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.

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.

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

When you talk about the greatest rivalries in college football, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. USC Trojans is usually mentioned quickly. This weekend's matchup between the two programs is an extremely important test for each squad. For Notre Dame, the path toward a College Football Playoff berth is simple: win out, and you're probably in.

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.

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.