Carr throws four TDs as Notre Dame blanks Rice 52-0 in home opener
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – It took Notre Dame 14 seconds to score in its home opener. It took less than a half to put the game away.
The No. 3 Irish forced four fumbles, scored on six straight drives, and beat Rice 52-0 on Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium. It was Notre Dame's first shutout since 2022.
The tone was set on Rice's first offensive play. Safety Adon Shuler drilled running back Davis Lane and knocked the ball loose. Boubacar Traore scooped it up and ran 24 yards for a touchdown.
"Whenever the opportunity comes, I try to make the most of it," Traore said.
Freeman credited Shuler, one of his captains, for that kind of play.
"He's playing extremely physical, which is a choice," Freeman said.
From there, the offense took over. CJ Carr hit Jordan Faison for a 25-yard touchdown on a three-play drive. On the next possession, he found Faison again on an 11-yard bubble screen. Nolan James Jr. ran for two second-quarter touchdowns. Carr then hit Micah Gilbert for a 39-yard score just before halftime to make it 42-0.
Notre Dame's defense forced three first-half fumbles, and the offense turned all three into touchdowns.
Freeman said the plan was to take more shots downfield than the Irish had against Wisconsin, and to throw deep if Rice played man coverage. Carr completed 16 of 20 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns before giving way in the third quarter. His fourth touchdown was a 2-yard pass to Cooper Flanagan to open the second half.
"His decisions are impeccable," Freeman said.
Freeman said Carr consistently put the offense in the right protections and made the right checks at the line, and that he did it even better than in the opener.
Carr said he is more comfortable and confident in his second season as the starter. He credited both the young receivers and veterans like Faison.
"It's something we're striving for every game," Carr said.
The rout gave Notre Dame a long look at its young players. Freshman quarterbacks Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard combined to go 9 of 13 for 107 yards. Freshman running back Jonaz Walton led the team with 48 rushing yards on eight carries. Twelve different players caught a pass.
The reserves on defense also kept the shutout alive. Freshman defensive lineman Rodney Dunham recovered a fumble at the Notre Dame 16 to end Rice's only real scoring chance.
Rice quarterback Jacurri Brown completed 8 of 12 passes for 64 yards. Notre Dame outgained the Owls 478-128 and had eight tackles for loss, including 2.5 from Bryce Young. It was Rice's worst loss since a 58-0 defeat at Texas in 2021.
Freeman still wasn't satisfied. He pointed to a face mask penalty and a false start as plays where Notre Dame beat itself, and he promised a list of things to fix when the team met that week.
Key Stats:
Carr: 16 of 20, 253 yards, 4 TD
Faison: 4 catches, 54 yards, 2 TD
Gilbert: 39-yard TD catch
James: 2 rushing TD
Walton: 8 carries, 48 yards
Grubbs and Jarrard: combined 9 of 13, 107 yards
Total yards: Notre Dame 478, Rice 128
Turnovers forced: 4 (all fumbles), turned into 21 points
