Notre Dame’s offense didn’t just handle Stanford - it steamrolled the Cardinal in a 58-7 win to claim the most dominant victory in series history and keep the Legend’s Trophy in South Bend. The Irish piled up the kind of numbers that jump off the page: 58 points, 361 rushing yards, and a run game that overwhelmed Stanford from start to finish.
That ground assault was the headline, and the running back room finally looked like a group that has found its footing. The Irish backs combined for six touchdowns and 424 scrimmage yards, more than twice Stanford’s total offensive output.
Freshman Jonaz Walton looked like the clear headliner. He ran for 181 yards, added 28 receiving yards, and scored twice, including a 97-yard burst that effectively slammed the door on the game.
Sophomore Nolan James Jr. and junior Aneyas Williams also turned in strong days, but Walton’s back-to-back showings make a strong case that he’s the lead option right now.
Quarterback CJ Carr also had a productive afternoon, even if it wasn’t his sharpest one of the season. The junior from Saline, Michigan finished with 181 passing yards, 41 rushing yards, and three passing touchdowns. He wasn’t as crisp as usual, and the offense left a few plays on the field, but Carr still managed to put together a solid line in a game that never felt close.
Jaden Greathouse is also starting to look like a real piece of this passing game again. The senior receiver has had a frustratingly uneven role, but after his dominant playoff finish to the 2024 season, a limited 2025, and an inconsistent 2026 before his injury, he’s now showing real momentum over the last two games against UNC and Stanford.
Greathouse scored receiving touchdowns in back-to-back games and is carving out a clear red-zone connection with Carr. With the season-long question centered on who could step forward next to Jordan Faison, Greathouse is making a loud push.
In Other News...
Notre Dame Now Faces A Bigger BYU Test Than Expected
BYUs first full game without running back LJ Martin still produced a clear statement, as the Cougars handled Iowa State 24-10 and looked every bit like a team ready for another major stage. Bear Bachmeier powered the offense with a strong all-around showing, throwing for 329 yards and two touchdowns while adding 109 rushing yards of his own, a performance that reminded Notre Dame this trip is about more than just slowing down one part of the attack.
The Irish now head toward a game that suddenly feels even bigger than advertised, with BYU showing it can adapt and still keep pressure on a defense in multiple ways. With College Football Playoff implications expected to be in play, Notre Dame is preparing for a test that now comes with a little more confidence attached to the Cougars and a little more urgency attached to the Irish. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Just Landed A Massive Stage For Its Biggest Test Yet
College GameDay is heading to Provo on Oct. 17, giving BYU its first visit from ESPNs signature pregame show since 2009 and setting up a rare national spotlight at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The backdrop only adds to the weight of the matchup, with No. 3 Notre Dame arriving at 6-0 and No. 8 BYU at 5-0, two unbeaten teams meeting in a game that already carries major College Football Playoff implications.
The stage is even bigger because this will be the first time two top-10 teams have met at LaVell Edwards Stadium, and it comes with a primetime kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. For Notre Dame, it is the kind of road test that can sharpen a season and reshape the national conversation, while BYU gets a chance to prove its start belongs on the same stage as one of the sports premier brands. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Has A Bigger Stanford Concern Than Stanford
Notre Dame heads into the Stanford game with a little more uncertainty on defense than usual, and it starts with Leonard Moore. The defensive back is listed as questionable after taking a concussion in the previous game, while linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa has already been ruled out with a left thumb injury. Even with the depth the Irish have built on that side of the ball, those are the kinds of absences that can change how the defense looks and force the staff to adjust its plan.
The bigger picture for Notre Dame is less about Stanford itself and more about making sure players are not pushed back too quickly. The coaching staff has been careful with injuries all season, and that caution matters here with Moore still in the evaluation window and Viliamu-Asa unavailable. For a defense that has leaned on its depth, the real concern is preserving it for the stretch ahead, not just getting through one Saturday night. [Read more 🡒]