Matt Fortuna
@mattfortuna.bsky.social
Founder of The Inside Zone, college football’s newest online community. Co-host of The Independent. Contributor to CHSN. Past: The Athletic, ESPN, FWAA Prez
Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman on Jeremiyah Love's Heisman case beyond #s:
"As special of a football player as I've been around. Every time he has the ball in his hands he can make something positive happen. He is as dangerous of an offensive weapon probably as I've been around."
"As special of a football player as I've been around. Every time he has the ball in his hands he can make something positive happen. He is as dangerous of an offensive weapon probably as I've been around."
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman on Jeremiyah Love's Heisman case beyond #s:
"As special of a football player as I've been around. Every time he has the ball in his hands he can make something positive happen. He is as dangerous of an offensive weapon probably as I've been around."
"As special of a football player as I've been around. Every time he has the ball in his hands he can make something positive happen. He is as dangerous of an offensive weapon probably as I've been around."
Marcus Freeman on Jaden Greathouse:
"JG is putting in so much work on trying to get that hamstring to where it needs to be. We last week had to extract some blood from his hamstring ... Mentally, he's been in a good place. He's as frustrated as anybody."
"JG is putting in so much work on trying to get that hamstring to where it needs to be. We last week had to extract some blood from his hamstring ... Mentally, he's been in a good place. He's as frustrated as anybody."
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Marcus Freeman on Jaden Greathouse:
"JG is putting in so much work on trying to get that hamstring to where it needs to be. We last week had to extract some blood from his hamstring ... Mentally, he's been in a good place. He's as frustrated as anybody."
"JG is putting in so much work on trying to get that hamstring to where it needs to be. We last week had to extract some blood from his hamstring ... Mentally, he's been in a good place. He's as frustrated as anybody."
Notre Dame injury report for Saturday's game at Pitt:
November 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Notre Dame injury report for Saturday's game at Pitt:
Notre Dame dominates as Chris Ash passes the Navy test with flying colors.
Pete and I talk that and more on our postgame edition of The Independent.
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Pete and I talk that and more on our postgame edition of The Independent.
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November 9, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Notre Dame dominates as Chris Ash passes the Navy test with flying colors.
Pete and I talk that and more on our postgame edition of The Independent.
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Pete and I talk that and more on our postgame edition of The Independent.
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NEW: The Big Ten has released a statement on USC's fake punt Friday vs. Northwestern, saying that a "Team Unsportsmanlike Conduct" penalty should have been issued.
The Big Ten says it is continuing to review the situation with both schools.
The Big Ten says it is continuing to review the situation with both schools.
November 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
NEW: The Big Ten has released a statement on USC's fake punt Friday vs. Northwestern, saying that a "Team Unsportsmanlike Conduct" penalty should have been issued.
The Big Ten says it is continuing to review the situation with both schools.
The Big Ten says it is continuing to review the situation with both schools.
Hoosiers LB Aiden Fisher on Fernando Mendoza:
“Anybody looking for a Heisman moment, there it is. That dude’s earned it. He’s the best player in the country and he showed that today.”
“Anybody looking for a Heisman moment, there it is. That dude’s earned it. He’s the best player in the country and he showed that today.”
November 8, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Hoosiers LB Aiden Fisher on Fernando Mendoza:
“Anybody looking for a Heisman moment, there it is. That dude’s earned it. He’s the best player in the country and he showed that today.”
“Anybody looking for a Heisman moment, there it is. That dude’s earned it. He’s the best player in the country and he showed that today.”
Asked Hoosiers WR Omar Cooper Jr. how bad he wants the Heisman for Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza interrupted him, saying it’s the same way he wants the Biletnikoff for his receivers, the Joe Moore Award for his O-line and the Doak Walker Award for his running backs.
Mendoza interrupted him, saying it’s the same way he wants the Biletnikoff for his receivers, the Joe Moore Award for his O-line and the Doak Walker Award for his running backs.
November 8, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Asked Hoosiers WR Omar Cooper Jr. how bad he wants the Heisman for Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza interrupted him, saying it’s the same way he wants the Biletnikoff for his receivers, the Joe Moore Award for his O-line and the Doak Walker Award for his running backs.
Mendoza interrupted him, saying it’s the same way he wants the Biletnikoff for his receivers, the Joe Moore Award for his O-line and the Doak Walker Award for his running backs.
Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza says the last drive was “90 yards with my boys,” joking that he’s recycling that line from Cal.
He calls this the best win of his career. He says he would die for his brothers on the field.
He calls this the best win of his career. He says he would die for his brothers on the field.
November 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza says the last drive was “90 yards with my boys,” joking that he’s recycling that line from Cal.
He calls this the best win of his career. He says he would die for his brothers on the field.
He calls this the best win of his career. He says he would die for his brothers on the field.
Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti, with a smile on his face:
“The most improbable victory I’ve ever been a part of. And there couldn’t have been a better place to make it happen.”
“The most improbable victory I’ve ever been a part of. And there couldn’t have been a better place to make it happen.”
November 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti, with a smile on his face:
“The most improbable victory I’ve ever been a part of. And there couldn’t have been a better place to make it happen.”
“The most improbable victory I’ve ever been a part of. And there couldn’t have been a better place to make it happen.”
Aiden Fisher to Fernando Mendoza: “LET’S GO, HEISMAN!”
November 8, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Aiden Fisher to Fernando Mendoza: “LET’S GO, HEISMAN!”
A Penn State student hit a 25-yard FG and won $1,000 and two tickets to a game.
November 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A Penn State student hit a 25-yard FG and won $1,000 and two tickets to a game.
Now that's a stat.
November 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Now that's a stat.
ICYMI:
Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk about broadcasting Notre Dame’s last outing, her family’s ND history and much more.
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Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk about broadcasting Notre Dame’s last outing, her family’s ND history and much more.
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November 7, 2025 at 1:09 PM
ICYMI:
Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk about broadcasting Notre Dame’s last outing, her family’s ND history and much more.
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Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk about broadcasting Notre Dame’s last outing, her family’s ND history and much more.
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🚨 NEW POD 🚨
Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, her sideline interview with Jeremiyah Love and much more.
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Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, her sideline interview with Jeremiyah Love and much more.
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November 6, 2025 at 1:12 PM
🚨 NEW POD 🚨
Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, her sideline interview with Jeremiyah Love and much more.
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Stormy Buonantony joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, her sideline interview with Jeremiyah Love and much more.
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CFP chair Mack Rhoades on Notre Dame QB CJ Carr:
(While we’re at it, should we ask Rhoades, the Baylor AD, if he thinks Arch is overrated?)
(While we’re at it, should we ask Rhoades, the Baylor AD, if he thinks Arch is overrated?)
November 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
CFP chair Mack Rhoades on Notre Dame QB CJ Carr:
(While we’re at it, should we ask Rhoades, the Baylor AD, if he thinks Arch is overrated?)
(While we’re at it, should we ask Rhoades, the Baylor AD, if he thinks Arch is overrated?)
I’ll say it: Texas is underrated.
For now.
But we need to stop judging the Horns on their preseason ranking and more on their body of work, which is top-10 worthy.
Will it be a month from now? Probably not. But today is not a month from now.
For now.
But we need to stop judging the Horns on their preseason ranking and more on their body of work, which is top-10 worthy.
Will it be a month from now? Probably not. But today is not a month from now.
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 AM
I’ll say it: Texas is underrated.
For now.
But we need to stop judging the Horns on their preseason ranking and more on their body of work, which is top-10 worthy.
Will it be a month from now? Probably not. But today is not a month from now.
For now.
But we need to stop judging the Horns on their preseason ranking and more on their body of work, which is top-10 worthy.
Will it be a month from now? Probably not. But today is not a month from now.
Source: LSU is removing the interim tag from Verge Ausberry and making him the full-time AD.
The school hired Wade Rousse from McNeese State today as its new president.
The school hired Wade Rousse from McNeese State today as its new president.
November 5, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Source: LSU is removing the interim tag from Verge Ausberry and making him the full-time AD.
The school hired Wade Rousse from McNeese State today as its new president.
The school hired Wade Rousse from McNeese State today as its new president.
College Football Playoff kick times:
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
College Football Playoff kick times:
Marcus Freeman notes that his first time coaching vs. Navy at Notre Dame was not his first time coaching vs. Navy ever, reflecting back on a 2017 game at Cincinnati in which the Midshipmen rushed for 569 yards.
November 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Marcus Freeman notes that his first time coaching vs. Navy at Notre Dame was not his first time coaching vs. Navy ever, reflecting back on a 2017 game at Cincinnati in which the Midshipmen rushed for 569 yards.
Auburn will now be searching for its third different head coach in six years since firing Gus Malzahn at the end of 2020.
November 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Auburn will now be searching for its third different head coach in six years since firing Gus Malzahn at the end of 2020.
🚨 NEW POD 🚨
Pete and I discuss Notre Dame’s 25-10 win over BC on The Independent.
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Pete and I discuss Notre Dame’s 25-10 win over BC on The Independent.
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November 2, 2025 at 3:12 AM
🚨 NEW POD 🚨
Pete and I discuss Notre Dame’s 25-10 win over BC on The Independent.
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Pete and I discuss Notre Dame’s 25-10 win over BC on The Independent.
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Thanks to Jarrett Payton and Josh Frydman for having me on GNSports this week.
We talked coaching carousel and much more.
We talked coaching carousel and much more.
October 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Thanks to Jarrett Payton and Josh Frydman for having me on GNSports this week.
We talked coaching carousel and much more.
We talked coaching carousel and much more.
ICYMI:
David Teel joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, the ACC, the coaching carousel and much more.
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David Teel joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, the ACC, the coaching carousel and much more.
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October 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
ICYMI:
David Teel joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, the ACC, the coaching carousel and much more.
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David Teel joins The Independent to talk Notre Dame, the ACC, the coaching carousel and much more.
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Scott Woodward pens a letter to LSU:
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Scott Woodward pens a letter to LSU: