CJ Carr Dazzles: Instant Analysis for the Blue-Gold Game
- Liam Farrell
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Notre Dame fans gained a bit more clarity about the ongoing quarterback battle during the annual Blue-Gold game.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- With Notre Dame deciphering its first quarterback battle in nearly a decade, the Blue-Gold game added insights to the ongoing battle.
CJ Carr was by far the most impressive of the group, ending the day 14-19 for 170 yards, and two TDs.
Carr found the most success throwing to his tight ends and running backs in open space. His two most spectacular throws were to tight ends Kevin Bauman and Jack Larsen, finding both of them downfield and dropping the ball in a bucket near the sideline.
He also was able to find Kedren Young on a wheel route during his second drive, and he converted on a 3rd and 19 on a throw over the middle of the defense to Cam Williams. Carr capped off his first touchdown drive of the day with a two-yard score to true freshman Elijah Burress.
Carr did throw the game's only interception, as Ben Minich cut inside Logan Saldate on a seam route down the field, but responded on the next series with a 27-yard frozen rope to Xavier Southall for his second passing touchdown of the day.
Minchey would be slotted second in the quarterback rankings today. Minchey's best drive of the day was a three-play touchdown drive that was capped off by a four-yard rushing scamper.
Minchey was able to create plays with his legs and show the ability to throw on the run. He ended the day 6-14 for 106 yards.
Steve Angeli would be placed in the third slot today, yet him and Minchey could be interchangeable. In the first half of the day, Angeli didn't do anything that really jumped off the screen. He was able to move the ball downfield but couldn't convert any of his first half drives into scores, yet he did lead the Irish inside the ten-yard line. That drive ended with Luke Talich stuffing Aneyas Williams at the goal line on both 3rd and 4th down. Talich was the game's leading tackler, ending the game with nine total tackles, including one tackle for loss.
However, in the second half, Angeli was able to run a surgical touchdown drive and found Scrap Richardson on a 16-yard touchdown. It was a drive against what was presumably Notre Dame's third-string defense, yet his ability to be accurate and confident in his reads was impressive. He ended the day 8-11 for 108 yards.
As for other individual standouts, Karson Hobbs was the biggest difference-maker on the defense, especially when getting first team reps. He was able to breakup passes and make impressive tackles in space. Whether or not he will make an impact this season for the Fighting Irish, he will certainly be a key figure in the Notre Dame secondary for years to come.
Along the defensive line, Bryce Young recorded a sack after beating Aamil Wagner, and Louisville transfer Jared Dawson was frequently in the backfield as well.
For the offense, Jadarian Price displayed that same big-play ability from last season but looked even more decisive making his cuts along the line of scrimmage. Price was the leading rusher in this game with 44 yards, despite only receiving six carries.
The leading receiver in this game was true freshman running back Nolan James Jr., who tallied 60 yards on three catches.
Elijah Burress, who caught Carr's first touchdown of the day, was extremely impressive for an early enrollee, and finished the day with 21 yards on two catches,
The tight end room, which is the thinnest it's been in recent memory, also did a good job flashing today. Eli Raridon is head and shoulders above the rest of the group, as he continues to improve his game and make a bigger impact getting yards after the catch.
In the end, the Blue Gold game was an overall success in the sense of getting a bit more clarity as to how the Irish will look when opening in Miami next season, as well as no reported injuries.
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