No. 9 Notre Dame crushes Stanford 49-20 in a dominant regular season finale. See how the Fighting Irish stayed unbeaten in their winning streak and why their playoff hopes are stronger than ever.

Notre Dame Crushes Stanford 49-20 to Lock in 10-Game Win Streak and College Football Playoff Push

After one of the most dominant performances of the regular season, No. 9 Notre Dame dismantled Stanford 49-20 on Saturday night in Palo Alto, extending its winning streak to an impressive ten consecutive victories and making a powerful statement to College Football Playoff selection committee voters.

The Fighting Irish took control from the opening whistle, racing to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and essentially putting the game out of reach by halftime. Notre Dame’s offense and defense worked in perfect harmony, with the Irish outgaining the Cardinal 524 yards to 312 yards while keeping Stanford’s attack completely suppressed throughout the evening.

This dominant victory over Stanford marks yet another statement win for the Fighting Irish, who have now won all ten of their recent games by double-digit margins. Head coach Marcus Freeman and his squad have quietly built one of the most impressive resumes in college football this season, and with this victory, Notre Dame has given itself the best possible argument for inclusion in the expanded twelve-team College Football Playoff.

When Did Notre Dame Play Stanford?

The Notre Dame vs Stanford football game took place on Saturday night, November 29, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for the late time slot of 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The game was broadcast live on ESPN, marking the fifth prime-time appearance for the Fighting Irish during the 2025 regular season.

Playing in Palo Alto, California, at Stanford Stadium, the Irish faced off against a struggling Cardinal team that entered the game with a 4-7 record. Despite the late kickoff time—which had many fans reaching for extra coffee—Notre Dame’s focus never wavered as they prepared for what many considered their final hurdle before the College Football Playoff selection process began.

Where to Watch Notre Dame vs Stanford Football

For those looking to catch the action, the Notre Dame vs Stanford football game was broadcast exclusively on ESPN. Fans could watch the game on ESPN’s cable network or through the ESPN app, which provided live streaming options for those unable to view it on traditional television.

The game was also available through Fubo, which offered streaming coverage with their paid subscription service. For international viewers and those using alternative streaming platforms, ESPN’s digital properties provided comprehensive coverage of this important regular season finale.

The 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff meant that fans on the West Coast got to enjoy the game at a more reasonable 7:30 p.m. local time, while those in the East had to stay up late to witness one of the most significant games of the college football regular season.

Notre Dame’s Offensive Dominance Against Stanford

Quarterback CJ Carr orchestrated an efficient and deadly offensive attack throughout the contest, completing 17 of 27 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman signal-caller showed exceptional poise and field awareness, managing the game beautifully and making smart decisions with the football when it mattered most.

Running back Jeremiyah Love, despite dealing with a painful rib injury suffered during the first quarter, still managed to make an impact. Love’s 21st touchdown of the season came early in the game, setting the tone for what would become a dominant performance. He carried the ball 14 times for 66 yards, but his presence alone forced Stanford’s defense to respect the Irish ground attack throughout the evening.

The real breakout star on Saturday night was running back Aneyas Williams, who picked up the slack created by Love’s injury. Williams rushed the ball 10 times for 83 yards and two touchdowns while also catching two passes for 40 yards. His aggressive running style and ability to find the end zone demonstrated exactly why Notre Dame’s offense has ranked among the nation’s elite all season long.

An unexpected but brilliant moment came in the second quarter when the Irish executed a perfectly timed fake punt. Defensive end Josh Burnham took a short snap and delivered a pass to Luke Talich, who then raced 84 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. This creative play exemplified Marcus Freeman’s aggressive coaching style and Notre Dame’s willingness to strike quickly and decisively against any opponent.

Stanford’s Offensive Struggles Against Notre Dame

Stanford’s offense simply could not keep pace with Notre Dame’s relentless attack. Quarterback Elijah Brown completed 18 of 37 pass attempts for 204 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. While Brown didn’t play poorly by any objective standard, he faced a Notre Dame defense that was absolutely dominant all evening long.

The Cardinal finished the game with just 312 yards of total offense on 70 plays, an anemic 2.9 yards per play that reflected just how thoroughly Stanford was outmatched. Notre Dame’s defense, under coordinator Chris Ash’s guidance, has transformed itself into one of the nation’s most formidable units as the season has progressed.

Stanford’s only real offensive highlight came late in the game when the Cardinal scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Notre Dame’s backup units. These late-game scores made the final scoreline look slightly closer than the actual competitive balance of the game indicated, as Freeman wisely pulled his starters once the outcome had been firmly decided in the middle of the third quarter.

Jeremiyah Love’s Heisman Trophy Push in Focus

Love’s impact on this game goes beyond the statistics on the box score. The Notre Dame running back entered the contest as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate and one of the most dynamic playmakers in all of college football. His 21st touchdown of the season ties the Notre Dame single-season record previously held by future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, who set the mark in 1991.

Despite playing through a rib injury that eventually forced him out of the game, Love proved once again why he is among the nation’s elite players. His vision, his ability to find openings in the defense, and most importantly, his uncanny knack for reaching the end zone all stood out on Saturday evening.

Love is averaging 143.2 all-purpose yards per game this season while scoring with remarkable consistency. He ranks second nationally in total touchdowns and third in rushing touchdowns specifically. For a player who doesn’t carry the ball as frequently as some other top running backs around college football, his per-carry production remains absolutely elite at 7.06 yards per carry.

The Heisman Trophy race typically favors players on winning teams, and Love’s position on a Notre Dame squad that has now won ten consecutive games places him squarely in contention. His Heisman case is strengthened considerably by Notre Dame’s strength of schedule and the quality of competition the Fighting Irish have faced throughout the 2025 regular season.

Notre Dame’s Path to the College Football Playoff

Before Saturday’s game against Stanford, Notre Dame held down the No. 9 ranking in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s official rankings, a spot the Irish had occupied for three consecutive weeks. The selection committee indicated that the Irish sat right on the playoff bubble, needing to make a compelling case to secure one of the twelve available spots.

With Saturday’s dominant victory now in the books, Notre Dame has strengthened its playoff case considerably. Head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized after the game that he believes his team has done enough to warrant selection, pointing to the ten-game winning streak and the fact that all ten victories have come by double-digit margins.

The analytical models back up Freeman’s assessment. Entering the Stanford game, the PFSN College Football Playoff Meter gave Notre Dame an 86.8 percent probability of making the playoff. Sportsbooks have installed Notre Dame at +800 odds to win the national championship, the third-best odds behind Indiana at +500 and Ohio State at +165.

However, the Irish still face a waiting game. Conference championship weekend will take place the following week, and the College Football Playoff selection committee will make its final determinations at that time. Notre Dame will need to see certain outcomes occur around the country to guarantee their inclusion in the playoff field. Should Indiana and Ohio State meet in the Big Ten championship game, that locks in one automatic conference champion’s spot. Similar scenarios involving other Power conference would also help Notre Dame’s chances.

Regardless of external factors, Freeman’s squad has done everything within its control. A regular season finale victory was absolutely essential, and the Irish delivered in emphatic fashion against Stanford.

CJ Carr’s Development as Notre Dame’s Signal-Caller

One of the most encouraging storylines for Notre Dame this season has been the development of freshman quarterback CJ Carr. The highly touted prospect, who comes from an impressive football family—his grandfather Lloyd Carr was the legendary head coach at Michigan—has impressed repeatedly against elite competition throughout the 2025 season.

Carr’s statistics through eleven games paint a picture of a young quarterback who has quickly adapted to the college game. He has completed 178 of 266 pass attempts for 66.9 percent completion percentage, 2,536 passing yards, 22 touchdowns against just 6 interceptions, and a 169.8 quarterback rating. These are exceptional numbers for any freshman, let alone one thrust into the starting role immediately.

What stands out most about Carr’s play is his decision-making and his ability to protect the football. His 22 touchdowns to 6 interceptions ratio demonstrates his willingness to trust his receivers and his arm talent. Against Stanford, he didn’t need to put excessive pressure on himself, instead managing the game efficiently and allowing his running backs and receivers to do the heavy lifting.

Carr’s growth trajectory suggests that Notre Dame could have an elite quarterback for several more seasons. If the Irish make the College Football Playoff, Carr will face the most intense pressure moments of his young career. Based on his performance throughout 2025, he appears more than capable of handling whatever challenges lie ahead.

Notre Dame’s Defensive Transformation

Defensive coordinator Chris Ash arrived at Notre Dame with the challenging task of replacing one of the most successful defensive units in recent college football history. The 2024 Notre Dame defense was absolutely elite, and expectations were sky-high entering the 2025 season.

However, the early part of the 2025 season saw the Irish defense struggle at times. Concerns circulated about whether Ash’s system would prove as effective as the previous regime. Those concerns have been completely put to rest as the season has progressed.

The Notre Dame defense under Ash’s stewardship has accumulated an impressive thirty-three sacks, sixty-seven tackles for loss, twenty interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. The unit held Stanford to just 312 total yards and 2.9 yards per play, demonstrating the kind of suffocating defensive performance that can win playoff games.

Key contributors include safety Leonard Moore, an All-American caliber cornerback who has increasingly embraced a role shadowing opposing receivers. The defense’s ability to create turnovers and generate negative plays has become one of Notre Dame’s greatest strengths heading into the playoff season.

Marcus Freeman’s Coaching Impact

Head coach Marcus Freeman has built Notre Dame into a team that looks fundamentally different from the squads that lost in the first two weeks of the season to Miami and Texas A&M respectively. Over the past nine games, the Irish have won by an average margin of 29.7 points per game, a staggering testament to their consistent excellence across all phases.

Freeman’s decision-making at the end of Saturday’s game exemplified his coaching philosophy. Rather than running up the score on Stanford, Freeman inserted his backup players and younger players in the fourth quarter to give them valuable experience. This decision prioritized team development and player health heading into the playoffs over margin of victory.

The Irish have outscored the Cardinal 105-30 in their matchups since 2022, a span that covers Freeman’s entire tenure at Notre Dame. His ability to quickly establish dominance over Stanford and then shift focus to the broader playoff picture demonstrates the level of confidence Freeman has built within his program.

Looking Ahead: The College Football Playoff Selection Process

As Notre Dame awaits the official College Football Playoff announcements, the Irish have established a resume that merit serious consideration. With all wins coming by double digits, a top-ten offense and defense by several metrics, and a head coach widely respected throughout college football, the Irish have presented a compelling case.

The expanded twelve-team playoff format means that the selection committee must choose not just the top four teams but rather the top twelve. This format should theoretically work in Notre Dame’s favor, as the Irish have displayed the kind of elite play down the stretch that playoff teams need to possess.

The waiting period will be anxious for Irish fans, but the team has done everything asked of it. A dominant victory on the road against Stanford capped off an impressive regular season and kept Notre Dame squarely in the conversation with the nation’s elite programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Notre Dame vs Stanford

What time was the Notre Dame vs Stanford game?

The Notre Dame vs Stanford game kicked off at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The 7:30 p.m. local Pacific time kick marked the latest start time for Notre Dame all season long.

How many points did Notre Dame beat Stanford by?

Notre Dame defeated Stanford by a final score of 49-20, winning by 29 points. The Irish dominated in virtually every statistical category and controlled the game from start to finish.

Who threw touchdown passes for Notre Dame against Stanford?

CJ Carr threw two touchdown passes for Notre Dame during the game. Quarterback Carr also benefited from the defense’s offensive contribution when defensive end Josh Burnham threw an 84-yard touchdown pass to Luke Talich on a fake punt play in the second quarter.

Did Jeremiyah Love play against Stanford?

Yes, Jeremiyah Love played despite suffering a rib injury during the first quarter. Love scored his 21st touchdown of the season, tying Jerome Bettis’ Notre Dame single-season record. However, the injury limited his carries to 14, and he finished with 66 yards.

Is Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff?

Notre Dame was ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings going into the Stanford game and had an 86.8 percent probability of making the twelve-team playoff. The Irish must now await the official selection committee announcements following championship weekend.

What is Notre Dame’s record after beating Stanford?

Notre Dame improved to 10-2 with the victory over Stanford. The Irish also extended their winning streak to an impressive ten consecutive victories, with all ten wins coming by double-digit margins.

Who is favored to win the Heisman Trophy?

Jeremiyah Love ranks among the top Heisman Trophy candidates heading into the final playoff selection period. While other players are also in the conversation, Love’s combination of elite statistical production and contribution to a winning team gives him a legitimate shot at college football’s most prestigious individual award.

Conclusion

Notre Dame’s dominant 49-20 victory over Stanford on Saturday night represents far more than just another regular season football game. The Fighting Irish proved once again why they belong in the conversation with the nation’s elite teams. With a 10-game winning streak, a battle-tested roster, and coaching staff that has successfully navigated the pressures of winning at the highest level, Notre Dame has built a compelling case for College Football Playoff inclusion.

Jeremiyah Love and CJ Carr demonstrated why they are among the most important players in college football. Marcus Freeman’s coaching decisions and Chris Ash’s defensive adjustments have transformed what looked like a vulnerable Irish team in mid-September into a legitimate playoff contender.

The path forward now leads through the selection committee’s decision process and potentially the biggest games in Notre Dame football history. What is certain is that the Fighting Irish have earned the right to play for a national championship. Whether the selection committee agrees remains to be seen, but based on body of work, Notre Dame absolutely deserves consideration.