Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr had his way with the Arkansas defense on Saturday in a 56-13 blowout victory.
Carr joined the record books as the first freshman quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a game since former Fighting Irish quarterback Ron Powlus in 1994. Powlus did in his very first game as a much-anticipated prospect.
Carr did it in one half during his fourth career start on Saturday, amid 354 yards and four touchdowns on 22-30 passing. His first came on a 7-yard touchdown pass to runing back Jeremiyah Love in the first quarter for a 14-3 lead, and Carr added another three in the second quarter as the Irish pulled away.
“I think there’s very few people that you come in contact with that are blessed with that just leadership competitive trait,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman told reporters afterward.
“I’m talking like not normal. Very few people have that competitive trait that’s so competitive that they just want to find,” Freeman added. “Listen, here’s what the thing is with CJ, it’s more important for us to win than it’s for him to play well. That’s his mindset.”
Notre Dame recruited Carr, a four-star prospect, out of Saline , Michigan. Carr threw for at least 24 touchdowns in the last three years of his high school career, and he eclipsed 2,600 yards in his sophomore and junior years.
Marcus Freeman: ‘He’s So Competitive’
GettyCJ Carr warms up before the game.
At Notre Dame, Carr redshirted in 2024, but he saw game action once behind former starter Riley Leonard. Carr won the starting job this year after Leonard left for the NFL, and Carr beat out the competition before the season.
“He’s so competitive. I want to do whatever it takes to make sure this offense performs well and we win,” Freeman said of Carr. “That’s more important than how many yards I throw for and how many receptions and all those different things.”
“It’s like I want to do whatever it takes to win, and he’s one of those rare individuals, man. He’s just ultra, ultra competitive. And I think that’s the driving force to his preparation and the way he practices,” Freeman added.
C.J. Carr Reaps Fruits of Practice at Arkansas
The fruits of Carr’s practice habits shined through during the second quarter in Fayetteville on Saturday. Carr connected with wideout Will Pauling on a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter to open a 21-10 lead, and the rout was one as the Irish moved the ball with ease.
Less than two minutes after the first touchdown, Carr threw a 34-yard touchdown to Love for a 28-10 lead. Both drives were 70 or more yards, and Carr moved his team downfield in less than three minutes each time on 5-6 plays.
Carr capped the first half with a 35-yard touchdown pass to running back Jadarian Price with nine seconds left. That sent the Irish into the locker room with a 42-13 lead.
For the second week in a row, the Irish pinned 56 points on an opponent, and Carr has shine along the way. He has 1,091 yards and nine touchdowns versus two interceptions, amid a 68.3% completion rate this season.
Notre Dame QB C.J. Carr Draws Praise on Record Day