(Photo: AJ Houk)
First and Fitzharris
A weekly look at Notre Dame football with Connor Fitzharris
Notre Dame finally broke through for its first win of 2025, and while the offense shined, the defense still left plenty of questions heading into Arkansas.
The Irish notched their first victory of the season thanks to Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, as Notre Dame defeated Purdue 56-30. Love and Price powered the offense with a combined 373 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns, highlighted by a 101-yard kickoff return for a score from Price. Even after a lengthy lightning delay, the Boilermakers failed to make the necessary adjustments to slow down Notre Dame’s attack.
In just his third start, CJ Carr looked every bit the part of an elite quarterback. While offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock didn’t need to lean on Carr as heavily as he had in the first two games, the freshman was still remarkably efficient. He completed 10 of 12 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His day included a 66-yard strike to Malachi Fields on Notre Dame’s first offensive play for a quick score. The lone Irish turnover came late in the first half when Carr was sacked from the blind side after left tackle Anthony Knapp missed an assignment. Still, it’s clear Notre Dame is building an offense in 2025 to be feared.
Defensively, however, questions remain. Chris Ash seemed to ignore the call from last week’s First and Fitzharris column to play more man coverage, as the Irish stuck largely with zone against the Boilermakers. “We have to do a better job at marrying up our coverage and our front,” head coach Marcus Freeman said, meaning that when the defense brings less pressure, the secondary must be prepared to cover longer. Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne and company took advantage, throwing for 303 yards as a team, including a trick-play touchdown pass from running back Devin Mockobee in the first quarter. Freeman voiced his frustration afterward: “It wasn’t perfect. You guys saw it. I saw it. There’s work to do.”
Notre Dame was without starting safety Adon Shuler for the first half due to a targeting penalty against Texas A&M, a stretch that felt even longer because of the lightning delay. On the positive side, the Irish defense completely shut down Purdue’s ground game, holding Mockobee to just 16 yards on 12 carries. Still, Browne repeatedly escaped the pocket for key first downs, exposing an area that needs improvement.
The Irish will have to tighten things up quickly with explosive dual threat quarterback, Taylen Green and Arkansas up next. Green, the Razorbacks’ leading rusher, has already piled up 360 yards and two touchdowns on the ground this season. Arkansas sits at 2–2 after suffering a crushing one-point loss to Memphis on Saturday and will be eager to get back in the win column at home. Notre Dame travels to Fayetteville for a noon kickoff next Saturday. It’ll be another chance for Notre Dame’s explosive offense to make a statement — and for the defense to find some answers.
