Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame a Winner as Dan Patrick Show Broadcasts from South Bend

Some of the biggest names associated with Notre Dame athletics joined Dan Patrick the last two days
Nick Shepkowski|
Oct 11, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks to the scoreboard against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium.
Oct 11, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks to the scoreboard against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame and USC may be meeting for the final time Saturday, and the entire college football world will have eyes on the showdown. That's not to say its the biggest game of the weekend, but it serves as a makeshift playoff game as Notre Dame faces a must-win regarding its playoff chances, and USC, with a trip still to take to Oregon, would have no wiggle room with a loss.

Legendary sports commentator Dan Patrick took his show on the road late this week to South Bend to highlight the big-time game. Over the last two days, Patrick broadcast from Legends at Notre Dame, just south of the football stadium. Plenty of stars associated with Notre Dame stopped by, here is a look at some of the highlights from those.

Will Ferrell Surprises Brady Quinn on the Dan Patrick Show

Marcus Freeman Joins the Dan Patrick Show on Thursday

Patrick began his stay at Notre Dame with the biggest guest of all, considering the situation, as Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman stopped by the set. The entire interview is worth it, as Patrick tries to get Freeman to comment on USC trying to step away from the rivalry, but the best part to me comes towards the end, when Patrick gives Freeman an ultimate compliment. See it above.

Hannah Hidalgo Talks Notre Dame Women's Basketball with Dan Patrick

Hidalgo and the women's basketball team start their season with an exhibition game against Purdue Northwest the evening of October 30.

Notre Dame Athletic Director Ken Bevacqua Joins the Dan Patrick Show

Few positions in college sports carry as much weight as being athletic director at Notre Dame. Pete Bevacqua joined the Dan Patrick Show and discussed Notre Dame's independence in football, as well as the direction the sport is going as a whole, sharing his thoughts on the perfect number for the College Football Playoff, and the NFLization of college football.

Nick Shepkowski's Quick Takeaway:

For my money, Dan Patrick has long been the gold standard when it comes to a sports talk show. He's the best interviewer by a mile, and Notre Dame fans were given a treat of hearing some of their favorite players and people sit down with him this week.

In a world of far too many hot takes that the speakers often don't even believe themselves, Patrick continues to play it cool and has the best show going. How he closed the Freeman interview with the incredible compliment that he gave the Notre Dame head coach was exceptional.

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Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

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