The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

The Irish found out their bowl destination on Sunday night as they will be headed to El Paso, Texas to face Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Join Matt & Pete for first thoughts on the bowl selection as well as reactions to the matchup with the Beavers. Plus, news from the transfer portal who is on the move and who could the Irish pickup for the 2024 season.  Marcus Freeman addressed the matchup and awaits the decision of which players will opt-out, will Sam Hartman play for the Irish during the bowl game or will Notre Dame be with a different starting QB for the postseason.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week’s episode of the Independent, Matt & Pete talk about the news that Notre Dame has parted ways with wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey. Plus, thoughts on transfer portal options for the Irish as well as who has decided to depart the roster for the portal and will Riley Leonard be the new man under center for Marcus Freeman?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the final game of the regular season the Irish defeated Stanford 56-23 behind a career day for Auric Estimé. Estimé had four touchdowns and ran for a career high of 238 yards as Notre Dame improved to 9-3 on the season. Matt & Pete discuss the game against the Cardinal as well as what bowl season and the offseason holds for the Irish.  What steps has Marcus Freeman taken this year and will his staff look the same at the start of next season. Will Notre Dame look for another transfer portal QB with Sam Hartman’s career coming to a close?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt & Pete return for a pre-Thanksgiving show to discuss the upcoming matchup with Stanford to close out the regular season on Saturday. Plus, Father Nate Wills joins the show to talk about his role as the team chaplain and share his take on the program. Will Marcus Freeman’s team close out the year with a victory and what are the bowl possibilities for the Irish?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sam Hartman poured it on against his former team on Saturday, throwing for four touchdowns and 277 yards in Notre Dame’s win against Wake Forest. Rico Flores Jr. had 102 yards receiving and Marcus Freeman’s team improved to 8-3 on the season heading into their final game of the regular season against Stanford. Matt & Pete give their postgame thoughts and discuss how Notre Dame should use the final few weeks of 2023.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt & Pete return from the bye week to preview the final home game of the season for the Irish as they face off against Wake Forest. Plus, former Notre Dame linebacker Joe Schmidt stops by to discuss his thoughts on this season so far and what remains for Marcus Freeman’s team.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Matt & Pete talk aftermath of the Clemson loss with Eric Mac Lain of the ACC Network as well as what does Notre Dame need to do to take the next step under Marcus Freeman.  Plus, Mac Lain shares his perspective on what separates coaches in his eyes and what the Irish will need this offseason to compete at the highest level.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Irish offense struggled throughout the day and Sam Hartman was 12-25 with 146 yards & two interceptions as Notre Dame lost to Clemson 31-23. Matt & Pete give their thoughts on the loss and where this leaves Marcus Freeman’s team heading into the final two games of the season. With the end of the regular season already in sight and a New Year’s Six bowl likely out of reach the discussion shifts to what offseason changes might come down the line for Notre Dame.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Heading into a very different Notre Dame - Clemson matchup than years past, Matt & Pete return discuss the Irish with former ND defensive lineman Ian Williams. Tune in for predictions as well as reaction to the latest from Dabo Swinney before Saturday’s game.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Irish put together a dominant performance against Pitt as they forced five turnovers that led to 23 points and cruised to the home victory. Audric Estime rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns while Sam Hartman threw for almost 300 yards. The Defense was led by Xavier Watt’s two interceptions and didn’t give up a score till late in the game. Join Matt & Pete for their thoughts on the win and how Notre Dame’s opponents fared on Saturday.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.