First & Gold: Notre Dame Football

SHOP - The Game - Use Promo Code "IRISH" for 30% off classic hatswww.thegamecaps.com Notre Dame takes down the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes 31-24 in South Bend, delivering arguably the biggest regular-season victory of the Marcus Freeman era and putting the college football world on notice. But was it as convincing as the final score suggests?We’re breaking down all the biggest storylines, talking points, and controversies coming out of a massive night at Notre Dame Stadium.🏈 CJ CARR IS HIM. Is Notre Dame's quarterback officially entering the Heisman conversation? Carr delivered 319 yards and three touchdowns against the nation's top-ranked team. Have we witnessed his arrival on the national stage?🚨 THE CALL HEARD AROUND COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Was Miami robbed of a game-tying touchdown on Elija Lofton's controversial fourth-quarter catch? Did the officials get it right, and how much did Luke Talich's defensive effort factor into the outcome?☘️ MARCUS FREEMAN'S SIGNATURE WIN. After plenty of questions about his ability to win the biggest games, Freeman finally gets a statement victory against the No. 1 team in the country. What does this mean for his program and Notre Dame's national perception?🔥 24-3 TO A ONE-SCORE GAME. How did Notre Dame allow Miami to claw its way back into this game? What happened defensively in the second half, and should Irish fans be concerned about the late-game collapse?💪 LUKE TALICH AND THE DEFENSE. From a massive interception to a game-saving fourth-quarter pass breakup, Talich came up when Notre Dame needed him most. We discuss the unsung heroes who made the difference.📈 THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PICTURE. Notre Dame entered the weekend ranked No. 11 in the initial CFP rankings despite being No. 4 in the AP Poll. Does this win finally force the committee to give the Irish the respect they've earned?And with Miami playing without star receiver Malachi Toney, are the Hurricanes going to use that as an excuse, or does this victory put any doubt about Notre Dame's legitimacy to rest?The rivalry has another chapter, the Irish have their statement win, and the conversation around Notre Dame football has officially changed.HERE COME THE IRISH. ☘️Subscribe, like, and leave your thoughts in the comments!

First & Gold host, Clayton Stohler, sits down with Josh Pate ahead of the Notre Dame/Miami game in South Bend to discuss Pate's start in covering college football, his visits to campus, and what makes Notre Dame's feel on campus special.

Notre Dame comes in at #11 in the first College Football Playoff rankings which may be a surprise to some fans, but not to others. The CFP committee is sending a clear message to the Irish - Win... or go home.Will the Irish use this as fuel to in their matchup with Miami this weekend? One thing is for sure... The mantra, "Leave No Doubt" takes on a new meaning.

Shop B.Draddyhttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dameShop TMPR Sportshttps://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.Draddyhttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dameShop TMPR Sportshttps://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.Draddyhttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dameShop TMPR Sportshttps://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.Draddyhttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dameShop TMPR Sportshttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dameThe 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.Draddyhttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dameShop TMPR Sportshttps://tmprsports.com/?aff=198The 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.Draddyhttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre...Shop TMPR Sportshttps://tmprsports.com/?aff=198Notre 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.Draddyhttps://bdraddy.com/collections/notre-dameSHOP TMPRhttps://tmprsports.com/ https://tmprsports.com/?aff=198The 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.