‘It’s not really a conscious thing’ – the experience that has morphed Notre Dame QB CJ Carr into the player you see today
Notre Dame QB CJ Carr put together a tremendous performance against the Arkansas Razorbacks. This was something that Carr has been preparing for a long time.
What a weekend it was for Notre Dame football. For the first time in the history of the program, they took on the Arkansas Razorbacks and traveled down to Fayetteville to do so. Head coach Marcus Freeman went into this week navigating a lot of outside noise, and he had the Fighting Irish prepared. They were able to dismantle the Razorbacks by a score of 56 to 13.
The star of the offensive explosion was redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr, who had his best game thus far wearing the blue and gold. Despite leaving the game early with the blowout win in hand, Carr still put up some silly production down in SEC country. He was able to complete 22 of 30 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns. It was one of the finest games we have seen from a Notre Dame quarterback in some time.
Outside of the 0dd 68.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, everyone else gave rave reviews for the 6-3, 210-pound pocket passer. For anyone who knows Carr’s background, including the family he was born into, it should be no surprise that he is dealing well with all the pressure that comes with being a Fighting Irish quarterback. Those experiences have prepared him adequately, and Carr explained it after the victory to the media.
“I don’t know,” Carr told the media. “It’s not something I really think about to be honest with you. Growing up we were never playing with toys, or doing things like that. We were always just competing with each other, where it was my dad and I, or my brothers. It’s just part of who I am. It’s not really a conscious thing.”
The continued emergence of Carr
Over the next few games, Notre Dame will have some interesting matchups to navigate, but more for Chris Ash’s defensive unit. Boise State, NC State, and USC each bring talented offenses that can potentially score with the Fighting Irish, but their defenses aren’t exactly the most stellar groups of all time. With other defensive units like Boston College, Navy, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Stanford also on the horizon, Carr and this Notre Dame offense have a chance to put up some impressive numbers during the rest of the year.
Outside of the obvious arm talent and outstanding throws that Carr has made, the most impressive thing about him is how he carries himself. Whether it was during his first career start down in Hard Rock Stadium, coming back from a 0-2 start, or finding comfort in Notre Dame Stadium, he has remained even-keeled and consistent. The Michigan native has been constantly recognized for the competitiveness and swagger he brings to the field, and Carr has consistently shown that.
Notre Dame has found their quarterback of the present and future, and everyone should be very excited about it. For a long time, this is a program that always seemed to lack the star power being center. Those days are long behind them, and the future is extremely bright.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News
The biggest Notre Dame criticism became their most crucial ingredient for a SEC road victory, and sets up the Irish for a run
Notre Dame answered some major questions against the Arkansas Razorbacks. There was none bigger than on the offensive side of the football.
