Leonard throws three touchdowns and runs for another as Notre Dame beat No. 11 Stanford 49-7

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Riley Leonard threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead No. 11 Notre Dame to a 49-7 victory over Stanford on Saturday.

Leonard was 16 of 22 passing for 229 yards and three scores and ran six times for 31 yards and a TD.

The game was stopped at the end of the third quarter due to lighting in the area with Notre Dame leading 42-7. Play resumed after a delay of about an hour.

Steve Angeli replaced Leonard at quarterback when play resumed.

Notre Dame (5-1) shut down Stanford's offense, recording eight tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks and a lost fumble. The Fighting Irish also stopped Stanford three times on fourth-period attempts.

Stanford (2-4), traveling to the Eastern time zone for the third time in four weeks, took first place. The Cardinals drove 63 yards on their first possession and took the lead when quarterback Justin Lamson scored on a one-yard run.

This advantage did not last long.

Leonard and Notre Dame responded with a 75-yard drive. Leonard scored the equalizer with a six-yard run.

Notre Dame built a 21-7 halftime lead by capitalizing on two failed attempts by Stanford in the fourth period. Jayden Thomas caught a 15-yard throw from Leonard for a score, and Kris Mitchell caught a five-yard scoring pass from Leonard.

Notre Dame's defense set up the next touchdown, giving the Fighting Irish a 28-7 lead. Defensive end Joshua Burnham blocked a pitch from Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels and hauled it in before rolling it 15 yards to the Cardinal 17. Two plays later, Jadarian Price raced 16 yards for the score.

Ashton Daniels went 8 for 13 for 74 yards and rushed 14 times for 42 yards. Lamson was 2 for 4 for 13 yards. Chris David Jr. carried 10 balls for 45 yards.

The takeaway food

Notre Dame: Flexed its muscles offensively and defensively, putting itself in the best position to finish the regular season strong and secure a playoff spot.

Stanford: After an impressive scoring drive on its first possession, the Cardinal struggled on offense. Stanford has scored four touchdowns in its last three games.

Impact on the survey

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish will likely retain their No. 11 seed.

Next

Notre Dame: Travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Stanford: Hosts Southern Methodist on Saturday.