Notre Dame hammered Stanford 58-7, but the real story is the Irish's total dominance across every phase.
Notre Dame hammered Stanford 58-7, but the real story is the Irish's total dominance across every phase. Explosive freshman Jonas Walton torched the Cardinal with 181 rushing yards and a 97-yard touchdown—one of the longest in program history—while quarterback CJ Carr delivered three touchdown passes and flawless efficiency. The balanced attack kept Stanford guessing, as Notre Dame piled up points on both the ground and through the air.
Defensively, Boubacar Traore was a game-changer, kicking things off with a strip-sack and fumble recovery that set the tone. Even with key defenders like Leonard Moore out, the Irish kept Stanford to just 202 yards, forcing takeaways and showcasing impressive depth. Can Notre Dame maintain this high standard when tougher opponents push back? The win sets a new benchmark, but the real test is still to come.