First & Gold: Notre Dame Football

The Irish Tribune
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We welcome you to First & Gold presented by The Irish Tribune where we take you beyond the goal line with independent Notre Dame Football coverage. From breaking news and updates to game analysis, coaching decisions, and the stories surrounding Notre Dame Football, First & Gold delivers in-depth coverage with a fan-centric approach. We cut through the headlines with thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and conversations rooted in what matters most to Fighting Irish fans. Whether you're preparing for kickoff or reliving every snap, you'll find the insight, perspective, and passion reserved for the fans that bleed blue and gold. New episodes every week. Subscribe and join us as we take you beyond the goal line.

  1. 2d ago

    Notre Dame’s NEW Offensive Identity? Micah Gilbert Explodes + RB Room Shakeup?! | CJ Carr in COMMAND

    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.

  2. Sep 18

    PAT FITZGERALD RETURNS TO NOTRE DAME! Can Michigan State STEAL the Megaphone?

    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.

  3. Sep 14

    Golden Tate Joins the Show: Notre Dame, Baseball, the NFL, the Current Irish Roster, & Fatherhood

    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.

  4. Sep 10

    Was Notre Dame's 28 point WIN over Wisconsin truly DOMINANT? | 2nd Half ADJUSTMENTS | Running Game

    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.

  5. Sep 6

    We Watched the Film: Notre Dame Can Exploit Wisconsin | All 22 Film Breakdown of Key Matchups

    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.

  6. Sep 2

    The TRUTH About Notre Dame's "EASY" Schedule: Cupcake Or Competive?

    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.

  7. Aug 28

    Gabriel Rubio Interview: Former Notre Dame DL & Steelers Draft Pick Talks Journey, Mindset, & NFL

    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.

  8. Aug 22

    Wisconsin's Wildcard: Can This Player & OC Pairing Pose A Challenge To Notre Dame's Defense?

    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.

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About

We welcome you to First & Gold presented by The Irish Tribune where we take you beyond the goal line with independent Notre Dame Football coverage. From breaking news and updates to game analysis, coaching decisions, and the stories surrounding Notre Dame Football, First & Gold delivers in-depth coverage with a fan-centric approach. We cut through the headlines with thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and conversations rooted in what matters most to Fighting Irish fans. Whether you're preparing for kickoff or reliving every snap, you'll find the insight, perspective, and passion reserved for the fans that bleed blue and gold. New episodes every week. Subscribe and join us as we take you beyond the goal line.

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