ND BLUE-GOLD: Attendance spikes with anticipation growing for Fighting Irish football in 2026

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SOUTH BEND — The second-largest attendance in Notre Dame spring game history showed up to Saturday’s Blue-Gold scrimmage to get an early taste of what could be an extended season for the Fighting Irish.

The crowd of 45,308 watched a nail-biter as Spencer Porath converted a 43-yard field goal to give the Blue team (offense) a 41-40 victory over Gold (defense). Porath is the expected kicker for the Fighting Irish after playing for Purdue last fall.

The format of this year’s game saw the two teams play three quarters. The two teams played strength-on-strength, meaning the top units on both sides faced each other, as did the second teams and thirds teams on the depth chart.

Sophomore CJ Carr finished the day 7-of-15 for 55 yard and an interception. Carr’s pass deflected off the hands of tight end Ty Washington and catching the tipped ball was Jaylen Sneed.

Of the three quarterback to play (Carr, Blake Hebert and Noah Grubbs), Hebert was the most effective. The freshman finished 7-of-11 for 103 yards and an eight-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Burress.

Grubbs, fighting with Hebert for the backup spot, was 7-of-14, throwing for 64 yards. Ethan Long intercepted Grubbs later in the game, but the longest touchdown of the day featured Devin Fitzgerald beating the defense for a 28-yard touchdown from Grubbs. The two have regularly connected on long passing plays in practice this spring.

Lead back Aneyas Williams took 10 handoffs for 38 yards and a score while potential backup Jonaz Walton received 11 carries for 33 yards and scored the first touchdown of the game. Cam Williams led the receiving core with three catches for 57 yards.

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