Irish Best The Cardinal 49-7 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, crushing the Stanford Cardinal 49-7 in a game that showcased their complete control on both sides of the ball. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the Irish never let up, securing one of their most commanding victories of the season.
Notre Dame’s offense was firing on all cylinders. Quarterback Tyler Buchner led the charge, connecting with his receivers for multiple big plays and managing the offense with precision. He finished the day with over 250 passing yards and three touchdown passes, showing poise and confidence in the pocket. The running game was equally relentless, with Audric Estimé and Logan Diggs combining for nearly 200 rushing yards and two scores. The offensive line gave them ample space to work with, manhandling Stanford’s front seven.
Defensively, the Irish were just as impressive. The Cardinal offense was held to a single touchdown late in the game, long after the outcome had been decided. Notre Dame’s defensive front applied constant pressure, tallying five sacks and forcing two turnovers. Linebacker JD Bertrand stood out with a team-high 11 tackles, while safety Xavier Watts added an interception to his already impressive season tally.
It was a statement win for head coach Marcus Freeman and his team, who continue to build momentum late in the season. “We talked all week about being focused, about playing four full quarters,” Freeman said during the postgame press conference. “The guys responded. I’m really proud of the energy and execution we brought tonight.”
The Irish came out fast, scoring on their first three drives and jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. That early lead allowed them to control the pace of the game and dictate every aspect of play. Stanford, on the other hand, struggled to find any rhythm, plagued by penalties and an inability to convert on third down.
Notre Dame’s special teams also contributed to the lopsided score, with a punt return by Chris Tyree setting up a short-field touchdown drive and kicker Spencer Shrader going a perfect 7-for-7 on extra points.
With this win, Notre Dame improves its record to 10-2, reinforcing its case for a New Year’s Six bowl berth. The performance sends a clear message to the College Football Playoff selection committee that the Irish are peaking at the right time.
Stanford, meanwhile, falls to 3-9, closing a disappointing season for the Cardinal. Head coach Troy Taylor acknowledged the gap between the two programs in his postgame remarks, saying, “Notre Dame played like a top-tier team tonight. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but this is the standard we aim to reach.”
As the regular season wraps up, the Fighting Irish have shown they’re not just a historic program resting on tradition — they’re a team with firepower, discipline, and a hunger for more.
**Irish Best The Cardinal 49-7 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish.** The score says it all, but the performance said even more.
