CJ Carr was an absolute machine on Saturday, tossing three touchdown passes and running for another score as No. 3 Notre Dame absolutely steamrolled rival Purdue 49-10. This kid is making a statement, leading the Fighting Irish to their second straight game with a passing TD and a rushing TD from Carr. That’s what you call a dual threat, folks!
Carr’s Offensive Fireworks Fuel Perfect October Start
The Irish offense was cooking, putting up a season-high 177 yards rushing. Aneyas Williams was grinding, carrying 14 times for 80 yards and snagging a touchdown of his own. Carr finished the day 14 of 22 for 237 yards, even with his first interception of the season. Notre Dame is just rolling right now, hitting 4-0 and stretching their win streak to an incredible 14 straight games. Talk about momentum! They’re set to start October with a perfect record for the first time since 2021, and honestly, you can feel that title contender energy when they’re playing like this.
The scoring started fast and furious after the Irish defense stuffed a fake punt near midfield. Four plays later, Carr hit Micah Gilbert for a 14-yard score, making it 7-0. Then it was Williams’ turn with a 22-yard run, followed by Carr’s own 1-yard TD run. Bryce Young even got in on the action with a strip sack that led to linebacker Drayk Bowen’s first career TD on a 15-yard fumble return, blowing it open to 28-0 before halftime. Carr wasn’t done, throwing a 3-yard TD to Nolan James Jr. and a 2-yarder to Cooper Flanagan before taking an early exit. Coach Marcus Freeman has to be stoked with that first-half dominance, even if the second half wasn’t as efficient. When it mattered most, they looked unstoppable.
Purdue’s Struggles Deepen as Irish Dominate Rivalry
Meanwhile, it was another rough day for the struggling Boilermakers, who are now 1-3. Ryan Browne was 18 of 28 for 111 yards, but that lost fumble that Bowen scooped up? Oof. Purdue managed a measly 12 rushing yards in the first half and finished with just 218 total yards as they dropped their third straight. Things just keep getting worse for them. Their offense, which had put up 36 or more points in three straight games, settled for just a field goal and a late touchdown with six seconds left. And their defense? Still giving up big plays. They haven’t beaten a Power 4 foe since their 2023 season finale.
This rivalry has seen 90 meetings, but lately, it’s been all Irish. Notre Dame has absolutely owned the Battle for the Shillelagh, winning 11 straight. Two years ago, they handed Purdue their worst loss in school history, a brutal 66-7. And in the last three matchups, Notre Dame has outscored them 171-40. That’s just pure, unadulterated dominance.
Next up, Notre Dame hits the road to North Carolina next Saturday. Can they keep this perfect record going and push even higher in the AP Top 25? You know they’re coming out hungry to prove they’re the real deal!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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