Fans flocked to Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday for the 95th annual Blue-Gold game. Despite the game only being a scrimmage, fans are clearly invested in the upcoming season. The game began with extra excitement as former running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were both selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday.
The Blue-Gold game operates as a typical scrimmage in which offense plays defense. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock led the offense, representing the Blue team, and defensive coordinator Chris Ash represented the defense as the Gold team.
The game was broken into three periods, each period consisting of four series for a total of 12 in the game. Different plays earned each team points. For the offense, touchdowns remained at six points, then one point was awarded for a first down and two for any play over 20 yards. Defense had more options, the most important of which was one point each time the group forced a punt, two points for each sack and two points for stopping offensive progression on a fourth down.
Period 1
The Irish were shaking off the off-season dust as the first period went underway. The offense did not initially appear to be the cohesive unit it was last season. Sophomore quarterback CJ Carr started for the offense, and of his nine attempted passes, only two were completed. It seemed as though Carr’s habit of finding Love and Price has yet to be broken, as he struggled to complete the reliable looks that became comfortable last season.
Denbrock alternated his offense, with freshman quarterback Blake Hebert at the helm. After passing to sophomore wide receiver Cam Williams to secure a second down, Hebert connected with freshman running back Jonaz Walton, who rushed the final few yards to find the end zone. Denbrock’s offense led 12-11 by the end of the period.
Period 2
Carr returned for the second period and made a better showing, repeatedly connecting with junior running back Aneyas Williams down the field. Not deterred by the heavy defensive presence in front of him, Carr capped off the drive by throwing a dart to Williams, who rushed the final three yards into the end zone for the second touchdown of the day. The play shifted momentum to the offensive, and Carr was able to shake off the passing struggles from the first period.
Hebert rotated in and threw an eight-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Elijah Burress, who snuck in the far side of the end zone for a toe-tap touchdown.
A series later, a quick 10-yard pass from Carr to senior tight end Ty Washington was foiled by freshman safety Ethan Long, who deflected the ball into the hands of senior linebacker Jaylen Sneed. For his interception and four tackles, Sneed earned the Player of the Game honor.
Third string freshman quarterback Noah Grubbs made his minutes count. In the most impressive scoring drive of the game, Grubbs threw a 28-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald, son of Hall of Fame NFL receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Devin Fitzgerald beat the defenders from the slot position and was wide open for the rocket from Grubbs as he streaked past the defense.
The quarterbacks performed the best in the second period, scoring three touchdowns and tallying 16-26 in total completions. Carr rounded his passing to 7-15, a major improvement from the first period. Hebert appeared sharp and focused at 6 for 7, and Grubbs totaled 3 of 4 passes himself. The second period ended with the offense leading 36-20, largely aided by trips to the end zone.
Period 3
The defense showed out in the final period, withering away the offense’s lead.
Long added to his defense highlight take with an impressive 20-yard interception, the second and final interception of the game. The defense forced punts and earned sacks, taking a 40-38 lead ahead of the final series.
Blue elected to kick, placing pressure on the shoulders of junior kicker Spencer Porath. The Purdue transfer nailed a 43-yard field goal, ending the game with a final score of 41-40 and earning another win for the offense.
Although the Blue team walked away with the win, Ash’s defense proved consistent play as it came back from an 18-point deficit to even the game late in the third. The offense was able to pull through, largely in the second, but appeared disjointed on the field. The stakes may have been low in Saturday’s game, but the second and third strings outperformed the first by a landslide, likely aiming to impress the coaching staff to earn more playing time.
Carr, who has earned his starting spot after an impressive sophomore season, did not have his best performance in the scrimmage. But spring games are opportunities to work out the kinks and give a glimpse into the season ahead. At the same time, the performances from Hebert and Grubbs should give coaches and fans some relief, knowing that the two quarterbacks behind Carr have a drive to succeed and push themselves, as exemplified in their strong play during the scrimmage.
Last season, the defense was a major topic of discussion, as Chris Ash was brought in as the new defensive coordinator, and he has seemingly settled into his role. He will be tasked with maintaining a consistency on defense that is critical for Notre Dame’s success in the upcoming season. The line of scrimmage and backfield will be the largest variables, especially considering the loss of Price and Love, who were vital to the Irish’s ability to score. Notre Dame appears to be trudging through the hard, uncomfortable work necessary to prepare themselves for the fall.
