No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 10 Miami kicked off their 2025 season under the lights at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday night, with a defense-first opening that ended 0-0 after the first quarter. Miami transfer QB Carson Beck returned from elbow surgery to start for the Hurricanes, while redshirt freshman CJ Carr made his debut for the Fighting Irish. A botched snap on Miami’s 28-yard field-goal try and steady rain shaped an early field-position battle.
Key Takeaways
- Score at end of 1Q: Miami 0, Notre Dame 0; tempo and field position favored the defenses.
- Venue and conditions: Rain and heavy humidity at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
- Coin toss: Miami won and deferred; Notre Dame received the opening kickoff.
- Early Irish spark: WR Jordan Faison turned quick throws into chunk gains before the drive stalled near midfield; ND punted from the Miami 42.
- Beck back in rhythm: Miami’s Carson Beck completed his first three passes to three different receivers; a deep shot on 2nd-and-2 fell incomplete before a 3rd-and-2 run was stuffed.
- Turnover swing, no points: Miami’s Justin Scott forced a Malachi Fields fumble, setting the ‘Canes up at ND’s 22; a Jared Dawson pass deflection preceded a bad snap that wiped out a 28-yard FG attempt.
- Freshman flash: Miami WR Malachi Toney made back-to-back grabs to push into ND territory late in the first quarter.
- Injury watch: Notre Dame CB Christian Gray needed assistance off the field after a goal-line pass breakup.
Verified Facts
These programs meet as top-10 teams for the first time since 2017, and it is only their fifth matchup since 1990. The national stakes are clear: an early statement for the College Football Playoff race, even with a long season ahead.
Notre Dame reached the 2025 CFP National Championship and returns an identity built on a rugged defense and a two-headed backfield featuring Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The Irish turned to CJ Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, after a tight preseason battle with Kenny Minchey. Carr appeared in just one game last season without attempting a pass.
Miami enters Year 4 under Mario Cristobal, aiming to convert recent recruiting and transfer momentum into playoff traction after narrowly missing the 12-team CFP last season. Beck, who transferred from Georgia after a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, missed spring practice but was cleared and is starting at full strength, per the program’s timetable.
Both teams debuted new defensive coordinators: Chris Ash for Notre Dame and Corey Hetherman for Miami. Early blitz pressure and sound tackling defined the opening frame as both units sought to unsettle inexperienced quarterbacks in wet conditions.
Context & Impact
This opener doubles as a chemistry test. Miami is rebuilding its passing game around Beck and a reshuffled receiver room, while Notre Dame is ushering in a first-time starter in Carr and leaning on its ground game to manage risk. In a season where margins for CFP positioning can tighten by October, an early ranked win is valuable currency.
Weather matters here. Rain and humidity have already nudged both staffs toward conservative decisions—pinning the opponent deep, avoiding high-risk throws, and trusting front sevens to win on early downs. Special teams discipline is at a premium after Miami’s failed 28-yard try due to a bad snap.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Rankings | No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 10 Miami |
| Venue | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
| Conditions | Humid with rain; ACC officiating crew |
| End 1Q Score | Miami 0, Notre Dame 0 |
| Key Swing | Botched snap erased Miami’s 28-yard FG attempt |
| Turnovers | Notre Dame lost a fumble forced by Miami DL Justin Scott |
| Notable Plays | ND’s Jared Dawson batted a Beck pass on 3rd-and-8; Miami’s Jordan Lyle stuffed on 3rd-and-2 |
| Emerging Target | Miami FR WR Malachi Toney with consecutive first-quarter catches |
Unconfirmed
- The severity of Notre Dame CB Christian Gray’s apparent injury has not been announced.
- Class designation for CJ Carr varies by source; he is widely referenced as a redshirt freshman. Official roster clarification is pending.
- Miami’s receiver hierarchy is still sorting out; early targets for freshman Malachi Toney may not reflect full-game distribution.
- A stray reference to LSU vs. Clemson appeared in the live feed; it seems to be an unrelated editorial error.
Bottom Line
Through one quarter, this top-10 opener has been defined by defense, discipline, and the elements. If conditions persist, the winner will likely be the team that runs it cleaner, protects the ball, and earns hidden yards on special teams. As Beck and Carr settle in, one timely deep shot—or one mistake—could swing a playoff-tinged September statement.