Notre Dame Fighting Irish Dismantle Stanford Cardinal in Dominant Home Victory
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish improved their season record to 5-1 after a commanding 49-7 victory over the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium. The home team's performance was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing their prowess on both sides of the ball. The Cardinal, now sitting at a 2-4 record, struggled to find their footing against the relentless Irish defense and dynamic offense.
Key Performances on Offense
Quarterback Riley Leonard led the charge for the Fighting Irish with an impressive display, completing 16 out of 22 attempts for a total of 229 yards and three touchdowns. His passing rating soared to an impressive 205.16, highlighting his efficiency and command over the game. Leonard's connection with his receivers was evident as they collectively amassed a total of 248 receiving yards on 18 completions.
The ground game was equally effective for Notre Dame, racking up a whopping 229 rushing yards across 39 attempts. Jeremiyah Love stood out among the running backs with his explosive runs, totaling 53 yards on six carries and finding the end zone once. Jadarian Price and Aneyas Williams also contributed significantly to the rushing attack, combining for another two touchdowns.
Defensive Dominance
Notre Dame's defense was impenetrable throughout the game, recording four sacks and forcing one fumble which they recovered for an additional score. Howard Cross III had an outstanding performance on defense with two sacks contributing to Stanford's offensive woes.
Special teams played their part as well; Max Hurleman returned punts for a total of twenty-four yards providing advantageous field position that further pressured Stanford’s defense.
Looking Ahead
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will next face off against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on October 19th at 3:30 PM EDT. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN as Notre Dame looks to continue its winning streak in this highly anticipated matchup.