Notre Dame's hopes for a 2nd consecutive undefeated regular season came crashing down in California late tonight, as Irish fell victim to Stanford. QB Riley Leonard put up, by far, his worst performance of his career, throwing for 368yds, 3 TDs and 6 Interceptions, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns.
While the Irish offense looked potent at times, it's was the wildly inconsistent Leonard that seemed to be playing with blinders on. When things worked as intended, it was great, but when things got off schedule, Leonard was flustered.
Defensively, the Irish played desperate, after not being able to touch QB Ashton Daniels in the 1st Q, Coach Reign turned up the pressure. But the Stanford Fighting Trees didn't budge and no matter the numbers, they kept the pocket clean for Daniels. Meanwhile, Daniels used the time to torch the Irish defense for nearly 400yds through the air.
Coach Reign: "An absolutely impressive performance from Coach Ninja and the Cardinal today. They put us down early and kept us playing from behind throughout the game. Perfectly executed! Best of luck the rest of the way coach!"
Stanford Stadium, November 3, 2024 — Stanford put an end to any “luck of the Irish” in their matchup against third-ranked Notre Dame, securing a commanding 55-24 victory that showcased both offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.
First Quarter: Cardinal Set the Tone
Stanford’s offense came out swinging, with quarterback Ashton Daniels showing pinpoint accuracy, completing 24 of 29 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinal’s running game added punch, with Sedrick Irvin and Cole Tabb leading the ground attack to keep the Irish defense on their heels. Tabb’s two rushing touchdowns and Daniels' precision helped Stanford claim an early lead.
On the other side, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard struggled under pressure, throwing two of his six total interceptions in the first quarter. Although the Irish managed to put points on the board, Stanford’s defensive line continuously disrupted Leonard, ensuring he never found a consistent rhythm.
Second Quarter: Stanford Defense Tightens the Grip
Stanford’s defense continued to dominate in the second quarter, with interceptions from Gaethan Bernadel and Mitch Leigber, adding to Leonard’s frustration. Notre Dame managed some strong plays in the air, highlighted by Jordan Faison’s 125 receiving yards and a touchdown, but turnovers were costly, preventing sustained drives.
Second Half: Irish Collapse, Stanford Shines
As the game wore on, the Irish could not overcome the mounting interceptions and Stanford’s unyielding defense. Stanford’s offensive line protected Daniels, who distributed the ball effectively, including big plays to Sam Roush and Micah Ford, ensuring that Stanford stayed in control.
The victory solidifies Stanford’s status as a formidable contender, while Notre Dame left the field disappointed, their luck clearly having run dry. Stanford fans erupted in celebration as the final whistle blew, knowing their team had bested one of the season’s toughest opponents with undeniable dominance
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