Advertise on podcast: First & Gold: Notre Dame Football

Shop B.Draddy https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dame Shop TMPR Sports https://tmprsports.com/ Notre Dame’s trip to Provo was supposed to be a chance for the Irish to prove themselves in a hostile road environment. Instead, the BYU game left plenty of questions about this team’s identity, toughness, and coaching staff. We’re breaking down the Irish defense’s inability to consistently pressure the quarterback after losing Boubacar Traore to a targeting call, along with the concerning body language, overconfidence, and lack of physicality that plagued the unit. How much responsibility falls on defensive coordinator Chris Ash, and why did the defense seem incapable of making the adjustments necessary to slow down BYU? On the offensive side, we’re asking the same questions Notre Dame fans continue to ask: Why abandon the running game when it’s working? Why does freshman phenom Jonaz Walton continue to see such limited opportunities? And when will the Irish finally find consistent answers in the red zone? We’ll also examine CJ Carr’s accuracy issues, including several overthrown passes, and what his performance means for an offense still searching for consistency. Was this simply a bad day for the Irish, or are these recurring problems exposing deeper issues with the coaching staff and this team’s championship aspirations? The questions are piling up, and it’s time to have some tough conversations. Join us on First & Gold as we break down what went wrong in Provo and what Notre Dame must fix moving forward.

Shop B.Draddy https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dame Shop TMPR Sports https://tmprsports.com/ The Fighting Irish head west for their biggest test yet as Notre Dame takes on BYU in a top-10 showdown in Provo! With an undefeated record on the line, the Irish are walking into one of the toughest road environments in college football, facing a passionate Cougars fanbase ready to make its presence felt. Will Marcus Freeman have his team prepared to silence the crowd and deliver a statement win, or will the hostile atmosphere prove to be a factor? There's no shortage of storylines heading into this one. The lingering tension surrounding Notre Dame's decision to decline the Pop-Tarts Bowl invitation adds another layer to this matchup, with BYU fans potentially viewing Saturday as an opportunity to make the Irish pay. Is there extra motivation in Provo to take down Notre Dame, and will that energy translate onto the field? On the defensive side, we break down BYU's tight ends and their potential to exploit Adon Shuler's struggles in coverage. Could the possible return of Brauntae Johnson provide a much-needed boost to the Irish defense in a matchup where every assignment matters? We'll also discuss the absence of BYU's starting running back and what it means for the Cougars' offense. If Notre Dame comes away with a victory, will the naysayers use that key injury to discredit the Irish? At this point in the season, can the Irish afford to worry about the excuses, or is it all about taking care of business against a top-10 opponent on the road? Is this the moment Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish make a statement to the entire country? Can Notre Dame bring the intensity, physicality, and execution necessary to come out of Provo with a signature win? It's Notre Dame versus BYU. A hostile road environment, unfinished bowl-game business, key injuries, and everything on the line in a massive top-10 matchup. It's time to find out what these Irish are made of. ☘️

Shop B.Draddy https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dame Shop TMPR Sports https://tmprsports.com/search?type=product%2Cpage&q=Notre%20dame* Notre Dame walks away with a 37-26 win over North Carolina, but don't let the final score fool you. This game felt much more lopsided than the scoreboard suggests. What should have been a comfortable 28-7 Irish lead heading into halftime quickly turned into a much more interesting afternoon thanks to questionable goal line play calling, a turnover on downs, a 97-yard touchdown drive by the Tar Heels, and a kickoff return touchdown to open the second half. So how much of North Carolina's comeback was self-inflicted, and how much should concern Irish fans moving forward? We break down the defensive lapses, the momentum swings, and the mistakes that allowed the Tar Heels to hang around longer than they should have. On the bright side, Notre Dame's running game continues to find its identity. Jonaz Walton is making a serious case to be the go-to back alongside Nolan James, and the Irish offense is showing signs of becoming a more physical, consistent unit. Despite the frustrating moments, Notre Dame secures its 15th consecutive double-digit victory. Is this a case of a good team making a few costly mistakes, or are there warning signs the Irish need to address before tougher competition arrives?

Shop B.Draddy https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dame Shop TMPR Sports https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dame The Irish have begun to establish an identity of their own, but questions still surround exactly what this North Carolina team can become under one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Could an early noon kickoff, a potentially overconfident Notre Dame team, and a little Chapel Hill magic from Belichick combine to create a stumbling block for the Irish? North Carolina’s defense appears to be the strength of this team, with the defensive line standing out as a unit Notre Dame will need to account for. On the other side of the ball, the Tar Heels have some intriguing weapons, including tight end Jelani Thurman, who could present problems for the Irish defense. Is Notre Dame ready to handle business on the road, or is this a matchup that could be much more dangerous than it looks on paper? We break down the matchup, the potential pitfalls, and what Notre Dame needs to do to avoid an unexpected stumble in Chapel Hill.

Shop B.Draddy https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dame Shop TMPR Sports https://tmprsports.com/?aff=198 The Irish continue to find answers on both sides of the ball, and there are plenty of encouraging developments to break down. Notre Dame’s defensive line continues to show legitimate pass rushing ability on the edge, with Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young making their presence felt. Young in particular has been a pleasant surprise, continuing to show the growth and development that has made him an increasingly important piece of the Irish defense. With Brauntae Johnson and Luke Talich unavailable, true freshman Joey O’Brien was thrust into action at safety. The former five-star recruit made the most of his opportunity, showing the instincts, athleticism, and playmaking ability that made him one of the nation’s most highly regarded recruits coming out of high school. On offense, Notre Dame is beginning to show more balance and creativity. The ball was spread around more consistently, including opportunities for the tight ends, while multiple wide receivers continue to make their mark. Micah Gilbert’s emergence has been one of the biggest storylines, while Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse continue to give CJ Carr reliable weapons in the passing game. And perhaps most importantly, the Notre Dame running game is starting to find its footing. After some early season questions, the Irish are beginning to establish more consistency on the ground which is an encouraging sign as this offense continues to develop its identity.

Shop B.Draddy https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre... Shop TMPR Sports https://tmprsports.com/?aff=198 Notre Dame handled Michigan State 27-10 to move to 3-0, but the 17-point victory left plenty to unpack. The Irish showed flashes of a developing offensive identity behind CJ Carr, who continues to look increasingly comfortable pushing the ball downfield and making plays when Notre Dame needs them. Micah Gilbert officially exploded onto the scene, putting together a career night with 8 catches for 170 yards and establishing himself as a legitimate weapon in the Notre Dame passing game. Is Gilbert becoming the type of playmaker this offense has been missing? On the defensive side, Luke Talich once again made the most of his opportunity in the absence of Brauntae Johnson, delivering a standout performance that raises even more questions about the safety rotation moving forward. Then there's the running back room. Nolan James Jr. turned in a career performance with 121 rushing yards, looking every bit like an emerging alpha back as Notre Dame searches for consistency on the ground. Does James deserve to become the clear lead back over Aneyas Williams? And finally, we have to talk about Williams' night — his struggles on the field and a controversial end-zone celebration that drew attention given the circumstances surrounding the play.

SHOP B.Draddy https://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dame SHOP TMPR https://tmprsports.com/ https://tmprsports.com/?aff=198 The Battle for the Megaphone is BACK. After nearly a decade without a meeting, Notre Dame and Michigan State renew one of college football’s historic rivalries under the lights in South Bend. The two programs have met 79 times dating back to 1897, with the Megaphone Trophy on the line since 1949. This will be the first matchup since 2017. On this episode of First & Gold, we preview Notre Dame vs. Michigan State and take a closer look at the storylines surrounding the return of this rivalry. What does this game mean for the Irish? And what does it mean for a Michigan State program beginning a new era under head coach Pat Fitzgerald? Fitzgerald certainly isn't a stranger to Notre Dame. From his playing days at Northwestern to his years competing against the Irish, he has plenty of history with Notre Dame and now gets the opportunity to lead the Spartans into Notre Dame Stadium for the first time as their head coach. Notre Dame enters the matchup 2-0 and ranked No. 3 nationally, while Michigan State also comes in unbeaten at 2-0 under Fitzgerald. So the question is simple: Will Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald have enough juice to make the "Battle for the Megaphone" a battle? We break down the matchup, the rivalry, the Fitzgerald connection, and what Notre Dame needs to do to take care of business as the Irish look to keep the Megaphone in South Bend.

We had the privilege of welcoming Notre Dame legend Golden Tate to the show for an incredible conversation spanning his journey in South Bend, his NFL career, and the lessons that have shaped him both on and off the field. A Biletnikoff Award winner, 11-year NFL veteran, Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl Champion, Tate reflects on his time at Notre Dame and the path that turned him into one of the most dynamic playmakers in Fighting Irish history. Golden shares how his background in baseball helped fuel his transition from running back to wide receiver, the mentality that drove him throughout his career, and what it took to compete at the highest levels of college and professional football. He also gives his thoughts on the current Notre Dame roster, discusses his passion for multi-sport athletics and advocating for young athletes to play multiple sports, and opens up about one of the most important roles in his life today: fatherhood. From Notre Dame to the NFL and now to life beyond football, this is a wide-ranging conversation with one of the most accomplished athletes to ever wear the Irish uniform. Don't miss this special episode of First & Gold with Golden Tate.

Notre Dame walked away with a convincing 28-point victory, but was the performance as dominant as the final score suggests? In this episode of First & Gold, we break down an Irish offense that struggled to find its footing early, particularly in the running game and along the offensive line. The early play calling even brought back shades of last year's Miami game, raising some familiar concerns before Notre Dame found its rhythm after halftime. On the other side of the ball, the Irish defense delivered another stout performance, highlighted by stellar showings from Drayk Bowen and Bryce Young. We also dive into CJ Carr's steady performance throwing the football downfield and what his ability to make those throws could mean as the season progresses. So, should Notre Dame fans feel comfortable after a 28-point win, or did the first half expose issues that can't be ignored? Were the second-half adjustments enough to erase those concerns, or could those early struggles become a bigger problem against better competition? We break down the good, the bad, and everything in between as Notre Dame looks ahead to the rest of the season.

It’s finally here. Notre Dame is just a day away from kicking off the 2026 season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, and we’re bringing you our final thoughts before kickoff including some "Gold Predictions" for this game. In this episode, we take one last look at the biggest questions, matchups, and storylines surrounding the Irish before they take the field. What should Notre Dame be looking to establish early? Which players could be poised for breakout performances? And what are the biggest potential trouble spots against a Wisconsin team looking to make a statement under the lights? Plus, Max Uretsky joins us for an “All-22” film breakdown, taking us inside some of the most important individual matchups in this game. We’ll identify specific areas where Notre Dame’s players can take advantage of Wisconsin schematically and physically — and explain what to watch for once the game gets underway. The hype, predictions, and offseason expectations are officially over. Now it’s time to play football. Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin. Lambeau Field. One final preview before kickoff.

The national narrative has already decided that Notre Dame has one of the easier schedules in college football. But is that really the full story? In this episode, we take a deep dive into Notre Dame’s 2026 football schedule, looking beyond preseason rankings and the names on the schedule to examine when the Irish play each opponent and where those teams could realistically be positioned by the time they meet Notre Dame. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, a Michigan State team coming to South Bend early to renew a rivalry game, a difficult trip to BYU, heavy hitter Miami, and SMU of note. Is Notre Dame really getting a collection of “cupcakes” like the national narrative suggests? Or could several of these games become much more difficult than they appear right now based on momentum, what the opponents' records and rankings may actually be, and coaching situations? We break down the schedule, identify the potential trap games, examine where the schedule could actually work in Notre Dame’s favor, and ask the biggest question: Is Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule actually easy or are we looking at it the wrong way? Because sometimes the most important part of a schedule isn't who you play… it's when you play them and deeper narratives.

On this episode, we sit down with former Notre Dame defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio for an inside look at his journey from South Bend to the NFL. Rubio takes us behind the scenes of his Notre Dame career, sharing stories and insights from his time playing for coaches Marcus Freeman, Al Washington, and Al Golden, while reflecting on the experiences, challenges, and relationships that shaped him along the way. Now, Rubio is taking the next step in his football journey after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He discusses the transition from college football to the NFL, what he's learned through the process, and what it means to begin his professional career in Pittsburgh. From his development at Notre Dame to hearing his name called on draft night, this is a conversation that gives Irish fans a closer look at Gabriel Rubio — the player, the person, and the journey that brought him to the NFL.

Wisconsin may have a wildcard waiting for Notre Dame... and his name is Colton Joseph. The Badgers brought in the dual-threat quarterback from Old Dominion after a 2025 season in which Joseph rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Now, he enters a Wisconsin offense led by offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, a coach with a long history of offensive line play and a reputation for building physical, run-oriented attacks. That combination could present a unique challenge for Notre Dame. Can Joseph’s ability to create with his legs, paired with Grimes’ commitment to running the football, put pressure on the Irish defense? How does Notre Dame account for a quarterback who can turn a broken play into a huge gain? And could Wisconsin’s rushing attack become one of the biggest problems on the Irish schedule? In this episode of First & Gold, we break down Wisconsin’s offensive wildcard, what Colton Joseph brings to the Badgers, and why the pairing of Joseph and Jeff Grimes could give Notre Dame plenty to think about.

The Notre Dame-USC rivalry is officially making its return to the schedule, with the Trojans and Fighting Irish set to meet again in 2030 and 2031 after Indiana backed out of its previously scheduled series with Notre Dame. But the bigger question is becoming increasingly relevant in college football: Are coaches and programs trying to avoid tough non-conference games? With Lincoln Riley ultimately playing a part in helping to get the Notre Dame-USC series temporarily cancelled initially, and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledging that their own non-conference scheduling philosophy may need to be reevaluated in reference to a future series with Notre Dame that “tentatively” on the books, we take a look at the growing trend of programs reconsidering marquee matchups before they ever happen. What does this mean for Notre Dame’s scheduling ability moving forward? But the majority of this episode takes us inside Notre Dame fall camp. Following the only practice media is permitted to attend during camp, we break down everything we’ve heard and learned from the Irish as the team prepares for the 2026 season. Running back coach Ja'Juan Seider made headlines by mentioning that Jonaz Walton is going to be hard to keep off the field, giving us plenty to discuss about the freshman running back and the rest of Notre Dame's talented backfield. We also dive into the wide receiver room, including what we expect from Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse, while taking a closer look at true freshman Bubba Fraizer. Fraizer's combination of speed, athleticism, and football IQ could give him a legitimate opportunity to make an impact sooner rather than later in a wide receiver room loaded with competition. What did the media actually learn from Notre Dame's lone open practice? Which players stood out? And what could these early camp observations tell us about the Irish heading into the season? 🍀 Subscribe, share, like, leave a review, and join us all season long as we bring you beyond the goal line with independent Notre Dame Football coverage.

The hype surrounding Notre Dame's 2026 season is impossible to ignore, but are we getting ahead of ourselves? This week, we take a step back and examine the one trend Marcus Freeman must finally put behind him, September losses. Despite leading the Irish to incredible highs, Freeman owns a 9-5 record in games played during the opening month of the season, including several disappointing losses to teams Notre Dame was expected to beat badly. We also revisit last year's 0-2 start against the toughest opponents on the schedule and discuss why proving this team can win the early-season games consistently remains the final hurdle before fans can fully buy into the championship expectations. We also break down Notre Dame's stunning new football facility, what it means for the future of the program, and discuss the University's landmark $20 million partnership with SoFi that will place a sponsor patch on the Fighting Irish uniforms for the first time in program history. Is this finally the year Notre Dame puts its September struggles behind it, or is cautious optimism still the right approach? We dive into all of it on this episode of First & Gold.