(Photo: AJ Houk)
Caleb’s Corner
A weekly look at Notre Dame football
Notre Dame gets its first win
The Irish finally got in the win column this past Saturday, taking down Purdue in South Bend. Notre Dame showed flashes of dominance, but there’s still plenty of work to do if they want to compete at a high level the rest of the season.
The Good:
CJ Carr is making it clear he’s the real deal. He completed 10 of 12 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 93.4 Pro Football Focus grade. From the first snap, Carr was sharp, keeping the offense moving and putting points on the board efficiently. The running back duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price continues to make defenses sweat. Love rumbled for 157 yards on 19 carries, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt, while Price added 74 yards on 9 carries, three rushing touchdowns, and a 100-yard kickoff return that flipped momentum after the weather delay. On the return, Price couldn’t resist joking, “I will say I did not have a hot dog,” a nod to Audric Estime’s memorable touchdown two years ago.
The Irish receiving corps is starting to click, too. Malachi Fields, a portal gem, immediately made an impact with a 66-yard touchdown reception to open the offense’s day. Jordan Faison made defenders pay, hauling in five catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line deserves credit as well, giving Carr plenty of time in the pocket and opening clean lanes for Love and Price. Only one sack allowed, and the running game looked ready to chew up clock all afternoon.
The Bad:
If the offense was the highlight, the defense still left plenty of questions. Purdue put up 30 points and 379 total yards, with 303 coming through the air. Pass defense continues to struggle under zone-heavy schemes, and the defensive line has yet to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. Leonard Moore’s absence was noticeable—he was a game-time decision and ultimately ruled out, leaving a gap the Irish can’t afford heading into a tough road matchup against Arkansas. While the defense looked somewhat more settled after the weather delay, they’ll need to tighten up fast if Notre Dame hopes to stay competitive.
What’s Next:
This Saturday, the Irish head to Fayetteville to take on a solid Arkansas team (2-2) that’s coming off a heartbreaking loss and will be hungry to make a statement. Notre Dame climbed to No. 22 in the AP Poll, but every game remains a must-win. The Irish will need to continue building momentum, clean up mistakes on both sides of the ball, and prove they can execute under pressure if they hope to keep their season on track.