Notre Dame football will ends its spring practices today with the Blue & Gold game, which won’t exactly be like the football that we are used to seeing on Saturday’s.
Gone are a few stars, as both running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were taken during the NFL draft’s first round. However, the Irish will return starting quarterback CJ Carr, who seems to have leveled up since the 2025 season ended.
There are more than a few defensive stars that will return as well, like cornerback Leonard Moore and linebacker Drayk Bowen, who we might not see as he’s returning from an injury.
The star power is there and some of them will get a chance to shine later today, and it will be great to see some of the younger players have a chance to see the field to give us a glimpse of what their Irish futures could be.
Follow along below for live updates, highlights and reactions to Notre Dame football’s Blue (offense) & Gold (defense) game.
Blake Hebert is looking good again
it looks like Hebert is separating himself from the other backups in this game, and should be able to operate the offense if anything happens to Carr. He made the right read to tuck it and run, and has some great touch on his passes. Hebert is taking what the defense is giving him, and moving the team down the field effectively. He’d find Elijah Burress for a score to complete the drive, a great ball over three defenders. Blue 34 – Gold 11
Joey O’Brien’s day is officially done
This isn’t what anyone wanted to see, as O’Brien got banged up on the first series and is now on crutches. Jack Soble reports it’s a left foot injury, and he won’t return to the field.
Aneyas Williams flashes multiple times
This drive was all about the expected RB1, as Williams caught multiple passes and ran the ball well. Carr found Dylan Faison on third-down to move the chains, as he looks like he’s settling into the game after a somewhat shaky start. He’d find Mylan Graham for about 25-yards on a free play after an offsides. Williams would then find the end zone after Carr made an audible, which shows that the quarterback is seeing the field much differently after his first season starting. Blue 24 – Gold 11.
Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders showing out
Notre Dame’s transfer class was small, but full of talent. One of those was former Michigan cornerback Jayden Sanders, who is showing that he will make a big impact this fall.
Jeremiyah Love is back in the building
Love was drafted No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals as was there on Friday, but he hopped on a plane back to South Bend. It’s great to see him rooting on his former teammates as he prepare to be RB1 for the Cardinals.
Noah Grubbs enters the game, but goes three-and-out
The true-freshman has a high ceiling, but handed the ball off twice, before getting close to a first down on his initial pass attempt. Freeman again reset the drive, giving Grubbs more time on the field, but they didn’t see his push it down the field. Ayden Pouncey made a good play on a short pass, but Walton powers through for a first down run. Blue 12 – Gold 11 as the defense has looked very good compared to the offense early.
Former 5-star freshman Joey O’Brien banged up
You hate the see this, as O’Brien could be a major player right away for the Irish. Hopefully it’s nothing major and he can get back in the game.
Carr looks shaky on his second drive
Carr missed a few easy throws, and was long a a deep shot. It looks like he’s still trying to find a rhythm with his receivers, but there’s plenty of time to find it before the season starts. Blue 11 – Gold 8 after a few drives.
Blake Hebert leads the second-team and hits a huge gain to Cam Williams
Kenny Minchey left and QB2 has been a question, and it looks like Hebert might be Carr’s backup. He made a great throw for 53-yards to Williams who has tons of talent but hasn’t been able to put it together. The ends with a Jonaz Walton rushing score to put the Blue ahead of the Gold 11-2.
CJ Carr looks sharp but his receivers let him down
One of the biggest questions heading into the season is what the Notre Dame wide receiver room can produce. There was an influx of talent brought in through the recruiting class and the transfer portal along with returning players. Carr was on the money with more than a few of this throws, but great defense and a few drops stalled the drive and the defense scored a few points. Gold 2 – Blue 1.
Adon Shuler addresses the team before it begins
Shuler is a true leader, and for him to speak to the team highlights how well respected his is in the locker room. It sure seems like he’s going to have a huge season.
RB1 Aneyas Williams will be full go
On the other hand, Williams will suit up and doesn’t look to be limited like he was earlier during the spring. There not much of a question about his starting status, as he showed as a backup to Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, two first-round picks, that he belongs.
Guerby Lambert will sit this one out
There is really no need for Lambert to play in this game, as he’s already a starter and doesn’t have to prove anything. Keep some guys out that could be nursing small injuries is the right move by the coaching staff. It is also being reported that he is wearing a brace on his right ankle.
Notre Dame’s game format
Not only will the scoring be different, but we won’t see a four quarter contest either. Since the teams aren’t being split up, we are going to see more 1’s vs. 1’s and 2’s vs. 2’s today. It should be a lot of fun either way.
Notre Dame players have a prayer before the game
There is a routine that Notre Dame follows, and for the new transfer and early enrolling players, this is all new to them. The spring game is a great way to introduce them to how a real Saturday looks like playing for the Irish, and it looks to be a fantastic day for football.
How to watch
Unfortunately, this game won’t be on broadcast television, it will be only on Peacock. Surely this will make some people upset, but Notre Dame has plenty of ties to the network and it happens during the season as well. Hopefully there will be other options in the future, but for now, Peacock it is.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame spring game: Live updates, highlights and reactions
Reporting by Michael Chen , Fighting Irish Wire / Fighting Irish Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
