

The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 22, 2023 • 1h 4min
Notre Dame at Stanford preview with Father Nate Wills
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?
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Nov 19, 2023 • 44min
Notre Dame closes out home schedule with a 45-7 win against Wake Forest
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.
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Nov 16, 2023 • 47min
Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest preview with former Irish linebacker Joe Schmidt
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.
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Nov 8, 2023 • 54min
Next Steps for Notre Dame with ACC Network’s Eric Mac Lain
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.
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Nov 5, 2023 • 58min
Notre Dame suffers third loss of the season at Clemson
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.
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Nov 2, 2023 • 54min
Notre Dame at Clemson preview with Ian Williams
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.
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Oct 29, 2023 • 48min
Notre Dame Demolishes Pitt, 58-7: Postgame Reaction
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.
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Oct 26, 2023 • 55min
Notre Dame vs. Pitt preview with Tim O’Malley
This week Matt & Pete return to discuss the upcoming matchup between the Irish and the Pitt Panthers. They are joined by Tim O’Malley to talk about Notre Dame headed into the final four games of the season and what it is like coaching Marcus Freeman’s kids in flag football.
What can we expect from Sam Hartman the rest of the way, how have QB transfers changed college football and the duo give their predictions for the game against Pitt this weekend.
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Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 5min
Notre Dame Bye Week with Tim Murray of VSiN
Matt & Pete are joined by Tim Murray of VSiN to discuss Notre Dame through eight games. Plus, a look at what Vegas thinks of the Irish for the remainder of the season and thoughts on how opinions of the coaching staff changed following the win over USC.
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Oct 15, 2023 • 1h 2min
Notre Dame knocks off undefeated USC, 48-20
Matt & Pete share their postgame reaction to Notre Dame’s dominant victory over the Trojans. The Irish forced 3 Caleb Williams interceptions and bounced back from their defeat a week ago. Marcus Freeman praised the defense and the show looks ahead to what else ND fans can expect from this season.
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