Notre Dame closes spring practice with 41-40 Blue-Gold thriller

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Notre Dame wrapped up spring football Saturday with a dramatic finish in the Blue-Gold Game, as the Blue team defeated the Gold team 41-40.

Head coach Marcus Freeman gave kicker Spencer Porath a chance to win it late, and Porath delivered, knocking through a 43-yard field goal to seal the victory.

While the game started slowly, the biggest takeaway came at quarterback. CJ Carr continued to show growth in his command of Notre Dame’s offense, looking more comfortable directing the unit and managing the flow of the game.

Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said Carr is in position to “steer the ship,” even if there are still moments where the offense needs to be sharper.

“I’d wish we started a little faster,” Denbrock said. “We were pretty sloppy in the beginning, missed some things that we need to make sure we tighten up, whether that’s decision-making, protection checks or whatever that happens to be. We just got to be sharper out of the gate. Today, I was a little disappointed in them — not mad at them, but just disappointed. But I thought we picked it up as time went along.”

Behind Carr, Notre Dame’s backup quarterback competition remains open. Freshman Blake Hebert continued to make progress, showing signs of a player becoming more comfortable in the structure of the offense. Hebert looked more decisive with where to go with the ball, how to manage the pocket and how to keep the unit moving.

At running back, Aneyas Williams was one of the most active players on the field. For the first time in a while, Williams was out of a non-contact jersey, and Notre Dame did not waste time getting the ball in his hands. Williams showed flashes as both a runner and receiver and also found the end zone. With Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love gone, Notre Dame’s running back room will look different this fall. Williams has been clear about his goal: making sure their absence is not felt.

The receiver room also remains young, but there is plenty of versatility. Devin Fitzgerald made one of the cleanest plays of the day, hauling in a touchdown grab in the end zone. That room will also get help from its tight ends. Ty Washington, Cooper Flanagan and James Flanagan all give the Irish options, not only as targets in the passing game, but as blockers who can help spring the run game.

The Irish now turn their attention toward the summer, with several position battles still taking shape before fall camp.