SOUTH BEND, Ind. – For one half, NC State matched Notre Dame punch for punch. But after the break, the Fighting Irish took complete control, pulling away for a convincing 36–7 victory on Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium.
First Half
Notre Dame wasted little time setting the tone. After forcing a quick three-and-out on NC State’s opening drive, the Irish marched 68 yards behind the power running of Jeremiyah Love and the poise of quarterback CJ Carr. Love capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 7–0.
The Irish defense continued to smother the Wolfpack, forcing another short possession. But when Notre Dame’s next drive stalled inside the red zone, NC State seized the momentum.
Quarterback CJ Bailey found Terrell Anderson streaking down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown, knotting the game at 7–7 and silencing the home crowd.
Both defenses stiffened through much of the second quarter. Then, with less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, Carr connected with Malachi Fields for a key 20-yard gain to set up Noah Burnette’s 48-yard field goal as time expired. The kick gave Notre Dame a slim 10–7 edge heading into halftime.
Second Half
The Irish came out of the locker room determined to leave no doubt. Taking the opening kickoff, Carr engineered an 11-play drive capped by an 18-yard touchdown strike to KK Smith, extending the lead to 17–7.
From there, Notre Dame’s defense took over. The Irish front consistently pressured Bailey, forcing errant throws and three turnovers as the Wolfpack managed just 87 total yards after halftime.
Carr stayed sharp, adding a 12-yard touchdown pass to Will Pauling late in the third quarter. Burnette tacked on a 34-yard field goal, and the defense added a safety to push the lead to 29–7.
Love sealed the victory midway through the fourth quarter with his second touchdown run, putting the finishing touches on a dominant second half that saw Notre Dame outscore NC State 26–0.
By the Numbers
Notre Dame outgained NC State 485–233 and won the turnover battle 3–1. The Irish offense was balanced and explosive, while the defense delivered its best half of football this season.
Top Performers
Notre Dame
CJ Carr: 19-of-31 passing, 342 yards, 2 TDs
Jeremiyah Love: 18 carries, 86 yards, 2 TDs
Eli Raridon: 7 receptions, 109 yards
Will Pauling: 4 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD
NC State
CJ Bailey: 17-of-30 passing, 186 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Hollywood Smothers: 12 carries, 46 yards
Up Next:
Notre Dame concludes its three-game homestand next week against Big Ten newcomer USC.
NC State will travel north for an ACC showdown with the Pitt Panthers.
