Jumpstart the Carr: How Notre Dame can Help CJ Succeed
- Liam Gaudet
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Art by The Irish Tribune
The Fighting Irish find themselves in a particularly interesting position to start the 2025 season. The last time Notre Dame marched down to Hard Rock to face the Miami Hurricanes, things got ugly. This time, Notre Dame has the talent advantage - but they lack experience in one key area that could very well decide the game. CJ Carr has all the pedigree and raw talent, but when the lights shine the brightest, will he be able to get the job done? That remains to be seen. But what we can do is break down how the coaching staff and the rest of the team can make his life a lot easier.
Blitz Pickup
You know it, I know it, Everyone knows it. Notre Dame is going to run the football with Jeremiyah Love, and Miami is going to try and sell out to shut it down. Not dissimilar to Texas A&M's approach in last year's season opener, sending the majority of the front seven to shut down the most talented part of the Irish offense and forcing Notre Dame to pass the football early is certainly in the cards. And if the Canes can succeed on that front, the pressure won't stop there. The Irish offensive line is likely going to be outnumbered, leaving Notre Dame's stable of running backs responsible for picking up free rushers. Aneyas Williams hasn't been talked about enough heading into this matchup, and on top of what he has to offer on third down, he's shown a knack for pass blocking and isn't shy when it comes to contact. His services, in addition to those from Love and Price, will be vital in ensuring Carr has the time to get the football out. A comfortable quarterback who has the time to throw the football tips the scales dramatically. When Miami blitzes, it leaves a ton of vulnerability downfield, open to exploitation. But it starts with picking up the heat that Miami will undoubtedly be bringing.
Misdirect and Move
The offensive wizard that Mike Denbrock has proven himself to be is another piece to this puzzle. The storyline coming out of camp was that Kenny Minchey's legs helped close the gap in this QB battle, and make no mistake, Mike Denbrock prefers a quarterback who can move around. Carr will likely be asked to do this in some capacity at points in the game to keep Miami honest. It probably won't on designed runs, but moving the pocket will help keep the Canes at home and lead to easy completions. Play action and sprint outs should be utilized when the opportunity presents itself. I like to think back to the sprint out pass that Carr hit in the spring game to Elijah Burress for a touchdown in the red zone as the perfect example. Misdirect, move, get the ball out. CJ Carr is not a pure runner, but he also doesn't have concrete shoes. If Mike Denbrock can draw up some plays that will draw Miami's attention away from Carr for even a split second, they'll be second-guessing all night long, slowing down their pass rush, and freezing second-level defenders.
Weather the Storm
Hard Rock was the loudest I've ever seen it when Notre Dame was last there to take on Miami. Again, it's hard not to draw comparisons to last season's game in Aggieland, but it has a very similar vibe. The fans will be in it early, and the stadium will be alive. Notre Dame needs to weather the storm from the jump and avoid a disastrous play that could lead to an avalanche of momentum for the opponent. Marcus Freeman handled the environment with tenacity last season, and matching that energy certainly fired his guys up. Seeing that again as the Irish take the field, would be fantastic. As far as the first quarter goes, a rhythm needs to be established in order to be successful. Take your low-risk plays and evaluate what's working and what isn't. You can't afford to have an interception or a strip-sack on the first offensive position. Allowing Carr to settle into the game and start making the right reads will go a long way in building his confidence. There will be mistakes, but it's on the coaching staff to mitigate them through early play-calling strategy. There doesn't need to be a hero play on the first drive for Notre Dame to win this game, and they're more than capable of winning without forcing the issue. If they can scheme up a mistake-free first quarter for CJ Carr, the crowd won't be cheering a fraction as much by halftime.
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