What Notre Dame lacrosse star Pat Kavanagh said on Pat McAfee Show

Sporting a New York Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup champions hat, Notre Dame graduate senior attacker Pat Kavanagh joined the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday just a few guests after Rangers legend Mark Messier — a 30-point scorer in the 1994 playoffs.

“I’m a huge hockey fan and I kind of bring that hockey style to my game in lacrosse, which is why a lot of people think I’m a scumbag out there,” Kavanagh said. “I just play like a hockey player.”

The good news for Kavanagh, Notre Dame’s all-time leader in points, is he doesn’t physically feel like a hockey player at the time of year like he might’ve 365 days ago when he was dealing with a major hamstring strain. Kavanagh said this is the healthiest collegiate season he’s ever had with Notre Dame starting an NCAA Tournament run as the defending national champion against Albany on Sunday.

Here are the highlights from Kavanagh’s appearance on the show.

Pat McAfee Show: What’s the general feeling of the team going into a game week?

Pat Kavanagh: “There is a lot of scouting that goes into each week but our team is really focused on ourselves and we feel we got the deepest roster in the country so if we just come out and execute our game plan every week we’re going to have success.”

PMS: Is this Notre Dame team better than last year’s?

PK: “I’d say we’re deeper, for sure, at a lot of different positions. Guys are more experienced. We had never won a national championship before so I think having that experience, making that run in May and getting that feeling of winning is definitely helping our team have a lot more success this year. And we picked up some good transfers in the transfer portal… We got a great team, and I’m excited for this run in May.”

PMS: How much is NIL a factor in transfer portal recruiting?

PK: “It’s starting to gain more traction in the lacrosse world. I know a lot of different programs are getting into it. Not as much at Notre Dame. And obviously not as big of a deal as football. They got millions of dollars to play with and they generate the most revenue. Lacrosse isn’t there yet but I feel like it could get there eventually.”

PMS: What can you tell us about Notre Dame dual-sport star Jordan Faison?

PK: “He’s a freshman. He had a lacrosse scholarship out of high school. He’s from Florida. Was an option quarterback in high school and then committed to lacrosse here. Walked onto the football team as a receiver and just killed it in training camp. Got a look because a bunch of wide receivers got hurt and then scored a touchdown against Louisville. Got a full scholarship for football. He’s been balancing both. He’s an incredible athlete. He’s on our first line midfield. One of the best freshmen in college lacrosse. He’s having a great year. He’s got like 20 goals, close to 30 points. Not sure of his stats but he plays the whole game for us every game.

“And we also have Tyler Buchner, the former Notre Dame and Alabama quarterback. He transferred back to Notre Dame in January. He actually played in the Rose Bowl in January and then we had our first preseason practice for lacrosse here Jan. 9. He was at our first practice the week after unfortunately losing the Rose Bowl. But it was pretty cool seeing an Alabama, Notre Dame football player just chilling in the locker room with us. And he’s actually starting to get a lot more time now. He’s playing defensive midfield. Freak athlete. The kid is an insane athlete and he just keeps getting better at lacrosse. He was actually committed to Michigan in seventh or eighth grade for lacrosse then ultimately chose to play football. There are definitely some freak athletes in the sport of lacrosse.”

PMS: How do you feel about getting drafted by Boston in the PLL and having the chance to play with your older brother?

PK: “Me and my family have been manifesting that for the last year. I knew this was my last year, I was going to get drafted this year, so we had been talking about it for a while. They had the sixth pick and I was projected to go in the first few, so I didn’t really think it was going to happen. But I guess how the draft shook out a bunch of teams needed players at different positions and I just fell right into the Cannons’ lap at six. I was so happy.”

PMS: What are your thoughts on a potential rematch with Georgetown, who handed Notre Dame its only loss this season?

PK: “Haven’t really thought about that much. They’re a great team. We lost to them in February. I think we’re a completely different team at this point. do get to play them, that’d be cool. But we;re looking forward to Sunday and we got to win that game first.”