CJ Carr’s first Notre Dame start against Miami flashed promise and growing pains in a rain-soaked arena. The redshirt freshman engineered a late rally, rushing for a TD and tying the game, but the Irish fell short on a final field goal. Miami sealed it with a finish-time drive and a standout defensive sequence in the first half, while Carr’s mobility offered a glimpse of upside for ND’s offense.

Notre Dame’s bye week arrives as a chance to reset with Carr at the helm, tighten early-game execution, and refine Denbrock’s plan around Carr’s dual-threat abilities. Miami’s late surge showed resilience and big-play ability from Daniels and Davis, underscoring how crucial red-zone execution and defensive discipline will be going forward. For fantasy watchers, Carr’s floor-raising legs and late-game improvisation hint at upside if ND leans into his skill set.

Riley Leonard’s NFL trajectory, Marcus Freeman’s leadership, and Mike Denbrock’s play-calling shape the down-the-stretch outlook. The night didn’t deliver a statement win, but it did reveal where Notre Dame can grow and where Miami can close out tight games, especially with Carr’s evolving command of the offense.