Saturday’s 2025 Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium featured a different format than in years past. The 94th annual scrimmage game over the course of 12 different series was set up as offense (Blue) versus defense (Gold). When the dust settled, the Blue emerged victoriously, winning 76-31.
The Blue team scored four touchdowns and kicked two field goals. The offense also earned points for first downs and plays over 20 yards. The Gold team earned points from defensive stops, sacks, and tackles for loss. Among the highlights on defense was a goal-line stand on the seventh series of the scrimmage. On the drive, the offense secured a first-and-goal from the eight-yard line. Following a second-and-goal from the two, the defense stepped up with back-to-back stops at the goal. Junior safety Luke Talich made the final stop to end the scoring threat.
Young Talent Flashes in Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold Game
Quarterback Battle Heats Up; CJ Carr Flashes
Redshirt freshman CJ Carr led the Irish signal callers. He completed 14-of-19 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He also tossed an interception late in the game. Sophomore Kenny Minchey went 6-for-14 for 106 yards. He also rushed for a score. Junior Steve Angeli was efficient. He went 8-for-11 for 108 yards and a touchdown. The battle for QB1 remains an intriguing question mark as the team heads into the summer.
Early-enrollee freshman Elijah Burress flashed for the wide receivers. The son of former NFL receiver Plaxico Burress caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Carr. Burress caught two passes, the longest went for 19 yards. Scrap Richardson caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Angeli. And sophomore Xavier Southall caught a 27-yard scoring pass from Carr. Freshman Nolan James Jr. led all receivers. He caught three passes for 60 yards.
Jadarian Price led all Irish rushers. He racked up 44 yards on six early carries before sitting out the rest of the scrimmage. Aneyas Williams carried 12 times for 38 yards. Gi’Bran Payne, after missing the 2024 season due to an injury, carried the ball nine times for 30 yards.
Irish Defense Shines Early in Blue-Gold Game
The Irish defense proved stubborn early in the Blue-Gold contest. The Gold had eight tackles for loss. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa posted two of the tackles for loss. Talich led all defenders with nine tackles on the afternoon. Early enrollee freshman Ethan Long, freshman Cole Mullins, senior Mikey Brown, and junior transfer Elijah Hughes each had five tackles.
“There was a lot of good energy,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said on Peacock at the conclusion of the game. “(Saw) some really good things offensively, sustaining drives and putting points on the board. The defense did some good things early. There was a lot of good. We’re going to count on these guys. It was nice to see them out there competing today.
“Most importantly, it’s a chance to engage with the fans and the local fans,” Freeman added. “And to give them an opportunity to see our guys compete. We have to continue to focus on improvement. And we will tailor our schemes to what our guys do best. We will finish off the Spring with two more good practices. And then we will give them a little break into the summer.”
Main Photo: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
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