As the dust settles on Notre Dame’s 2025 season, the Fighting Irish find themselves in a familiar spot: on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff. But while the sting of missing the postseason lingers, there’s no denying the leap this offense made in just one year. Under offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, this unit didn’t just improve - it evolved into one of the most explosive, efficient, and balanced attacks in the country.
Let’s break down what changed, what clicked, and what still needs fine-tuning heading into 2026.
A Statistical Surge Across the Board
First, some context: Notre Dame played four fewer games in 2025 than in 2024. That matters when you’re comparing raw totals. But even with that caveat, the efficiency metrics tell the real story - and they’re eye-opening.
The Irish offense averaged 42.0 points per game, good for 4th in the nation, up from 36.1 points per game (10th) last year. That’s not a small bump - that’s a leap into elite territory.
And they did it with consistency, hitting 40 or more points in six of their 12 games, including five games with 49+ points. That’s firepower.
The efficiency gains were even more telling. Notre Dame averaged 7.3 yards per play, ranking 3rd nationally.
That’s a full yard more than last year’s 6.3 (27th). A one-yard jump in yards per play is massive - it’s the difference between a good offense and one that can break games open.
Total yardage followed suit. The Irish averaged 458.5 yards per game (18th), up from 399.1 yards (55th) in 2024. That’s the kind of production that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
Big Plays, Big Strides
One of the most noticeable upgrades came in the explosive play department. In 2024, Notre Dame logged 34 plays of 30+ yards in 16 games (17th nationally).
This season? 40 such plays in just 12 games, ranking 4th in the country.
That’s a huge jump in big-play output - and a clear sign that this offense wasn’t just methodical, it was dangerous.
Touchdowns followed. The Irish scored 70 total touchdowns in the regular season, ranking 3rd nationally - just six fewer than last year, despite playing four fewer games. That’s an offense that knows how to finish drives and put points on the board.
CJ Carr’s Coming-Out Party
Much of the offensive jump can be traced to quarterback play. Redshirt freshman CJ Carr stepped in and elevated the passing game in a big way.
Notre Dame averaged 255.1 passing yards per game (39th), a stark improvement from last year’s 198.1 yards (101st). But it wasn’t just volume - it was efficiency and explosiveness.
Carr helped the Irish rank 4th in yards per attempt (9.5) and 9th in yards per completion (14.1). He threw 25 touchdown passes, just one more than last year’s total, but did it in four fewer games and with far more downfield juice. For a first-year starter, that’s an impressive foundation to build on.
The Ground Game Stays Strong
While the passing game took a leap, the run game didn’t miss a beat. In fact, it quietly got even better.
Notre Dame averaged 203.4 rushing yards per game (17th), slightly up from 200.4 (19th) last season. But the real story is in the scoring.
The Irish punched in 38 rushing touchdowns in 12 games. If you pace that out over 16 games, they would’ve cleared 50 rushing touchdowns - a mark that would’ve led the nation. That’s a testament to the offensive line, the running back room, and a commitment to physical football even with a new quarterback under center.
Protection and Third Down Efficiency: Quiet Game-Changers
One of the most underrated improvements? Pass protection.
Despite losing a mobile quarterback in Riley Leonard, the Irish gave up just 12 sacks all season - tied for 11th nationally. Compare that to 25 sacks in 2024 (62nd), and it’s clear this offensive line took a step forward in both cohesion and execution.
On third down, the Irish were simply better. They converted 48.2% of their third downs, up from 41.3% the year before. That’s a significant jump - and it kept drives alive, which in turn led to more points, more yards, and more control of the game.
But There’s Still Work to Do
As much as this offense improved, it wasn’t perfect. And if Notre Dame wants to take the next step - not just knocking on the playoff door, but kicking it in - there are a couple of key areas that need attention.
Fourth down efficiency took a noticeable dip. Marcus Freeman’s aggressive mindset didn’t change, but the execution did.
The Irish converted just 54.8% of their fourth-down tries (69th nationally), down from 73.3% (8th) a year ago. That’s a big drop for a team that likes to control momentum and make bold calls.
The red zone offense also remains a concern. In 2024, Notre Dame finished 89th in red zone scoring.
This year? 120th.
That’s a regression, and while kicking issues played a role, the Irish still managed a slightly lower touchdown rate inside the 20 - 70.9% compared to 71.7% last year. For an offense this explosive, the inability to consistently finish in the red zone is a glaring weak spot.
Looking Ahead: A Foundation Worth Building On
Despite the playoff miss, this Notre Dame offense made major strides in 2025. It was more explosive, more efficient, and more balanced than it’s been in years. And with key players like CJ Carr returning - along with a strong supporting cast and a proven coordinator in Mike Denbrock - the Irish have every reason to believe the best is still ahead.
This was also the first time since 1966 that Notre Dame won at least nine regular season games, all by double digits. That’s not just winning - that’s dominating.
The next step? Sharpening the situational execution. Clean up the red zone, finish fourth downs, and this offense won’t just be one of the best in the country - it’ll be one of the most complete.
If 2025 was the breakout, 2026 could be the payoff.