Notre Dame Dominates Stanford 49-20 to Secure Playoff Spot

On Saturday night, the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured their 10th consecutive win by defeating the Stanford Cardinal 49-20 in Stanford, California. The victory capped Notre Dame’s regular season at 10-2 and kept them firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation. Notre Dame started fast, scoring touchdowns on their first four drives and taking a 28-0 lead before Stanford could respond. The most notable play came in the second quarter when Luke Talich scored on an 84-yard touchdown pass off a fake punt from Joshua Burnham, showcasing the Irish’s aggressive approach on special teams. Running back Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman Trophy contender and one of the nation’s top rushers, provided an early scare when he exited the game in the first quarter with a minor injury but returned in the second half. Love finished with 66 rushing yards and his 21st touchdown of the season, breaking Jerome Bettis’ school record for total touchdowns and tying Audric Estime’s record for rushing scores in a single season. Quarterback CJ Carr was efficient for the Irish, passing for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Backup runners Jadarian Price and Aneyas Williams combined for 178 total yards and four touchdowns, helping Notre Dame dominate on the ground. On the Stanford side, quarterback Elijah Brown threw for 204 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Emmett Kenney added two field goals. The Cardinal managed to find the end zone twice in the fourth quarter, including a three-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Mirer—son of former Notre Dame star Rick Mirer—marking a full-circle moment for both programs. After the game, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman expressed confidence in his team’s playoff chances, stating, “We have improved as much as anybody in the country, been playing as well as anybody in the country and we have, in my opinion, the best player in the country.” The Irish have now achieved a double-digit winning streak for the fourth time in eight seasons, with all 10 victories this year coming by double figures. The win also allowed Notre Dame to retain the Legends Trophy, a symbol of their historic rivalry with Stanford. For Stanford, the loss ended a challenging season at 4-8, but interim head coach Frank Reich remained optimistic about the future, highlighting the team’s cultural progress. Next season, former Cardinal quarterback Tavita Pritchard is set to take over as head coach. For more on the game, see the Notre Dame 49-20 Stanford Final Score on ESPN and the Son of Notre Dame Great Throws Touchdown Pass vs. Irish feature.