Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman didn’t need to say anything about how the starting quarterbacks compared in the No. 22-ranked Fighting Irish’s 56-13 rout of Arkansas on Saturday.
Irish quarterback C.J. Carr simply outdueled Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green all afternoon in Fayetteville. Carr completed 22 of 30 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns, versus no interceptions, while Green went 17-32 for 207 yards and an interception. Green also rushed for 81 yards on 10 carries, part of his game that draws the hype for the athletic, 6-foot-6 signal caller.
“Yeah, I don’t know if anybody compares themselves,” Freeman told reporters afterward regarding Carr. For him, it’s just he’s got to compete against himself. And how does he get better?” How does he, after three really good performances, he’s getting better? I’ve challenged him.”
“How do you continuously get better in terms of your routine, your preparation, and he prepares his tail off,” Freeman added. “That’s a reflection of what you see. I mean, he’s a talented individual, but he prepares his butt off, and he’s playing with a lot of confidence right now.”
C.J. Carr Showing Improvement Through 4 Starts
Carr has only improved as the season has gone on in his first year as a starter, following a red-shirt year in 2024. He wen 19-30 for 221 yards and touchdown, versus a pick in a season-opening 27-24 loss to Miami, now ranked No. 2 in the country.
Carr played well against Texas A&M, No. 9 in the nation now, when he threw for 293 yards and a touchdown versus a pick on 20-32 passing. That game came down to a last-second comeback by the Aggies in a 41-40 loss.
Against Purdue, Carr shined amid 10-12 passing for 223 yards and two touchdown versus no interceptions in a 56-30 victory. On Saturday, he led the Irish to a second-straight 56-game performance and most of that happened with him under center as the team up 42 in the first half alone.
Irish Wideout Jordan Faison Stepped Up
Part of Carr’s success on Saturday was wide receiver Jordan Faison, who led the team with seven catches for 89 yards. Faison also got involved in a trick play where he competed a 40-yard pass.
“Yeah, (Faison) finds a way. You know what I mean? He finds a way,” Freeman said. “He’s a great football player, but he’s a great competitor. I’m going to piggyback and just compliment that entire room. It’s like JG. You could throw the ball to JG every play, probably, and he’s probably going to win most of them. He took advantage of his opportunity. ”
“It was one-on-one, they threw it up, he did. Malachi Fields, the same thing. Will Pauling, I mean Coach (Mike)Brown and Coach (Mike) Denbrock, it’s a little bit of a reflection of the running back room,” Freeman added. “That’s an unselfish room that knows they can get the ball at any moment, but they choose to continue putting the team in front of themselves. If we all do that, we can be pretty special.”
Jaden Greathouse had two receptions for 32 yards. Malachi Fields finished with receptions for 72 yards, Jeremiyah Love had five catches for 70 yards, Will Pauling had three receptions for 53 yards, and Eli Raridon had two catches for 43 yards.
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