C.J. Carr throws for 4 touchdowns as No. 3 Notre Dame routs visiting Rice 52-0

Posted September 12, 2026 5:45 pm

By CURT RALLO

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (13) throws before an NCAA college football game against Rice, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Paul Barnick) (AP Photo/Paul Barnick)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — C.J. Carr threw for four touchdowns and No. 3 Notre Dame overpowered visiting Rice early on the way to a 52-0 victory on Saturday.

Carr, an early-season Heisman contender, connected on 16 of 20 passes for 253 yards before being replaced by Noah Grubbs in the third quarter.

Notre Dame outgained Rice 478-128 in total yards.

The Owls suffered their worst loss since a 58-0 loss to Texas in 2021.

The Fighting Irish (2-0) only needed 14 seconds to take the lead. Safety Adon Shuler hammered Rice running back Davis Lane, forcing a fumble that Boubacar Traore turned into a 24-yard scoop-and-score for Notre Dame.

Notre Dame cashed in on two more Rice fumbles in the first half on the way to a 42-0 halftime lead. The Fighting Irish ended up forcing four turnovers that they turned into 21 points. Notre Dame also punished Rice with eight tackles for loss.

Jordan Faison caught four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Notre Dame receiving corps. Twelve receivers hauled in passes.

Rice (1-1) was led by quarterback Jacurri Brown, who was 8-of-12 passing for 64 yards.

Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) recovers a fumble and returns it for a touchdown against Rice during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Paul Barnick) (AP Photo/Paul Barnick)

Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams, top, jumps over Rice safety Koa Akui (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Paul Barnick) (AP Photo/Paul Barnick)

Notre Dame cornerback DJ McKinney (2) attempts to run down Rice quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Paul Barnick) (AP Photo/Paul Barnick)

Notre Dame running back Nolan James Jr. (2) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rice, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Paul Barnick) (AP Photo/Paul Barnick)