Notre Dame defeats Rice 52-0 in home opener at Notre Dame Stadium
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 6:38 AM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
Notre Dame secured a 52-0 victory over Rice on September 12, 2026, in South Bend, Indiana. The Fighting Irish set an aggressive tone early when Boubacar Traore returned a fumble for a touchdown just 14 seconds into the game. Quarterback CJ Carr finished the contest 16-of-20 passing for 263 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Jordan Faison, Micah Gilbert, and Cooper Flanagan. Running back Nolan James contributed two short-yardage touchdown runs to help extend the lead. The Notre Dame defense maintained the shutout throughout the afternoon, including a late forced fumble by Kahanu Kia to prevent a Rice score. The win improves Notre Dame to 2-0 on the season as the team utilized a significant portion of its roster, including second and third-string players.
- •Notre Dame defeated Rice 52-0 at Notre Dame Stadium.
- •CJ Carr threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns.
- •Boubacar Traore scored a touchdown on a fumble return.
- •The defense held Rice scoreless throughout the game.
- 6:38 AMYahoo Sports — Marcus Freeman Sends Strong Warning About Notre Dame Offense Despite 52-0 Blowout
- 1:07 PMYahoo Sports — Notre Dame Notebook: Marcus Freeman Talks Home Opening Win Over Rice
- 1:37 AMYahoo Sports — Marcus Freeman Talks Notre Dame's Massive Win Over Rice In Home Opener
- 1:06 AMYahoo Sports — PHOTO GALLERY: Notre Dame 52, Rice 0
- 10:30 PMYahoo Sports — Notre Dame cooks Rice for a 52-0 win in the home opener
"The Notre Dame Fighting Irish couldn’t have asked for a much more dominant result against Rice, but Marcus Freeman still isn’t satisfied with everything he saw from his offense. Notre Dame cruised to a 52-0 victory over Rice on Sept. 12, improving to 2-0 after opening the season with a 41-13 win over Wisconsin. The […] The post Marcus Freeman Sends Strong Warning About Notre Dame Offense Despite 52-0 Blowout appeared first on HEAVY.
"Following a dominant 52-0 shutout, the Irish head coach analyzes CJ Carr’s efficiency, the defense’s suffocating physicality, and the breakout performances of rising stars fueling this championship pursuit.
"Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman shared his thoughts on the play of Adon Shuler, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and freshmen QBs Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jararrd after a lopsided win over Rice
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 6:38 AMMarcus Freeman Sends Strong Warning About Notre Dame Offense Despite 52-0 Blowout
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish couldn’t have asked for a much more dominant result against Rice, but Marcus Freeman still isn’t satisfied with everything he saw from his offense. Notre Dame cruised to a 52-0 victory over Rice on Sept. 12, improving to 2-0 after opening the season with a 41-13 win over Wisconsin. The […] The post Marcus Freeman Sends Strong Warning About Notre Dame Offense Despite 52-0 Blowout appeared first on HEAVY.
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 1:07 PMNotre Dame Notebook: Marcus Freeman Talks Home Opening Win Over Rice
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman shared his thoughts on the play of Adon Shuler, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and freshmen QBs Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jararrd after a lopsided win over Rice
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 1:37 AMMarcus Freeman Talks Notre Dame's Massive Win Over Rice In Home Opener
Following a dominant 52-0 shutout, the Irish head coach analyzes CJ Carr’s efficiency, the defense’s suffocating physicality, and the breakout performances of rising stars fueling this championship pursuit.
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 1:06 AMPHOTO GALLERY: Notre Dame 52, Rice 0
Some of the best images from Notre Dame’s blowout win over the Rice Owls.
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 10:30 PMNotre Dame cooks Rice for a 52-0 win in the home opener
Notre Dame had no problem eating up Rice for a shutout win at home.
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