Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame snagged a big win against NC State, cruising to a 36-7 victory that marked their fourth straight win. But then the sweet taste of victory turned bitter when starting center Ashton Craig injured his left knee. The injury took place mid-third quarter, right when Notre Dame was pushing forward to break the game open. This was a tough blow, especially since Craig had returned from a previous ACL injury last season. Thus, this year, he was a key anchor of the Notre Dame offensive line.

Backup Joe Otting immediately stepped in, but the blow to the team was tough. And that exact blow turns into a permanent nightmare as Craig, unfortunately, remains out for the rest of the season. “Notre Dame center Ashton Craig is out for the season with a right knee injury,” Notre Dame reporter Tyler Horka posted on X.  “Head coach Marcus Freeman announces. It’s the second straight season Craig has gone out for the year in the middle of the season.”

This becomes a major setback for the Irish as their depth gets tested. Last year, it was the game against Purdue that sidelined him for the rest of the season because of the ACL issue. But this setback becomes a harsh reality for QB CJ Carr, who is most affected because of this news. As of now, Carr has accumulated a rock-solid 1622 yards with 13 TDs on 3 receptions with Craig managing the centre, pretty decent, right? But now Craig being out makes it a huge problem for the QB. The center is responsible for snapping the ball to the quarterback, then immediately engaging in blocking.

He is also responsible for directing the other linemen by calling out defensive alignments and protection schemes. That’s why, without Craig, the trust and communication between the center and Carr take a hit. Losing Craig means that the backup must quickly step into this demanding role. Joe Otting is supposedly going to handle this role while Craig remains out. Otting has already played 114 snaps across nine games this season, which means he’s been gaining valuable experience and is trusted by teammates and coaches alike. And even Carr himself praised Otting’s performance.

“Shout-out to Joe,” CJ Carr said. “It was unbelievable coming in that fourth quarter and doing what he did. We have full confidence and trust in Joe to come out and win each play, and that’s exactly what he did.” Notre Dame’s offensive depth also involves freshman Cam Herron and sophomore Sullivan Absher. But Otting’s familiarity with the starting rotation and prior game action gives him the edge.

Notre Dame’s offensive prowess

Amid the Irish centre taking a hit against NC State, the Notre Dame offense put on an impressive show. CJ Carr completed 19 out of 31 passes for a staggering 342 yards and scored two TDs. He connected well with his weapons, like K.K. Smith and Will Pauling, for crucial touchdowns in the third quarter. This passing attack really opened things up for Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love, the star running back, added 86 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

But not too much was dependent on the running game as the Irish offense sincerely spread out. Eli Raridon caught seven passes for 109 yards, proving to be a reliable target. And on the other hand, Will Pauling chipped in 105 yards on four catches. The offense seemed to really click after halftime as it outscored NC State 26-0 in the last three quarters.

A memorable moment came early in the second half when Notre Dame tricked NC State by lining up for a punt on fourth-and-two. That’s when backup quarterback Tyler Buchner snapped the ball and picked up a crucial first down. The offensive line gave Carr the protection he needed, and the receivers made big plays when it counted.