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The Mike Goolsby Show: Sounding off on Notre Dame's loss to NIU

Singer headshotby:Mike Singer09/08/24

MikeTSinger

Riley Leonard
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. (Mike Miller, Blue & Gold)

Former Notre Dame captain and linebacker Mike Goolsby breaks down the latest happenings in the world of Fighting Irish football with Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer in a YouTube live show.

Goolsby gave Notre Dame fans gave his honest takes about the state of the program, including thoughts on head coach Marcus Freeman, quarterback Riley Leonard and much more. What is next for the program? How will the Irish fare against Purdue? Goolsby and Singer discussed those topics and much more.

The show aired live on the Blue & Gold YouTube page Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. Watch a replay of this week’s show in the video player above.

Also, make sure to subscribe to the Blue & Gold YouTube channel for more video coverage of Fighting Irish football and recruiting.

More on Mike Goolsby

Goolsby, a 2000-04 Notre Dame linebacker who had a cup of coffee in the NFL, always has carried himself with much self-assurance, and rightfully so. One of the nation’s top recruits in 2000, he would be known in today’s football vernacular as a five-star prospect after making the All-America teams of USA TodayParade and Reebok.

He was one of three freshmen to letter during the 2000 season, playing mainly on special teams. He also lettered as a sophomore while playing behind second-round draft pick Courtney Watson, before cracking the starting lineup as a junior in 2002, next to Watson on the inside.

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That year on a defensive-driven unit that led the way for 8-0 and 10-1 starts, Goolsby ranked third on the team in tackles with 76 and paced the Irish in tackles for loss with 13. That defense finished ninth nationally in fewest points allowed per game (16.7), 10th against the run (95.2 yards allowed per contest) and 13th overall (300.0 yards allowed per game — the best figure since 1996).

Goolsby sat out the 2003 campaign while recovering from a broken clavicle and a torn labrum.

As a fifth-year senior, he led the Irish in tackles with 97 and was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Notre Dame’s 17-13 upset win at No. 9 Tennessee (14 tackles, a sack and a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown).

Goolsby signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and reportedly was the second-highest paid free agent that season. The following year he was with the St. Louis Rams.

He currently works Dental Health Products as well as hosts private football instruction for recruits in Omaha, Neb., with Game Changers Academy.

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