Following a pass interference call, the Patriots’ set up at the 2-yard line in the second quarter. Raridon cut to the top left corner of the end zone, where he caught a 2-yard pass from New England quarterback Drake Maye.
“I was wide open, and (Drake Maye) just threw it,” Raridon said. “It was really cool and something I’ll never forget. It was one of the easier touchdowns you could have in the league.”
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Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) grabs a fumble and runs it for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) grabs a fumble and runs it for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman before a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame huddles up before a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame takes the field before a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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The Notre Dame leprechaun celebrates after a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr throws a pass for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison rushes the ball for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (27) celebrates after a turnover during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry (4) celebrates after a turnover during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison (6) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa celebrates after getting a stop during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams hurdles over Rice safety Koa Akui during a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman leads his team onto the field before a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame wide receiver Matt Jeffery (33) rushes the ball and gets tackled during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams, center, falls into the end zone for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame defensive lineman Bryce Young (95) celebrates after getting a stop during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore celebrates after scoring a touchdown off of a fumble xduring a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison runs off the field after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Rice at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Sep 12, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) celebrates scoring with defensive lineman Armel Mukam (88) against the Rice Owls during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
(Michael Caterina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
An elated Freeman wanted to hear all about Raridon’s reaction right after the TD.
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“What did you do after you scored?,” Freeman said.
“I paused for a minute, realized I scored then spiked (the ball),” Raridon said.
Raridon jokingly noted that the way he can have celebrations in the NFL is “a little different” from college football, referencing the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that players receive if they spike the ball.
“When you get into the league, you can do anything you want,” Freeman said with a smile, adding that he said the same thing to former Irish star running back Jeremiyah Love.
Raridon played in 40 games for Notre Dame. In his career, he had 40 receptions for 623 and three scores.
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