Notre Dame is treating its home opener like anything but a tune-up.
The No. 3 Fighting Irish are 1-0, Rice is 1-0, and Marcus Freeman has spent the week making sure his team doesn’t drift into comfort mode after last Sunday’s 41-13 win over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. Freeman even wrestled with the idea of easing up in practice, then decided the opposite was the better call.
“Our guys have got to be ready,” Freeman said. “No matter what anybody says, our guys have got to be ready.”
That mindset fits the matchup. Freeman described Rice as a tricky opponent, not one that lines up cleanly with what Notre Dame saw against Wisconsin.
“They're nontraditional in terms of we can't use the game plans we had for Wisconsin,” Freeman said. “For offense, (Rice runs) a version of a triple-option offense out of 'gun.'
Their quarterback, he's big, he's fast, he's athletic, he can run. He's a problem.
"... It's the same thing on defense.
It's just nontraditional looks. They've got a lot of transfers in the back end, and they do a really good job limiting explosive plays, and they only gave up three points last week.”
Rice arrives in South Bend after a 31-3 win over FCS program Houston Christian, a game that showcased just how committed the Owls are to the run. Rice piled up 465 rushing yards and four touchdowns while throwing for just 28 yards on 10 attempts.
Tyvonn Byars set a career high with 104 yards on 16 carries, and quarterback Jacurri Brown added 98 rushing yards on 13 carries. Brown completed only two of five passes for 11 yards.
Scott Abell said the importance of the week was obvious inside the Rice program.
“I don't have to walk into a meeting room and help them see why they need to respect such a program,” Abell said. “That happens naturally.”
Notre Dame’s offense will again be led by CJ Carr, who turned in a steady debut against Wisconsin. Carr completed 19 of 29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns, leaning on short throws and checkdowns instead of chasing big plays.
Rice is well aware of the quarterback it’s facing.
“He's probably coming into the season, if (he's) not the leading candidate for the Heisman, he's in every conversation,” Abell said. “I think you see a very polished older quarterback in college football, I think you see a guy who sees the game incredibly well.
He's got a system that fits him, and he's got really complementary weapons around him. (He's) as advertised.”
Jordan Faison and Nolan James Jr. each had four catches in the opener, while Micah Gilbert added three receptions for 34 yards and could be more involved this week.
Notre Dame will also be without safety Brauntae Johnson, who injured his left foot against Wisconsin. Senior Luke Talich stepped in after Johnson went down and is expected to handle most of the work against Rice.
“We view Luke Talich as a starter,” Freeman said. “Now his role has just increased.”
In Other News...
Kenny Minchey Just Changed How Notre Dame Fans See That QB Battle
Kenny Mincheys first start at Kentucky was the kind of debut that gets remembered, especially for Notre Dame fans who watched him leave with unfinished business. Against Youngstown State, the former Irish quarterback threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover, flashing the arm talent that made him a highly rated recruit in the first place. It also put him in rare company by matching a statistical benchmark not seen at Kentucky since Tim Couch nearly 30 years ago.
For Notre Dame, the performance inevitably reopens the conversation about what might have been, and what the quarterback picture looked like while Minchey was still in South Bend. He had limited playing time with the Irish before transferring, but now he has a start that gives his new program a clear jolt and gives his old one another reminder that quarterback evaluations rarely feel settled in the moment. Even one game can change the way a fan base remembers a battle, and this one certainly did. [Read more 🡒]
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A closer look at Power 4 schedules only reinforces the point: plenty of conference teams line up against few preseason AP Top 25 opponents, and that is often the reality of playing inside a league schedule. For Notre Dame fans, it creates a stronger response to the familiar skepticism, because the issue is not whether the Irish are alone in avoiding elite matchups so much as whether their schedule is being held to a standard other contenders are not forced to meet. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Finally Has A Plan For Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa's Return
Notre Dame is finally moving toward getting Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa back on the field, with the linebacker expected to see limited snaps in the upcoming game against Rice. He has been out since last season because of an ACL tear, and Marcus Freeman said his practice volume has risen enough that he is trending toward being ready to play.
For a defense that has been waiting on his return, the key now is not just getting him back, but managing how quickly he is asked to do too much. The Irish plan is clearly cautious, with the staff aiming to bring him along gradually and let his role grow as he settles back in after a long absence. [Read more 🡒]