The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

The Independent is the essential listen for fans of Fighting Irish football. Pete Sampson of the Athletic and Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone are back to take you inside the Notre Dame program. With a combined 35 years + of experience on the ND beat, this twice weekly podcast has you covered for everything blue and gold.

Notre Dame defeats Miami (OH) 28-3

Notre Dame improved to 3-1 with a win over MAC opponent Miami (Ohio), and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to talk about it. Riley Leonard threw his first TD pass of the season and Al Golden's defense locked down the RedHawks as the Fighting Irish look ahead to Louisville.

09-22
47:38

Miami (Ohio) at Notre Dame Preview featuring Chuck Martin

Notre Dame looks to go to 3-1 as Miami (Ohio) comes to South Bend, led by former Fighting Irish assistant (and longtime ND fan) Chuck Martin. The 11th-year RedHawks coach joins the show, as Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson preview this Saturday's game and much more.

09-19
45:52

Postgame Reaction: Notre Dame Smokes Purdue, 66-7

Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson go live after the Fighting Irish bludgeon the Boilermakers, bringing Marcus Freeman's squad to 2-1. All four QBs -- Riley Leonard, Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, CJ Carr -- saw game action as this one was over early. Where did this performance come from? And how did Notre Dame bounce back so well from the Northern Illinois loss?

09-15
41:50

Notre Dame at Purdue Preview with Aaron Taylor

How does Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame squad respond after the stunning loss to Northern Illinois? Is QB Riley Leonard ready to go for Purdue? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson discuss all of that and much more. Plus, former Fighting Irish All-American and current CBS analyst Aaron Taylor joins the show to offer his perspective.

09-12
01:03:00

Postgame Live: Notre Dame Stunned by Northern Illinois

Marcus Freeman's third Fighting Irish team suffers a stunning 16-14 loss to 28-point underdog Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium. Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson talk about Riley Leonard's struggles, the defense's shortcomings and where ND goes from here after a 1-1 start to the season.

09-08
53:31

Notre Dame win over Texas A&M with Stanford Steve plus previewing Northern Illinois

Matt & Pete talk more about Notre Dame's opening win at Texas A&M and what this means for the rest of the Irish season. What did Riley Leonard show in his debut in the blue & gold and how did Marcus Freeman's enthusiasm drive the team. Plus, Stanford Steve joins the show to share his thoughts on Notre Dame as well as what it has been like this year on College Gameday with the addition of Nick Saban. Finally, the guys preview the matchup with Northern Illinois for the home opener in South Bend. 

09-05
52:44

Postgame Live | Notre Dame beats Texas A&M

Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson go live from College Station, Texas to talk about Notre Dame's thrilling 23-13 win over Texas A&M to open Year 3 of the Marcus Freeman era. New QB Riley Leonard made clutch plays in the fourth quarter, Xavier Watts and the defense dominated, and Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love found the end zone in Saturday's thriller in SEC country.

09-01
01:06:23

Notre Dame at Texas A&M Preview with Carter Karels

The season is finally ready to kickoff and Matt & Pete return for the first preview episode of the season, Notre Dame at Texas A&M.  Tune in for a live Q&A with Notre Dame fans at ESQ Clothing in Chicago where all topics of Irish football are brought up. Who is going to stand out from the group of young linebackers, can the offensive line hold up and are the receivers up to task. Plus predictions for Marcus Freeman's team on the road against the Aggies.  Carter Karels of GigEm247 joins the show to help preview the matchup. 

08-30
01:23:42

Notre Dame 2024 Season Preview with Tony Simeone

It's game week and Matt & Pete are back to get you ready for the start of a the Irish 2024 campaign. This week they're joined by Tony Simeone, the new radio play-by-play voice of Notre Dame, as he helps them breakdown all aspects of the season. Tune in for thoughts on the offensive line, Marcus Freeman's composure going into the Fall, Riley Leonard, as well as thoughts on the scale of this opener. 

08-26
52:30

Fall Camp Assessment & Player Predictions

Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson react to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the midway point of fall camp, take your questions on Marcus Freeman's squad, and dive into some player predictions surrounding Riley Leonard, Jeremiyah Love, Kris Mitchell, Beaux Collins, Anthonie Knapp and more ahead of the 2024 season.

08-16
01:02:32

Fall Camp Updates

Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson break down Notre Dame's first week of fall camp, including a look at the offensive line, which is turning to Tosh Baker at left tackle after starter Charles Jagusah suffered a season-ending injury.

08-08
55:25

Notre Dame First Practice Recap

Football is back! Notre Dame just wrapped up its first camp practice, with Riley Leonard, Benjamin Morrison and the rest of the Fighting Irish holding a full open practice to the media in South Bend. Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson share their takeaways, plus react to Marcus Freeman's post-practice press conference.

08-03
01:05:04

Notre Dame Fall Camp Preview

The season is just around the corner and Matt & Pete return to discuss the expectations for the Irish in 2024. Find out the latest from South Bend and the predictions for year three under Marcus Freeman. What is everyone looking for in Fall Camp and how much of a difference will there be between the offense and the defense at this stage of the preseason. Plus, when will Riley Leonard get his first chance to show what he is capable of with this offense. Tune in for a preview of Fall Camp and initial reactions later this week. 

07-31
48:54

Pete’s Notre Dame Fan Survey

Each week we get closer to Notre Dame Football and as we begin July, Matt & Pete dive into Pete’s annual Irish Fan survey to answer all your questions about Marcus Freeman’s team. How does the schedule look for the foreseeable future, does this team have a College Football Playoff run in them and who is going to breakthrough this Fall?  Plus, how optimistic is the fan base about this Fall and do Matt & Pete agree that this is a year that warrants optimism. 

07-01
48:40

Offseason Storylines & Marcus Freeman Recap

Join Matt & Pete as they share the latest from Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman as the offseason continues on. Hear their thoughts on if this is a Playoff or Bust season for Freeman, how important week one at A&M is as well as what the kick times coming out this early means to fans. 

06-05
44:03

Notre Dame Kick Times Reaction & Coaching Salary News

The kickoff times are rolling in and Matt & Pete are back to discuss what to expect from Notre Dame's schedule as well as how the kick times could impact the team. Plus, thoughts on the salary details shared about Marcus Freeman and staff as well as details on Pete's story on Matt Jansen, Irish head of scouting, that you can find in The Athletic.

05-17
48:07

Blue-Gold Spring Game Recap

Matt and Pete recap Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold spring game and look ahead to the Irish’s summer priorities. Why has QB depth been so important with Riley Leonard, Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr? Plus, why Marcus Freeman thinks this is his most talented team in South Bend.

04-24
44:27

Blue Gold Spring Game Preview

Matt & Pete return to discuss the Blue Gold game and what they expect to see from Marcus Freeman’s team on Saturday. How will the Transfer Portal impact the Irish and what can we learn from the offense without the expected starting quarterback in Riley Leonard playing on Saturday. Plus, learn more about upcoming new football facilities for Notre Dame and how it will benefit the team. 

04-19
37:40

Tourney Preview with Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey

As we head deeper into March the hoops talk continues on the Independent as Matt & Pete are joined by Irish head Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey. Coach Ivey talks about the ACC tournament win as well as what to expect from Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament as the team hosts the first two rounds. Plus, Spring Practice rolls onward as Marcus Freeman and company continue to put in work with the squad and Pete shares details from his trip around the South to visit those connected Notre Dame’s past, present and future Quarterbacks. 

03-16
45:00

Notre Dame First Spring Practice Impressions

The Irish were back on the field for the first time ahead of the 2024 season as Spring Practice as begun in South Bend. Tune in for thoughts from Matt & Pete on the new faces for Marcus Freeman’s team, where players were lining up while practicing out of pads and find out their first impression of the 2024 squad. Plus, thoughts on if the wide out group looks to have been elevated in the offseason and is the secondary the strength of this team? 

03-09
47:38

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