SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Riley Leonard threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead No. 11 Notre Dame to a 49-7 win over Stanford on Saturday.
Leonard was 16 of 22 passing for 229 yards and three scores, and rushed six times for 31 yards and a TD.
The game was stopped at the end of the third quarter due to lighting in the area, with Notre Dame ahead 42-7. Play resumed after a delay of about an hour.
Steve Angeli replaced Leonard at quarterback when play resumed.
Notre Dame (5-1) shut down Stanford’s offense and posted eight tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks and a lost fumble. The Fighting Irish also stopped Stanford three times on fourth-down attempts.
Stanford (2-4), which was making its third trip to the Eastern time zone in four weeks, scored first. The Cardinal drove 63 yards on their first possession and took a lead when quarterback Justin Lamson scored on a one-yard run.
That advantage didn’t last long.
Leonard and Notre Dame responded with a 75-yard drive. Leonard scored on a six-yard run to even the score.
Notre Dame built a 21-7 lead by halftime by cashing in on two failed fourth down attempts by Stanford. Jayden Thomas grabbed a 15-yard toss from Leonard for one score, and Kris Mitchell caught a five-yard scoring pass from Leonard.
Notre Dame’s defense set up the next touchdown, putting the Fighting Irish firmly in command at 28-7. Defensive end Joshua Burnham deflected a pitch by Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels and hauled it in before rumbling 15 yards to the Cardinal 17. Two plays later, Jadarian Price raced 16 yards for the score.
Ashton Daniels went 8 for 13 for 74 yards and rushed 14 times for 42 yards. Lamson was 2 for 4 for 13 yards. Chris David Jr. carried 10 times for 45 yards.
The takeaway
Notre Dame: Flexed its muscles offensively and defensively and put itself in prime position to finish off the regular season strong and earn a spot in the playoffs.
Stanford: After an impressive scoring drive on its first possession, the Cardinal struggled offensively. In its last three games, Stanford has scored four touchdowns.
Poll Implications
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish will likely maintain their No. 11 position.
Up Next
Notre Dame: Travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Stanford: Hosts Southern Methodist on Saturday.