(Notre Dame) — The message was delivered on the second play of the game and repeated throughout the game.

Notre Dame wasn’t taking Rice lightly.

Adon Shuler made a devastating hit on Rice’s Davis Lane, Jr., popping the ball loose. Boubacar Traore scooped up the loose ball and ran 25 yards for the touchdown, and Notre Dame began a 52-0 rout of the Owls at sold-out Notre Dame Stadium.

“It was huge,” stated Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. “You don’t ever know how a game is going to go, but you want to come out with an attack mentality. You see Adon’s hit force that fumble, that’s a game-changer because it sets the tone.”

It’s Notre Dame’s first shutout since a blanking of Boston College in 2022.

The Irish clicked in every phase of the game, with quarterback C.J. Carr completing 16-of-20 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns, two to co-captain Jordan Faison. The highlight throw came late in the first half, a 39-yard laser to a leaping Micah Gilbert, who soared above two defensive backs to make the grab in the end zone.

“His decisions are impeccable,” beamed Freeman. “Last week, he made the right decision. This week, he made the right decision. He’s got to continue trust in taking the checkdown if the shot is not there, but if it’s there, take the shot.”

Notre Dame spread it around to 12 different receivers and played three different quarterbacks in raising its record to 2-0 on the season.

The defense was equally impressive, creating four turnovers and holding the Owls to just 128 yards total offense.

Linebacker Kyngston Villiamu-Asa returned to the lineup after last year’s knee injury and made his presence felt with five tackles, including 1.5 for loss.

“He made that play in the back field early…I don’t know what it down it was, but I just chuckled and said ‘he’s back’,” smiled Freeman.

Fellow linebacker Jaiden Ausberry also made five tackles. Bryce Young continued his sparkling start to the season with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss at defensive end

It’s only the second win in five home openers for Freeman, and his first over a FBS opponent.

Notre Dame returns to the Stadium next Saturday to face Michigan State. Kickoff will be shortly after 7:30 pm on NBC and Peacock. We’ll preview that game and break down today’s Irish win Monday night on Notre Dame Federal Credit Union’s “Irish Football Fix” at 7 pm on Pulse FM (92.1, 96.9 and 103.1)