Notre Dame Announced CJ Carr News Ahead of Stanford Game
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CJ Carr and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are rolling to start the season, undefeated at 5-0 and ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll after defeating Bill Belichick and the UNC Tar Heels 37-26 last Saturday. North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. faced constant pressure, throwing for 209 passing yards and two interceptions.
Notre Dame quarterback Carr was strong in the matchup, completing 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards and four touchdown passes with zero interceptions. Wide receiver Jordan Faison hauled in a game-high eight receptions for 132 receiving yards and two touchdowns. So far in the 2026 college football season, Carr has thrown for 1,197 passing yards on a 71.0% completion percentage for 13 touchdowns and one interception and is fourth in the nation with a 90.4 QBR.
On Thursday, Notre Dame went to social media to announce that Carr was revealed as one of the 15 quarterbacks listed as candidates for the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The award is given annually to the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback in college football. Prior winners of the award include stars like Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning and his brother Eli Manning of the Ole Miss Rebels, as well as LSU Tigers’ Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels. Last year’s winner was Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Prior winners for the Fighting Irish include Tony Rice in 1989 and Brady Quinn in 2006.
“CJ Carr has been named to the Top 15,” the Notre Dame Fighting Irish wrote in the Instagram caption. “For the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award! #GoIrish☘️”
Notre Dame will host the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC. Head coach Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish have held onto the Legends Trophy since 2023.
Related: Notre Dame Reacts to CJ Carr Announcement on Monday
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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