Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr throws a pass in the second half of a NCAA football game against NC State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Midway through the second quarter, Carr took a shotgun snap from the 6-yard line, scrambled backward 18 yards while turning his back to the defense three times, then regained ground and threw a no-look pass to Micah Gilbert for his first career touchdown.

Notre Dame football's downfield passing game was humming against a Wolfpack secondary that came in tied for 30th in coverage efficiency.

Brady Quinn knows a thing or two about quarterbacking at Notre Dame and knows a future megastar when he sees one.

The No. 15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish have struggled a bit in first-and-goal situations recently -- both tonight against the No. 21 USC Trojans and in previous games. But facing second-and-goal on the opening drive of the second half, Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr had no issue finding wide receiver Will Pauling for a 6-yard touchdown toss.

Joe Otting takes over at center for the injured Ashton Craig for a Notre Dame offense averaging 40 points and 465.5 total yards.

Several former top recruits are on the team, but 11 of the 25 selections were rated as three-stars or lower in the 247Sports Composite.

Notre Dame football’s first-year starting quarterback CJ Carr is on pace to be at the top, or near the top of multiple Irish records.