Riley Leonard delivered a masterclass performance this Saturday, leading the Fighting Irish to a landslide 49-7 victory over Stanford. This feat catapulted Notre Dame to the coveted No. 11 spot.
Leonard was sensational, tossing three touchdown passes and even running for a score. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 229 yards and three scores. Additionally, he also showed his prowess on the ground, rushing six times for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Notre Dame's defense was a force to be reckoned with. They shut down Stanford’s offense, posting eight tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, and even recovering a fumble. The Fighting Irish also thwarted Stanford's three fourth-down attempts.
Leonard and Notre Dame wasted no time. They embarked on a 75-yard drive, with Leonard scoring on a six-yard run to level the score. By halftime, Notre Dame had built a 21-7 lead, capitalizing on two failed fourth down attempts by Stanford.
One of the defining moments of the match was when Jayden Thomas caught a 15-yard toss from Leonard for a touchdown. Kris Mitchell was on the receiving end of a five-yard scoring pass from Leonard. Notre Dame's defense then set up the next touchdown, giving the Fighting Irish a commanding 28-7 lead.
The game ended in a resounding victory for Notre Dame, with a final score of 49-7. This thrilling performance has surely boosted the morale of the Fighting Irish, promising an exciting season ahead.
