Notre Dame Dominates Stanford 58-7 Behind Explosive Offensive Performance

October 11, 2026

Notre Dame extended its unbeaten season to 16 games with a commanding 58-7 victory over Stanford, showcasing a balanced offensive assault that overwhelmed the Cardinal from start to finish. The Fighting Irish amassed 598 total yards, led by a historic rushing performance from freshman Jonaz Walton, who carried the ball 23 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns, including a 97-yard touchdown run—the third-longest in Notre Dame Stadium history.

Walton’s explosive playmaking, paired with 73 rushing yards and two scores from Nolan James Jr., gave the Irish a 361-yard rushing advantage, while quarterback CJ Carr added 181 passing yards and three touchdowns, connecting with multiple receivers to keep the offense dynamic. Stanford’s offense struggled mightily, managing just 202 total yards and 58 rushing yards, as Notre Dame’s defense stifled their attempts to respond.

The Cardinal’s quarterback, Davis Warren, completed only 12 of 22 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown, while the team’s lone scoring reception came from wide receiver Benji Blackburn. With the win, Notre Dame improved to 6-0 under head coach Marcus Freeman, while Stanford fell to 2-4 in its first season under first-year coach Tavita Pritchard.