FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a lopsided contest at Razorback Stadium, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish dismantled the Arkansas Razorbacks 56-13 on Saturday afternoon.
The Irish improved to 2-2 on the season, while Arkansas fell to 2-3 (0-1 in SEC play).
Quarterback CJ Carr paced the attack, completing 22 of 30 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns, and did not enter the game in the fourth quarter. Running back Jeremiyah Love scored four touchdowns himself, becoming the first player in Notre Dame history to register multiple rushing and receiving touchdowns in a single game.
Notre Dame out-gained Arkansas 641 to 365 yards, including 431 passing yards to the Razorbacks’ 207.
Irish offense overwhelms early
Notre Dame struck fast, scoring touchdowns on each of its six first-half possessions. By halftime, the Irish held a 42-13 lead.
On the first drive, Love punched in a 1-yard run after a 10-play, 75-yard drive to put the Irish up 7-3. On the next possession, he caught a 7-yard pass for another score.
Later, Carr connected on a 23-yard touchdown strike to Will Pauling.
With 35 seconds left in the half, Arkansas coughed up a fumble, and Notre Dame converted it into another score to close the half.
Love finished with 127 total yards — 57 rushing and 70 receiving — and accounted for all four of his touchdowns in the first half.
Arkansas drove early as well, responding in the second quarter when offensive lineman Shaq McRoy lined up at fullback and powered in from 1 yard out to cut the margin to 14-10. But Notre Dame answered swiftly.
Arkansas offense muted
Razorback quarterback Taylen Green was held to modest numbers in this one. He completed 17 of 32 passes for 207 yards, was sacked three times, and threw one interception. He added 81 yards on the ground but was unable to spark his team into serious contention.
Running back Mike Washington carried 15 times for 63 yards, the team’s leading ground gainer. Receiver O’Mega Blake hauled in six catches for 73 yards as Arkansas’ top target.
Late in the third quarter, the Irish executed a fake punt that drew additional attention to their aggressive approach. Arkansas also saw Jalen Brown carted off with a leg injury on a pass attempt that fell incomplete.
Defense steps up, crowd dwindles
While Notre Dame’s offense stole the spotlight, the Irish defense held Arkansas in check most of the afternoon.
In the first half, Green completed just 6 of 15 passes for 85 yards.
The defense also forced a fumble by Arkansas’ Raylen Sharpe, while safety Luke Talich tallied an interception.
Former Arkansas tight end Ty Washington, now with Notre Dame, offered a blunt assessment before the game.
“But if you really shut them out quick, it will be done. The fan base will be quiet and everybody will go home,” Washington said.
By the start of the fourth quarter, much of the home crowd had left the stadium, as Arkansas trailed by nearly 30 points.
Big picture, what’s next
This victory may help Notre Dame steadily rebuild momentum amid a season of lofty expectations and early struggles.
After beginning the season 0-2, the Irish have now evened their record. The schedule ahead is manageable and next up is Boise State at home.
Arkansas, meanwhile, must regroup in SEC play. The Razorbacks are now 0-1 in conference matchups with a demanding schedule ahead after an open date.
Coach Marcus Freeman said the win demonstrates what his team can do when firing on all cylinders.
Observers have noted that Carr’s precision and Love’s versatility are building national buzz.
“It would not surprise me if Notre Dame’s CJ Carr was the first overall pick in 2027,” columnist Dan Wetzel said.
Key Takeaways
• Balanced, dynamic offense — Notre Dame scored on every first-half drive and eclipsed 600 total yards.
• Love makes history — Jeremiyah Love became Notre Dame’s first to score both rushing and receiving touchdowns in one game.
• Arkansas shut down — Arkansas’ offense was held to 13 points, and their defense couldn’t keep pace.
