense? Is Gunner Stockton ready...

Notre Dame is on to the Sugar Bowl, as the Fighting Irish made quick work of Indiana in front of a raucous crowd in South Bend. Marcus Freeman's squad is now on an 11-game winning streak as it readies for Georgia on New Year's Day. Riley Leonard commanded the offense, Jeremiyah Love had a 98-yard TD run and Jordan Faison had an Irish season-high of 89 receiving yards as the defense made life miserable for the Hoosiers. Tune in to hear Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson recap it all.

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The long awaited opening round home playoff game in South Bend is almost here and Pete, Matt, and Tim Murray are back to preview the matchup for the Irish with Indiana. Who will shine on the biggest stage for Notre Dame? It’s Riley Leonard opposite Kurtis Rourke, Marcus Freeman vs Curt Cignetti and Jeremiyah Love vs. the Hoosier defense. 

Plus Marcus Freeman’s contract news out of South Bend, the atmosphere fans can expect in Notre Dame Stadium and predictions for the first round matchup. 

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Pete shares his first reaction to the College Football Playoff draw for the Irish as they will match up against Indiana in South Bend on Dec. 20th. What should Notre Dame fans expect from the Hoosiers and “Google Me” Curt Cignetti? Is Kurtis Rourke going to move the ball against the Irish defense? Will Riley Leonard have success against the Hoosier defense or is it Jeremiyah Love who will hurdle Indiana defenders on the way to victory. Plus, Pete shares what Marcus Freeman has been saying in the build up to the matchup.



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Pete is joined by Tim Murray to discuss the latest College Football Playoff ranking and where they think the Irish will end up when the season is all said and done. Will Marcus Freeman’s team earn the coveted five seed setting them up for a favorable road to the semifinals or will they host an SEC powerhouse in an opening winter game in South Bend. Would Alabama coming to South Bend be a good matchup for Notre Dame and set them up for a memorable playoff run and what can the Irish expect from Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Lo...

Pete Sampson recaps Notre Dame's season-defining (and capping) win over USC that will clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff for Marcus Freeman and the Irish. Riley Leonard threw for 155 yards and a touchdown while Jadarian Price led the team in rushing with 111 yards. The Irish will now await the selection show for their place in the playoff and find out who they will likely be hosting at Notre Dame Stadium.

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The Irish look to close out the regular season with a victory in LA and solidify their spot in the college football playoff. Pete Sampson is joined by Tim Murray to breakdown the matchup and discuss how Marcus Freeman will match wits with Lincoln Riley and if USC has enough fight left in them to make it a challenge on Saturday. Will Riley Leonard go for a big day or is it Jeremiyah Love who keeps the Irish rolling on the ground on the way to victory?

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Marcus Freeman’s squad continued its run of dominant play with a win over previously unbeaten Army. Jeremiyah Love score three touchdowns and Riley Leonard threw two touchdowns in the victory. Pete Sampson recaps the win as well as where Notre Dame sits in the College Football Playoff Ranking and how the Irish resume stacks up against the rest of college football. 

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Tune in for a preview of the upcoming matchup with undefeated Army from Yankee Stadium. What can the Irish expect from an Army team that has its doubters of its 9-0 record. Plus, Mike Monaco joins the podcast to talk about what he saw covering Army earlier this year as well as thoughts on how Marcus Freeman's squad has fared this year.

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Notre Dame capped off Senior Day with a win over Virginia, 35-14, to improve to 9-1 on the season. Marcus Freeman's squad looks primed for a College Football Playoff berth -- and perhaps even a CFP game in South Bend, Indiana -- as it readies for Army and USC to close the regular season.



Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson talk about the dominance over the Cavaliers and much more, as Riley Leonard threw for 214 yards, Jeremiyah Love ran for 137 yards and Al Golden's defense forced five turnovers.



Co-hosts: Matt Fortuna, Pete...

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson to get together and chop it up about Notre Dame football. The Fighting Irish checked in at No. 8 in Tuesday's College Football Playoff selection committee rankings, which would give them a first-round matchup at Tennessee. How can Marcus Freeman's squad continue to move up? And what will it take for Riley Leonard and Co. to run the table the rest of the way, starting with Saturday's Senior Day contest against Virginia.



Friend of the show Eric Mac Lain joins the guys to preview...