Notre Dame Crushes Stanford 49-7 in Dominant Performance 10-12-2024
On October 12, 2024, under the bright lights of Notre Dame Stadium, the Fighting Irish delivered a commanding 49-7 victory over the Stanford Cardinals. The win showcased Notre Dame’s dominance on both sides of the ball, as they improved to 5-1 on the season.
Game Recap
First Quarter: A Rocky Start, But a Quick Response
The Cardinals struck first after forcing an early Notre Dame punt. Junior quarterback Ashton Daniels led a ground-heavy drive, including a 27-yard scramble into Irish territory. Stanford capped off the drive with a QB sneak for a touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead.
The Irish responded with precision. JaDarian Price gained steady yards on the ground, and quarterback Riley Leonard connected with Kris Mitchell on a key pass to set up a touchdown. Leonard then dashed into the end zone on a designed run, tying the game 7-7.
Second Quarter: Defensive Prowess and Offensive Momentum
Notre Dame’s defense began to assert itself early in the second quarter. After Stanford converted a fourth down near midfield, defensive tackle Howard Cross made consecutive impact plays, including an eight-yard sack. The Cardinals’ next fourth-down attempt was stopped when Cross sacked Daniels again, forcing a turnover on downs.
Building on the defensive momentum, Notre Dame’s offense marched downfield with Leonard leading the charge. A perfectly executed slant route by senior receiver Jayden Thomas resulted in a touchdown, giving the Irish a 14-7 lead.
Notre Dame’s next scoring drive was marked by big plays and wild moments. Jeremiyah Love turned a short pass into a 25-yard gain, and a deflected pass landed in the hands of center Pat Coogan, who rumbled for a first down. The drive culminated in Kris Mitchell’s first touchdown of the season, a slant route where he shielded the defender to secure the ball. The Irish entered halftime with a 21-7 lead.
Third Quarter: Defensive Takeaways and Offensive Firepower
Stanford started the second half deep in their own territory but managed some breathing room with a 14-yard rush and a 20-yard pass. However, Notre Dame’s defense delivered a game-changing play when defensive end Joshua Burnham tipped a pitch, caught the deflection, and returned it 15 yards.
With excellent field position, Notre Dame struck quickly. JaDarian Price rushed for a 16-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-7.
The Irish kept the pressure on. Leonard found sophomore receiver KK Smith for a 25-yard gain, setting up Jeremiyah Love’s electrifying 39-yard touchdown run. Notre Dame’s lead ballooned to 35-7.
The Irish defense continued to dominate, with senior defensive tackle Riley Mills recording a sack that forced another Stanford punt.
Notre Dame’s next drive featured a 53-yard bomb from Leonard to Collins, followed by a five-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Eli Raridon off an RPO. By the end of the third quarter, the Irish were in full control at 42-7.
Fourth Quarter: Delayed but Undeterred
A weather delay before the start of the fourth quarter didn’t dampen Notre Dame’s momentum. Freshman Aneyas Williams added a rushing touchdown, and the defense, led by Ben Minnich and Loghan Thomas, recorded another sack on fourth down to seal the Cardinals’ fate.
Key Performances
- Riley Leonard (QB): 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown.
- JaDarian Price (RB): Key rushing plays, including a 16-yard touchdown.
- Jeremiyah Love (RB): 39-yard touchdown run, pivotal receptions.
- Howard Cross (DT): 2 sacks, multiple drive-stopping plays.
- Joshua Burnham (DE): Tipped pitch recovery and return, sparking a game-turning play.
By the Numbers
- Total Yards: Notre Dame 485, Stanford 173.
- Turnovers: Notre Dame 0, Stanford 2.
- Notre Dame Defense: 6 sacks, 2 fourth-down stops, 1 turnover.
With their decisive win, the Fighting Irish head into their next matchup with confidence and momentum, continuing their march toward postseason aspirations.
