AP
The University of Notre Dame football team opened its 2025 season with heartbreak on Sunday night, falling 27-24 to No. 10 Miami in front of a record crowd of 66,793 at a rainy Hard Rock Stadium.
Sophomore quarterback CJ Carr, making his first career start, led a furious fourth-quarter rally that tied the game with just over three minutes remaining. But Miami answered with a methodical 10-play, 46-yard drive, capped by a Carter Davis 47-yard field goal with 1:04 left, to seal the Hurricanes’ win.
Carr finished 19-of-30 for 221 yards and three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), showing poise despite an early turnover and relentless pressure. His seven-yard keeper with 3:21 remaining brought the Irish all the way back from a 14-point deficit. Tight end Eli Raridon was his top target, hauling in five passes for a career-high 97 yards, including a 65-yard reception on the game-tying drive.
“I thought we showed a lot of fight,” head coach Marcus Freeman said postgame. “CJ battled, our defense gave us chances, but in games like this the margin for error is thin. Tonight, they made one more play.”
How It Happened
The first quarter was a defensive standoff. Both teams traded punts, with Boubacar Traore making an early impact in his return from injury by stuffing a Miami run on third down. Notre Dame’s first turnover came moments later, when Malachi Fields lost the ball on a screen, setting Miami up deep in Irish territory. The defense held firm, and a botched snap on the Hurricanes’ field goal try kept the game scoreless.
Miami struck first in the second quarter. Quarterback Carson Beck found Malachi Toney for a 28-yard touchdown to break the deadlock. Notre Dame responded with its best drive of the half, highlighted by a 30-yard burst from Jadarian Price and a pair of completions from Carr to freshman receiver Micah Gilbert. Carr capped it off with a seven-yard toss to Gilbert—his first career touchdown pass—to even the score at 7-7.
The Hurricanes regained momentum just before halftime when Beck delivered a 20-yard strike to CJ Daniels, who pulled in a spectacular one-handed grab with just 12 seconds left. Miami took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
Out of the break, the Hurricanes extended the advantage with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a five-yard run from CharMar Brown to make it 21-7. Notre Dame’s offense stalled until late in the third, when Carr connected with Fields for a one-handed, 27-yard grab. Early in the fourth quarter, Carr found Jordan Faison for a one-yard score to cut the deficit to 21-14.
Momentum seemed to swing when Traore recorded Notre Dame’s first sack of the season, forcing a Miami punt. But the next Irish possession unraveled—Carr’s screen attempt was deflected twice before landing in the hands of Rueben Bain Jr., who returned it to set up a Hurricanes field goal. Miami led 24-14 with 9:42 to play.
The Irish clawed back with a Noah Burnette 39-yard field goal, then forced a Miami three-and-out. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Carr found Raridon streaking free for 65 yards, setting up his own touchdown run to tie it 24-24 with 3:21 left.
Miami stayed composed, leaning on Beck and Brown to grind the clock. A defensive pass interference on third down helped the Hurricanes cross midfield, and Davis drilled his second long field goal of the night to put Miami back on top. Notre Dame’s final drive ended with back-to-back sacks as time expired.
By the Numbers
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Total yards: Miami 324, Notre Dame 314
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Time of possession: Miami 33:57, Notre Dame 26:03
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Turnovers: Notre Dame 2 (one fumble, one interception), Miami 0
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Rushing leader: Jadarian Price – 6 carries, 45 yards (7.5 avg)
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Receiving leader: Eli Raridon – 5 receptions, 97 yards
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Defensive leader: Jalen Stroman – 9 tackles; Traore – 6 tackles, 1 sack
What’s Next
Notre Dame (0-1) will return to South Bend for its home opener against Texas A&M in two weeks. Miami (1-0) will host Bethune-Cookman.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
