IRISH STEAMROLL STANFORD, IMPROVE TO 6-0

Notre Dame dominates their rival Stanford 58-7, remaining undefeated for their matchup vs #8 BYU in Provo.

The Legends Trophy is staying where it belongs: South Bend.

Golden Domer fans rejoice. We have a run game again.

Notre Dame absolutely DOMINATED the Cardinal by a final score of 58-7. This game went completely off the rails since the opening play of the game.

Stanford QB Davis Warren was hit from behind by stud EDGE rusher Boubacar Traore, causing a fumble. The Irish would score 4 plays later, as Nolan James punched one in from 2 yards out to give ND a 7-0 lead.

After both teams would score, CJ Carr would find WR Jaden Greathouse on a quick slant, giving the Irish a 2-score lead.

To start the 2nd quarter, Notre Dame was backed up inside their own 5-yard line at the 3. Marcus Freeman and Mike Denbrock decided to put the electric freshman Jonaz Walton in the game.

And boy did he deliver.

The outstanding freshman took it 97 YARDS to give ND a 20-0 lead, after Spencer Porath missed the extra point.

James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It would not matter though, as Irish defense created their 14th turnover of the season. Traore would this time intercept Davis Warren, giving the Irish the ball back.

Following a field goal, Nolan James would punch one in for his 2nd touchdown of the game, extending the Irish lead to 30-0.

CJ Carr would then connect with Aneyas Williams for a 70-yard strike down the sidelines, wrapping a bow on a 37-0 first half.

Morale was not improved, so the beating would continue.

Carr connected with Elijah Burress, the son of New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress, for his 3rd touchdown of the game.

Notre Dame would score 2 more TDs with the backups in the game, with the final ending 58-7 in favor of the Golden Domers.

The Ground Game is Back.

This is not a drill. Against the wall of trees, all 3 running backs had a TD AND the Irish rushed for a combined 361 yards on the ground.

I used to pray for times like this.

Jonaz Walton ran the ball 13 times for 181 yards, averaging 14 yards a carry. Walton continued to showcase why he is the sparkplug of the Irish offense with 2 touchdowns.

In second place was Nolan James Jr, finishing the day with 10 carries for 73 yards, averaging 7.3 yards a carry. This included a 30-yard scraper and a 2-yard TD which gave ND their first score of the game.

As a bonus cameo, even CJ Carr rushed for 41 yards on top of his 14/20, 181 passing yards, and 3 touchdown day.

Bringing up the rear was Aneyas Williams. He may have only had 28 yards on 7 carries, but he managed to catch a 70-yard TD from Carr on top of averaging 4 yards a carry!

Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After being famished for an elite run game, we finally got what we wanted. So what's next?

I believe that it could not be more obvious, start Walton and make Nolan James your RB2. The ground attack with Walton is 100x better and a lot more explosive. James can attack defenders efficiently, but he is someone I would look at as a 3rd down back, as he averages 5.2 YPC.

Williams has shown flashes as a receiving back but does not have the burst or ballcarrier vision to be the RB1 on a National Championship contender.

Best Defense in the Nation?

There is no secret that DC Chris Ash is on the redemption arc of the century. Last season, the Irish gave up 32.7 points per game, and 400 yards per game during first 3 games of the 2025 season. the

However, Notre Dame finished the regular season on a 10-game winning streak, allowing just 12.6 points per game over its final nine contests.

In 2026, the Irish defense has turned it up to level 11. They lead the nation in total defense numbers, allowing 214 yards per game, which combines their 155 passing yards and their 58.3 rushing yards per game. (12th in the country for passing, 3rd in the country for rushing)

The Irish also have created 14 turnovers in their first 6 games.

Against Stanford, Ash's unit allowed 202 yards on the day but responded with 3 turnovers. Out of the 12 drives, the trees punted the ball 8 times, including 3 times in a row in the first quarter.

Mind you, this is without their THREE BEST DEFENDERS:

Preseason 1st team All-American Safety Brauntae Johnson
Preseason 1st team All-American Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
Consensus #1 DB in the 2027 NFL Draft & 2 Time Preseason 1st team All-American Leonard Moore.

The biggest story for this defense has been the emergence to superstardom from EDGE rusher Boubacar Traore, who has simply filled the void of the 3 All-Americans.

The Provo Predicament

Everyone remembers this moment:

"As a team, we've decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season. We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we're hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026."

It brought INSANE backlash, as the Irish were set to face off against the BYU Cougars in the Pop-Tarts bowl after falling one spot short of the playoffs.

Instead, Coach Freeman held a meeting with the captains, there it was decided that Notre Dame would decline their bowl game invite after feeling snubbed by the College Football Playoff Committee.

This caused some of the most diabolical and screwed up memes of the 2026 college football season.

As a result of the USC Trojans canceling the 100th matchup between them and the Irish, Notre Dame decided to schedule a home and home versus the team that everyone claimed they "ran from" in the BYU Cougars.

Not only that but the Irish will be making their first trip to LaVell Edwards Stadium this Saturday at 7:30pm on ESPN to face the Cougars.

The matchup versus BYU will be the first true test for Marcus Freeman this season, as Notre Dame has yet to face a ranked opponent.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, they will be without star running back LJ Martin. According to ESPN Senior Insider Pete Thamel:

"No. 8 BYU’s star tailback, LJ Martin, will be out for at least a month with a lower body injury he suffered against TCU, per ESPN sources. He was the Big 12 offensive player of the year in 2025. He’ll miss four to six weeks, including the home against No. 3 Notre Dame on Oct. 17."

This is dire for the Cougars, as their passing offense ranks 88th in the nation. Sophomore QB Bear Bachmeier has a 64.4 completion percentage, 1,033 passing yards and 8 TDs. Bachmeier ranks 83rd in passing yards and tied for 56th in passing touchdowns.

Despite a weak passing game, Legend Glasker remains their key threat. With 378 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

Where BYU's strength lies is their defense.

Ranked 7th in total defense, the Cougars have given up 254 yards per game, and 13.4 points per game. The man who anchors their defense is stud safety Faletau Satuala.

Satuala is the most NFL-ready player on the roster. At 6'4 215, he's big enough to play at all three levels of the defense. He led the team in tackles (67) and pressure rate (30%), was third in interceptions (3), and second in total stops (29)

Leading the charge for the Cougars and NOT Penn State is Kalani Sitake. In 10 seasons with the Mormons, he has an 89-45 record and a 6-2 record in bowl games. Sitake has turned the Cougars into a legit Big 12 side, not as dominant as LaVell Edwards in the 80s, but pretty close.

Overall, Saturday night will be an absolute firework show. The first non SEC-ACC game on ESPN since 2023.

#2 Notre Dame vs #8 BYU @ LaVell Edwards Stadium.

A top 10 matchup that the world has been waiting for.

IRISH STEAMROLL STANFORD, IMPROVE TO 6-0

The Ground Game is Back.

Best Defense in the Nation?

The Provo Predicament

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